New Beer Weekend #167

Jones looked really good. But is there a spot for him? Maybe they can send him to Tampa for something of consequence.

 

Here's a new-to-me Märzen from Richmond, VA.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/41018/304296/



16 ounce can with no discernible date.

Moderate to vigorous pour yields a 5/4 inch off white head over a copper body with some lacing.

Nose of caramel malt, bread/biscuit, and a bit of spice.

Taste of sweet caramel, spice, and roasted malt with a fairly dry roasty finish.

Good feel with medium carbonation.

Overall, a pretty good representation of a Märzen and wouldn't turn down another one.
Cheers!!

 

Curiosity about Sam Adams Fest Pack won me over. I didn't have high expectations for these beers, especially for the pumpkin Jack-O one considering the horrific reviews, but it was OK, and the Flannel Fest Dunkel was quite good. Two more to go in the next few days.

 

Fremont - Field to Ferment Fresh Hop Pale Ale

16oz can served in a curvy Fremont glass. Can is dated 09/13/2023. Bought it at Chuck's Hop Shop Seward Park a couple hours ago. I'm a bit surprised to see I haven't reviewed this, as I think I've had it each year it's been available. But, it has gone through several permutations.

Pours clear golden with a big, almost two finger head, which settles slowly into a clumpy, cottony layer much thicker along the edges than the center. Carbonation is there and visible, but fairly modest. Smell is hop resin, honeysuckle, and vegetation. Gorgeous.

Taste is along the same lines, with a bready, biscuity center. Lots of resin, light lemon zest.

Mouthfeel is light, dry, with a resinous, sticky coating. Overall...this is not as good as I remember from previous years, but it is still very good -- always a favorite.

 

Cheers, man! Love your glass. Talk about two beers on opposite ends of the spectrum!

 

Good evening all, hope you all have had a great day.
Today was non stop busy for me; finishing the porch rebuild, getting a gate installed for a friend, picking up my wife from the airport and her car from the shop and exercising the dogs. After that day I wanted a good beer- this one whispered to me and I’m glad it did.
Poured dark brown, nearly stout black, with a creamy brown head that slowly dissipated into a ring that stayed for the duration.
The flavor started out almost like chocolate was incorporated, and sweet rolls- apple fritter like but not sure apple is the right word.
There is a light bitterness that flits in and out but refuses to become an official part of the flavor.
The feel is silky smooth and just viscous enough to remind me that it’s not a sessionable beer but one with a punch.
OA, wow, Arvon hit this one out of the park. Good beer, great porter.

 

Uberbrew Limited Release 0006 West Coast IPA, 6.8% ABV; 4.21 overall

Pours an effervescent & bright gold with aa thumb of eggshell colored head. Nice head retention & lacing

S: Cakey, a little grassy, lemons. Nose picks up as this beer warms up

T: Follows the nose, dry with lime instead of lemon & cilantro up front. More cakeyness as this beer warms up, lime, a touch of sage. Finishes cakey, a little dry with lime & cilantro

MF: Medium body, fairly firm carbonation, good balance

Great drinkability, flavors pop nicely

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

Finally done with work today, and, heck, I've got tomorrow off, so I might as well enjoy a new beer. Besides, I do have to clean out my fridge more so I have more room for the beers I pick up next Saturday when I go to Dallas, WI for their Oktoberfest.

So here's the new beer, and it went down fast.

Punkin' Pie - Boom Island Brewing - Minnetonka, MN - Pumpkin beer - 6.6% ABV

The can mentions vanilla, and I did get a good strong whiff of it while pouring the beer. The flavor is a pumpkin pie. Lots of vanilla first backed up with cinnamon and nutmeg and finished off with a flaky pie crust flavor. This is good and a solid effort.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27942/672976/

3.92/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From a can canned on 8/12/23 (I think, the first digit is blurred)

The beer pours an amber color that is slightly murky. I can see light through this beer, and I can see some carbonation bubbles rising to the top. The head that forms is slightly off white in color, and one finger. Decent overall head retention, but there's no lacing on the glass.
As I was pouring this beer, I could smell the vanilla. Up close it doesn't seem as strong. I am getting some cinnamon and nutmeg, along with the vanilla.
Taste - Well, this tastes like a pumpkin pie. I get a nice dose of vanilla up front. The back goes more to the cinnamon and nutmeg. I also get a pie crust flavor in the mix, that is light, but quite tasty.
The body isn't bad at all. Somewhat bubbly feeling. Maybe just a faint touch light, but not much so.
I've been to another Minnesota brewery that turned an Amber into a Pumpkin beer, and the results were terrible - the flavors clashed horribly. This effort from Boom Island is a total success in my book. The flavors work well together.


I may say eff it, and have one more tonight before bed. Cheers all!

 

Well, we're getting some thunderstorms now. It was humid as heck today, so I'm not surprised. Might as well have one more beer, and it's a good one in my book.


Blu Shandy - Fox River Brewing - Appleton, WI - Fruit and Field Beer - 4.5% ABV

Tomorrow is supposed to be in the mid 80's, and if I were smart, I would have save this for then. It is light, and bubbly feeling. Very refreshing. The best part, in my book, is the blueberry flavor seems real to me. So many blueberry beers seem to have a nasty artificial blueberry flavor. This is good.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11644/649264/

3.9/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a can born on 2/7/23

Fairly clear dirty golden color. There's a bit of carbonation rising in the glass. The head is 1 finger, and white. Retention is fairly poor and no lacing on the glass.
The nose is blueberry, and it actually doesn't seem artificial to me. This seems like the real deal. I also get an undertone of lemon, that compliments the blueberry.
The flavor is blueberry, and I think this is actual blueberry in the mix here. I don't get that nasty artificial blueberry flavor a lot of blueberry beers have. The lemon is also in the mix. The hint of the citrus cuts the sweetness of the blueberry, and provides a great flavor mix.
Light, crisp, and bubbly body.
Damn, I wish I would have saved this for tomorrow when it's going to be in the upper 80's. This is light, and refreshing. It would be perfect for a hot day. The best part is the blueberry flavor seems real, and I'm going to say that they used real blueberries in making this beer.

I am going to finish this, and try to get some sleep, in spite of the loud thunder outside. Cheers all and see you tomorrow.

 

Welcome one and all to an early edition of New Beer Sunday #971! Bought a four pack of this a while ago, and finally getting to my locals before returning to the beer trade beers. Incorrectly thought there was a space between Mega and Bite.

Hop Butcher For The World Megabite



Can Notes: Purchased refrigerated at The Beer Temple on 7/14/23 for $17.63 with tax, refrigerated until this morning. 16 oz canned 7/12/23 @ 12:54:07. Shark Week Starts Now!

Double India Pale Ale, 7.5% ABV. Citra & Amarillo-Hopped. Brewed and canned by Hop Butcher For The World in Chicago and Bedford Park, Illinois

Tasting Notes: Lush Citrus, Creamy Mango, Stone Fruit.

Appearance: About 2/3 of the can poured into a Teku glass. Creamy bright white head lingers a few minutes before providing a generous creamy cover over the pulpy orange juice impenetrable base, and significant lacing in it's wake. 4.5

Aroma: Citrus and stone fruit strong upon opening and sustained throughout. Getting some pineapple, mango and tangerine as well. A nice fruit medley. 4.5

Taste: Consistent with aroma, citrus, pineapple and mango competing for attention. Taste dialed down in strength compared to the aroma. Sweet, but not too sweet. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Sweetness subdued with a nice hop bitterness that does not match the sweetness but comes close enough. Creamy medium body with a gentle carbonation, drinks at or slightly above the ABV from Go! Sweet tingly finish, pineapple and citrus lingering nicely. 4.25

Overall: Nice easy chill experience. Flavors come together well, not exactly balanced, but nice for the style. This is a nice tropical beer, perfect for a warm day or evening. Held up well, glad I have three more. Citra and Amarillo, yes please! 4.5

Hop Butcher just keeps on delivering for me. Ryder Cup time!

 

That was certainly the topic of conversation during the broadcast and intermission last night. Most of the commentary was agreeing with you, hell probably get moved.

They also seemed to be a lot of very high praise of Newhook on that top line of yours.

 

Rise and shine I say with this beer.

????

A former member here hit me with a blind box a while back, and all beers in it were wrapped up.

I really like this beer. Light, refreshing and full of malty flavor. I was guessing a light lager of some kind.
Reveal:

Extra Summer Mild - Forest & Main Brewing - Ambler, PA - English Pale Mild Ale - 3.5% ABV

A light beer is a good way to start.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/65170/661911/
3.99/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is a blind review from a can.

Clear golden pouring beer with some carbonation rising in the glass. 1 finger head that's quite long lasting. It looks quite frothy. Minimal lacing on the glass. 4
Nose has a beautiful malty character. Tons of grain, cereal and biscuit. 4.25
Taste - This is a very malty beer. I get just a ton of malt, grain and biscuit in the flavor. There's a floral note to this beer, and a bit of bitterness on the backside from hops. 4
The body is light, and crisp. 3.75
This is a delicious beer overall, and a pleasure to try. 4


Be back later with more.

 

Well, the party is quiet today, so I'd better have another round. This is the final blind beer that a former member sent to me


????

I was guessing an APA because there was a bit of hops on the back. Well, here's the reveal:

Dinkel Lager - Forest & Main Brewing - Ambler, PA - American Lager - 4% ABV

This does have a lot more hops in it than a standard lager. It is quite good and refreshing. I am liking this a lot.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/65170/659049/

3.82/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is a totally blind review from a can.

Fairly clear golden pour. A decent amount of carbonation rising in the glass to form a 1 finger white and fluffy head. The head retention is great, and there's some nice lacing on the glass. 4.25
Light biscuit nose. Aroma is fairly faint. 3.5
Taste - The flavor is more than the nose. A good biscuit flavor with a nice hop finish. 4
Body is light, and crisp. There's a bitter feeling in my throat that builds. 3.75
A very tasty beer overall. Good for a hot day. 3.75


I will be back later for another, and it will not be a blind beer.

 

Time for another, and from a great local.

Hydration Multiplier - Bad Habit Brewing - St. Joseph, MN - American Lager - 5.1% ABV

First off, I do like the new feature to add notes to a listing - I did it for this beer. I copied what they wrote on the can.

This beer is as advertised. It is light and refreshing. It isn't a flavor bomb, but has the right amount of flavor. Malty, and slightly sweet. This is good, and I could see myself drinking this on a hot summer day of fishing.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42984/673017/


3.68/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a can purchased at the brewery:

This is a clear pouring golden colored beer. A bit of carbonation rises in the glass to form a 1 finger white head. The head really has poor retention, and there's no lacing on the glass.
Nose has a slightly earthy grain aroma. Very mild and light smelling.
Taste - This is a malty beer, as expected. There's a biscuit flavor, and a bit of sweetness that hits on the back. The sweetness isn't a sugary sweetness, but just a mild light sweet flavor. There's also the faintest bitterness that hits on the back.
Light bodied, but expected. Clean feeling beer.
Easy to drink beer overall. It's hot today, but I could see myself drinking this on a hot day fishing.


I think this will be my last new beer of the weekend. I might have another beer that I've enjoyed before after I finish this beer. Cheers all and see you next weekend.

 

Hello NBS! Made it to Transient Artisan Ales.

Started with Hunnid, a German Pilsner.
Poured a transparent honey color with a white head that left little lacing.
The taste is initially sweet interestingly enough, then the biscuit malts kicked in and a little spice kick. I am still astonished at how a pepper taste in beer can be a good thing, but live and learn.
The feel is entirely too quaffable, I had this consumed in moments it seemed.
OA, I think if I could still get the nuances from the aromas I would have these good Pilsners in my fridge at all times. But alas, I know I am missing a good portion of the experience, so they will be singular in nature.
Still, it was tasty and thirst quenching.
Cheers all!

 

Sweetwater Gummies Fruit Punch IIPA, 9.5% ABV; 3.82 overall +28% rDev

Pours a slightly hazed gold with one finger of beige colored head. Nice head retention & lacing

S: Smells of sweet gummies, oranges

T: Fools the nose, a touch of HI-C, dryness & sweet cherry & a touch of booze heat on the tongue. More fruit punch action with dryness, a little booze kiss with pineapples, sweet cherry & lemon/lime bitterness & tartness as this beer warms up. Finishes with a boozy fruit punch bite, lime bitterness/tartness

MF: Medium body, subdued carbonation, skews sweet

This works for me it is reaching me in spots I thought New Belgium Fruit Force didn't. The one-off DIPA I was looking for

 

A quiet Sunday. Daughter and grandsons coming over for dinner.
I'm drinking Mountain Man Scotch Ale from Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company.
The beer is a dark brown color with a short-lived tan head.
Aroma of roasted malt, molasses, a hint of smoke.
Taste of caramel, molasses, and a trace of smoke.
Medium-bodied, a little bitter.
Very enjoyable!

 

Woodchipper land is once again blessed with patio weather after a cold and/or rainy 15+ days.

Today I have a beer from a local brewery that I will not name. This beer name is Homegrown Celebration, I think that says it all. It is made with fresh local hops. And it's pretty close. Unfortunately it's too early to have the real McCoy here to compare head to head. That's okay, the OG beer is seared in my brain.
I'd say this is a 3.9 overall.
Poured from a Crowler sealed yesterday, served in a Nonic at fridge temperature, but warmed over the session due to the volume available.
The appearance is remarkably close to the original, a deep gold body topped by a large puffy beige head. Lacing is close, but not quite as much as its inspiration.
I actually think this version leans a little more hoppy and a little less malty than the original. That is a plus in my book.
Mouthfeel is identical but carbonation is a little light (maybe due to the serving format).
Great to have this available so early in the year. I may be the one that kicks the keg.