New Beer Weekend #99

American Solera Ambient Kolsch, 5,0% ABV; 4.34

Pours as a gusher, golden & effervescent with 5 fingers+ of pearl white head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Bready, a little grainy, pear notes once warm, along with perfumy hops

T: Follows the nose, a little lemon, a touch of aspirin bitterness& dryness up front. Bitterness fades as this warms, some pear & grapefruit show along with dryness & grassy/herbal hops. Finishes dry, fruitty & grassy

MF: Medium body, crisp carbonation

Nice drinkability, despite the less than stellar start, nice take on this style

 

Evil Twin's Devil Child is my final new beer for this weekend... finishing early but that's so I can take a drinking break tomorrow (other than the last Schöfferhofer Grapefruit I have in the fridge... but that's 2.5% so it barely counts).



This is a good ol' 12% barleywine brewed with maple syrup and vanilla. What a concept! Sweet-ass strong beer that is intentionally not balanced by hops whatsoever. Who woulda thunk...?

Pour is... strict. It doesn't really look amazing, but it has an austere and dominant look in my glass nonetheless. Hazy mahogany brown color with a thin yet retentive cap of khaki-colored suds. Legs are decent and lace seems alright as well for what it's worth.

The nose is oily sweetness with a caramel-forward aspect kicking things off. I don't know why, but there are some hints of peanut butter in here for whatever reason, at least to me. Perhaps the roastiness of the malt combined with the decadent, sweet leanings are just giving me that feeling. Toffee coming out as it warms a bit, along with a hint of the ethanol presence... alright, I'm ready!

Waffle cone-like malt right upfront with... yeah, somehow I'm still getting peanuts here? The maple element feels generically sweet and caramel-like, the vanilla hits in the transition to the finish, and yet... the mid-palate has some toffee with roasted peanut-like notes coming out. It's definitely a weird sensation. Definitely becomes more like burnt caramel/crème brulée as it warms, but that was strange. Slick feel with a dense disposition... not a chugging beer by any means, but it also doesn't feel quite as strong as it actually is. Hmm, this seems to be pretty well-made. It's certainly a sweet and decadent ale, but I guess if you buy a maple/vanilla barleywine, you have to know that's coming so... yeah, solid stuff.

 

Have a good Saturday. Slept to 8 PM or something. Been a busy end of the week. A couple in office days I got a lot done. Started Metro 2033 book and it's great but slow. Haven't had papa johns in a while, my sister really got me turned onto them, as far as the biggest pizza chains, one of the better ones IMO. I got bacon buffalo chicken and epic pizza stuffed crust, plus bacon cheese sticks. So basically just been blazing and watching youtube videos lately. And reading. Had a PR on bench day Thursday.



Got a thank you card from @RaulMondesi from the wedding(a while back lol) , and included a picture. It looks very happy. We will fly back eventually.


Still have plenty from @FBarber in NBS BIF. Old Irving Obsidian. Awesome Black IPA. Lasting head retention and foamy lacing the whole glass. Aromas and flavors of big red grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, toast, dark bread, pepper, pine, herbal, floral, grass, and light smoke. Moderate pine, citrus rind, spicy, roast/charred bitterness on the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body. Balanced creamy/bready malts, sticky/resinous hops, and some chalky char/roast in the mouthfeel. Long resinous drying finish with no hop/char astringency or cloying malts. Very smooth, minimal warming 7.5%. This was pretty much perfectly balanced between being either American stout or IPA on flavors. The hops were pretty juicy and very dank/earthy, with plenty of rich black/roasted malt complexity and a good sized body(which I prefer in the style). Citra incognito, Nectaron, and Amarillo hops. Loved it, I need to find more black IPAs, feels like nobody is making them anymore. 4.16


Cheers

 

Poured into a 16 oz Snulip glass not sure when it was canned. Pours near pitch black with a half finger mocha head, with little retention and little lace. 4

Aroma is hazelnut, cocoa, vanilla bean, and toffee. 4.25

Taste follows hazelnut, cocoa, vanilla, and toffee one dimensional but rather tasty. 4.25

Mouthfeel is a little bigger than average, not sticky or dry, soft gentle carbonation, and at 9.8% it goes down real easy. 4

Overall nose and flavor real good, but the body and lack of lace or retention drops the score. Still worth a shot. 5

 

American Solera Terpy Galaxy DIPA, 8.0% ABV; 4.17 overall

Pours an effervescent & very hazed gold with a thumb+ of ivory colored head. Above average head retention & lacing

S: Green melon, tangerine, cattyness really kicks up as it warms
T: Follows the nose, powdery dryness, some lime up front. Grapefruit, dryness, grassyness &lime as this warms, orange notes, plus much dankness. Finishes dry with cattyness, a little grapefruit & pineapple& a touch of pine

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, good balance

This is pretty drinkable, Pretty much turns into a dankness monster once warm

 

When I was at the beer store just up the street from our new place, the dude working there recommended I try this helles, especially talking about how they somehow always managed to get them in so fresh which was surprising since they're an import. Well, this was a couple of weeks ago now, so maybe that aspect of the salespitch isn't really applicable anymore, but still, a nice well made helles sounds just about right at the moment.
One of our dear friends is coming over for dinner tonight so we can compare notes as we pack up for a backpacking trip she and I take off for in the AM. Sadly the wife will be unable to attend (she's pretty bummed) due to the combination of weather (it's still snowing in the mountains, and the rangers have described this particular area as incredibly treacherous, etc) and the fact that pregnancy has completely thrown her hip out of whack and she can barely climb a flight of stairs, so maybe wandering up Asgard Pass, in the snow, is not the best move, especially at 6 months pregnant. Stay in there baby, for another couple of months anyway, the world out here isn't any better!!

Anyway, Stiegl Hell.



The pour is beautiful. Lovely crisp light golden yellow with a nice little fuzzy white head. As it dissipates, there's a few initial wisps of lacing, but nothing that really lasts.

First impression on the aroma is of sweet malts. As it warms, these reveal themselves to be of a honey-like nature, with a light crackery backbone. Floral hops round things out and it just smells of spring/summer.

Flavour is easy to predict with that aromatic description, as there is indeed a honey sweetness with clean light crackery malts and some hops. The hops retain some of their floral-ness, but I feel like they veer more over towards a lemon-type profile as well. It works, but I think personal preference I like the floral component better.

Light and drinkable, the carbonation is spritzy and refreshing. Finish lingers with the dull bitter hops, and a hint at the richness of the honey-like flavour.

Overall, a perfectly cromulent, refreshingly enjoyable spring/summer quaff. Definitely at home on the back porch in the sunshine gardening or relaxing. Glad to have grabbed it, as I stick more and more to as local-of purchases as I can when at the beer store. Thanks employee guy for the recommendation!

 

Amanti, Italian Style Pilsner
Whole Hog Beer (Point)

Look: transparent gold body, ok white head that leaves some lacing
Smell: smells very good, rather strong aroma, sweet malt, honey, floral, and something else maybe biscuit
taste: follows the nose, sweet at first but has some bitterness on the finish. A hint of bread and later on cracker, maybe pepper or some spice? Smooth beer
Nice mouth feel, it's malty not thin
I like this beer, Rather sweet. I had no clue what this one was going to taste like when I opened up the bottle. I might have to get another six pack in the future.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/53213/601537/
https://untappd.com/b/whole-hog-brewery-amanti/4809575

 

My Turn: Anthony #43,
German-Style Kellerbier
Lakefront Brewery
12oz bottle, best by 10NOV22 , Bottle states 5.4% ABV, website claims 5.0% ????
Look: lite copper amber body but semi transparent dark gold body when held to the light, micro amount of hazy/suspended sediment in it. ok white that leaves a little lacing
Smell: bread, sweet malt, hint of floral
taste: follows the nose, toasted bread, slightly sweet then slightly bitter later on. Mild noble hop spice on the finish. smooth
Feel: ok
A good solid beer, that doesn't really stand out from the crowd in any way. 3.97/5
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/741/608403/
https://untappd.com/b/lakefront-brewery-my-turn-anthony/4874038

 

I review every now and then here, especially when I have something this good.



Anchorage is a brewery that I never would have tried if not for Tavour. I have now had over a dozen of their beers. Their IPAs are pretty good, and I had a sour that was impressive. But where this brewery shines is with the expensive limited barrel aged stout and barleywines. I have heard a lot of people say that those beers are overpriced. I will admit, I do not know how limited they are, but you figure people throughout the rest of the country generally won’t have access unless they did distribution with Tavour. So far I have bought four of those beers - Wendigo, A Deal with Evil, A Deal with the Devil, and this beer.

Is any beer worth over $50, especially if it’s only 12 ounces? I look at it as availability and demand and quality. The availability for Anchorage beers for me is very limited, and I know the demand is there, and of the four I mentioned, the quality is exceptional.

This is a big, bodacious, bold beer. Sweet sweet sweet. Pours dark brown, mild quickly dissipating head. Smell is very strong on bourbon barrel, coffee, vanilla, and maple-oh, those are the adjuncts? Well, then it delivers what it advertises. Taste grabs the tongue, brushes maple syrup across it, then dips it into a glass of bourbon. Notes of vanilla and chocolate are present, but they wait for the big boys to finish their thing. I think the feel is evident when the first words I used to describe it were “big, bodacious, and bold”. Boozy, boozy, boozy, this beer brings a big barrel to the backyard. Thick and syrupy (to no surprise), with a surprisingly mouth watering finish.

The stout/barleywine combination apparently can meld well, at least in this case. If there’s a weakness to it, I’d say it’s a bit too thick and a bit too sweet.

I’m going to definitely buy a second of this (Tavour offered it yesterday and somehow it was still available tonight) and age it first, because while some of Anchorage’s stouts and barleywines may be extremely pricey, I think the ultimate verdict o have to say is that they’re pricey beers are very good.

Note: I want to have a snack, but this beer is so good, I do not want to mess with my taste buds while I am drinking it. That, to me, is another example how good this beer is.

 

Yesterday I stopped at a new place to me. Not a taproom/brewery but a small bar/restaurant that has some hard to find beers in the area. It's 3rd & Vine in Eau Claire, WI
https://www.3rdandvine.com/menus
I had a pour of "RyeWine" brewed by Giant Jones & Starkweather (Madison WI). While I drank it I had some good deviled eggs with trout eggs as part of the topping.

The rye wine was a odd beer, it was good but hard to describe. Nothing like a Barleywine to my tasted buds. Rather easy drinking, 10.4% ABV was very well hidden consider the flavor profile. The rye spice flavor was mild. It had some mild hops to it. Hint of caramel, not really sweet or bitter
https://untappd.com/b/starkweather-brewing-company-ryewine/4751851

But anyhow I looked in the cooler and there were plenty of beers that were new to me. So bought a few singles for home. And I'm a drinking one now:
Lü, Kölsch
Solemn Oath Brewery
16oz can
This is good. Typical Kolsch flavors, feel, smell, look. The flavor profile is on the lite duty side. The beer is clean I don't notice any off flavors or flaws I should have saved the can for lawn mowing later on today 3.84/5
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28991/248436/

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

I decided to start early today, since I can't sleep.


Birdie Putt - Omni Brewing - Maple Grove, MN - IPA - 5.3% ABV

This has been calling my name at work for a while, and I finally pulled the trigger on it. It's nothing special, however it is well made. Fairly easy drinking. Overall delicious.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42556/497674/

3.72/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

This beer pours a nice murky golden color. The head is quite thick - 3 finger, white, fluffy and long lasting. There's a decent amount of lacing on the glass.
Nose has hints of tropical fruit on the nose.
Taste is like the nose - tropical. Some mango and orange. Hint of bitterness on the back, but slight.
Body is slightly juicy, and soft. Lighter body
Easy drinking overall.


Now, if I can figure out what to do on my day off work, I'll be back with something else. Cheers!

 

Poured into a 13 glass canned on 5/12/22. Pours a very attractive hazy yellow orange with a half finger sticky white head that leaves thin streaks of lace with solid retention. 4.25

Aroma passionfruit, tangerine, peach, mango, and apricot. 4.25

Taste follows passionfruit, tangerine, peach, mango, and apricot. 4.5

Mouthfeel is above average, soft gentle carbonation, not sticky or dry, and 8.1% real easy sipping. 4.25

Overall another excellent NEDIPA from Tree House. Highly recommend. 4.25 Cheers all.

 

I love that beer and Glenfarclas. Single malt scotch is wonderful and I like Johnny Walker Black Label a lot, but have some Laphroiag in a flask nearby.

 

Good morning NBW
I'm starting with a disclaimer this morning and then moving on to a review.

Cartel Brewing and Lancaster Brewing have collaborated on a beer called “Respect Your Elders”. This beer “pays tribute to the OG breweries & purveyors of delicious double India Pale Ale from here and abroad”. Beer fans will notice how similar the can label looks to Russian River’s iconic “Pliny The Elder”. The two Lancaster breweries actually got Russian River and Vinnie Cilurzo (co-owner of Russian River Brewing) to give their blessing to make this beer and label for a one-time batch!

Respect Your Elders is an 8% ABV West-Coast style double IPA available Thursday, May 26th at 4PM in 4-packs of 16oz cans, and on draft at both Lancaster Brewing (Plum Street only) and Cartel Brewing. There will also be some collectible bottles in the OG Pliny style bottle.


My review:

16oz canned 5/20/22 poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 8% ABV. The beer pours bright in the color of a copper penny with khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island leaving behind some rings of lacing. The aroma is moderate in strength featuring caramel malt, candied citrus and soft pine. The taste is bittersweet with caramel malt up front before the piney & citrusy hop flavors begin to dominate. Moderate to strong final bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, very good.

I very much am enjoying this beer and owe a big thank you to @woodychandler for the opportunity. Cheers all!

 

Nice to see you have enjoyed the Goose Island Tropical Beer Hug as much as I @ovaltine

Welcome to New Beer Sunday #903! Today's selection as promised, part two of the Goose Island variety pack gift beers I received last week. I have lower expectations for this one heading in, due to my ambivalence of this style.

Goose Island Hazy Beer Hug



Can Notes: 12 oz brewed and canned either at the Fulton Brewery or in Fort Collins, CO. 6.8% ABV, Best By date 9/6/22, or 180 days after the presumed 3/10/22 canned date. Gift from my brother Andy. Bight Sunshiny Haze

Appearance: Yellow light tan slightly hazy base, persistent mild carbonation, bright white head leaves generous lacing in its wake. 4.0

Aroma: Citrus pineapple, mild in strength and enticement. 3.5

Taste: Bolder and more full than aroma leads. Nice bitterness to start, though not isolating flavor from this end. Getting citrus pineapple flavor to balance it out. More formulaic organic. It tastes OK. 3.5

Mouthfeel: Nice dry bitter lead, light fizzy carbonation felt and adds to the experience. Medium juicy body, balanced, dryness lingers. Like the bitterness. 4.0

Overall: This is mostly consistent with larger brewer "hazy" offerings, with the exception that the bitterness is persistent and helps out. What doesn't help is I'm not getting a pine or other hop flavor from the bitterness, just an offset to the sweeter fruit flavors. OK, within the style, but not one I'd clamor for down the road. 3.5

Looking forward to catching up with the past two weekend threads!

Musical accompaniment - The Police

 

First new beer for today comes courtesy of @Coronaeus in our last BIF, where he sent so much beer south of the border that it influenced the name of our current BIF. I was the lucky recipient of one of those barrages, and have been looking forward to this beer ever since.

Bourbon Barrel Peche Mortel from Dieu du Ciel!

4.38/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Received from @Coronaeus. On the pour, there's a nice reddish hue that transforms to a fully opaque, deep, deep brown once in the glass. A slow pour from height resulted in a finger + of fairly dense, beautiful dark khaki head with good retention. Lacing and legs both excellent. Overall, a very attractive beer.

Aroma is wonderful. Right off the bat it's rich and boozy. I tend to like vanilla, both aromatically and on the taste buds, and I definite get it on the nose here, even more than any chocolate or barrel. The aromas work well together, and the overall combo of the beer's appearance and aroma, combined with its reputation has me very much looking forward to my first taste.

.....which did not disappoint. The flavor profile does not follow the nose in my opinion. The roast, barrel and coffee are all much more up front with the sweetness from the nose only showing up on the finish to nicely balance things out. There's an interesting depth to this beer that I'm having trouble placing, but whatever it is, it's really freaking good. Long, long finish that really evolves. Medium bodied.

Overall, this is an excellent beer worthy of its reputation

 

New beer #2

Taxman Margarita-Style Spin-Off kettle-sour saison ale with citrus and salt

12oz canned 5/02/22 poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 5% ABV 20 IBU. The beer pours mostly bright, light amber in color with minimal off white head. The head recedes to a pencil thin ring and leaves no lacing. The aroma is mild with sour and citrus. The taste is tart lemon and lime up front with a very subtle salinity and very little malt. No real bitterness, but not sweet either. The mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied with average carbonation and a very dry finish. Overall, I'm not sure the margarita is fully there with no tequila, but a refreshing, pleasant kettle sour at any rate.

Cheers all!

 

Cross post from last night.. attempting to do more in NBW and get in on that BIF life next time around.
4.53/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by SFACRKnight from Colorado

Been sitting on this for a bit. Served in the trusty new Belgium globe.
Pours a deep brown, like espresso, khaki head QUICKLY retreats to a skiff of khaki foam on the surface.
Nose is boozy heat, burns the eyes. Vanilla, dark stone fruits, raisins, vanilla, brown sugar.
Tastes amazing. Vanilla, brown sugar, booze, bittersweet chocolate, burned coffee. The beer started out feeling thin, but as it warms it thickens up and lays like syrup on the palate. Overall, great beer. I enjoy it immensely. Big ass sweet barleywine that has a hint of barrel to it. Too bad it wasn't a 750.