New Beer Sunday (Week 676)

3.92/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Beer pours a dark brown almost black body with a bubbly light tan head. Solid amount of head retention while drinking. Nice amount of lacing lingers as well.

S: Inital smells from the bottle are of rye and vanilla. The coffee aromas become more apparent as the beer warms.

T: The sweetness of the chicory are more noticeable up front that they were on the nose. Vanilla mixes well the chicory. The rye flavors are there but only faintly.

M: Beer has a dry finish for a porter. Thinner than I want in a beer this style. Carbonation levels were good while drinking. Easy drinker but overall too thin and watery.

O: The rye notes mix well with the coffee like flavors. However, the mouthfeel of the beer is it's downfall.

 

I did not read your post beforehand, but in it you capture something that I struggled with (and ultimately decided not to address) regarding that slightly tart note on the finish. I came to this beer after having water with lemon and I wasn’t sure if the two were conflating on my palate, but your perception of it leads me to think it was definitely an attribute of the beer.

 

4.49/5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Canned 5 days ago.

The nose is peach ring candy. Sometimes I get a gummy candy vibe from these new school hops, and that's definitely the case here. Beneath the peachy hops I get something resembling malt (more sweet orange than caramel) and some leafy green, although the dank/green factor is low with this one.

The taste opens with kiwi and bubblegum. Mid-palate you get some subtle maltiness which melds perfectly with the hops and adds some sweetness and depth to the beer. For "3x Dry Hopped" and 8.5% this is a pleasure to drink, soft and easy with a medium plus mouthfeel, bordering on full.

Overall, this beer reminds me of Kane's Party Wave, which is maybe my favorite hoppy beer brewed in NJ. This is probably top 3 from Magnify, for me. Very good.

 

Happy super bowl Sunday nbs players. Rather warm today on the island after being brutally cold fri/sat. Overcast, with grey skies and impending rain on its way. Haven’t done too much of anything today. Went for a walk, picked up some eats for the game, and now I’m settling in for the rest of the evening.

As a devout jets fan I have no real rooting interest here. I hope the eagles can put up a fight and even upset but I’m thinking pats win easily.

My new beer today is Non-Cents, an American pale ale, from barrier brewing. It’s billed as a session version of their Money ipa which I really enjoy. Not sure why you would do that with a pale? The brew checks in at 5% abv and has a 1/8/18 canning date.

A hazy pour with a pure blonde color. Rather low carbonation with a fast white head. The nose is a mix of malt and citrus. A light start on the drinking with subtle citrus notes upfront. A dry and smooth flow and finish. The malt drinks rather big, and the attempt for balance is there, but the citrus notes really seem drowned out at the same time. The malt also provides a bit of an off flavor taste on the finish. Subtle notes, at best, of lemon, pear, and melon. The mouth feel is light-moderate. Good body from the malt that does not come close to being watery.

Overall, not impressed at all. It seems well made enough but it’s rather boring and nothing really wows me. The malt is too heavy for my taste, and the hop/citrus is too subtle. And while I’m not against balance it should at least taste good. I’m in the 3/3.5 range here players. Glad I only bought a single can.

 

The Super Bowl has me in a culinary mindset... I just finished up grilling some maple bacon ale-marinaded steak tips I bought at an amazing local butcher shop, along with a honey/garlic teriyaki pork loin... previously, I made a new batch of my locally-famous buffalo chicken dip and threw some frozen Guinness-branded loaded potatoes/"Irish nachos" in the oven. Quite the smorgasbord here, let's just say! I'm about to have my first new beer of the day, as well, of course! After this, I have one more new one, which I found at the aforementioned butcher shop.

This one, though, is from Destihl Brewing out of Illinois. It's a moderate-strength IPA brewed with mango called Amra (which, according to the label, is the Sanskrit word for "mango"). I haven't had too many mango IPAs, but I have high hopes for this one. My only real experience with Destihl so far was at the "We're Funk'd" fest last year in Walpole, MA (hosted by Springdale/Jack's Abby and Night Shift), and I felt they were by far one of the most slept-on breweries at the fest. But, how will they fare with non-sour beer? Guess we'll see...



That is a downright beautiful label, and a fittingly gorgeous pour, I must say. A lightly-cloudy golden/light-amber beer is crowned here with a very retentive and consistent head of pure-white foam that seems to display extremely consistent foamy lace as it dissipates. The surface is completely hazed over with foam as well. This is a great looking brew. Let's hope the rest of it keeps up with how nice it looks!

The nose here seems a little off for some reason, honestly... which is disappointing due to how great this beer appears in my glass. I pick up a lot of overripe mango that's about to go bad, honestly. Slight marshmallow, light biscuity malt, a little bit of bread crust and vague pineapple as well. I'm not overly-impressed by the nose here. It doesn't come across as hoppy by any means, and the fruit almost seems rotten. Full disclosure, though: my can is dated 12/27/17, making it about five-and-a-half weeks old. However, if this falls off that quickly, perhaps they shouldn't bother distributing it at all, as I only actually got it at the store two weeks ago.

The flavor profile is alright; a little bit better, actually, with a flash of earthy bitter hops and slight stone fruit notes picking up some slack. The mango is a little bit more apparent than I'd like it to be, however, sweetening the finish in a way that feels unbecoming of the beer. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the way this one tastes, but I'll soldier through it. The feel is decent, but a little slick to my taste. Doesn't have any kind of satisfying bitterness in the finish that I look for, even considering it's a fruited IPA. Definitely not one of the best I've had.

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

I got a bunch of new music today at the Bullmoose store in Salem, NH today... bought the entire discography of a band I just got into called Hands Like Houses (they're kind of post-hardcore/alt rock with some progressive elements) along with a used copy of Howls of Ebb's amazing opus, Cursus Impasse: The Pendlomic Vows (which I own on LP already, but for $4 why not?).

Was also very excited to pick this next one up, though. I love this band's newest album, Look at Yourself, but I never really dug through their past albums. I know Emmure is pretty much derided by most fans of heavy music, but this is totally up my alley. Heavy, nerdy, introspective and well-written... sure, it's mostly dumb as hell and seems meat-headed, on the surface, but I actually think Frankie is much smarter than most people think. I might be in the minority, but I'm okay with that.

 

Happy New Beer Super Bowl Sunday, fellow new beer enthusiasts. And thank you, Doctor @lordofthewiens for a great intro. As a Giants fan, I have little good to say about either of today's contestants other than to gloat wickedly ovah Super Bowls XLIII and XLVI. But in the spirit of neutrality and good sportsmanship, I'm reviewing Lone Eagle Brewing's New England Chowdah, brewed in Flemington, NJ. Lone Eagle has the disadvantage of being in close proximity to Conclave, which is one of the gems of New Jersey brewing. But it's an up and comer. This really is a first rate NE IPA - it's a fruit bomb but the blend of Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial hops provides a blast of bitterness, and it has a nice creamy mouth feel. It was canned on 1/29 so it's really fresh. Overall, I'm very impressed. Here's my review:

4.31/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Canned 1/29/2018. Poured into Spiegelau IPA glass. It pours a murky, opaque dirty golden-honey color with 1.5 fingers of fluffy, bright white head and lots of soapy lacing with long retention. It's a great looking pour! The smell's nice, too: lemon, grapefruit, ripe melon, vanilla, pine needles, and floral hops. Lot's of sweet tropical fruit up front, along with vanilla, and a tasty blend of Mosaic, Centennial, and Citra hops. The hops leave residual bitterness and a decent bite. As the glass warms, I'm noticing a hint of pepper and astringency at the finish. This ale features a silky, almost creamy mouth feel with moderate carbonation, and it's really easy to drink at 6.5% ABV. Overall, I have to say that I'm very impressed. This is a first rate fruity NE IPA; one of the better ones brewed in New Jersey.

I guess both teams can't lose. At least I hope the commercials are good. Enjoy the game, and your new beers, everyone!

 

I hope you feel better, Maria!!

 

Low 40's and a downpour, perfect weather to watch the Cyclocross World Championships. So brutal. The Belgians are genetically engineered for this stuff, but American Katie Compton won a heroic silver medal.

I reached in the back of the pantry for this one.

4.38/5 rDev -4.8% | Score: 4.6
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I only drink three or four of these a year. Not my favorite style, but it hits the spot occasionally. My 2015 bottles have all been good. Very smooth.

 

Hello all! Pretty soon I'll have a fire going, eating some greasy, oniony White Manna-style cheeseburgers and drinking some tasty brews. Football is the only sport I really follow any more, so I like to go out in style until the next season begins.

But right now seems like a good time for a new brew. Here's one sent to me by @Dragginballs76 a few months ago-

Hi-Wire Brewing's Pulcinella, named for the commedia dell'arte character, essentially a vain buffoon who plays both sides and tends to wind up on his feet in the end. And the beer itself seems to be an oddball, too, being an Imperial Stout blended from three different types of barrels (Zinfandel, Bourbon and Rum). Will it wind up on its feet? Let's see how this first glass goes...

Right off the bat the high carbonation has me concerned, I'm sorry to say. But pressing on, the aroma is espresso, dark cocoa, wood, dark sugar, vanilla and something fruity that's coming across more cherry or berry-like than wine. The palate is unbalanced and doesn't seem to have a central core- it's really all over the place as if the stout elements aren't solid enough to anchor everything else. Sensations associated with the aroma fly by until finally the finish settles in on bitter dark chocolate and wood, with the dark sugar coming on very late. The high carbonation lends an ethereal quality that perhaps even adds to the confusion, although I don't get the sense that it's the result of an infection.

Michael, firstly thanks for sending such an interesting and intriguing beer. I do wish I could give it a big 'molto bene!', but at the moment it's just not working for me. I'll try to get to the remainder later on tonight and report back if I find that it's settled into a groove.

Have a great Sunday, whatever you wind up doing, everybody!

 

Ok my next Aslin beer is Johann Needs a Bigger Broat. A DIPA brewed with Madagascar vanilla beans, let me begin by saying I like this one much more than the last one. The vanilla gives this a smooth creamsicle taste that I really enjoy. It is also better balanced than the last and they did an excellent job of hiding the 9.4% ABV!!

Appearance 4.25 - Pours dull orange color with fluffy white head. Lots of spotty lacing all around the glass.

Aroma 4.25 - light aroma of mango, vanilla, orange. The aroma leans more sweet than bitter. No alcohol showing on the nose.

Taste 4.5 - Taste comes out much better than the aroma, lost of mango and creamy smooth vanilla. I like that the 9.4% is not showing up in the taste or the nose. The vanilla adds some extra depth to the tropical flavors with almost a creamsicle taste at the finish.

Feel 4.5 - Well carbonated smooth creamy feel again no burn at all from the alcohol.

Overall 4.43 - I really like the flavors in this one, the vanilla just adds a pop to the tropical IPA flavors. It is also very easy drinking for the ABV.

 

Sorry about this one my man I usually refrain from send out beers I have not had but it sounded interesting so I gave it a chance. Hi Wire is kind of hit and miss for me.

 

What a great, throw back bottle!

 

It's a really fine beer! I think it drinks more like an IPA than an APA and it has a real bitter bite to it. Good stuff!

 

Probably not doing any new beers today, may not even have any today. Not sick, but not feeling quite right now. Maybe this will change come kick off, we'll see. I am hoping to be entertained, & as a Cowboys fan, I am a Pats fan today. If was a betting man, I would take the Eagles though, they look like the more complete team. Brady & Gronk will have to come up big tonight...

 

Super Bowl, I've got some good numbers this year so I'll be into the game for sure, though tired of Tom! Having a new beer before starting some nachos. Go Eagles
Bells Larrys Latest Sour Ale, pours bright gold with a small head even with an aggressive pour, smells a bit funky, taste is tart and not too sour, some citrus, lemon, grapefruit, admittedly I'm not much of a sour guy (yet) but this seems like an entry level beer that is Berliner like and an easy drinker! Enjoy your beer today.

 

Yum, love me some White Manna burgers!

 

Happy NBS! The return of winter has kept me busy today, which is why I am checking in so late. Shoveling and sledding gave me a good workout today.

My new beer is from Barley John's, Dark Knight BA Imperial Porter. Pours a deep brown/black with a 1.5 finger tan head. Head doesn't last long and forms a thin ring around the glass that with webs of lacing around the glass. Soft and sweet bourbon smell, with oak, vanilla and some chocolate. The smell is fantastic. The taste is a nice vanilla and bourbon flavor. I get oak and some bitter chocolate with sweet and roasted malt. Mouthfeel is medium for a porter, but it is creamy and rich. Carbonation is soft and spot on. A delicious and tasty Porter with good amount of bourbon and vanilla.

 

NBS! Just starting meal prep for the last football of the season. My wife appreciates today as going forward it means I don't spend as much time Thursday through Monday in front of the television, though I'm not as happy until August as football is the one sport I truly follow. Wings, pizza and chips/dip are on the menu- a bit of a typical lineup but all homemade.



I've had this one in the cellar ~3 years. I didn't pick an aged eastern PA beer by accident and I've got an Insanity in the fridge to open during what should be a great game. Notes will be added to this thread as it's also new. I appreciate the fact that Weyerbacher puts both the bottling and drink-by date right on the stamp.

12oz bottle dated 12/31/14-12/31/19 poured into a snifter
A: Opaque brown/red with a 1/2-finger head
S: Big, plum/prune/sweet/brown sugar/molasses, intense
T: Matches the nose. Sweet/dried fruits up front (plum/prune, adds figs) then dark sugary notes towards the finish
M: Full-bodied, quite sweet, a bit of booze
O: The nose is complex but makes it appear as though this will be too sweet. That doesn't come through on the palate. Full-bodied and sweet, yes, but overall mostly balanced (this bottle has some age) and a tasty barleywine
Overall I like this. Initially it seems like it may be too sweet but it's not (I think the age helps here). Looking forward to trying its barrel-aged sibling shortly.
Enjoy the Super Bowl and especially all the beer you consume this evening!

 

For me the age definitely makes a difference with Blithering Idiot. Fresh I'd say it's just OK, but with a year or so of age on it the flavors seem to get more complex and have a depth to them I don't find in the fresh. These days I only buy it to cellar for a year or two. (Nice to hear it's doing well at 3, as I've never been patient enough for one to make it to 3 years. )

 

No worries, brother- I really do appreciate the thought and the effort involved. Cheers!