New Beer Weekend #140

No I haven't. I have never even heard of Pineville, PA until now; I don't know Bucks County all that well.

Thanks for the tip!

Cheers!

 

Good morning NBS/nbw and thanks for the great start this week @AzfromOz, lovely read there.
Todays offering is from a care package from team #1 in Taiwan. Having had other offerings from this brewer, there were hopes for another nice surprise. Well A surprise for sure but not a pleasant one.
Sweet, sticky, and not worth finishing.
Better luck next time I guess
Cheers



Tomato + Plum Gose

Gose | 5% ABV
Taihu Brewing in Taipei City, Taiwan

Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

3.65/5 rDev 0% | Average: 3.65
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 16 oz can dated BB 03/25/23 into the test glass
A - Slightly hazed light amber color, little carbonation, feeds a very thin ring
S - Sweet, jumps out of the glass, sugary, maybe driven by the plums? There is also a cakebatter thing in there
T - Well, sweet 'again, with a bit of grainy base, again cake like
M - Sweet, did I say sweet, an inescapable saccharin trap, This has the texture of flat plum soda
O - Not my cup of tea. The Gose element is overrun by the sweet, if this were more balanced with some acididty or tartness it could be interesting

 

North Coast Pranqster
7.6% Belgian Ale Strong Ale

I'll say up front that I'm unfamiliar with the style, but if this beer is representative then I'll try more.

Poured from a twelve ounce bottle, a fast fading initial head and very light lacing. The body pours a cloudy blond color.

Taste and nose are super fruity with a delightful honey flavor and some banana. Yeast and bread notes are secondary but present. On the sweet side but not cloying. No sign of ABV.

Good mouthfeel and carbonation, this beer is smooth drinking. Not as dry, complex or strong as Duvel, but an enjoyable beer.

 

Good day BAs! Thanks to @AzfromOz for kicking us off yesterday! Came back from Germany last Sunday night with a cold - better than last year when it was pneumonia. Now that I can taste and breathe (In no particular order), today's New Breakfast Beer:




Corner Slice from Hoppin’ Frog, 16 oz can. Picked up at brewery 22/03/23. Reviewed 26/03/23 (Review 3059). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Stamped on can bottom “BEST BY FEB 16 2026”. Served at 56.3 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 58.6 degrees.
Appearance – 3.5.
First pour –Pale Amber (SRM 9), hazy.
Body – Pale Amber (SRM 9), opaque. Under direct light, same coloration but roiling carbonation. When rear lite, weak transmission of orange.
Head – Average (Maximum 2.5 cm, aggressive center pour), almond, high density and fizzy, receding to neither crown nor cap, just an intermittent ring of near-microscopic bubbles.
Lacing – None.
Aroma – 4.5 – Sugar and ginger/allspice. No malt, no yeast, no hops. No ethanol (14.5 % ABV as marked on can) aroma.
Flavor – 4.5 – Sweet, sweet carrot cake. No hops, no yeast, no malt. No gastric warming. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl.
Palate – 3.5 – Full; creamy bordering on syrupy; lively but soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 Smells and tastes like liquid carrot cake – diabetics be warned!
Rating 4.24, rDev +3.9

Definitely a dessert beer that replaces two or three meals - I think my target in BIF #17 will be getting one.

 

Back from a long walk with the dogs, and I am thirsty. The problem is I have a beer fridge full of stouts, but I want something lighter. Thern I saw this beer huddled by itself in a corner, and the problem was solved.
A hazy orange color. Small white head, no lace.
Grassy aroma, some orange, a hint of spice.
Floral, grassy taste. Orange. A bit of coriander.
Light-bodied, refreshing.

 

Cobble an English Porter, from Oakfllower Brewing in Millington NJ. I’ m not sure what makes this English but it is an excellent Porter. Jet black with a thick brown head it looks great in a pint glass. There is a nice chocolate, coffee aroma. The taste is chocolate malt with a nice hop bitterness. There is a long lasting somewhat bitter finish. Another fine beer from this young brewery.

 

All right, back at it after getting a project done,and picking up some beer mail that @WunderLlama so kindly sent to me. This is one from said package.

Massachusetts Lager - Amherst Brewing - Amherst, MA - 4.5% ABV

This style is often overlooked because the "big boys" make it.Well, a lot of the big boys stuff is swill, and I think most of us would agree. When the style is made right, it's downright delicious. This beer is done right. There's so much aroma and flavor packed into a 4.5% body. I am happy, and so thankful to try this. Thank you Maynard from the bottom of my cold, charred heart.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/225/647376/

4.21/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This beer pours semi clear golden color. When held up to the light there's tons of carbonation rising in the glass. The carbonation forms a fluffy, and frothy white head with fairly small looking bubbles. The head retention is fairly decent, but there's almost no lacing on the glass.
I just get a ton of malt aroma when I hold it up to my nose. Cereal, bread, grain aroma. I also get a faint grassy aroma in the mix.
The flavor is malty, but there's many layers to it. I start out with a buttery biscuit flavor. The buttery biscuit turns to more of a grainy flavor on the back with a grassy undertone. Slightly floral tasting.
Crisp and clean body. The carbonation tickles my tongue.
I am a fan of this beer. It is packed with flavor, and is so easy to drink.


I am enjoying the heck out of this, but I'll be back for more in a bit.

 

Hey what's going on?!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Got wet here for a bit, but looks like the sun is out which is nice. Neat to have some Aussie content to start the thread off, always down for some Aussie fix courtesy of @AzfromOz

With that said some plantings in the ground and some few new beers to partake, let's get this going.

Seems like this is becoming a "thing", and I am not going to stand in the way... let's see here for first new beer weekend!



Poured from the can into a nonic(k) pint glass. Listed on the can as a fruit smoothie beer.

Keeping that in mind appearances are.. .interesting. Turbid and nearly chunky looking, coming out like a bunch of thick pulp juice out of a carton. Sludgy mixing orange brown, with a fascinating head formation, one that gets to be stuck in reverse off a classic pour. The bubbles get stuck in the middle and almost go down, then up, to form the head which is strangely fascinating. Two fingers evolve, with half a decent amount of staying power, with some pulpy leggy lace on the glass. Color nearly matches the can, but slightly lighter. Appealing not exactly, but also it does look like it claims to be so can't argue there. Hard to judge here.

Appearance aside, the aroma is noticeable off the pour. Juiced fruit and apple and peach sweet sensing on first whiff. Pulpy amounts of peach mush with little hint of sourness if at all. Comes off very sugary smelling, almost syrupy too.

Palate is a sugar rush. Huge amounts of just what seems like white sugar in abundance. There's a faint hint of carbonation, and sour prickly"ness" just barely but it's slammed by all this fruit puree and sugar that it gets completely buried. Sadly too, the fruit distinction in this doesn't really come out, I can't even pick apart distinct peach, apple, or any distinct tasting fruit on the palate here. It comes off as one giant cocktail mostly of fructose or something. Mouthfeel luckily seems to have a saving grace but can get into a sludgy and of course smoothie feel.

Still drinkable, but missing that sour punch, beer character in general, and just fruit tasting angle. I think calling this a kettle sour is a stretch, and a beer smoothie I guess, but this isn't particularly appetizing for me even in the mush and milkshake realm.

look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3 | BA Calculated Score: 3.31

Cheers!

 

I did a lot of yard work on this beautiful day in southern Connecticut and now I'm pretty beat. Beer time!
Here is Beer'd Clever_Twitter_Name, an 8% DDH NEIPA. The BA reviews for this go all the way back to 2018. I can't believe I've never seen it before, and I've been to both Beer'd tap rooms multiple times since they opened.

4.22/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16oz can stamped 12/30/22 to a Nonic glass at fridge temp.
A deep apricot body sits below a stiff white foam head of about ¾”. The head fades to a ring after 3-4 minutes but continues to lace heavily.
The aroma is heavy apricot and it greets you during the pour without any extra sniffing effort.
Taste is somewhat apricot but also mango and grapefruit. All that fruit is in the front because the finish is somewhat bitter with a small amount of hop burn.
Mouthfeel is on the heavy side of medium but not creamy.
Overall, pretty good especially for a 3-month old can. I will certainly try this fresh if I run across it.

 

Happy Sunday! Today is beautiful, 60s and sunny…plenty of time spent outside today. My brother in law and I swap beers often and this is a beer he gave me last week that I’m just getting to now. Flying Fish is one of NJs OG craft breweries and was founded back in ’96, they have rebranded, new beers and labels, and though I don’t buy their beers anymore but my brother in law seems to enjoy all the new beers they’ve made. Let us see how this one is…

Flying Fish - Untold Riches (IPA 6%)



This beer pours a very nicely, pale with shades of bronze, pretty much crystal clear with the slightest bit of little cloudiness; white head, cohesive and dense, good retention and some real nice lacing.

The nose is quite pleasing…refreshing and bright fruit notes, slightly tropical, pineapple like, but mostly all sorts of bright and sweet orange citrus, little bit of rind like character which is very welcoming.

Taste confirms the nose and leans heavily into bright zippy orange citrus, fruit salad like in the aftertaste; a melange of refreshing but not overpowering fruitiness…a nice resiny bite on the finish, and….a really pleasant bit of malt presence that keeps the hops in check.

A medium body beer that drinks very nice, not heavy at all, very clean and crisp, moderate bitterness, reminds me of the bitterness you get bitting orange skin, dry on the finish.

This is a type of new IPA I can enjoy, it is old school through and through in feel; albeit a tad lower in bitterness and with some slight tropical presence. It is very drinkable and balanced, clean and bright…there is enough fruit vibe to please the new hop lovers too. A very well made beer, I’d gladly try again.

—————

That’s it for me new beer wise…planning to contribute one to the March Beer Madness tasting later tonight. Have a great week everyone!

 

Plead the 5th s’mores by dark horse brewing




4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Can received in bif16 shenagians from @Whyteboar

Brewers notes: Notes: Aromas of dark fruits, chocolate, caramel and roast. Our Russian Imperial Stout that you know and love, with the added aromas of chocolate, graham cracker, roasted marshmallows, and your favorite campfire. Adding the s’more flavor made this already complex and lovable beer even more so.


Chilled can poured intro a snifter , pitch black, one finger actively overflowing brown foam cap

Aroma is bourbon, graham crackers , chocolate

Taste is bourbon, chocolate, marshmallow , graham crackers , cinnamon . It tastes like a bourbon barrel aged s’mores

Boozy without the burn, sweet , medium mouthfeel , fizzy sudsing

Good beer

 

I am back and this time it's one that @Whyteboar so kindly hit me with.

Chromatic Shatter - Broad Leaf Brewing - Grand Rapids, MI - NEIPA - 6% ABV

I had thought I had finished up all the IPAs that he sent to me, but I was wrong. I think in spite of it sitting for longer than it probably should have, it's quite tasty. Decent hop character, and multi flavored. I am so happy to have tried this tasty beer.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/57087/609529/#navigation

3.96/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy, murky, juicy looking pour. The color looks light orange tome. When pouring, it almost looked lemon colored. The head is very fluffy looking, and 2 finger. The head retention is great, and there's some decent lacing on the glass.
Nose is a bit light, but, what I get has a decent citrus bill. Pineapple, orange, grapefruit.
Taste - There's a lot of pineapple in this beer, and that flavor lingers. Grapefruit and orange also hit up front. The back gets a bit of sweetness from a mango flavor, but the other flavors still are pitching in. Pleasing bitterness in this beer is tempered by a hint of sweetness.
This beer is fairly soft feeling, I'm guessing they used oats in it. It's fairly full for a lower ABV beer.
Delicious beer to try.


Be back for another round in a bit.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Samplers and commentators. This is the opening weekend of our newest local brewery, Autodidact Beer, in Morris Plains, NJ. The brewery is located about a half mile from my childhood home and about two miles from where I live now. It's in a strip shopping center that was a bowling alley when I was growing up. We bowled there frequently. There was a drive-in theater across Route 10 where office buildings are located now. So I've been watching with interest as they fit out the space and collaborated on some beer with Twin Elephant.

When the brewery opened its doors on Friday there were six beers on draught. Yesterday, I reviewed the Black IPA, which was very good, and the West Coast IPA, which was solid. They had cans of a DIPA, Pathfinder, which wasn't available for draught pours so I bought a pack. In my experience it's rare for a new brewery to be selling cans from Day 1.

Pathfinder has received good ratings on Untappd and I concur. This is a very nice ale. Although technically the style is Imperial IPA it's characteristics are very New England.

Canned on 3/10/2023. It pours a cloudy, dirty golden-orange with a half finger of creamy, bright white head and lots of thick, clinging lacing. It boasts a big, fruity nose with tangerine, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, and fragrant floral hops. The taste opens with tart, citrusy lemon peel, grapefruit rind, and just a hint of lime. Beneath is a strong, crackery malt base (wheat?). As it warms a bit there are some sweeter fruit notes, including tangerine and a touch of red berry. I wish the hops were listed on the can. They provide a slightly sour bitterness particularly at the finish. This ale has a soft, creamy mouth feel with pleasant carbonation, and the 8% ABV gives it good substance without distraction. Overall, Pathfinder is very good considering it's Autodidact's first canned offering. It's flavorful and highly drinkable

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

I'm impressed with Autodidact's initial offerings. They've also garnered good reviews from a couple of local BAs whom I respect - @DrStiffington and @Jdells09. I'm excited to have another good local brewer so close to home!

 

First beer of the day and got to drink it out in the shop as it got to the mid 40s today.

Received in a trade from @NorsemanOne and it’s been staring at me for days.
Poured almost transparent with an aggressive eggshell white head that leaves lots of lacing.
The taste is solid IPA, with piney bite and herbal grassy flavors with just a touch of biscuit. Not sure if it was because I was thirsty or what, but this went down very quickly and I wanted more. Sadness.
Tasty Cold IPA @NorsemanOne - nice beer. Thanks for sharing!

 

At the store the other day I saw two different cans from Fat Orange Cat- Jalapeno Jack in two versions- HOT and NO HEAT.
Way back in 2016 I reviewed the HOT version with a 4 oz. tasting at their short lived brewery in a residential neighborhood. People used to park up and down the street on other houses lawns. Now they brew out of The 12 Percent Project in North Haven.
Sometimes things come together. The avocados I bought way earlier in the week were telling me today's the day. So here is what I think is a perfect pairing for this beer.

Poured from a 16oz can stamped BEST BEFORE NOV 2023 to a Nonic glass at fridge temp.
It pours out as a light gold body that is slightly hazy with a large white head.
The aroma is definitely jalapeno pepper without any nose burn. Pleasant really.
Taste follows smell. All the flavor of the famous pepper without the head. I can’t imagine how much effort it must be to not get the fleshy hot parts for these batches. I should have paid attention to what I paid for this. Despite the overall Jalapeno presence you can sense the hops.
Mouthfeel is light.
A pretty unique beer. Perfect for certain situations. All you heat avoidance people should give this a try. --- 4.2

 

I picked up a bottle of Demi Tone from Jester King. This uses re fermented blueberries from one release to create a brand new beer.

Listed here as a Saison, not sure I completely agree with that category for this, but oh well. This is batch 4, and the bottle lists the ABV as 5.3%.



Pours ruby reddish color. A thin white head forms and recedes to a ring rather quickly. No lace to speak of.
Fruit is vibrant and aromatic. That moves back and forth from cherries, blueberries, other berries of coarse ha. I really like the aroma.
Taste wise, lots of berries of all kinds. A hint of red wine like character, with savory sweet, slightly vinegary flavors. Which all mixes well. Hardly any acidic bite, I would enjoy just a touch more of that. Though that can also become overbearing if not done right as well. Overall, very enjoyable.
A bit lighter body than expected, and I would like the carbonation to be more effervescent and spritzy. Not too sweet, not too dry either. A nice fruit beer to drink.

This is more of a fruit beer, than a Saison or anything close to a Wild Ale. Though that is not as sexy of a style. So, its plopped in the ever growing catch all, Saison style. I don't get any yeast characteristics that I would associate with that however. Its just the general berry character is the show. Which is enjoyable and good. I have enjoyed their experiments with re fermenting the spent fruit from prior beers. La Vie En Rose is a particularly good example of that, and while I don't think this is exactly at that level. Still something I'm enjoying a lot.

Overall score is 4, solid B+
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24018/285535/?ba=champ103#lists

On another note, glad this is not in a green bottle, and that it is just a straight forward fruit beer. Jester King can get way over the top and in the weeds with all the "extras" and the stupid green bottles. This is just simple and enjoyable. When they keep it simple, I do enjoy their beers, but too often they lose sight of that. Enjoying this on a gloomy rainy Sunday afternoon.

 

Afternoon NBS on this 60° day!
Getting ready to grill this beautifully marbled tri-tip and put together a Thai beef salad.
Ok to beer. First please don't shoot the messenger (although I love the message!).
Yup Jack's Abby comes through with a Double Hazy Hoppy Lager. I think they changed their style name from IPL?
Not sure but man I did love Kiwi Rising...
Chill Haze
Pours a a very slightly hazy, beautiful golden color with a creamy 3 finger head that has decent retention and leaves rings of lacing. Wow great look.
Smell immediately after popping the top and before the poor is a burst of fruit big overipe peach, passionfruit, pineapple, tangerine and honey over lightly toasted bread.
Tastes more like a lager than it smells although that wonderful fruit hangs it quickly melds into bread dough malt and a quite a nice bitterness.
Light oils coat the tongue but it's clean and quite crisp on the finish. Carb is decent but a touch more and this would be perfect. Light/Med body. 7.5% well hidden. Bomb!
Hot damn this beer is right in my wheelhouse. I really dig this one and will be back to clean the shelves at 13.99/4pk.
Cheers BAs!

 

Thanks for posting. I actually had the four pack in my hands yesterday but I really didn’t want to pull the trigger without trying it first. I’ll be back though because I did like most of what I tried.