New Beer Weekend #128

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by Roguer, Dec 30, 2022.

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  1. Whyteboar

    Whyteboar Grand Pooh-Bah (4,286) Jun 7, 2008 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good evening all, just slipped in before the deadline.
    [​IMG]
    About Face; a NE style DIPA from Spartacus Brewing.
    Poured chunks free, fully opaque in a raw honey color and sported a large off white head that left good lacing.
    The aroma, mild as is normal for my nose, but I did get a little peach and orange with almost no piney edges.
    The taste sort of follows, as in mild and soft fruit flavors balanced very nicely with whatever else was going on in there, but never did a harsh or bitter finish appear. At 9% ABV this is dangerously quaffable
    The feel matches the flavor, smooth and soft and easy to drink.
    All that said I am not sure it’s a very good NEIPA, but it *is* really good and way to easy to gulp down.
    Cheers all!
     
    #181 Whyteboar, Jan 2, 2023
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  2. FBarber

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

    to be fair, a 4 for a BCBS beer from you is like a 3 from me :wink:
     
    #182 FBarber, Jan 2, 2023
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  3. FBarber

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

    [​IMG]

    Is/Was - Saison de Non-Denomination
    Pours a cloudy, but not opaque burnished orange color. Thin, spritzy off-white head. Aroma is dominated by spices - loads of ginger, allspice, clove, and cinnamon. The ginger is strong enough to lightly sting the nose.

    Taste follows the nose with that ginger dominating the palate along with some allspice, clove, a touch of lemon, orange and general tart citrus. Finish is dry and spicy. Feel is light to medium bodied. Sprightly carbonation. Dry finish.

    Overall this a rare miss for me from Is/Was. I usually love their saison's but this one just goes way too hard with the ginger.

    look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3 = 3.11 (rDev 0%)
     
    #183 FBarber, Jan 2, 2023
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  4. brucepf92

    brucepf92 Aspirant (284) Jul 20, 2018 New York

    Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald 6.% ABV Porter.

    Pours light brown head. Black coffee in appearance.
    Really nice aromas of coffee and roasted malts.Chewy mouthfeel,medium body.
    Taste is coffee,unsweetened chocolate, roasted slightly burnt malts with hint of sweet vanilla.
    Also get a hint of smokiness, at least that's how I describe it.
    Finish is a tad light with some chalky bitterness.
    Have not had many Porters so not sure how this compares to others, but I am really enjoying this one. Looking forward to finding other Porters to try. Appreciate any recommendations, I have had Founders which I also liked.
    Cheers!

    [​IMG]
     
    #184 brucepf92, Jan 2, 2023
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  5. FBarber

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

    Next up is a beer I would not buy myself, but it came in the 12 beers of Christmas box I got from Orange and Brew - my local bottle shop. This is Energy City Brewing: Bistro - Banana Split.
    [​IMG]

    Ok, well this one pours a completely chunky, opaque, smoothie like consistency. Its like matte pink with a bit of an orange tinge. There is a momentary dirty white head that appears but quickly dissipates. The aroma on this is so disconcerting - its smells like ... like a banana split. There are notes of banana, cherries, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

    Taste follows the nose with notes of banana, cherries, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. It really does taste like a banana split. The feel on this is heavy and full. Its like drinking a smoothie. I actually feel like I am getting filled up as I drink this.

    Overall I will say - for what this intends to be its phenomenal. No lactose, no dairy and its a banana split in a can. That being said, its not a beer I would want to drink a second can of - even the one can I am struggling to finish off. For fans of this style, this is definitely a beer you would enjoy.

    look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75 = 3.95 (rDev 0%)
     
    #185 FBarber, Jan 2, 2023
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  6. brucepf92

    brucepf92 Aspirant (284) Jul 20, 2018 New York

    By its looks I would have never guessed that was a beer (minus the beer can next to it!)

     
    #186 brucepf92, Jan 2, 2023
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  7. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd say you are still in the Christmas spirit with this ranking...I'd love to mix some truth serum into the beer & see what you'd give it. The "look" should be a 0, bruh.

    :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #187 GuyFawkes, Jan 2, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2023
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  8. FBarber

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

    Next up is Triptych Brewing - "The Way Is Shut" a triple dry hopped double india pale ale.

    [​IMG]

    Pours a completely opaque, cloudy, neon yellow. Thick frothy white head forms on the beer, lingers a moment and dissipates. Aroma is super dank, with notes of peach, melon, some basil, herbal notes, and blueberry. It is very aromatic and bright. Taste follows the nose with lots of dank herbal notes, peach, melon, blueberry, basil, and green hops. Bitterness is moderate to pronounced, but not harsh. Feel is full bodied, smooth, but hefty. Moderate carbonation. Overall its a well crafted nice IPA. It does do a good job showcasing the mosaic hops in this.

    look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4 = 3.98 (rDev -6.6%)
     
    #188 FBarber, Jan 2, 2023
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  9. FBarber

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

    That's the problem with these fruited smoothie beers. They're ugly AF, but rated to style, some are less ugly or more ugly than others ... it's hard rating them numerically.

    If I'm being honest and not trying to give deference to the style ... it was like a 2. Just do not like these beers with the fruit and the chocolate, vanilla, marshmallow, etc sweet stuff. If it's just straight up fruit, I don't mind some of them. Start adding other shit and I just do not enjoy it.

    edit: Also, that beer looked better in person than it did in that photo with my shitty lighting. Not significantly better, but better.
     
    #189 FBarber, Jan 2, 2023
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  10. SawDog505

    SawDog505 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,922) Apr 9, 2010 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah

    [​IMG] Poured into a 13 oz Teku glass not sure when it was canned. Pours a very attractive hazy orange yellow with a 2 plus finger sticky white head that leaves a wall of lace with amazing retention. 4.75

    Aroma is pear, orange, white grape, honeydew, and apricot. 4

    Taste follows pear, white grape, honeydew, and apricot. 4

    Mouthfeel is above average, maybe a tad sticky, fairly gentle carbonation, and at 8.2% it is loaded with flavor. 4.25

    Overall I like it, not something I will grab again unless I start to see improvement the next time I get another beer from them. 4 Cheers all.
     
    #190 SawDog505, Jan 2, 2023
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  11. SawDog505

    SawDog505 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,922) Apr 9, 2010 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah

    I thought the same thing. Perfect with eggs, bacon, and toast. Amazing brew, I agree.[​IMG]
     
    #191 SawDog505, Jan 2, 2023
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  12. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Did I miss which building this is? Looks like a vintage photo of a packed house.
     
    #192 rgordon, Jan 2, 2023
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  13. jonphisher

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

    Madison Square Garden…Phish 12/29/22…

    I always enjoy what black and white does to crowd shots.
     
    #193 jonphisher, Jan 2, 2023
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  14. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Bell's Porter for the win.
     
    #194 PapaGoose03, Jan 2, 2023
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  15. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I thought that was MSG, but I've only seen basketball there. Let's see....the show was great wasn't it?
    The color Perry Mason shows suck as well as the color Andy Griffith episodes. I still take black and white photos out in the woods.
     
    #195 rgordon, Jan 2, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2023
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  16. jonphisher

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

    As always…:grin:
     
    #196 jonphisher, Jan 2, 2023
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  17. ovaltine

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

    That's what I'm sayin'! I'm glad I tried it - but I'm also glad I didn't pick up a second bottle (Binny's had a few on the shelf when I picked up my allotment). The pineapple didn't work for me, at all.

    I'm cracking the Biscotti today - really looking forward to that one. I was gonna try the Old Fitz barleywine, but after further consideration, I think I want to let that one sit a bit longer. Sounds like it's pretty hot as a "fresh" BW.
     
    #197 ovaltine, Jan 2, 2023
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  18. FBarber

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

    The Biscotti was my surprising run-away favorite from the lineup this year. Can't wait to hear what you thought.

    As for the Old Fitz, I bought a few bottles as I knew I wanted to drink that one fresh and then let some age.
     
    #198 FBarber, Jan 2, 2023
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  19. augustgarage

    augustgarage Pooh-Bah (2,703) May 20, 2007 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    My 21st expression from one of my favorite brewers in Belgium - another delightful head-scratcher.

    3.93/5 rDev +8%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

    Found an old Shelton imported bottle at my local and couldn't stop myself. Lot 19, best before end 2015, so keep that in mind! Poured from a caged-and-corked 750mL bottle into my Rodenbach flute.

    Initially clear tangelo body with a champagne fist up top. Delicate soapy lacing; very good retention.

    Lovely mature yeast aroma, fruity, floral, with gentle phenols/esters.

    Faintly sweet palate entry with hints of chicory and burdock. Hard to identify savory/herbal elements are subsumed by a dusty grain note leading into a faintly peppery bone dry finish. Piquant around the edges with hints of walnut/elderberry. Interesting residual funk, like a distant memory of Brett, a long fallow farm, forgotten books.

    A bit thin, almost sharp, but well carbonated, the ABV quite concealed.

    Impossible to rate to style as the brewer's intent seems purely to confound. Surprisingly mild and free of oxidation.
     
    #199 augustgarage, Jan 2, 2023
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  20. bobv

    bobv Grand Pooh-Bah (5,319) Feb 3, 2009 Vermont
    Society Pooh-Bah

    The first of a couple older (new-to-me!) sours from the back of the fridge.
    First up, from Tired Hands:

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28383/170911/

    [​IMG]

    500 ml. bottle.
    No date

    Gentle to moderate pour yields a nearly two inch off white, creamy head over a light gold body with sticky lacing. Thin creamy head sticks around for the duration.

    Nose of citrus (orange, grapefruit) and a bit of earthy funk.

    Taste is more grapefruit than orange; quite refreshing with dry to semi-dry sorta funky grapefruit pith finish.

    Very nice feel after a few (6?) years in the fridge.

    Overall this was quite a surprise as I've had some of their sour saison offerings that didn't hold up as well. I doubt if this batch can be found anywhere, but if you see it, grab it!
    Cheers!!
     
    #200 bobv, Jan 2, 2023
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