New Beer Weekend #86

Just finished watching the video Frank, good work by Vice to get in there somehow.
I've been to Ukraine 3 times on mission trips in the past and still have friends there. The war has driven their families apart and unimaginably difficult situations with friends. I get regular updates from some of them. Some hopeful, most not so much. It's so hard to not go and be with them in their hour of need.

 

Hey, kids...just so ya know that I haven't completely lost my mind and devolved into a milkshakey-fruityfrappey-lactoseladen-weird shit containing-where's- my-straw-and- dessert-spoon diva....


This is OEC Pils, a German style pilsner. The can says brewed with European pilsner malt using a traditional step infusion mashing. Hops in the boil are German Tettnang and Spalter Select. They do an hour rest in their copper coolschip. Then transfer over a Baudelot chiller. Cool, open fermentation for 9 days with classic pilsner yeast...Chatty can...

Pours nicely golden colored with a lively soap bubbly head that last quite a while, sticks heavily, and never goes away. It gets replenished by a steady stream of bubbles cascading up from the bottom of the glass lasting right down to the last little swallow. Essentially clear, but there is a very, very slight cloudiness.

Sweet, grainy, bready smell, straight up. There is a definite whiff of DMS, but not overwhelming at all. Nice noble hops contribution...green, herbaceous/floral, and an extremely light peppery spice.

Taste follows in lockstep, adding a decent bitterness. Slightly sweet, grainy bread, a bit of DMS. Grassy and herbal hops, layer of peppery spice on top, and decent bitter on the back. Maybe not as clean as expected, but tasty.

Feel is substantial, not thin. A bit of a residual taste hangs in for a while, but not unpleasant. Fairly lively on the bubbles, but not to the point of distraction.

Overall, pretty dang spot on for the style, I think. Maybe could be a bit cleaner. I like the bready sweetness quite a bit, and I did think the texture was a bit on the heavy side. I'd say this land around 3.6 to 3.8 or so. Good beer, tasty enough, correct to style but maybe just a tad "muddled" or maybe intentionally rustic...

 

Two things to note about this beer. I live 20 minutes from the brewery that made it, yet people in far reaching states were drinking it before I could. Hurumph. Almost gave it a pass for that reason, but didn't, because the Ukrainians I know love (I mean really love) peanut butter. While I was there I got to appreciate hazelnut butter, their "peanut" butter. And listening to Zelensky I was taken back to Vorzel and had to have some hazelnut, this was as close as I got.
It's tasty, no doubt.
Cheers my friends.

 

Twice the Daily Serving (Tropical Punch) from Trillium, my third and last Trillium beer from the overwhelmingly generous @WunderLlama in the gigantic "thank you" package he sent me for the three measly beers I sent him as part of NBS BIF #14 (which will NEVER DIE). I'm pretty cautious about berliner weisses, I'm very sensitive to something that is common in them that I tend to call "berliner weisse flavor" but is probably some specific acid.

16oz can served in a footed pilsner glass. Dated 2/22/22.

Pours very thick, murky dark amber-orange color, a slow fizzing of carbonation builds up and then settles down almost as quickly, leaving a thin ring around the edge. Smell is a mélange that actually first makes me think of V8, but resolves into a heavy, overripe tropical fruit mixture with some kettle sour behind it.

Taste is juicy. Holy cow is it juicy. Mango and pineapple and who knows what else. Kettle sour flavor is barely present in the aftertaste (which is good for me). Tartness is well balanced against fruit juice sweetness.

Mouthfeel is thick, not quite heavy, lifted by just the slightest hint of effervescence. Overall, this is a very tasty beverage (though the style still doesn't seem very beery to me). I'm enjoying it.

 

I'm not sure if that's their anniversary beer, but I know the first time I had it was at one of their anniversary parties, and I have been seeing social media for one of those recently (if it hasn't happened, it is afoot). Adroit does love themselves some flavored imperial stouts, and they usually make them pretty well without being too cloying. Glad to see you enjoyed it.

 

Went To Superior Wi today for Earth Rider Bock Fest. I had Haakon Honey Bock, Valhalla Scotch Ale and Navigator Doppelbock. All Poked and tasted good. I bought (2) 6x12oz packs of the Navigator for home. I already have Navigator 32oz crowlers in stock. (No Naviagator 6 packs will be distro'd for the most part?????? well maybe?)

Next I went to Thirsty Pagan for bock and pizza. I bought a few crowlers of Woodfill's Woodcock Bock for home and I'm drinking one now:
3.93/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Tested from a 32oz crowler plus a full pour at The Pagan
Look: Light brown body, but semi transparent dark amber/lite copper body when held to the light. Decent head that lasts for a while, leaves a micro amount of lacing.
Smell: sweet malt/caramel, Toasted bread, smells good.
Taste: follows the nose plus a micro amount of stone washed dark fruit when it warms up. A micro hint of slightly bitter floral hops towards the finish. Smooth and sweet but not overly sweet. I will give it 3.91/5 for taste/flavor.
Feel: is ok slightly thin for 7.7% bock, has some carbonation for a while from the depths of the mug.

Nothing Heavy duty or super great here but I like it. Better than I thought it was going to be. This one has to warm up to bring out the flavors. 3.91/5

Don't worry I have plenty of Bocks and other beers in stock that I have never tasted. So much beer and no time or energy to enjoy.

 

Looks like the OG. Nuttier aroma and tastes a little sweeter. The barrel and chocolate flavors seem a little muted in this one. I’m a big fan of hazelnut in coffee and stouts so I really enjoyed this one. It’s everything you would expect from a Founder’s BA stout. One of the better KBS variants, IMO.



My second New to me Beer this weekend and my second Founder’s variant. This one I like a little better than the OG. 4 Giants is a great beer, IMO. The hazy version is similar but just a little softer on the edges. It’s very balanced and easy to drink.

 

Providence of Sorrow, an oak-aged farmhouse ale from Holy Mountain Brewing in Seattle, Washington

Preliminary review

4.15/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by draheim from Washington

750mL into a tulip. Pours a clear golden straw with a minimal white head that dissipates quickly.

Aroma is grassy, vinous and funky. Green apple and pear, Smarties.

Taste is likewise tart, bright and crisp. Same green apple from the nose, pale dry biscuity malt, a touch of apple cider vinegar and dry white wine. Plenty of oak.

Mouthfeel is super refreshing, light, drinkable. Finishes semi-dry.

Overall a really nice saison/wild ale from Holy Mountain.

 

Founders 4 Giant And The Haze of Destiny Imperial Hazy IPA, 8.6% ABV; 3.96 overall

Pours a moderately hazed straw color with 2+ fingers of pearl colored head. Nice lacing & above average head retention

S: Citrus & green melon

T: Sweet oranges, tangerine, green melon & dryness up front. Tangerine & dryness, plus more green melon as this warms. Finishes with a little lime, dryness & tangerine

MF: Medium body, fairly firm carbonation. Carbonation smooths out a little bit as this warms, good balance

Drinks easy, but had higher hopes for this one

 

Granite - Darkside, black IPA from Canada, sent to me by the inimitable @Coronaeus. I've been in the mood for black IPAs lately...

22oz can served in a stemless wineglass. No date on it.

Pours black with a pretty good sized head that collapses to about a half millimeter thick lumpy layer and a thin skin going all the way up the side of the glass. Smell is roasty / anise and piney hops.

Taste is interesting. It's kind of a sweet porterish, roasty, with a bright fruity hop characteristic and fairly strong resinous bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is kind of thick. Overall, this is a very nice beer.

 

oddly I have never had this one before (which was ok)
South Shore Brewery
Inland Sea Pilsner (Honey Pils)
12oz can, canned 12/02/2021
Look. looks good semi transpaent lite gold body with a decent head that leaves plenty of lacing for a Pilsner.
Smell is sweet malt, hint of honey/floral and then skunky on the finish.
taste: sweet malt, a hint honey/lemon/floral. Turns grassy bitter/earthy on the finish with the same aftertaste that lasts awhile. Tasted best when colder.
Feel was rather thick and malty for the style/abv
Ok but nothing I would buy again.

3.52/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/787/5717/

 

Fox farm Brewing's Ashlawn Coffee Stout, 7.0% ABV; 4.24 overall Cheers to @sulldaddy for this. Thanks Chris!

Pours a very effervescent chestnut/mahogany with 2 tight fingers of caramel colored head. Average head retention & lacing

S: Coffee & roastyness

T: Coffee, roastyness & dryness up front. Dryness & coffee along with some woody hops as this beer warms, just a touch of vanilla as well. Finishes dry, roasty with plenty of coffee, just a touch of acidity & a little bit of hazelnut & vanilla

MF: Medium body, creamy carbonation

Coffee is the star here & it is showcased nicely

 

Looks like a helluva fun day

 

Greetings All from the Great Northwest where we are sunny and seasonal.

Took a trip over to North Idaho this afternoon where we had lunch and a new beer at Paragon Brewing in Coeur d'Alene

I had the Idabow English style IPA.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/57364/470621/

A decent brew but I was expecting darker malt. I'll go with the menu description.


Until next time

 

Another beer from @WunderLlama! I am truly blessed.

16oz can served in a tulip. It's really hard to read the date on the bottom, but I think it ends in 13/21.

Pours a very murky yellow-orange with a fairly large head that dissipates into clumpy wisps all over the side of the glass and some chunky piles floating all over the surface. Smell is green vegetation and some citrus juiciness.

Taste is lots of juiciness but with the green vegetation in the front.

Mouthfeel is smooth, moderately thick, and pleasing. Overall, not bad.

 

OK you've got me real excited to try beers from this place...that I have no access to. (Trading is too much brainpower for me)

Damn you, @FBarber !!

 

Very unexpectedly, Czech Dark Lagers are EXTREMELY popular with local Chicago breweries this winter/spring. A very welcome trend. I've had at least 5 in the last few months; before that, I didn't know the style existed!! Love your wife's label, by the way, it looks fantastic. As does the beer.