New Beer Weekend #193

HDHC Broccoli Special Reserve by Toppling Goliath


4.33/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Brewers notes: Freaky Friday is here! Two breweries swap recipes and brew each other's beers. This TG-brewed version of Other Half's Imperial IPA is brewed with a hand-selected blend of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Blanc hops, giving notes of mango, sweet orange, pineapple, and lychee.

The beauty of a beer it forward is you get to try beers from other areas.In this freaky Friday series quality brewers swap their own favorite recipes and see how it develops under the other Brewers hands. I received from @victory_sabre1973in BIF 18 a freaky Friday collaboration between Toppling Goliath and other half. undoubtedly two excellent brewers. Toppling Goliath brewed Other Galfs , HDHC broccoli, special reserve, A double dry hopped India imperial pale ale

A 16 ounce can poured into a pretentious beer glass created an orang haze topped by a white shaving cream, two finger foam cap with great retention. Despite the haze, I see massive carbonation bubbles percolating through the liquid.

Aroma is sweet tropixal, pineapple in particular

Taste is dank with some sweet pineapple, orange citrus

Smooth with a semi dry dank finish and a go bite

Good collaboration beer , thanks for sending this beer my way ! If you are reading this forum and haven’t tried a bif…..you should!

 

Hi Lads!

A new beer for me from a recent singles haul is Ex Novo - Perle Haggard - a German Pilsner. Not sure of the age but being singles means it probably has some on it, cuz that is what my emporium does with lesser known stuff.

I did not know what to expect and happily my expectations were blown away, haha. Really nice beer.

From my review a 4.03 Cumulative or just above the line for Outstanding.
4.03/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

L- Nice white head with pale yellow clear beer. Head vanishes quickly with little to no lace.

S- Nose on this is almost non existent, just a very faint hint of malt and hop. But nothing disagreeable.

T- Clean tasting lighter malt vibe with a restrained hop not, definitely like a German Pilsner but more laid back. Hops grow a bit as the beer warms up as does the malt. Some slight sweetness as it warms yet the hops keep it in check. Really nice balance.

F- This is clean, smooth and refreshing. Not much carbonation but the balance makes it very refreshing. Light body with some sweet malt contributing as it warms a bit.

Overall a very pleasant surprise. A nice change from maltier and hoppier variants. Hits the spot well today.

 

Prospector a 5.2 ABV Amber Ale from CZIG Meister Brewing in Hackettown NJ. This ale pours a dark amber with a thick lasting tan head. There is nice malty aroma. The taste is well balanced between sweet malt and hoppy bitterness. The mouthfeel is full, the finish is off dry with a hint of bitterness. Overall a very enjoyable and drinkable ale.

 

More BIF 18 Madness via @FBarber

Art History Brewing Good Morning Munich Helles Style, 5.2 % ABV; 4.31 overall


Pour's a bright and effervescent gold with a pinky full of ivory colored head. Very good head retention and lacing

S: Perfumy and soapy hops plus grassiness

T; Grassiness with a hint of lime grainy sweetness as well up front, fairly dry. Sweet graininess hints of lemon and grassy bitterness is this beer warms up. grainy betterness and slight sweetness hints of lime

MF; Medium body crisp carbonation, nice balance

Superb take on the style very easy to drink

 

Burned myself out today screening gravel from a 30 year-old French drain that was full of silt. Should be an easier day tomorrow putting it back together. I really need a beer.

The beer I have is Super Sparkle from Kent Falls Brewing,

3.83/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 16-oz can stamped “CANNED ON 03/14/24, PEAKS BY 07/14/24” (nice addition). The label says Imperial APA, but the brewery's website says IPA? Label says Simcoe and Mosaic, but the webite adds Centennial? Poured to a Nonic at fridge temp.
It has a very light yellow body and a 1.5 inch small-bubble white head that fades within 3-minutes. The beer does lace the glass moderately through the session though.
There is a dank aroma mixed with some lemon and pine.
Tasting brings mango, lemon peel, and the finish is hoppy.
The body is light and refreshing. Carbonation is prominent.
An easy drinker with nice flavor.

 

Just a couple new to me tasty Bruery stouts today:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/676819/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/677784/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



Cheers and happy NBW, plan on having some more new brews tomorrow.

 

One I have hoped to see show up locally, I’m sure somewhere around has it but this one I haven’t seen at the stores I frequent.

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

Well, my work week is done, and I really need a new beer. Well, I so happen to have a lot of them thanks to @Whyteboar . This one is no exception.


14th Anniversary IPA - Odd Side Ales - Grand Haven, MI - American IPA - 10% ABV

Damn, this is delicious. I am not a Cicerone, and never will be one. I can just imagine how one would be able to describe each of the 14 different hops used in making this beer. All I know, as an amateur beer reviewer, I really love the finished product.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22564/696297/


4.22/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 12oz can dated 02-28-24

This beer is somewhat clear pouring and golden in color. There's a nice stream of carbonation bubbles rising in the glass. The head is a 2 finger white color. Quite frothy and fluffy looking with great retention. There's also some good sticky looking lacing on the glass.
So how does 14 different hops smell? Mostly tropical in nature. I do get some pineapple, and mango. I get an earthy aroma. I also get a hint of pine.
Taste is dominated by the hops, and I'm getting so much it's really hard to find the words for it. I get a blast of mango right away. The pineapple hits right behind. There's some guava and grapefruit in the mix. There's an earthy pine flavor that hits later on. The finish, and it seems to take a while for it to hit is a very smooth bitter flavor that really rounds it all out.
The body is quite full. It is also sticky feeling, and the hops cling to my throat. Nice bitter feeling.
This beer has a lot of hops in it, and they are used well. I am not a Cicerone, but I can just imagine what one would get from the crazy amount of hops in this beer.

I think there will be one more beer in me today. Cheers all!!!

 

Good to see all the new brews, NBWers.

@Squire I loved your description of the plow mule. Reminded me of friend in high school who was a linebacker and a not too bad sprinter on the track team as well. It was frightening to see that much bone and muscle accelerating that quickly in any direction, but especially toward you.

I've been looking forward to my new beer for today as it combines two of my favorite styles. Luckily, I had a suspicion it would be good and got a 4-pack instead of my usual 1-2 cans. Should have gotten two packs. @Amendm reviewed this for us last month and it hit my palate in the same way. It's simply fantastic. I agree with his assessment and it's not hyperbole: this beer really does approach Schlenkerla. It's not fully there, but it's in the same sentence, and that's pretty remarkable for a 13-year old American brewery.

OK enough gab, onto the beer.

Jack's Abby Fire and Bern(stein)
6.3% Smoked Marzen



Pours a medium-dark amber with a wide finger of off-white head that lingers nicely.

There's a huge hit of woodsmoke and some meatiness straight from the pour that overwhelms everything else. This is no bad thing. As it warms I get some floral notes and maybe some pepper, with a bit of fresh brown bread sneaking in.

As good as the aroma is, the flavor is where this beer excels. The sip starts with a quick hit of toffee and honey that slides down to brown bread with honey. Then the smoke comes through with bold campfire-roasted meat and slight char followed by an earthy hop bitterness. Near the end, honey-roasted ham comes to the fore. The finish is smoked meats, brown bread, ham, and bitter hops all blended together that linger through the aftertaste.

Medium and fine carb, medium-light body. Easy drinking despite the bold flavors.

This is a step above Jack's Abby's other smoked lagers. I thoroughly enjoy Smoke and Dagger and Fire in the Ham, but this marzen is the first from them that I think approaches the intensity of Bamberg's finest.

 

Art History Brewing Book of KELLS Dry Irish Stout, 4.1% ABV; 4.22 overall Slainte' @FBarber

Pours a chestnut you mahogany with one finger of tan head. Average head retention and lacing

S: Roastiness, cocoa, a touch of nuttiness

T;Roasty, dryness. A little smokiness and cocoa up front. Roastiness dryness a hint of cocoa and woody hops as this beer warms up, little bit of hazelnut as well. Finishes roasty with a little cocoa and a little Woody hop bitterness

MF: Medium body slight carbonation

Punches above its weight on flavor very flavorful for the low alcohol for volume very drinkable

 

Wild Onion Solstice Jo Barleywine a sessionable 9%. Untappd calls an American BW, BA says English, I'll just say it's pretty solid and locally brewed.

3.85/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a crowler purchased on-site 2 days ago. Reddish-brown pour, pale khaki 1 finger head fades quickly. Snot factory says toffee and fruit, as do the buds. Beer is a bit flat, (crowler), sweet sticky mouthfeel. Pretty solid beer, I'd buy it again.

 

Another Eibauer? Yep, but it is likely the last one for a while. I can get a few more, but I tried all the ones I wanted to. This is their version of Hefeweizen, which I normally don't care much about. However, this one is not as sweet as some, very soft, and overall enjoyable.

 

All fresh at Carton in Atlantic Highlands NJ - Augie getting into lower ABV beers - good thing!
Ayy You! Carton | 5.5%
4.4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Added by Act 25. 1st Review. At the brewer.
a) Plenty of lace over hazed body.
s) as aromatic as any DIPA, but only 5.5%, this could be an every day brew. Thank you.
t) lemon, citrus, pepper, malt back.
f) Creamy smooth, body like a bigger ABV - good.
o) Going downstairs to take some cans home. OK this is Carton's best new beer of '24!

Reitgerte | Carton | 5%
4.3/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Added by Act 25 at the brewer. Man this is good. 5% all the way
Black Lager, “Riding Crop”, you betcha, black leather, horse hide, hay decay, smokey barn.
Not a smoke lager, but definitely a black lager with smokey tones.
Best new beer so far from Carton in 2024.

Hero’s Journey | Carton | 5%
4.2/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
1st Review. Act 25. Poured fresh at my hometown brewer.
a) Dark golden ale, slashes a lace gallery, minimal head.
s) Kolsch like, simple, lemony, earthy, grainy.
t) El Dorado, Amarillo, East Kent Golding are the hops but all light. Yes it’s like an English Ale, that woody, barrel, masculine tinge.
f) Smooth, good food beer. Hero as in around the horn or Ulysses.
o) Grows on you, pick up a 4 pack.

 

I really could tell how much you dug this one from your review

Be joining you all soon when our house quiets down. Now off to run around outback and play soccer.

 

A couple of beers from @snaotheus and NBS BIF #18, this is Paradise Meadows, a NEIPA from Cloudburst Brewing out of Seattle.





4.35/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a hazy straw color with a creamy white head that provides significant lacing. Beautiful hazy. The nose is a nice mix of tropical fruits, including pineapple, mango, passion fruit, and some tangerine.

The pineapple is most prominent on the taste and absolutely delicious, with a nice bit of mango and passion fruit as well, and creamy oats working really well with the full, soft mouthfeel.

This is my first beer from this brewery, and I am a BIG fan. Thanks Ryan!

 

#2, also from @snaotheus . He is a rockstar beer nerd, plain and simple.





4.1/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark cola brown and settles that color in the glass with a creamy tan head. The nose includes chocolate, toffee, and subtle roasty espresso notes. Lovely nose on the beer.

The taste is all about that interplay between the chocolate and toffee, with the roasty malt flavor in the background for balance.

The body is surprisingly light and crisp, fitting the beer really well. This is really well executed, something I’d gladly revisit.

 

Damn you, I wanted an excuse to order home delivery and Reitgarte and Unjunct were the reason. Now I may have to.

 

That’s the beer I had when I was hanging with @snaotheus he bought me a pint of that after I had one of the greatest beers of all time: Stoup NW Red. Thanks for being such an awesome dude Ryan.

Visiting mama O for the holiday weekend? I know that glass.

 

I don’t know where you are in NJ. I purchased it at Bottle King in Chatham.