New Beer Weekend #94

Next up is a bottle of Marshal Zhukov's, a RIS from Cigar City Brewing sent my way by @Roguer a couple BIFs ago.

4.19/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance is pretty spot on for the style. The deepest of browns / bordering black, and fully opaque. A fairly aggressive pour produced roughly half an inch of deep khaki colored head that receded to a thin ring. Aroma is fairly rich, with molasses and faint toffee complementing some base roast notes. Taste and feel are where this beer really starts to shine. There's a nice complexity to this. Bitter roast leads the way, but is well balanced by some sweeter flavors that I can't call out individually but that definitely add to the experience. Almost a little bit of cinnamon spice on the finish. Full bodied and smooth. Very tasty.

-----------------------

I didn't find any official numbers, but I think VT is likely much less visited than NH. The White Mountains are great, and you can certainly hike in remote areas, but North Conway (more or less the major gateway town to the White Mountains) is plenty touristy, but not in a bad way. We actually really like visiting it for a day. The Lakes Region (where we are) can be anywhere from laid back to very touristy depending on where you are.

 

Hadn't really thought about it that way, but I think you're right

 

Yes, "earthy" applies.

It was unusual and I was struggling a bit to find the right descriptive words.

Also, despite the 40 IBU rating, it was not at all bitter.

 

You can usually tell where I’m located by the glassware I utilize for my particular beer at the moment. The Surly tulips or Hopslam glass are for hops at home, while the Boundary Bay and Beer Advocate “standard” pints are for maltier beers.

Random glassware that isn’t remotely to style usually means I’m traveling and bird dogging something at a bar/restaurant that can literally be any style/brewery, depending on what’s on the menu and how my palate is feeling.

Yes, my palate has feelings, especially for beer. Deal with it.

The Barkentine “schooner glass,” which is very cool but smallish, means I’m visiting Mom in Dayton, which Mrs O and I are doing for Mother’s Day. They’re kibitzing and drinking (um ….. cheap) wine, I’m NBWing with a beer I picked up in Chicago a week+ ago and muled to Dayton because that is how I roll.





4.28/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by ovaltine from Indiana

Pours a golden straw color with the haze associated with the kolsch style immediately noticeable as the beer pours from the can, and compact white head that lingers. Beautiful beer.

The nose is very floral and there’s a noticeable lemon aroma that is mouthwatering, and a bit of grain in the background. The lemon is forward on the taste, with that floral component presents as a yeasty tartness that is delicious, leading to a grainy cereal flavor on a very crisp finish.

I think Dovetail is world class, and this beer is yet another example why - a brilliantly executed kolsch, IMHO, that would be a summer fridge staple for me if I lived in Chicago.

 

You were talking about us making you jealous in the other thread- how about this place being 2 hours away for me?!

 

So, a couple/few years ago when brewing my annual batch of 1896 Michelob I decided to give Weyermann Floor-Malted Bohemian Pilsner malt a try. That beer turned out well but this malt provided an earthy flavor which while I did not dislike it I was not exactly keen on it either. I made a mental note to not brew with this specific malt again.

A month+ ago a brewery local to me (Von C Brewing) brewed their first Czech/Bohemian Pilsner and they did not specifically state the exact brand of malt used to make this beer I am pretty sure they used Weyermann Floor-Malted Bohemian Pilsner malt. That beer has a very similar earthy quality to it. As with the beer I made it was not a 'bad' flavor but also not exactly in my 'sweet spot'.

I wonder if La Doña used Weyermann Floor-Malted Bohemian Pilsner malt to make their Helles beer?

Cheers!

 

1st Reviews of 4.2+ DIPAs of NJ-NY Metro
Wedge Issue: Bravo | Lotus | Carton | 2xIPA | NJ | 8.2%
4.3/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
1st Review. Next Wedge introduces, features Bravo and Lotus.
a) Lace last over hazed apricot body.
s) Melon, peach, grass, hemp.
t) Fresh melon, vanilla, berries, white grape and stone fruit.
f) Juicy, abundant, clean and smooth finish.
o) Best of Wedges? Much better in cans than on tap!

Lab Flasks | Equilibrium | NY | 2xIPA | 8.5%
4.2/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
1st Review. I’m stunned how good this is. From Middletown NY to Middletown NJ.
a) Grapefruit type hazed body w slick lace and last.
s) Wood, melon, citrus, balance, pepper.
t) More and larger of the aroma, with more shellac and pine sap, spice, and pepper.
f) The pepper works in the bite.
o) Piquant, perfection.

Impact Wrench | Industrial Art | NY | 3xIPA | 10%
4.24 look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Surprisingly IMPACT Wrench for me is the best of the wrench series. All have some burn, but it works best here.
a) More apricot than grapefruit colored body, with little lace or last but pretty.
s) Powerful pineapple, resin, wood, and ash.
t) More smoke and sawmill fresh wood, with peach, zest, and grass and more pine added.
f) ZESTY finale. but Balanced. ABV present, almost after-dinner drink like.
o) A power 3x IPA.

 

haha true. It’s about an hour from me but my brother in laws house is 20 minutes from them. We’re planning a trip there together this summer, I’m looking forward to it. They are building a new place to apparently maybe distro will expand after that?

 

Thanks @Roguer for getting us going. Poured into a 16 oz Snulip glass canned this week. Pours a very hazy orange with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves thin streaks of lace with nice retention. 4.25

Aroma is lime, orange, salt, and lemon. 4.25

Taste follows, it tastes like margarita, but carbonated like a beer. I am really digging it. 4.5

Mouthfeel is above average, plenty of carbonation, maybe a tad dry, and at 6.5% it goes down really easy but loaded with flavor. 4.5

Overall I am loving this one. I hope they keep brewing this all Summer long. Highly recommend. 4.5 Cheers all.

 

Brasserie Artisinale Maltstrom Pilsner Neo Zelandaise. I like Maltstrom lagers generally and am curious about this one.



They usually have the malt and hops listed on their cans too, which I like, and in this case we see:



Bohemian Pilsner malt with Pacifica, Motueka and Saaz hops.

Pours an opaque bright golden straw. Nice head that dissipates slowly leaving a this cap to the beer and lovely lacing.

Fresh grainy notes hit the nose with some floral elements following quickly behind. A touch of lemon there as well.

Taste follows closely. Biscuity. Gentle floral hop notes. A suggestion of tropical fruit and a very strong bitter finish.

Dry and well carbonated.

This is another well executed lager from Maltstrom. The hops here provide an interesting take on a traditional Pilsner. I particularly like the strong bitter finish. Very nice.

 

Starting today with Firestone Walker Gold Rider, blender ale aged in cognac barrels & orange bitters barrels with fresh lemon juice.
4.34/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by larryi86 from Delaware

12 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- A fairly clear brownish amber with a small white head

S- Toffee, lemon, cognac, vanilla, some oak, touch of oranges, hints of dark fruits.

T- Cognac, grapes, toffee, lemon, some vanilla, touch of oranges, some dark fruits, a little earthy.

M- Smooth, medium to full body.

O- A tasty beer, big barleywine like flavors and nicely balanced

Cheers!

 

Third Moon Peanut Butter Cup Bestowed Imperial Pastry Stout.



Pours a deep, dark brown with a generous creamy mocha head that stick around a while.

Nose is fresh peanut, sweet milk chocolate and cream.

The taste follows. Quite sweet up front. Sweetened peanut butter. Light chocolate notes. Very quick finish.

Moderate body. Not syrupy at all.

This is a success if you want a stout that tastes more like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup than it does a beer. Good.

 

#2, we’re at Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia, taking Mom out for dinner. Nick’s Restaurant is apparently the greatest restaurant in the history of ….. ever because there was a 30-minute wait.

At 4:25 pm with NOTHING going on (Ohio State sports, for example). What the fliggity flock?

They do have a nice tap list. This is Stone Fort, and English brown ale from Seventh Son Brewing out of Columbus.





4.25/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ovaltine from Indiana

Pours a mostly clear brown color with a light tan head head, spot on for a brown ale. The nose is rife with toffee and caramel notes, again, spot on for the style.

The toffee is forward on the taste and absolutely delicious, with the caramel flavor following, providing a smooth finish. The mouthfeel is fairly bright, with a bit of creaminess as well.

I don’t get the opportunity to enjoy many brown ales, so I’m really digging this. A really nice example of the style, IMHO.

 

American Solera IPA State Champs, 7.0% ABV; 4.06

Pours an effervescent & very hazy straw color with a thumb of pearl colored head.
Great lacing & above average head retention

S: Papaya & citrus, plus mango when warm

T: Grapefruit, oranges, a touch of vanilla & pineapple up front. A touch of lime, dryness, pineapple, sweet orange & Kiwi Fruit as this warms. Finishes with pineapple, sweet & tart oranges, plus lime `

MF: Medium body, smooth carbonation, nice balance

This was a better beer fresh, but is still plenty good now. This will certainly be a fair place holder review, but memory had me digging the nose & flavor at least .25 more. Drinks so easy

 

Greetings, fellow NBWers,
It's in the low 50s, cloudy, blustery and at times quite rainy here in Spokanistan.

Today I hit Cozy, a Baltic Porter from Tree House, received via the generosity of @Rub_This_BBQ. Meant to bring it to a bottle share on Thursday, but I accidentally left it at home, so it becomes NBW fodder.

]https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28743/529118/?ba=woemad#lists
The highlights: Fairly complex for the style. Also quite boozy. It's not barrel aged, but if I drank it blind I'd probably assume it was aged in barrels that held dark rum. It was awfully good on it's own, after a late breakfast and chilling to some Mingus, but, damn, I wish I was pairing it with some grilled smoked meat of some sort.

 

A shame we can't send it out West where it would be Godsend. My yard still resembles South Georgia or Florida, take your pick. I haven't seen any snakes yet, so there's that.

 

3.5/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois

Pours a pale clear yellow, white head and some lacing,. Snot locker gets some grain, grassy hops, taste buds get that and some corn. Thin, light, lotsa carbonation. Probably a one and done, but I'd try something else. FYI, just so you all know, brewed by Metropolitan in collaboration with a direct descendant of Conrad Seipp. Its listed as retired, but I believe it's a seasonal.