New Beer Weekend #269

Sure is an ugly one

 

Olde Hickory Brewery Forrest Hills Barleywine aged in Australian Sparkling Wine Barrels ( bottled 3/9.2923 ), 10.8% ABV; 4.18 overall

Pours an effervescent chestnut/cola color with one finger of tan head. Average-ish head retention & lacing, viscous

S: Plums, dates & brown sugar

T: Follows the nose, leafy hops, dryness up front, some pear & acidic notes as well. Pear cider ( Perry ) notes along with oak barrel dryness, treacle & a little toffee as this beer warms up. Finishes with figs, brown sugar & Barlett Pear notes

MF: Medium body, fairly firm carbonation, warming. Carbonation tamps down a little once warm, sweetness & a little acidity on the teeth

Great drinkability for the style has aged well

 

Good Morning everyone, and welcome to New Beer Sunday #1073! I don’t recall buying a beer from this brewery since my 2019 visit, but the hop combo pulled me in when checking out NBW / NBS selections to bring home.

Toppling Goliath Dino Break

4.26/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25



9/14/25 - (Home) (Chicago, Illinois) Can Notes: Purchased a single 16 oz can at Beer on the Wall on 9/12/25 for $5.69 including tax. Canned 8/1/25 @ 10:04:40 AM. 8.5% ABV, West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale with Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial Hops. Brewed by Toppling Goliath Brewing Company. Brewed in Deborah, Iowa.

Looking for a thrill? Before you jump out of a plane or hit the surf try a Dino Break instead. Ride the wave of Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial hops which give this DIPA notes of citrus, pine and bright orange. Unfiltered beer; sediment is normal.

Appearance: Poured about half the can into a teku glass, yielding an unfiltered tan orange base and bubbly egg white head that settles into a cream thick ring around the rim and uneven cover over the base. 3.75

Aroma: Sharp tangerine and citrus, bold and enticing, though more modern than traditional WCIPA. 4.5

Taste: Consistent with the aroma, sweet flavors subdued by a sustained strong bitterness with the pine emerging. This is what I picked this can up to taste. Very nice. 4.25

Mouthfeel: A bit stronger and dryer for the WCIPA style. Drinks at, perhaps a bit lower than the high 8.5% ABV. Faint and gentle carbonation throughout, but slightly adds to a light to medium body. Some malt presence, it’s ok. Sweetness and bitterness trade blows throughout, think tangerine and citrus sweetness wins a split decision. 4.0

Overall: This is a solid WCIPA, portions traditional and the rest modern. Toppling Goliath pulled off a good offering here, and while price and availability would not make this a regular selection, wouldn’t mind enjoying a few a year when in the mood. 4.25

Hope everyone has a great day today, including what’s in your glass.

 

This is a good beer but I enjoy it more very cold. Some Oktos taste too sweet after a bit of warming be they Marzens or Festbiers. Just my find and I'm happy to try this brew.
Sierra Nevada//Stortebeker Oktoberfest Festbier 6%
3.87/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz can canned 7/15/25 into a mug.
L; Pours a rich dark clear gold color with a 1/2" off white head that recedes to froth, steady carbo, no lacing.
S: Caramel malts, grains, a touch of bread dough.
T: Caramelized malts with a fairly deep grain structure. It is resinous with some suggestions of fruits like apple, light pear, overripe grapefruit zest, and a trace of dry yeasty sweet bread.
F: Gently brisk, smooth to a point of being almost lightly creamy with a medium bodied mouthfeel with a medium-long finish that is moderately dry.
O: A fairly well-hopped Festbier that has a long and fairly bitter lingering finish. Overall well balanced, bittersweet and smooth drinking. I taste a hint of the signature SN house yeast. It is very good in its style.

 

Good day BAs! Back again with another new (to me) beer - tick, tick, tick!



Cooper’s Hop Triple IPA from Ommegang. 16 fl oz can picked up at Franklin Beer, Franklin, PA, 28/08/25 - $ 4.25 (including tax)/$ 0.266/fl oz. Reviewed 14/09/25, review 3587. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Bottom of can stamped “COOP 230125 23Jul2025”. Stored at home at 40 degrees F. Served at 54.5 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature is 61.3 degrees F.
Appearance – 4.25
First pour – Pale Gold (SRM 4), clear.
Body – Pale Gold (SRM 4), clear, lively carbonation. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, same.
Head – Large (Maximum 4.2 cm, aggressive center pour). White, high density, average retention, leaving a 1.0 – 1.2 cm crown and a complete, rocky cap. Above the crown are medium-sized foam islands.
Lacing – Good. Multiple wide bands of near-microscopic to tiny bubbles connected to the crown and each other by multiple short columns. See also above.
Aroma – 3.5 – Moderately spicy, apples. No malt, no alcohol.
Flavor – 3.75 – Follows the nose – mildly spicy and some generic fruit. No malt, no alcohol (10.5% ABV, according to the label). No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Bitter but not too bitter. Slow gastric warming.
Palate – 4 – Medium: Watery: Lively carbonation.
Style: Generally follows the style guidelines as condensed by BA, but lacks maltiness.
Final impression and summation: 3.75 Uncredited artist. Appearance is the best thing about this beer – it looks good and produces attractive lacing but the flavor and aroma are quite mundane. Still, if you’re looking for a cheap alcohol delivery system …
Rating 3.75, rDev -2.6%

And now I'm listening to "Blue Before Sunrise" - thanks @ChicagoJ I found it on the interwebs!

 

I absolutely loved this brew on Friday and it has more of a lighter body which isn't uncommon for the style, but it pours and appears heavy. Magic! It isn't heavy. Solid flavor gushing of single hop and was titillating to get into the glass. I'd pick it up again. Apologies for the blurry pics.
Hubbard's Cave Fresh IIPA One Hop Mosaic 8.5%
4.23/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16 oz can into a nonick pint glass.
L: Pours hazy deep golden yellow corn color with light steady carbo, a pillowy 2" slightly off white head that has excellent retention, multiple can pours resulting in a head cap that resembles soft swirl ice cream in a cone, random chunks of lacing.
S: Citrus, a light metallic note. Very simple.
T: Orange, light zest, very light and sweet caramelized malts, moderately tangy, a hint of confection sugar, a distant note of melon, a suggestion of alcohol with warming.
F: Gently brisk then semi-juicy and smooth overall with a gently silky and very softly dry medium length finish.
O: A simple single hop American IPA that has pure tastes, feel, look, and finish. An example of how good beer can be. It is outstanding in its style.

 

Midnight in Munich from Wellington Brewery

From a 473ml can dated Aug 08 2025 poured into a mug. A one finger fine tan head on a clear dark copper. Excellent head retention. Sticks around. Sheets of fine lacing.

Toffee and caramel in the nose. Spicy. The taste follows the nose. Bready. Toasted malts. Mildly hopped with a clean and dry finish.

Medium body and good carbonation. Overall a fine Marzen. Well made and true to the style.

4.02/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

 

This beer got somewhat lost in my fridge. It is the last one that I got from @falloutsnow .

Red Lager - Riggs Brewing - Urbana, IL - Red Lager - 6%
The flavor is somewhat light, though it probably sat in the fridge for too long. There's some malt notes to this beer. I am happy and thankful I got the chance to try it.
Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/46277/238734/
3.71/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a 16oz can. Canned on Feb 10, 2025

This beer is slightly murky looking in the glass. The color of the beer is amber. There's a thick 4 finger tan colored head to the beer that has great retention, and some lacing on the glass. There's a few floaties in the glass.
The nose has malt notes, as I was expecting. Some cereal grain notes. There's a hint of caramel. I don't think there's rye in the beer, but it has a rye character to the nose.
The flavor is malty. There's caramel notes. Notes of grain. There's a bit of a hop bitterness, which mimics a rye flavor. It might be age, but there's not a lot going on in this category.
The body is very smooth. I do like the fullness. The hint of bitterness is quite pleasing.
This beer did get lost in my fridge, and it might have fallen off a bit in the flavor department. I am glad I got the chance to try it.

Be back later for more. Cheers.

 

Another darn good beer from these folks up in Ely. The smoke in this one is well balanced. Happy I have 3 more.
HammerHeart Dunkelwald Smoked Dunkelweizen 5.9%
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
16 oz can into a tall Weiss glass.
L: Pours very dark brown with a deep tobacco base color, lighter at base, fine steady carbo, a 1/2" light khaki head that has very good retention, medium-light lacing with some loose banding.
S: Smoky grains, toffee, wheat, tobacco.
T: Taste follows aroma plus a touch of yeast, light char, it is kind of pale, a hint of tobacco again, distant dark fruit notes of plum, date, a touch of brown bread with sticky sweet moist crust.
F: Smooth & clean medium bodied mouthfeel with a medium length finish that is delicate.
O: An easy drinking smooth and gently Smoky brew. Kind of lighter in body actually. It has a lovely texture and a masterful blend and balance of tastes. It's Weiss-style nature is on the receiving side. It is excellent in its style.

 

Last new beer of the weekend, and it came from @cheeseheadinMinneapolis

Big Doc - The Explorium Brewpub - Greendale, WI - Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy - 13.1%

Todd was concerned about how this beer held up when he kindly gave it to me. I can say it is downright amazing. So much aroma and flavor. I just can't put words to it all.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48260/762423/
4.28/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 16oz can. 2023 release aged in Driftless Glen barrels. Canned on 10/10/2023

This beer has a nice dark amber color to it, and is fairly clear looking when I hold it to the light. The head is a 1 finger tan colored head. Considering the age and ABV, it is decent. There's no lacing on the glass.
The aroma is quite strong and complex, and I know I won't be able to describe it well. There's so much caramel and toffee. There's an earthy character to the aroma. The aroma is boozy and I do get the bourbon notes off it, which makes me want to go to Wisconsin, and get a Driftless Glen bottle.
The flavor is also intense. I get the caramel earthiness in the flavor. I get leather notes. Toffee is strong. Lots of vanilla notes and oak from the barrels used. There's hints of molasses. So much going on here, and I just can't put words to it all.
The body is so damn full feeling. Smooth as hell. There's a bubbly feeling to this beer. It almost has a creamy feeling to it.
Wow, This is damn amazing, and it also makes me want to try the bourbon it was aged on. Road trip to Wisconsin.


Well, I know this is my last new one for the weekend. I do have a full weekennd off next weekend so I may take a road trip, but I may just stay home. Who knows, but I'll enjoy seeing you all next weekend at the virtual NBW 270 bar.

 

Grimbergen Abbey Brewery (Belgium) ‘1128’ Brut Bier

Generous 75 cl bottle poured into a ‘can glass’. 8% abv. The 1128 name is in recognition of the year the original brewery was founded.
Pours slightly cloudy golden color with a chalk-colored foam.
Nose is coriander and fresh baked biscuits, followed by notes of vanilla, pear and bitter orange. There’s a white wine aroma too.
Taste leads slightly sweet and tart from the Nelson Sauvin hops, then comes a good malt balance that gives way to a dry and crisp finish. Good tense ending. No bitterness.
Mouth is full yet light. Low end of medium carbonation.
Overall, a nice beer with undertones of white wine. Dangerously quaffable and highly refreshing.

4/5 in the BA DB

“Brut des Flandres” beers have suddenly appeared; a new style of Belgian beer halfway between beer and sparkling aperitif wine. Brut Bier brings together two famous yeasts: yeast from Grimbergen Abbey and sparkling wine yeast. The first gives the beer spicy notes, the second consumes residual sugars and gives a fairly dry result with complex, yet slightly vinous aromas, all with a hint of acidity.

 

Drekker Fluff Stuff Blackberry Mallow Fruited Sour, 6% ABV. Pours deep purple with a 1+ finger pink head that left nice lacing. Aroma is blackberry and vanilla/marshmallow. Taste is all blackberry, overpowering the vanilla/marshmallow, quite tart, moderately sweet. Decent mouthfeel, overall excellent.

4.29/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Watching the Bears@Lions game.

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Samplers and commentators. I had planned to review a BA Imperial Stout today but I'm feeling the after-effect of the flu shot I received yesterday so instead I'm enjoying a new TIPA from our in-town brewery, Autodidact Beer. Sticky is a collaboration with Belleflower Brewing in Portland, ME. It is hopped with Citra, Riwaka, and Alora. I don't see a date on the can, which is unusual for Autodidact, but it was just released on Friday so it's less than a week old. It is another stellar big, hazy, IPA from Auto.

It is opaque and grassy, pastel tangerine in color and it sports a half finger cap of fluffy, bright white foam and lots of thick, clinging lacing inside the glass. The smell is fruity and fragrant with lemon, grapefruit, ripe melon, peach, white wine, herbs, and garden flowers. The taste follows but if anything it's better: It opens with tart lemon and grapefruit that is balanced by the sweetness of peach, melon, and tropical fruits. There is also an herbal, slightly earthy taste that may come from the Riwaka hops. What really stands out to me is a hint of sweet vanilla cream at the end of each sip. I don't believe this ale is oated but that the creamy sweetness comes from the Alora hops. It's a very nice touch. There is a bit of hop burn at the end which should settle out over the next week. The mouth feel is plush and creamy with appropriate carbonation, and it doesn't drink like 10% ABV. Overall, Sticky is an appropriate name.

4.36/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I had a draught pour yesterday but like it better from the can, which is my typical reaction from Autodidact. Cheers on this lovely late summer afternoon!

 

Well I enjoyed this last night, courtesy of @Ozzylizard
I don't get around to many Baltic Porters even though I do like the style. This one was pretty good.

Baltic Porter by Mortals Key

Pours a deep brown, like charred walnut.Khaki colored head asserts about an inch, stays around for a bit, and leaves slight lacing.
Nose is firmly smokey and earthy, finally a hint of understated sweetness.
Flavor follows. This now shows hints of the uniquely acidic overripe stewed fruit notes that I associate with the stated style.
Mouthfeel is just shy of medium heft, low carbonation, and finishes a bit bitter.
3.73/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

 

Drekker Percentage Of Survival NEIPA, 7% ABV. Pours hazy golden with a two-finger off-white head that left spotty lacing. Aroma is citrus. Taste is citrus, rind, and pineapple, faintly sweet, moderately bitter. Dry mouthfeel, overall very good.

3.87/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

 

Trillium 10 saison


4.27/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Brewers notes : Pouring a dark yellow with a touch of haze, lively carbonation, and a beautiful frothy head, Trillium Ten Saison is elegant in its appearance. The bouquet of aromas is nuanced, featuring notes of white pepper, clove, delicate herbal hoppiness, and a touch of fruit character. Pleasantly dry, with a cleansing carbonation and gentle bitterness, Trillium Ten is a milestone achievement.

Raiding the back of my beer cooler , I pull out this chilled 11.2 oz bottle

Poured into a tulip pours z clear golden yellow , active carbonation , three ginger white frothy foam. Good retention that settles to a puffy White Island , good lacings

Aroma is spicy. Peppery, whiff of cloves

Taste is peppery with a kiss of cloves

Mouthfeel is crisp, a little tartness,

Good beer

 

Once again, I’m enjoying a very old beer for New Beer Weekend. Here we have Cuivre, a 2015 anniversary beer from the Bruery. Perfect for a cool cloudy afternoon with a big pot of chili simmering on the stove. Cheers!
______________
4.47/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
750mL bottle into a tulip. Pours a dark clear mahogany brown with minimal head.

Aroma is sweet and dense—molasses, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, bourbon.

Taste follows nose—sweet caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and a boozy warmth as it goes down.

Mouthfeel is sticky and chewy, full bodied. Coats the palate.

Overall, as expected, excellent, and age doesn’t seem to have negatively impacted it. This is clearly a dessert beer and intended to be enjoyed by more than one person or, in my case, one person over a long period.

 

I was trying to go to Equal Parts Brewing this afternoon for some slow pour lagers...but they were doing some crazy busy farmer market or something. I guess that is how I'm always out of the loop, I never check social media for these things...so I had to do an audible

Instead I went to True Anomaly Brewing, and they had a new Saison.

The Gloaming Saison, 5.4% ABV.



Pours with a slight haze, a pale golden/yellow. A small head forms and recedes rather quickly, and not much lace left behind.
Aroma is peppery spice with phenolic yeast. There is a bit of cereal grains and that is about it.
Taste wise, a plastic phenolic yeast character is up front and center. Cereal grains and corn come in next. Maybe the lightest amount of fruity esters in the finish, but very faint and nondescript.
A medium body with moderate carbonation. I'm wanting something with a much more crisp bite. Certainly not hard to drink for what it is, but I'm also looking for something else pretty quickly.

True Anomaly normally does Saisons well. I can't say this is really bad, but it is just the typical American interpretation with too much of a plastic like phenolic character. They have done much better versions of the style in the past.

Overall score is 3.47, B- ish.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/55586/762469/?ba=champ103#lists