New Beer Weekend #104

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by ChicagoJ, Jul 16, 2022.

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  1. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Late start for the weekend. You know the drill (describe your experience with a beer new to you, can be brief or hit all five rating components, pictures appreciated as well).

    I'm going with twice as many beers as I typically enjoy each day at home (one) to take advantage of the Kolsch tasting, which I hope you can join us. Both beers planned for today were brewed in Lake Zurich, IL, about 25 or so miles NW of Chicago.

    Roaring Table Sunwork

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    Can Notes:
    Purchased refrigerated, though not sure how long the store placed. 16 oz canned 2/22/22 (can note and you too), 5.25% ABV. Hops Tettnanger. Brewed and canned by Roaring Table Brewing, Lake Zurich, IL.

    An RTB take on the delicate and sublime beer of Cologne, this one rewards casual sipping and more introspective pours alike. It's a nuanced, subtle style that's basically unhypeable, and we absolutely love it. Drink it and be awesomely uncool!

    Appearance:
    Multiple pours into a 0.25L flute style glass. Faint clear straw color, medium carbonation persistent throughout. Bright white head dissipates shortly in, and leaves nominal lacing. 3.75

    Aroma:
    Cracker, salt and pepper. Light lemongrass backing, all mild in strength, pleasant. 3.5

    Taste:
    Consistent with the aroma, cracker leads, salt and pepper back well. Mineral water. 3.75

    Mouthfeel:
    Light body, persistent fizzy carbonation adds to it. Lightly dry and bitter overall. Getting more salty as I enter the second half, but chalking that up to my wack palate. Drinks and finishes very light and easy. 3.5

    Overall:
    This is a good Kolsch, checks the expectations, light and mellow, refreshing. 3.75

    Will be back with another later today.
     
    FBarber, 2beerdogs, woemad and 23 others like this.
  2. Thankin_Hank

    Thankin_Hank Grand Pooh-Bah (4,024) Nov 18, 2013 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    One of the FINEST I ever had. Thanks Jennifer for sharing this most excellent beer.

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. DoctorZombies

    DoctorZombies Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,827) Feb 1, 2015 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good morning BAs! My new to me beer is Party Wave Pilsner by Lanikai Brewing Company, Kailua, HI. Brewed with Hallertau hops and Mamaki tea. Mamaki is a plant in the nettle family and is cultivated (for brewing tea) and grows wild on the islands as well. From the few beers I’ve had from this brewer, classic recipes meet island ingredients with mixed (imo) results…

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    We’ve got a gusher! With careful pour a half can (16oz) is white mixed rocky bubbles and pale gold liquid with ok clarity; good cap retention; solid ring and medium heavy lacing. Herbal chamomile tea nose. Herbal, floral taste followed by semi sweet biscuit base; a little earthy bitterness in the finish. Medium light body; moderate carbonation; clean feel, but not crisp. Overall, not bad, just different; dull earthy herbal tea linger - not what I want in a Pilsner, another one and done from this brewer.

    4.0 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75
    Score: 3.77 rDev 0. I added beer to the database.


    The rain continues to pound the island today…on the upside, it is 70° and breezy. Cheers and have a great day y’all!
     
    #3 DoctorZombies, Jul 16, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2022
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  4. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the start @ChicagoJ I had a feeling it would be a quiet weekend with the very engaged kölsch tasting going on. With that in mind I'm gonna go against my own rule and crosspost this one cause I enjoyed it so much....I'll be back later tonight with a non kölsch beer.

    Carton - Shower

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    This beer looks the part, very light straw color, verging on crystal clear, white white head with some very nice retention; its a nice semi thick little white cap that is leaving some very nice lacing.

    Nose is has a little bit of saltine like cracker to it, pleasant smelling bread notes, some light floral and herbal notes; there is a nice white wine like character to it as well.

    The taste is very nice; light bread, subtle white wine, touch of semi sweet graininess on the finish along with some herbal hop notes.

    Light body, pleasant lively yet smooth carbonation, noticeably dry finish; an ever so gentle grassy bitterness.

    Going into this beer I didn't think it would be this refreshing and delicious. I'm not sure why, because I always have faith in Carton, but sometimes they veer away from tradition and embrace it in their own neat way. This one is so so good and 100% kölsch style.

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

    Humid as hell here in NJ still so we just set up the sprinkler for the kiddos, i'll sip on this outside and beat the heat. See you all in a bit.
     
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  5. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    A few new beers from yesterday. Added one of these to the Kolsch Online Tasting as well.

    Was at Counter Common Beerworks and Kitchen a brand new brewery. Technically in Bellaire, but nobody I knows, knows the actual boundary between Bellaire and Houston ha.

    First up Nein Schadenfreude, Kolsch, 4.5% ABV.

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    Pours a pale yellow color, with just a touch of haze. Almost two fingers of white head forms. Good retention and recedes in a minute to leave some lace.
    This has a fairly neutral nose. Some cereal grains and malt poke its head out eventually. In that welcoming bready kind of way.
    Taste wise, like the nose, malty and bready. There is not a lot to latch on to here, but the malt character is really rounded and soft. Which makes for a welcoming and enjoyable attempt at the style.
    A light body that is ultra smooth and clean. Just enough carbonation to let you know its there and well done, but then just smooth, clean and dry. I had several at the brewery and enjoyed them all.

    Maybe I would like a bit more malt nuance, or even just a touch of hops (I can't get any) just to add a bit more depth. Though that might take away from the roundness and plain enjoyability (if that is a word ha). So, I'll take it as is. A nice example of the style right out of the gate for this brand new brewery.

    Overall score is 3.83, solid B+ with the possibility of increasing the score on further tastes.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63368/613165/?ba=champ103#lists


    Next was Munchin Bier, Helles Lager, 4.8% ABV

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    Pours with a touch of haze, a pale yellow color. A two finger white head forms with good retention and lace.
    The nose is welcoming toasted malts and baked bread. Like walking into a bakery. Just enough earthiness, assuming from some noble like hops, without really leaving any hoppy aromas.
    Taste wise, toasted and bready malts again. More of a cereal grainy character here, with some cooked corn. Earthy hops, its all very subtle. I would like it better without the corniness, but still good.
    A light body that has really nice carbonation. Crisp, clean, dry, and smooth all at the same time. An easy to drink lager.

    Always appreciate a Helles. This is a good attempt, if I didn't get that corn flavor, I would probably bump the score up several notches. Not that it is strong, just noticeable with a subtle beer like this. Considering there are no adjuncts being used here, maybe that is a bit of DMS? Not that that is bad in in of itself in a low level like this, just not a preference of mine. Still, not hard to come back to and drink.

    Overall score is 3.8, yep another B+
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63368/613166/?ba=champ103#lists

    Then my buddies showed up and I stopped taking pictures. Though we had a ton of food as well. I'm the guy in the hat ha. Looking forward to trying this spot again.
    [​IMG]
     
    #5 champ103, Jul 16, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2022
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  6. MacMalt

    MacMalt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,322) Jan 28, 2015 New Jersey
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
    Good Saturday afternoon, New Beer Weekenders. Sadly, New Jersey has some of the most archaic - and frankly nonsensical - laws in the country governing microbreweries. Unfortunately, many of the ridiculous restrictions and limitations (which are not in effect in neighboring New York or Pennsylvania) were just affirmed by the state's Alcoholic Beverage Commission. New Jersey ranks among the bottom three states in terms of breweries per capita. Perhaps if every beer were required to include Strata hops, the restrictions would be relaxed, lol! So it's always a little victory when a new brewer emerges. Coastal Brew Works is currently a gypsy brewer based in Monmouth County. They only produce a couple of beers about which I've heard good things. So I was excited to secure a pack of its DIPA, Trojan Seahorse, today. It's hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy - a good, basic recipe. The cans are dated 5/18/2022. I'm snobby enough typically not to purchase local beer 2 months old; but I'm glad I did. Trojan Seahorse is quite good!

    Poured into a pint glass. It pours an opaque, bright yellow-orange with more than a half finger of creamy bright white head and soapy lacing. The nose is big and fruity with lemon, lime, pineapple, tangerine, ripe honeydew, and tropical notes. Even at 2 months in the can it's an inviting aroma. The taste is similarly fruity with notes of ripe melon, peach, lychee, stone fruit, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. There are also hints of bubblegum, pine, and herbal spice. The tried and true combination of Citra and Mosaic hops work well. There is moderate, clean hop bitterness throughout. This ale has a nice thick, creamy mouth feel with pleasant carbonation, and the 8.5% ABV gives it good substance. Overall, Trojan Seahorse is an excellent offering from a new brewer without a regular base of operations. The brewers are off to a fine start!

    4.14/5 rDev 0%
    look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

    For locals, these guys are worth checking out. Cheers, NBW!
     
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  7. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Hey what's going on?!

    I am taking a break from the Kölsch thread, to switch it up a bit here. The rain has sort of coming in off and on, making for a real muggy day.. ready to put me to sleep.

    So this will help! :wink:

    This one is a near doozy, big stout between Other Half and Toppling Goliath.

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    Poured from the bottle into a teku glass.

    Fudged dark looking brown, nearly black with a real hint of smudge to the body color. There's noticeable carbonation along the edges which makes for an interesting surprise. Very dark mocha brown head, but fleeting, and the edge carbonation barely keeps a collar going.
    The aroma is a real nice treat. Big notes of ripping just opened up the coffee bag, large and accented with a good gooey caramel to maple sweetness which a great pairing. The nose really is coffee forward, and a very good one if it seems to mask much of malt and roast character.

    Palate doesn't lie on the advertised flavors. Big gooey and silky velvety body, that coats like rich milk chocolate. Large flavors of coffee and chocolate ice cream that go down just like it was melted. Rich coffee notes, heck am I tasting even chocolate sprinkles in here it seems like, with livey cream and vanilla coffee all mixed in.

    Big take on a pastry stout, and just like eating ice cream.

    look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5 | BA Overall : 4.47

    Cheers!
     
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  8. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Your buddy has a serious beard @champ103 great picture of some beer loving people.
     
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  9. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    What's the issue with cross posting if a beer is "new to you" and also happens to be a beer that is of the style being "promoted" as part of a tasting event? I'd think that cross posting would actually help the site, i.e., more posting activity would lead to more clicks, correct?

    Am I missing something here? I understand (to an extent) about not posting the same beer in the NBW and WBAYDN threads because WBAYDN is literally an every day thread, but NBW and tasting events to me are "special" because they're not "every day" events (which is why I didn't really care for the switch from NBS to NBW, but that's for another thread).

    I say you let your beer nerd freak flag fly with impunity, Jon, and you cross post those killer kolsch beers here and in the tasting thread!
     
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  10. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good Afternoon all! I'm a "single dad" for most of this weekend as my wife had a conference, so I'm trying to sneak in a review while I have a couple minutes of quiet.

    Like several of you here, I've been participating in the kölsch tasting this weekend. This beer is a "German kölsch", but brewed in St. Louis, Missouri .... no, not that brewery - this one is brewed at Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. for Freigeist Bierkultur - Ottekolong an unfiltered kölsch.

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    Pours a slightly cloudy golden color. Lovely thick, frothy white head forms on the beer, lingers, then dissipates leaving just a thin layer of white foam on top of the beer. Aroma has notes of sweet malts, white bread, some light grassy hops, and a touch of fruity esters.

    Taste follows the nose with notes of white grape, sweet apple juice, some grainy malts notes and white bread, with fruity esters and some grassy hop notes. This is weird ... It's really fruity and quite sweet - to a degree I was not expecting and do not particularly care for. Feel is medium bodied, smooth, but not crisp at all. The unfiltered character comes through providing a bit of chewiness.

    Overall it's an okay kölsch - I doubt I would pick this one up again.

    look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3 = 3.2 (rDev -17.3%)
     
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  11. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Does two new beers yesterday equate to a new beer today?

    I am not an accountant but I am going to respond to that question with "yes"!

    Below are two new beers I enjoyed drinking yesterday after a hike:

    A nice beer to drink after afternoon hike

    My wife and I met up with some friends for a nice hike at Welkinweir Arboretum which just so happens was not too far away from Hidden River brewery so after the hike we decided to quench our thirst at Hidden River.

    As luck would have it Hidden River had a Kölsch available; what could be better to drink after a hike?

    Below is how this beer is detailed on the Hidden River website:

    “SERMON - Kolsch - 4.4% - Hopped with Saaz and Cascade”

    Well, with Cascade being an ingredient in this beer this more like an American Kölsch vs. a beer brewed in Cologne (Köln). Will I notice it on the aroma? Let’s find out.

    Did this beer meet my requirements that I posted above:

    • Flavor: a combination of Pilsner malt flavor and subtle fruity esters (white wine flavors) from the Kölsch yeast
    • Low-moderate bitterness and zero hop flavor/aroma
    • Very light in color: straw colored
    • Mouthfeel: light – medium bodied with a crisp/dry finish
    So, check marks all around.

    There was nothing in this beer that indicated Cascade hops so they must have been used in a judicious manner.

    This Kölsch beer from Hidden River was very good!

    Cheers!

    [​IMG]

    P.S. After I drank the Kölsch, I ordered a Pilsner which was poured from a Lukr side-pull faucet. This beer was also very tasty!

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    In my weird mind there was something about trying to keep NBW beers unique and not mix with the tasting; does it make sense, no not at all. Which is why I posted here too…for the exact reason you pointed out.

    I figured it was quiet in here so far and maybe people in the tasting, non NBW users would see the NBW and get curious and join the fun. That is after all how I found this glorious thread; during the west coast ipa tasting.

    So, in short, I will 100% crosspost tasting threads and NBW beers in the future
     
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  13. WunderLlama

    WunderLlama Grand Pooh-Bah (4,820) Dec 27, 2010 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Luna Mexican Stout by Ravenna

    4.33/5 rDev -5.5%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
    [​IMG]

    Beer advocate beer review #2100

    Bottle received from @snaotheus and a Smog City glass received from @Beersnake1 both in Bif15

    Waxed and capped chilled bottle poured into a Smog City snifter , black motor oil capped by a creamy two finger brown foam cap , good retention, se

    Aroma is licorice , vanilla custard, banana pudding , whiff of bourbon

    Taste is licorice , cinnamon, cocoa, green Chile ( taste but minimal heat), gentle spiciness on the finish

    Mouthfeel is light, soft, fizzy , the 11.2% abv is well hidden

    Good beer
     
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  14. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Um, when was the WCIPA tasting thread????? If I missed that, I gotta reprogram my administrative assistant, because that style is my favorite - by a lot (which is saying something given my appreciation for most every style).
     
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  15. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Moonraker Brewing Co. -- Sea Thrift
    Kölsch
    ABV: 5.5%; pouring temperature: 49 °F: canning data: KOOL-SCH 04/21/22

    [​IMG]

    4.03/5 rDev +1.5%
    look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

    Clear, pale yellow body; fair lively carbonation; very nice head, soft and white; decent rings of foam encircle the glass. Nice warm bread crust aroma; a tad herbal with some fruity esters. Fantastic flavor; biscuit; floral sweetness; very mild yeast flavor; moderate hop bitterness. Medium body; crisp; light coarseness on the palate.

    A very nice kölsch, clean with a bit of divergence from the classic style yet doesn't go overboard with gimmicky elements.
     
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  16. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    ...my first beer of the day from earlier this morning:

    Grand Teton Brewing -- Lil' Critter
    Kölsch
    ABV: 4.7%; pouring temperature: 44 °F; canning data: CANNED ON 05/09/22

    [​IMG]

    4.02/5 rDev +1.5%
    look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

    Clear, straw colored body; lively carbonation; one-finger thick head, white and lasting. Outstanding wheat cracker malt nose. The taste follows with the cracker flavor along with a nice, mild and complementing hop bitterness; some mineral-like qualities in the background. Light to medium body feel; a light velvety undertone; mild warmth.

    This is a nicely constituted kölsch example. Simple and clean, well-executed. No gimmicks, just a basic, satisfying beer.
     
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  17. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    2020 West Coast IPA (August 7-8) hosted by mr @FBarber
     
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  18. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My second Kolsch-Style beer from a Lake Zurich Brewer.

    Phase Three Sprudel Kolsch Style Ale

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    Can Notes:
    16 oz canned 5/24/22 @ 14:05:42. 5% ABV. Single can urchased cold at Beer on the Wall for $2.75 after tax.

    Appearance: Multiple pours into a tall, slender Pilsner glass. Light clear straw, bright white head leaves soapy lacing. Medium to heavy sustained carbonation throughout. 3.75

    Aroma:
    Very hoppy, minerals, floral, grassy. More like a Pilsner than a Kolsch. 3.25

    Taste:
    Follows suit. Hops and minerals take the lead, grassy floral backing. Salty as well. Malt / bread flavors muted. More consistent with a Polish Pale Ale. 2.5

    Mouthfeel:
    Medium body, carbonation feels light. Dry, hoppy, bitter overall. Drinks same or above 5%. Hoppy dryness lingers. 3.25

    Overall:
    Not sure if this is Phase Three's first Kolsch attempt. Has more similarities with a Pale Ale, the minerals and heavy hop treatment is not what I anticipated or desired. Overall, OK to finish but glad I ordered a single. 2.75

    Glad I didn't save this one for "Primetime", which resumes for me tomorrow with two Chicago brewed Kolsch-Style (hopefully) beers.
     
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  19. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Was that the IPA fest? That timing works.
     
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