New Beer Weekend #171

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by AzfromOz, Oct 28, 2023.

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  1. AzfromOz

    AzfromOz Grand Pooh-Bah (3,225) Aug 22, 2020 Australia
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hello BA! I thought I'd kick off New Beer Weekend #171 with a beer from Phase 3 out of Lake Zurich, Illinois. I came across this one as part of my "The One" Subscription from Carwyn Cellars here in Melbourne, Australia, which is the subscription for the beer nerd who has it all but wants a little bit more...

    Here's hoping your weekend is off to a good start and full of new beers! Just ignore my reflection in the photo - these black beers like reflecting my pale white likeness back at the world!

    ***

    Upon pouring, the beer is bright black (is that even possible?) with a fluffy, dirty white head that recedes to a thin rim around the top and edges of the glass. Loads of tiny bubbles stream up the glass in orderly rows like Tsarist frigates arrayed precisely on frigid winter waters. This is a Baltic porter; the inky blackness is that of deep winter on a quiet sea, moonlight kissing the waves, silence like a heavy cloak blocking interaction with anything but the darkness and the slow, steady creaking of the yards. (L:4)

    In the nose, all the dark flavours come out to play: dark fruit; sherry and muscat; old wet hay; unroasted nuts; dark cherries; and purple grape skins. It again brings to mind winter, a still sea, and encroaching dark: the flavours are stoic, hardy, strong and ancient. The Baltic trader sits at anchor in the roads, cloaked in night, waiting its turn to dock. The scents play to the solemn rhythm of hard life and relentless struggle on northern seas. There's no tropical lightness, no modern fruit. But like birds flocking south, the beer's nose is portentous. It warns of flavour notes to come. (S: 4.25)

    In the mouth, the impression is also dark: dried fruits like raisins, dates, prunes and sultanas, with a liqueur note that takes me to the bottles my Baba had in the wall cabinet in her dining room. That sideboard was old and mysterious, the liqueurs untouchable, rarely sampled, and out of reach to ten-year-old me. I conjure mustiness in my mind when I think of those times, and as with these flavour notes, it smelled old; old, worn leather, deep with oil and dripping with age, like canvas stowed in lockers lining the decks tramped by grizzled, grumbling sailors. Others have noted chocolate; I don't get any, but I do get a raspberry and cola note. I seem to be the only one in the world to pick that up in porters and stouts - it's like my very own coriander (cilantro) gene. There's warming alcohol in the gullet and chest, playing to the feeling of encroaching, ancient winter that this beer evokes. (T: 4.25)

    Mouthfeel is full and thick. It's comfortable, like a downy coat that keeps winter's demons at bay. The warmth from the alcohol plays nicely with the smoothness of the body, further building the impression of solidity and shelter from the elemental forces of cold, dark, silent nights, of forests heavy with snow and stolidly facing the cold, steely, penetrating fingers of winter. The body does the beer great service. (M: 4.5)

    Life on the Baltic Sea in winter is hard. Men struggle for warmth. Ships battle elements, and entropy battles energy in a constant war for the ultimate state of balance. Warmth is king, the only safe haven on a night where heat is the only guarantee of seeing dawn's light. This beer conjures dark fruits and stoic, aged liqueur, my exact mental image of life in the lands surrounding the Baltic Sea. It's a beer that embraces the power of dark malt and subtle booze to enliven the palate and the imagination, a beer that wants to warm itself and the drinker in equal amounts, and a beer that rewards slow, easy consumption. It's a Baltic Porter, a beer that two centuries ago ruled the lanes of the sea from which it took its name but which also has its place all these years later, reminding us that not all need be tropical, sugary or aimed only for mass consumption.

    Quite simply, it's a good beer.

    Cheers!

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 AzfromOz, Oct 28, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2023
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  2. jonphisher

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

    Sitting on my couch sipping coffee and I say to mysel “I wonder if @AzfromOz opened up NBW today, it’s been a while.” And here it is :grin: thanks for opening us up, I’ll be back later tonight to join you with a beverage :beers:
     
    #2 jonphisher, Oct 28, 2023
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  3. AzfromOz

    AzfromOz Grand Pooh-Bah (3,225) Aug 22, 2020 Australia
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ha, it has been a while! Big beers give time to think and write, so think and write I did. :nerd:

    Cheers!
     
    #3 AzfromOz, Oct 28, 2023
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  4. Ozzylizard

    Ozzylizard Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,419) Oct 5, 2013 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good day BAs! A beer fro Lake Zurich, Il, made it to Oz. Thanks @AzfromOz for starting today's thread! I had an army buddy from Lake Zurich - Carl, if you're still kicking, contact me!

    My contribution the today's New Beer Sunday/New Beer Weekend:

    [​IMG]


    Endolith (2023 vintage) – from Jackie O’s Brewery. 12.7 oz bottle. Acquired 26/10/23 on-line from Jackie O’s, $15.50 (Including shipping and tax), $ 1.22/oz. Reviewed 28/10/23 (Review 3173). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
    Label stamped “2023”. Stored at 34 degrees at home. Served at 54.5 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 59.1 degrees F.
    Appearance – 4.
    First pour – Deep Amber (SRM 15), slight haze.
    Body – Brown (SRM 20), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, same with pear overtones at the edges.
    Head: None (Maximum 0.1 cm, aggressive center pour), buff, fizzy and just outlasts the pour, leaving no head and no bubble ring.
    Lacing – None.
    Aroma – 4.5 – Moderate malt aroma mixed with bourbon, oak, brown sugar. No hops, no yeast. No ethanol (14.1 % ABV according to the label).
    Flavor – 4.5 – Begins sweet with mild toasted malt, bourbon, brown sugar. Not picking up any oakiness on the taste. No hops, no yeast. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Ends with mild gastric heat.
    Palate – 4 – Full; approaching syrupy; soft but lively carbonation.
    Final impression and summation: 4.25 Very good English barleywine.
    Rating 4.37, rDev +0.2%
     
    #4 Ozzylizard, Oct 28, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2023
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  5. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Time for a beer!

    Today’s beer is Oxbow Zeit Pilsner. I am not a German speaker so I conducted an online translation of “zeit” to learn that this means “time”, so time for a beer!

    The description of this beer on the can (and the Oxbow website) is rather lean: “Zeit Pils is a German-style pils brewed with European malts and noble hops.” Not too many specifics there but:

    I took note they stated “European” as opposed to “German” as regards the type of malt. Maybe they decided to use a Belgian Pilsner Malt here?

    There are four hop varieties that are considered to noble hops: Saaz, Spalt, Tettnang and Hallertauer Mittelfruh. Did they just feature one noble hop or did they use an assortment?

    On the bottom of the can in smaller font it lists:

    “lager

    production time: 6 weeks

    keep cool and enjoy within a year”

    The details of “within a year” seems to be excessive but if the beer was continuously stored cold, maybe?

    Well, let’s not overthink things here since it is “time for a beer”!

    Served in my Polish Pilsner glass:

    Appearance:

    Golden yellow colored, a fair bit of haze and a big white head.

    Aroma:

    The dominant aroma is reminiscent of freshly baked bread but there is some herbal hop aroma there as well.

    Taste:

    The flavor follows the nose with a combination of freshly baked bread malt flavors but also hop flavors, mostly herbal in the beginning but as the beer opens up there is a citrus (lemon-like) aspect as well. There is a moderate bitterness

    Mouthfeel:

    Medium bodied, some smoothness to the mouthfeel, with a dry finish.

    Overall:

    This is a very good beer, I enjoyed drinking it. After drinking this beer, I wanted a second one.

    This beer very much reminded me of a Keller Pils both in appearance and in flavor.

    I think I will indeed find some time later today to drink another!

    Cheers!

    @rotsaruch @RobH @KOP_Beer_OUtlet

    [​IMG]
     
    #5 JackHorzempa, Oct 28, 2023
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  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Thanks for that explanation.

    Since it is Halloween season I thought that maybe there was a ghost in that beer!?!:astonished:

    Cheers!
     
    #6 JackHorzempa, Oct 28, 2023
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  7. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Another epic review. Thanks for kicking us off
     
    #7 russpowell, Oct 28, 2023
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  8. champ103

    champ103 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,296) Sep 3, 2007 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Yesterday, had some Friday afternoon happy hour beers...that is the weekend right :slight_smile:

    At Southern Yankee Crafthouse. This is their full restaurant and tap room that is in the heart of Houston. Their brewery is in north Houston, but that is a long way for me to go ha.

    Anyway...

    Porter's Porter, at 5.1% ABV. Listed here as an English Porter, but it is obviously more a Robust one IMO. I sent in an update for that.

    [​IMG]

    Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. A dense tan head forms and recedes after a minute. Light lace is left behind.
    Aroma has roasted malts as the show. Coffee and chocolate. Simple, and too the point and enjoyable. If a bit too much by the books.
    Taste wise, like the nose, all the roasted malt flavors are the show. Coffee and chocolate. The coffee lingers on and becomes a bit acrid and bitter after a while, but I still like it.
    A medium to fullish body. At first crisp carbonation, but that smooths out as this breaths. Simple and enjoyable to drink.

    All the roasted porter notes are there, if a bit simple and by the books. It is still enjoyable and well made. A good porter to come back to while at the brewery or their other restaurant.

    Overall score is 3.84, a solid B+, and that score seems a little low. Might up that on more tries.
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/54216/375767/?ba=champ103#lists

    Had along with their glorious Fish & Chips.

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 champ103, Oct 28, 2023
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  9. NorsemanOne

    NorsemanOne Pooh-Bah (2,331) Sep 17, 2021 Utah
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    And here I thought it was maybe early enough I'd open today, but an opening from @AzfromOz is even better!

    New to me from a local I don't often partake of.

    Shades - Foggy Goggle

    [​IMG]
    No canning date

    Purchased from the grocer for about $2

    Poured at fridge temp into a pokal Pils glass

    Pours light amber with some haze. Bright white head that so far leaves no lacing and settled into an even thin ring and cap. 4

    Some malty grain sweetness, but other than that the aroma is pretty light/lost on me. 3.5

    Light apple sweetness, light toasty grain/grass, subtle cinnamon. Reminds me of a apple crumble 3.75

    Body is drinkable, moderate carbo. 3.75

    Overall a decent lager, flavors are good, just watered down a bit perhaps. Will likely try again to see if I get a different result. 3.75

    Cheers friends! :beer:
     
    #9 NorsemanOne, Oct 28, 2023
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  10. Mdog

    Mdog Pooh-Bah (2,539) Jan 7, 2004 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Good morning NBW!

    Today's contribution from me is Wake Brewing's High Tone Son of a Bock:
    [​IMG]
    Appearance: Cloudy brown, good head.

    Smell: Bananas, malty.

    Taste: Banana bread sweetness, maybe a little alcohol note in the middle, a little yeasty clove note at the end. Medium bodied.

    Overall: I'm a big fan of weizenbocks so picked up a 4 pack when I visited Wake Brewing in Rock Island. This is a pretty solid version, I like them on the banana side rather than the clove side and this one fits that description. Pretty good!
     
    #10 Mdog, Oct 28, 2023
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  11. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good morning, Weekenders! I anticipate having a few new-to-me beers this weekend. Let's lead things off with Kinda Brooklyn, a DDH NE-style IIPA from Finback sent to me by @JayORear .

    [​IMG]

    This is very, very solid, but below Finback's best. Floral notes, lemon drop candy, white grape, basil, orange, and a bit of pine on the nose. Tasting notes of lemon drop and white grape, cracker, white dough, and a touch of caramel grain from the malt base; some orange peel on the finish. Additional notes of strawberry, kiwi, and papaya. Fairly low but present bitterness.

    Overall, a very enjoyable brew, but not amazing.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33901/446726/?ba=Roguer#lists
    3.80 / -6.6% (only review among 14 total ratings)

    Cheers!
     
    #11 Roguer, Oct 28, 2023
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  12. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    New Beer #2: Tree House Pumpkin Spice Double Shot.

    [​IMG]

    Pumpkin spice (or just cinnamon by itself) can easily overpower a beer. Double Shot seems like a natural fit to hold up against the dry spices, given the potency of the base beer and the coffee influence ...

    ... and it is! The pumpkin spice is present enough to fit well with the Fall weather (and scenery) here in New England, but it definitely doesn't overpower. In fact, it's fairly subtle, and contributes overall to the regular Double Shot.

    This is definitely a nice twist on a classic beer.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28743/674195/?ba=Roguer#lists
    4.22 / -1.6% (1st full review out of only 5 total ratings)
     
    #12 Roguer, Oct 28, 2023
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  13. GreenBayBA

    GreenBayBA Grand Pooh-Bah (4,265) Aug 30, 2015 Wisconsin
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
    Central Waters Brewing Rodeo Vacation. A WCIPA. Brewed with high-oil Cascade hops, double dry-hopped, with YCH 301 fresh frozen Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops. Is this a WCIPA? I told @JackHorzempa I was at Central Waters Brewing. He faxed the brewery to request they pour this beer for me, so I could review it. Here we go. The look is root beer copper, clear in bright light, with a nice 17-centimeter foamy top. The smell is piney, clean, and it has scents of grapefruit, lemon, honeydew, malt, and buttered biscuits. The taste is bitter, yet sweet. Somewhat WCIPA in nature, but not in the traditional sense. There is a malty and piney flavor, but it finishes sweet and fruity. Grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine flavors linger. This is a really good American IPA. The mouthfeel is clean, crisp, full, and smooth, with medium carbonation. Overall, this beer is good, but it is not what I consider a true WCIPA, like they make in California. It is good, but I am not going to FaceTime @RaulMondesi about it.
     
    #13 GreenBayBA, Oct 28, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2023
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  14. DoctorZombies

    DoctorZombies Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,827) Feb 1, 2015 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A new to me brunch beer - “Summer Starry Noche”, a BA Imperial Stout from WeldWerks Brewing, Greely, CO…aged 19-34 months in a combo of 15 yr Sazerac Rye, 6 yr Thomas H. Handy Rye, 6 yr E. H. Taylor Bourbon, 7 yr Blanton’s Bourbon, and 12 yr Elijah Craig Bourbon barrels…whew! If that wasn’t enough, toasted coconut, raw coconut and macadamia nuts were added…sounds like my kinda beer, so let’s go!


    [​IMG]

    Bottled June 2022. Purchased off of Tavour May 2023. Poured at 57°. Inky black with ruby edges; very brief thin red brown ring, otherwise no cap nor lace; lots of flecks of coconut; thick heavy legs. Bourbon and toasted coconut nose; hot boozy retro nasal. Sweet bourbon, loads of coconut, and sugary chocolate. Thick heavy body; chewy viscous feel; alcohol burn on tip of tongue; face flushing warmth from 14.6% abv; light carbonation; barrel dryness in finish. Overall, sweet like a Mounds candy bar, but boozy; lots of residual sugar; truly a sipper due to both the alcohol and sweetness; tasty, but diabetes in a bottle.

    4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5
    Score: 4.47 rDev -2.6%


    I couldn’t finish an 8oz pour. Corked and purged remainder for later…
    Cheers!
     
    #14 DoctorZombies, Oct 28, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2023
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  15. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Social Project/Wichita Brewing ARkansas is better than your Kansas Juicy Pale Ale w/ Luminosa, 57% ABV; 4.25 overall

    Pours a hazed gold with a thumb+ of pearl colored head. Great lacing & head retention

    S: Nectarine, some pineapple & oranges, fantastic nose

    T: Tangerine, a little lime & dryness up front, some grassy notes as well. A little green melon mixes in with tangerines, limes & dryness as this beer warms up. Finishes dry with lime, grassyness & grapefruit

    MF: Medium body, moderate carbonation, nice balance

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Easy drinker, wish it delivered more flavor
     
    #15 russpowell, Oct 28, 2023
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  16. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Is that the same as six inches!?!:stuck_out_tongue:

    I like the lineup of Jack O'Lanterns including the old school peace sign; my buddy John would facetiously call that a chicken foot.

    Maybe later they will include a Jack O'Lantern which drank too many Brewing Rodeo Vacation beers?

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 JackHorzempa, Oct 28, 2023
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  17. lordofthewiens

    lordofthewiens Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,225) Sep 17, 2005 New Mexico
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The grandsons want me to take them to a movie. Despite some reservations about their choice of movie, I said yes. And that's why I'll be watching Five Nights at Freddy's with the boys.
    I have time for a beer before the movie, so I'm drinking Grindin' from Voodoo Brewing in Meadville, PA. It is a coffee stout with an ABV of 9%.
    Black in color, small tan head that settles to a ring around the glass.
    Strong aroma of coffee, some roasted malt.
    Taste of espresso, make that triple espresso. A little dark chocolate.
    Big bodied, nice lingering coffee bitterness.
    A seriously good beer.

    [​IMG]
     
    #17 lordofthewiens, Oct 28, 2023
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  18. augustgarage

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

    [​IMG]

    Ohayō! - enjoyed this one maybe just a little more than their regular Wit:

    4.23/5 rDev +4.2%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

    L2080 date code on the bottom - guessing this was packaged towards the end of March 2020? Poured from a 12oz can into my Hoegaarden tumbler. Same color and IBU as their regular Wit, but with a bit more gravity and presumably a different yeast (as this is described as a white beer/saison).

    Cloudy jasmine/naples yellow body topped by a fat fluffy finger of ivory suds. Soft dense lacing; excellent retention.

    Tangerine, lemon, and a hint of funk (washed rind cheese; gym socks) in the nose. Yeast driven, but with wheat clearly present. A touch of phenols/white peppercorn emerges as the ale warms.

    Lightly sweet/crackery cereal character (hints of communion wafer, vanilla, and plantain) followed by some citrus, almost-lactic tartness, and a subtle barnyard element. Finishes fairly clean and moderately dry. Gentle bitterness throughout. Spiciness and complexity grows as the ale warms.

    Creamy, soft, yet light bodied and refreshing. ABV well concealed. Very "drinkable."

    Superbly balanced, this successful blend of related styles would pair well with izakaya fare, but is satisfying on its own as well.
     
    #18 augustgarage, Oct 28, 2023
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  19. bluejacket74

    bluejacket74 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,305) Jul 4, 2005 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    #19 bluejacket74, Oct 28, 2023
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  20. Coronaeus

    Coronaeus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,744) Apr 21, 2014 Canada (ON)
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It’s a lazy Saturday here for me in midtown Toronto. My wife is working until nine this evening and then heading out to a steakhouse with a co-worker (insert jealous emoji here). So, I am solo-fathering my 6-year old twins today. The kids helped me organize their messy closets this morning and buckled down for some homework after lunch. We also walked over to the grocery store and stopped at the park on the corner for a few minutes of play. Now they are fiddling around with their laptops doing coding homework. I could only hamper them in that endeavour, so am taking a little break from the day to enjoy a beer.

    This is Viennaraad, a Vienna style lager from Dageraad in Burnaby, BC. It was sent to me recently by a long-time, non-BA trade partner.

    [​IMG]

    Pours a bright copper with an ample fluffy head that dissipates to a thin top-film fairly quickly. Moderate effervescence.

    The nose is dominated by a light bready character. There are some mild herbal notes in behind.

    The taste resembles the nose closely. The malt sits up front; lightly toasted cereals and fresh bread. There are some slightly more distinct herbal notes on the tongue and the very slightest hints of lemon fading into the background. The finish is moderately bitter.

    The body is quite full and the beer is very drinkable

    Vienna lagers sit fairly low on my lager hierarchy enjoyment index. Not my favourite style, as it were. This was a very good one though, and I’d gladly drink it again.

    Cheers!
     
    #20 Coronaeus, Oct 28, 2023
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