New Beer Sunday (week 556)

5EKF · Oct 19, 2015

Oh yeah, I had a new beer today!!! It is Sprecher Oktoberfest!

Aroma- pretty standard for the style having some cocoa, vanilla, caramel/toffee, with a bit of grainy malts
Taste-exactly the same as the nose, very easy to drink and appropriate for the season and month
Overall-enjoyable, had it on tap at Sprecher. Nothing extraordinary but has all the flavors a marzen should have.

2beerdogs · Oct 19, 2015

ONovoMexicano said: ↑

Late to the party as has been the case with me often lately. But with good reason, as I spent the weekend in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado celebrating my daughter's birthday. She turned three and is an avid train fan, so we took her on the Cumbres & Toltec ride from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO. If you're not familiar, look it up. Truly a gem.

Here are some pics:

As for my late entry into the New Beer Sunday, it's a beer I'd long passed over in shops, Samuel Smith's Yorkshire Stingo, which being an English Strong Ale, is also a style I'd never experienced:

4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2013 bottle poured into an oversized tulip glass.

I give this a vigorous pour and a frothy but creamy head emerges. The liquid is sort of a cloudy raisin color with light trickles of carbonation visible. The persistent head is a nice sight. 4.5

Quite the curiosity of a nose as it seems to cross elements of a Belgian quad and a dubbel. Raisin, plum and figs are prominent, but so too is a floral bouquet. Rich caramel shines too. 4

Interesting how the flavor seems to get away from the nose, as it's far less fruity than I was led to expect. Upfront flavors blend raisins and floral hops before giving way to an almost buttery caramel. Grassy notes close things out. 4

Lighter in body than I would have expected and desire, especially given the rich caramel and fruit aromas, plus there's more of a hop presence which again throws me for a loop. Still it has enough thickness and sweetness to linger pleasantly on the tongue and drink like something you'd want post-dinner. 4

First time with this style and I must say it's unique. Seems somewhere between a barleywine, old ale, and Belgian Quad, I guess. Perhaps lacking the body and bold flavors I expect from the greatest of these styles though. Still, as a beer that preceded so many, this deserves some respect for having standout qualities that would please today's consumer in need of aggressive flavors and feels.

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Thanks for your time, fellow NBSers. Always enjoy this thread and this community. A good week to all.
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Stunningly beautiful country. I haven't been there in about 20 years, but it sure made an impression on me.

utopiajane · Oct 19, 2015

dcotom said: ↑

My first post in NBS. Thanks to @cavedave for getting things rolling in such eloquent style today.

We only recently began getting Sixpoint here in our area, and I have found all of their offerings to be exceptional. I am sampling a new one this evening, Sweet Action. Sixpoint touts this as as an "undefinable brew," while BA classifies it as a cream ale.

My review:

4.54/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12-ounce can into a TeKu.

A: A pretty, light copper color with a three-finger white head that lingered for a few moments, leaving some sticky lacing as it receded.

S: The first thing that hit me on the aroma was a strong hop presence that I was not expecting. Also some sweet malts and a hint of yeast on the nose. Very pleasant.

T/F: Has the sweetness and creamy mouthfeel you would expect from this style, with some resiny hops and a bit of bitterness on the finish.

O: Another world-class offering from Sixpoint. Perfectly balanced, very enjoyable either on its own or as a food accompaniment.

I knew I was going off the reservation with my review on this; the only question was how far. I'm no expert, but this beer just seems to defy classification. There are a lot of different stylistic elements that come together very nicely here. It stands very well on its own, but I found it to be a great pairing with my Treasure of the Sierra Madre Chili (i.e. "We don't need no steenkin' recipe!") as well.

Prost!
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Welcome to NBS =)

cavedave · Oct 19, 2015

Another week where the only conclusion is we drink pretty amazingly. Thanks to all who share their love of new beers together here. And to you folks new to NBS, welcome, and hope to see you back again real soon. Have a great week y'all. Cheers!

ovaltine · Oct 19, 2015

garymuchow said: ↑

I think your Hoosiers and my Gophers are destined to never see the Rose Bowl ever again. At least in my lifetime.
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They're OUR Gophers - Little O graduated from The U a couple of years ago. I really like Jerry Kill, Kevin Wilson (IU's football coach) not so much.

rgordon · Oct 19, 2015

To my Washington state friends.....Oh, and wasn't that Panthers, Seahawks game a pure classic? I love the Seahawks and the Panthers just have something going on. That contest will make Seattle a better team, just watch. Old time football. What a great game and victory! One to remember.

SCW · Oct 19, 2015

dcotom said: ↑

My first post in NBS. Thanks to @cavedave for getting things rolling in such eloquent style today.

We only recently began getting Sixpoint here in our area, and I have found all of their offerings to be exceptional. I am sampling a new one this evening, Sweet Action. Sixpoint touts this as as an "undefinable brew," while BA classifies it as a cream ale.

My review:

4.54/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12-ounce can into a TeKu.

A: A pretty, light copper color with a three-finger white head that lingered for a few moments, leaving some sticky lacing as it receded.

S: The first thing that hit me on the aroma was a strong hop presence that I was not expecting. Also some sweet malts and a hint of yeast on the nose. Very pleasant.

T/F: Has the sweetness and creamy mouthfeel you would expect from this style, with some resiny hops and a bit of bitterness on the finish.

O: Another world-class offering from Sixpoint. Perfectly balanced, very enjoyable either on its own or as a food accompaniment.

I knew I was going off the reservation with my review on this; the only question was how far. I'm no expert, but this beer just seems to defy classification. There are a lot of different stylistic elements that come together very nicely here. It stands very well on its own, but I found it to be a great pairing with my Treasure of the Sierra Madre Chili (i.e. "We don't need no steenkin' recipe!") as well.

Prost!
Click to expand...

much appreciated for the thoughtful review - looking forward to getting back in action with NBS and @cavedave and the rest of the crew once the action dies down here at home....cheers!

New Beer Sunday (week 556)

5EKF Pooh-Bah (2,792) Dec 8, 2014 Illinois
Pooh-Bah

2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (5,682) Jan 31, 2005 California
BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
Pooh-Bah

SCW Initiate (0) Jul 25, 2004 New York

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New Beer Sunday (week 556)

5EKF Pooh-Bah (2,792) Dec 8, 2014 Illinois Pooh-Bah

2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (5,682) Jan 31, 2005 California BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York Pooh-Bah

cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina Pooh-Bah

SCW Initiate (0) Jul 25, 2004 New York

5EKF Pooh-Bah (2,792) Dec 8, 2014 Illinois
Pooh-Bah

2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (5,682) Jan 31, 2005 California
BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

utopiajane Grand Pooh-Bah (3,982) Jun 11, 2013 New York
Pooh-Bah

cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,157) Mar 12, 2009 New York
In Memoriam Pooh-Bah Trader

ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
Pooh-Bah