New Beer Weekend #132

Apparently I can't own stuff that just works?

 

@AzfromOz - awesome kickoff to this weekends thread. Thank you! And @woemad - happy birthday. As one who is decently north of that half century mark, the comment about reminiscence was particularly timely. I have found myself doing a lot of that lately both in terms of my 42 year career and life in general. The good outweighs, that's for sure.

The Borg cube that is the Extreme Beer Box keeps saying resistance is futile, but we had tacos tonight, so a big old stout wasn't going to work.

In the glass:



A random find. The Veil Classic Golden Kolsch Ale - and it says right on the can it is an instant classic... @jonphisher that's a category not yet discussed in the classics thread!

Pours crystal clear golden yellow until the last bit which clouds things up some. A lively white head that is constantly replenished by the bubbles from the etching on the bottom of the SA classic pint.

The smell is quite crackery, bready, and maybe a touch yeasty. There's some nice lemony citrus brightness, floral/herbal hoppy goodness, and just a touch of white grape.

The taste is very clean. Soft malts leaning toward cracker, a fairly strong lemon that is pretty fruity versus peel. Hops are more herbal than floral in the taste. Just a tiny bit of white wine grape must. Fairly assertive bitterness. A touch of peppery spice on the finish. This is all good, but I am also getting a touch of oxidation. The beer was canned in 11/22, in the cooler at the store.

The feel is a bit heavier than I've come to expect from the style.

Well, it seems like it's all there in terms of the style characteristics. The flavors and aromas hit the mark, but the slight presence of oxidation is a definite distraction. It's a canned beer, so package permeability shouldn't be an issue. I can only assume it's from a high level of oxygen at the time of canning. I've not had a beer from The Veil before, so I'm inclined to cut some slack here and say this is a 3.8 or so Kolsch style beer on the merits and think the oxidation is just an unfortunate happenstance.

 

What I know is that I have truly lived and I have a fine memory. I remember true experience quite well and the regret basket is well overshadowed by the "the soft glow" basket. I wish that I had not been such a slow learner. Time is a charm and a devil. Cheers from The Piedmont of North Carolina....

 

Ok and now #2 for the evening...this is a new to me beer and brewery from New Jersey: Czig Meister...they were around here a while back but then disappeared, well I guess they're around again. They're unique to me in the sense that they have several flagships that are not IPAs; two of which I bought this oatmeal stout and a kölsch...apparently we both had the same style on the mind @LeRose. Had I seen your post first I would've cracked that one, but I guess I shouldn't worry I don't think cans have legs so it should just stay put in the fridge...

Czig Meister - The Blacksmith (5.5% Oatmeal Stout)



Not much for looks on this one, a dark dark brown, head is light brown but really no retention or anything to speak of.

Nose big hit of char, burnt bread like in quality; dark roast coffee, one that you know is gonna have that burnt bitterness on the finish...

Taste is a high % dark chocolate with earthy undertones; the finish is like a light a shot of espresso...the aftertaste is strong and lingering; so char like in nature it almost reminds me of a campfire.

Light in body; the oatmeal is evident in the silky smooth feel it leaves on the tongue; clean drinking beer with a very burnt/roast driven bitterness that lingers for a while with the aftertaste.

Looks aside this is an awesome beer...if you are a fan of bitter and dark this beer is for you.

I'm now looking even more forward to that kölsch from them tomorrow.

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When this fake winter finally comes to an end and spring is in their air I will post a gaffel to that thread @LeRose. My hopes are now that so many beers have been discussed we start to get some more drinking/buying these beers. I purchased one that was mentioned to have later this week sometime...

 

What's going on here? I didn't send you that beer!

 

I know it was such a long streak but I’m weaning off @snaotheus beers, it’s not good to quit them cold turkey...




oh and PS...I drank the E9 helles this past week, was to lazy to post or review but it was quite delicious

 

It is harder to nail those lower ABV homebrews, especially when starting out. Make sure to make a yeast starter if you do this again. My 2 cents

 

You got that right

 

Toppling Goliath Brewing Fire, Skulls, and Money. The new IIPA version. Brewed a few hours ago. Only available to me due to the infinite generosity and connections of @azuelke. The original is one of my favorite beers. Served in a beautiful new Central Waters Brewing 25th anniversary glass. The look is murky, soupy, hazy, beautiful yellow-orange, with thick foam. Nice lacing on the glass. The smell is incredible. When I opened the can outside, tropical fruit flavors exploded. A chop to the solar plexus. Banana, orange, peach, mango, and pineapple. The taste is incredibly juicy. Super potent and intense flavors of orange, mango, lime, lemon, and pineapple. Absolutely amazing. The mouthfeel is pillowy soft, smooth, fruit juice. Medium carbonation. Just delightful. I remember the taste of the original Fire, Skulls, and Money. It was phenomenal. This beer is different. It is better. This may be my favorite IIPA of all time.

 

My one take home beer from visiting these guys today; New Province Brewing's Diamond Lore DIPA, 8.5% ABV; 4.16 overall

Pours a very hazy gold/honey color with one finger of cream colored head. Great lacing & pretty head retention

S: Green melon, citrus, fades a bit as this warms up

T: Tangerine, pineapple, green melon, mango & dryness up front. Grapefruit & Tangerine, plus a little dryness as this beer warms up, some passionfruit too. Finishes dry with tangerine & grapefruit & a little green melon

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, nice balance

Drinks great, this fills a nice niche for their portfolio. I hope this becomes a year-rounder

Go over to WBAYDN if you want to know the story on this Plaque

 

Hopefully that makes it down here

 

Hawkmoth Brewing's 21.5. This a blend of 21 & 22. Honestly, I liked this better than either. To be fair this is the only one I tried in the bottle. Clocks in at 11% ABV

Pretty much everything these guys are doing now are wilds & sours. but I believe this is the best style peg

Pours an effervescent cola color with a sliver of tan head. Some head retention, zero lacing

S: Dark fruits, chocolate & red wine barrel, figs; great nose!

T: Dryness, figs, chocolate, dark cherry, oak, dried plum & a touch of Chai Tea up front. Figs, vanilla, leather & oak as this beer opens up, plus more dried plum, a touch of salt & a touch of Dark Chocolate. Finishes with oaky dryness, a touch of booze as well, figs & dark cherry to boot & again a touch of salt, plus a little leafy hop & tea

MF: Fairly chewy, low carbonation, warming

This is a sipper, super complex & not exactly light on ABV. These guys are our State Superstars for Wilds & Sours. If you told me this came from somewhere in the Ardennes, I would believe you

 

Revolution makes such great beers. That one sounds like a great one.

 

I have the same exact glass. Glad to see one of it's brethren appears to be getting put to good use.