New Beer Weekend #96

Melvin Eureka 2 Years BA Imp Stout with Pistachios & Coconut, 13% ABV; 4.34 overall

Pours an effervescent ebony with a sliver of fast falling caramel colored head, you can hear the carbonation! Viscous, a little lacing

S: Dates, figs, Port notes, dark cherries

T: Dark chocolate, dark cherries, leafy hops, figs & pistachios, plus a little vanilla & toasted coconut. More dark fruit, Port Barrel, leafy hops & a little pistachio as this warms, plus toasty coconut. Finishes with warming Port notes, figs, toasted coconuts, dryness & dark chocolate

MF: Extra chewy, moderate carbonation

Well done BA take on the style, pretty darn drinkable for the heft

 

Founders Velvet Rush



I might be the last person to include this in a new beer thread (I need to get out more). I saw this single in a cooler in the local grocery store and snagged it. Bottled date was 08.05.21 and price was 3.99 so I was wondering if this was a shelf turd. Poured into a DFH tulip it sported a medium pale tan head over a dark brown body with amber colors against the light. Smell was a nicely complex blend of chocolate, vanilla, coffee and barrel. Taste reflected the smell except more of a booze presence, maybe brought on by it warming. Mouthfeel was much lighter than an imperial stout, making this dangerously drinkable.

Another brown ale success from Founders.

 

Last one of the weekend courtesy of @Roguer who sent this and others my way as part of NBW BIF 14, a BIF I wasn’t even participating in! The nerve!

Cigar City Journeywork of the Stars. A bourbon barrel aged scotch ale and cherry brandy barrel aged Barleywine blend with cacao nibs from the 12th El Catador club collection.



Pours a deep mahogany brown. Minimal head that dissipates to nothing rather quickly.

Huge aroma. Red licorice, stewed fruit, boozy wood. This beer shouts out barrel aged Barleywine. Very appealing.

The taste follows. Cherry, wine grape, stewed fruits, dry oak. Boozy. Drinks like a fine Barleywine. Flavours become more intense as it warms. Very good.

Full body. Slightly syrupy.

This is excellent. I’ve only had a couple El Catador bottles now, and they have been excellent. Makes me eager to try the others I have squirrelled away in the cellar.

Thanks Andrew. This was a treat!

 

I asked because during the height of the pandemic, I did drive down to them for some curb-side pickup just to throw some support their way.

In general, I found them to be thoroughly mediocre. I didn't like Doppel the Hutt at all. In general, flat and bland. I rated it 3.19 as my last of 4 beers I tried. My highest rating was 3.6 for Ruth Bitter Ginsburg (awful name for an attempt to honor her, IMO).

I haven't been back. As I stated in my NBW review of Hutt, "Overall, unfortunately, they have not given me a reason to drive the 40+ mile round trip to visit them again. So, unless I just happen to find myself in New Prague wanting to sit down and have a beer, this will likely be my last impression of them."

 

Two years ago a buddy of mine set aside a bottle of BCBS Anniversary Stout aged in Weller barrels. Mother fuck it was expensive enough to make me blink. But we aren't here to be cost effective amirite so I added it to the haul. When I popped the cap I knew I was experiencing greatness. Everything was like BCBS only e to the x. I'd do it again tomorrow and every subsequent day. But then I might be spoiled.

 

No. A Willi Becher is closer in shape to to a Stange, than a Nonic. For a visual example, see FBarbers at post #146 of this thread.

 

There was a lot going on today, with two sisters here in the morning after an impromptu sleepover last night, two different sisters who arrived around lunch for a couple hours of visiting and play, and then two more sisters for more play and dinner, with their father, my Alaskan math teacher friend who can drink like a fish.

Finishing the night with a nice clean CZAF from Wayfinder.

16oz can served in a big snifter. Dated 05/09/22. Bought it at Full Throttle Bottles yesterday.

Pours a clear brassy golden with a super pale head about a centimeter tall, fades slowly, tiny bit of active carbonation. Smell is grassy and grainy, mild, more sweet than anything else. Some yeast.

Taste is a strong grassy / citrus bitterness primarily, also a strong grainy / grain husk flavor, very little sweetness, some honeysuckle.

Mouthfeel is super light and super dry. Overall, very nice.

 

This phrase has always confused me a bit. Do we actually know how much fish drink? Isn't that how they get the oxygen they need? Are they actually 'drinking' the water, or just taking what they need for survival? Do they have a friend who likes to jump out of the water at any opportunity, and behind his back they say "he can breath like a mammal"?

So confuses.....

 

Nope! Got it for you on request and others on reputation. Good beer, though!

 

I think you're overthinking it, Terry.

But since you started it, I'll overthink it, too: Perhaps fish "drink" without thinking about it, without even noticing it -- without limit or adverse effect? Dunno.