New Beer Sunday (Week 726)

I bought and enjoyed Resilience mainly cause it helps a lot for those affected by the fires.

 

Hello New Beer Sunday!!!

Yes, I do have to agree with @lordofthewiens - FUCK CANCER!!

I lost my grandma to it back in 1994, and my dad also had prostate cancer, that was cured. I truly hope your brother in law can recover from it.

So, now on to the beer. This one was sent to me in the NBS BIF 8.5 by the gracious @smanson56 .



Deathstar One By Barreled Souls Brewing Company. It clocks in at 14.3% ABV.
This is a very rich beer. Very tasty. Very thick, and a nice boozy warming on the backside. Damn tasty while watching some Sanford And Son.

I'm also the first reviewer of this, and I do worry that my review isn't giving this beer justice.

4.53/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Pours a thick dark brown color. Less than a 1 finger off white head. The head retention is poor, but expected from a higher ABV BA beer. There's some nice carbonation rising on the side of the glass.
The nose is very deep and rich with the bourbon barrel. Very boozy smelling. Some caramel, some dark fruit. Slight sweet aroma. Very pleasing.
Taste - Very rich tasting. Lots of the barrel present, and that's the main flavor. There's some caramel. Some chocolate.
Thick bodied. Some carbonation on my palate. Some booze warming on the backside.
Rich, deep, complex beer. Very well made and very delicious.

I doubt that I'll have any more tonight. I'll see you all next week. Cheers.

 

That vocal mode is spooky....The rhythm section is great. And the homage to English folk music isn't unlike Led Zeppelin and others. I think back to Deep Purple.

 

My first Dawgz beer! Should be getting a few more soon. This was amazing. No head retention/lacing, chunky floaties going on. Aromas and flavors of huge milk/dark chocolate, peanut butter, cocoa, oreo cookies, vanilla, cream, fudge, marshmallow, brownie batter, bourbon, coconut, toasted oak, and dark/brown bread; with light notes of licorice, dark fruit, smoke, herbal hops, and yeast earthiness. Mild booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Very minimal herbal/roast bitterness, and bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish. Light carbonation and very full body; very creamy, silky, velvety, and rich mouthfeel that is insane. Slight slickness, sticky hops, chalky roast, and oak tannins. Minimal dryness, no cloying sweetness. Mild increasing warmth of 14%, zero barrel booze. Insanely smooth/soft finish. Mind blowing stuff overall. Perfectly balanced rich malts, PB oreos, Vanilla, Marshmallow, and bourbon barrel presence/integration. Really looking forward to what other ones I get, Prairie BA stouts are pretty much always world class. This is no exception. 4.47


Cheers, have a good night NBS.

 

New Beer Sunday: English Sweet/Milk Stout

Evenin’ NBSers and a special call out for those folks who are growing tired of hops, tropical hops, and even more tropical hops.

To finish off this football evening the final new beer is from a local brewery called Lancaster Brewing which is in Central PA. They’ve been around for a long time and some of their beers are quite good. This final football night new beer is their Double Chocolate Milk Stout.

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

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/743/62338/?ba=drtth#review


The aromas/flavors are full of lots of rich chocolate, both milk chocolate and some dark chocolate. The light bitterness in the background sometimes seems a bit like dark roasted bitterness and sometimes a bit like dark chocolate bitterness. I’m definitely enjoying this beer and would be happy to have it again, just not two in one evening.

Cheers, all!

 

Good evening BAs and happy New Busy Sunday. Flew into San Jose on friday night for a family reunion down in Pismo Beach over the weekend. Lots of driving (a staple of California living), lots of stress (ditto), but luckily... lots of beer (also ditto). Heading back home tomorrow but first, it's time for a new beer.

Firestone-Walker
Anniversary Ale XXII



the blend:



the review:

A clean and clear black body is misleading as when held to light stunning crimson highlights shimmer. A thin, yet silky looking espresso colored foam hugs the ring if the glass with islands floating about on the surface.

Being familiar with the likes of Stickee Monkee and Parabola alike, there is no mistaking their dominance in this bill. Marshmallow stout goodness sweetened by the barrel. Caramelized sugar and candied figs. Touches of cinnamon and anise spice it up. Chocolate and wood envelope the nostrils from beginning to end.

Surprisingly, the gin infused Helldorado makes itself known in the flavor. Juniper and lime bring refreshing elements to the otherwise heavy stout and quad influences. Charred marshmallow still takes a good role along with chocolate and holiday spices, but the dark fruit that I was expecting has faded to an after thought. A smoothed out black licorice finishes out the flavors with a solid bite of earthy wood.

As with most of FW Anniversary Ales,this is smooth and a bit creamy. But it has a bit of pop to it this time. A touch of drying lively carbonation and a spiciness that gives it a lighter touch. A warming sensation throughout as expected, yet perhaps the most easily drinkable in terms of speed of consumption from the annual offerings I've had the pleasure of enjoying.

Another winner from Firestone Walker and as always, a pleasure to see them continue success with another rotation around the sun.

After my official review, I gave XXII a rating of 4.3 with an rDev of 0%

Cheers!

(Edit: Full disclosure. I apologise, but I have not yet read previous posts. YET! But I intend to read all, as usual. Sorry to the faithful NBS family.)

 

Good evening from a frigid kingdom here in SE Mass. We were spared the brunt of the snow storm, getting about 2 inches and rain, not much wind but damn it is cold outside now.

Cancer...yeah, I can remember never knowing anyone who had it in any form. I had a good friend die about four years ago. My direct report at work has some type of cancer I can't pronounce, much less spell and as he says he will die from it, but his treatments while experimental, are working for now. My pastor has a form of leukemia, but it is a type of cancer you live with. My machinist walks in my shop last week, apologizes for a rush job on a piece, says he has lung cancer, see ya...well, alrighty then??? So...

So @lordofthewiens, Here's to Dick, his family, and his friends.



Got an email from a local store that this had come in. We don't see a ton of Epic brewing around here, much less a somewhat special release. At $16 for a 22 ounce and good reviews, didn't have to twist my arm to grab a couple bottles of Big Bad Baptista.

They should call it Baptist-aaaahhhhh. This is pretty decent, I must say. Dark, looks a little oily, with a bit of tan rafting. Nose opens with chocolate and rich coffee, then some spiciness, vanilla sweetness, bourbon barrel goodness. This is a richly flavored brew and exceedingly well balanced. Coffee is very clear and rich, absolutely no burnt or acrid notes. Chocolate that is just right between the sweet and bitter, giving the impression of a luxuriant mocha. But wait there's more...vanilla gives a sweet taste that reminds me of cream more than anything. Oh...here comes a spicy, peppery hit of cinnamon that melds and adds interest without overpowering. There is a very mild bourbon and barrel taste that maybe could be dialed up just a little, but that is picking a very small nit. It doesn't drink as heavy as it looks, more of a medium body with just a pleasant warmth much appreciated here right now. T'is putting me in my beer happy place, that's for sure.

Overall, well into the 4.0 range, not quite decided how far. I would say if you see this, get it. I don't know how it is priced elsewhere, but here at 16 bucks I call it a bargain.

 

Can't win 'em all.
Best characterization of this is "Nondescript".
Has all of the usual pilsner attributes, clear gold, grainy, light body, crisp, lightly bitter, just less of all of it, than is usual. *shrug*

3.08/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Full review : https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/392100/?ba=mikeinportc#review

 

Greetings All:

Drinking a Mexican Chocolate Spiced Stout from Stone Brewing. Xocoveza.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/147/128500/

Unusual but tasty and very full-bodied.

Happy Trails!

 

Harpoon MacGuffin

OK, be careful what you wish for.

I essentially figured that Harpoon's 100 Barrel Series wasn't going to show up in my area since they stopped putting them in bombers. Well, I was wrong, 'cause here's #67. I thought they'd be further up the number chart by now. They're calling this beer a "Wee Heavy" brewed with honey and thyme. Oh darn. I was very excited to see a new plain Jane Scotch ale... I didn't even realize it had fancy ingredients until I brought it home.

The name of this beer is a reference to the movie term MacGuffin. Here's Hitchcock talking about it:



The image on the can is obviously reference to the Maltese Falcon - probably the most iconic thing typically thought of as a MacGuffin. I like the faux movie credits on the back of the can. I don't get why they named this beer this way though. Could it be a reference to Hitchcock's Scottish lions quote?? That would be really odd.

The color is a very pretty union of black, red and brown. Full body. The aroma unpleasantly smacks me in the face with alcohol soaked cherries. This is a sweet, rich, and fruity beer. It has a spicy and earthy character that is probably aided by the addition of thyme... but I would never think that it tasted like thyme. It's like an alcohol soaked fruit cake that was also doused with vanilla and sassafras. This reminds me of a soda flavored with something from a tree.

All in all, this is another bead on my Sunday necklace of over-the-top and unenjoyable beers. A little restraint would have really helped ANY of these beers.

I'm pleased with the coincidence that my wife was talking about Humphrey Bogart just last night. She was saying that he was unattractive. This is even more proof that my wife has bad taste in men. This beer has put me in the mood for a Bogart movie. I'm fond of the relatively lesser known "In a Lonely Place"... but I love Nicholas Ray.



This one goes out to @rgordon . Cheers.

 

Happy late New Beer Sunday! Today’s treat was provided by the ever generous @jhavs . Jon I truly enjoyed this beer while sitting by the fire. So many thanks!

It was the perfect anecdote to the cold and snow outside.



And my feeble review



Cheers all ! Hope you all are enjoying what’s in your glass....

 

Tree House - Present Moment.

look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Canned 12-13-18
L: Cloudy - orange creamsicleish. Quick settling off-white head, nice lazy lacing.
S: Ripe passion fruit, very light orange and pineapple. There's a light tropical/fruit base throughout, slightly muddying the aroma.
T: Juicy passion fruit, a blush of bubblegum, pineapple mid.
F: Velvety smooth, light bitterness, tiny bit of carbonation.
O: A very good 5.4% brew. Freshly opened and cold, the flavors and aroma's were very laid back. Warming helped coax multiple flavors out, but the aroma was very muted. Highlight to me was the MF. Smooth all the way through.

Prayers forthcoming!

 

I shoveled from my front door to my car this morning. Not too bad, 30" of light snow in a wind driven drift between my car and the house. Also, the plow guy plowed behind my car earlier, thank you plow guy!

I left early (10:35) for my 2 mile commute.
I open the store every Sunday at 11AM.
I didn't open until 12:05PM.
2 miles in an hour and a half!
All due to the biggest snow event of this winter and flatlander skiers with no snow tires clogging up Stowe's Mountain Rd.
Got home from work after 6 and had to shovel a path to my front door.
30"+, thanks a lot, plow guy...


6:15 this evening:



That little "A" frame (below) houses my Rinnai heater's exhaust vent. When the weather warms up on Tuesday or Wednesday it will be covered by all the snow still on the roof which will come down all at once. I shovel 2-3 times for each storm.



But, beer!!!

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42/371500/



12 oz. bottle.
As per label, an abv of 6.3%.
Moderate pour yields a one inch white head over a bright as can be body with some lacing. Nose of citrus and a bit of pine resin; also a certain herbal/floral thing going on as well. Taste nearly mirrors nose with a bit of an herbal/spice thing going on. Very refreshing with a nice feel and overall, I'll have another!
Cheers!!!

4.23/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

 

What’s good NBS gang. I’m late to the party per usual. Anyways, without further ado, I present Alvarado Street - Growers Pale Ale.

Clocking in at 5.5 AbV, this bantamweight beverage can sure pack a punch flavorise! Here’s the breakdown:
Fresh batch of Growers. Not sure how they've tweaked the recipe this time, but it's a first for me. All I can say is that I'm hyped. Let's see how she fares.
Canning date of 1/3/19.
L: Pours a hazy vibrant yellow in color. Not much of a head formed from the pour, but a nice ring resides around the perimeter. Moderate amounts of lacing lingers behind on the glass, which I am rather fond of. Looks great.
S: Mellow but pleasant. Notes of citrus and earthy grassy hops.
T: Incredible given the abv. Full of fruit flavors: orange, grapefruit, papaya, pineapple, lemon, tangerine, melon, and passion fruit. The after taste is grassy with a lingering flavor that reminds me of peach, apricot, pineapple and papaya.
F: Light in weight but seemingly thicker in body. Carbonation is moderate to high, falling somewhere smack-dab in the middle. Great feel for a 5.5 abv brew.
O: Gotta say, beers in this style are my jam. Low abv, packed with flavor and just super enjoyable. I wasn't sure what to expect with this beer, but I definitely would have swooped on a 4 pack given the chance. Well done ASB!
4.36/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

 

Allagash Pictavia

Here’s Scotch ale #2. I love the idea of Allagash brewing a Scotch ale. It’s a connection (deliberate or not) to the Belgian brewers of the past who brewed Scotch ales because of how popular the beverage was in that country.

I’m surprised by how weird this beer is. It’s a bit sour and metallic. Sharp. All high notes and no low notes. What’s going on here? I thought this beer was going to end my bad streak today because it’s Allagash for cryin’ out loud. This is the least enjoyable beer of the bunch… and that’s saying something. It must be me.

There’s an unpleasant oak character that dominates. It’s lacking in decent malt character to stand up to the oak. I’m clearly going to be an outlier here with this reaction. I wonder if the liquid in my particular bottle is not reflective of the brewer’s intention and is different from what other’s have had. I don’t know and I don’t really care. I’ve tried to shift my taste buds around with other foods in an attempt to make this beer click. I even blew my nose. Nope. It’s just not doing it for me.

 

Good thing I have off tomorrow, because I'm drinking some good brews!

Hoof Hearted - Thanks For Letting Us Play Tonight.

My wife grabbed these the other day, and I have no idea who the band is. I believe it is Thin Lizzy due to the garb they are wearing, the 80's hairdo, and the likeness to Phil Lynott. Pure guesswork..

4.03/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

No canning date (arrgghh!)
L: Light orange. Nice cream head, that flattens out quickly. Sticky lacing.
S: Ripe fruity flavors, pineapple leads the aroma. Light citrus backing up.
T: Pineapple, passion fruit, light orange twang.. but very light.
F: Medium, with a bit of carbonation. Nice bitterness MF.
O: A good PA for the low ABV. Glad I bought a 4 pack. Definitely would buy again.. especially if they dated the cans.