New Beer Weekend #57

Just like old times

 

Thank you @lordofthewiens for opening up the thread this week. I’ll catch up on BA today but early drop at Revolution to try a few taproom exclusives. The first one is a one off, brewed for a brewer’s wedding. I’m a huge rye fan, so this was one of the draws.

Rye Do!



Brewery Notes: This was formulated and brewed with one of our brewers to celebrate his wedding. The goal was to brew a pale lager that’s approachable and refreshing.

We started with a hefty base of Weyermann floor malted pilsen malt which lays the foundation of this beer with a smaller portion of rye malt. Delicately spiced with European hop varieties Saphir and Aurum that complement the gentle malt characteristics, and fermented with our house lager yeast. 6 weeks of lagering has allowed this beer to round out and deliver this summer crusher with a silky mouthfeel and a manageable abv at only 5.0%.

Appearance: $7 16 oz draft pour in Pilsner glass. Clear straw color, nominal carbonation light head dissipates quickly, leaving temporary fine lacing throughout. 3.5

Aroma: Faint rye, have to try hard to get that much, and nothing more. 2.5

Taste: Taste slightly bolder but still faint, light rye, sweet caramel and bread malt. 2.75

Mouthfeel: Creamy somewhat syrupy, the fullest attribute of this beer. Faint fizzy carbonation, easy drinking, lightly bitter overall, slight dryness. 3.25

Overall: Nothing offensive, but faint is the key word here. Disappointed the rye, and anything else noted in the brewery notes was faint to negligible. Hope the wefmddibg works out better than the beer. I don’t. 2.75

Hoping the next one works out better. See you in a bit.

 

Second, final new pour here as I’ve had everyone else on their menu.

Revolution Spectaron



Brewery notes: Spectaron derives its name from the dry hop onslaught of Nectaron and Talus hops in conjunction with Citra and Mosaic Spectrum, as well as whole leaf Citra hops.

The hops, in conjunction with Sundew yeast, deliver strawberry and tangerine aromas, followed with flavors of guava, lychee, and candied persimmon – all riding in on a resin-tinged wave of citrus. 10.9% ABV

Appearance: $4 5 oz taster glass draft pour, clear tan base, creamy beige head leaves generous leaves of fine bubble lacing. 4.25

Aroma: Nice full aroma, tropical fruit leads with tangerine, citrus and pine. Like it. 4.0

Taste: Bursts with a thick full flavor. Love the dry pine, tangerine and guava. Like a tropical fruit smorgasbord, with a dry bitter balancing level of hops. 3.75

Mouthfeel: Tastes sweet at first, but hop bitterness combats forcefully, bitterness almost at a dry tart level I don’t believe I’ve encountered at this level. Drink is really strong to or above the high abv. Dryness lingers throughout, bitter dry aftertaste, hard to work through. 3.25

Overall: This is a powerful potent IPA, tropical fruits offset by a somewhat overpowering bitterness. Not for the faint hearted. Glad I tried, but this would be challenging to drink on a regular basis. Good challenging offering, 5 oz is enough for me today. 3.5

Will stay Chicago based when I return tomorrow, look forward to your reviews and commentary throughout the weekend.

Cheers!

 

Don’t be afraid of the dark!

Do you remember that tagline from Martin Mull in the Michelob Dark commercials?

Thanks to a generous benefactor I am pleased to discuss a new (to me) Dark Lager: Schilling Georg Dark Lager. On the side of the can is mention of Munich-Style Dark Lager.

There is an interesting backstory from Schilling about the brand name of this beer plus some brewing details:

“Georg (named in honor of George A. Schilling) is a complex, dark Bavarian-style lager with traditional Munich malt taking center stage, presenting notes of nuttiness and bread with a touch of caramel. While complex in flavor, this traditional brown lager is dry and sessionable. Prosit!”

So, what is exactly the Dark Lager beer style? Let’s consult the BJCP style guidelines here:

8. DARK EUROPEAN LAGER

8A. Munich Dunkel

8B. Schwarzbier

There is one other Dark European Lager beyond the two styles listed there:

3D. Czech Dark Lager

The BJCP decided to group the Czech Dark Lager within the Czech beer section.

So, what is the difference between a Munich Dunkel, Schwarzbier and a Czech Dark Lager? Let’s once again consult the BJCP style guidelines where within the discussion of the Munich Dunkel style they state:

“Style Comparison: Not as intense in maltiness as a bock (and thus more drinkable in quantity). Lacking the more roasted flavors (and often hop bitterness) of a schwarzbier. Richer, more malt-centric, and less hoppy than a Czech Dark Lager.”

Given what Schilling listed on the side of the can I am predisposed in thinking this beer will be a Munich Dunkel style beer but let’s take it for a ‘road test’ and see what we shall see.

Served in my Sly Fox Goat Races/Bock Fest Willi Becher beer glass:

Appearance:

Pours a chestnut brown color with a khaki-colored head.

Aroma:

Plenty of dark bread crust aroma with a slight hint of caramel.

Taste:

Flavor follows the nose with lots of dark bread crust flavor accompanied by a subtle aspect of caramel. There is low-moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel

Medium bodied with a dry finish.

Overall

I enjoyed drinking this beer, I think it is very good Munich Dunkel.

Cheers!

@rotsaruch @RobH @KOP_Beer_OUtlet

 

Good afternoon NBW
I purchased this bottle at the Sierra Nevada Mills River taproom last month on a trip and I'm finally getting a chance to enjoy it.

Trip In the Woods: Visions of Sugar Plums (Belgian Strong Dark Ale)

750mL corked bottle purchased at the SN Mills River taproom poured into a Rochefort chalice at 60° Fahrenheit 9.9% ABV. The beer pours opaque medium brown in color with khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island of tiny bubbles fed constantly by the nucleation point in the glass. The aroma is mild with oak barrel, plum, red wine, old leather and candi sugar. The taste is semisweet malt with layers of bourbon, oak, plum, brandy, toasted sugar, caramel and red wine. Minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium plus bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, excellent. Balanced barrel influence from the bourbon, brandy & wine barrels along with a strong malt backbone. Malty without being sweet. Delicious.

It turned out I had to enter this beer here on BA, as all the very old reviews were of a non barrel aged base beer. This is an outstanding example of one of my favorite styles. Cheers all!

 

thanks @lordofthewiens gor the opening this week

Was recently on vacation and came across this new to me brewer and beer. Would have enjoyed more time in their tap room , cool looking place

Thirsty Botanist by BoothBay Craft Brewery/ Watershed Tavern



4.15/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

16 oz can poured into an ipa glass

Two finger sudsy off-white foam cap good retention streaky Lacings settles to a solid island with ring over a translucent orange liquid

Aroma is bright , clean citrus, grapefruit, pine

Taste is citrus, grapefruit, pine

Good sudsing

Good beer

 

There are six Sierra Nevada barrel aged beers listed in BA (including this one you added).

The only Trip in the Woods (aged in Tequila Barrels) that I had was Sierra Nevada Trip In the Woods: Tequila-Barrel-Aged Otra Vez. I discussed this beer in a past NBS thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-719.597361/#post-6288425



I thought that barrel aged beer was excellent.

Cheers!

 

Take me to the peak: Troubles End The Peak (German Pilsner)

Last evening my wife and I visited a local brewery, Troubles End Brewing, for a few beers and dinner. It has been about a month since our last visit and to my pleasant surprise I saw they installed a Lukr side-pull faucet recently. The were serving their German Pilsner on the Lukr: The Peak.

Needless to say but I had to order one (and a second).

I tried to take a photo of the bartender pouring my beer but I was shooting between people at the bar and the best I could do is capture the reflection in the mirror behind the bar:



The process they use is the same as is done in the Czech Republic: a new mug is selected, pre-rinsed using a bidet, and then the mug is shoved up high to permit the beer to be bottom filled. You can see the resulting beer here:



Appearance:

Straw yellow colored with a firm and very long-lasting white head.

Aroma:

Mostly bready malt but there is a hint of herbal hops as well.

Flavor:

Follow the nose with mostly bready malt flavor but nicely accompanied with spicy/herbal hop flavors.

Mouthfeel:

The mouthfeel of this beer is excellent – medium/full bodied due to the side-pull pour but with a pleasant dry finish.

Overall:

I really enjoyed drinking this beer, I thought it was very good.

It was indeed a tasty beer which complemented my meal (pork schnitzel) very nicely.

Cheers!

@RobH @rotsaruch

 

Dance Language - Buckwheat by Oxbow

4.27/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25



Quoting the BA beer style guide,

“ Beers in this category are gold to light amber in color. Often bottle-conditioned, with some yeast character and high carbonation. Belgian-style Saison may have Brettanomyces or lactic character, and fruity, horsey, goaty and/or leather-like aromas and flavors. Specialty ingredients, including spices, may contribute a unique and signature character. Commonly called “farmhouse ales” and originating as summertime beers in Belgium, these are not just warm-weather treats. ”

11.2 Ounce bottle poured into a Spiegelau tulip. This is a biere de miel brewed and bottle conditioned with buckwheat honey

Pours a fluffy three finger off-white foam cap that has good retention and recedes to a fake ring with a scant island. Hazy copper gold colored liquid with volcanic-like activity streams of micro carbonation. Islands appear as lacings on the side of the glass

Aroma is funky, horsey, summer barnyard, whiff of honey

Taste is yeasty, funky , tiny hint of buckwheat honey sweetness

Sudsy mouthfeel , semi sry finish



Good beer

 

Drinking today to relieve the pain of kitchen counter repairs. We can't use the sink, so the whole kitchen is shut down until some tiling is grouted and sealed.

Atalanta Tart Plum Saison by Orpheus Brewing in Atlanta. Named after the Greek mythological heroine, not the Lombardy football club. Atalanta has quite a complex story. I believe that the can depicts Atalanta after she was turned into a lion by Zeus.
Seemed like a good choice for a hot afternoon while watching La Vuelta bike race stage through Cartagena. 5.25 % ABV. Comes in a 12 oz. can dated 3/3/21.

Pours a lightly hazy gold with scant fine white head. There is a notable funk note in the aroma that doesn't follow unto the flavor. The plum fruitiness shines through in the flavor. There is also a lightly spicy pepper note. Crisp and refreshing.
4.34/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Orpheus has quite a lineup of sour and wild beers and the availability here is spotty. Lots more for me to discover.

 

Covert Artisan Ales Bon Imperial Pastry Stout, 10.4% ABV. Six ounce pour, black and oily looking, with a ring of brown bubbles. Nose is chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla. Taste follows, plus cream cheese, very sweet, no bitterness. Excellent mouthfeel, overall world-class. Basically a liquefied cinnamon roll.

4.67/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Bummed that this was tap-only due to being so limited, had hoped to get a crowler. Made my all-time top-twelve.

 

Thank you @lordofthewiens for opening up the thread this week!
Because I come from W. Michigan, (at least my beer drinking days) Oberon was my introduction to craft beer some years back so I try 'new' wheat beers with trepidation. But not to worry here, this was excellent!
The look was transparent cool gold with an almost white head that left sparse lacing.
The smell was good, and maybe great, but as my nose is not up to specs (it seems) it's difficult to tell. But it did smell nice.
The taste, really quite good. Bit hoppier than I expected but not annoyingly so. Made for a nice bitter end to the flavors of malts and hops and wheat that style is known for. Quite refreshing actually.
The feel is nice for the genre, goes with the crushability. (Is that a word?)
OA, Oberon finally has a challenger. This is one tasty and refreshing beer.

 

Good evening NBW
I picked up a crowler at Damsel Brewpub today. I normally don't swing by there, but the allure of a smoked lager was too strong.

Joan
32oz crowler purchased at the brewpub 8.5 % ABV 31 IBU. The beer pours bright dark amber with ruby highlights and khaki head. The head recedes to nothing more than a pencil thin ring. No lacing. The aroma is moderate with strong campfire smoke, ham and deeply toasted malt. The taste is more of the same with huge campfire, bacon and ham smoke over a toasty malt base with minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, very good. This is a no holds barred smoked lager and I love it.

This one will take a while to get through, but I'm enjoying it. Cheers all!

 

Pours a beautiful milky yellow with a half finger white head that leaves thin streaks of lace and excellent retention. 4.75

Aroma tangerine, pineapple, papaya, passionfruit, hint of blueberry, and apricot. 4.5

Taste follows tangerine, passionfruit, papaya, pineapple, a little blueberry, and apricot really balanced. 4.5

Mouthfeel is above average, not sticky or dry, soft creamy carbonation, and at 7% it drinks bigger in flavor but really easy going down. 5

Overall this is another exceptional beer from this very young brewery. 4.5 Feels great to have @lordofthewiens kick this off. Cheers Doc!

 

I selected this beer a couple days ago and saved it for this forum: Coronado Brewing Co. Twenty-fifth Anniversary San Diego Style IPA, (which supposedly is clear and celebrates hop characteristics with a dry finish; I'm not sure how this is supposed to differ from West Coast IPA). There are many great 90+ point rated IPAs on BA...this isn't one of them, nor should it be (IMO). The Coronado website does not even list it or describe it and there is only one other BA review of it. 7.5% ABV with no other descriptor on the can. Bought from a room temp shelf as a single can dated 7/28/21 and consumed now. Pours a clear, light yellow. Voluminous but loose and very short lived white/off-white head comprised mostly of large-ish bubbles that leave no real lacing to speak of as I drink it and the head diminishes to basically nothing in a short time. The smell and flavor are both about the same: nothing jumps out as readily identifiable, and certainly not very fruity. Maybe some Mosaic hops? Mouthfeel is medium carbonation/medium body. Clean, dry-ish finish. While I like this better than most other IPAs from this brewery I can't believe that this is the best they can do to celebrate 25 years, keeping in mind that I typically prefer in-your-face obvious scents and flavors.