New Beer Sunday (Week 733)

Backacre Sour Golden Ale

Here are my notes one glass in. I need to go take care of the recycling and I’ll finish my proper review a bit later on.





Look: Translucent, crystal clear golden straw color. This beer looks like apple juice. Some bubbles steaming toward the top. A foamy bone white head falls as quickly as it rises, with zero head or lacing.

Smell: Granny Smith apple, apple cider, apple cider vinegar. I don’t want to give the impression that this beer is anywhere close to being overly acetic. But the notes are there. Peach, apricot, pear, lemon juice. Herbal notes including lemon grass, bay leaf. It’s a “clean” smelling beer. What I mean is, there isn’t really any “funk.” Maybe a slight must.

Taste: This beer is acidic. At first I thought it was dry, but as I drink it more it seems less dry to me. Apple cider, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, lemon juice, Granny Smith apple skin, white peach, purple/tart blueberry and white grape.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation but bubbly enough.

Overall: This is a very nice beer. As far as barrel aged golden sour ales go, its got more of an apple cider aspect to it then I’m used to. I like that flavor, and it make the beer stand out. Is it the most complex beer in this style I’ve had? No, if that’s what your looking for. When I say cider I’m thinking along the lines of something like Domaine Dupont.

Cheers people.

I hope I’ve got one more in me tonight, and I’m kind of feeling like a stout.

 

My second Nelson IPA entry for the day is CBC beer. A brewery Ive had mixed experiences with.
The Fog That Surrounds
Pours a turbid yellow with minimal head that leaves little to no lacing and settles to just a thin ring.
Aroma is tropical in nature in the forefront; pineapple, guava then the white grape and gooseberry kicks in from the Nelson.
Taste is very grapefruit, pine resin, white grape and white pepper spicey. Orange juice and lemon also contribute.
Feel is medium bodied with light carb and a very spicey almost hot pepper like finish with a crisp dryness.
Overall a nice entry for a DIPA from CBC. Not nearly as balanced as my earlier Finback entree. And the hot spice is a little over powering. May be a bit "green" . Bought a 4 pk so Ill chexk this out again after a week or two.

 

Whoever came up with daylight savings time didn’t have twin toddlers on a precarious sleep schedule...

I had a new beer earlier this afternoon, but didn’t have a chance to take the time to give it a review. Now, with the kids sleeping, the wife dozing on the couch, and the day coming to a close, I can slowly enjoy one.

Tonight’s comes from a nice box of beer a long time trade partner dropped on me today. Sloop Juice Bomb IPA.



Pours a deep murky orange with a head that means business and sticks around as the business is getting done.

Sting notes of citrus, particularly orange grapefruit. Moderately dank.

The taste follows the nose. Big citrus notes, heavier on the grapefruit side, pleasantly bitter.

Thick and juicy with a mild effervescence.

Great IPA that I’d be more than happy to have again.

Cheers.

 

De Dolle Dulle Teve

This is 10% tripel number 2. Just like the other beer, I’m not 100% sure this is new to me, but I don’t think I’ve had it before. This beer is also known as “Mad Bitch,” and was supposedly named after the brewer’s mother. She used to conduct tours at the brewery. De Dolle Brouwers is probably one of the key breweries in Belgium when it comes to this modern wave of brewing.

Is this a Mliko pour of a Czech Pilsner? This was the beer that I thought would gush today. Instead, the other two Belgian beers were very slight gushers and this one totally stayed in the bottle... but it gave me a glass of foam. Unlike the previous tripel, this beer has much more body. The fruitiness, yeast character, and malt honestly reminds me of a slice of apple pie. There's some basement must to it to, but that can be psychological on my part based on the brewer's other beers. This is another "special occasion beer."

 

Well, I hope you all aren't angry with me, but I lied: I've got one more up my sleeve tonight. It's been sitting in my fridge for, well, way too long considering the style and ABV. That being said, it turned out quite good.


River hopper #2 Lucky Lure Wheat IPA from Beaver Island Brewing. 4.7% ABV.

This has been sitting in my fridge way too long, considering the style, and ABV. I, probably, should have had it a long time ago. I've been looking at it when I opened up my fridge, and worried it was bad because of the age. I kept skipping over it, till tonight.

Well, I'm glad I've finally tried it.

I don't know what it was like fresh - it's a low ABV wheat IPA that was released last summer - but it's damn tasty,m and crisp. In a way, I wish they would have has this beer as their New Year's Beer, instead of the one they offered. This is a light, crisp, bubbly beer, unlike the beer they pushed as a NYE beer, that ended up as a confused hot mess.

Review:

3.75/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Note: I've had this in my fridge way too long. Hope it is a good review in spite of that fact.

Pours a very clear golden color. 2 finger, white frothy head. The retention is good. Some lacing on the glass.
The nose has just a slight citrus aroma. It's not too strong, but quite pleasing.
Taste - it reminds me of a light champagne in a way. Not too hoppy, though it's an IPA - though it could be due to the fact it's been sitting too long in my fridge.
Crisp, bubbly feeling. Lighter, not watery, though.
Beaver Island released a Brut IPA for New Years, and it was a total disappointment. This beer would have been much better for NYE. It is light, crisp and bubbly. Delicious.


Ok, now I am truly done. Not feeling as salty anymore. See you all on the flip side.

 

NBSx2. If there is one person on this site that knows what I love in a beer, it's @joe1510 . This is one incredible beer.

Half Acre-
Dark Trail- Mixed Culture Foeder Saison





Nothing dark about this beer. Its sunshine golden yellow body is gorgeous. Beautiful clarity with faint suspended particles making it not necessarily picture perfect, except for this style. Lazy bubbles crawl to the surface to support a billowing crown of soap suds. They pop and fizzle quickly, leaving light trails and crests around glass.

Lime zest, and freshly cracked bready grain as it meets hot water practically jump out of the glass. Funk infused grape skins and a worn old and moldy forgotten barn dance around in the background.

You really have to dig for it but there is an immediate sweet and toasted malt, which comes full circle long between sips. Oak soaked Lemonheads and ginger, complete with a zingy spice and a dash of pepper are the perfect compliment. There's even a little leathery touch to it, like chewing on the strings of a well loved baseball glove.

Sweet and sour balance perfection. White wine like start with a crisp cider finish. A constant tongue-sweeping-teeth motion comes naturally, in search of moisture to soothe the dry and tart feel. It is light and delicate, and masterfully easy to drink.

Luckily, this is a large bottle. I finished the first pour in minutes. The second pour, the same. This final pour, which was intentionally delayed for the sake of avoiding repetition, is being savored til the very last drop.

After my official review, I gave Dark Trail a rating of 4.58 with an rDev of +4.3%.

Cheers, and thanks again Joe. You glorious bastard you.

 

Happy Return to New CANned Henniker Beer Sunday (Week 733)!

I am SO glad that I chose Henniker as this week's brewery horizontal! Following the first CAN,I moved to:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30697/101017/?ba=woodychandler#review

One more is never enough, so:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30697/208510/?ba=woodychandler#review

& afterwards:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30697/227062/?ba=woodychandler#review

but then I was asked to:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30697/327742/?ba=woodychandler#review

but who has time for that?!? Man, I got a mutant on stand-by:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30697/273145/?ba=woodychandler#review

Oops! She's "Mystique". She seems amused by my gaffe, so I wound up the day with:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30697/273145/?ba=woodychandler#review


Let's do this again! like, next week (although I have St. Pat's on-tap).

 

Great start. I agree, I'd like to see UVA get last year's monkey off their back. To go down in the history books that way... OOf

As for me, I'm a happy camper. Purdue's looking good. Hoping to see them go deep in the BIG10 tourney. And I'm going to the Sweet 16, and the Elite 8 games in the Western region. Popping my March Madness cherry. Finally going to experience the full treatment: going to take a pic with the Final 4 Trophy & meet some "yet to be named" NCAA legendary coach or player. We'll see how that perk turns out. I'm not holding my breath.
Oh, and 2 free drink tickets...somehow I have a feeling it will only get me Bud Lite, which I'd just give away.
Right now, I'm enjoying the latest Offshoot (Bruery IPA division) offering...Grain Pour
It's pretty tasty. DIPA coming in at 8.5%. Hops listed as Citra, Galaxy, Amarillo & Pacifica.

Pours a turbid peach hued orange. Fluffy white cap pushes assertively, holds at 2 and a half fingers in vertical, slowly settles to a smattering tiny clusters of bubbles. Scattered lacing.
Aromas of orange, lemon and grapefruit zest, melon, gritty biscuit, and a hint of dark honey akin to buckwheat honey.
Flavor begins with a melange of orange, orange zest, mild malt sweetness that makes space for melon. Gently juicy, but the biscuity malt note brings my attention to the feel of this beer. It's not as pillowy or soft as a lot of the NEIPA's, but it nods in that direction a bit. Ironically, it comes off as a little chewy for a DIPA. But this stands out for me...in a good way.
Overall, I like this one. I feel it is one of the less forward hopped beers that Offshoot has produced in a while.
3.93/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Turns out it wasn't in the database...now it is.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48782/403103/

Cheers ALL!!!

 

Hello fellow late night NBS’rs!

This new beer was provided by the ever generous @LloydDobler as was the glassware. Many thanks Chris as I’m really enjoying this beauty!



This beer poured a gorgeous dark purple with less than a half finger of pink bubbly head. The nose is all tart raspberry and blackberry. Raspberry hits first and then the blackberry finishes it off. The taste follows the nose and the tart berry combo lingers for what feels like forever. Absolutely zero sign of the 8.3% abv. Feel is smooth, creamy and lively.

Overall this beer is exactly as described and drinks incredibly easily. Almost too easily.....

Thanks again for the opportunity Chris and cheers all!

 

New to me, & brand new as of yesterday. Ran out of maple syrup , so had go up the road to the brewery to get some. (They make that too.) Saw two pairs of bluebirds in the trees along the brewery field, so worth the trip for that alone.
Smashed Coconuts a milk stout with toasted coconut, 6.8% .
Very dark, with a little reddish-brown shining through the edges. 1/2 to 3/4 finger of (mostly)very fine tan foam.
Smell is chocolate syrup, wet decaying wood/bark(Chestnut Oak?) (roasted malt), cream, & a little coconut as it warmed.
Taste is similar to the woody aroma + a cake batter-like mix of chocolate, cream cheese, & sour cream. There is some slight tang - why I mention sour cream. A little finishing bitterness. No distinct coconut flavor.
Feel is moderately oily, with light carbonation .
Overall, very smooth & easy-drinking. Disappeared quickly. Could be dangerous.

3.97/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/51814/402819/?ba=mikeinportc#navigation

& I didn't realized I was bow-legged. (Sloped part of growlette)

 

NBSx3. From a well received newer brewery to the Hood River scene...

Ferment Brewing Co.
ESB





Not exactly what I envision for your classic ESB, but beautiful nonetheless. A burnt copper orange color with decent clarity and a respectable khaki foam that leaves a creamy ring and iridescent suds.

Simple and rustic aromas of slightly staled bread, caramel, toasted nuts, and an earthy and woody hop finish.

But wow does this pack a punch of flavors! Golden raisins and juniper sweetness, slathered in a burnt caramel, sandwiched in brown soda bread. A wet evergreen finish of spruce tip and mint balance this out with another light indication of old wood.

Sticky, full, and massive. Not what I was expecting at all. Close to balanced, but if anything, it leans towards sweet rather than the indicated "bitter" as prescribed of the "B" in "ESB". But there's no chalk against that here, as this works magnificently with these flavors. Sweet and sappy with an assertive bitter bite on the end.

I've yet to be disappointed by a brewery in the greater Hood River area. Ferment continues that trend, at least with this offering. Perhaps a modern twist with an indigenous signature vs. a classic British ESB, but there's no arguing that this is a delicious treat.

After my official review, I gave this a rating of 4.29 with an rDev of -0.9%.

Cheers.

 

This is a follow up to a post I made in a previous NBS where I featured Two Roads Dry & Mighty and other members brought up Ommegang's Brut IPA for comparison. I thought I'd follow up and visit them both together (neither is a new beer for me). Having them side by side, I feel like Ommegang's effort is far more successful. It's light, bitter, dry and effervescent... and it makes the Two Roads beer feel heavy and fruity in comparison.

@TongoRad @JackHorzempa

 

That's just the thing, isn't it? In today's beer world, with it's 157 172 different styles with very specific criteria (ABV, IBU, SRM, yeast, etc), an all-malt bock brewed in the US probably wouldn't be considered an "American Bock" --- if the style existed.

 

Didn't you read my post?

Me and Chris Colby have defined this style.

Cheers!

 

I thought they were "American Amber Adjunct Lagers"?

 

It's a twofer!

I did make mention in my first post (which I am sure you read):

"I have used a term of AAAL (Amber American Adjunct Lager) in past BA threads. I think this is an equivalent designation for American Bock."

Cheers!

 

Nugey in 1937 noted that the then still "under proposal" US Federal Alcohol Control Commission's definition of "Bock Beer" was:

Checking slightly older (1936) sources, the proposed FAA definition had the color criteria even lower, at 12° Lov. - which was the same as proposed for "Dark Beer" and "Bavarian", "Munich/Munchner", "Salvator", "Kulmbacher" and "Wurzburger".

Wahl & Wahl in '37 suggested:

So, maybe that anemic-looking Genny Bock of today would fit, while this industry ad (via the NYC Brewers Board of Trade) claim might disqualify it:
"“Bock Beer today is – as always – a heavier, slightly sweeter beverage…"