New Beer Weekend #142

#2, at the other end of the beer spectrum, a massive (14% ABV) imperial stout, a beer which my NBS BIF #17 will find in his first box.

Yep, first.





4.39/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with a sudsy dark tan head that forms a nice little cap on the beer as you drink it. Bourbon is very prominent on the nose, as is chocolate fudge, and there’s a nice bit of vanilla and oak as well.

The taste is led by the chocolate fudge, which is delicious, and there’s plenty of vanilla and oak, residual flavors from the double bourbon barrel treatment for this beer - and then, out of nowhere, there’s a nice stone fruit flavor, which I absolutely LOVE in big stouts, at the back of the palate. Delicious beer.

The mouthfeel is surprisingly a bit on the softer side, but this is still a big stout that carries its weight very well.

 

Karl Strauss + Topa Topa Collab
Be Bold Start Cold IPA ~ 7% ABV

In the spirit of this new beer thread and a nod to @Victory_Sabre1973 I am throwing this up here BA. A new beer added to the database by me!

Brewer's Notes: “Be bold, start cold” is sound advice when planning outdoor activities. You’ll likely heat up on the journey, so it’s okay to start out chilly. These words of wisdom also apply in the brewhouse – just ask our friends at Topa Topa! Be Bold, Start Cold IPA features a blend of New Zealand hops for vibrant tropical, fruity aromas. It’s also brewed with flaked rice and corn for a super crisp mouthfeel, and lager yeast fermented a little warmer (which means the tropical notes aren’t just from the hops, but the yeast too.) Whether you’re hiking a trail or choosing your next IPA, remember these four magic words.

Everything about this brew starts off great with grand endeavors into the NZ hop realm and packaged in a lightly crisp IPL fashion. I get loads of green gooseberry and white wine grape on the nose and palate. However, that said...there hits some skunkiness here too...especially in the finish. Kicking in some odd notes of rubber glove/plastic and/or glue. Not sure if it's the actual glue from the labels? Something I do experience at times with certain brands which is a big deterrent for me...but me thinks this is more of an end result from the mix from the lager yeast, NZ hops, and corn or rice added here. Either way I kinda love/hate this one given that I can't quite get over the off taste combined with my favorite type of hops.

 

Many Thanks

 

Whew. In just awhile ago from my Easter at the restaurant. Pretty beat.
Did 350 - slightly underwhelming but I did all the work so I can't complain.
I'm trying to fit in a couple new beers if I can manage.
First is Belleflower Brewing Hexology IPA. BRU -1, Mosaic, Citra.
I've been loving their brews. I believe part of the reason is the malt base. It really lets the hops shine. Blue Ox Pilsner, flaked oats, Chit malt.
Pouring a semi hazy pale yellow. Decent head, good retention. Lacing is also good.
There is alot of citrus on the nose- lemon/lime almost sprite like, finishing with almost a very overipe, alomst fermenting tropical fruit- seems passionfruit, guava, pineapple. Spice almost like nutmeg, white pepper. Not bad just interesting.
Taste follows overipe tropicals, ganja, lemon/lime, dank. Theres some things I can't even describe, though I'm trying.
It's a bit unusual and I like that...now I'm thinking maybe a bit banana?
Very soft but with a spritz that keeps it from cloying. Medium body. Sticky. Mildly bitter but it's seems to work.
The more I drink the more I like. Almost borders on fruit soda with character. Good beer.
Kaleidoscope was another of theirs I really liked though I haven't had one I haven't liked yet. Innovative brewery.
Man I have to say it was hard to pump that out but I feel better after drinking that medicine. Revived.
Cheers!

 

Next up Captain Lawrence Cryo King Cold IPA.
Pours a clear gold with a foamy white head. Good retention, min lacing.
Mosaic city. Dank, blueberry, pineapple, guava, citrus.
Taste follows with citrus, tropicals, berries.
Nicely carbonated, crisp and drying finish, medium/light body,
Really nice beer. Will be getting another 4 for the 13 bucks. IPL I would say but what whatever you want to call it its good. CL nice. Sorry for the quick review. Really just want to drink these.
Cheers.

 

Very much looking forward to this when I get home, long day out and still haven't had a beer yet!

 

Modelo Oro - Outside of the few IPAs I like to drink when I'm in the mood for something hoppy I am all about the low calorie/low carb beers these days. I passed a 12 pack of this for a good price recently and decided to take a chance, as I enjoy Modelo and have liked most light beer offerings thus far and can't see how this will be a miss for me.

Pours from a can (BB 10/23) a light yellow, head quickly dissipates. Smell is sweet malts with some cracker-y notes, typical Lager. Taste is good and I really like this, for an ultra light beer (90 calories/3g carbs) this is flavorful and will be a great summer beer...add some lime and sea salt and will be even more so.

I'm a big fan of this along with the Michelob Ultra series and highly recommend if you're like me and need some low calorie/carb options. Budmo!

 

Had my one sour/weird beer for the weekend but will consider it for next.

 

Good evening all! Pick’n Series I received from @WunderLlama in NBW BIF #16 chaos.
Second beer from today is labeled as a Berliner Weisse with Peach and blood orange. The peach and orange I got, and they are delicious! The beer aspect, however, was not present. I would be happy to drink one of these for breakfast every day thinking they are healthy juice drinks.
So very tasty but I don’t know how good a beer it is.
Either way, I enjoyed it quite a bit, thanks Maynard!

 

Good evening, NBS/W. Well, activities wound down unintentionally fast here. After church, brunch, egg hunting, I started watching the Celtics...fell asleep. Went over to the Red Sox after that...fell asleep... So best laid plans...nuthin' got done on what was apparently a really nice day outside.

So might as well have a beer, eh? More in my wheelhouse is this:



Schilling Aosta, labeled as an Italian style pilsner which makes it a German Pilsner in our little corner of the beerverse.

It pours golden with an ever so slight haze. Nice pure white almost three finger head that falls to a sturdy, durable cap with a few chunky islands. Pretty good cling.

The smell is a little laid back, but it's definitely says pilsner. Grainy, slightly toasty crackery malts, earthy herbal grassiness, a nice lemon, a wee bit floral.

The taste explodes in comparison. This is one tasty beer. Not that it's blow yer head off strong but it delivers on the expectation very clearly. Lemony, crackery, a surprise faint note of melon, appropriate mineral tang, herbaceous, grassy, earthy. A slight peppery note after the fact. There's just a bit of sweetness - less than I've had in other "Italian style" pilsner. Just right on the bitterness, if you ask me.

The feel overall is light, but there's certainly some creamy texture to this beer. Carbonated perfectly.

Overall, I am pretty happy with this brew. Nothing out of place and solidly presents the pilsner style. Maybe a bit less refined than some, but that is being really picky. Easily in the 4.2 neighborhood - nice drinking beer.

 

Long Story Longer
12.8% stout by Jackie O's

Poured from a 12.7 ounce bottle, the beer is a dark brown with very little head. No lacing at all. Typical for many of their barrel aged beers. This one was aged for 15 months in the barrel.

Given its time in the barrel, the aroma should not be surprising: luscious bourbon goodness with wafts of chocolate.

Taste follows nose as the barrel does not hide, but also does not burn. Sweet bourbon flavor is met with a deep malty chocolate with notes of honey, vanilla and nutmeg. I sipped this one for hours.

Good mouthfeel and body despite the dearth of carbonation.

Another great stout by the mavens in Athens though the price is steep at $16 a bottle.

 

@Nugganooch and @jonphisher , that last beer I had was quite delicious for me, because it was old school .I can imagine the low rating overall is because it's not a hazy NEIPA. I am happy I bought it this afternoon on my way home.

Now I am on what will be my final beer of the day, and NBW thread. Now I think my body could handle another after this, but, I think this one is a good way to close.


FBS: Young One - Wild Mind Artisan Ales - Minneapolis, MN - Wild Ale - 6.5% ABV

Where do I even start with this one. I am still drinking it as I write this, and will be drinking it long after I hit post reply. This beer has so much going on, and I know there's no way I can do justice to it in words. It is so wild, funky, earthy, grassy, floral, lemon, cherry, tart, sour.... I am in awe of it. Wow! I am so glad I bought it, and drinking it tonight, but am also sorry I didn't save it to share. It's a pain in the rear for me to go to Minneapolis usually, but I may have to make a run there in the near future to see if I can snag another one of these.

Review: Added to BA
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/46325/649817/#navigation


4.94/5 rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured from a bottle purchased at the brewery:

Great pop upon taking out the cork and a good deal of smoke rising out of the bottle. This beer seemed somewhat thick pouring. The beer is straw colored, and quite murky looking. When I hold it to the light, there's a ton of carbonation rising in the glass like a reverse waterfall. The head that forms is fairly thick - 3 finger. The color of the head is white, and it looks almost like a cloud - very fluffy and very tiny bubbles. The head retention is quite decent, and there's some lacing on the glass. Since it's a 750ml bottle I won't get all in the glass in one pour, so I have no idea as I write this if there's going to be sediment in the beer.
As I looked inside the bottle, right after the opening, I caught a very wild and funky aroma. Up close it is quite wild and funky. Lots of floral elements here. I would add grassy, earthy, woody, and tart smelling to the description. The funk is almost off the chart. I just am not sure I can put all what I'm smelling to words.
Taste - There's almost a creamy flavor to start off this beer, which surprised me. This creamy flavor went away for good very fast when the funk kicked in. Very tart, and wild flavor. Tart cherry, and wild floral flavors kick into the mix. I get some lemon in here that lingers on the back.
My palate is just being consumed with the feeling of this beer. There's a creamy feeling to start it off. The funk feeling kicks in, and tartness lingers in my throat. Very full bodied, how can it be this full and only 6.5%?
How in the world can a place in Minneapolis create something that is in the same ballpark that comes out of Belgium? I do not know, but this beer does. I am blown away with it.


Like I said, this is my closer, and what a way to end this weekend. Cheers all, and see you down the road.

 

A beer I picked up at a total wine in NC. It’s got a November 2022 date on it. My favorite brewery so I’m good with that time frame, it’s not hoppy either so all good. Nice brown ale. Bit of a dry finish. Light sweetness and a bit of nuttiness. I like this. As this warms more nutty smell comes out, don’t know what chestnut taste/smells like but I’m going to say chestnut smell and taste comes out as this warms up along with a bit more malty sweetness. Besides some head on the pour there is no carbonation here. Not sure if it’s meant to be or age or some other reason.

Enjoy

 

The Boulevard I had last night was Technically good, but still wrecked my gut.

 

Time to happily review this outstanding kölsch from Ferment Brewing Co. Courtesy of @snaotheus

Ferment - Kölsch



Poured at fridge temp into a nonic

Pours shiny golden with visible rising carbo and a loose soapy head that settled into a cap and ring, both thin. 4

Lots of cereal grains, grassiness and cracker/biscuit on the nose, cereal grains smelled simply delightful. 4.5

Grassy, cracker and biscuit. Slight bit of hops and lingering hoppiness. Mwah, terrific. 4.25

Initially smooth with a delayed carbo sharp bite, but lingering afterward. 4.25

Overall this is something I'd keep on hand in quantity if I had the chance to get it locally. Once again repeating myself, but worth doing so, an outstanding example of the style. 4.25

 

Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock. I've been looking for this for years, I squealed when I found it at a store a couple weeks ago...you can imagine my dismay when my wife was rummaging around the garage fridge for Easter beers to take to her parents' place and I heard a crash. All the beer fell off a particularly treacherous shelf in the door. I followed a trail of little brown droplets and found this poor bottle hiding under my wife's Subaru, hissing. This was minutes before we needed to leave, so I couldn't even put it out of its misery immediately, so I stuck it back in the fridge for about nine hours until I got back, and here we are...

500ml bottle served in a tulip-ish glass. If there's a date, I don't see it. Fortunately, it still gasped when the cap came off.

Pours clear dark mahogany color with about an inch of dense head. Settles slowly into a thick dusting with a stiff island in the middle, about a centimeter of uneven lacing crawling up the side of the glass. Smell is smokey and vaguely sweet.

Taste is smokey and very nutty -- reminds me of pecans a bit. Sweetness is there, too, I tend to think of dates and raisins with doppelbocks and I can't tell if my predisposition toward that is why I'm naming it that. Moderate toasty / roasty bitterness. Really nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel is rich and smooth. Overall, this is a really, really nice beer.

 

Good evening, new beer people! I hope everyone had a good Easter weekend. I just tried a new beer that was also from a brewery I'd never tried before, so I figured it was worth a New Beer Weekend post.

Slowdrift Brewing Company is not too far from me, about 20-odd miles west and north over in Gales Creek, Oregon. I first saw their beers a couple weekends ago, and decided to pick up a can of their Slowdrifting American Pale Ale.



Slowdrift Brewing Company
Slowdrifting American Pale Ale

Rating: 2.66
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Review:
16-ounce can purchased from the Multnomah Village location of John's Marketplace. No date stamp. Poured into an English tulip-style half-pint glass.

Look:
First pour: Murky orange body with some floaters, topped with a thin head of loose, sudsy bone-colored foam that shrinks to a messy collar. Second pour: Same body, same floaters, but the head is thicker and less sudsy. A definite improvement.

Smell:
Dusty, semi-sweet malt that reminds me of freshly-milled grain at a homebrew store, along with resiny hops, and a little orange oil. There's also a bit of baking spice.

Taste:
Very estery, muddled, and not too clean. The nose had me expecting a heavy, sticky mid-90s IPA, full of resiny hops with a big base of malt. The beer turned out to be much lighter than that, starting with crackery malt with a touch of caramel and a bit of orange peel. This is followed by a surprising burst of cloves that surges up in the middle. The finish is moderately sweet and quite bitter, with pine and orange peel notes and persistent clove flavor.

Feel:
Light-to-medium-bodied with assertive carbonation. The drying finish has a bit of spicy warmth to it.

Overall:
Slowdrifting American Pale Ale was my first beer from Slowdrift Brewing Company. It isn't too sweet, and it has a good body, and I kind of dig the late-90s throwback vibe of the bitter, resinous hops, but overall it's kind of rough. I don't regret trying it, and I'd be happy to try another beer from Slowdrift, but I wouldn't recommend this beer when there are so many better examples of the style available here.