New Beer Weekend #253

Stiegl Goldbrau pils
And

3.48/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Brewers notes Stiegl-Goldbräu is a traditional Salzburg beer specialty with 12° Plato and a characteristic golden-yellow color. A full-bodied beer with a gentle bitterness brewed using indigenous ingredients. Wonderfully refreshing and very agreeable.

Goldgelbe Farbe, in der Nase frische Hopfennote, am Gaumen gut ausbalancierte Säure, süßliches Finish, sehr süffig.

Light clean, crisp, grassy, malty bready taste, grassy and malty aroma.

It’s OK.

 

Loving those pics, my friend- Keep 'em coming! Cheers

 

Good Lord, the scenery. Spent 3 days there, yep this stunning

 

Cheers to the scribe!

 

About an hour and a half ago I opened a beer I thought would be a nightcap. It's been slow going since then, and it's looking like I will have to face the last third of this bottle tomorrow.



Fort George 18th Anniversary Barleywine
This is a blend of barleywines aged in whiskey barrels for one month for every year Fort George has been in operation. 500 mL bottle purchased at the Lovell Store at Fort George Brewery and Public House in Astoria, OR. No date stamp, but the label bears a tab that reads "2025." Poured in stages into a small snifter.

Look:
Clear burnt orange body with bright orange highlights. The loose but clingy head of sticky tan foam shows low retention and leaves tendrils of lace behind.

Smell:
Quite sweet. Mostly brown sugar and muddled fruit: orange peel, plums, prunes. Some oxidation and toasted grain character. Sweet bourbon in the background.

Taste:
The first impression is a too-sweet imperial ESB aged in a bourbon barrel. Starts with light brown sugar sweetness tempered with bitter orange marmalade. A little prune and raisin emerges as the beer warms, along with a bit of toffee that provides roundness and much-needed depth. Further warming yields spicier notes of cloves and anise. Earthy bitterness pops up in the middle, supported by sweet bourbon. The finish shows flavors of dates, sweet port wine, and bourbon. A quick snap of tannic astringency bites through lingering brown sugar flavors.

Feel:
Medium-bodied with a slightly syrupy texture and a slow swell of alcohol warmth.

Overall:
This is a very sweet beer which starts off rather two-dimensional but improves the longer you let it warm up. There is a point of diminishing returns, though. It's just too sweet. The rich fruitiness and emerging spices never gather enough punch to offset the sweetness. Even the bourbon seems cloying.

 

Glad I was able to catch up with the thread and opening post question while still open. And thanks for keeping open through Memorial Day!

I do miss Modern Times as well (Point Loma the only spot I was able to visit - though went every trip to SD at least once per visit).

I try to enjoy all beer experiences including rating. I likely perform my most thorough reviews solo at home, with accompanying more critical point scoring. I stopped reviewing beers at festivals, and don't even like reviewing a 5 oz 10% + beer (rather have 8-9 oz minimum for full appreciation). Never tried to review bottle share beers, and stopped trying to review beers at festivals the past five years, but try to type the name of exceptional beers I'd want a fuller pour down the road. That said, I do enjoying beer in these settings without a formal review, just in a different way.

I've been fortunate that we have a great beer bar that sells singles nearby. Their prices are the same single or multiple, so it works out great for stocking up for New Beer Weekend / Sunday.

I also prefer draft beer in general, and tasting / reviewing new beer if solo at the brewery, or with brief recorded audio notes to fill in back home when visiting with others so as not to be rude or defeat the purpose of gatherings. Another technique I use is to hit the brewery or bar earlier to review a beer I am eyeing solo before the people I plan to meet arrive.

The clock just turned 2 AM Chicago time. I will turn to my New Beer Sunday review.

PS - I loved your Wondering Don review @champ103 , will likely try to enjoy here next weekend!

 

Welcome one and all to New Beer Sunday #1057! Sticking with the Pipeworks theme. Would likely feature the beer requested by @jonphisher for "Primetime" Sunday, but saving to Monday for the lower ABV to be able to better function post review, and picking this higher octane pour to hopefully get more sleep before waking up for the final Sox game of my ST plan.

Pipeworks Imperial Blood of the Unicorn

4.59/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75



5/25/25 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased May 6, 2025 at Beer on the Wall at store temperature for $4.55 including tax, refrigerated at home until opening this morning. 16 oz canned 4/2/25. 9.4% ABV, Imperial Red India Pale Ale. Artwork by Bryn Gleason. Pipeworks Brewing Company. Brewed & canned in Chicago, Illinois.

Appearance: Poured about 12 ounces into a pint tulip glass, yielding a beautiful dark ruby crystal clear base, sustained mild carbonation, a generous creamy tan white bubbly head, leaving spotty lacing and a creamy cover over the entire base. This looks great! 4.75

Aroma: Nice mix between an assertive caramel malt base paired with a wonderful stringent pine, strong rye and citrus. Strong, enticing, loving the blend here. 4.5

Taste: Less varied in terms of taste, with the caramel malt and rye very dominant, with pine then citrus following, but not on equal terms. Flavors intense, focused, and very enjoyable. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Gentle sustained carbonation, drinks strong from Go!, though not exceeding the higher ABV. Nice balance between the strong malt flavors and bittering hops with fainter hop flavor. I love rye flavors, and this features rye in a superb way, so if you like rye grab this one as it's featured with caramel from start to finish. 4.75

Overall: This is very malty as expected by the ABV and description. While this isn't my first type of beer to instinctively grab, and while my personal preference would have preferred the supporting hop flavors flowed like the aroma,, this beer is very enjoyable. The rye and caramel is intense, the hops help to curb any excesses, and I'm really savoring what is in the glass. Very well done Pipeworks! 4.75

Guess I did pick the correct Primetime Beer, though there is still a chance Lizard Blood will rise to the challenge on Monday. Cheers!

 

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Le Père l’amer (France) ‘Cuvée Fleur’ Barrel Aged Barleywine

33 cl bottle bought from the brewer himself, at a tap take over here in France. 10% abv. Made with certified Organic wheat, rye and hops. It is small batch, unfiltered, and unpasteurized. Aged 15 months in Pineau des Charentes Blanc barrels.
Pineau des Charentes is a regional apertif of western France, popular within its region of production, but less well known in other regions of France - and somewhat uncommon abroad.
The barleywine pours almost completely flat, the brew is deep brown. Nose is old oak wine barrel, red wine, some nice funk, and a floral note.
Taste brings delightful barrel return, with notes of Merlot, prunes, almonds, a fine honey note, Very easy drinking with my pinky extended. Long, dry rye flavor finish, with the honey note re-emerging.There is a titch of yeasty silt at the bottom of the bottle that I dripped on my tongue to complete the experience.
Medium mouthfeel and low end of medium carbonation.
Overall, an elixir that straddles the line between beer and wine that is delicious - and carries an air of class and elegance.

 

Here is one I enjoyed late last night but was too tired to note at the time. I spent much of yesterday in the role of dad/chauffeur. It started with my son’s soccer game just before noon, then after a quick lunch, raced out to get my daughter to her friend’s house for an afternoon of playing and a sleepover. Finally, I drove my son up north of the city for a birthday party at an escape room. He and four of his friends managed to beat the room and actually escaped in the second shortest time on record from their particular room. Not bad for a bunch of third graders!

While he was escaping, I drove over to the closest brewery to see if I could get some new beers. The closest brewery ended up being about an hour and half drive back and forth in total. But, it’s a good one in my experience.

First from my brief visit there is this one, Favourite Mystery, a hazy IPA with Simcoe, cryo Amarillo, and Luminosa from Rouge River Brewing of Markham, Ontario.



Pours a cloudy gold with ample pillowy head that dissipates very slowly as the beer is enjoyed.

Huge aroma a stone fruit on the nose. Lots of peach and nectarine. Light lemony notes as well. Minimal dankness.

Taste follows closely. Peach, lemon, some citrus peel. No bitterness.

Full bodied

For those who like their NEIPA, this is a good one. I’d gladly enjoy again and look forward to the other beers I got from Rouge River yesterday.

 

Your days sound like ours @Coronaeus, too funny...we have a little reprieve with our holiday weekend here but end of year soccer party later today, I doubt I can but maybe I'll sneak to the nearest beer store

I'm not surprise a bunch of third graders made it out, I have a theory that I observe everyday as a high school teacher that younger kids are smarter. Our youth is as smart and curious as ever but as they age those smarts and curiosity slowly wains, our second grader has better math skills than a lot of my 10th and 11th graders; this is not an exaggeration or lie

End old man rant...

 

Cheers!

I don’t doubt that at all. My kids go to a smaller private school that has a curriculum that extends past the provincial guidelines in a few areas. The kids have no trouble at all meeting these added demands, even the kids in the class that might need extra support. One class they have this year is an applied math/science class they call ‘engineering.’ They’ve learned to build a well, a drawbridge, a wind powered sail-car, a trebuchet and a parachute. I’ve noticed how in learning how things like this work, they have been able to figure out how other things work that they encounter in their daily lives, some of them surprising to me. They always seem up to the challenge. Those challenges are so important.

I hope you enjoy the holiday weekend down there. Cheers!

 

Doppelbockbier from Rorschach Brewing Co.

One of my favourite styles. Sadly not commonly found here.

Poured a 472 ml can into a pint glass. A two finger bubbly tan head on a clear reddish brown. The head diminishes to a thin layer. Some patchy lacing.

caramel malts in the nose. a hint of smoke. The taste follows the nose. Sweet brown bread and toffee. Toast. An almost imperceptible hop finish. The malts totally carry it.

Very smooth. A medium/light body and medium/light carbonation. The ABV is well hidden. Overall a fine dark Bock. Very smooth and wall balanced. Not to be missed.

4.16/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

 

Good Sunday morning NBS/nbw and thank you @Beersnake for the thoughtful start this week.
To your question, I like to review at home, I find it easier to consider the experience, before I start typing on the laptop. I also feel its more work to use the phone for reviewing. Yes I am over 50 yrs so there is all the evidence right there.

Todays offering is from Little Willow, I have seen this brewers DDH IPAs cited here often but never tried one. I saw this American Lager and well, here we are.
Over all impression is that this is an Adjunct American Lager straight up. Little carbonation, a bit grainy, hint of corn and barely any hop presence. Blindfolded I would peg this as PBR on the first sip
Nothing bad about it. Makes me want to mow the lawn.
Cheers all

First Prize

American Lager | 5% ABV
Little Willow Brewing Company in Florence, Massachusetts

Reviewed by SABERG from Massachusetts

3.83/5 rDev -3.3% | Average: 3.96
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can dated 4/30/25 into the test glass
A - Clear yellow back drop allows full view of very gentle carbonation. An aggresive pour yields a thin white cap, that says hello and exits quickly.
S - Sweet grain, likely some corn involved as well.
T - A bit of lemongrass, white toast, and I dare say corn.
M - Very lite on the palate, with a neutral texture, semi sweet start, then a finish that has a pleasant dryness
O - A fine offering that screams lawnmower beer.

 

Great question!

If possible I try to get two or three cans or bottles of something new that I want to try, unless they are super rare and expensive, then I will just get one.

The first one I will just enjoy without any "reviewing thoughts". The point of this is 1. just to enjoy a beer, and 2. to get some genuine first impressions.

The second one I will sit down with a steno pad and write notes, following the five categories and scoring as I go. My notes basically is the review. Often I am at a computer when I do this so sometimes I check style descriptions or check what other reviewers have picked out.

It would be tough to do a proper review at a brewery, although I have done this, if it's a quiet day and I am alone. A proper review takes some focus. I recently did a brewery tour but I did no reviews, just enjoyed the beer and the time. I did bring cans home though for later review.

 

Erdinger Hefeweizen beer


3.83/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Brewers notes: The Premium Weissbier at the top of its class. Not only in the context of the Erdinger assortment Erdinger Weissbier with fine yeast applies undisputed as the classical authors, as the white beer absolutely. It is brewed with fine yeast after a delivered prescription and naturally strictly after the Bavarian purity requirement. Today still without the traditional bottle fermentation one does not do here: Three to four weeks it lasts, until the Erdinger Weissbier with fine yeast matured. For the production only finest raw materials are used. Experience of many years and constant quality controls guarantee beyond that the unmistakable taste. A Weissbier for all, those the unforgettable good taste love.

Every sip leaves you wanting more – our ERDINGER Weissbier with fine yeast is the crowning glory of traditional Bavarian brewing skills.

The strength of this classic wheat beer lies in the harmonious balance it achieves between the various aromas. Gently spicy wheat and yeast aromas blend with mildly bitter hops. The invigorating carbon dioxide ensures its typical liveliness. A premium beer whose full-bodied yet elegant character leaves a lasting impression of ultimate Bavarian enjoyment. A truly unique wheat beer!

ERDINGER Weissbräu allows its top-fermenting specialty to mature in the bottle in the traditional manner, just like champagne. This wheat beer from Erding offers more than just sparkling refreshment – it gives a true taste of Bavaria.

At Munich airport , fluffy three finger white head over a bronzed liquid

Aroma is banana with a hint of clove

Taste is sweet banana with a hint of cloves

Smooth and refreshing

Good beer, paired with nurnberger bratwursts and sauerkraut

 

Had some weird brain freeze. This shouldv'e posted last night

Gotahold Brewing Pulchitrude Hazy IPA, 6.0% ABV; 3.53 overall


Pours a very hazed & effervescent gold, tons of bubbles clinging to the side of the glass & one finger of beige colored head. Below average head retention & lacing

S: Oranges, white grapes, melons, fades as it warms up

T: Dryness, plus following the nose up front & limes. More dryness, green melons, a little Watermelon, grassyness, dryness, pineapple & pomelo as this beer warms up. Finishes dry with pomelo, dryness, green melon & white grapeskin

MF: Medium body, fairly soft carbonation, good balance

Solid, serviceable & drinkable take on the style, nothing more

 

Shut the Hell Up!
Light lager
The Alchemist. 4.5%



I prefer to try new beers in a slow manner, sipping as the beer warms to different temperatures. Ideally I'll drink a couple at different times and review. As a consequence, normally I'll review when not in the company of others.

The following beer was imbibed while we had unexpected guests with whom we chatted for awhile. Scant notes but I only was given one (and I'm grateful for the surprise).

Poured from a pint can, the body is a clear yellow with a small fluffy white head that quickly recedes. No lacing.

Aroma has notes of citrus/lemon and cracker.

Taste follows nose with a malty cracker flavor up front.. The citrus is present but less than in aroma. The flavor is light but refreshing. Crisp and pleasantly but mildly hoppy.

Mouthfeel is light and carbonation mild.

A solid but unremarkable beer from a brewery known for their excellence.

 

Another one I meant to post last night, this monster got to me

Social Project Brewing SPS-1 22 Month Barrel Stout, 12% ABV; 4.23 overall

Pours an effervescent ebony with rapidly disappearing mocha colored head. Zero head retention & lacing, plenty viscous

S: Mellow Bourbon Barrel, dark fruit, molasses & caramel. Vanilla & plenty of barrel late. Best feature of this beer

T: Follows the nose, plenty of raw/subtle barrel, vanilla presence as well up front. Bourbon edge, Molasses, & Brown sugar as this beer warms up, some leafy hops & a trace of cinnamon stick. Finishes with plenty of barrel, traces of maple candy, dark cherry & Bourbon

MF: Medium body, mid-range carbonation, slightly warming. Thins out a bit once warm, a little bit of a detractor. This is what really drags this beer down

Solid effort, but perhaps the least impressive BA I've had from this brewery. Not the depth of flavor I was seeking. When you price beers at this price point, you need to deliver

 

That looks awesome.