New Beer Weekend #76

Inspired by others...I feel like this is a confession. I reviewed 433 beers in 2021, according to BA's time stamps (which I no longer trust for reasons that some NBS BIF #14 participants may sympathize with).

My five highest scores went to:

• Hanlons Brewery - Thomas Hardy Ale
• Grimm Artisanal Ales - The Open Work
• Fremont Brewing Company - Head Full of Fresh Hops (2021): Citra & Mosaic
• Kane Brewing Company - 2920 (from @MacMalt in NBS BIF #14)
• Holy Mountain Brewing Company - Cone & Cone

My five lowest scores went to:

• Chainline Brewing Company - The Ballad of Eric Wallace
• Edmund's Oast Brewing Company - Order of Magnitude
• Rainier Brewing Co. - Rainier Beer
• Fat Orange Cat Brew Co. - All Cats Are Gray In The Dark
• Guinness Ltd. - Smithwick's Imported Premium Irish Ale

Side notes: Two most positive rDevs are Harp and PBR. Two most negative rDevs are Order of Magnitude and All Cats Are Gray In The Dark, mentioned above. My average rDev for 2021 was -1.64%.

 

A quick little finish. Nothing extraordinary, but could be a good offering at gathering. Quite approachable for people who aren't into very hoppy beers.

Sparkle Wolf by Modern Times

Well this one is decent.
Looks great. Straw to gold in hue. Fluffy white head rises high, slowly settles to a light film. Scattered lacing, decent retention. Nose is citrus, mild onion, herbal. Flavor is basically the same with a mildly peppery note. Mouthfeel is light to medium, good carbonation, mildly dry in the finish.
3.58/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

 

I forgot about the discussion topic, but I can certainly make a contribution!

My favorite beer of the year was Bocce Pils from Foundation Brewing. Just a lovely beer to drink any time. Followed close by Asylum DIPA from Lake St. George.

My highest scores I am pretty sure went to KBS variants, Panther Cub was up there and I discovered Narwhal as the worst kept secret in the beerverse. Allagash Heart of Hearts was outstanding and Allagash Nocturna was a big, tasty surprise. I did have quite a few beers that clocked in above 4.0.

I was surprised to discover a fondness for futures kettle sours and that I am not totally averse to flavorings and adjuncts when the combos make sense. Tastes evolve and I still prefer more "pure" styles, but an open mind proved to be an asset.

Looking forward to a new year filled with new beers. I didn't quite make 52 this year even with the two day format, but that just means I have room for improvement!