New Beer Weekend #214

My 2nd new beer of this NBW is one so kindly sent to me a while back in NBS BIF # 18 by the awesome @WunderLlama , yes, I'm still working on these beers. I must be slow at it.

Dairy Shack - Untold Brewing - Sctiuate, MA - Milk Stout - 6.3%

Damn, even though I'm lower, I am totally digging this beer. I get a good dark chocolate hit in here that is mellowed out by lactose. Delicious, and so thankful to get this beer sent to me.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50785/692400/#navigation
4.07/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From a 16oz can, no date on the can.

When I popped open the can some luscious beer popped out onto the rim of the can. When pouring it into my glass I get an amazing pitch black color to the beer. There's a thick, 3 finger tan colored head to the beer. Frothy and fluffy looking. Long lasting but no lacing on the glass.
The aroma, and I've let this sit out of the fridge for a good half hour, has a good roasted chocolate malt to it. Very faint hints of lactose in here, but, very faint.
Taste - Well the flavor starts off with a great dark chocolate hit to it. This chocolate flavor lingers and is quite delicious. The flavor is added to toward the back by a creamy lactose flavor. While the beer isn't bitter, the lactose provides a nice balance to the dark chocolate.
Creamy, smooth full body. Soft feeling.
Delicious beer overall and well balanced.

Be back for another round in a while.

 

Went to Great Heights Brewing this afternoon. Two new beers for me...

Japanese Style Rice Lager, 4.6% ABV



Pours a clear golden/yellow color. A one finger white head forms and recedes after a minute, with light lace left behind. Beautiful clarity though.
Aroma...I'm not sure if I can describe this accurately. It is like rice and green tea, with fruity esters. Apple fruity aromas to be specific.
Taste wise, follows the nose with the tea like flavor. Big apple esters that become like sour apple skins. While I don't dislike it, it is also fairly odd...
A light body and moderate carbonation. It is watery to me, but also clean. Not hard to drink at all, I can come back to this.

An odd, interesting, and for sure unique example of a rice lager. I guess I'm just use to Equal Parts version, which I think is very good. While not bad at all, more in the interesting column. Worth a try to see if the tea like character mixed with fruity ester quality is for you.

Overall score is 3.59, B
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50326/709369/?ba=champ103#lists


Next is their Seventh Anniversary barrel Aged English Barelywine. 13% ABV, aged in Willet Bourbon Barrels. This is a big one. Side note, I remember 7 years ago going to the brewery when they first opened. It was just a few days after Hurricane Harvey...oh my, that was crazy.



Pours a mahogany brown color. A small white head forms initially, but recedes to a ring with no lace. For the strength and barrel aging to boot, this is par for the course.
This has a big aroma that fills the room. Wood, vanilla, dark fruit. Toasted malts, baked bread chocolate and caramelized brown sugars. This is great.
Taste wise, like the nose, all the wood, vanilla, dark fruits up front. A great toasted malt and baked bread flavor. A substantial sweetness of chocolate and brown sugar. Though an almost acidic tannin character lingers (certainly NOT infection, just wood tannin).
A big full body with moderate carbonation. Viscous and sticky at first, then becomes ultra smooth. The alcohol is not all that noticeable and is a great sipper.

The base barelywine is very much noticeable with a great malt character, mixed with all the barrel/wood flavors that don't scream "I'm bourbon." Way more nuanced and interesting than that. This and Saint Arnold's anniversary stout are about the best barrel aged beers I have had in a while. Well done.

Overall score is 4.24, easy A for me.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50326/714142/?ba=champ103#lists

Of course, reading another book, anybody interested in translated literature needs to check out Archipelago Books, one of the best independent publishers in the country. The Joyful Song of the Partridge is from a Mozambique/Portuguese writer, Pauline Chizane. This is excellent so far.

 

44 cl can, straight up, in Toulouse, France.
Produced in Sweden. Pops fresh, with tropical juciness and a pretty high carbonation. The hops are present. There’s nice malt balance.
Just a nice everyday IPA that’s well made. I’d drink it again, gladly.

3.75/5 in the BA DB.,.

 

Drekker Die To Ride NEIPA, 6.5% ABV. Pours hazy pale yellow with a 3+ finger white head that left some lacing. Aroma is citrus and bubblegum. Taste is citrus and melon, pine in the afterburp. Decent mouthfeel, overall excellent. Looks very similar to the Thrills That Kill I just had.

4.32/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It's uncanny how identical Die To Ride and Thrills That Kill look, toggling between the pictures. Both death-related names too.

 

One comment about undated cans. I bought a few yesterday, but they were BA beers held at a brewery I can trust (Pipeworks). The other example is if it's a one off and you can find a social media post regarding the release. But with most of you regarding year round beers, even ones I enjoy. If they are a drink fresh style without a date or way to tell, I take Dionne Warwick's cue.

My German Pilsner today is undated, but I knew when it dropped. I purchased from the store by me which sells single beers, and collaborated on this selection (Beer on the Wall).

More & Beer on the Wall Take One Down

3.58/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5



Turns out the date ambiguity may or may not have impacted this beer. Scoring as if this is four months old, and be it that it was refrigerated for most of this time at home, scoring as is and without caveats.

Overall: Not knowing when this was dated puts assumptions into whether this tastes a bit flat due to age or it's just the way it is. A German Pilsner should hold up longer refrigerated just about all of the time, so my score now is it's an OK beer but one which I wouldn't necessarily seek out. Will try fresh on keg and or a fresh drop and revisit this rating if warranted. OK as is. 3.5

Have an undated IPA from More planned for tomorrow distributed in late May. Hope it held up well.

 

This one wasn't what I was expecting. Not a bad beer, just not for me. Probably the only new beer review for me this week. Catch you all next weekend.

Jacks Abby Beer Geek 2.0
4.9% Helles



Pours a bright gold that goes cloudy as some sediment from the bottom of the can hits the pour. Three-finger white head holds nicely and leaves decent lacing.

The smell is woody and earthy--like sniffing a handful of forest loam--that overpowers pretty much everything else. You have to go searching for a bit of pepper and some florals and light fruit. I'm not getting any malt aromas.

The taste starts off the same with a big hit of forest followed quickly by a melange of fruits and berries. By the middle of the sip, hop bitterness begins to emerge and becomes a big part of the profile through the finish and aftertaste. As it warms, the malt goes from being a subconsciously experienced depth to somewhat subdued classic Pilsner malt characteristics. They never come out to the extent you would expect in a Pilsner or Helles; the hops are the main act here.

Slightly higher carb than usual for JA with a very slight carb bite for the first half of the pour. Medium-light bodied and easy to drink.

Overall, this is one heck of a confusing beer. Enigma, Hallertau blanc, and Saaz all over a Pilsner malt base on a beer marketed as a Helles. A little too much of the woody and bitter hops for my palate--I'll stick with more traditional renderings of the style.

 

Up again with VonTrap Kolsch in the new-style cans. I may have had this in the past, but did not record anything and do not remember. Anyway, I'm glad I tried it today, really liked it.

4.46/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 12oz can stamped “BEST BY 12/23/24” to a Stange (with a can-like lip) at fridge temp. Purchased in a mixed 12-pack yesterday from a refrigerated cooler.
The body is a clear light-yellow. Carbonation can be seen rising continuously through the session. Even with a mild pour, the pure-white, frothy head takes up ½ the glass. It never fades completely and laces aggressively.
The aroma is grassy, herbal and spicy. It really wakes up your nose.
The taste is very dry for a Kolsch, but I’m not complaining. There is maybe a hint of sweetness after the swallow. Bitter grass, kale, pepper and un-ripe grapes all come by.
The mouthfeel is light if slightly oily but the aggressive carbonation cleans that out.
Overall, a great beer, I really enjoyed this.

 

Opening Bell by Vault Brewing



8% stout

Poured from a pint can, the body is a very dark brown with mocha colored head. Light lacing.

Aroma is toasty coffee and a wee note of chocolate.

Taste follows nose with the coffee again with a welcome roasted malty char. A light bitterness is a nice compliment to the coffee. The maple is far in the background and only imparts a small note of flavor. Things dry up nicely.

Mouthfeel is good: soft with supportive carbonation.

Tasty assertive flavored stout with a strong coffee flavor.

Thanks to @Braunmeister_1943 for this beer.

 

Its been 8 years since I visited that store, but I remember no refridgeration of any beer, all product was out on the shelf.
BTW, if your going, Prohibition Pig is right across the street, good food and plenty of fresh Vermont beer. I had my first Focal Banger there.

 

Pretty sure I sent him one, if they brewed more, I would send it out with almost every box. They do that better (IMO) than any other beer they brew.

 

I’m in Missouri for some family stuff. Having an Art of Neurosis from 2nd Shift, chosen by a friend who is kindly letting me stay in his beautiful home while he’s out of town. Preliminary review below. Cheers!
______________
4/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can (packaged 7/2/2024) into a pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy golden straw color with a billowing white head that leaves behind nice patchy lace.

Aroma is sweet and citrusy—grapefruit and orange. To use a cliche, it smells juicy.

Taste is a blend of dry pale malt and something sweeter, combined with pretty mellow hop resins. Not super bitter or abrasive; actually pretty mellow for an IPA.

Mouthfeel is balanced and smooth. More body than a lot of more West Coast style IPAs.

Overall a solid, highly drinkable beer.

 

Decently hot summer day today, might as well go for a barleywine, and this is thanks to the amazing hit by @snaotheus .

Big Chuck Hunter Kentucky - Varietal Brewing - Sunnyside, WA - American Barleywine - 12.1%

This beer packs a lot of flavor into the big package. So much dark fruit and amazing barrel flavors. I am so happy I got the honor to try it.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50306/686914/
4.19/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25From a 16oz can with no date on the can, though "Boy Howdy! It's Huntin' Time" printed on the bottom of the can. I did let it warm up a bit before opening.

This is a dark brown pouring beer. I was surprised that there was a 1 1/2 finger tan head that lasted a long time considering the ABV. There's no lacing on the glass as the head disappears.
The aroma is so full of plum, raisin and fig. There's also hints of vanilla, caramel and toffee in this beer.
Taste - Very rich flavored. I just get a great hit of dark fruit right away. This flavor doesn't fade, but is added to by the caramel, toffee and vanilla. There's a slight bitterness on the finish of this beer.
The body is quite full and thick. There's a faint bubbly feeling to this beer. There's a very slight burn to this beer that tells you to take your time with it.
I am very impressed with this beer. A delicious beer of this style, and a pleasure to try.

I may have one more in me today. See you all down the road.

 

That is one I should eventually revisit. I remember not enjoying the last time I bought; musty aroma, super cloudy, some sulfur; just off. Haven’t revisited since, I guess it’s time to do so.

 

Greetings NBWers. Enjoying this "cold IPA" this afternoon - very fresh, excellent aroma, though overall I'm glad I just grabbed a single - cheers!

3.99/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Packaged 8/15/24 - enjoyed on 8/24/2024 - poured from a pint can into my Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

Clear gold body with a lasting papaya whip cap. Sticky, fine lacing; superior retention.

Potent fruit-forward aromatics (pineapple, crushed orange, passion fruit, mixed berries) with a hint of crackery malt base.

Flavor follows the nose with further concentration of the flavors hinting at strawberry, bubble gum, cotton candy, and lime. Low fairly clean malt backbone. Medium-dry finish with some honey and herbal elements in the aftertaste.

Medium-light bodied, creamy, with moderate carbonation - not quite oily/sticky, warming but not hot.

A decent collaboration suffused with a wide variety of hops that synergize well yet the full impact is somehow underwhelming.

 

I was a little taken back by the ambiguous Best by 12/23/24. Try and get your next sample with at least 4 months left (according to the brewery).

 

4.1/5 rDev -1.7%

look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle dated 11-2-22 into a snifter at 51 degrees.

Look- Medium amber, tons of large visible particulate, tan creamy head, above average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Bourbon, maple, caramel, high strength of scent.

Taste- Maple, bourbon, caramel, moderately sweet, earthy, high strength of flavor.

Feel- Between medium and full body, average carbonation, moderate creaminess, moderately sweet, booziness increased as beer warmed to a high astringent level.

Overall- Medium amber with a large amount of large visible particulate and above average head retention and lacing. Nose was a mix of maple, bourbon and caramel. Flavor was a mix of the same flavors with some earthiness as well. The booziness increased as the beer warmed and by the end gave the beer an astringency that detracted from the experience. Despite this, the beer provided an enjoyable drinking experience, but the flavor and feel decreased in desirability as the beer warmed.

 

Had a couple good stouturday brews today:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/714117/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/47204/711172/?ba=bluejacket74#lists



And plan on having some more new brews tomorrow, cheers everyone!