New Beer Weekend #268

Double your pleasure, double your fun!

I suspect only you more ‘mature’ BAs remember that advertising!?!

Today’s ‘double’ beer is a collaboratively brewed Oktoberfest (Festbier) by Sierra Nevada and Störtebeker. Here is how this beer is detailed on the Sierra Nevada website:

“Oktoberfest

Available Aug–Sep

Our authentic Oktoberfest is a collaboration with Störtebeker, an award-winning German brewer internationally recognized for quality and innovation.

This modern Festbier leans into a rich, smooth malt backbone with notes of fresh-baked bread and honey. Traditional German hops provide balanced bitterness and herbal-spicy aroma, rounding out the crisp, clean finish. Prost!

Style: Festbier

Abv: 6%

Ibu: 30

Malts: Bonlander, Caramel Munich, Pale, Pilsner

Hops: Opal, Perle, Spalter Select, Tradition

Yeast: Lager”

Served in my Spiegelau Lager Glass:

Appearance:

Golden colored with a BIG white head. The head dissipates quickly leaving just a wisp of head for most of the drinking experience.

Aroma:

A combination of honeyed maltiness along with some breadiness. There is just a tiny hint of spiciness in the background.

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with the malt flavors dominating. There is a moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel:

Medium bodied with a medium carbonation level. There is a dry finish.

Overall:

I enjoyed drinking this beer, I think it is very good.

The attribute of this beer that is most endearing for me is its drinkability, or as the Germans would say: süffig.

Cheers!

@KOP_Beer_OUtlet @rotsaruch @RobH

I am embarrassed to say I accidentally deleted the photo I took so a stock photo here:



P.S. A short video discussing this beer:

 

I have some catching up to do...been on vacation and have some beers I need to catch up on and review here Visiting family in Champaign/Urbana, IL.

First up, a visit to Triptych in Savoy.

Savoy's Best Mild on Cask...3.4% ABV, English Dark Mild of course.



Pours a dark brown color with a beige head that recedes rather quickly. It doesn't have that cascading effect that other casks have pouring from the hand pump.
Aroma is all the malty character up front. Brown bread, toasted malts, light fruits. Very nice.
Taste wise, follows the nose with a lot of baked brown bread flavor, toasted malts, and a toffee like sweetness. Just a hint of some fruity notes coming through in the end.
A light body and moderate carbonation. From the cask pour, I was expecting something a bit fuller, even for the style and ABV. Though very easy to drink. I can down this in big gulps.

This is an enjoyable example of a Mild, and really glad to see it on cask. Though, I don't think the conditioning made a lot of difference here. It could just be me, but it seems more from a regular gas keg, not that it is, but it just seems that way to me. Maybe, for whatever reason, I'm not picking up on the cask conditioning, but it is still a very nice mild regardless.

Overall score is 4.01, easy A- for me.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30967/724266/?ba=champ103#lists

Next from Triptych, 70 Shilling Scottish Ale. Glad to see some more real traditional session ale strength's at 3.5% ABV.



Pours a clear amber brown color. A two finger white head forms that gently recedes and leaves some lace behind.
Aroma is malty and grainy in the nose. Kind of wort like, that is earthy, dirty, or something odd like that.
Taste wise, again malty and cereal grain like. An almost earthy, wood character, with more sweetness lingering on.
A light body with moderate to high carbonation. It could be a bit "creamier" and cleaner for my tastes. Very easy to drink though. I can come back to this.

A nice enough Amber-ish ale. In some ways it certainly reminds me of a lighter version of Odell's 90 Shilling, which is perfectly fine. I can't say this is really representative of any beers I had while working in Scotland (almost no "Scottish Ale" I have had in the States are), but its a nice enough low ABV malty offering with a bit of odd wort like earthy character. Which doesn't bother me all that much, but it does stand out a little to me, if I'm even describing that correctly. Regardless, its enjoyable.

Overall score is 3.73, solid B
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30967/761003/?ba=champ103#lists

 

Last one from Triptych.

Always Always Room For Dessert.

Description from the brewery:
This tiramisu-inspired pastry stout is blended from a small collection of Imperial stout filled bourbon barrels, including some that aged for nearly five years. Conditioned on cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, and Intelligentsia espresso-style coffee, it pours dark and rich with layers of fudge, vanilla sugar, and roasted espresso. The finish is smooth, warming, and full of bourbon character.

16% ABV, wow. Got a six ounce pour...



Pours an opaque black color. A small tan head tries to rise but recedes in an instant. Impressive opaqueness, and fairly standard for a big imperial stout like this.
The aroma is really busy with lots going on in the nose. Wood, vanilla, barrel character, with some toasted and toffee like malts. That melds into all the additives. Very dessert like for sure, and an odd potpourri kind of aroma. None of which is bad by any means, just a bit of...too much.
Taste wise, oh, this is like candy. Some wood, vanilla and barrel character again. Though all of the sugars just mingle into one, and I can't really pick anything out. I mean, I can't even tell there is any coffee flavor at all...either from the malts or the additives, so yeah, too much. This is just alcoholic dessert, with sugar for days.
A full thick, sticky, viscous body. Which is par for the course with this style. Though it also seems really under carbonated, almost flat to me. Maybe I haven't had one of these big "pastry stouts" in a while and this is more the norm, but regardless wanting at least a little more carbonation. Big and hot alcohol burn, that becomes almost ethanol like. Certainly a slow sipper, but one I enjoyed less and less as I tried to work through it.

When more reviews for this come in, it will be apparent I'm more in the minority with this. Though it became too much for me the more and more I drank it. On a side note, I have been drinking a cask strength rye whiskey lately that I love, which seems to me to have less alcohol burn than this...so I'll probably reach for something like that instead of this kind of stout again.

Overall score is 3.38, B- but I'm thinking a lot of people will have differing opinions on this than me...which is OK.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30967/761004/?ba=champ103#lists

 

4.6/5 rDev +2.9%

look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2021 vintage: 13% ABV

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a snifter at 58 degrees.

Look- Deep brown, opaque, plentiful visible particulate at the margins, dark brown frothy head, average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Coconut, cacao, bourbon, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, toffee, high strength of scent.

Taste- Coconut, bourbon, cacao, cinnamon, oak, coffee, toffee, mildly spicy, very high strength of flavor.

Feel- Between medium and full body, slightly below average carbonation, syrup like, moderately mouth warming, mildly spicy, moderately mouth coating, mildly creamy.

Overall- Wonderful beer with complex and desirable aromatics and flavor. This beer delivered a great drinking experience.

 

OK, got these two as a present from my parents neighbors. I grew up next to them growing up all my life. They like to randomly give me things like this when I come home to visit (last time it was their record collection ha). Funny enough, they know I don't like the "hazy" stuff, but they found these and since there is no real indication of that, they went ahead. I honestly have never heard of them either, and as the cans just said "Imperial India Pale Ale" on both cans...I gave it a go...

Some of you might not like my reviews, but again, I think thats OK

Hop Butcher, A Toast To Ten, 7.5% ABV
On Beer Advocate it says: The celebration of a decade of brewing continues. Big, hazy Double IPA hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Motueka & Peacharine.

I don't remember seeing any word like "hazy" on the can ha. Anyway...




Pours a murky pale yellow color. A dense white head forms that gently recedes to leave some lace behind.
Aroma is generic fruit salad. Kind of melon like, kind of pineapple like, maybe mango as well but its hard for me to pick out.
Taste wise, follows the nose with the generic fruit salad. Melon, generic "tropical fruits" but its certainly muddled for me. Really sweet, no lingering bitterness.
A full body that is chalky. There is no real finish, as it just kind of ends. Hop burn and some fusel alcohol is noticeable. Not something I'm coming back to.

I don't get the "vibrancy" others pick out, but that is kind of par for the course for me. I have never really clicked with these NEIPA murk bombs. Though always good to try and revisit every once in a while to either reaffirm your opinion, or maybe even form a new one. Right now, its just reaffirmed.

Overall score is 3.3, B-
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40359/754941/?ba=champ103#lists

Next from Hop Butcher.

Chicago Style Hop Dog, 8% ABV.
Collab with Southern Grist in Nashville, Double IPA and hopped with choice Motueka, Citra & Galaxy hops.



From the start, I don't know whats worse, the label or the name? Both are awful...sorry not sorry.

Pours a murk bomb. Opaque, yeasty floaties. A dense white head with retention and lace. Even after all these years, I'm still embarrassed to pour something like this into a glass...I don't know why its a popular look...And if its a necessity for the styles flavors...well read on.
Aroma is nondescript and generic fruit salad. Pineapple might be more prevalent here, but hard to tell for me.
Taste wise, fruit salad, over ripe fruits, lots of sweetness and astringent. Almost no bitterness, which would help a lot for balance.
M/O: A full chalky body. Low carbonation. Astringent and harsh for a minute, then a quick finish. Not something I want to come back to.

Honestly, after having A Toast To Ten, I'm having a hard time picking out any difference. Its basically the same, but maybe more astringent this time, and with palate fatigue, this gets a downgrade. OK, I tried some NEIPA's for the first time in several years, I can go back to not thinking about them again...

Overall score is 2.83, ugh,
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/40359/754351/?ba=champ103#lists

 

One more NBW review catch up, I'm considering my entire vacation week my "weekend" of course

A visit to one of my favorite German style breweries...Riggs Beer Company in Urbana, IL.

This one has long eluded me, as its a seasonal for them, and I always seem to miss it when I travel up.

Smoked Lager, this years version is 4% ABV.

Description from the brewery:

Our Smoked Lager brings out all of the mild, pleasant sweetness from beechwood smoke without the harsher flavors and aromas. This pale, moderate ABV lager was specifically brewed with summer heat in mind. It eloquently walks the tightrope of being full flavored while also being a sessionable thirst quencher.

• ABV: 4.0%
• IBU: 18
• Hops: 100% Illinois-grown Chinook and Cascade
• Grain: 100% Riggs-grown beechwood smoked 6-row, 6-row, white corn

Pours a brilliantly clear golden/yellow color. A dense white head forms with good retention. Lacing for days, this is a looker.
Aroma is noticeable smoke for sure, but not over done. Baked bread and toasted malts give this a nice rounded aroma.
Taste wise, oh, there it is. Up front the smoke is big and apparent. That goes from woody to meaty. Again, I really like the malt character, with baked bread, toasted malts, honey like sweetness. Just enough grassy hops to be noticeable in the finish. Really well balanced, and all around excellent.
A light to medium body with crisp carbonation. This is ultra clean, even taking the smoke into consideration, and finishes wonderfully dry. Really easy to drink,. Smoked/Rauchbier's are a style I enjoy, but its never a style I drink a lot of in a sitting. I certainly can with this one.

This is an excellent Smoked/Rauchbier. I had Triptych's version the last time I came through town, and glad I got a chance to try Riggs' version finally. Both are excellent. Glad Champaign/Urbana/Savoy have two excellent examples of this style.

Overall score is 4.33, easy A
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/46277/668648/?ba=champ103#lists

Maybe some new beers tomorrow as well...will see, I'll be at a concert at the Universtiy of Illinois Krannert Center (one of my favorite places anywhere to see live music), then maybe over to another local brewery...

 

Social Project This is the Place Double Hazy IPA, 8.0% ABV; 4.33 overall

Pours a hazed gold with 3 fingers of cream-colored head. Fantastic head retention & lacing

S: Mangoes, peaches & passion fruit, lovely nose

T: Passion fruit, peaches, apricots & a little grassy dryness up front. Some pomelo notes mix with peach & passion fruit, pineapple, & sweet peach as this beer warms up, some dry notes too. Finishes a bit dry with a little lime, mango & grassy bitterness

MF: Medium body, delicate carbonation, pretty good balance, a little acidity

Nice juicy notes with plenty of drinkability

 

Greetings, New Beer people! Hat tip to @Whyteboar for hosting the proceedings.

It has been a long and stressful week, and I am happy to see the back of it shrinking rapidly in my rear view mirror. Time for a beer. I caught the bus across the street from stately Vurt Manor and rode it to Breakside's Beaverton outpost, where I found...



Breakside Fresh and Thriving Fresh Hop IPA

This is a fresh hop version of Thriving Metropolis IPA, augmented with fresh Simcoe hops from Scenic Valley Farms.

Look:
The color is an appealing yellow-gold, and the usually clear body is radiant with hop haze. A cap of off-white foam condenses to a sturdy skin and leaves generous lacing.

Smell:
The rather mild nose starts with semi-sweet nectarines and apricots and some pineapple. Underneath that is grapefruit and pine, and traces of honeydew and green grapes.

Taste:
Maybe I was lulled into complacency by the nose, but from the very first sip the flavor goes POW!!! Where to begin? There are the stone fruits introduced by the nose (more dried apricot than nectarine here), and lime sherbet, and a piercing orange citrus flavor. These are followed by a flurry of tangy berries and a pinch of dried herbs. Grapefruit peel and fresh, sharp pine usher in a bitter finale that makes my taste buds go TWANG. Lupulin powder in full effect. Excellent. Several different kinds of excellent, in fact.

Feel:
Medium-bodied with a drying finish and fluffy carbonation. Yields fresh hop burps of staggering and gratifying intensity.

Overall:
Breakside's fresh hop game remains formidable. This is a wonderful portrait of the beauty of fresh Simcoe hops: deep citrus and pine flavors that echo like car horns in a tunnel. Delightful.

 

All you can do is build them up, make them stronger and them Ladies may surprise

 

Good morning NBW
This one is from last night, but was new to me. I was asleep by the time the thread opened... I never pass on an export stout and grabbed a six pack on sight.

Dragon Stout Fire
9.6oz bottle BB 28 FEB 26 poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 10% ABV. The beer pours pitch black with medium brown head and lighter brown highlights. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. Thick lacing. The aroma is mild with earthy roasted malt and notes of cocoa. The taste is bittersweet, earthy and tangy roasted malt with medium bitterness. The feel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, nice FES. It has that tangy taste like Guinness and not a bunch of bitterness.

I'm way above the average here, but I really enjoy this style and didn't rate this as a RIS or AIS. I will enjoy the rest of the pack throughout the fall.

 

Based on the name and the label, I would have expected hot peppers!

 

I’ve always been curious about this beer, your experience reads pretty well. Thanks for sharing.

 

Good day BAs! Thanks for opening the bar Craig! Today's New Breakfast Beer was received in a LIF strike from @2beerdogs - Thank you Derek for this hit:



Crossing the Atlantic on a Tricycle from Fieldwork Brewing. 500 mL bottle received from @2beerdogs in a recent LIF. Reviewed 06/09/25, review 3578. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Undated bottle. Stored at home at 40 degrees F. Served at 52.7 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature is 57.2 degrees F.
Appearance – 4
First pour – Pale Amber (SRM 9), clear.
Body – Amber Brown (SRM 18), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, entire volume glows red-amber and is a bit hazy.
Head – Average (Maximum 2.5 cm, aggressive center pour). Cream, high density, fizzy with short retention, leaving a 0.2 cm crown and a thin partial cap. Highly active carbonation keeps renewing the crown.
Lacing – None.
Aroma – 4 – Initially malty with raisins – this fades as the brew warms. No hops, no alcohol.
Flavor – 4 – Begins slightly sweet with raisin as the dominating flavor. Moderate alcohol (13 % ABV, according to the label) taste. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Marked gastric burning.
Palate – 3 – Medium: Approaching syrupy: Aggressive carbonation.
Style: Loosely follows the style guidelines as condensed by BA.
Final impression and summation: 3.5 (After deducting 0.25 point for an undated container) Uncredited label artist. Initial blast of ketones which fortunately are not present in later swallows. Carbonation is initially too aggressive for an ESB – otherwise flavor is passable but not special.

Rating 3.8, rDev -5.5%

 

Who is playing the Krannert?

 

John Scofield and Dave Holland...its just about a dream that I can see both of them, two of my favorite musicians.

 

Isar Pilsner from Bellwoods Brewery

Poured a 473ml can into a pilsner glass. A big three finger fluffy white head on a very slightly hazy straw. Excellent head retention. It sticks around to the end. Sheets of fluffy lacing.

Malts and noble hop smells. grainy. Tastes of malts up front with some grain and citrus following. A clean, moderately bitter hop finish.

Medium body and carbonation. Overall a fine German Pilsner. Clean and well crafted. True to the style and well worth a try.

4.23/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25