New Beer Weekend #230

Konign des feuers
...clear amber appearance with a thin but lasting white head
...medium bodied with about the same for carbonation
...aroma isn't very overpowering but theres malt, sweet grains,cereal and slightly floral. Aroma ramps up as it gets warmer
...taste is definitely malt forward but sweet grain and cereal also make an appearance.
..this is a nice,malty version with a nice body

 

Dang! I had a school board meeting last night. Next time you are heading to Windsor, you gots to let me know!

 

I am glad you reviewed this beer, James. I had this beer in my hand yesterday. I am fortunate I made other selections.

 

I believe pondered this one up in Wichita as well

 

Founders Winter Bock, 6.0% ABV; 4.01 overall

Pours a hazel color with a thumb of beige head. Average-ish head retention & lacing

S: Toasty, brown bread, solid nose

T: Toasty, brown sugar, some caramel, plus woody hops up front. Hints of gingerbread mix in with the toastyness, pretty dry, some woody & leafy hops notes once this beer is warm. Finishes toasty, dry with some brown sugar, caramel & leafy hops

MF: Medium body, dialed back carbonation

A little different as Bocks go. To me almost a Marzen/Bock Hybrid, but plenty fun & drinkable

 

We get random distribution sometimes.

 

I am still waiting for your review of Surly Brewing Barrel-Aged Darkness 2024 Chocolate Limoncello.

 

Passed on that too. The only Darkness I picked was a 22 Darkness, no variants. I always get overwhelming in Goebbel's miss some gems. Beer budget was busted regardless

 

Irlbacher premium pils
...clear gold appearance with a lasting thin white head
....about a medium body with medium to medium light carbonation
.. aroma is floral,perfumey, malt, cereal, grain and earthy dry grain
....taste is sour bitter dry hops,malt,cereal and slightly floral earthiness
...interesting eventful and very enjoyable

 

overwhelmed, AI Spellcheck sux

 

Social Project Brewing's Tightrope Double Hazy IPA w/HBC 638, Mango Cryo & Sabro hops, 8.3% ABV; 4.05 overall

Pours a very hazed gold with a thumb of eggshell colored head. Above average head retention & better lacing

S: Passion fruit, some mango, hints of lime, some onion notes once warm

T: Follows the nose, some pineapple & orange up front, just a little coconut too & dryness up front. Tangerine, passion fruit, pineapple & a little more coconut once warmed up, some dryness. Finishes dry, with pineapple acidity/sweetness, some lime & more coconut

MF: Medium body, moderate carbonation; good balance, a little acidic

Drinks pretty easy, ABV is well hidden

 

I saw that @mothman also reviewed it. I was shocked at the low rating on it, and thought it must be an outlier. I am the outlier on the high end with my rating. I never thought I'd drain pour a Darkness. Last year's regular wasn't good, but I could drink it. The cola I was able to choke down half of it before my drain got the rest.

 

Last night I had several new beers but didn’t take enough notes to properly describe them. A mid month SAN had us trying a number of pastry stouts, oddly three or four featured raspberry.
We did learn that if you are going to barrel age an imperial stout with raspberry, it’s better to use rye whiskey barrels than bourbon barrels.
Today, however, I got to savor a local BA stout from a brewery that I hadn’t heard of before- Lost Art Brewery.

This is a really good barrel aged stout, one without additives or adjuncts, just deep flavors of chocolate, dark fruit, caramel, cold pressed coffee, and a little bourbon.
The feel is properly viscous; thick without being chewy.
Couldn’t see the color well as our glasses were opaque, but it gave the impression of motor oil coming out of the bottle.
Of course, the oil my car takes is 0-20 so maybe that’s not the best description.
OA, now that I’ve heard about them and tasted one of their beers, I definitely intend to visit them.
Cheers!

 

11 Pipers Piping by The Bruery ~ Placentia, CA

2024 edition ~ 12.7oz bottle

SCOTCH-STYLE ALE BREWED WITH CANDI SUGAR AND CORIANDER - 11% ABV

Scotland is known for its bagpipes and its beers, and this Scotch-style ale adds Belgian Candi sugar to the mix, giving it deep notes of toffee and dried fruit accented by the spicy herbal aroma of coriander. The eleventh verse in our 12 Days of Christmas Series, 11 Pipers Piping is an extra smooth and malty, full-bodied jig of a beer.

First and foremost here...I really do appreciate these guys putting out a new release in a more approachable format. I likely would have never sampled this beer otherwise.

Initial impressions are very nice, the base brew carries a ton of stewed stone fruit qualities with a brown sugar sweetness throughout. As others have noted there is something just a touch off in the flavor department overall. I do get cherry flavored cola vibes to this which I love really...but ultimately it does come up a bit short or two dimensional me thinks. That said the alcohol or any kind of hotness is completely masked and smooth at the 11% ABV. It does feel like this one can definitely be enhanced to another level with some barrel treatment perhaps. Still thankful to have it in my glass right now BA Holiday Cheers

 

Stonecloud Brewing Co. Tortoise Head Imperial Coffee Stout, 11.0% ABV; 4.2 overall

Pours a very effervescent chestnut/mahogany with 2+ fingers of mocha colored head. Good head retention & better lacing

S: Coffee, vanilla, cocoa, sweet cream

T: Combination of coffee and chicory with, some vanilla &, some booze presence a little astringency up front. Medium strength coffee, vanilla, caramel & dryness once warmed up, warming booziness as well. Finishes with vanilla & caramel sweetness, coffee beans & a little bit of woody hops

MF: Medium body, creamy carbonation, that does get a little sharp once the beer warms up

Pretty solid for the style, ABV isn't completely masked on this, still drinks pretty easy

 

Sons of Scotland
Another nice one from my brother

Thanks @hophound
Pours a deep mahogany with shimmers of garnet on the edges. Sandy fluff starts off confidently and then settles down to a thin film. Good retention, clumpy lacing.
Nose abounds with toffee, brown sugar, date, toasty caramel, and more subtle notes of brown bread and smoke.
Flavors follow the nose but the sweeter components are definitely the star. The hops chime in with a smooth, nubile spicy bitter hint.
Mouthfeel is lush and full.
3.9/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4