New Beer Weekend #174

i’d say 12% is more accurate than 8-10

 

Cape May - Honey Porter, again from @jonphisher. I picked this one in part because my wife infused some honey with jalapenos, which I put on a fresh-from-scratch biscuit with a fried egg, Beecher's Flagship cheese, and prosciutto for lunch.

12oz can served in a tulip. Born 100323.

Pours dark nutty brown with a very large, fluffy head that deflates slowly, leaving huge clumpy lacing and a thick, lumpy cap. Smell is light roast coffee, bread and biscuit, lightly yeasty.

Taste is nice bitter roast, strong toasted nuts, honey is vaguely noticeable, maybe a bit of a semi-sweet chocolate bitterness.

Mouthfeel is just on the light side of medium, pretty clean and smooth. Overall, very nice porter.

Jon, you have great taste in beer. I'm perfectly happy to keep taking polite little pot shots at each other, but if you ever want something specific from out here, let me know. BTW, I had a Stoup Red (on tap) with dinner last night, and thought of you.

 

Wow, what a horrible situation - especially around Thanksgiving. I sincerely hope the latter two situations end well. Cheers, Ryan!

 

Visited Fox Farm Brewery yesterday to pick up some holiday beers. Bluster is a fairly new IPA from them using Sabro, Strata and Motueka and finishing off at 8.0%.

3.98/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16-oz can picked up cold at the brewery yesterday that is smudge-stamped “11/??/23, to a Nonic at fridge temp.
The body is a common NEIPA opaque apricot. The head is maybe ½-inch of white, multi-sized bubbles. Head turns to a ring rather quickly and lacing is almost non-existent, just a few bubbles stick if I swirl the glass.
The aroma is tangerine, mango and grapefruit. As it warms and breathes, mango becomes dominant.
Tasting is similar, mango is strong but citrus rind is there. I think there is a mild hop burn. The alcohol is not hidden.
Carbonation is on the strong side, making what might be a medium viscosity seem thinner.
This is a good beer but I had higher expectations.

 

Old Irving/Maplewood
Trail Buddies
3.09/5 rDev -23.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Thick, black oily looking pour, small brown head leaves a bit of lacing. Nose reminds me of artificial peanut flavored candy I hated as a kid, some chocolate and nuts. Taste buds agree. Thick'n chewy, smooth, creamy, easy drinking at @12.5%. This is a sickly sweet disaster. Label should read "Imperial Pastry Stout".


...the last 6oz ended up down the drain....

 

I lovvvvve that beer so much! Had my last of the six pack last night with breakfast for dinner; a perfect pairing, my choice of beer was dictated by meal just like yours. Oh and it seems we both had breakfast meals

Thanks for the kind beer words, I try, I'm glad our paths crossed both virtually and in real life.

Stoup NW red on tap was the first beer you bought me on our Ballard date what a beer it was and is!!!

 

Hope things trend better, that is a lot to take in.

 

Equilibrium Uncorked DIPA ( with Sauvignon Blanc Grape Juice ), 8.5% ABV; 4.07 overall

Pours a turbid gold with floaties & one finger of ivory colored head. Rings of lacing, good head retention & plenty of floaties

S: Pears, hints of white grape, citrus & yeastyness, plus some cattyness

T: Follows the nose, sweetness from pears, woody & catty hops & dryness up front. Much dryness, green melon, a touch of cattyness& white grapeskin as this beer warms up, along with a little grapefruit & passionfruit. Finishes dry with pears, a little pomelo & a touch of green melon

MF: Medium body, slight carbonation

A good fun DIPA, almost loved it, but probably wouldn't pull the trigger on this again, flavors don't quite work in synergy

 

Busy Sunday morning, but all in good fun...we've always wanted to turn our garage into a basement type living room and it finally is almost done. Today I got the TV up on the wall with the help of the oldest, then I did our Christmas roof lights early just cause it is so beautiful out, then I deep scrubbed the bahtroom and tiles...chilli has been simmering since 8 AM and now a beer cause Mrs Phisher is at her rents with the boys...I hope I don't fall asleep before they get home.

Was really excited to see another older craft brewery revive a beer, that I actually never bought when it was around. There are very few things I love more than all things pine, only my love of all things maple and snow come first. So how does that relate to this beer; spruce tips!!!!

Dogfish Head - Pennsylvania Tuxedo (AIIPA 8.5%)



This is a beautiful looking beer, it is crystal clear and a deep burnt gold color; head collapses at medium pace and leaves some nice lacing as it does, retention after initial head is meh.

The nose is rich in malt; some vague sweetness, very very lightly toasted quality; there is a pine sol like pine-ness that is very tame amongst the malt...some minor red berry notes.

The taste is just a super pleasant balanced mixed up malty AIIPA and pine needle; like if you licked some pine sap but didn't get its full force, it is very nicely balanced, reminds me of juniper teas I have had.

Mouthfeel is medium; but you can tell this beer has some heft, there is no burn but it slowly warms the throat and eventually sinus canal; light residual malt sweetness, though it doesn't linger long, a moderate but soft bitterness on the finish; resin like feel on the tongue.

I really like this beer, I only grabbed a single and I'm glad I did as it is a little heavy on the ABV, but I will definitely enjoy sipping the rest of this and sharing some with Mrs Phisher who tends to enjoy piney beers like I.

A cool unique well made beer by the people at Dogfish, next up, please bring back Aprihop!!!!

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Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone, hopefully it is a short week for most of you and we can hang out again soon for the hopefully long Thanksgiving NBW! Enjoy your beers today and see you all in a few days.

 

Afternoon NBS. Been too long since I've posted here so let me jump in if you don't mind.
transcontinental Diversion
Hazy DIPA with Nelson Sauvin and Citra hops.
Pours a very hazy orange - like juice, with a slightly off white head that lingers to a thin cap. Plenty of lacing in the sides.
Alot of juicy citrus on the nose with ripe pineapple, kiwi, some white grape. Smells like the Citra is center stage.
Taste is sweet juicy orange, red grapefruit, mango, some white grape. Sweet up front but stern grapefruit rind and slight pine bitterness balance this easy drinking 8.7%. Slight alcohol warmth.
Feel is medium/heavy, stickiness on the lips, finishing dry, tangy and bitter with a little aspirin.
Really nice beer. I really can't think of a less than good beer Ive had from Weldwerks. Of course this is a collab with Casey Brewing and Blending. Never heard of then but this works.
Cheers folks!

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Sippers and commentators. This is a wonderful time of the beer calendar as we segue from Märzens and Pumpkins to Stouts, Barleywines, Belgian Strong Ales, and other bigger beers. Today, I'm reviewing Ford Mansion Basement Barrel, an Imperial Porter aged for one year in Knob Creek Bourbon barrels, brewed by nearby Glenbrook Brewery in Morristown, NJ. Glenbrook's beers are American Revolution-themed which is appropriate for a town so steeped in history. The Ford Mansion (part of Morristown National Historic Park) was Washington's headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780, and it's a very prominent local landmark.

I've provided the first BA rating for this beer but there are 55 on Untappd and they all seem to be either in the mid-2's or above 4 so it's a polarizing offering. Given its simplicity and strong bitterness I can understand how some may not like it. But I did. It's a throwback to a time when Porters weren't packed with vanilla, peanut butter, mint, and other trendy adjuncts.

Poured at 64° It is a deep mahogany with almost a finger of long-lasting, frothy, khaki-colored head and heavy, sticky lacing. It smells of roasted malt, earthy char, tobacco smoke, peat, and subtle but noticeable bourbon. The taste is earthy and bitter with notes of burnt coffee grounds and charred nutty malt. About the only sweetness comes from the Knob Creek bourbon barrels - and that is minimal. I like the way Glenbrook handled the barrel: it adds flavor and warmth but it's delicate. Basically, this is a minimalist Porter with good barrel notes. The mouth feel is pleasantly creamy with appropriate carbonation, and I can feel the 10.5% ABV. Overall, Ford Mansion Basement Barrel is a simple brew that would pair well with roasted meat or game.

3.94/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving week with family and friends. Cheers, NBW!

 

Started off my brews today with a couple of this month's Urban Artifact Small Batch Society releases:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40297/679179/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40297/679178/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



Happy NBW!

 

And finished with the last of the 3 Urban Artifact Small Batch Society releases:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40297/679180/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



And had a good collab saison from Columbus' Forbidden Root location and Derive Brewing:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35143/628865/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



Cheers and have a great week everyone!

 

Goller Kellerbier, 4.9% ABV; 3.86 overall

Pours a slightly hazed amber with one finger of pearl colored head. Alright head retention & lacing

S: Brown bread, brown sugar

T: Fairly sweet & dry, with brown sugar & leafy & ***** hops up front. Dryness, toffee, woody & peppery hops as this beer warms up. Finishes sweet, dry with peppery & woody hops, faint yeastyness also

MF: Medium body, minimal carbonation, I like this style a little more carbonated, this almost makes me think it didn't travel great. Carbonation does pick a little near room temperature. Body thins out a touch as this warms as well

Solid example of the style, sweeter than most that I remember in Germany. Having said that, happy to have tried it. All the flavors are there, just not in harmony. Not quite making me think I am back in Franconia

 

Yo Gabba Gabba is where my kids aged out. Pretty sure all the writers for that show were on the shrooms or something. I enjoyed it probably more than the kids

 

Drinking with friends who love Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA.

Considering the 9 % ABV, there's not a lot of taste or mouthfeel. It only suffers in comparison to beers that do so much with much less alcohol. I keep my opinions to myself until I get back to BA.

 

That's the goal. Glad you enjoyed bud!

 

Ottakringer Brau werk hausmarke 2 session ipa



3.53/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brewers notes: Für Seefahrer, Automobilisten & Feinmotoriker! Hopfig-Herber Genuss zu jeder Tageszeit, Mango, Maracuja & Lychee grüßen die Nase, intensive Bittere erfreut den Körper. Klein im Alkohol, groß im Eindruck, unser Session IPA, die große Unbeschwertheit in flüssiger Form.

For sailors, drivers & skilled people! Hoppy-bitter pleasure at any daytime, Mango, Maracuja & Lychee say hello to the nose, intense bitterness delights the body. Easy in alcohol, big in impression, our Session IPA, the great lightheartedness in a liquid way.

12 oz Can hauled back from Vienna, best by date is 6/24, chilled and poured into a pretentious beer glass

Translucent dark orange liquid capped by a soapy white crown, settles to a solid layer

Aroma is grassy, malts - not getting nay mango or lychee..what is maracuju??? Oh! It’s passionfruit! I dont get any of that either

Taste is grains, malts,

Sudsy mouth feel , gentle hop bite with a semi dry finish

Nice beer but they brew better biers than this

 

Big ups to @Bhubbard34 for this, thanks Ryan. Tired Hands Deep Red IPA ( Amber Ale ), 7.2%; 4.41 overall

Pours a not entirely clear hazel with a thumb+ of cream colored head. Never drops bright, solid head retention & lacing

S: Very toasty, fades as it warms, hints of brown sugar, a little pine as well

T: Follows the nose, super dry, leafy & grapefruit hops, plus woody hops up front. Pine & grapefruit dominate as this beer warms up, toastyness & dryness, some other woody hops surfacing as well, slight brown sugar sweetness as well. Finishes toasty, dry with pine & grapefruit & a kiss of caramel

MF: Medium body, slight carbonation that turns creamy as this beer warms up. Skews hoppy, but it works well

Been awhile since I had a Red IPA that really made me happy, this does the trick. Most just can't find the balance, this does