New Beer Weekend #226

I heard they have a helipad on the premise ha. I think that was a joke a friend of mine told me, on how big the place is, but that must have gone over my head as I think I have heard that from multiple people...or its a big conspiracy of a joke on me I have yet to visit. but it is on my list...I have enjoyed most, if not all Altstadt beers I have found on the shelves around here.

Anyway, I'll be back later today, I'm going to Saint Arnold. If they still have their Belgian Quad on tap, I will take notes and review here later...

 

Greetings, all. I think it's been over a month since my last NBW post, which might be the longest I've gone for the last few years. Work / personal travel has finally slowed down as of a couple days ago (I was on the road for all or part of the last 7 weeks) so now hopefully I can bet back into my normal weekend routine.

Anywho, my first new beer of the weekend is Kill the Sun - Macademia Espresso from Ex Novo. I received this from @snaotheus...somebody who loves sending beer around the country as much as anybody I know.


Canned December 14, 2023

While I find that most stouts look alike, this one separates itself from the pack by virtue of its robust, dense head. No doubt it would have resulted in a thick moustache had I taken a sip prior to waiting a couple minutes for it to fully recede.

On the nose, the vanilla shines through much more than the coffee, and in fact there are limited roasted notes in general. Perhaps some faint macadamia nuts aromas, but I may be imagining that. Regardless, this is a nice smelling beer.

Taste is a little more complex than the nose, with roast and general coffee flavors coming and going at different times with each sip. Still plenty of sweetness, but I can't pick out the vanilla as a distinct flavor. Very smooth, almost milkshake like.

Overall, tasty beer.

Side Note: @Roguer I was laughing reading your review as we had completely opposite impressions of the smell. You got loads of roast and I got none. Whether that's the effect of an additional 6 months of aging, or simply different olfactory senses, I'm not sure.

 

Poured into a 16 oz Snulip glass canned on 10/09/24. Pours a very attractive hazy orange yellow with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves thin streaks of lace with excellent retention. 4.5

Aroma is passionfruit, peach, papaya, cantaloupe, apricot, and a little grapefruit rind. 4.25

Taste follows peach, papaya, passionfruit, cantaloupe, apricot, and a little does of some bitter grapefruit in the lingering finish. 4.25

Mouthfeel is rather large, soft gentle carbonation, maybe a touch dry, and I am not sure what the ABV is assuming 8-8.5 massive flavor but easy drinking. 4.5

Overall this a tad more aggressive than most NEDIPAs, but that could be the DDH aspect. I am not complaining at all. For me this was an excellent and unique experience.Tired Hands well done. 4.5

 

Howdy New Beer BAs! Today’s morning “Joe” comes from Prairie Artisan Ales - “Espresso Marty”, a BBA Imperial Stout with organic Mexican beans, vanilla and espresso syrup:



Bottled 5/31/23. Poured at 52°. A Tavour purchase. Fizzy, mixed bubbles, dark brown head that disappeared leaving no cap nor lace, and fleeting thin ring at best; murky brown body with swirls of coffee syrup; dusty residue coats the glass from beginning to end. Nose is strong coffee with a whiff of bourbon; boozy retro nasal. Sweet bourbon ball chocolate candy with coffee bean center; vanilla on backend; sweet chocolate mocha finish. Silky smooth feel; medium full body; light carbonation; mouth warmth from 15.2% abv; heavy sediment/sludge in bottom of bottle that was off putting. Overall, coffee, yes, overly sweet like a Starbucks white chocolate mocha iced coffee; sweet coffee syrup linger.

3.75| 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.0 | 4.25
Score: 4.2 rDev -2.6%


Glad I tried it, but this beer is too sweet for me…I’d drink it again, but I wouldn’t buy it again. Cheers and enjoy the weekend y’all!

 

Lakefront Brewery Black Bird. A black IPA. An underrated style of beer. 6.8% ABV. I don't believe I have reviewed a black IPA before. The look is black, though the pink can's reflection adds a stylish purple color to the glass. There is a very thick off-white foam atmosphere. The smell is black licorice, charcoal, smoke, peat, and pinecone. The taste is burnt toast, black licorice, bitter hops, charcoal, and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is crisp, dank, velvety, and creamy, with medium carbonation. Overall, this beer is a nice change-of-pace from what I usually drink. I haven't experienced many black IPAs, but this is a very good one.

 

Saint Arnold Belgian Quad, 11.5% ABV. This is a Beer Garden only release for now.



Pours a dark brown with some reddish highlights around the edges. A small beige head forms and sticks around as a small cap.
Aroma...Oh, those dark fruits are up front. Plums and cherries. A doughy aroma that is almost peppery spicy. Belgian yeast aromas mingle in there, as this has a long finish.
Taste wise, oh yeah, follows the nose. With the dark fruits of plum, raisin, cherry, and candied sugars in there as well. Which never becomes over the top sweet. There is a wonderful spicy quality here. Doughy malts, baked bread and yeast. This is great and wonderfully balanced, especially as it warms up.
A big full body. At first there is a prickly carbonation. Though that smooths out and becomes ultra smooth after a minute. The perfect amount of chewy malts as well. All that leads to noticeable alcohol presents. That is more warming, and a nice sipper.

This is a really well done local and classic version of the style. Saint Arnold has been killing it with some really great Beer Garden only releases lately. This is one of them, and I hope they continue to make this, and distribute it if possible.

Overall score is 4.17, easy A- Excellent while finishing off this Karl Ove Knausgaard book of essay, written to his unborn daughter at the time.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/337/723227/?ba=champ103#lists

 

Drekker Orbital Delusion NEIPA, 6.5% ABV. Pours hazy yellow with a 4+ finger off-white head that left nice lacing. Aroma is citrus and berry, slight pine, slight butter. Taste is piney and citrus, moderately bitter. Decent dry mouthfeel, overall very good.

4.05/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Real nice November day, haven't had our first snow yet, but that's possibly coming next week. Drekker review #329 for me.

 

Lots of hype about Querido y Perdido, one of the Big Beer Box selections. Seems like it is the favorite. I was going to save it for later, but my curiosity was piqued.
The beer is black with a half-inch mocha head that reduces to a ring around the circumference of the glass.
Aroma of roasted malt, cinnamon, chocolate, and vanilla.
Taste of cocoa, vanilla. Cinnamon fades to the background while chile steps up.
Smooth and creamy, mild heat from the chile persists.



Yes, it is world-class.

 

Had a family event today that didn't go as long as I thought it would so I had time for another new beer. Maybe a third tomorrow? We'll see.

Well, @jonphisher, you're two-for-two so far. Another great beer. As weve discussed here before, there's really something to be said for a beer that's just easy to drink. It isn't the best beer, but that easy drinking often makes it the best beer for the moment. Many thanks!

Tonewood Vermilion
4.8% Vienna Lager



Despite looking yellow in the picture, it actually pours light amber with a two-finger white head that slowly recedes to a thin cap.

The malt and hops play well together, with aromas of bread dough, slight toffee, loam, and subtle florals.

It comes even more alive on the palate. Up front, I get grainy malt notes of toasted white bread and bread dough. Through the middle of the sip malt sweetness comes in as well as honeyed bread, slight caramel, and slight toffee. Underlying all of this are floral undertones that strengthen on the finish. Woody hops join on the finish and carry through the aftertaste with a slight bitterness that blends with caramel.

Carb is moderate and fine. Feel is really smooth with a medium-light body. The carb lingers on the tongue just a little more than I'd prefer, prickling through much of the sip.

Overall, a really good Vienna Lager thats a pleasure to drink.

 

It's a good beer with plenty of hops. I will enjoy the rest of my 6 pack.

 

Are you going to Black Friday at Lakefront Brewery?

 

Im really hoping I’m a perfect 5 for 5 Had a Vermillion last night. I love that floral undertone you picked up on too, really pleasant. Cheers friend. I’ll be posting about one I sent you later tonight I hope.

 

I'm not sure. If there is snow/icey roads I will not. I still have plenty of Barrel aged Stouts in the basement from last winter/spring. Don't really need much more. I could use more barleywines thou. Central Waters MKE on Black friday might be worth a stop for the rye beers. I wonder if THE EXPLORIUM black friday beers are worth going after?

 

I am going to 3 Sheeps Brewing, then Central Waters Brewing-MKE on Black Friday. The rest of my plan that day will then reveal itself.

 

You've got a good chance of it. Potential pitfalls I see are around the low abv: Will the Czech pils be underwhelming and lacking flavor? Will the stout be watery feeling? With the rye, you're pretty much assured of a win...I'd probably enjoy a wood shingle if you put a bunch of rye on it.

 

I’d say no and no; but we all perceive things slightly different so hopefully the answer is no and no for you as well. That rye comment makes me happy; it’s such a cool beer.

 

Returning to amplify this gem from Pizza Port, the latest in their rotating seasonal WCIPA variants. Cheers!

4.21/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Packaged on 10/16/2024 - enjoyed on 11/16/2024 - poured from a pint can into my Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

Golden amber liquid, not quite clear, topped by a thick papaya whip fist. A mesa of stiff peaks erupts from the top and leaves behind tendrils of lace. Superior retention.

Gooseberry, star fruit, kiwi, and lime in the nose. Tropical and restrained.

Fruit forward on the palate with a second wave of berries and floral/woodsy hop notes merging with the crackery malt base. Long complex yet subtle finish. Medium-dry.

Zesty/hearty mouth-feel with rich carbonation and a hint of astringency. Gently warming yet refreshing.

Riwaka, Walmea, NZ Cascade, Crystal, and Columbus build a vivid and intricate web of flavors.