New Beer Weekend #127

I'll do the questions first, beer later since our meal was accompanied by a regular.



Real tree, always a Frasier fir, typically 7 - 8 feet. When we were first married, a friend of ours who was a trapper sold trees in the season. He knew exactly what we wanted and would pick one out for us - he was never wrong. Tougher now, as our new friends in the business haven't sold trees since Covid.

The Santa atop the tree is a tradition back to 1981 when the missus and I were livin' in sin as they used to say. Gift from her mother and its topped every tree since.

Ornament:



Made by Corning, it is ceramic and they made a few different styles, but we have never seen another in the series. We have had this one since 1988, and we splurged on it since it was pretty expensive. It has survived more than one tree toppling, somehow. We add several keepsake type ornaments a year, so the bargain basement ornaments we started with have gradually shuffled to the bottom of the bin. We also have three beautiful porcelain pieces - Mr. & Mrs Cratchit and Tim, but the only Ebeneezer we have found is resin cast. So I guess the decoration style is as eclectic as everything else we do.

However you choose to celebrate, I hope you all have a safe and wonderfully blessed holiday season.

 

Thanks for opening up this thread early Harley, cheers and Merry Christmas to you and all our virtual bar buddies. Let’s not forget our military brothers and sisters out there keeping us safe.


Turducken from Trillium
10% abv Triple IPA
Poured from an undated can yields a think hazy golden yellow appearance, thin quickly dissipating head and slight soapy lacing
Amazing aroma of tropical fruit salad, bright and overripe fruity mix
Taste is a tic malty up front and layered citrus and tropical fruit with a hint of grape ness.
Mouthfeel is pretty chewy, thick and kind of smooth, a little hop sting on the finish and 10% abv is well hidden
Overall it’s a tasty, nicely crafted and easygoing triple IPA, drinks easy and sneaks up on you.
4.5/ 4.5/ 4.25/ 4.25/ 4.25/ 4.33 rDev 0%

 

Merry Christmas, all. Presents have been opened and we're officially in the "relax" part of the day. Football for a bit now, then we'll watch A Christmas Story. I'm taking advantage of the lull in the day's festivities by enjoying a beer.

This one is Hypermash Hydra from Bottle Logic courtesy of @2beerdogs. In summary, this beer is amazing. Thanks, Derek!

4.47/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This beer is very inviting, both visually and on the nose. Color is as close to black as you can get without actually being black, with a decent amount of dark tan colored head. Aroma is wonderful. Rich chocolate notes combined with just the right amount of barrel, followed by hints of cinnamon and a nice amount of coconut. No one aroma overwhelms, they combine together wonderfully.

Taste is similar to the nose in its components, but their prominence differs. The coconut plays a leading role vs. a supporting one, especially on the long finish. I'm really enjoying how it doesn't overwhelm you right off the bat, but rather subtly takes charge over time. The barrels are less pronounced, but add just a little bit of bite to complement the sweetness. Similarly, the cinnamon is used in just the right amount such that it adds depth without overwhelming. The only thing I'm not getting is the coffee, but I don't even care. This beer is fantastic. One of the better stouts I've had in some time.

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@LeRose love the tree!

 

Good afternoon NBW
I was sufficiently loaded up on new beers to share this weekend and that was before I unwrapped the mixed case from the evil empire that Mrs Jkblr bought me for Christmas...

For now, a super concentrated RIS in a vintage thrift store glass.

Hoppin' Frog Q.O.R.I.S the Quasher
8.45 fl oz undated can poured into a tulip glass at just above fridge temp 15.7% ABV per label. The beer pours impenetrable black with meager medium brown colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island. Minimal lacing. The aroma is moderate in strength featuring concentrated roasted malt, dark chocolate and slight ethanol. The taste is bittersweet roasted malt with notes of bakers chocolate, char, and a fruity / berry undertone. Heavily bitter. The mouthfeel is full bodied with just less that average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. The booze is there throughout, however, the beer is so rich and full that the ethanol heat doesn't really come across as unpleasant. Overall, very good. Sip slowly...

Cheers all!

 

Merry Christmas everyone, and welcome to the final New Beer Sunday of 2022, New Beer Sunday #931! The selection this afternoon was purchased at Revolution a few weeks ago as part of their taproom's 2021 Deep Woods clearance sale, and marks the only new to me beer of this purchase. Passed because I feared this may be too sweet, hopefully it is not.

Revolution Maple Jacket



Can Notes: 12 oz canned 12/6/21 @ 5:43:24 PM, purchased the four pack within the 2021 Deep Wood Sale on 12/9/22 ($90 + tax for sixteen 12 oz cans + one 19.2 oz can).14.4% ABV, Barleywine ale aged in bourbon barrels aged with maple syrup. Proudly crafted with Chicago Maple Syrup.

This dry English Barleywine Ale rested for one year in freshly emptied maple syrup bourbon barrels before being sweetened with that same syrup just prior to packaging. Subtle maple aromatics and flavor complement the classic vanilla and toffee notes we've come to expect without detriment to balance. Enjoy now or store cold.

Appearance: Slow single pour into a snifter glass. Plum bronze crystal clear base, heavy carbonation persistent throughout, white tan creamy head lingers a few minutes before leaving a light covering over the base, heavier around the rim. Very thin with tiny bubble lacing slides around as you enjoy. 4.5

Aroma: Very sweet, maple syrup leads backed by sweet bread flavored malt, toffee and cherry jolly ranchers. Aroma definitely did not mellow over time. Mild in strength and consistent over the 15 minutes of warming. 4.25

Taste: Maple and barleywine compete for supremacy. After several eager chances, I'd peg the toffee and sweet bread base as the valedictorian, the maple second best but the beer is better for this as it is complimenting, not overwhelming the proceedings. As this warm, the barrel emerges stronger with each passing minute, the bourbon smooth but assertive in terms of impact. 4.25

Mouthfeel: Fully creamy mouthfeel, fizzy gentle carbonation. Nicely balanced, the sweet flavors complimenting the bourbon barrel. This hits you strong, so plan accordingly, sweet maple lingers a bit, in a good way. 4.5

Overall: Would consider it hard to weld the three primary flavors together successfully, but Revolution and Marty pulled it off yet again. Bursting with flavor, sweet but within balance, the bourbon smooth and decedent, give this one 15-20 minutes out of the fridge for peak performance. This still leans more sweet than I typically seek, but for most this may hit their sweet spot. Happy I popped this open today! 4.25

 

Replace Clark with @LeRose



I had that beer from @ovaltine @ChicagoJ I felt the same way about it and thought it was delish.

@Roy_Hobbs i can’t wait to join when we’re back from my brothers. Mrs and I have Christmas Story on the docket as well once this long, fun and crazy day is over.

 

Drekker Magic Of A different Color DNEIPA, 8% ABV. Pours hazy orange with a 3-finger orange head that left great lacing. Nose is fruit. Taste follows, slightly sweet, slightly bitter. Decent juicy mouthfeel, overall excellent.

4.19/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

 

Good Christmas Sunday afternoon, New Beer Sippers and commentators. I wanted to review Samichlaus Classic last week on the holiday tasting thread but could find none until yesterday when I scored bottles from 2015 and 2021. Today, I'm enjoying the 2015 vintage. It seems to be a rather polarizing Doppelbock with significant spreads in the ratings. I really enjoy the dark fruit and don't find the sweetness overpowering. It's certainly potent but is meant for sipping.

Poured into a tulip glass at 49° but let it warm in the glass. It pours a hazy, muddy orange with a small, ecru-colored head that fizzled away quickly leaving almost no lacing. A big, fruity nose of raisin, plum, red wine, tobacco smoke, and whiffs of brown sugar and toffee. It's huge! The complex taste offers lots of sweet, dark fruit - fig, raisin, and plum, along with brown sugar and sweet brown bread. There are also earthy notes and hints of tobacco. There is no escaping the booziness; it's warming but noticeably potent. After seven years in the bottle the flavors are smooth and mellow. While it's very sweet I don't consider it to be cloying. The mouth feel is thick and syrupy with lite/moderate carbonation. The 14% ABV speaks for itself; it's a sipper for sure but you wouldn't want to drink it too quickly as it evolves as it warms. It's a dessert itself but would pair well with chocolate. Overall, I'm happy to have finally enjoyed this unique and classic Doppelbock. I'll be sure to buy it when I see it and to age bottles from different years.

4.34/5 rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'll sip on this for awhile and help prepare tonight's osso buco before reviewing a Stout that I'm very excited to open. Cheers, everyone!

 

Cheers to @ovaltine for this Great Lakes BA Christmas Ale. Always thrilled to try any beers from this brewery! 8.0% ABV; 4.08 overall

Pour an effervescent amber with a thumb+ of cream colored head. Some head retention & lacing

S: Fruit cake, a little booze, fades a touch down the stretch

T: Follows the nose, candied oranges & cherries, a bit of Bourbon, some brown sugar notes, plus a little dryness. Some leafy hops mix with dark fruit & Bourbon as this beer warms through, plus dryness. Pretty much finishes as a booze soaked fruit cake with strong emphasis on sweet cheery

MF: Fairly chewy, low carbonation, warming for sure

I certainly dig this way more than the low octane version, very nice indeed! Certainly turned into a sipper

 

Digging the tree!

 

Good afternoon (barely, my time), NBW! Happy New Beer Sunday + New Beer Christmas...probably not the first one, but probably not too many of them, right?

My wife and I are sharing Founders KBS Hazelnut amongst the wreckage of Christmas morning with two kids averaging 10 years old.


12oz bottle split between a pair of WABL glasses. Bottled on 01.26.22.

Pours dark with a medium sized head (surprisingly large for the style). Looks thick and tarry. Smell is super chocolaty with a hazelnut creamer overtone. Smells very sweet.

Taste is bittersweet -- lots of chocolate and nutty sweetness, but lots of roasty bitterness, too. I get some anise and some char, and probably some vanilla mixed in with all the other stuff. Definitely boozy, but not overwhelmingly so.

Mouthfeel is pretty thick, sticky, wouldn't quite call it velvety but it kind of leans in that direction. Overall, very nice beer.

 

I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Dogs are precious gifts from God that teach us how to love unconditionally. Words won't help. When the time is right hope you'll acquire a new canine friend.

 

Getting into the "craft collab" mixed case.

Karbach Yule Shoot your Eye Out
12oz can enjoy by 012123 poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 5.6% ABV 18 IBU. The beer pours bright medium amber with khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin cap. The aroma is mild with sweet caramel malt. The taste is semisweet caramel malt with a hint of earthy hops. Minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a semi dry finish. Overall, average, but drinkable.

Cheers all!

 

I know this is late, but dude, I am so sorry to hear, such big beautiful dogs. Last time I cried was when one of my dogs was hit by a car, but he survived. I can’t imagine what pain you’re feeling.

 

Oibita imperial milk stout by Living Waters




4.26/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25


Imperial Milk Stout aged for 16 months in a Willett Rye barrel then rested on Colombia La Virgen coffee roasted by Sump Coffee. Named after Rio Oibita in Colombia, this barrel was one of our favorites!

Waxed and capped bomber poured into a stemless wine glass

Dark cola brown liquid, thin fizzy brown foam layer quickly evaporates to a thin ring

Aroma is bourbon, whisky , brown sugar,
Coffee

Taste is sweet, bourbon , sweet, hint of coffee,

Mouthfeel is boozy without the heat, thin , light body , abv is well hidden


Good beer

 

Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale, from a variety pack with 90, 60 min and a pils at $17, couldn’t pass up. Hell a 4 pack of 90 min is nearly that much. Real crisp, clean finish, lots of citrus, orange, tangerine, sticky lacing, real nice beer here!
With regards to our tree, my wife is very fussy and our tree used to have plenty of kid stuff but since we are empty nesters, the tree is much more adult and formal. I can say it is quite beautiful. My favorite ornament is one I purchased in Germany years ago when I travelled a lot for work. Here is Rudolph, making a pit stop!

 

I really like a good Pumpkin Ale and Prairie's Basic Becky is one of my favorites - despite the price point. So I was very excited to find the BA version - Basic Rebecca. I couldn't find any description online of the bourbon barrels used. This is a mellow and enjoyable variant that gets better as it breathes in the glass. To me it doesn't have the "wow' factor of Basic Becky but it's still a really fine BA Pumpkin Stout.

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Prairie stemless stout glass at 59°. It pours a dark mahogany color with a creamy, medium-mocha colored head and thin sheen of lacing. A really good nose with pumpkin pulp, allspice, nutmeg, a buttery malt, and whiffs of char and tobacco smoke. This stout does a great job of simulating a holiday pumpkin pie. You can tell there is real pumpkin in the boil, along with the nutmeg and allspice you'd expect. The malty backbone is reminiscent of a pie crust. At first I thought there may be diacetyl because it has a buttery quality - but I don't think so. There are hints of chocolate, caramel, and coffee. Although I know it's aged in bourbon barrels I haven't found any details online. In any event the barrel influence is subtle and adds to the flavor without distracting. The mouth feel isn't quite as thick and chewy as some of Prairie's other offerings but the 13.6% ABV is remarkably well hidden.

4.35/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

 

Moving through the case.

Widmer Bros Brrr
12oz can PKGD ON AUG 08 22 poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 7.2% ABV. The beer pours bright copper colored amber with khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and island leaving behind some spots of lacing. The aroma is mild with sweet caramel malt and pine. The taste is bittersweet toasted malt with spicy, piney notes. Mild bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, good.

I vaguely remember drinking this around 10 years or so ago. Never reviewed it though...
Cheers all!

 

Merry Christmas and thanks @BigIronH for hostng this NBS/nbw
Like so many this has been a long and fun weekend.
We were able to roll into RI and have a late breakfast with Team #2
Home now enjoying the quiet of the day.
Todays offering is from Dogfish Head the Wake up Stout is a behemeth in nearly every aspect.
A sipper that hides the high ABV, quite well.

Wake Up World Wide Stout

American Imperial Stout | 17% ABV
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware

Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.24/5 rDev -0.9% | Average: 4.28
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into the test glass
A - Chalkboard black in color, with a steady pour a thin off white cap forms and recedes. During the experience, a steady calibrated carbonation feeds small islands. A Ring of truth satys for the entire time.
S - Some char, sweet malts, bakers chocolate, esspresso elements include blackberry, burnt brown sugar. Black pepper
T - Complicated, with suray group leading the way, maple, cinammon, brown sugar, then another group, char, chocolate, dark roast coffee move in
M - Thick, slick, chewy, sweet start is balanced out with the coffee adding some drying element. Linger is into next week.
O - A big, bold, beautiful stout. a few will reside in the cellar for a bit. Think amped up and augmented Expedition Stout.