New Beer Weekend #243

Uinta brewing Hoodoo kolsch


3.87/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Brewers notes This crisp kolsch-style ale is golden in color and exhibits refreshing hop character.

Paired with a country fried steak at Rubys outside of Bryce Canyon NP, the home of the hoodoos

Clear golden liquid one finger white foam settles to a layer , spotty lacings

Aroma is sweet grains and malts

Taste is malts , grains

Slightly sweet , light mouthfeel , effervescent , suds quickly fade

Good light beer

 

Was headed there during Covid, but it just sounded too complicated. Someday soon I hope

 

Equilibrium Orchard Fusion Sour IPA with Concord Grape, Blueberries & Apples, 7.0% ABV; 3.78 overall. Well executed for what it is, still think it is a bad idea

Pours an effervescent auburn/purple with 2 fingers of pinkish/purple head. Great lacing & good head retention

S: Tons of Concord Grape, a little apple, nice nose,

T: Follows the nose, some tart/sour lemon notes, berries lurking in the background up front. Sweet grapes, tart berries, a hint of apple skin & a little vanilla once this beer is warm, along with some dryness. Finishes a little dry with tart blueberries & sweet grapes & just a little lemon

MF: Medium body, fairly lively carbonation

Drinkable enough, but not ever going to get stoked over weird mashups like this. It rates higher than I actually like it, does smell & look great

 

Zero gravity irish cream porter
...solid black appearance with a thin lasting tan head
...light carbonation with a silky smooth above average body. Too me nitro often feels thin and odd but this was really nice
...aroma is roasted malt upfront followed by chocolate, mild vanilla and sweet dark bread
...taste is mildly sweet with the roasted malts showing up. A mix of creamy chocolate and vanilla coats the mouth and lingers.
...overall a great beer

 

Sullivan's maltings irish ale
...cola brown appearance
...medium carbonation with about the same for the body
...aroma is a really nice interesting mix of roasted malt, toasted grain, mild dark chocolate and some dark bread
...taste for the most part doesn't stray too far from the aroma.
...overall a really rich and satisfying beer. Its like a rich heavy intense dessert beer without the adjuncts or gimmicks

 

This beer is sitting all over Wisconsin. it's a shelf turd.

 

Still have never seen Wolf here aside from what @Danmullens1 has sent me (and possibly one from @Whyteboar). Hopefully one day.

 

If I ever get back...

 

This NBW Imp Stout/Barleywine BIF#2 brew is from @Stoutofmymind

Warped Wing Brewing Co.'s 2023 Riffin' On High Wheat Wine ( Aged in Riffin Bourbon Barrels ) 12.2% ABV; 4.03 overall

2023 Bottle pours a turbid hazel color with one finger of cream-colored head. Drops fairly bright, stays effervescent throughout the bottle, average-ish lacing & head retention

S: Treacle notes, hints of Bourbon, wet paper notes that vanish quickly. Rich boozy nose, figs & jammyness come to the fore once warmed up

T: Follows the nose a little honey, leafy hops, in your face barrel up front. Oaky dryness, hints of Port Barrel, leafy & woody hops, a little bit of raisin & apricot jam once warm, treacle sweetness that detracts a bit from the overall taste. Finishes with a sourwood honey vibe, plenty of oaky dryness & white wine/grape notes

MF: Medium body, pretty firm carbonation, plenty warming. Body thins a bit once warmed up

Interesting take, wonder what this was like 18 months ago? A sipper now, plenty boozy, well worth a go!

 

Dear Lord. I feel like I need to send my firstborn to @Luscious_Malfoy for sending this treasure to me in our Barleywine/Stout BIF.
VSOJ by Revolution. Yes, I finally got to try this and WOW.


Pours a deep, mysterious cola brown in color. Mocha colored head pops up with a loosely packed fluff that rises around 2 inches before settling in at a diminutive ring that leaves the thinnest lace line, like a fine point marker. Low retention-fine for style.
Nose is glorious. A warm, gentle embrace of Bourbon comes in and graciously introduces the toffee, fig, and caramel. But there is so much more going on. Delicate, fruity barrel notes akin to brandy and smooth coffee. After warming a bit, a warm, not quite boozy, note that wafts between rye and an herbal, almost peppery, spice.
This is luxuriously decadent. Yes, a bit sweet but still complex. A warmly Bourbon-kissed delivery of toffee, caramel, and dates starts things off. But she is profoundly alluring. Mild char, coffee, and again some fruity notes that are deep and "barrely." A melange of Bourbon and brandy notes but in a very "wet staves" way.
Mouthfeel is just a tad heavier than many barleywine but amazing. The finish tamps back the sweet just a tad and makes room for a hint of wood on the end. Politely warm in its presentation of ABV.
Overall, so grateful to finally try this classic.
4.46/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Thanks so much, Zach!

 

One I picked up while visiting the brewery during the awesome bottle share last year in Wisconsin. @GreenBayBA throws an excellent party.
Every other beer I’ve had from this brewery (regardless the mouth feel) has been excellent.) This one is, well, not quite as good.
I mean, 3 years of barrel aging should be a no brainer. And it’s certainly not bad, but it’s not really excellent either.
The pour is good, for the ABV, not much head or lacing is expected.
The taste is best described as “muddled”.
It has the bourbon, the chocolate, the coffee, the dark fruits- but it seems to me that they don’t play well together here. Rather bewildered me.
The feel is good, definitely a sipping beer, and I did. Really looking for something to praise the beer for.
OA, well, I guess I grabbed the wrong bottle when I was there. I know they make excellent beers, this one rather misses the mark though.
Next time will be better though, I’m sure.
Cheers!

 

Straight Wolf is an excellent stout, and I might have sent you one as I bought many when I was there.

 

Wait, sour IPAs are a thing now???
Oh my. I might have to hibernate until this passes over.

 

They were. This was more fruity/tart, still not gonna make much $ off of me going down that road. Could've been far worse, drank all 16 ozs

 

Got into this one from @Beersnake last night..

Highland Park - Griffith Imperial Stout w/ Trystero Coffee



Notes:
P black w/ a sm tan cap
N fairly soft but pleasant; vanilla/cream
T smooth and sweet, yet bright coffee, cream, and toffee/caramel; not the typical roasty chocolate imp stout; some citrus in there; light milk choc beneath; sweet and satisfying profile; unique and definitely diggable
Mf med bodied, med to med high carb, light-moderately creamy, velvety smooth, a bit dry in the fin
O a unique and really pleasant imp coffee stout, love the bright coffee notes, abv is well hidden, great stuff!

Cheers

 

Gorgeous pic!

 

I have one of these just for you, Dave.