New Beer Weekend #287

Giovanni, thanks for taking the time to construct that well thought out post.

Do you have a relationship with Eli Facchinei of Tonewood? Maybe forward this message to him with the preface you wish to be helpful?

Cheers!

Jack

 

I applaud the brewery for labeling this beer via "Black Hefeweizen". All of the Dunkelweiss beers I have had were amber to brown in color so if they labeled it as a Dunkelwiess this beer would be surprising to me.

Barrel Theory must have used some very dark malts to brew this beer. Maybe some dehusked Carafa malts?

Prost!

 

Thanks, Jack — yes, I’m comfortable with that.

For context: Eli and I know each other through overlapping professional circles, and he would recognize who I am. I followed his move back east through mutual connections, including Matt Skoufalos via NJPEN, and while I was training breweries in Wyoming I was aware of and followed his work out west, including Telluride. We did meet, though we haven’t been in regular contact.

If you do forward it, my hope is simply that it’s received in the spirit it was shared — as thoughtful, on-the-ground feedback meant to be helpful and constructive.

Cheers!

 

Giovanni, it was my suggestion that you forward your message to Eli. Especially since you know him.

FWIW I had a 10-15 minute conversation with Eli when he attended the annual Logjammin' Lager Beer Festival in Philly a couple/few years ago. We had a good discussion about brewing and he was willing to share technical brewing details with me. Having related that, he likely has zero memory of me.

It would be best if you are the messenger here.

Cheers!

 

Ah — apologies, Jack. That one’s on me.

I’m juggling a lot at the moment (cybersecurity coursework, PowerShell labs, a few parallel projects, and moderating another page), so I may not have been as clear as I should’ve been.

I don’t actually have Eli’s direct or personal contact information, and I don’t currently have a channel where forwarding this would make sense beyond what’s already been shared publicly.

Thanks for understanding, and I appreciate the thoughtful exchange all the same.

Cheers!!!

 

Northbound Smokehouse Eisbock


Appearance: Clear dark amber, ok head.

Smell: Rich fruits, sweet, booze.

Taste: Follows the smell, sweet and rich, dark fruits. Not boozy even for 16%. Not heavy, medium feel. Tasty!

Overall: Finally got to Northbound to try their eisbock after many years of just missing it. Very tasty, only can get a 6oz pour and no to-go option so maybe can't go quite as in-depth. Glad I got to try it!

 

I was thinking the same thing when reading Jack's review. That is not the beer that you sent me that I enjoyed so much. Too bad.

Hopefully back later today with a new one.

 

Only one new beer for me today as I'm enjoying some old favorites for Baltic Porter Day. I liked this good local one from Wolf's Ridge:

The Old Man and The Beer | Wolf's Ridge Brewing | BeerAdvocate





I'll make sure to check out everyone else's new beers later on, cheers!

 

Hey all! Picked up a new beer from the brewery on my route: troubles end brewing “ west coast pilsner “!

Pours a bright clear golden color with a rough moderate head. Interesting sweet slightly citrus aroma with subtle bready notes. Crisp pleasant bitterness, good malt backbone, light grapefruit juice flavor. Medium mouthfeel with lively carbonation. Overall, excellent!

This almost drinks like a light pale ale. More full bodied than a Pilsner. Definitely more hoppy and not as much cracker flavor as a Pilsner! @jonphisher

 

Last night's beer and write up, just didn't get around to posting....Happy weekend everyone, I’m excited it’s the weekend, more than normal. Not sure why, just feels nice to be at home with impending cold and a three day weekend.

I like that @ChicagoJ tends to have themes and I sort of have an unofficial theme to my weekend. We’ll call it “past meets present”…my second beer will reminisce on the past and this one on the present beer scene locally.

Beer has come a long way here in the Garden State and this one embodies South Jersey. Wander Back is a newer brewery that will finally have a tap room soon, in Vineland, NJ. They are one of many to use Rabbit Hill Malt, a grower and maltster in SJ. However; they are one of the few to exclusively use NJ malt in their beers; true locally grown and brewed.

This one is a kellerpils that my brother in law gave to me, he connects to beer two (the past) as well, but for now we stay in the present…

Wander Back - Automatik (Kellerpils 5%)



Pours lightly cloudy; light straw, white bubbly head, slightly puffy, at to below average retention, no lacing.

Bright nose; freshly milled pale malt, fields of grain, bread crust, hops in the middle ground between floral and herbal; sourdough bite.

Taste builds on that pleasant pale malt aroma; oven fresh bread with some rustic grain notes, maybe some cereal; hops are green leaf like in nature with spritzy light citrus finish.

Light body with good malt heft; soft at first with a snappy refreshing finish, light but quite noticeable bitterness; rustic like yet clean.

Quality kellerbier; not always the biggest fan but this one is both rustic and clean all at once, LOVED the aroma on this beer; like I was in a field or room full of brewing malt.

Neat to see an almost all NJ lager brewery that uses 100% NJ malt in all their beers. I definitely suggest trying beers from this brewery for the curious beer drinker who comes to South Jersey.

---------------------

Looking forward to sharing my "past" portion of this post either today or tomorrow, said beer was also drank last night and reviewed, will probably save the post for prime time Sunday and just lurk tonight as I watch the kids solo and enjoy some familiar brews. Cheers everyone.

 

Glad to join in this special long holiday weekend NBW thread (hint, hint, Mods).

I found myself without any baltic porters in the fridge this year, so I'm just clearing space taken up by holiday leftover beers. Today's new beer (I must have had this one before, but have no recollection of it) was underwhelming in comparison with yesterday afternoon's Allagash White.

Sam Adams Winter Wheat Ale
5.7% Witbier



Pours clear gold with a three-finger bright white head.

Aromas of orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, and for some reason I get a lot of banana (not sure if it's really there or if I'm misidentifying something else). Also some floral hops going on as well.

The taste follows but somewhat subdued from the aroma. Starts with some mellow wheat notes and then gets more interesting with slight orange zest, cinnamon, and honey. As it warms, orange, floral hops, and some clove come out on the finish. Develops a medicinal bitterness on the aftertaste that I've gotten from multiple SA beers the past few years.

Medium-light bodied with bright carb. Has a somewhat thin feel though. A bit syrupy feeling on the finish.

Overall, not too bad but not too good either.

 

Well, I am a "curious beer drinker". How widely distributed are Wander Back beers?

Cheers!

 

I think mostly in the South Jersey area for now; I think you know but it’s that group of former Cape May Brewing employees that started it up. Their festbier was particularly memorable for me as well.

 

Yep, a good team of guys!

I spoke to the owner of my local Retail Beer Distributor and asked who was distributing Tonewood beers in the Philly area and he mentioned 31st & Wharton:

https://31standwharton.com/#allBrands

Maybe as the demand for Wander Back grows they too might 'jump' the Delaware River?

Cheers!

 

81F here, decided to pop open my first saison of the year - enjoying this lovely offering from Suarez - cheers!

4.31/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottled September, 2022 - enjoyed on January 17, 2026. Poured from a 750mL bottle into my Drie de Fonteinen tumbler.

Clear aureolin liquid with a smattering of chalk-white micro-foam. Adequate retention; fine sandy lacing.

Bright citrus, floral, and herbaceous (pineapple sage) notes in the nose - well integrated, inviting, and potent.

Tart palate entry with hints of citrus, malt, and green peppercorn. Mild bitterness (more herbal than hoppy), and faint barnyard funk with some wild honey and yogurt notes. Fairly neutral yeast. Dry complex finish. Wonderful synergy of ingredients throughout.

Light bodied, well carbonated, and refreshing.

Perfect showcase of pineapple sage with a lovely base beer, balanced between a wild ale and a farmhouse ale.

 

Glad you enjoyed it!!!

 

New Trail - Icicle NEIPA
7% ABV
Malts: Oats, Wheat, Spelt
Hops: Simcoe, Amarillo, Centennial



4.02/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This beer does everything well with nary an imperfection. Initial head is bountiful, scents of tropical and citrus fruit are available followed by similar flavors. There is a dank touch and a delicate bit of resin coming forth. Some bitterness. I like when hazies are done this way, keeping sweetness in check. Overall a nice single Hazy IPA.

 

@vurt sent me a selection of really awesome looking beers, and a Baltic Porter was among them. So I had to try it for the Baltic Porter Day and its associated thread.
As it was new to me, I’ll post the details here.

The pour is pretty much stout black with a very tall tan (light brown?) head that leaves rings of lacing. Serious rings. Nice looking beer!
The taste, wow. Not certain it hits the style guidelines, but this tastes amazing. Chocolate and breakfast blend coffee and dark bread all combined to make an almost sublime experience. No hops bitterness anywhere near.
The feel is more viscous, or maybe it just has more body, than other Baltic Porters that I’ve had, but the depth of flavor explains why. (So much flavor!)
OA, wow. What a treat.
Not sure if I will be back today, but I probably will have a nightcap.
Cheers!

 

Schilling - Augustin 13°
Polotmavy Lager
5.6% ABV



4.21/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I really like this style of Czech "half dark" lager, and Schilling's version doesn't disappoint. Looks are as expected with lush foam that recedes leaving very little lacing. A few sniffs provide caramel, brown bread, and lager yeast scents centralized around an herbal quality. Sips follow the nose quite closely with additional dry graham cracker malt notes and an earthy floral hop kiss. Malty goodness is prevalent over all with a full body and appropriate carbonation. Flavors linger long after a pull is taken. Drinkability is above average, but this tastes so good I'd rather savor it than smash it down. This is an excellent lager and another Schilling winner