New Beer Weekend #197

Is that your buddy who had heart surgery? I hope so since that would mean he’s doing well. Cheers.

 

Good evening denizens of NBS!
This will be not quite a proper post as I inexplicably did not get photos of my beer, just one of the menu board so I could remember what was available.

Transient Brewing in Bridgman, MI celebrated their 8th anniversary today with a slew of their canned beers on sale for $8 a 4 pack of 16oz cans, $4 off each bottle 500ml size, most were BA. They had a new business endeavor by a couple of guys that specialized in “Nordic” hot dogs. The brewery doesn’t do food so it was nice having that option.
Started with Slow Up, a German style Pilsner, they handed me a glass with a straw golden liquid and a near white head that tasted so very good at the time. Light biscuit like malts and floral hops mingled nicely and were accompanied by some mild pepper spice that just seemed to work. The glass was empty in far too short a time.
The next one was Henrauch- a smoked porter that looked like a porter with coffee black body and a short light brown head that dissipated to a ring for the duration. The taste was bordering sweet, which took me by surprise; the malt here is smooth and soft yet so flavorful. The smoke aspect is very subtle, I think it was more an essence than a flavor.
It’s a very tasty Baltic porter that I would happily drink at any time.
The third one was a cask pour of Buckley Reserve #1 and that was what BA stouts should be; deep, dark, lightly viscous with coffee, chocolate, dark fruits and bourbon.
Sadly, that was just a 4 oz pour, yet it was very outsized in effect. Woof.
Apologies for the lack of photos! At least of the hot dogs. Yeesh.

 

Omission of Logic
14% bourbon barrel aged porter by Jackie O’s that was conditioned on pecans, vanilla, and wee bit of cinnamon.

Poured from a bottle, the porter is a jet black and could only manage a small, brief head. No lacing of any significance.

Aroma is light sweet bourbon with pecan and vanilla. Enticing.

Taste follows nose as the pecan, vanilla and cinnamon blend for a wonderful flavor. The cinnamon is noticeable but very far in the background. The barrel is light, sweet and perfectly complements the other favors but is not hot. ABVis effectively completely masked. That’s no easy trick at 14%.

Mouthfeel is good despite low carbonation. The feel is heavy but not cloying.

Definitely an nontraditional porter, but the flavor is fantastic. Another gem from the wizards in Athens, Ohio.

 

14% ??day off tomorrow or just living dangerously?

 

Only one beer today and I drank it very slowly. Not because it was too strong, rather because it was that enjoyable. Cheers.

 

Just kidding,I know you can handle it. I like a huge sipper like that late at night,best to you and the gnome

 

If I can find another bottle, I’ll send one your way. Cheers.

 

Cheers to @FBarber for this NBS BIF#18 Warhammer!

Whiskey Hill Brewery Catalyst Split Reserve BA Imp Stout, 15.0% ABV; 3.88 overall. So happy the made the wax seal easy to deal with....

Pours a very effervescent cola/ebony color with fast falling caramel colored head. Some head retention & no lacing

S: Nice barrel notes, hints of maple, dark fruit & cola

T: Barrel warmth, carob, cola, hints of maple candy & banana, fairly dry up front. Barrel rawness, maple candy, sweet Bourbon & oaky notes as this beer warms through, some more banana taffy notes on the edges. Finishes with barrel warmth, a touch of caramel, cinnamon, vanilla & molasses

MF: Medium body, dialed back carbonation, warming. Carbonation continues to tail off as this beer warms up

ABV is well hidden, but still a sipper

 

@ChicagoJ and @cjgiant...lucky guys. @jonphisher is a beer saint.

Yes! "Heart surgery" = "heart transplant"
He's doing quite well, considering. He told me today he's down to only 63 pills a day. He has no dietary restrictions, except anything that taxes the liver is a no-no, because its full time job is dealing with the other toxins from those pills. I think this is the first time he's been to a brewery since well before the hospitalization back in November.

 

Last call for me tonight, and second gift beer today, this selection from Craig also known here as @cjgiant former permanent team of hosts here and the King of the Side By Sides!

This one is from a local brewery to him, and one we discussed today. It’s my first opportunity to try a beer by this brewery.

Blue Mountain Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Hollow



Bottle Notes: Gifted today by Beer Advocate @cjgiant Craig from his refrigerated cooler, cooled a bit after returning to the hotel and now at proper serving temperature after waiting a bit to warm. 12 oz bottle, best by 10/27/25 Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. 10.0% ABV, 70 IBUs, 23.5 Plato OG. Brewed and Bottled by Blue Mountain Barrel House, Arrington Nelson County, Virginia.

Dark Hollow. The mystery of great beer challenges the spirit of adventure in all who seek a higher level to this ancient brew. Dark Hollow blends the miracle of two crafts - brewing and distillation- to create a work greater than the sum of its parts. Our imperial stout has been aged in charred American oak bourbon barrels, patiently breathing in and out of the wood, gaining complexity, depth and character.

Appearance: Full bottle poured into a plastic cup, the only available. Near black deep dark brown base, creamy light tan white head leaves a razor thin cover over the center of the top base and bright creamy ring around the rim. Very tiny micro bubble carbonation. 4.0

Aroma: Nice chocolate fudge base, bourbon emerges as this warms now 20 minutes after opening, mild plus in strength and enjoyment. Nice. 3.75

Taste: Stronger more intense flavors in every aspect vs. what I derived from the aroma. Dark fudge battle for supremacy, and it seems like a dead heat at least at first (see mouthfeel for Steward’s call). This has traditional hop bitterness I enjoy in Obsidian Stout and Kalamazoo Stout that you don’t see often in BA offerings. Very nice. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Base and bourbon both deliver a lot of perceived sweetness, but hops keep everything in near balance with sweetness winning out. Over half way in and still feels at least a little lighter than the 10% ABV. Medium plus creamy body, persistent slightly fizzy carbonation holds on throughout. Fudge ultimately wins out with a slight bourbon sidecar as the finish line nears. 4.25

Overall: This is a solid bourbon offering, nice after returning to a cool AC hotel room. Really glad you introduced me to Blue Mountain, both in our conversations this weekend followed by a fine example of what they brew. Thank you so much for everything this weekend, and hope one day to explore what Blue Mountain has to offer further at their taproom. 4.25

Thanks for sharing this with me and your and GF’s outings and drive this weekend. Awesome you were both able to make it, hope you found a nice place or two this evening and Union or another treat awaits before you return home.

I’ll catch up on the rest of the reviews from Sunday when I return home to maximize my remaining time here.

 

Adroit Theory - Pyraeon

16oz can served in a Monhegan pint glass. 12/06/??, but an educated guess tells me it's 2023. Got it from @Ozzylizard in a surprise package, possibly associated with NBS #17 where he was my sender or NBS #18 where he was an observer...who knows?

Pours murky pale yellow-amber, medium or a little smaller head, settles into a thick and uneven skin. Smell is tropical fruit, fruit skin, old hay, light orange rind.

Taste is boozy, overripe tropical fruit, juicy, moderate bitterness, let's say boozy at least once more. Papaya or passionfruit...something dark in the tropical fruit region of flavors.

Mouthfeel is moderately thick and heavy, but not oppressive. Probably in the right range for an IIIPA. Overall, it's good, not mind-blowing, but certainly worthwhile.