Latest WOW! Beer (2021)

DSSOLVR Definitely Aliens Mexican Imperial Stout - excellent, memorable beer!

 

Grabbed a growler of Jester King's Moderne Dansk from my local craft bar this week, pretty incredible. Took an entire 32 oz growler on by myself, which is out of character for me with regards to sours. And you're right, Deep Flux IS pretty dang good!

 

Better Year Bitter an ESB from the month old Bull n Bear Brewery in Summit NJ. an outstanding example of the style.

 

I was at Whiskey Road in Cedar Falls, IA, the other night and I about fell off my chair when I noticed TG Mornin' Delight on the tap list. Everything you've heard is true.

 

I haven't had one yet but the year is young.

 

I ordered the husband and I a rare stout gift pack online plus got a bunch of the fifty fifty eclipse 2020 releases and 3 abraxas varieties.

That being said...

I had my first King Sue today at a local restaurant. One of the best beers I have ever had. Best beer experience since 2011 actually.

Most interesting WOW beer lately has been Mezcal Barrel Aged Eclipse

 

Allagash Kurkuma saison. Dont let the turmeric additive scare you off, it’s barely noticeable, but this was an outstanding saison and worth trying if you enjoy saisons.

 

Massive! Bourbon barrel aged barleywine from Gigantic was ridiculously good.

 

A few days ago I had Rodenbach Vintage 2018. It was spectacular.

 

Update for me. Melvin Barrel-Aged Ruckus is phenomenal! Canned December 8th 2020.

 

Destika from Notch
So much flavor and texture in a low ABV lager
Cheers

 

Been in love with sours from Tox brewing in New London, so I took a drive down for a 4pk of Lily of the Valley red, and wow! So impressed with that series. Also picked up a couple bottles of Wisteria.
Will let you all know about that one when I pop it open tonight

 

Stoneware decant with resting – undisturbed – crated sediment, with a few isolated ounces to backpedal suspension for repurposed migration -

Embarks on preset acidity, which shortly confines & grooms a path for imminent convolution. Markedly, earth grown funk, with a touch of oyster minerality atop pitted fruit and wild straw skeps. A sensibility for ethyl caproate to stroke aniseed over pineapples and red apples. Whilst, sweet drupes press on near ripe sticky peaches + Gold Kist Apricots with a resting parallel that inherits a walnut & pecan tart. Acidity remains a precursor for staging intervals, but that level eases in exhibition upon the timed drying. On this footing, brettanomyces begin webbing rabbit-y/barnyard funk amid cellar rust, while maintaining that wildflower honey to a stone fruit backing. There’s an oak construct ringing underneath along pressed aeriation, which augments the citrusy fruits to earthy schemes of machete-d grasslands. To this end, oaked contours are set to grainy farmyard stalls, as the barrel presence draws a rusticity to archery-bow staves. Subsequently, an openness supported by missioned procrastination, which defines Oloroso Sherry by a rotting attic sensibility that boots nutty mildew upon sagged leather. The dry convolutions continue their work towards advanced oxidation, alongside the distant cobwebs and fetid/run-down buckskin

An acrid sharpness on palate, from brett-fruit byproducts, that’s backed by an emergent intuition for feedlot funk. The foretaste alludes assorted Frunas and Sweet Pops, as a backwoodsiness aids in the wet undertone rise. In steps to a further action, the cask element pieces a complexity for wild yeast to harp on woodland cedar, while phenols provide a sweet medicinal compound besides the clove linen and pepper brush-ups. Notations pursue the casings of apples alongside Marsh grapefruit, before Pholcidae succumb pear, lemon, and rhubarb. There’s mediated sweetness at midriff that aids in the facet of raw honey & vanilla backdrops, while cut acidity licenses malt to bring caramel nuts to bready forecourts. Simultaneous, a lactic stability with progression, as cellared characteristics attune that sweaty horse blanket stench thru wheat rusticity. Without exception, a growing sense for cultured tannins per oaked forestry, and woodworking utensils that establish rust in the extended period of time. Such timing provides an uptick for farmhouse brass, which alludes Wild Boars to harvested Fungi and hummed Camembert cheese, as acerbity continually lessens in manifestation. Late ventilation slings toned Sherry with catacomb audacity near the dry autumnal settings

A mild effervescence with a low hop appeal, yet sharp elaboration to the light clean feel. The spontaneous golden ale is quick to sting, but dulcet on the journeyed exhibition. Given, an agreeing bite that’s conducive to the interwoven funk, and a trek that’s cleanly secure on conditioned convolution





Basically - An approach that’s actively careful to the blends adaptation on wildflower honey, where the benefits nuzzle wild yeast and enlighten raw wheat, aside from the nut-bread malt. While, evading caustic deterrents thru the evaporation and oxidation operation

 

Thanks for reviving this. I’ve actually had a couple this year that I thought were “wow!”. That ship has sailed however. I’ll keep this thread in mind over the next 2 and a half months and maybe revisit. Cheers.

 

Eleven of my top twenty were since the 1st of the year. Here are #1,3, 5 and 6;

1) Kros Strain Bakery Boyz BA Imperial Pastry Stout, aged in four different bourbon barrels and a rum barrel. I rated it 4.82

3) Covert Artisan Ales Banana Boat Imperial Pastry Stout. I rated it 4.75

5) Clown Shoes Undead Rhapsody American Strong Ale. I rated it 4.71

6) Jackson St Brewing Hell's Half Acre Mighty Squirrel BBA Imperial Stout. I rated it 4.7

It's been a good year.

 

Drinking a Thread Count imperial stout from Jackie O’s right now. It’s fantastic!

 

Pumpkin Escobar, from Prison City, a porter with roasted pumpkin and Columbian coffee.
The pumpkin and spices are done with a light touch, so it comes across as a coffee porter with a vague fruity flavor .

4.55/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/38140/571776/?ba=mikeinportc#review

 

Barrel Aged Tiki Sour, Backpocket Brewing, Coralville, IA. This is a fruited kettle sour that is brewed with tropical fruits, spices, and lactose and aged in rum barrels. There's a lot going on, but it integrates perfectly. Slam dunk.

Term Oil FlufferNutter, Toppling Goliath Brewing, Decorah, IA. Ho-hum, just another world-class stout from TG. Decadent (and quite boozy) peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich in a glass.

 

Having been generally unimpressed with the local festbiers/Marzens lately, I stumbled across this most excellent dopplebock while looking for Spaaten Optimator (I prefer the bolder flavor of dopplebock to the more common offerings for Oktoberfest). Molasses, warm dark bread, dark roasted malts, some dark fruit, etc. Turns out it is rated BA world class and for good reason. ...and it has this neat little plastic replica of the label ram that I will sneak onto the Christmas tree.