New Beer Weekend #285

Wrexham lager, thanks @ChicagoJ for starting off the nbw
...very clear gold appearance
...medium carbonation with about a medium body
... Aroma is grain especially corn,cereal, toasted bread, yeast and floral
...taste is grain,cereal, toast, floral honey with a bit of malt
... for something that is supposed to be a cheaper beer I found it to a flavorful experience

 

Thanks for starting us off @ChicagoJ I prepped a review for this long weekend last night. I

I recently got the recently released Dogfish variety pack, purchased at the brewery, as a result it was/is as fresh as it gets. When I saw that my 60 minute cans were only 3 weeks old I knew I had something special and had to give it a proper review and the respect such a classic deserves under my lucky circumstances.

No introductions needed…

Dogfish - 60 Minute IPA (AIPA 6%)



Pours mix of amber and copper; very clear, sticky cohesive head with great retention; great lacing.

Nose is a balanced mix of malt and hops; but leans towards the latter, malty citrus with pine undertones, lightly sweet smelling and toasty.

Like the nose, taste is a great interplay between mat and classic hop character; the malt coats the tongue first, its very lightly sweet, caramelized orange peel; good grass and pine on the back end; the maltiness really compliments the hops in this beer

Mouthfeel is medium; sweetness only in taste, this beer dries out slowly and finishes clean; light lingering hop resin with moderate bitterness; very drinkable IPA.

This is such a delicious beer; just a great balance of malt and IPA level hops that complement one another so well in a highly drinkable beer, especially given its abv. This is very fresh, regardless, if one hasn’t had this beer in a while I suggest revisiting this classic. So glad to have got this fresh in the mix pack.

@vabeerguy
@Daniellobo

———————

I hope to be back later this weekend with some new ones I’ve been looking forward to but milking to make them last. Cheers everyone.

 

For the Eighth day of Christmas - Let’s Spruce things up!

Today’s new beer is a collaboratively brewed by Von Trapp & Bissel Brothers at the Von Trapp brewery in Stowe, VT: Polotmavý Lager with Spruce Tips.

What is a Polotmavý beer you might ask:

“Basically, the Czechs describe their beers by color and strength. First, let’s learn our colors:

Pale = Světlý

Semi-dark (Amber) = Polotmavý

Dark = Tmavý (or Tmavé)

Black = černý”

https://morebeer.com/blogs/articles/a-beer-drinkeras-tale-of-visiting-the-czech-republic

On BA, the Polotmavý is listed as Czech Amber Lager.

But today’s new beer is more than just a Polotmavý since the brewers decided to ‘kick it up a notch’ with the addition of spruce tips.

From the back of the can:

“Polotmavý

Lager with Spruce Tips

Czech style amber lager brewed with Blue Ox malt and freshly picked spruce tips from Maine.”

I was heretofore unfamiliar with Blue Ox malt and it is apparently from a malthouse in Maine. You can even buy an action figure of a Blue Ox maltster:

Insert photo here

https://www.blueoxmalthouse.com/

So, what happens when you combine a traditional Czech beer style with some nuances of New England collaborative brewing prowess? Let’s find out.

Served in my Human Robot Tubinger mug:

Appearance

Amber colored with an off-white head.

Aroma:

Mostly malt aromas of brown bread crust, toffee and even some caramel but in the background there is some spruce (e.g., sorta piney in nature).

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with the malty flavors of brown bread crust/toffee/caramel being front and center but the sprucy flavor is a bit more notable on the palate. There is a low-medium bitterness

Mouthfeel

Medium bodied with a dry finish.

Overall

This beer is very good – excellent. The Von Trapp and Bissel Brothers brewers did a great job in crafting this special release beer. They used a deft hand in the utilization of spruce tips and their selection of Blue Ox malts was superb. While this beer mostly featured maltiness the spruce addition really brought this beer into an enjoyable balance.

I hope they decide to brew this beer again when the Maine spruce tips are ready to be harvested next year.

Cheers!

@rotsaruch @RobH @KOP_Beer_OUtlet

 

Yep! Back in the day, BAs would characterize this beer as an East Coast IPA. I suppose that terminology became extinct when somebody came up with the terminology of New England IPA?

Kudos to you for finding such a fresh can of this beer!

Cheers!

 

Big ups to @ChicagoJ for the start

Was super happy to find this beer

Hofbrau House Delicator Doppelbock, 8.3% ABV; 4.03 overall

Pours a ruddy & effervescent Chestnut with 2 fingers of tan head. Below average head retention & better lacing

S: Brown sugar, brown bread, some caramel once warmer

T: Follows the nose some woody & leafy hops as well, plus gingerbread notes up front. Some molasses, leafy hops, faint peppery ginger & dryness as this beer warms up. Finishes dry with woody hops, gingerbread notes & brown sugar

MF: Medium body, moderate carbonation, hoped for a little more body

Solid Doppel, decent drinkability

 

Stone smoked porter
...almost solid ruby/mohagany
...medium light carbonation with an above average body
...aroma is malt,dark chocolate, black coffee, mocha, vanilla and marshmallow.
...taste is a bit sweet at first but is quickly replaced with black coffee bitterness. Dark chocolate with vanilla and marshmallow showing up in the finish.
...overall an interesting flavorful porter

 

This one is drinking great this year. Great review!

 

Prairie MichelOkie American Strong Ale, 13.7% ABV; 4.28 overall BBA w/Vanilla Beans, Cocoa
Nibs, Pecans, Coffee & Caramel Sauce

Pours an effervescent Hazel/Chestnut with a sliver of fast falling tan head. Super viscous, some head retention & lacing

S: Treacle some coffee, cocoa & traces of barrel that hang in there, barely. Coffee takes over once warm, some chocolate & caramel, hints of cinnamon & peppers too

T: Coffee, some Bourbon, caramel & a little dryness, figs & leafy hops up front. Brownie notes, Bourbon, muted coffee & caramel, figs & leafy hops as this beer warms up. Finishes with coffee front & center, dark chocolate, Bourbon bite, figs, caramel & leafy hops

MF: Medium body, slight carbonation, warming

A sipper, but damn drinkable, wish more these Prairie beers would make their way to Arkansas. This is from my Kansas haul

 

Allagash dark lager with cherries
...an almost solid cola appearance
...medium light carbonation with about a medium body
...aroma is mildly roasted malts, rye, dark toast, very mild fresh cherries with a bit of roasted grain
...taste has mild sweetness, cherry cola, roasted malt and toast.
...Definitely has a lot going on and the cherry is subdued but isn't artificial. Have to be in the mood but very enjoyable

 

What is the level/amount of smoky flavor in this beer?

Cheers!

 

Oddly as I read my own review I realized I didn't pick up much. Theres a bit but I had to look for it

 

Wow, when did this one come back? I have fond memories of this beer, could be a fun revisit.

 

Glad we can have another holiday edition of NBW. I'm having a rare breakfast beer and it was firmly mediocre. Hopefully back with something a bit better this afternoon.

Lost Towns Flannels and Blankets
6% English Brown Ale



Pours a somewhat cloudy dark ruby brown with barely any head.

Bold, sweet aromas straight off the pour: brown sugar, caramel, toffee, slight molasses. There's also a slight fruitiness that plays well with the sweet notes and earthy/nutty undertones that build as it warms.

The taste follows this profile, but not as bold. Brown sugar and caramel up front that quickly mixes with berry and dark fruit through the middle. Nearing the finish, some earthy bitterness and nuttiness comes through along with brown bread. The aftertaste is slightly sweet and nutty.

Medium-light bodied and very low carb gives a thin, smooth feel. Finish is somewhat sweet but not sticky.

Overall, a decent attempt at an English Brown with individual components that stand out nicely but that misses the mark when considering the whole. With an undated can and little carb, I do wonder if this had been on the shelf a little too long.

 

Maredret Altus from John Martin's (John Martin SA).

Very interesting. A Belgian Dark that leans Gruit. Review coming this weekend.

Poured a 330ml bottle into a chalice. A one finger off white head on a slightly hazy dark amber. The head diminishes to a layer that persists to the end. Sheets of fine lacing.

Sweet spicy malts in the nose. The taste is interesting. The juniper and clove are apparent. Some caramel and hop. The herbal additions lend this beer some Gruit like qualities.

Medium body and light carbonation. Very smooth with a soft texture. Overall a fine and unique Belgian Dark Ale. Well worth a try.

4.12/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

 

Truth Serum from Rorschach Brewing Co.

From a 473ml can dated 12/17/25. Poured into a pint glass. A two finger fine white head on a cloudy dirty cream. Excellent head retention. The head diminishes to a layer that sticks around to the end. Lots of patchy lacing.

Grapefruit pith in the nose. tastes of grapefruit. Some pineapple. Some mineral. Sweet up front but dries towards the end.

Very smooth. A creamy texture. The ABV is well hidden. Medium body and carbonation. Overall an interesting and good quality American IPA.

3.93/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

 

Great start! Thanks J

 

Hello All. Much appreciation to @Ozzylizard for this one even though it did not quite scratch the RIS itch. But still, I always appreciate trying something new.
Atomic Age by Adroit Theory

Gorgeous RIS. Pours 40W motor oil black. Fills the glass with a glossy obsidian shine. Deep cocoa colored head forms a firm head that elevates nearly 2 inches, slowly recedes to a ring with a thin film cap, and leaves lithe layers of lacing.
Nose is timid in its delivery of diluted coffee and roasted malt. Really not much else here.
Flavor follows the nose. Slightly more developed in the roasted malt notes but not sweet by any stretch. Again, the coffee comes off as diluted and lacking depth and any distinguishing contributions.
Mouthfeel is perplexing after witnessing the glory of the pour. A tad thin for style. Mildly bitter on the finish. Appropriately low carbonation.
3.21/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

 

Two beers on the first page of NBW; this might be a first for me. I'm back with something significantly better than this morning's pint. Hope to drop in again tomorrow.

Schilling Modernism
4.6% Czech Dark Lager



Pours black with a three-finger light tan head that lingers admirably.

Aromas of pumpernickel bread, slight char, roasted grain, and woody hops. I don't get a lot of variety on the nose, but what is there is nice and bold.

There is more depth of flavor than aroma. The sip starts off with baker's chocolate and slight molasses, quickly rounding out with black bread, roasted grain, and some wood and ash. In the latter portion of the sip, the hop characteristics come to the fore with woody and earthy notes. A quick spike of chocolate on the finish sets up a long, bitter aftertaste of wood and char.

Medium bodied with substantial but fine carb give this a smooth and frothy feel, drinking a bit fuller than it likely is. A dry finish lines up the next sip nicely.

Overall, this is great. Big flavors with a full feel, yet not heavy. We're certainly spoiled for high-quality craft lagers in New England.