New Beer Sunday (week 520)

New American Stout Sunday​

Happy NBS my beer loving sisters and brothers from other mothers! Big thanks to @cavedave and @utopiajane for carrying the NBS flag across the 10 year threshold! I remember when @malty kicked this thing off and we weren't even sure if this would stand the test of time. But the Bros. were very gracious and open to the evolution of this fine tradition.
I know my involvement has varied over the years but I find myself checking in every Sunday just to see what's going on in this thread. It will be near and dear to my heart for as long as it lasts.

In fact, this thread has created some connections and friendships that I would otherwise not had. I think that's pretty cool and deserves a toast. So without further discussion I submit to you...

Peace, love, and malty-ness,

Matt


Fat Head's Shakedown Stout

4.5/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: Strong hoppy notes up front including earthy, piney, and resiny hop notes. Slight baker's chocolate aroma with clean fermentation characteristics.

Appearance: Dense black pour with a tan and sudsy brown head. Head retention is good.

Flavor: Dense baker's chocolate with grassy & piney hop flavors. Balance is heavy handed to the hop bitterness. Finish is clean and dry. Aftertaste is slightly resinous and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. No astringency or alcohol heat.

Overall impression: A hoppy, classic American stout. Fat Head's delivers again. Well done and will seek out again.

 

Greetings again- I'm back with another installment for the first 10th:


Technically, this one is a bit of a stretch since I had one last year, but hopefully we can count 'vintages' as individual beers every now and then. Plus, it is the last of that great box of beer that @rgordon sent me as part of the BIF- so I think that part keeps this in fair territory .

Anyway- this is about as good as a BBA Imperial Stout can get. It's rich and powerful, has just the right amount of barrel characteristics, has a dynamite vanilla undercurrent, sports a fairly unique and luxuriously fudgy chocolate quality, has that great kind of balance where one thing gives way to the next, and repeats it all in tag-team fashion; it has all of that stuff, but still comes across as well balanced and very drinkable. Love is too weak a word, I lurve this beer. A+ (4.85) A must-try for those into this style! Thanks again, man!

Anyway, @rgordon , I remember your mentioning Chris Stamey but don't recall if you said you were keeping up with the more recent stuff; this one is pretty cool, anyway...

 

Hi there!

No I don't mind you asking at all. I bought the Anti-Hero online

Cheers! .

 

New American Stout Sunday

Happy 10th Anniversary NBS! I joined BA (and NBS) the same year NBS started...I can't believe how the time flies!!!
Anyway, it was wet and seasonably chilly here in Milwaukee today. Today's selection was my first from Bayou Teche. I REALLY enjoyed it! Loup Garou - a wonderful stout! I thought it was worth the 12 and change I spent on the 22 oz. bottle.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22408/110754/?ba=jwc215

Have a good week all!

Cheers!

 

That's cool! I thought it might've been DC distribution. I figured I could make a 45 minute drive for beer that might take a few business days to achieve.

 

Warmer than normal weekend in these parts. I was actually able to get outside and wash cars yesterday afternoon. My wife's birthday is this week, so I took her to Nashville today to let her do some shopping and eat at one of her favorite restaurants. Back home now and trying a new beer thanks to @egrace84.

Today's new beer is Headless Heron from Central Waters. A bourbon barrel aged pumpkin ale.

So far, I have completely enjoyed everything I have tried from Central Waters, but pumpkin beers have been a bit spotty for me. This one turned out to be a winner. The bourbon flavors complement the spices and dark fruits nicely. Sweet but not overdone.

Now it seems that Headless Heron and Punkuccino from Elysian are my two favorite pumpkin beers. Apparently, I need to look for coffee or bourbon to be included.





http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/652/138576/?ba=richj1970

 

Thank you TongoRad, that was great. Am I nuts, or did that harken back a touch of Justin Hayward and The Moody Blues?

 

And on to Trappistes Rochefort 10

A: Very dark brown with one finger of toffee colored head that unsurprisingly dissipates quickly.

S: The alcohol is already very prominent on first sniff, sweet dried fruit trying it's hardest to shine in as well.

T: The 11.3%ABV is there, make no mistake, but it is a surprisingly satisfying warmth that is not enough to make this overpowering. Sugar coated dark fruit and molasses hit me quite strongly as well. It then seems to finish slightly bitter and very dry.

F: Very full, creamy body and great carbonation.

O: One to sip slowly, it certainly wants to warm up a little coming out of the fridge. Quite strong, but presents itself beautifully as every sip evolves in the mouth and leaves you wanting more. Not cheap, but worth every penny.



Cheers!

 

Yeah, now that you mention it; I was mostly just getting a late-60's pop vibe from it (like a lot of his songs), but I can definitely see how that dreaminess would sound like those guys. Glad you enjoyed it .

 

Well, maybe you guys wouldn't mind if I hosted the official 10 year anniversary two weeks from now?

 

I told you! I love how the booze is a part of the brew, not a distractor of what's going on.

 

Agree completely.

If one were to judge it simply by nose, they would miss how well this brew carries itself for such strength. I was slightly put off in the very beginning.

 

It is so odd to not see snow on the ground this time of year. At least we haven't had over 40 nights or days below zero like last winter!

 

Why not, for ole times sake?

 

Today was nice! Last week, I think not!

 

Probably my final installment of the night...

Clow Shoes, Extremely Angry Beast



One part BBA Blaecorn Unidragon, one part BBA Undead Party Crasher, and one part Rum Barrel Hammer of the Holy.

Pours a dark black with mocha colored head. Not much head retention.

Smell is of vanilla. I'm guessing from both the rum and bourbon barrels. Lots of oak too, nice barrel character, but doesn't come off too hot. Some caramel as well.

Taste begins with the barrel. Sweet, slightly smoky charred oak, melts into a slight vanilla that subsides into a slightly bittersweet chocolate. Great molasses finish.

Mouthfeel is nice, rich and creamy.

Overall an amazing beer. I've always been enamored by a rum barrel aged beer, but every time I've found one it's been too watery and not heavy enough on the mouthfeel. This one though was great.

 

Me thinks it don't take much to convince this group (myself included) to celebrate, especially beer related subjects.

 

Thanks for the review. I may have to pick one up and give it a try.