New Beer Weekend #297

So. Got what I think is my highest step count (for us old folk, walking is exercise) and to mark the occasion, a barleywine! (@Dimidiata would be proud!)

The pour is darker than I expected, nearly stout black with brown highlights and a very light brown head that left rings of lacing.
The taste, wow, if you could make a caramel that wasn’t sweet, this may be what it tastes like. Some light figs, some plum, some leather (not sure why that is a flavor, but it fits) No hops bitterness whatsoever.
The feel is oddly light, but that just makes it easier to quaff.
OA, what a treat. This is what all malty beers should reach for. Seriously, it’s really good.
That will definitely be it for me tonight,
Have a great night -
Cheers!

 

Beachwood + Green Cheek - Lucky & Cheeky's Escape, WC IPA

16oz can, probably too cold due to my hotel fridge, served in a little plastic hotel cup. Can is dated 01/06/26. I think I bought it two days ago at The Glendale Tap.

Pours pretty clear light amber with a slight orange tinge, nut much head. No visible carbonation. Smell is pine needles, pine resin, orange blossoms, hint of grain.

Taste is much orangier than I expected -- a little earthy bitterness, some citrus rind that is fairly non-specific. Bitterness becomes more generic instead of the clear pine and citrus I hoped for, but still pleasant.

Mouthfeel is light, dry. Overall, solid. Would have liked to try it farther from my 3 month threshold for buying unknown IPAs.

 

@Resistance88 took me there on Friday. It's our special place now.

 

Mahalo to @muchloveforhops3 for this Bombastic Brewery Smack Peanute Butter & Huckleberry Jelly Pastry Stout, 14.0% ABV; 4.15 overall

Pours a somewhat effervescent chestnut/mahogany with one finger of mocha colored head. Viscous, zero head retention & lacing

S: PB& J, berry dominant

T: PB& J with peanut butter leading the charge along with dryness & cocoa up front. Peanut butter, cocoa & berries as this beer warms up. PB & J finish, a little dark chocolate & slight booze bite & some roasted grain notes

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, a little booze warming

Impressive drinkability for the ABV. Peanut butter is tricky for me, this one works better than most

 

2 of Pennsylvania's finest exports...
Utz and Troegs
The beer, for me, is new...
The pretzels tried and true


A perfect pairing, indeed.
The Pennsylvania Lager is a classic, old skool lager, with cool retro label.
Cheers!

 

3.68/5 rDev -6.1%

look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16 ounce can marked batch #790 into a snifter at 55.4 degrees F.

Appearance- Amber-brown, low transmission translucent, plentiful small visible particulate, light brown creamy head, above average head retention, average lacing.

Aroma- Clove, toast, toffee, medium strength of scent.

Flavor- Clove, toffee, toast, pepper, between medium and high strength of flavor.

Mouthfeel- Between medium and full body, average carbonation, highly creamy, moderately bitter, moderately sweet, moderately mouth warming, soft, moderately dry finish, mildly mouth coating.

Overall- Amber-brown with low transmission translucence and above average head retention and average lacing. The bouquet was a mix of clove, toast and toffee with medium intensity. The flavor followed the nose with the addition of pepper layered in and slightly more strength. The mouthfeel consisted of a medium-full body and high creaminess. There were moderate amounts of sweetness, bitterness and mouth warming property. Overall, the appearance and mouthfeel were great with this beer, but the aromatics and flavor were uninteresting and simple, with too much clove character for my palate.

 

Recovering in my hotel room after an afternoon out with @Resistance88 and his wife (honestly not sure if it's voluntary or if there's some human trafficking going on, but she's seems pretty okay with the situation). I think I'm going to feel that imperial stout, spicy Thai, 120 minute IPA, and deep fried papaya at 3 AM when I head to LAX...

North Park - Proper Dankness. Surprise! It's an IPA. WC, 6.8%.
16oz can served in a little plastic hotel cup. I think it's dated...01/20. Either bought it yesterday at Talon Tap & Wine, or Friday at Glendale Tap.

Pours clear golden yellow, fairly large head on the pour that evaporates rapidly. Smell is...dank. Who could have seen that coming, from the name? Pot and earthy notes, a little honeysuckle.

Taste is less aggressive than the aroma, more of the honeysuckle comes out. But the dankness has not disappeared. Nicely bitter, earthy. Super piney bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is light, smooth, dry. Nice beer.

 

Claremont - Jacaranda rye IPA @ 6.7%

16oz can served in a little plastic hotel cup. Canned on Groundhog's Day.

Pours dark gold or light amber, medium sized head, plenty of carbonation. Smell is grain and earthy bitter, rye spice and rising bread. Grapefruit rind.

Taste is rye, rye, hops, rye, and bread. Grapefruit rind, pine resin, generic citrus zest. Moderate sweetness from the strong malty backbone.

Mouthfeel is medium, maybe a bit heavier. Really nice beer. I am a sucker for a rye IPA, though...

 

Smog City - Sabre Toothed Squirrel, Hoppy American amber ale

One of my favorite musicians, quite early in his career...

 

Loving all the left coast late night support!

 

I still like the original, didn't really care for the other versions as much either...

 

Howdy y'all. Really late here. Had a super busy weekend with State Council. So pretty much just reading your thoughts.

Luckily I found a few nice cold ones to hydrate after the heat of the massive No Kings rally in DTLA.

The Redwood Bar & Grill is just a few blocks from City Hall. Cool, pirate theme meets punk rock meets hunter's lodge.

Alesmith on tap: Poolside Bliss. Didn't make notes but remember it being tasty.

 

Don't forget that Raspberry Sour from New Glarus