New Beer Weekend #273

Drekker/Messorem colab Madam Mumble The Fortune Teller Tropical Gummy Sour, 6.4% ABV. Pours murky orange, with a head that disappeared quickly, leaving puree residue. Aroma is strong tropical fruit, citrus, and gummies. Taste is mainly pineapple, but with the other fruits in the shade, quite sweet, slightly tart, peach on the close. Decent mouthfeel, overall outstanding.

4.35/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks @Beersnake for kicking off NBW!

 

A beer for the Broad Street Bullies!

I suspect that only the more mature BAs who are hockey fans will get the reference to “Broad Street Bullies”. This is a nickname that was given to the Philadelphia Flyers ‘back in the day’:

“The Philadelphia Flyers, formed as a National Hockey League expansion team in 1967, became known as the Broad Street Bullies for their aggressively physical play during the 1972-73 season.”

Ice Hockey in general is a very physical game but the style of hockey for the Philadelphia Flyers ‘back in the day’ was particularly ferocious.

The Flyers opened the 2025-2026 season last evening against the Florida Panthers (the Stanley Cup champions of last season). Unfortunately, they started the season off with a 1-2 loss but the Panthers are a tough opponent.

Today’s new beer is from Dogfish Head: Engine 19 IPA. The Flyers connection with this beer:

“Engine 19 IPA! We’re super excited to have teamed up with our pal Garnet Hathaway and Flyers Charities to launch this citrus-forward India pale ale that’s brewed with an ice-breaking purpose. The collaboration comes in an effort to support Garnet’s ongoing commitment to supporting local first responders and their families through his and his wife Lindsay’s Hath’s Heroes initiative. For as long as we’ve been brewing beer (30 years!), we’ve been committed to giving back to our local communities through our Beer & Benevolence program, so a collaboration like this was a no brainer for us!

More than a year in the works, Engine 19 IPA is the product of our shared vision with Garnet: creating a beer that not only tastes good but does good. We worked closely with Garnet to create a beer that’s both flavorful and meaningful, with a recipe inspired by community connection, approachability, and celebration. The result is an 6.5% ABV IPA featuring Simcoe, Chinook and Citra hops for aromas of pine and pithy citrus rounded out by flavors of passion fruit, toffee and biscuit.

The name of the beer itself is an ode to Garnet’s great-grandfather, Garnet Mcelroy. Garnet, who now sports the #19 for the Flyers, was inspired by his ancestor’s incredible experiences serving as a firefighter out in Winnipeg to create Hath’s Heroes alongside his wife, Lindsey.”

https://www.dogfish.com/blogfish/engine-19

This beer is labeled as being an “American India Pale Ale” on the front of the can and 6.5% ABV.

On the back of the can: “This satisfying IPA is filled with top-shelf aromas of pine and pithy citrus rounded out by the lamp lighting goodness of American malt.”

Served in my Spiegelau IPA glass:

Appearance:

A deep golden color with an orange-ish hue (a tribute to Flyers orange I presume) with a BIG off-white head.

Aroma:

The aroma is dominated with citrus pith but also some other stuff as well (but not exactly pine for my palate) in the background. Also, a slight hint of caramel/toffee from the malts.

Taste:

The flavors follow the nose with hop flavors (e.g., citrus pith, etc.) but the malt flavors (e.g., toffee/caramel) are more noticeable; a balanced flavor profile. A notable bitterness.

Mouthfeel

Medium body with a dry finish.

Overall

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

The balance of the flavor profile sorta reminds me of an old school East Coast IPA.

Cheers!

@RobH @rotsaruch @KOP_Beer_OUtlet



P.S. The famous Bobby Clarke smile holding the Stanley Cup:

 

Sad to see this didn’t make it across the Delaware, reads like an IPA I would enjoy; thanks for sharing this one

 

It's been a minute since I posted in this thread. I think @cjgiant may have been opening the last time I posted... Anyway, here goes. I got this beer in Virginia (I think) so that seems appropriate.

Pours a dark brown with no head and no lacing.

The smell is chocolate, bourbon, and something a bit sweet underneath.

The taste is loaded with chocolate and fruit, with a slightly tart and very sweet finish. The balance of fruit and chocolate/bourbon is outstanding.

The mouthfeel is thick with a decent amount of carbonation that doesn't overpower.

Overall, this is outstanding and goes beyond my expectations.

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

Got to thank @Beersnake for re-opening the awesome virtual bar. Now time to get into it with this beer that came into work yesterday.

12 Pointer - Bad Habit Brewing - St. Joseph, MN - American Lager - 4%

This is a very easy to drink beer. In all honesty, I am just about done with the glass, and it didn't take long to get here. The flavor isn't off the charts, but it is decent overall.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42984/765356/
3.57/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a 16oz can. Canned in October of 2025.

This beer is quite clear looking in the glass and golden in color. There's a steady stream of carbonation bubbles rising in the glass. There's a 2 finger white and frothy looking head that has decent head retention. There's a bit of clingy looking lacing on the glass.
The aroma is a bit on the light side. There's a touch of grain in the aroma with a slightly sweet aroma.
There's a bit of cereal/grain in the flavor that hits right away. There's a bit of a floral element on the back that is slightly earthy and grassy in nature.
Light and crisp body. Quite bubbly feeling, and this feeling does linger in my throat. The grain flavor does leave a grainy feeling in my throat.
This is a very easy drinking beer overall. The flavor is decent for the ABV. Glad I bought it to try.

I know there's another in me tonight. Be back shortly.

 

Maybe it is still in transit across Delaware Bay? Sam is not as young as he used to be:

"When Dogfish Head was just starting out in 1997, I rowed the first six-pack sold out of state across Delaware Bay to New Jersey," says Calagione.



Cheers!

 

Alluvial Pluvial Porter w/Coconut

Appearance: Black, huge head.

Smell: Light roasted malt, mild coconut aroma.

Taste: Mild sweetness, then medium-light roasted malt and mild coconut flavor. The coconut is there but not heavy. Smooth mouthfeel. Finishes with the mild coconut.

Overall: A very sessionable porter with mild coconut flavor. I've had coconut porters/stouts that are one-and-done because they're too sweet or too coconutty. This is a very easy to drink porter that has moderate coconut in it. Tasty!

 

As promised, another beer, and the last one tonight. This also came into work yesterday.

Druid Pines - Hammerheart Brewing - Ely, MN - American Lager - 5.9%

Holy cow, there's a lot going on with this beer - and I like it a lot. Delicious overall.

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/31326/763134/
4.14/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 16oz can with no date on it.

This beer has a nice dark golden color to it, and is clear looking. There's a small stream of carbonation bubbles that are rising in the glass to the top. There's a 2 finger white head to the beer that has decent head retention. There's no lacing on the glass.
There's a light smoke aroma to this beer. This smoke doesn't overpower the grain hints in the aroma that lean toward cereal. There's also a cooked wild rice aroma to this beer, which makes sense, since they used wild rice in making the beer.
The flavor has a lot going on. The smoke seems to hit my taste buds right away, but isn't a strong smoke - very subtle. The grain, barley, hits next. The wild rice also provides a hint of an earthy, grassy flavor to this beer. There's a sweetness on the finish that is mild. The thing is about this beer, none of the flavors fade away. They build and add to the previous flavor.
The body is clingy in my throat. Very full bodied for the style. Smooth, almost creamy feeling.
This beer is a damn winner. Wow. Very happy and impressed with it.

All right, I will see you all tomorrow with new beers. Cheers.

 

Couldn't resist grabbing a single for $1.38 - it's certainly no Reality Czech, but I wonder how it compares to freshly canned Pilsner Urquell? Cheers!

4.07/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Packaged September 9th, enjoyed on October 10th, 2025 - poured from a half pint can (8.4oz) into my 10oz stein.

Pale, nearly clear citron body with a small active white cap. Fine lacing, decent retention.

Grassy, lightly spicy, crackery aroma - hints of citrus and alfalfa. Inviting.

Characterful, gently complex malt profile evolves slowly over time. Moderate bitterness, lightly spicy/grassy hop flavors. Hints of winter fruit, green apple, and winter melon in the medium-dry finish. Some lager yeast notes, though nothing off.

Crisp, medium-light bodied, with soft carbonation. Refreshing.

Well crafted, though not as good as the best examples of the style.

 

Cheers to @Beersnake for getting us started. I am such a beer ***** I don't think I have a favorite brewer. Usually on the ones I really like, there are just misses because I don't like the flavor or style profile. I think about every brewery misses om the light/white stouts, not natural

This one here is a bit of a miss from a brewery that usually delivers. Heirloom Rustic Ales ( Tulsa ) Meadowbier, Festbier, 5.4% ABV; 3.24 overall


Pours an effervescent & chill hazed gold with one+ finger of pearl colored head. Average head retention & good lacing

S: Bready, floral, some pear notes once warm

T: Follows the nose, a little grassy as well, just a little dryness up front. Some pear notes, more grassyness, & some herbal hops as this beer warms up. Finishes dry, grassy with pear notes

MF: Medium body, dialed back carbonation, but enough to push drinkability, slight grittiness to this, skews a little sweet, but not out balance, a little too fruity to love

Drinks okay, but not really on style. A rare miss from these guys

 

Thanks for opening the three day party @Beersnake! Tonight I will be one and done as this is over 14%.
But doesn’t the alcohol cook off when you bake a cheesecake?
Not in this case-

I told myself that I would not buy beer that cost more than a dollar an ounce. That didn’t last long.
The pour is stout black with a dark brown head that almost covers the surface. But with the ABV, no surprise.
The taste, well, it’s a straight up pastry stout. Has the chocolate, the coffee, the bready malts that Prairie is known for and on top of that really well done imperial stout is a decadent lactose and sugar flavor that takes it into new territory.
The feel is lightly viscous, a little lighter than I expected but in no way lessened the beer.
OA, a rare pastry stout that I would be happy to drink again.
Yup, one and done for me tonight, chat again tomorrow. Cheers!

 

Skydance Abstrax Hazy DIPA, 8.2% ABV with Nectaron, Mosaic & Abstrax Citra Hops; 3.62 overall

Pours a very hazed gold with 2+ fingers of cream-colored head ( mini gusher from a not gentle pour ). Plenty of floaties sunk to the bottom of the glass; good head retention & better lacing

S: Nectarines, guava, some cereal notes ( oats? ), some grapefruit & cattyness once warmed up

T: Tangerine, guava, a little dryness & pomelo up front. White grape notes, pomelo & dryness once this beer is warm, some grassy notes. Finishes with white grape, pomelo & dryness

Easy enough to drink, but some gritty notes & the flavors just didn't pull together

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, a little gritty. Decent balance, carbonation picks up a little once warmed up

Lower tier for these guys, decent drinkability

 

FWIW I have yet to enjoy a beer brewed with Abstrax hops.

Cheers!

 

This might be my first? Not ringing any bells

 

@bbtkd

Boulevard BA Chocolate Milk Stout, 12.2% ABV; 4.34 overall

Pours an effervescent chestnut/mahogany with a pinky of mocha colored head. Viscous, minimal head retention & lacing

S: Plenty of chocolate milk, a little vanilla

T: Follows the nose with some barrel bite, just a little coffee sneaking in up front. A lot like Hot Cocoa with some Bourbon splashed in generously, plenty of barrel, traces of woody hops, & cinnamon once this is warmed through. Finishes with a little carob, tons of milk chocolate, barrel & now restrained Bourbon presence

MF: A little chewy, warming, low carbonation that does pick up once a little warmer

Delivers the goods, another locked in BA Imp Stout from these guys with Pastry Stout front & center

 

Welcome Back @jvgoor3786 ! I enjoyed your cellar review, and hope you will continue to join us.

Thanks for the kickoff. Your beer and brewery featured today sounded excellent.

In terms of your kick off question, over the past five years, I’ve reverted to the tried and true breweries in terms of the bulk purchases for my daily home beers. Some breweries like New Glarus, Firestone Walker and Beachwood brew beers I love across many styles and do it consistently well to great. Others like Dovetail and Spiteful here are my local favorites, but do not come out with many new beers, sticking with their tried and true recipes perfected over the years.

So while my Monday - Friday beers are consistent favorites, I branch out for my Saturday and Sunday beers to a wider range of breweries, and have primarily stick with single can or bottle purchases to limit the damage in the event a new beer turns out to be good or not so good.

I list my favorite breweries, beer bars and dive bars in my Profile Page - Information Tab: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/members/chicagoj.938016/

I’ll be returning soon with a new beer.

 

Here up in the late hours, hoping to get to sleep soon after this as I'm a volunteer pourer tomorrow at Dovetail for a fundraiser benefiting a Chicago food pantry. This is a potpourri weekend, which may include a beer or two from Dovetail later today. The marathon may limit any beer adventures tomorrow. First up, a style I love from a suburban brewery I have limited experience, but have liked so far.

Sketchbook Grodziskie

4.29/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25



10/11/25 - (Home) (Chicago, Illinois) Can Notes: Purchased a single 16 oz can at Beer on the Wall at store temperature on 9/12/25 for $3.41 including tax. No can date, distributed the week ended 9/12/25. 4.1% ABV Piwo Grodziskie Smoked Polish Style Wheat Ale. Brewed by Sketchbook Brewing Company - Evanston, Illinois - Skokie, Illinois.

Fire Up The Grill! When Cesar's historical Smoked Polish Style Wheat won the Sam Adam's Longshot contest it quickly captured the hearts of beer fans around the country. Perfect Pairings: Grilled Vegetables, Gouda, Pork, Kielbasa, Anything BBQ. 2023 Bronze Medal winner in the Historical Beer category at the Great American Beer Festival.

Appearance: Poured half the can into a tall pilsner narrow flute glass, yielding a generous egg white bubbly head leaving clumpy soapy lacing spots and a creamy cover over the clear straw golden yellow base. Sustained medium plus carbonation throughout. 4.5

Aroma: Nice smokey aroma, campfire wood, smoked polish sausage, maple candied bacon. Very nice and bold in strength. 4.25

Taste: Consistent with the aroma, pegging the maple syrup bacon first and foremost, campfire wood and salty cracker providing a nice supporting boost. 4.25

Mouthfeel: Consistent with the lower ABV. Body light and watery, minimally dry. Light gentle to slightly prickly carbonation throughout. The initial maple syrup bacon turns into a more balanced presentation of smoked bacon, wood and cracker as the bulk of this experience through the finish. 4.5

Overall: Really enjoying this one, in part because I love the style, but also Sketchbook's execution of this beer. Recommend to those who love the blended flavors noted in the mouthfeel section. Will buy more with confidence down the road, at least after fresh drops or on draft if they don't start dating their cans. Well done. 4.25

 

Well, as I catch up sipping my morning coffee I feel that despite last nights beer not being technically new, it is newly canned and I did change my review and rating, and it directly relates to your opening thoughts @Beersnake so…this one is from last night.

I think all of you know my favorite brewery at this point because I’ve sent many of you their beers; at least one of you will get this beer later this year cause it’s that good. Do they ever swing and miss? In all the years I’ve drank their beer I don’t remember any. Better yet those real winners seem to always get rewarded and show up in cans, when, is a mystery, sometimes a year later like this one below that I had as my birthday beer last June…this is the flipside to their longest brewed beer, their Mexican lager Poolside, this is appropriately called…

Tonewood - Deep End (Mexican Style Dark Lager)



The picture speaks for itself appearance wise but this beer is remarkably smooth; it has a subtle sweetness which really dries out with some bitterness and just the awesome but not in your face roastiness that is ever present in aroma, taste and aftertaste; masters of balance and drinkability.

Now, is this a dunkle under a different style name, no? Is it a Vienna, no? The roast and touch of sweet make this beer distinctly different from both of those styles. I think I need to get some modelo negra and side by side it eventually, I think I know the outcome but more curious for similarities.

Thanks for letting me sort of cheat this AM, it was fun. I’ll be back with a real new beer and new country tick after a long long day of soccer, two different tourneys, two different towns, the Fisher clan will divide and conquer this day. Cheers all.