New Beer Weekend #95

I have no personal experience with South Dakota beer but my buddy Phil (see him below modeling with my draft pint of Sly Fox Black Lager) is a fan of Lost Cabin beers. He may have mentioned specific brands but I just don't recall. Maybe something to be on the lookout during your visit?

Cheers!

 

I agree that in today's beer scene this is not common.

There has been discussion over the years (including me in NBS where I declared 2016 the "Summer of Pilsners") where Pilsners will become 'popular' with the craft beer consumer base. I have heard a number of commercial brewers both in face-to-face conversations and on podcasts (e.g., Mitch Steele of New Realm, Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River, etc.) opine that 'now' is when Pilsners will become a 'thing'. Since I have not been an accurate prognosticator in the past (2016), I am taking a 'wait and see' tact here.

But...maybe in the near future having craft breweries who specialize in Hazy/Juicy, Pastry beers, etc. they will decide to 'balance out' their portfolio to serve the Haze Bros, Pasty folks and Crispy Bois crowds simultaneously?

I have only had a few Funky Buddha beers but I have had a number of the IPAs that BBC produces. FWIW I am of the opinion that BBC could produce the types of hoppy beers that would excite the BA crowd but their market is more like the supermarket crowd (not that there is anything wrong with that, I buy a lot of my beers at my local supermarkets) which are looking more for a 'balanced' product vs. a beer that hits you in the face like a sledgehammer (and again nothing wrong with 'sledgehammer' beers since I buy (and brew) those too).

I recently discussed Prairie in a recent thread. I am fortunate that these beers are on my local beer retailers' shelves but I have yet to drink a single one of them since they are too pricey for me.

Cheers!

 

Buy yourself a BIG helmet and perhaps that will equally impress?

Cheers!

 

Perhaps make a 'fashion' statement:

 

FWIW of late I am approaching BBC in two ways:

• I expect anything branded as Sam Adams to be more of a 'mainstream' product
• If I am looking for something 'more' from BBC I view Dogfish Head as the product(s) to purchase but...it has been a while since I have purchased a six-pack of Dogfish Head beer since once I see the price I buy something else instead. I did buy a draft pint of Seaquench last evening to drink while getting together with some buddies.

It seems to me that Haze Bros for the most part are locavores or prefer to chase whales. Sam Adams is definitely not in their wheelhouse and perhaps even Dogfish Head doesn't 'make the cut' either. And in fairness when it comes to Juicy/Hazy ultra-fresh is needed and how the heck to achieve here with distributed product?

On a somewhat related note I also had a draft pint of Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin last evening. It has been a loooong time since I have had this beer. This draft pint was good but in the context of past drinking experiences it was a disappointment; a situation of the beer being too old?

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the kick-off @SawDog505!

First up for me this NBW is a German Dunkel. In fact, the #10 Munich Dunkel style on this site, behind 2 other German beers and 7 American (which perhaps is influenced by a combination of fresh vs not-so-fresh with a fair does of localism, but nevermind …). In any event, I admire most beers from Ayinger, but this is a new one for me. So, let's see.

Ayinger Old Bavarian Dark (Altbairisch Dunkel)
ABV: 5.0%
IBU: 21

Date code: L1258 (Sep 15, 2021), so firmly in the "not-so-fresh" camp. Sad, but a fact of life for most European imports around here.

Clear dark amber-reddish-brown body. Moderately carbonated with small bubbles rising to a thick off-white 1 inch head from a gentle pour.

From the aroma I get caramel, toasted malts, and dark fruit.

The flavor starts with toasted bready malts and dark fruit from the aroma. Toffee. A bit of spice. It's light and yet malty. Malty and yet not overly sweet. Very well balanced and tasty. The finish is lightly bitter with a touch of astringency.

The body is moderate to thin.

Overall, a tasty, malty, and well balanced dunkel.

L: 4.25 | S: 4.0 | T: 4.25 | F: 3.5 | O: 4.0 | Rating: 4.07

 

A lot to catch up with already due to the early kickoff by @SawDog505 ! I sent a request to update the thread title, this is New Beer Weekend #95.

Sticking with the Dark Lager tasting, this selection a local Munich Dunkel.

Great Central Brewing Dunkel



Can Notes: $9.91 (w/ tax) four pack purchased refrigerated at The Beer Temple, refrigerated at home until opening. Can date 12/10/21 at 2:07 PM. 16 oz, 5.0% ABV, 15 IBU. Dunkel Lager, A GCBC Seasonal Offering. Brewed and canned by Great Central Brewing Company, Chicago, IL, U.S.A..

Appearance: Single pour into a large cylinder glass. Bronze caramel clear base, heavy persistent carbonation throughout. Nice creamy tan white head leaves a creamy rich layer above the base. 4.25

Aroma: Mild in strength, nice roast malt, toasted bread, toffee and barley entices me into taking an early sip. 3.75

Taste: Consistent with the aroma, nice bready and barley taste. Digging the firm hops presence which provides balance against the sweet malt and flavor profile. A good solid dunkel. 3.75

Mouthfeel: Carbonation felt lighter than the appearance. Medium body, consistent dryness throughout, balanced. Very light and easy drinking. 4.0

Overall: This is a solid dunkel, everything well balanced. Nothing spectacular, but an enjoyable offering. Like the hops presence, will like to pick up a fresher version next fall to compare and contrast to this five month old offering. Glad I picked up and have three more. 3.75

Returning tomorrow with a highly regarded import.

Cheers!

 

Back to the best part of the weekend, sharing new beers together. Mrs. Phisher just took the kids to a birthday party so I'm cleaning the house, and drinking a beer of course, don't get the chance for afternoon beers often these days. It is humid as hell here so this beer is right in order, courtesy of @ovaltine in the current BIF...

Dovetail - Kolsch



Pours a cloudy yellowish straw, head settles into a nice little ring of white with no center. Nice visible carbonation as it sits.

The nose has a very pleasant floral smell to it, followed by a sort of mish mash fruits; white grape, little bit of golden apple, we eat opal apples quite a lot that is what this smells like.

The taste leans more into the fruit the floral, almost like apple juice with grape juice flavors minus all the sugary sweetness. Cracker like bread notes as well.

Feel is nice and light, drinks very easily. A little touch of sweet on the tongue, no bitterness, clean finish.

This is just what you should be drinking on a gross muggy day...it is a very good kolsch. Goes down the gullet very easily and has a refreshing feel to it. I've enjoyed these Dovetail beers I've got to try courtesy of @ovaltine and @FBarber they are quite tasty.

Up next I have a special beer courtesy of @Coronaeus that I will open at puck drop of tonight's Leafs game, review will come shortly after during intermission, or earlier if I can't handle the stress of the game.

I have some catching up to do and will do so when I have a chance. Cheers everyone happy weekend!!!

 

2 DIPAs on the pine, shellac, wood, masculine side.
Atomic Torpedo | Sierra Nevada | 8.2%
4.18/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
OK, I find S/N to be as good a craft as nearly any micro. Reliable. Big. All this is at Cask Temp.
a) Amber clear body with dense, lacing white head. Looks like will taste.
s) At cask temp, pine, black pepper, nutmeg and a touch of citrus. Could be a men’s cologne.
t) More wood, cedar added, a bit of medicine cabinet, and more black pepper, nutmeg and citrus.
f) Slick, sticky, bittering tongue feel.
o) Bring more of these on.

Double Lustra | Equilibrium | 8.5%
4.05/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Collab lab w Dancing Gnome.
a) Very dark apricot murk, w scant head and lace. a for darkness.
s) melon, peach, apricot, orchard fruit, wood.
t) Adds more pine and shellac to the darkish fruit salad.
f) Creamy, thick, insert a stick.
o) Original, bittering, wild see saw.

 

A new to me saison from Taxman

Apropos
12oz canned 04/05/22 poured into a becher glass at fridge temp 7.5% ABV and 30 IBU per label. The beer pours hazy medium amber with minimal light khaki head. The head recedes to a pencil thin ring and splotchy layer of tiny bubbles. Minimal lacing. The aroma is mild with sweet notes of fruit and pale malt. The taste is semisweet apricot along with wheat and pale malt. There's a vague tartness and minimal bitterness despite the advertised IBUs. The mouthfeel is medium plus bodied with below average carbonation and a semi dry finish. Overall, a rare miss from Taxman, in my opinion. Under carbed and flabby, as opposed to bright and refreshing.

Bummer folks. I've got a few more Belgian beers in the fridge that I might pull out before the weekend ends. Cheers all!

 

We were at the Beer'd Brewing Silo facility last night out on the patio. I think the metal facade muted the free wifi and thus I did not post the beers I had (they were great). The wife had to pick up her fresh Connecticut Casual Pilsener to go, so I decided to get something that I never had before. Nelson hops caught my eye and thus I ended up with this.
I'm not a LOTR fan, but I think that can art is an upgraded Shire.

3.53/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by woodchipper from Connecticut

Poured from a 16oz can stamped “03/22/22 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS BETTER” to a Nonic at fridge temp.
A bright white 2-inch head. The body is a light gold and opaque hazy.
The aroma is floral but there is a hint of malt.
The taste is overwhelmed by alcohol and a slight hop burn. I’m not getting any of the Nelson grapeness.
The mouthfeel is medium for an NEIPA..
I hope this can overstayed its welcome. I had a lot of hopes for this beer, but they did not materialise.

 

Happy nbw. Have quite a lot of nbs bif goodies to go through. Going to go to the gym first. I got a Garmin fenix 6 to track my workouts now. Should be fun to see the progress.

From @FBarber bif. Hop butcher Ccccclear IPA. This was fantastic. Lasting head and soapy lacing. Aromas and flavors of big tangerine, red grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, wood, mint, peppercorn, pine, cracker, bread, herbal, floral, grass. Large sized pine, woody, peppery, grassy bitterness on the finish. Aromas were a lot more juicy, but still had a lot of dank vibrancy. Taste was far more aggressive on pine and citrus resins. Medium-plus carbonation and light-medium body. Fairly crisp with balanced grainy malts and sticky/resinous/rindy hops in the mouthfeel. Super long resinous drying finish with light astringency. Super dank and resinous with lots of Chinook and Columbus forward flavors. If you like aggressive C hops and west coast notes, this is up there with the greats. 4.25


Cheers

 

Maibock

7.6% maibock from Wooly Pig Farm Brewery

A delicious and easy drinking maibock that paired perfectly with burnt ends of pork belly served at the farm at their May Day celebration. Body poured an attractive gold with a nice fluffy head. A thin head remained throughout the tasting, but there was only minor lacing.

Nose was present but not overwhelming Wafts of grain, bread, sweet cracker and floral notes from the Noble hops.

The taste followed nose with a nice sweetness from the malt bill. Just enough hops to almost balance the malt. Solid carbonation and strong malt yield a good mouthfeel. Very drinkable on a warm day like today. Though strong at 7.6%, the ABV is well hidden on this golden lager.

I’ll look forward to this one every year.

 

Hello NBW friends and acquaintances, Mrs O and I are in West Palm Beach FL for a week’s vacation, so I’m NBWing on the fly. I muled four beers here, including a couple courtesy of @jonphisher in NBS BIF #15, but they need to chill, so they’ll wait until tomorrow. Here’s a pic from our balcony!



Tonight’s beer is from a Cigar City mix pack we picked up at the local Publix. It’s got some whiskers, but three of the four beers are new to me, so I’ve got some ticking to do this week!

This first one is a variant of Cigar City’s most notorious (IMHO) beer, and my favorite that isn’t a ginormous stout. Let’s see where the variant takes us.





3.92/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by ovaltine from Indiana

This beer pours a beautiful golden orange color with some haziness and a rocky white head that provides ample lacing. The nose has a significant tangerine aroma, as well as abundant pineapple notes, which isn’t surprising given the beer’s name, but is edging toward “not very balanced”-ville.

The taste is nearly overwhelmed by the tangerine and pineapple - I wish more of the base beer was present, but other than the caramalt flavor, which is nice, there’s just a lot of “fruity” and not a lot of “hoppy,” if that makes sense.

I’m glad I tried this, but give me the OG a billion times out of a billion.

 

I did a side by side with Perpetual and Perpetual Haze. PH is a new to me beer and here's my notes:

Perpetual Haze - pours a hazy yellow but you can still see through it, fluffy head. Smell is similar to Perpetual but brighter and a little more citrus-y. Taste is nice, arguably quite similar to Perpetual but the big difference is that it's a little softer and ends less bitter and dryly and because of this I can pick out a few more flavors; I would argue just a bit more complex because of this combination. The description says that it combines the clean, crisp bitterness of a WCIPA with the softness of a hazy and that's accurate. My perfect combination for an IPA? It really could be, as it has enough of what I like from both. As it warms it maintains a consistent character.

Winner: Perpetual Haze for my palate but their differences is what I enjoyed about each beer. This was a fun side by side. Budmo!

What’s the Difference? Share your Side-by-Side (2022)