New Beer Weekend #88

I do appreciate what you've said. Lately I've been giving low ratings to the style of beer I had yesterday. It may be in part because I'm totally burnt out on the style from having beers of it that were poor imitations of good ones.

I'll post my link here to the beer I'm talking about, even though I had it yesterday. I wrote it off my UT review of it.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50265/473214/
Tome - Half Acre Brewing.

3.49/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

This beer pours a murky, hazy, lighter golden color. The head is somewhat fluffy looking, white, 2 finger, and has decent retention with great lacing on the glass.
The nose is not too strong. I just get a faint hint of tropical hops here.
Taste is a bit of pineapple and mango up front that finishes off cantaloupe.
The body is not soft at all, slightly juicy.
For what it is, it isn't bad, but not the best.

 

I was very excited when they said this week that this beer will see distro. @JayORear I feel like I remember you wanting to try this too, no trading necessary. Hopefully it shows up for us soon.

 

Poured into a 16 oz tulip glass canned on 1/19/22. Pours a very dark near black with a finger plus sticky light brown head that leaves some thin streaks of lace, with nice retention. 4.25

Aroma is dry coffee grounds, vanilla bean, cocoa nibs, toffee, and caramel. 4

Taste roasted coffee, vanilla, cocoa, toffee, and caramel. 4

Mouthfeel is above average, soft gentle carbonation, maybe a little dry, and at 8% it goes down rather easy. 4

Overall this is nice, nothing to cheer for, but a solid Imperial Stout. Worth a shot. 4

 

Happy end of the weekend to most of you BAs. I happen to have a new beer from a decidedly not new brewer (~20 years old) from their east coast brewery. We have visited their two locations in Colorado, but never the one in Brevard. Today's beer from Oskar Blues is Western Mutant IPA, compared to Double Dale's (which I really like).

I had the impression from packaging (since tossed) that Western Mutant IPA might be one in a series by the brewery. Their website indicates that it is "year round" and though that could mean ...for 2022, I am no longer sure. Either way, the marketing fully indicates that this is returning to the west, and the look of the beer definitely doesn't make one think of the "east coast" cloudy beers. The can has the hops in different order than the website (though it seems specifically an aesthetic decision for the can), but Akoyo, Saphir, Simcoe and Nelson Sauvin are involved - not totally retro here.



I thought I noted a weed-like dank aroma during my pours, but wasn't 100% sure until getting into the nose. It's not as pungent as I thought it would be, but there is some herbal influence. There's also some grapefruit pith and strawberry, of all things. Overall, a light and herbal fruity aroma off the bat.

There is an ever so light haze to Western Mutant, and it is paler than Double Dale's. The latter has a more malty profile with a bit heavier, more earthy vibe. Lace production is nice on both beers.

Western Mutant's flavors end up a tad more green than the aroma. it has a decidedly light feel for a 7% brew. I am getting a mix of grape leave and its associated fruit that I associate with the Nelson, but also some of what I called strawberry above (I think it might be in my head now). A generic herbal more than grassy bitter thread runs from near opening into the end taste. Be it strawberry or not, there is a lighter summer fruit thread running throughout (the only other thing that comes to mind is watermelon rind, it's odd without being weird, if that makes sense).

Okay, this ended up being not much of a comparison, but Double Dale's is a bit heavier with a more toasted malt joining a more piney and less fruity hop profile. The similarity seems to be in the base hop bitterness - they sit at near equal tongue-tugging strength even if the flavors they present aren't so similar.

Anyhow, I really ended up enjoying Western Mutant IPA, it's a refreshingly bitter beer with some light fruit notes to keep things interesting. The GF, forced to make a decision, chose this beer over Double Dale's, and I had to agree with her at this point in time.

 

I didn't get the memo that friends can't tar and feather each other any more

Those involved in thiese quotes (and many others on this thread) have been around long enough to know we all go through cycles in the mostly subjective activity that is rating beers. It depends on one's tendencies, but I can't imagine a 4+ rating with a small negative rDev would call for tar-and-feathering (dammit )

I can admit to being burnt out on NEIPAs, to a large degree. Perhaps that combined with "the public"'s continued embrace of them is why I have a mildly significant positive rDev (for me) on Double Dale's and Western Mutant. I wouldn't be surprised that, if I get a chance to revisit them, I might come down a tad on them.

To a subjectively good [new] beer in your glass, ratings be damned!

 

The topic of Zwickelbier (also sometimes Kellerbier or Zoigl bier) is a tricky subject because it is more about a way of serving certain German (e.g., Southern Germany) lagers vs. a style per se.

The concept is that in Germany these beers are served from the cellar (keller in German) and they are unfiltered and generally speaking served in fresh (vs. long term cold aging) condition. They can be pale in color (i.e., Pale Kellerbier) or amber in color (e.g., Amber Kellerbier) as per the link that @jonphisher provided. There can be some exceptions but generally speaking these beers are typically of moderate gravity (e.g., around 5% ABV) and more often than not have a notable bready malt flavor with hops (bittering and flavor) to provide some balance to the beer.

This topic was discussed in a past thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/question-about-kellerbier-zwickelbier.627361/

A brewery close to me (Locust Lane) recently had an Amber Kellerbier on tap and I enjoyed drinking those beers (they still have cans at the brewery):

“Dancing Diamonds (Skeller Keller) Kellerbier / Zwickelbier

5.5% ABV

Named in fond memory of our favorite PSU dive bar, Skeller Keller is a hazy, Amber Lager. Literally "cellar" beer, its a true German classic. Made to be consumed fresh, with a crisp, bready & toasty malt flavor. Dry hopping with Hallertau & Motueka hops provides a spicy, herbal finish.”

https://www.locustlanecraftbrewery.com/beer

Prost!

 

Poured into a 16 oz wide mouthed vessel canned on 3/07/22. Pours a hazy yellow orange with a finger sticky white head that leaves thin webs of lace with some really solid retention. 4.5

Aroma is cantaloupe, tangerine, pineapple, peach, apricot, and grapefruit rind. 4.25

Taste follows cantaloupe, pineapple, tangerine, peach, apricot, and grapefruit in the lingering finish. 4.25

Mouthfeel is above average, soft carbonation, maybe a tad sticky but not dry, and at 8% ABV it goes down easy but bungs up the palate a bit. 4.25

Overall I am enjoying this one. I would say worth a try for sure. 4.25

 

Good afternoon NBW

I'm back with Belgian tripel more to my liking. De Dolle Dulle Teve


11.2oz bottled Sept. 2020 poured into a chalice at 53° Fahrenheit 10% ABV. The beer pours opaque, honey colored amber with very light khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of varied sized bubbles leaving just a few small bits of lacing. The aroma is fairly sweet with pale malt, berry and peach. The taste is semisweet and a hint tart with well attenuated pale malt, hints of berry and melon before a mildly bitter, citrus like finish. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied with above average carbonation and a dry finish. No trace of the ABV in the aroma and just a touch in the taste. Overall, very good.

I had some concerns about this one as I've had a bottle of De Dolle Export Stout that went completely sour and I'm quite sensitive to that taste. This beer seemed well kept and I'm sure some bottle conditioning happened as it's quite dry, which I find refreshing. Two more to go...

Cheers all!

 

Greetings all from the Great Northwest where today we are trying gluten free.

Kick Step IPA from Ghostfish brewing.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/38813/305196/

Not a bad attempt, brewed with millet, brown rice and beet sugar, but it predictably misses on the malt flavor. As they say "no barley no beer."

Until next time

 

Fox Farm Copestone BA Barleywine courtesy of @Roy_Hobbs from NBW BIF 13 I believe.



I’d been saving this for a weekend afternoon without kids where I could sip and read and enjoy. Alas, I’m alone with the kids. Thankfully they are entertaining themselves and I’m taking a chance to escape without escaping!

Pours a slightly murky mahogany brown with little to no head. A very slight oily film covers a small portion of the liquid after the pour. No lacing.

Lovely aromas. Figs, prunes, stewed fruits pop first. Some barrel, toffee and brown sugar follow.

This is sophisticated. Integrated flavours of bourbon, red wine, leather and dry wood envelope more gently, notes of stewed fruit and caramel. The booze is only noticeable on the swallow, and even then is a hint. Again, very sophisticated.

Lighter to medium bodied with a slightly silky mouth. Very nice.

This is very good. I’m guessing this would still be good in a few years. Mine was a 2020. Thanks Ross!!

 

Found this the other day, perfect to open on a lazy Sunday afternoon. From a Houston brewery that I sing the praises of a lot around here.

True Anomaly Native Sky Wild Ale, 7.7% ABV

This is foeder aged, and uses a yeast strain that is apparently only found in Big Bend (according to the label). Mixed with Lactobacillus, aged in oak foeders for 12 months, and dry hopped with Simcoe and Nelson Sauvin.



Pours a hazy orange color. At first a two finger white head forms with good retention. That gently recedes, and a touch of lace is left behind.
Aroma is musty basement like funky in the nose. Peach and apple cider like qualities. Funky and fruity, I like it.
Taste wise, oh yeah, this hits my Wild Ale spot. Tart and acidic fruits, musky basement like. Fresh peach, apple, grapes and a light vinous character. Sweetness and acidity lingers on a bit.
M/O: A medium body with effervescent carbonation. While there is definitely funk and sweetness all mixed in here. The acidity cleans the palate, pulls on the cheeks a little, and makes me want to keep coming back for more.

Another really well done example of a Wild Ale from True Anomaly. All the elements from the yeast, Lactobacillus, and hops all mingle perfectly together. With a great balance. Glad I found a bottle of this, and will be looking for it more often.

Overall score is 4.18, an A-
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/55586/596429/?ba=champ103#lists

 

2020 vintage. Russian Imperial Stout and American Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels.

Pours a very dark brown with a mahogany hue. Verging on black. Produced a finger's worth of a soapy, creamy khaki head. Decent retention to it for such a high abv. 4.25

Aroma leans more barleywine qualities than stout. The barleywine end of it is bringing caramel, toasted brown bread, raisin, prune, brown sugar, some burnt sugar, some earthy hop. The stout qualities are more in the background, bringing roasted malt, dark chocolate, and slight tobacco. The barrel qualities from both beers are there and add bourbon, some oak, and slight vanillin. 4.25

Taste is more harmonious between the stout and barleywine, with the barleywine still being a bit more forward. The aroma is sweeter, whereas the taste is much more bitter and dry from both the base beers and the barrel. There is a nice sweetness throughout though. Baker's chocolate, roasted malt, tobacco, some molasses, caramel, toffee, dark chocolate Raisinets, bourbon-soaked prune, some fig, toasted brown bread, plenty of charred oak, slight vanillin. The barleywine shows it's American roots, with a significant earthy, piney hop presence on the finish to accompany the barrel qualities and lead to a more bitter, dry, charred oak/spirit finish. 4.25

Medium to high medium body. Slightly creamy, sticky, chalky, slick. At about 1.5 years old, this has aged nicely and is quite smooth given the 13%+ abv. The dryness of the beer leads it to be more drinkable, which might be a bit dangerous. 4.25

I've always been a fan of Liquid Mechanics since I went there back in 2017. They seem to make quality stuff and this is no exception. Although I wish the barleywine part of the blend was English and not American, as I feel the qualities of the former would balance out the bitter qualities of the RIS a bit better, this is still a very good strong ale with wonderful barrel qualities. 4.25
Thanks, Jim! @Prager62

 

Good afternoon NBS/nbw and thanks to @Mdog for hosting this week.
Todays offering is from Treehouse
This Baltic porter is quite good, clean, flavorful. not a hint of the 9.2% to be had
Well done

Cozy

Porter - Baltic | 9.2% ABV
Tree House Brewing Company in Charlton, Massachusetts

3.94/5 rDev -5.7% | Average: 4.18
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by SABERG from Massachusetts

Poured from a 16 oz can, dated 1/27/22 into the test glass.
A - Bakers chocolate dark brown, solid mocha cap transitions into a nice mocha ring.
S - Roast malts, a bit of bitter cocoa, hints of cahr, and birny brown sugar (in the best way)
T - Follows the nose with a dark cherry thread added. Some medium roast coffee, a bit of that burnt brown sugar, with some first run molasses.
M - Lite on the palate, dances across, stays in the not to bitter/not to sweet lane through the entire experience. Linger is an exploration of cocoa nuance.
O - A very good Baltic Porter, clean lager yeast, excellent and delicate flavors. Woth the effort to find and enjoy

 

Fremont Brew 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000. Brew 2000 is new to me, the other three I've had before. I'll talk about all four, though, since I got to try them side-by-side, thanks to the assistance of my wife's and two friends' livers. Also, Brew 2000, 3000, and 4000 were the product of an interesting IP trade with @sharpski, who is awesome.

So, all four beers pour a dark toffee color, lighter around the edges, pretty still, very little head, look thick and syrupy. Brew 4000 seemed to have a noticeable but short lived head.

They all smell fairly similar, too -- raisins and dates, moderate sweetness, maybe a little bit of vanilla and oak showing that bourbon barrels were, in fact, used in the production of these beers.

There is a lot going on in the flavor. Some similarities, but definitely some differences. 2000 tasted sweet, until I tasted 3000 and 4000, which are way sweeter. 5000 reveals a cola flavor, which then becomes noticeable at lower levels in the other three. 3000 and 4000 are pretty similar. 2000 has kind of a bark-like bitterness.

Mouthfeel on all four is smooth and luscious.

2000 was my clear favorite until they started to warm up more, and 3000 and 4000's sweetness toned down and some woody bitterness amped up and started to compete for my favor.

All four of these are fantastic beers. Highly recommended.

 

Quiet Sunday in here, well I finished up some shopping for BIF and came across this new beer. I saw someone post about it in WBAYDN and had no idea it existed so when I saw it fresh I grabbed a single and man am I glad I did. It did not disappoint...

Allagash - Swiftly IPA



Beautiful deep and almost crystal clear amber, a beautiful light brown head. Lively carbonation, I poured slowly and the head just grew and grew. Intense lacing on this beer as well.

Malty, piney, grapefruit rind, and a hint of yeast on the nose.

Taste is much of the same, an intense piney resin flavor that is accompanied by a very deep toasted maltiness, again just a hint of yeast. This thing has to be can conditioned I would assume, maybe I'm wrong.

Medium body, very lively carbonation on the tongue; a super intense drying resin/sap feel on the tongue with a high bitterness. Dry and clean finish.

This is a very very good malty classic IPA, it is also a beautiful looking beer. Very well done by Allagash on this hoppy offering. I highly suggest this beer to anyone who likes more classic IPAs you will not be dissapointed.