New Beer Weekend #212

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Sippers and commentators. I think this is my first outdoor NBS since June; it's been either unbearably hot and humid or raining. Today, however, is glorious. It feels like August - warm but not hot - and lower humidity. Perfect!

I'm starting to see Stouts from Mortalis Brewing Company in Avon, NY (near Rochester) in a local bottle shop and based upon its reputation I'm anxious to get in on the action. My first opportunity is Perses, an Imperial Stout brewed with peaches, almonds, and coffee cake. It certainly sounds intriguing and appropriate for summertime.

Poured at 65°. The tumbler from Aardwolf Brewing came from @Roguer in an NBS BIF. The Stout is nearly ink black with a large, attractive, fizzy, orange-mocha cap that dissipated rapidly. The aroma is unique and very fragrant. There is big, fresh peach along with chocolate, coffee, burnt nuts, and vanilla. The taste follows and initially the peach flavor dominates the Stout. It is very sweet and sticky. Ironically, it seems the cake batter cuts the sweetness of the fruit. There is a strongly acidic character. Swishing the glass helped somewhat in balancing the flavors but it remains very peach-forward. I like the way the almond is used; it is noticeable but delicate. The chocolate and cinnamon are well in the background. The mouth feel is thick and oily with fairly high carbonation for a Stout and it drinks big for 10% ABV. Overall, I like the idea of Perses a lot but I wish the peach were toned down.

4.31/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'm looking forward to drinking more Stouts from Mortalis!

 

This is why I seem like a Jack’s Abby booster on BA. The value for money is unbeatable for local brewers and the consistent quality is huge for me with my drinking severely limited by doctor's orders. Being able to get their small-batch stuff from their pilot line (which always seems higher quality to me than the main stuff) is a big bonus.

 

I think I said something similar, we haven’t had it good here in NJ so far this summer.

Heck I may even open an Oktoberfest on the deck tonight when that sun goes down. Or maybe even a second NBW post while grilling

 

Maybe a mini swap in the future one day just for fun; for our respective employer breweries

 

Only one new brew for me today on New Beer Sunday, The Bruery's American Anthem:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/355442/?ba=bluejacket74#lists





Thought this was pretty good, but was hoping the peach flavor would have been that of fresh peaches instead of candied ones. Still tasty though so I shouldn't complain. Cheers and have a great week everyone!

 

NBS #2. Lose Your Senses is a New England IPA from one of our fine local breweries, Untied. It's hopped with Citra, Amarillo, Motueka, and Idaho 7. It is surprisingly lite and crisp for 7.2% ABV and is an excellent summertime ale.

Canned one week prior to review. It pours a hazy, pastel tangerine color with a full finger cap of fluffy, bright white foam and thick soapy lacing. The smell offers lemon, lime, peach, flowers, and just a whiff of pine. What I like about the taste is that the component flavors are all quite delicate. There is dry, tart lemon and lime from the Motueka (one of my favorite hops), some subtle peach and stone fruit from the Citra and Amarillo, and spicy, piney notes from the Idaho 7. It has good depth of flavor without any dominant taste. The bitterness is mild and clean. This ale has a nice, thick, pillowy mouth feel with pleasant carbonation. Another excellent hazy from Untied Brewing Company.

4.19/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

 

We reviewed very similar Stouts except that mine wasn't barrel-aged. It's interesting that we both had issues - but different ones - with the peaches. It's hard to get the peach right and I commend both Mortalis and The Bruery for trying.

 

Good evening NBS/nbw and thanks @Victory_Sabre1973 for hosting this week.
A busy week here in the 413, as our team #1 returned to their home after a 5 week visit.
It was a lovely visit, and the soon to be 3 year old granddaughter was a treasure.
We will be going to see them in January/February. This visit has my sweetheart convinced it is time to leave the workforce after nearly 45 years. I couldnt agree more.

Todays offering is from Brewery at Four Star Farms, a true throwback to the pioneering West Coast IPA days, a bit oily, pleasantly dry finish. A Cascade hops tour de force.

Cheers all

Two DJ's, Eight People

American IPA | 6.5% ABV
The Brewery at Four Star Farms in Northfield, Massachusetts

Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

4.16/5 rDev 0% | Average: 4.16
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can (undated), purchased at the brewery, into the test glass
A - Excellent clarity, deep copper color. Gently carbonated. Strong pour yields a nice 1.5" frothy white cap.
S - Orange skin, pine, caramel malt. hints of grapefruit zest, and a bit of alcohol
T - All the aromatics, with a stronger malt presence.
M - A bit slick. with a bit of an oily thread, Semi sweet start, then a nice bittering wave moves through. Finish is concsise, and pleasantly dry
O - A very good local West Coast style IPA. in the tap room i overheard people saying it reminded them of fresh Racer 5.
Certainly the abondance of Cascade and the malt bill point in that direction
Very good offering

 

Absolutely!

 

Yeah, I wasn't trying to complain too much and I agree with your point about the peaches (and that can be said about a lot of fruited beers in general). I still thought it was good but was thinking it could have been a lot better.

 

This gem is from @snaotheus

Teenage Jesus English Bitter from Bizarre Brewing, 4.2% ABV; 4.19 overall

Pours an effervescent copper color with one finger of sand colored head. Average-sh head retention & lacing

S: Biscuitty malt, toastyness & jammyness once warmed up

T: Follows the nose, dryness, a touch of toffee, toastyness & woody hops up front. Some pear & figs as this beer warms up, along with woody hops & biscuitty malt. Finishes a little dry, toasty with some figgy notes, dried cherries & leafy hops

MF: Medium body, slight carbonation, nice balance

Lovely, drinkable take on the style

 

TDH Shooter McGavin
8.7% triple dry hopped IPA by Barrel Theory Beer Company



Pint can. Orange body with fluffy white head. Good lacing.

Aroma is a mix of orange and earthy hop.

Taste follows nose. More fruit flavors are expressed: peach, melon and mango. True to style, there is no bitterness. Light citrusy sweetness. Background malt flavor.

Mouthfeel is soft with good carbonation.

My thanks to @cheeseheadinMinneapolis for this super easy drinking beer.

 

High Gravity Brewing Co. Tulsa . Tulsa is pretty damn good as a beer destination for a weekend IMHO. These guys get no glory

Boggy Bottom Barleywine Ale. 10.0% ABV; 4.42 overall

2024 iteration

Pours an effervescent scarlet/auburn color with a pinky of tan head. Stays effervescent throughout the pour, decent head retention & lacing

S: Tons of dark fruit, a little pine, hints of booze, some pineapple notes late in the pour

T: Follows the nose, except pine leads the way, plenty of dark cherry, other woody hops & dryness up front. Plenty of pine, some cakey notes, figs & dark cherry & some candied orange notes as this beer warms up, a little tannic tea flavor a whisper of brown sugar too. Finishes piney, a little dry with candied cherries & figs & more assertive brown sugar notes

MF: Fairly chewy, slight carbonation, a little warming; balance is on point for the style

These guys make great beer on a small-ish scale, this is another winner, drink easy for the ABV, but you know you are drinking a Barleywine for sure

 

New Proper Pint Sunday

The Little Spree on cask at MacLeod Brewing in Van Nuys, California

No official review yet but it’s fair to call a 4.25 look, 5 smell, 4.5 taste, 3.75 feel and 4.5 overall on the high side. I might lower the overall to 4.25 because mouthfeel is everything for me with cask ale and this one is slightly soft. Not terrible though, far from it, and the highlight is a stunning aroma of apricot kolache and peach pie with a hint of something greenish coming from the hops. The flavor follows the nose well, perhaps a bit more building hop earthiness over time but still something green in there … lime and grass and sweet basil with cilantro or parsley.

Beautiful brew, exactly what I expect from a proper pint of bitter. It’s labeled by the brewery as a Yorkish pale ale, which sure. Why not? I tend to think of the English pale ale on cask as covering a family of similar styles and this beer fits perfectly in there.



MacLeod has six beers on cask, and I plan to try at least half.

Cheers!

 

Happy NBS!

Having a very tasty/juicy American IPA from Weldwerks (CO).

Cheers!

 

Business-wise I think you have to. Just showcase your beers that you see as your flagships & look the rest of the portfolio as keeping the lights on

 

Thanks for posting a great review, Russ. I've never been to Tulsa but like so many cities in our great country I'd like to visit and try this brewery. Cheers, man!

 

Winning

 

Just visited Lake St. George brewing. Tried two new beers, one of which will make a full review later. Rope Swing was a traditional IPA and it was very nice. Hobie's was a pale ale and I did not care for it.

Picture perfect day here with sunny skies, gentle breeze, low humidity. Bonus is the bass are hungry and aggressive - nothing beyond the 2 - 3 pound range yet...yet... Be taking the kayak out in the morning.

But in tonight's glass:



Davistown Brown from Lake St. George Brewing.

Pours a gorgeous deep coppery color, crystal clear, with about an inch of beige foam on top. The head falls to a ring and huge island, some cling to the glass. Pretty looking pour.

The aroma is nutty malts, brown bread, some toffee/caramel notes and a normal whiff of earthy hops.

Sweet malts open the taste. Very pleasant nutty component - hazelnut, maybe? Nice wash of the toffee/caramel and a tad bit of milk chocolate. To me the hops are just right - a nice aromatic note on the finish that is oh so mildly spicy. There's a bit of a mineral tang that is not unwelcome. Just enough bitter to keep the sweetness in check.

Feel is medium bodied. Taste is clean and leaves the taste buds wanting more.

Overall this is a very good brown ale. It's clearly in Dan McGovern's wheelhouse - a traditional style. While he's not running the brewery day-to-day (ummm...maybe), his influence is clear in this beer. Style points alone put this at a 4 and the flavor will nudge it a little higher. It was flying out the door when we were there - no mystery why.