New Beer Weekend #177

I have to admit I'm not really one who enjoys a brew with lactose, or super sweet for that matter. Even moreso with specifically PB beers, I've prob only tried a couple. Cheers Russ!

 

Trying Industrial Arts Wrench for the first time

Whatever hit me the wrong way in Power Tools is not in Wrench. Appearance, Aromas, and Flavors are all on point for a NEIPA.
4.33/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'll stop in Beacon the next time I go to New York.

 

Landgang brauerei helles
...very clear amber appearance.
...body and carbonation are both a hair below average but overall it still has a nice feel.
...aroma isn't necessarily complex but is really nice.toasted grain, cereal, and malty bread.
..taste is again cereal with the toasted grain being just slightly dominant. Theres malty bread and a mild sweetness that lingers.
..overall this was the favorite for me so far from the Costco advent box

 

The next beer out of the current Samuel Adams mix pack that I’m reviewing is OVP Oaked Vanilla Porter



3.75/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The beer pours a nearly opaque brown, with a bubbly white head that quickly falls to near nothingness. The smell is where the action is, as the name implies there are notes of oak and vanilla. The label also mentions coffee, but I would describe it as toffee. The taste is brown ale/porter with some oak, vanilla and toffee flavor. The roasted grains are also prominent and the beer leaves a nice bitter aftertaste. I’m also not picking up any artificial flavor, which I was kind of expecting. The feel is again, right on the money, just like the Cold IPA, no prickly bubbles, smooth carbonation. Overall, this beer is ok, nothing special, I’d drink it again, but I wouldn’t seek it out either. I realized that I gave this beer and the Cold IPA about the same numerical rating, so I’ll have to make an adjustment somewhere

 

Back again, and this is likely the last new beer of my weekend.


Backyard Stout

I remember reading the release list, and this one just seemed like it would be a hot mess to me. Well, I am very surprised by it, and just how good it is. The berries really are the star of the show, but how they mix with the flavors of the base beer is where the magic happens. I am impressed as heck, and will enjoy this for a while this afternoon.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1146/666472/
4.39/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From a bottle.

Pretty good hiss, and smoke upon opening. Very thick pouring beer and it's pitch black. Thick 3 finger brown head. The head is fairly long lasting overall. No lacing on the glass as the head dissipates to a ring around the edge of the glass.
The nose really hit me as I opened the bottle, which was a pleasing mix of berries. As I get up close to the glass, the berry aroma just goes off the charts. This is the main aroma, but there's hints of the base beer beneath all the berries. I get faint hints of chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla, and dark fruit.
Taste - The berries start off the flavor hit parade, and never go away. The berries have both tart and sweet to them, but way more on the tart end. The berries mellow out and the base shines through with notes of chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla and dark fruit. The combination of flavors really work well together, and the tartness is a nice counterbalance to the sweetness.
Body is a bit thinner than I'd expect, but not thin or watery at all. There's a slight warming to this beer. The tart feeling from the berries lingers in my throat.
This beer surprised me, and I wasn't expecting a lot from it. I am impressed with it, and a pleasure to drink. I have another bottle to age (and may get more), and can't wait to see how it ages.


I will see you all next weekend, and it will likely be next Sunday before I pop in. Cheers all.

 

My wife and I went to Truth or Consequences taproom yesterday and had some good beer and some good conversation. I brought home a crowler of their Quad, Mastodon.
The beer is a cherry amber color with a small tan head.
Nice aroma. Banana, sweet dark fruit, and caramel.
Taste of banana, raisin, caramel, vanilla, and bourbon.
Medium mouthfeel. Bourbon lingers.
Very enjoyable

 

The Farmer
8.5% New England style IPA by Fidens

Poured from a pint can, the body is a hazy yellow with a big fluffy white head. Excellent lacing throughout the tasting. Fine looking beer.

Aroma is a delightful and strong citrus mix of orange and nectarine.

Taste follows nose with the citrus down a notch or two from the aroma, but still quite nice. Vibrant orange and peach tones are quite delicious. Waves of hoppiness and later a pleasant bitterness rises upon finish. ABV is well masked by the flavors.

Mouthfeel is excellent with good carbonation. Soft, easy drinking.

Overall an excellent beer by Fidens - my first from this brewery. Thanks to @JayORear for this delicious treat.

 

A newbie to me is this very well made Irish Dry Stout called Dry Irish Goodbye by Beer Tree Brew of scenic Johnson City, N.Y. Cheers.



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

An easy pour released a finger of creamy tan froth with long retention and streaks of lacing. Dark brown (almost black) body, semi-opaque with reddish-brown highlights.

Deep smell of roasted and toasted malts, chocolate, coffee and toffee greets the nose. Mild herbal/floral hops with a faint alcohol smell.

Neutral taste with low bitterness at first, items from the smell are more pronounced with chocolate way out in front. Baked apple and dried cherry flavors emerge. Bitterness builds to average as it quickly dries with an acceptable astringency that disappears after two sips. Hop flavor and average bitterness lingers as the malt flavor drops off fast.

Meduim bodied with soft, lasting carbonation. The feel is a little oily yet smooth and well balanced. Alcohol is well hidden, and it warms well. True-to-style and session-able.

Canned on 10/31/2023

 

Extra Stout Nitro from Zero Gravity. 5.9% ABV.

Poured from a 16-oz can dated 11/09/23 to a diagonally cut tumbler at 50F.
I think I should have shaken the can a little more before opening because the nitro effect was disappointing. Certainly a black body as expected. As mentioned, the head leaves a little to be desired, but it could be my fault. I have 3 more cans to learn on.
Dank chocolate, wet moldy leaves, slight vanilla all hit the nose.
The flavor is a little more complex. More chocolate, background of dark coffee and a pretty dry finish. Vanilla is there but subtle.
Needs more carbonation, coating is more like a light Porter..
There are some disappointing parts to this beer, but I do like a dry stout so I will definitely drink the rest of the 4-pack and enjoy them. Overall- 3.5.

 

A new-to-me beer from a new-to-me local(ish) brewery - refreshing on a sharply sunny day. Decent (two time silver metal winner?), but glad I just bought a single.

3.92/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

No packaging date, poured from a pint can into my Hoegaarden tumbler.

Hazy jasmine/gold gradient supports a fat finger of soft peaks. Modest retention; fine yet sticky lacing.

Inviting yeast-driven fruity/floral aroma with orange blossom, wheat, and a hint of spice.

Cotton candy, orange peel, light grain (wheat, popcorn, malt) on the palate. Fleeting wildflower/grassy note with very low bitterness throughout. Medium-dry finish with a hint of unripe pear, cream cheese frosting, and low coriander.

Somewhat flat/watery mouthfeel for the style. Not quite moderately warming.

Pretty good rendition of a classic style, but falls short of the best examples without bringing anything unique to the table.

 

There's been some beers I loved & the masses have felt otherwise.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Swiggers and commentators. Carton brews a series of what it calls "NJ IPAs," using the brewery's signature Kolsch yeast. Each is named for a Bruce Springsteen lyric. The newest iteration, Down Here on Magic Street (taken from the song "Girls in Their Summer Clothes"), is a collaboration with The Seed, a brewery in Atlantic City that is one of the best in the region. This ale's hopped with Citra, Motueka, and Nelson, and dry hopped with Nectaron. The grist bill includes 2-Row, Rabbit Hill Malted Oats, Rabbit Hill Wheat, Rabbit Hill Chit Malt, and flaked oats.

Super fresh - canned on 12/6. It pours an opaque, muddy tangerine color with a large, fluffy, bright white cap and lots of thick, soapy lacing. The nose is big and fruity with lemon, lime, grapefruit, pineapple, and the distinctive aroma of Nelson hops. The Nelson dominates the initial taste; the citrus is tart and quite bitter with considerable white wine grape. Initially, there is less tropical sweetness than I expected but based upon the release video that appears to be intentional. But as the ale warms I'm noticing the Nectaron more than at first. The complex grist bill contributes to the dryness and there is a crisp, clean bitterness throughout. Like Carton's other 7% NJIPAs, it's lite and extremely drinkable. Overall, Down Here is a very nice American IPA; a fine job by two terrific Jersey brewers.

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

I forgot to take a photo so I had to pop a second can. As James Bond famously said, "Oh the things I do for England." Cheers, NBW!

 

Good evening all and thanks @AzfromOz for the more than fun intro.
This week has been , well a week that feels like a month.
Tonights offering is from our very good friends at Berkshire Brewing
The annual Holidale has over the years had different styles. This year is billed as a
"Triple IPA with Juniper berries, allspice, Orange peel" Hard to catagorise.
That sounds like treacherous ground, however the brewer has managed IMHO to tread lightly on the line between huge IIIPA and Trappist holiday ale, and quite deftly I might add.
Amazing dry finish, Juniper, Orange and the hops selection all in balance.
Well done suprise

Do good
Be well


Holidale 2023

American Barleywine | 11% ABV
Berkshire Brewing Company Inc. in South Deerfield, Massachusetts

Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.06/5 rDev 0% | Average: 4.06
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can dated "born on 11/06/23 into the test glass
A - A clear dark tangerine orange color, thin offwhite cap lingers as the experience unfolds.
S - Juniper, orange and allspice, just as advertised. Orange pith, a hint of white pepper.
T - All those aromatics, with a bigger dose of orange, although more candied that fresh.
M - Sharp, dry, fruity, amazing dry finish.
O - Frankly a suprise, billed as a triple IPA with Juniper berries, allspice and orange peel.
This all works as a well thought out spin on a Trappist holiday beer.
Well done Berkshire

 

NBS #2. Runnin With the Devil from Jersey Girl Brewing Co. in Hackettstown, NJ. Hackettstown is a small college town in Warren County, New Jersey. Surprisingly, it's home to 3 breweries: Czig Meister, Manskirt, and Jersey Girl. The first two are located downtown, about a block from each other. Jersey Girl is in the outskirts of town. I've never been a fan of JG but a close friend and his family love the place and often give me cans from their visits. Runnin With the Devil (a nod to our local NHL team?) is a Rye Beer and it's actually a lot better than I expected.

It pours a slightly cloudy, honey-amber color with a half finger of creamy, milk-white head and thin sheen of lacing. It smells of sweet caramel malt, roasted nuts, and just a whiff of berry. The taste opens with caramel sweetness but it's balanced by dry toasted rye bread and nutty char. There is the slightest hint of berry and cherry in the background and it finishes with a surprisingly bitter bite. I'm impressed by its depth of flavor. Its mouth feel is delightfully lite and crisp with appropriate carbonation, and it's super drinkable at 4.9% ABV. Overall, I liked this more than I anticipated and would definitely drink it again. It's a great autumn crusher.

3.78/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

It's a nice alternative to a Märzen. Cheers and have a great week, everyone!

 

Cheers @tasterschoice62 for this Long Live Beer works 7.75 Anniversary IPA; 10.0 ABV; 4.52 overall

Pours a very hazed gold with 2 fingers eggshell colored head. Stellar lacing & head retention

S: Some citrus, green melon, peaches & plenty of dankness once warm

T: Grapefruit, pineyness, a little dryness, so me spicy hoppyness & cantaloupe up front. More cantaloupe, cattyness, pineyness, dryness, dried pineapple, oranges & grapefruit as this beer warms up. finishes a little dry with grapefruit, pine & oranges

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, nice balance

Awesome juice bomb that drinks very easy

 

One more new beer for me this weekend. On a gorgeous afternoon had a few beers at Gristwork's, a nice Houston brewery that doesn't get a lot of notice. They also have a excellent outdoor patio.

Flip Flop Cowboy Amber Ale, 5.7% ABV



Pours an amber/reddish color. About a one finger white head forms with good retention and rings of lace left behind.
Toasted malts, toffee, bread aromas. Very simple but enjoyable malty aroma with just a touch of earthy hoppy aromas.
Taste wise, follows the nose, with a simple but nice malty character. Toasted, bread like, caramel. There is a sweetness, but a light earthy hoppy bitterness balances.
A medium body and carbonation. The carbonation level becomes a bit soft, but still enjoyable to drink. I had several at the brewery.

Simple and balanced is the name of the game here. Which I will take. This isn't going to WOW anybody, but it is just enjoyable to drink and easy to come back to...which is the goal.

Overall score is 3.8, right at my B+ cutoff.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/58735/677779/?ba=champ103#lists

Goes really well with their burger...

 

Welcome one and all to New Beer Sunday #981! Have three BA beers left from Micah, will pair the two from Central Waters either Christmas or New Years weekend. I have not had an offering from this brewery or visited the liquor store they released this collaboration.

Petskull Brewing Superior Discount Liquors Collaboration The Superior



Can Notes: Received in trade with Micah, @GreenBayBA on May 12, refrigerated upon returning home until this afternoon. 12 oz canned 4/24/23. Bourbon Barrel Aged Scotch Ale, 10.8% ABV. Brewed and canned by Petskull Brewing Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

In collaboration with our good friends at Superior Discount Liquor, we offer you this Scottish Ale aged in Four Roses Bourbon barrels.

Appearance: Full pour into a 16 oz snifter. Bronze ruby mostly clear base though with light settlement floaters, steady mild plus carbonation. Creamy rich egg white light tan head lingers for a few minutes before leaving generous cream cover over the base and thin lacing in its wake. 4.0

Aroma: Now several minutes after opening, this is a nice strong bourbon aroma backed my heavy malt notes yielding caramel, brown sugar, raisins and candy plums. Nice bouquet, smells delicious. 4.5

Taste: Less complexity here now about a dozen minutes after opening. Heavy malt fueling this component, strong sweet caramel, getting backed Italian bread and roast malt. The barrel and Four Roses, where did you go? I suspect nowhere so I let this warm an additional several minutes before diving in past my first two ounces. As expected, the bourbon reported for duty, a nice smooth yielding flavor, also getting the oak barrel I could not detect whiffing around. Caramel, brown sugar and raisins the primary yield from the base at this stage, no plums which is fine by me. 4.25

Mouthfeel: Very gentle carbonation, drinks pretty strong with the bourbon flexing its muscles after this warms a bit, stronger than the ABV. Sticky sweet, caramel the standout makes the watery light to medium body feel thicker. Bourbon helps reign in excess malt sweetness, caramel and bourbon linger joyfully on the finish. 4.25

Overall: Let this baby warm and you have yourself a solid Bourbon Barrel Aged Scottish Ale. Love the barrel ale mix here, everything in proper measure. Really glad I pulled this one today, and hope they continue to bring this back vs. a one time collaboration and I get a chance to explore more of Petskull's offerings. Thank you Micah! 4.25

See you next weekend during our Winter / Christmas / Holiday tasting I hope all can join.

 

Zambaldi Bulldog Imperial [BBA] Porter, 9% ABV. Pours deep brown with a 1.5 finger light-brown head that left light lacing. Aroma is malt and light bourbon. Taste is moderately hoppy, with bourbon, no sweetness, no burn, moderately bitter. Excellent mouthfeel, slightly dry. Overall Excellent.

4.17/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Reviewing this Green Bay beer thanks to @GreenBayBA. This is a solid BBA Imperial Porter with no add-junks. Crock-pot gumbo is cooking away while we decorate and watch football. Way to go Bears!!!! We needed them to beat the Lions.