New Beer Weekend #203

So the Tree House Woodstock location makes two non-standard "Pilsners". One uses Peacharine hops which I really enjoyed, but did not review. Today I am trying the Riwaka version.

3.9/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from an undated 16oz can that was purchased a week ago at the brewery, to a Pils glass at fridge temp.
A bright yellow hazy body sits below a small white head that fades rather quickly but does lace moderately. So the body is un-Pilsner-like and so is the head.
The aroma is much more Pils-like with a bready, yeasty note, but there is a non-Pils citrus smell.
The taste is like an IPP if I could imply an India Pale Pilsner. Citrus takes over any bready notes.
The mouthfeel is softer than a Pilsner also. A little like a nod to TreeHouse flagships.
Very drinkable. Actually it's pretty good, but how do I “rate to style”? This is a style of its own.

 

Wow, that sounds fantastic! The only thing I like better than reading about Black IPAs is drinking 'em. If I see this one on Tavour I may bite. Cheers!

 

Love the analogy (especially as a large, heavy man who is not a graceful dancer)!

 

It's a shame that Alementary has closed permanently.

 

Samuel Adams Porch Rocker Lemon Radler



Rich golden color with minimal white cap.

Heavily citrus aroma, primarily lemon, and I think a touch of sweet malt in the background.

Taste on entry is round, sweet lemon which is to say it's definitely lemon without citrus sharpness. Yet it's not over sweet, just not sharp. Don't get more than a hint of sweet malt and hops surrendered then retreated before the fight started.

Almost medium texture with balancing carbonation.

Brewer describes this as a Lemon Radler and I agree.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Swillers and commentators. It's a perfect afternoon to try some new beers outdoors. It almost feels like early September. Low humidity today in the NYC Metro Area. First up is a brand new American IPA from Twin Elephant Brewing: Bizzity Bizzity Bomb. It was just canned on Thursday so 3 days' old.

Its appearance is quite attractive: a dense, milky, pastel yellow with a full finger of fluffy, egg white-colored head and a thick sheen of lacing. The smell is fragrant with lemon, lime, red berry, and soft floral hops. Its taste opens with mild, tart citrus with just a hint of stone fruit. But the star of the show is the grist: 2 Row, Spelt, White Wheat, and Vienna, which gives it a slightly sweet, nutty taste with a hint of honey in the background. The flavors are soft, delicate, and blend seamlessly. There is only mild bitterness. This ale has a luxuriously plush mouth feel with gentle carbonation, and at 6.8% ABV it is highly drinkable. Overall, I'm a little surprised as I expected more overt fruitiness but I'm really enjoying Bizzity Bizzity Bomb. It would be great accompanying burgers or sausage.

4.29/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I'm glad I like this ale because a can of it is included in a box sent earlier today to one of our esteemed BA colleagues. I don't like sending a beer I haven't yet drank. Dodged a bullet, thankfully. Cheers!

 

On the Banks, an American IPA from Twin Elephant brewing in Chatham NJ. Twin Elephant lists the grains hops and yeast used on the can. This beer was brewed with 2 row Pilsner, White Wheat, oats and spelt. Hopped with Citra, Strata and Mosaic hops. English ale yeast is used. Poured from a1 OZ can this brew is a hazy tan with a white and long lasting thick head. There is a nice aroma of citrus and other fruit. The taste is fruit and malt. The mouthfeel is full but soft from the oats. The finish is off dry and lasting. Overall a very enjoyable warm weather brew.

 

This has to be a 1st two Twin Elephant brews in a row!

 

I think you're right, Dennis. On Friday I was going to buy a pack of On the Banks but opted for Bizzity because of the hops. I'm not a big fan of Strata. It's great that we both enjoyed these IPAs. Cheers!

 

My first and last

 

Next up today is the last of this year's Silk City variants, Tiramisu. At the Silk City release in April there was a lot of buzz about the Mint Chocolate Chip variant but Tiramisu is definitely my favorite. I wish I had the chance to sample them before buying - I would have purchased more bottles of this variant. But that's part of the charm of the release. If you taste first, then you take your chances on availability.

Poured at 63° It's nearly black in color with a small, medium-mocha-colored head that dissipated quickly. The nose is more coffee-forward than other variants but there are also abundant notes of milk chocolate, vanilla bean, nuts, and a whiff of tobacco and char. The taste is delightful with freshly-brewed, strong coffee and soft, quite delicate bourbon notes. Since I had my last 2024 variant a few weeks ago the barrel influence has mellowed considerably. There are also distinct flavors of cocoa, vanilla, nuts, and earthy char. The flavors work very well together. The mouth feel is thick and viscous - almost oily - with low carbonation, and the 10.5% ABV is not overpowering.

4.26/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

From now till next Spring I'll be drinking the O.G. BA Stout which is fine by me. It's very good. Cheers, NBW, and have a great week, everyone!

 

Samuel Adams Pool Party
Citrusy, Hazy Pale Ale



Light golden color with lasting white cap.

Aroma of sharp generic citrus and floral/spicy hops.

Flavors of sharp, pithy citrus supported by equally sharp hops. Sounds monotonus but the balanced combination actually works.

Medium texture with abundant carbonation.

Overall the lack of sweetness makes for a crisp, refreshing drink.

 

Mikerphone Friends Forever WCIPA (Citra/Mosaic). This is a collab with a few well-known beer shops/bars in Wisconsin. Been a while since I've enjoyed a Mikerphone beer. Loving the label too!
Pours a slightly cloudy golden color. The nose brings tangerine, big herbaceous dankness, lemon, blueberry, and ruby red grapefruit. The taste follows with tangerine, ruby red grapefruit flesh and peel, blueberry skin, some floral, herbaceous dank, lemon zest, and some pine. Medium body. Crisp, yet smooth. Oily and slightly sticky, but dry and clean finish overall. Low medium bitterness. This is nothing ground-breaking, but it's still a solid WCIPA.

 

Haha,that was a good one

 

Lupulin Sticky Puddles Honeydew/Raspberry/Strawberry/Banana Fruited Sour, 9% ABV. Pours ruby-red with a four-finger light-red head, that left some lacing. Aroma is raspberry and strawberry. Taste follows, raspberry and strawberry steal the show, detecting no banana or guava, quite tart, faintly sweet. Decent mouthfeel, overall excellent. If you're a fan of sweet 'pastry sours', this isn't for you.

4.09/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was holding out hope to detect banana.