New Beer Sunday (Week 669)

Howdy, all. I was feeling in the mood for a change of pace lately, what with all of the big malty and hoppy beers I've been having, and this seemed like it would do the trick-

Sparkles Finds (some) Trouble, a hibiscus gose by Off Color Brewing

They definitely pulled this one off with just the right amount of 'touch'. It's light, spritzy, clean and quenching. Anything overdone in a beer like this would throw the balance off before too long, and I'm not getting that feeling at all. The aroma shows mild hibiscus, coriander, bread dough and an acetic tartness. On the palate it's not as tart as the nose suggests, but there's just enough to complement a slight sugary sweetness. The hibiscus is stronger here, though it's hardly dominant, while the coriander and doughiness play their supporting roles well. The salinity is also kind of low, but still noticeable. By the end of the first glass I'm really starting to appreciate the gentle touch here, as well as getting ready to open a second bottle. Very nice indeed A- (4.1).

 

You are quite welcome my friend. When are you and your better half gonna make another Richmond pilgrimage? I have to admit, some is for my own self interest. I know that you will bring with you some Aslin beer.

 

To answer @cjgiant question I have shipped out all of my BA Christmas gifts except for a couple. The next beer upI picked up in Asheville last weekend Highland Brewing Black Watch Double Milk Chocolate Stout. Let me begin by saying I like milk stouts and I really like the mouthfeel on this one is thicker than most I have had. It really reminds me of the Southern Tier dessert beers but less sweetness.

Appearance 4 -Pours jet black with decent tan head that dissipates a little quicker than expected spotty lacing all around the glass.

Aroma 4.25 - Huge nose of cocoa and fudge, light roasted malts but just mostly lost of chocolate.

Taste 4.25 - taste is very close to the aroma lots of cocoa, fudge and vanilla but there are more roasted malts the moment it hits my mouth. The taste is very good nice balance of sweet and slightly bitter.

Feel 4.25- Pretty creamy full feel, coats the moth nicely no sign of any alcohol with a touch of dryness on the finish.

Overall 4.24 - A really well done milk stout with a little thicker feel than a usual milk stout and lots of chocolate flavor.

 

@cjgiant I concur with Mike's comments. I told the guy at the brewery when I had it on draft it reminded me of the Double Espresso Hornswaggler on steroids. Just a ton of coffee and the 10% alcohol was very well hidden. If Mike plays his cards right he may end up with another since I always go overboard when I buy beer.

 

Thanks. Here is hoping that you have a good and safe holiday.

 

Greetings from the Great Northwest, where we have had some winter weather but wish the ground would thaw, so we can bury the Seahawks.

Today we are on Heritage Coffee Brown Ale all the way from Juneau, Alaska.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/429/181803/

Well, probably brewed on contract in the lower 48. But a very full flavored and tasty brown ale.

We had some snow (4 inches or so) in eastern Washington on Friday, but as of this post the melt is on. Forecast calling for temps in the low 40's this week, which sounds good for us commuters.

Until next time,

Happy Trails!

 

Dude, the next time I am in the OBX, NC I am gonna look for this. I have purchased Highland while there on a number of occasions. I do not remember this one but it is now one I will not forget to look for.

 

My friend, this was an outstanding stout. I love my Richmond breweries but I do not think they can compete with the stouts you sent. Not yet, anyway.

BTW, Tweat brewed by Avery is, at the moment, my favorite stout. But I still not have opened the Goose Island Bourbon Brand Stout you sent. It will make its appearance this saturday.

I will let you know how it compares.

 

Yeah I wish I had more I bought 4 but several people wanted one so I ended up with one. I will be back in NC this weekend for Christmas and if I see any I will pick some up for you.

 

I cannot wait to see what you think!!!

 

Hello from the Detroit airport, NBS. Wasn’t sure I’d make it on today, but my flight to South Bend is delayed, so I’M BACK, BABY!!! First up, a witbier from ROAK Brewing, this is Powerboat.



3.59/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pour is a vivid, golden yellow color, with the cloudy appearance associated with the style, and a white head. Aroma has coriander and the slightly funky yeast I love in witbiers.

The taste and feel, though are a bit thin, to the point of being a smidge watery. Still pretty refreshing, but could’ve been much more.

And #2, this is Dragonmead Final Absolution, a very nice tripel.



4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pour is a beautiful burnt orange, light tan head. Aromas are esters, stone fruit, light caramel and toffee.

The caramel and toffee notes dominate the taste initially, but t then the esters and stone fruit notes bring this home nicely. An excellent example of the style, IMHO.

 

Having a couple beers as I lament another rough week in NFL Pick'em...

Tonight's new beer is Flume from Battery Steele Brewing. Thanks @Borandon



4.18/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

16 ounce can poured into a snifter.

Pours a golden color with little white head.

Fruity smell. Somewhat tropical.

The first taste is sweet, but the fruit comes through as I finished.

Easy to drink, especially for an 8% beer.

Overall, this is a very nice Double IPA. As I mentioned, it's a smooth, easy to drink beer.

 

Congratulations on the Poo-Bah status!

Good to see you and the thistle make an appearance. I have a Central Waters BBA Scotch ale that will be coming to an NBS soon. Cheers!

 

Another great one I forgot to mention. Cheers!

 

Salutations, NBS. The only snow up here is the fake stuff at the resort. It is quite cold, however, an appropriate night for something to warm up with on this not-quite winter eve.



Pours a translucent ruddy brown with a finger of thick khaki foam which persists.

Smells of toffee sweetness and spices. Nutmeg seems obvious to me, and spicy ginger. Absolutely has a Christmas cookie thing going on.

Tastes like a Christmas cookie, too. The ginger really pops, becoming a bit overbearing, actually. It's not my favorite flavor, let alone in a beer. Covers whatever hops might be present. No alcohol flavor at 6%.

A bit sticky on the mouthfeel. Subdued carbonation. Little lacing, but the head lasts all the way down.

Looks lovely and smells delicious, but a bit too much ginger for my tastes.

 

Other than a restrained nose, this CBS was perfect, 4.59 overall. Hype worthy

Pours an effervescent ebony with 2 fingers of mocha colored head. Stellar head retention & lacing

S: Vanilla, faint coffee, caramel once warm

T: Faint coffee, chocolate, a touch of boozey barrel, caramel & maple syrup up front, a touch of dryness as well, along with a little creamy vanilla. Coffee builds as this warms, a little Bourbon, maple syrup sweetness & dryness, a little chocolate, vanilla & caramel too. Finishes with maple syrup sweetness, dryness, caramel, mocha & a kiss of booze, & sweet vanilla & a little barrel woody dryness

MF: Creamy, delicate carbonation, medium body that thickens up as this warms, warming as well

Complex, but highly drinkable, ABV is present but a flavor contributor. This is an Apex Imperial Stout that lives up the hype! I do wish the nose was more prominent

 

It is good to see all the posts from the regulars and quite a few new members of the NBS crew.

Nothing for me today. It has been a weary week and weekend. My daughter got into what looked like a minor fender bender about a month ago, but she pretty well waffled one of the crumple zones on her ride The insurance company came in with a ten grand estimate, and took two weeks to decide to total the car. My dad was an adjuster back in the day so we were all WTF. So we dealt with helping her finalize all the BS on Saturday after more BS during the week. Friday the missus and I went Christmas shopping. We make a big deal out of stockings. When our kids were in their early twenties, we said we were not going to do them anymore and had an insurrection on our hands. Now we have the grandbaby so the tradition continues and renews itself. But I tell ya, we were reminded that we are not aging gracefully...sheesh! Today, two performances of our Christmas cantata, but my daughter had it worse...in between she had a swing band gig fifty minutes away, but then again, she is 28...

Likely wont be contributing next week either. We sing all three services at church. Full choir in the morning and 11 pm, small group at the 7 pm. On top of that we sandwich our traditional finger foods and tree decorating lollapalooza in between. And wrapping... We will have a full house...both kids, daughter in law, grandson, and daughter plus daughters hyperactive yet loveable rescue hound. Should be...interesting? Plus whomever else knocks on the door.

Beer gifts...I used to gift a lot of beer to friends and family, but I have become pretty selective. I would much rather have people drink from the stash while visiting. I never got any feedback from friends or family (non- BA folks), so it seemed a waste of effort. And I did put thought and time into the exercise, with the money being a minor consideration. We will certainly share some great bottles and debate over said contents during the holidays to be sure. My wife will probably get me some brewery swag, which I do enjoy having.

So you will have to carry on without my meager contributions for these couple of weeks. If I don't hop on next Sunday, may each of you enjoy the holidays whatever your traditions. Certainly wish you all the best as we wind down the year and get ready to take on 2018.

Cheers, NBS brothers and sisters!

 

Cigar City Bourbon Barrel Aged Raspberry Halo
Imperial Stout - 13.6% ABV




750ml bottle poured into an El Catador snifter. Bottling date of 08/08/17 etched on the neck of the bottle. I was not a huge fan of the regular lower ABV and non-barrel aged Raspberry Halo when it was released, but I have not had a bad El Catador beer yet so I'm sure the barrel aging process is going to make a huge difference. The nose has HUGE barrel notes of bourbon and oak. The raspberry notes in the nose are there but not as predominant as the regular Raspberry Halo which I consider a plus. Smells fantastic! The taste like the aroma is sweet, boozy, tons of barrel character and a touch of tartness from the raspberries in the finish to balance out the sweetness. There is a lot of medicinal warmth in the finish but that is to be expected considering the 13.6% ABV and the warmer temperature I'm drinking this at. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot more than expected and think it is an excellent beer. This one picked up a lot of bourbon notes from the time spent in the barrels which makes it a winner for me.

 

Beer #2.

Posted only the second review for this variant of Concealed Darkness. Variant #1, Snow Day. Advertised to taste like a spiced hot chocolate. I have a second bottle of this and may just have to save it in hopes of enjoying it on an actual snow day.

Pours a jet black color with a dark, chocolate brown head about a finger thick that fades to a ring about the rim of the glass. Smell is sweet spices, cinnamon predominant, cardamom, chocolate, and vanilla. Taste follows, first notes of cinnamon, then bringing in light bourbon, vanilla, cardamom, and slowly transitions into a milk chocolate flavor. Hint of chile towards the end, a little bit of boozy alcohol towards the end. Lingering finish of chocolate. Medium body, actually a little thinner than I expected. Overall, I think it hits the mark of what it's advertised as, similar to a snow day hot chocolate with some spices to it. The cinnamon is nice, the chile is pretty faint but there. Pleasant cold day sipper.