New Beer Weekend #207

Stonecloud - Trust Your Butcher, smoked helles lager from OKC

16oz can served in a curvy Monhegan pint glass. Can is dated 04/16/24. Got it from @russpowell in NBS BIF #18.

Pours a clear, bright honey gold with a couple fingers of head, not a lot of retention, leaving a thick dusting or a thin skin. Smell is moderately smokey, more on the malty side.

Taste is moderately sweet, kind of bready with some honeysuckle. Little bit of grassy bitterness makes it seem kind of crisp.

Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and clean. Overall, nice beer. Like the smoke level -- noticeable and clear, but not one-trick.

 

I made a Jack's Abby brewery run last week so I'll have a series of them to share in the coming weeks, but nothing we haven't already seen in these pages. Some of them I'm looking forward to, some just curious about. We'll see how it goes.

My posts/reviews will be briefer for the next month or so as things at work are a bit crazy and I'd rather relax with my beer than think too deeply about it.

Today's beer is in the curious category and turned out quite well.

Jack's Abby Pre Pro Pils
5.8% Pre-prohibition (Classic American) Pilsner




Pours bright straw gold with a two-finger white head.

Aromas of grass/earth, corn, and grain sweetness start things off. After a few minutes I also get cracker and biscuit.

The sip starts sweet with honey, cracker, sweet corn, and floral notes. Through the middle I get more bread dough, white bread, and biscuit. On the finish, slight hop bitterness comes to the fore along with lingering floral and slightly earthy hops.

There's some carb bite at the beginning of the glass but it mellows out quickly. Medium and fine carb, light bodied, just really easy to drink.

This is my first of the style so I can't say whether it is a good representation, but it is simply a good beer. The only downside for me is the 5.8% ABV; it would be great if they could get this flavor in the low 4s instead.

 

At Sleepy Eye Brewing in Sleepy Eye, MN


Tundra - American IPA - 6.6%

It is interesting to say the least. I think I like it.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/58261/702635/
3.52/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On tap at the brewery
Fairly clear golden pouring beer with a bit of a white head. The head dissipates to a ring around the rim of the glass.
Very faint hop aroma. Not much there.
Taste- there is a bit of hop bitterness here. The hops are more tropical in nature. There's a bit of a licorice flavor that is a bit strange.
Pleasing bitter feeling. Decent body.
Very interesting beer. I do like it, but has some unusual elements.

 

Thanks for posting this one. I've steered clear of nastygansett as some of us in New England call it for many years, but your review is making me think it's time for a revist with an older (more mature?) palate that better appreciates the "post-yardwork" beer segment. And at $8 for 6x16oz it's one hell of a deal.

 

Another at Sleepy Eye Brewing, because it is really raining hard, and they really don't need it here.

Anton Steffen Schwarzbier- 5.6%

Damn! I wish I would have gotten this first and done the IPA as the small pour. Damn delicious.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/58261/702644/

3.9/5 rDev 0% look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4 On tap at the brewery, and on nitro. Pitch black pouring beer. No chance of light coming through the glass. The head is absolutely gorgeous looking. It has small bubbles that look soft and creamy. Long lasting because of the nitro. Sticky lacing on the glass. The aromais somewhat mild. I get a dark bread aroma but so light. Taste - so many flavors here. Licorice, roasted chocolate malts, hint of raisin. So roasted, but not smoky. The body is lighter, but somewhat sticky feeling. This is tasty. I love it.

Be back later for more

 

Beast of the Peak, smoked bock by Tree House

16oz can served in a curvy Monhegan pint glass. Can is dated summer 2024. Got it from @WunderLlama in NBS BIF #18.

Pours dark, molasses and Coke, big fluffy head with pretty good retention, leaving big fluffy clumps after several minutes in the glass. Clear if you get light behind it, light carbonation. Smell is...grape juice? WTF? I can change it to dates and smoke but in my head, but I had to do it consciously. Seriously don't know how to feel about that, I want to blame schnoz, not the beer. Let's see what my tongue has to say about it before we get too serious.

Fruity vibe is still there, but way more clearly in the dates arena (stewed raisins come to mind, but that's not actually a thing, is it?). Smoke and umami are there, a little barky bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium, smooth, somewhat still. Overall...seriously confused here. Now that I've tasted it, I don't get the grape juice in the nose anymore, it's more clearly in the dates and dark, cooked fruit range (though it doesn't take much to flip that switch back).

 

One big happy family by Vitamin Sea

4.52/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Brewers notes: During these crazy times we take a step back to reflect on our hardworking staff. We are truly blessed to have the team that we do. One Big Happy Family is an oated triple IPA loaded with Citra and Cashmere hops. Our Triple NEIPA hopped with Citra and Cashmere

Canned 5.23.24, opened 7.3.24

“One big happy family”

16oz chilled can poured into a Bearded Iris stemmed glass results in a pale hazy orange liquid with a creamy white two finger layer of shaving cream foam , great retention, layers of lacings

Aroma is juicy fruit tropical, mango , pineapple , banana

Taste is sweet , tropical fruits , mango. Pineapple

Gentle and smooth , lower carbonation , creamy

10.2% abv is well hidden , no hop bite

Delicious beer , recommended

 

Splash Grapefruit by Tree House


3.44/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Brewers notes: it’s no secret that we love a beer that snaps with grapefruit flavor, so how could we say no to the classic blend of Wheat beer and grapefruit juice?! What was once a niche libation reserved for those craving refreshments after a workout has now found its way into the hearts of beer drinkers around the world. Splash Grapefruit is a low-ABV

I love wheat beers weihanstephaner in particular and I love radlers such as a Sam adams or Schoffenhoffer. I’ve spent a few summer nights in Munich beer gardens, drinking Russians and radlers and I know What I like. I’m a pretty big treehouse fanboy, but this one is a miss for me.

Translucent yellow

Aroma is wheat and grapefruit

Taste is light wheat with a hint of grapefruit

Light mouthfeel , perfect for drinking a beer after a hot afternoon cutting the lawn

I was excited for this brew, really wanted it to be Tree House Great. This is a rare TH fail in my eyes

 

Hey beer friends, cross posting this one while staying busy over at the AAL tasting...if you haven't joined us please consider joining the fun this weekend. I'm gonna try and fit in a new non AAL tomorrow for this thread. Hope to see you all soon.

It seemed like the right time to open this one as it just made a slew of appearances. This is my only "new to me" beer for me this tasting. I lived for a year on the Narragansett bay on the Newport Naval Base years ago and yet I never have tried this beer, I was underage and too busy drinking Miller Lite

Since this is the only new one to me I'm gonna post my review that I just wrote up as well.

Narragansett Lager (AAL 5%)



Pours gold and brassy; crystal clear, white head that dissipates but leaves some light film and a thicker ring.

I could smell that “beer” nose as soon as I opened the can; brings me back to spilled beer in college…some vague sweetness follows, maybe some light bread, that has the lightest of toast quality, not getting much else.

Taste is bready sweetness, like wonderbread sweet, again I’d say just the lightest hint of toast, little tannic huskiness; lightest bit of grassy hop character.

Mouthfeel verges on medium, little heavy, effervescent, little sweet, doesn’t entirely dry out but also doesn’t stick around to long, little to no bitterness.

Overall this is a decent beer in my opinion, I did want to like it more; it’s just a tad too heavy for me and doesn’t have any bite on the finish to make me crave another sip. If this was a touch lighter and touch less sweet it would be more up my alley I think.

I have at least one more for the tasting that I plan to open tomorrow sometime. Time to catch up on the the posts I missed earlier. Stay cool and stay hydrated, and...drink AAL

 

While likely not to everyone's tastes - I'll take it over any AAL ;-) - cheers!

3.8/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Lot 11 06 22 - best before end 2026 - enjoyed July 6th, 2024 - poured from a capped-and-corked 750mL bottle into my Unibroue tulip.

Slightly cloudy apple green body with a low honeydew cap. Fine delicate lacing, average retention.

Potent herbaceous aromatics suggest standing behind a wood chipper being fed by tropical trees. Eucalyptus, mint, shoe-box, lemon balm, dry cured olives, citrus pith...

Taste follows the nose. Goose barnacles, menthol, mild bitterness. Grassy medium-dry finish with faintly peppery yeast notes (which goes well with the vague but persistent salinity).

Medium-light bodied, well carbonated, and crisp yet smooth.

Incredibly strange even by this brewery's standards - makes a mockery of style guidelines, and has almost as much in common with mouthwash as it does ale. And yet, weirdly satisfying and refreshing!

 

On to the next new brew.



Poured from the can into a Spiegelau IPA glass. Canned June 12th 2024.

A pretty excessive amount of head right out of the pour. Nearly filling the entire glass, it does manage though to settle even with some thick soapy retention. Bleach white bright top, through a custard very light yellow like body.

Nice light hop focus aroma with some balance. Sweet sensing malt maybe even a touch of honey kicking in, with hop light dank notes and juiced fruit aromatics. Could be a touch of vanilla in there also which seems interesting.

Palate is a very different animal. Light bodied with a good amount of orange citrus and pineapple tropical quality. Much of the earthy tones are replaced by more of a fruit flavor, and a light malt backbone. Comes off a bit flour dry and powdery in the finish quite noticeably, but a faint hint of mint and earth sweetness also makes a touch as well.

Neat tasting IPA but kind of wish that some of the lighter body and flavor had a bigger and bolder presence for this style. But it is aptly named and described I'll give it that.

look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4 | Final Score: 3.96/5

Cheers!

 

Mother's Brewing - Atomic Mom IIPA

12oz can served in a footed pilsner glass. No date on the can that I see. Sent to me by @russpowell in NBS BIF #18.

Pours a brassy golden with a huge head, moderate amount of active carbonation at rest. Smell is lemon and earthiness, honeysuckle and bready sweetness.

Taste is boozy and lemon doubles down. Strong malty sweetness, strong lemon zest bitterness. Earthy hops are part of the ambiance.

Mouthfeel is thick, bordering on chewy. Overall, pretty solid IPA, though a bit on the boozy side.

 

Hamms
...almost clear light gold appearance
...around medium carbonation with the body seeming to be below average. The feel still comes off a bit malty or thick to me
..aroma is malt,malty bread, yeast,cereal and a little floral.
..taste for the most part stays true to the aroma with the malt making up the most pleasant part of the taste.
...overall I had really low expectations goung in but this was a pleasant surprise. Have to say I liked it and many thanks to @Blogjackets

 

At Half Bushel Brewing in Litchfield, MN and having this

Altbier- 6%

Damn delicious. Great malt bill. Slight bitterness. Damn good.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/65420/708755/

3.65/5 rDev 0% look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75 On tap at the brewery Beautiful amber pour. Slight murkiness to it. A ring of white head around the rim of the glass. Faintest malt aroma. Not much at all there. This is a malty beer. Lots of caramel in this beer. Hints of biscuit. Some toffee. Crisp body. Clean. Bubbly feeling. Quite tasty and a good beer.

Last one from the road. Maybe more tonight at home.

 

Narragansett fresh catch
...cloudy gold/orange appearance with a lot of lasting head...I think this is where @mickyge steps in
...light body with just below average carbonation adding up to a decent feel
...aroma is citra hops upfront followed by malt, earthy with some bread and grain
...taste has a mild hop bite with the the malty bread following both of which linger and coats the mouth.
...overall I think they were going for a light easy drinking beer with a few elements but none overwhelming. I think its successful and enjoyable

 

Just opened a second one while prepping dinner.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/46275/649588/



Undated 16 ounce can.

Moderate pour yields a one and 3/4 inch white head over a slightly hazy, light golden body with some lacing.

Nose of bread, hay, and citrus with floral notes as well.

Taste mirrors nose fairly closely; nice and crisp with a slightly hoppy bitterness present throughout and finishing with a bit of spice.

Mouthfeel is very nice and full with medium carbonation.

Overall, a worthy Vermont Pilsner which should not be overlooked!

Cheers to my buds down in Tunbridge, VT!!

 

Dang it! Y’all are going to make me buy one of those just because it *seems* that it has more positive (relatively speaking) reviews than every other AAL. Nuance be dammed, I’m looking for one.

 

It's my AAL of choice, fwiw (very little)

I assume by "one" you mean "at least a six pack"

Getting a single of Hamm's is like buying a french fry

 

Miserably humid but not yet hot day here today with the promise of more heat to come. Now it could obviously be a lot worse, just the humidity drags the energy right out the body. Took our three alleged dogs to the vet and groomer last week - that was an adventure. They are healthy, but obviously not too happy with their humans at the moment.

In the glass is another Jack's Abby Beer Hall Exclusive. The pork shoulder in the background goes on the smoker probably around 2 a.m.



From the can:

We're always experimenting with new ingredients and learning from other cultures around the world. We used coolpool hopping and two South African hops to create thus pilsner. Hopped with Southern Sublime and XJA2/436 experimental unnamed hops.

OK...it actually pours quite clear, golden colored with a substantial foamy white head. Falls to a hefty ring and thin cover of microbubbles. Tenacious cling to the glass.

Interesting aroma. It's got the typical Jack's Abby pilsner - biscuity malts. There's a touch of typical pilsner hops even - floral, grassy, a bit spicy. Then there's some dank, pineapple, orange, mango, resinous, and Juicy Fruit gum for anybody that remembers. It's busy but not a slap in the face as far as strength.

I don't like the term but this tastes juicy. It's knocking at the door of being an IPL. The pilsner base provides an anchor for the hops to play and the definitely come to play. Lots of orange, a touch of weed, spice, resin, pineapple and mango, plum. The effect is just a pleasant- tasting, juice blend. I do get the Juicy Fruit effect. Nice bitterness on the back end. Doesn't quite reset everything - the citrus notes really carry over with a bit of peppery spice.

The feel is a bit on the heavy side - it's not crisp and clean with all the flavor going on. Slightly dry.

Overall I'm diggin' this one. It's cool to see what can be done with reasonable takes on a solid base beer. They didn't reinvent the pilsner, just made a pleasing riff retaining the heritage while using new ingredients. This works for me - nice beer. Added as a German pilsner (with that whole discussion going on last week...Pilsner Other?). I'm thinking it will come in as 4.0 - 4.2 score.

 

Pineapple!!!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/60182/662080/



10 week old 16 ounce can.

Moderate pour yields a one inch white head over a very hazy golden body with sticky lacing.

Nose of tropical fruit, citrus, pineapple, and a bit of pine.

Taste is mostly pineapple, with citrus backing it up.
Finish is almost all pineapple.

Mouthfeel is good with near medium carbonation.

Overall, if you're into pineapple IPAs this is your thing!

Cheers!!