New Beer Weekend #84

Watching NASCAR and ticking a new murkbomb, Three Creeks Suttle Haze IPA. It is, as I am wont to say, just another murkbomb: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/17960/453642/

 

Thanks to @sulldaddy for the Fox Farms Brewing Dwell APA, ABV 5.9%; 4.02 overall

Pours a hazed gold with 3+ fingers of pearl colored head ( vigorous pour ). Above average head retention & lacing. Nice lacing & average head retention

S: Citrus & tropical fruits
T: Tangerine & Pomelo, a little dryness & green melon as well up front. Grapefruit, tangerine & dryness as this warms. Finishes with dryness & a nice citrus flourish to include lime, plus a little passion fruit

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation

Solid APA, nice drinkability

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

I've been absent the past couple of weeks, but, thanks to being stood up by friends today, I am back in the action.

Yeah, they had a good reason, but it still sucks.

So on to my new beer, and it's one brought back for me by a couple of friends (not the same ones) from Arizona.


Hopsquatch - Four Peaks Brewing- Barleywine - 11% (though UT lists it at 11.5%)

Yeah, I'm always up for a good barleywine, and this fits the bill. The brown sugar flavor, though, was something I wasn't expecting, though it's a pleasant surprise. I thank my friends for so kindly bringing this back for me.

Review:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2171/22890/

4.15/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

This beer pours quite dark, but to the light there's a hint of amber color here. The head is tan, 1 finger, but dissipates quickly.
The nose hit me as I was pouring, and I got a good whiff of bourbon. Up close I still get the bourbon, but I also get some plum, raisin, and some brown sugar.
Taste is slightly sweet at first, brown sugar? I also get the raisin and plum, that continues throughout. I also get a good flavor from the bourbon barrel on the back.
The feel is quite boozy - more so on the back side, where the heat kicks in. It's not too harsh, but more warming. The body is more smooth up front, and good full body.
Quite good, and a pleasure to try.


I may be up for one more, but I've got to savor this beer for a bit.

 

Back again. This time it's Roulette from Indiana City Brewing Company


16oz undated can poured into a Spiegelau stout glass at 55° Fahrenheit 10% ABV 86 IBU. The beer pours pitch black with no light penetration and light brown head. The head recedes to a thin cap leaving a web of lacing. The aroma is dark roasted and caramel malt. The taste is bittersweet with loads of heavily roasted malt and counterbalancing caramel. Strong, clean bitterness with little discernable hop flavor. The mouthfeel is medium plus bodied with just less that average carbonation and a semi dry finish. Overall, very good straightforward RIS.

This is the first time I've ever seen a packaged beer from this brewery and my first review for one of their beers. It's very well done, but the lack of dating on the can will keep me from buying other styles.

Cheers all!

 

Hey all, glad to be back at NBW. Starting late this week cuz I took tomorrow off work! As did many others gamers, I assume, considering the release of Elden Ring the other day. It's so good so far, and I've barely even started the game. Anyway, you're here for beer, not games. Let's get into this one, a new collab between Equilibrium and Electric Brewing called Experiment and Enlightenment. It is a DIPA clocking in at 8.1% ABV, and it was canned on 2/9/22.

Ignoring all the stupid hype BS in the press release, this seems to be hopped with multiple forms of Citra, alongside additions of Vic Secret and Galaxy in the dry-hop. So experimental! Equilibrium really is laughably pretentious, and this is no different from most of their stupidly-described beers. The pour is quite nice, though, immediately building up a massive bone-white head of foamy goodness atop a saturated looking (non-murky!) opaque orange color. Lace show is fantastic, legs are solid, and there are some small islands of bubbles on the surface even after the head has settled down to a half-finger or so. I'm in.

Nose is surprisingly stone fruit forward, but there is some wheatiness melding with ripe papaya and strong grapefruit overtones. Some of the typical melon-y esters EQ brings to the table in their main rotation with some extra oomph from Vic Secret in the form of dank spiciness that comes out if I really get in my glass and inhale this bad boy. Overall, though, this seems like it's essentially par-for-the-course for EQ, and since I have no clue who Electric Brewing is, and even the press release seems to not care to talk about them as co-conspirators, I guess maybe it doesn't matter that this is even a collab? Dumb.

Flavor profile is hitting pretty nicely. Leads off with a hint of bitter punchiness that brings to mind yuzu and other more characterful citrus fruits. The mid-palate has some soft, protein-laden wheat/oats bolstered by the papaya from the nose and some flavors of mango and tangelo. Finish is a tad bit more bitter than I expected, lingering for a few extra seconds with some elements of dankness and spruce that I associate with VS. Feel is exceptionally lively for an 8-percenter, and the whole experience is pretty solid overall. Can't really complain. I've had better from EQ (especially in the collab realm, where they weirdly shine; I had a collab between them and Vitamin Sea somewhat recently that was amazing), but this is worth a shot. As a nerdy sidenote, I'm really sick of breweries advertising (allegedly) efficiency-raising hop products as some kind of cool feature in their beers. I find it very amusing that people would look down on breweries for using malt extract these days, but if you use hop distillate you're on the cutting edge and super cool. If it doesn't translate to cheaper beer due to increased efficiency, you're just bullshitting the consumer (which, to be fair... most consumers are stupid so I guess, all's fair in love, war, and business). My two cents on the matter ain't gonna make much of a difference, though, is it?

More soon...

 

Founders KBS Hazelnut, 12% ABV; 4,25 overall

Pours an effervescent ebony with a thumb+ of mocha colored head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Hazelnut dominates, hints of peanuts as well

T: Coffee, a little vanilla, a little more hazelnut, & just a little raw Bourbon barrel up front. Barel dryness, some Bourbon warmth, vanilla & hazel nut mix with coffee & dark chocolate once warm. Finishes with peanuts & hazelnut, barrel dryness/rawness & coffee

MF: Medium/chewy body, firm carbonation, wanted more body, less carbonation

Delivers on the promised flavor & is plenty drinkable. I am not as wild about the coffee profile as most, so I will attempt to bury my last few bottles in the back of the fridge, but that is what I tend to do with regular KBS as well

 

Thanks to our friend @ChicagoJ for the launch today and the reminder that this magnificent thread launched 17 years ago. I was a nascent beer nerd at that time, getting ready to make the journey from Sam Adams Light to Boulevard Pale Ale and Fat Tire. But that’s another story.

I joined BA in April 2010, but essentially used the site to vet beers for the first couple of years (something I still do with every beer I purchase). Two or three years later, I started posting in the WBAYDN thread and then finally in the NBS thread, probably in 2014.

At that time, @cavedave and utopiajane were the hosts for the thread, and I was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs before I posted in the thread - what do I know about beer, and why would anyone care what I think about a particular beer?

But I jumped in feet first, and today this is my favorite thread on the site. Today I have two “special” beers to offer in honor of the 17th anniversary of the thread. The first is to honor the NEIPA, a style that’s literally changed our beer nerd world, both positively and negatively over the last decade+.

This one is a positive , with a portion of the proceeds donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Fcuk cancer.





4.35/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ovaltine from Indiana

Pours a very hazy orange color with a white head that is super duper clingy - like a teenager boy with his first GF and the moment he realizes he outkicked his coverage. By a LOT. I am talking FULL BODY clingy. Beautiful beer.

The nose is crammed full of juicy citrus aromas, with a delightful tangerine aroma blending well mango and papaya notes, as well as the floral notes referenced on the can.

The tangerine is forward and absolutely delicious on the taste, and the papaya and mango work well with a sweetness that tastes like wildflower honey on my palate. Superb.

The mouthfeel is full and on the softer side per the style. In the hazy space, we are all living in Tree House’s world. They are truly a machine at putting out these delicious, high-level juice bombs - their consistency and quality are truly remarkable, IMHO.

 

All right, one more for tonight, and it fits well.

5 years ago yesterday I lost my dad. He suffered a severe brain injury 19 days before when he slipped on the ice, getting the mail. It was an awful, and sad decision to pull the life support, because there was no chance for recovery.

My dad had a very strong sweet tooth, something his older sister shares. I do not share it, at least I don't anymore. This beer is in honor of my dad.


F --- Transient Artisan Ales - 11.6% ABV

First off, I am not sure who sent it to me. There's 3 people who could have @basaywhat ,@jkblr or someone who is no longer on the site. Whomever sent this to me - thank you.

Lots of bourbon, vanilla, maple syrup going on here. This is a very sweet stout, and it hits hard at first, then smooths, and mellows out. I am happy to try this, and raise my glass to my dad. He wasn't a drinker much, but he would have liked the sweet element to this beer.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/34258/526387/

4.18/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

2020 release Consumed 2-27-2022

Pitch black pouring. There's a 1 finger brown head that lasts longer than I would expect for the ABV, however, there's no lacing on the glass.
The nose is a vanilla bomb, that is backed up by the pleasing aroma of maple syrup. I also get a graham cracker note here.
Taste - Not as sweet as I was expecting up front. Quite full of the bourbon barrel flavors at first. This mellows to the vanilla and maple syrup on the back.
The body is very boozy at first, then it mellows out, and smooths out to a soft and full body on the backside.
This is damn tasty, and I am glad it was sent to me.


This will end my day, and weekend. I will see you all down the road.

 

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your brother! That's just awful. My Dad's side of the family has lived in Downeast Carolina for hundreds of years and I still have a lot of distant relatives down there - mostly in Bladen and Pender counties.

 

Back again…mrs phisher was up for helping so we are splitting another beer from @snaotheus given to me when we met up for food and beer this past September.

Fremont - bourbon dark star (2020)



Very viscous looking pour, it yields a nice thick head that lingers much longer than most barrel stouts. Settles to thin layer of light brown with some islands of more dense congregations of bubbles. Upon swirling it really sticks to the glass and the light brown head grows and laces a little.

First thing that popped into my head after initial smell was chocolate ice cream, some oaky coconut, slightest nose tickle of alcohol, some leather.

Taste is very fudgy chocolate forward with some vanilla and oak, dark fruit notes as well.

This drinks so decadent; it’s full on viscous with mouth feeling thick, low and smooth carbonation, mouth coating, just the slightest warming sensation in tinkle in the throat, a slight roasty bitterness.

Wow! What a delicious treat that was shared with me. I’m really glad I opened this tonight. The perfect bourbon barrel stout, I don’t think I’ve had better.

———

Last night of phish Mexico run, early start tonight, set break now and set two right after kiddos are down. A perfect slow sipping lazy Sunday night.

Have a great week everyone can’t wait to see you all next weekend.

 

In honor of the 888 NBS a cross post from the basement thread.
The first and only time Ive had this one. As it warms there is a delicate (faded) bourboun thread in there. And it pairs really well with Dandelion, Camino Verde, Equador chocolate!!
Cheers all

Todays last cellar reach is to 2010, at the Montpelier Winter Farmers Market
Lawsons cage and cork Faystons stout had a long line and only one per customer.
For years my sweetheart would randomly ask, "What about that Lawsons Stout?"
had to use a wine opener as the cork would not budge, opened with a solid pop, Pours inky black. The slightest carbonation feeds small islands in the center of the glass.
Smells are of sweet stout, a bit of maple, some vanilla. and at this age a bit of balsamic
Flavors also include a hint of anise, some black pepper, dark berry, and cola.
Texture is slick, and has a surprising char on the palate, actually quite enjoyable. This has moved into the wine texture catagory.
Overall, a good cellar reach, as I have no basis on a fresh version, that makes this pleasant experience the best I could hope for.
Cheers all

 

#2, Dovetail is a recent (relatively) discovery for me, and I am in total fanboy mode for all of their magnificent lagers.

I purchased this (and a bunch of other stuff) at the brewery back at the end of September, and I’ve been holding it for a special occasion. The 17th anniversary of this thread definitely counts as a special occasion.





4.42/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by ovaltine from Indiana

Pours a gorgeous mahogany brown with a light tan head that sticks around for the show. The nose has bourbon, smoky BBQ, oak, and toffee. Whoa.

The taste is led by the bourbon, which presents itself as the oak and a delicious vanilla flavor, and then the smoky BBQ flavor joins the party - OMG. Man, does that work with the toffee to provide a perfect accompaniment to the barrel and oak flavors, keeping the high ABV (10.4%) completely hidden.

The mouthfeel is rich and a bit creamy, holding up to this substantial beer very well. Another excellent beer from Dovetail, this may be my favorite. Outstanding stuff.

 

Goldfinger's Czech Dark Lager, brewed with an old-school Edelweiss barley from Sugar Creek Malt Co.

Smooth and rich but with a pleasing bite on the finish, and a mouthfeel and low abv that makes it easy to drink.

Glad I grabbed a 4 pack to go!

 

Here is a beer from a new to me brewery:



This is Antioch from OEC brewing. This is a Flemish Red, so a style which I have only had one representative.

It pours a slightly cloudy reddish brown that I suspect will clear on warming. There was a nice, tight head that falls to a ring and rafts of very fine foam.

On opening and prior to pouring, there was an immediate fruity smell. Fruity and funky, very much like a wine. Cherry, berry and I'm leaning blackberry, strawberry, plums, very mild Cider vinegar note. Oaky, a bit of caramel. Very pleasant. As it sits away from my face it seems to emit a fruity bubble gum smell as elements combine.

Tart on the taste but I think my tooth enamel will survive - refreshingly tart, not face-peeling. There is plenty of oaky tannin in the taste. Getting cherry for sure and a red wine fruitiness, and I can stick with a little bit of the blackberry but not as strong as the smell. Plums, strawberry, and a nice earthiness. Cidery bite, but not too strong. A little caramel sweetness, and there is a peppery sting on the finish initially. That sting becomes more spicelike - oregano and maybe thyme. Mild to moderate on the funk which ties this thing together nicely. Certainly reflects being aged in red wine barrels, the Sangiovese in particular with the fruity and spicy thing.

Medium bodied, mildly carbonated, finding it quite refreshing. Moderately drying, and moderately acidic.

Very good beer here. The brewery says it lies between a Flanders Red and an Oud Bruin, so I think it actually might lean more to the Oud Bruin comparing the descriptions here with a fairly noticeable oakiness and the fruity esters. Doesn't really matter - it is a well-made, thoroughly enjoyable beer that I am happy to be drinking and call worthy. Going north of 4.0, maybe quite a bit so. I'm not taking any points off for style here (like I would anyway...) - there's characteristics of both aplenty. Tasty stuff here, and an interesting brewery I need to explore.

 

My second and final new beer for the evening is Widowmaker's Father Midnight, an 8.5% ABV imperial breakfast stout conditioned on toasted cocoa nibs and cold brew coffee. I know, I know, my can doesn't have a label. This is straight from my friend who works there, though, so I know that's what it is... he helped put it together and can it after all

Very good looking pour. Stately black beer with a hefty head of brownish khaki foam that lingers for quite a while before slowly sinking to a solid finger in my glass. Lace is insanely consistent, almost like a sheet instead of what we normally think of as lacing. Macro-bubbles sticking around in the legs as well. I'm into it!

Nose is amazingly deep; superly-detailed coffee with some hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and smoky cocoa. Roasty maltiness kicking around, too. I'm impressed by the fact that it sorta straddles the line between smelling like acrid/black diner coffee and a higher-level roast, though it does lean towards the latter. I think it's just the cocoa and maltiness bringing out the "cuppa joe" element here, and I appreciate how dialed-in it feels.

Flavor has hints of acidic coffee fruitiness with some nice roasted malt detail and some light lactose/vanilla elements in the finish. It drinks a bit lighter than 8.5% and after it warms a little, I start to get the cocoa nibs on the palate. A bit smoky again, with a dry, husky aftertaste. Less smooth than I would prefer, I think, but it also doesn't have a huge amount of sweetness from the lactose. I can pick it up, but it doesn't taste like a "dessert stout," if you catch my drift. I guess, in that way, it does remind me a bit of the classic Founders Breakfast Stout here and there... I enjoy this. Good stuff. Would drink again!

 

Fat Head's Saint Fatty's Irish Style Red Ale - I'm a fan of the Irish Ale style and FH does non-hoppy beers well, even though that's not what they are known for. Pours a nice reddish color with a generous head. The can says pour slowly and unfiltered but it really doesn't look that unfiltered to me; but I guess there is an ever so slightly hazy look going on. Smell is nice, some sweet roasty malts in there. Taste follows the nose with a lighter body, which was expected for only 4.8%.

This is a nice beer, light but still flavorful enough and you could drink a few of these and not get bored, I would gladly drink this again. Prost!

 

I’ll raise mine to your dad tonight @Victory_Sabre1973

 

Great notes, I’ve been looking at one in the fridge for a bit now.
Your notes are encouraging.
Cheers

 

Any snowy hikes lately @SABERG ?