New Beer Weekend #85

Speaking of grapefruit, there's a Ruby Red Grapefruit version of Double Sunshine coming out soon that I'm dying to try.

 

Drekker Smooth Or Die Peanut Butter Milk Stout, 6.5% ABV. Pours black with a 1.5 finger medium brown head that left some lacing. Nose is an incredible chocolate, peanut butter, and lactose. Taste follows with peanut butter taking the lead, slightly sweet, slightly bitter. Excellent thick and smooth mouthfeel. Overall excellent.

4.29/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Typical spring weather, rain, freezing rain, thunderstorm, sleet, then snow.

 

I stopped by my local beer distributor today to take a look but there was not one bockbier in sight! They used to at least have the Troegenator but not now. I'm guessing they only order a little bit so that they're sure it sells. I thought about hitting the local grocery stores but immediately realized that was a stupid idea. Bocks are just not that popular I guess. What I'd really want to get though, if I could, is some Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock! That, of course, is a complete dream.

 

Thanks for the open, @JackHorzempa - and thanks for the mention!

The first of my bocks for this weekend is a Bavarian-brewed weizenbock.

I've seen some articles claiming the original Einbeck bock from the 1300s had wheat in the grains bill and that, therefore, the weizenbock is the true descendent of the original bock. I have no idea about that (there's a lot of sketchy beer "history" on the interwebs), but I'm looking forward to this one, since I've liked the 4 different beers I've previously had from this brewer.

Ayinger Weizenbock
ABV: 7.2%
IBU: NA

Heffe-like cloudy haze, an amber-orange body, with a generous amount of rising bubbles to a towering white head that is thick and creamy-looking. As it slowly recedes, it develops an uneven, pitted, rocky surface with a sheet of lacing trailing.

The aroma presents wheat, bread, and banana; again, hefe-like.

The flavor repeats the aspects from the aroma and adds a spiciness to it. (Which when I re-visit the aroma, I now pick up faint clove.) In the middle, a rich and complex fruitiness begins, which carries through to the end. Pome (core) fruits (apple, pear) which interweave with the banana and spices present a rich and complex mix. All of this supported by the fresh-baked breadiness. No bitterness whatsoever. The finish is rich, a bit coating of my mouth, but still on the dry side.

The body is moderate and creamy, smooth feel.

Overall, an excellent wheat bock. I highly recommend it.

L: 4.5 | S: 4.0 | T: 4.25 | F: 4.0 | O: 4.25 | Rating: 4.18

PS: Why is the recommended glassware under the beer style page here on BA for this style (weizenbock) a tulip? That seems to me to maybe just be a craft beer default?

I can't imagine Bavarians drinking this from a tulip. Weizen glass? Sure. Seidel? Perhaps. Ceramic stein? Possibly. But a tulip? Nah.

From the Ayinger web site:

 

Indeed! That is one good lookin' glass!

 

Well, the Bock New Beer Weekend has come full circle for me. My original plan was two Prairie Artisan cellar beers as posted in @MNAle 's New Beer Weekend #85 Planning Thread.

I called an audible when I planned instead to try Bean Gene for the first time, but sadly even the keg brewed years ago was infected like many of the bottles.

Audibled a third time to accommodate the two Goldfinger beers purchased during a haul for the upcoming Tripel tasting. The first of two is a Doppelbock, fitting in just nicely with this week's episode. Goldfinger is one of two Chicago suburban brewers I vouch for / have no concerns buying any of their products (Tighthead Brewing the other).

Goldfinger Złotonator



Can Notes: 16 oz canned 2/22/22 @ 12:58 PM (84 minutes short of serendipity). 7.5% ABV. Brewed and packaged by Goldfinger Brewing Company, Downers Grove, Illinois. $3.75 with tax purchased at Beer on the Wall at room temperature, refrigerated for four hours since purchase before opening.

Once upon a time, an evil dragon lived below Wawel Castle along the Vistula River in Krakow, Poland. Evert day he wrecked havoc on the townspeople and their property. King Krakus promised his daughter's hand in marriage to whoever killed the dragon. A cobbler's apprentice, Skuba, outsmarted the dragon by placing a lamb stuffed with sulfur and hay outside his cave. The gluttonous dragon gobbled it up, but was immediately overcome by a burning sensation in his throat. Hoping to sooth the burn, he drank and drank from the river. But since water does not stop burning sulfur, gases kept building up inside his belly till the dragon exploded! Had the "Zlotonator" Doppelbock been around back then, it would no doubt have been the beer of choice at Skuba and Princess Wanda's wedding.

Appearance: Multiple pours into a large tulip glass. Nice dark brown opaque base, creamy generous tan white head leaves a creamy cover over the base throughout. Really nice looking beer. 4.5

Aroma: Pumpernickel, caramel, rye and lager yeast come together very well, very appetizing. 4.25

Taste: Consistent with aroma, caramel sweet but measured leads, dark rye / pumpernickel follows, yeast absent. Tastes a bit like root beer / sassafras. This last aspect somewhat of a departure from a traditional Doppelbock, but enjoying it nonetheless. 3.75

Mouthfeel: Substantial fizzy carbonation, adds depth but detracts from the body. Balanced to sweet, drinks much lighter than the listed ABV, a bit chalky. Clean finish. 3.5

Overall: This is a good doppelbock, for the most part keeping within style. Was easy drinking and have less than half left after typing this review. Would drink again. 3.75

Will catch up on the threads (still have last Sunday to finish) before joining the group back tomorrow with a historical recreation attempt by Goldfinger and select collaborators.

 

When Disaster Strikes, tasting better now than earlier. Poured into a 16 oz Nordic pint glass not sure when it was canned with in the last 10 days. Pours an attractive cloudy orange yellow with tiny head that leaves thin streaks of lace after each sip, with little retention. 4

Aroma is mango, tangerine, a hint of gonja, blueberry, and apricot. 4

Taste follows mango, tangerine, a little Marijuana, blueberry, and apricot. 4.25

Mouthfeel is a little bigger than medium, a little more carbonation than expected, not sticky or dry, and at 8.5% it is easy drinking. 4.25

Overall not crazy hazy, but more SOS or Dinner. I would recommend. Thanks @JackHorzempa for getting us started. 4.25

 

NEIPA from Southern Tier, hopped with Mosaic, Citra and Amarillo hops. Not on the same level as some of the elites of the style I’ve had, lacking in body and a bit off on flavor profile. But solid and still enjoyable.

 

I am having an amazing time friends. In Wrightsville Beach. Got the all day parking and we walked a few miles in the ocean. Back at shark bar because she wanted oysters on the half shell.




Got a wave break ipa from bills brewing. This was awesome. 10/7/21 can. Aromas and flavors of red grapefruit, orange, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, melon, berries, citrus peel/rind, pine, toasted biscuit, herbal, floral, grass. Moderate bitterness. Medium carb and body. Balanced bready malt and sticky/resinous hops. Mild warming 6.5%. Loved the mosaic and Denali hop profile. Very well made ipa. 4.1


Cheers

 

This is how I love my Modestman Brewing, with that amazing haze. Poured into a 16 oz Nordic glass canned recent I believe but not sure. Pours a hazy orange yellow with a half finger sticky white head that leaves thin streaks of lace with nice retention. 4.5

Aroma white grapes, honeydew, mandarin, peach, and apricot. 4.5

Taste follows honeydew, peach, mandarin, apricot, and the Nelson finishes with some buttery Chardonnay. 4.75

Mouthfeel is above average, soft gentle almost creamy carbonation, maybe a little dry, and at 8.5% ABV it is big on flavor but easy going down. 4.75

Overall I am loving this one. I love when Nelson is used proper and this one combined with Galaxy and Vic Secret is pretty special. 4.5

 

Hello Advocates! This is a decent drop from these folks and I enjoy it more as it warms a bit. Overall fruity. Cheers!!
21st Amendment Brew Free Or Die IPA 7%ABV 70IBU
4.09/5 rDev +6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
12oz can into a pint glass.
L: Pours dull lightly hazy apricot amber w/a 3/4" soapy off white head. Light sediment in suspension. Good carbonation. Some head retention down to a thin cream. Some light lacing & banding.
S: Pineapple, stone fruit, melon, light grass, earthy. More malty as the beer warms.
T: Moderately sweet, caramel malts, pineapple, orange, melon rind, over ripe plum, citrus rind, some breadiness as the beer warms. Gentle bitterness in the finish with a medium length linger.
F: Semi-juicy medium bodied mouth feel w/a medium dry finish that lingers a bit.
O: A fruity tasting & fairly full flavored hop frwd American IPA that is quite refreshing. Sweetness & bitterness are poignant, lightly sharp and are well balanced. It is very good in it's style.

 

Oysters on the half shell is amazing but not very filling. We are going to a brewery later too lol.


Carolina sky blue kolsch. This was great. Lemon, cracker, bread, herbal, grass, pepper, yeast earth. Light to medium bitterness. Light to medium body. Crisp clean refreshing finish. Balanced grainy malt and sticky hops. A spot on style. I love kolsch. 4


Cheers

 

Oysters Rockefeller were ridiculous, but maybe not $25 ridiculous. Mini vacations are the real dream.


Wrightsville Beach piping plover. I had a Griffin Claw beer by the same name years ago. Never dreamed I'd be here now. This was pretty good. Very fruity Aromas. Flavors of lemon, cracker, bread, herbal, grass, pepper, and yeast earthiness. Light-med bitterness. Crisp clean refreshing finish. Some lingering yeasty notes. Light to medium body. Bready and sticky balanced feel. Refreshing. Very flavorful but a bit too yeasty for a pils. 3.66


Cheers

 

I'm bock!!!

Hello friends a week that seemingly never wanted to end, in fact, I've decided I'm taking a "sick" day Monday , which may involve a brewery trip for BIF #15. Eventful morning this week as our oldest just started Jiu Jitsu class, it was so cool to see how they teach them; place has such a great community feel, it was palpable. I've wanted to explore it myself but have no time, perhaps this summer, anyone else do jiu jitsu?

On the topic of warmer weather @JackHorzempa brought up, some photos and garden news, I started my onion seeds two weeks ago, and first batch of kale and lettuce this past week. Also got around to cutting out last summers raspberry floricanes, and garlic is popping up, yes yes spring is around the corner.

Raspberries all stored up in those roots...



Oh hey there garlic sprouts, tiny little green spots.



@MNAle called for some bocks, so I grabbed a six pack to join in, I've never had this one but I know people seem to enjoy. There is a slight nip in the air so a doppelbock is actually the perfect beverage for tonight.

Augustiner Brau - Maximator



This is one good looking beer, crystal clear dark brown, then hold it up to light its a beautiful ruby hued brown, did I mention crystal clear. Nice light brown head that leaves some minor lacing, a thin cap of light brown frothy cream remains.

This beer smells so good, as I walked with it I got whiffs before actually smelling it proper; dark fruit, toffee, some toasted bread crust and just a general awesome richness to the smell; amazingly it has a crisp refreshing smell to it as well.

The taste is very rich and mouth-coating; the toffee and dark fruits definitely show at first for me followed by a rich dark bread.

I'd say this beer has a medium body but it is quite big; an almost syrupy feel at first seemingly disappears into a incredibly smooth drinking beer with zero sweetness. I don't really notice any bitter and man does this finish clean. Also just the slightest warming sensation as it goes down; this is good because otherwise I'd probably drink way to fast.

This beer is a true pleasure to drink, this thread continue to force me to try beers I've never had. Thanks for the assist @MNAle. Have some thread catching up to do...before hopefully one more new beer tonight and a few tomorrow

 

I missed the bock-a-gram note for this NBW weekend, and though I love the style (Schell’s Bock is an all-time great, IMHO, @MNAle), sadly I have none in my beer fridge.

So for me, today will be a Michigan beers NBW. First up is a session iteration of one of my favorite beers from my favorite brewery. I’m not a big “session IPA” fan, but this one works really well, IMHO.





4.24/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by ovaltine from Indiana

Pours a hazy orange color with a dense white head that grabs the glass and never lets go. The nose is dank and citrusy, with mango, tangerine, and pineapple most prominent, and a bit of pine as well. Very nice.

The tangerine is very forward and delicious, and there’s a nice mango and pineapple flavor, and again a nice pine note. The mouthfeel is softer, and a smidge watery.

I don’t seek out sessions, but couldn’t resist this one, and it works well. I’ll stick with the OG, which is a favorite of mine, but I’ll mix this one in if Transient brews it on the regular.