New Beer Sunday (Week 686)

I may have to track that one down?

 

New Beer Sunday: A New American Porter

Evenin’ NBSers with a suggestion for seekers of coffee flavored porters.

The weather today was much as expected—not a sign of sunshine, temps much lower than yesterday, some occasional wind and lots of drizzling rain that got to be periods heavier rain in the late afternoon. This is all leading up to a Thunderstorm and heavy rain in the early morning tomorrow.

This evening’s new beer is the Mudlust Coffee Porter which is also a new beer for the brewery, Sly Fox. Sly Fox is one of our highly regarded local breweries here in SE PA and one that has a fairly long history of producing well brewed beers.

As usual my review, subject to revision until the beer is finished, can be found here:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1853/315009/?ba=drtth#review


The aromas/flavors of this Porter are basically about dark roasted coffee beans with some dark roasted malt character in there as well. So if you enjoy coffee without cream and just a bit of sugar you will probably enjoy this beer. In addition to the dark roast coffee there is a bit of chocolate and a bit of sweetness from the malt so it is definitely a porter. The bitterness doesn’t have any burnt character and there’s a nice dry, lightly bitter ending. On the whole I’d say this a well made beer that’s well worth trying. It’s a good solid and enjoyable beer, especially if one likes porters and dark roasted coffee (without cream).

The evening’s original cast recording of a musical is Cats. (Technically I don’t think this counts as an American Musical in that it first opened in London’s West End. However it did run continuously on Broadway for about 18 years, so….)

Memory

Cheers, all!

 

So today I have been super productive, and decided to treat myself to not one, but two mystery bottles from @Vidblain. Given the other contents of the box they came in (all dark beers), Im not sure how stupid of an idea this is on my part. my normal drinking buddy is away at a wedding, and its too gross out for me to want to leave my house (to the point where i am missing Tørst's anniversary party).
any who, here are the bottles with the first pour:


i poured them at the same time, so the pour for #1 was a bit on the heavy side, but nonetheless I noticed that it keeps its head, as it didn't dissapate for a little while, while #2 stuck around for a bit, and then vanished.

Oh, also, it should be noted that while I think I know which beer this is, I'm throwing all assumptions aside, both bc of being absolutely wrong last time, and because of the first sniff.

But first, the pours.

They both pour black as ventablack. No-one will ever be able to see through this beer...not during the pour, not in the glass, and not even if you poured it out onto a glass table. It just sucks the light out of anything it touches.
This makes sense, but the lacing up the glass on #1 keeps itself nice na chi, while #2 has no lacing at all.

as for the nose. I'm still in shock because this has never happened before.

When smelling a stout, I almost always get chocolate, roast, and other thick smells. Never in my life have I smelled a stout and the first smell was fruits. Even the few stouts with fruit that I've had. #1 smells like grapes, apples, plums. All dried (I'm halfway through each bottle as I'm writing this, so forgive me forgetting what those are called dried). thats the first note. second? STILL NOT STOUT SMELLS. now I'm getting soy sauce, maybe a vinegar...since I'm thinking about all those fruits, Imma settle on balsamic.
#2 is a different beast altogether. there still is that fruit, but this time its hidden under a layer of tobacco, maybe some roasted nuts, and something so so familiar but I just can't place it. This is gonna sound weird, but I think the smell is sterling silver (for those who don't like reading an inebriated mans writing, stop 4 sentences ago)

Now after those sniffs, I had no idea what to expect. And since I'm drinking alone, I knew it was gonna get interesting anyways.

Taste: #1: Not a standard stout. But i also don't think anything new was added. nah i lied there is gonna be some fruit in here. they tustve thrown in some prunes (aka a dried plum. I knew i would know the word. Oh! and raisins are dried grapes. cool i got this) while there is a bit of sweetness, its more of a bitter vibe, with a lot of that japanese word for rich foods. UMAMI. yes. thats the word. and influenced by me thinking soy sauce. Overall, really complex and theres a lot going on, but not in a disheveled kindergartner trying to be Pollack kinda way. Fuck it's in a Pollack way. Has the potential to be wacky and out there, but also makes u realize beauty has more to it then what u might think.

Taste #2: The fruit here mellowed out. (i say that bc i think theyre pretty similar, making me think that one is a BA variant) bitter choco comes out way more on this one, possibly because I'm writing this after it has warmed up a bit. I'm not feeling any barrel though...So I'm really not sure.

KK sidepoint, but the bottle has a date on it that I just noticed. #1 was bottled on 08/21/2017. AKA my birthday!! And when the solar eclipse happened. whoever didn't travel to where they could see totality...do it next time. its wild.

Overall, both of these are worth chasing after. theyre both dope, and will mess you up if drunk side by side by yourself. Also, the folks who brewed this must have a machine doing the wax dipping bc there is wa too much in common.

Oh. if theyre different bases, i'll be surprised. If they aren't, the base itself is pretty insane, in a good way. It was refreshing to have a dark beer thet wasmt all abt the chocolate/pastry/coffee/etc. this was totally different. Imma call it the wise elderly man who has no kids

 

They are in Oklahoma, but Gawd Awful Expensive. Not had a bad beer from them either. The offerings I've tried are not in my wheelhouse style-wise, so I usually pass them by now.

 

I'll post wat these where when I finish em and take aspic

 

Marshall Brewing Dunkel Lager. Solid take on the Style. 4.07 Overall

Pours a ruddy brown with some hazy & a thumb+ of tan head. Nice lacing & average head retention

S: Brown bread, a touch of yeastyness

T: Follows the nose, plenty of dryness, a touch of Baker's Chocolate as well & just a kiss peppery yeast up front. Dryness, more brown bread, & Baker's Chocolate as this warms. Finishes with dryness, brown bread, a little raisin & just a little Baker's Chocolate

MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation

True to style, pretty solid

Been Married to Mrs. Powell 33 years. May expand on this later, but dinner takes priority right now,

 

I mean, I hope you enjoyed them, and that this was an awesome experience, but dude...



You're a brave man to tackle those alone! Cheers to that, and again, I hope you enjoyed them!

 

Dude, they're expensive here. I'm a couple hours away from the brewery, including transit time on the ferry, and the bottles are $25-ish and up.

 

I often refer to my current wife as 'The Upgrade', she is a good one. We were talking last night and we both feel that we've always been together. We've only been together for four years ,married for two, but it seems like forever(in a good way). She's not a beer drinker but enjoys seeing me happy so she is ok with my hobby.
Today's first new one is from a newer local brewery, this beer was released yesterday and got lots of hype on the local sites.

Pours a super hazy amber orange with an inch of white head that disappeared pretty quickly.
Smells of citrus and pineapple, albeit a bit muted.
Luckily the taste is more pronounced. Pineapple up front, grapefruit and a little dank on the finish.
On the heavier side of medium bodied.
Overall a solid beer, I'd drink it again.
To me it didn't quite live up to the hype, I don’t think most of the hypers have had Trillium, Treehouse, etc.

 

Having the peppermint variant of victory at sea. Has a strong mint and chocolate smell and flavor. Some coffee of the base beer, but it's hard to detect through all the peppermint. Not bad, but I don't feel like it's a thick enough beer to handle the mint with good balance. I prefer the base beer more, but am happy to try something new.

 

Good evening NBS and thanks to
@lordofthewiens for the relationship challenge today. These are excellent thought worms. I am, from a spousal perspective the second husband. From my place after almost 28 years
(more than 1/2 my existence) of marriage, 2 grown adult offspring thrilled to be in this second act with a person I find to be the yin to my yang. Never all bliss as she is now editing as I write!
Today's offering is from Central Waters Brewing. The coffee on display is exceptional, deftly applied barrel aging keeps things in balance. A real treat and worth searching out.


Peruvian Morning

Central Waters Brewing Co.
American Double / Imperial Stout / 8.50% ABV

3.93/5 rDev -5.3% | Score: 4.15
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle, label notched 2018 into the test glass
A - A dark one this is, with an aggressive pour the creation of an of white cap can be created. The thin ring of evidence clings to the glass interior during the experience.
S - Superb coffee aromatic display, like cleaning out the coffee mill on a Sunday morning. Notes of bakers chocolate, toffee, hints of vanilla and cigar wrap tobacco
T - Follows the aromatics well, add some dark dried fruits, a touch of bourbon, mainly vanilla, toffee, and dark toasted oak.
M - Here is the one weakness, a bit thin on the palate, some oiliness, nothing off putting , with some heft added this will be spectacular. The finish is semi sweet, linger is on the vanilla side of the fence
O - A really well crafted offering, that displays the coffee, the barrel touch is well executed. So glad to have this available

 

Keeping the new beers from @y2kawakami flowing. Now up Firestone Walker XXI!

4.45/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Thank you y2kawakami for this
12 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- Black with a two finger little mocha head

S- Cocoa powder, bourbon, oak, vanilla, caramel, some toffee, molasses.

T- Cocoa powder, bourbon, toffee, caramel, vanilla, bourbon, oak, roasted malts.

M- Smooth, medium to full body.

O- Another good anniversary beer from Firestone Walker. Definitely very Velvet Merkin heavy, not my favorite barrel aged beers from them, but the other beers in this make it better.

 

Honestly it still has a nice bite to it after all this time so it should help with yours. I was worried the coffee would be gone but it was perfect. I think you will be very happy with the end results. I just wish I snagged another one, it was that good.
Cheers.

 

#2, after reading the scintillating @woemad review of this beer I received from @Ozzylizard in NBS BIF #007(and the awesome glass), I had to tee this long sought-after beer up for review tonight. It was more than worthy of its soughtedness (yes, I made that word up - this beer is worthy of words being invented in its name).



4.59/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A milk chocolate brown beer fills my glass after an aggressive pour that yields a minimal tan head. The aromas hit my schnoz before I can lift the glass - HUGE vanilla notes, then booze from the barrel, and rich toffee notes. I am now ready to eat my own arm.

The taste has the barrel, of course, but the vanilla and toffee flavors bring this back before it can approach “booze bomb” territory. There’s also a creamy feel that adds to the entire drinking experience. Magnificent.

This is better than Central Waters BA Scotch Ale, IMHO, and also better than Backwoods Bastard, again IMHO.

Yes, I typed that.

 

From the guy who typed "Nobobdy is perfect"...

what does a gelatinous meat product have to do with anything

Agreed!

Are they actually stouts? Not Belgian at all?

Don't answer!! Just postulating. I really love the blind beers of the BIFs, and can await the reveal.

 

4 New 4+ urban IPAs. Happy Tax Day 2018.
Speaking of relationships... Bruce Springsteen was set to play for his mom's birthday at the WonderBar in AsburyPark today, but the Nor-easter cut AsburyPark's power. In the chaos, we enjoyed JD Bowen and friends improvise on horns and voices, but it was not the best setting for a birthday party, so we did not get to hear Bruce serenade his mom. Maybe next year. Maybe next year. Rare events and relationships become rarer. Enjoyed Boat in session in the meantime.

Legal Tender | Barrier NY Metro
4.3/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pleased to be 2nd review of Legal Tender collaboration.
A) Purrs a deeply hazed golden body, that sports white head that lasts and laces.
S) Cat, grass, sand, salt, scat, hemp.
T) Follow the funky Scat-Plus aroma, adds elements of cedar, wood, pine shellac, church pew, incense, on a white malt background.
F) Just a bit thinner than medium, with a peppery clean finish.
O) Unusual, beachy,. Bitchin’ brew.

Blood Of The Unicorn | Pipeworks - CHICAGO
4.3/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Turn a great IPA red, brown or black and it tastes better.
a) purrs in as a hazed dark copper-brown, with red highlights, tan head, the splashes a perfect tide line of lace.
s) Smells earthy, fruity, caramel, orange tea, on top of brown bread malt.
t) Adds and gets bigger to aroma. Large caramel and crytal malt flavors, brown sweet bread, tempered by bitter piney hops. Spice, tea, herbs and incense.
f) Big beer feel without the ABV. Satisfying. Slick. Drying bitterness. Great finish.
o) One of the best red-IPAs ever.

Lizard King | Pipeworks
4.2/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pipeworks, now noted, after 3 beers for their pipe bombs of beers that pack more flavor and power at 6% ABV than nearly any other brewer, a Chicago prize.
a) Nice looking APA sporting hazed pear colored body with big head that rings and laces dots.
s) Big mosaic nose: Juicy, fresh herbal hops, pear, lemon rind, orchard.
t) Follows smell and bigger: Pear, lemon rind, melon, herbs, wood, cedar.
f) Packs like a bigger ale a great mouth feel, tho easy, clean, medium body.
o) A mosaic tiffany lamp with pear, lemon, herbal motifs. Big beer. Pipe bomb in a 16 oz can.

She'brew Triple IPA | Shmaltz
4.15/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
happy to be in first raft of this excellent triple IPA. Sum is greater than parts.
a) Dark amber brown body with thick head that leaves islands and bits of lace.
s) Large nuanced, pine shellac, floral, citrus aroma.
t) Follows smell in outsized, shellac and pine core, and sweet, but tempered, caramel, rye malt backbone. Dank, floral, mysterious, meditation beer to tease apart its nuanced, solemn notes.
f) Meditation beer needs body and gravitas, while finishing clean - She' brew delivers. Goddess.
o) Sum is greater than parts. Bring me another, let's share it because strong!

 

Austin is certainly at the top of places I would love to visit here in the U.S. I hear terrific things about the people, culture, food, music and beer. Maybe one of these days I'll get the chance to experience Austin for myself. Will be sure to check out this brewery if I do go. I've long had the idea to name beers I've brewed (if I was a brewer, knew how to brew and was creative enough) with biblical references. Thanks for sharing.

 

I will give them another shot if I see something higher rated make it to Oklahoma

 

Spent a few days there will back despite the fact it's enemy territory ( May Leave my Sooner gear at home )...

 

I would!