New Beer Sunday (Week 757)

Ommegang - Saison Rosé

The next Ommegang Co-Fermentation Project beer is an earlier one. This one was co-fermented with Chardonnay grape juice.

It’s an essentially still beer. I realize it’s a blend of barrel aged beers, but I can’t help but think that this isn’t the desired result (the brewer’s photos say it isn’t). The age of this beer shouldn’t have this result either. It looks like guava juice. It’s an unappealing looking beer.

Taste is gentle acidity, a bitterness that feels out of place (oak?), hibiscus (which I think is in the beer, but is annoyingly not mentioned on the package), and mild fruit flavor (lemon, strawberry). In the end, it seems like a failed experiment that actually works since it still manages to be very drinkable. I guess I’m being too hard on it based on appearance and carbonation.

 

Awesome intro from the captain Craig, and happy anniversary to Dick!

New Oktoberfest Sunday for me:

For some reason I missed last year's collaboration, but when I saw Bitburger was the partner brewer this year ...

Compared to the 2015, '16 and '17 versions of this series, this one may be the most marzen of them all. All the notes are classic, from the toasted sweet grain nose to the toasted malt/earthy hop flavor. There's also some of that copper penny aroma and flavor I get from this style. Nothing stands out like it has in past years, everything working together in harmony. The mouthfeel is a bit soft, but it works, perhaps because the weight is enough to give it some heft.

I love it. It's not my all-time favorite Oktoberfest, but it's good enough that I might snag another 6-pack at some point.

The review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/411545/?ba=Premo88#review
4.18 (+6.4%)

Hope your Sundays are going well!

Cheers!

 

A welcome creative start from @cjgiant today. Wish I had it in me to do fill my post with an air travel theme but I'm just too burnt out from DIY things all day. Happy to finally plop in the seat, buckle up, put the tilt the back all the way and have a new beer. Where's the flight attendant?

Today I have an NEIPA, Stunner For The Win from Beerd Brewing Co.

4.33/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 16oz can dated 8/1/19 to a Nonic.
Nice solid hazy gold body with 2-finger head of fine bubbles. although the head fades in a few minutes the lacing is ridiculously tenacious until the last drop.
Pineapple-orange-apricot hit the nose.
In the mouth you get mild pineapple, a bit of the apricot but malt is there, kind of a dry finish, but the texture is a little light.
There is only a hint of alcohol, understandable with all that flavor and only a 7% ABV.
Nice beer, from a consistent brewery.

Relaxing by myself with music and beer. The entire household is off at the local Ag Fair 1/2-mile away. I expect turbulence and a rough landing when they return.

 

Holy crap, it's been four weeks since I've contributed to this thread? That's far too long, I figured I skipped a couple weeks max. Anyway, I'm back and have two beers to contribute on this beautiful day. I noticed a slight chill in the air this morning when I woke up, and even around noon when I hit the gym and did my grocery shopping for the upcoming work week, I felt a bit more wind than expected in August, cooling it down to below 70 degrees in MA even with the complete fullness of the sun blaring in the sky.

Fall is my favorite time of year for beer-drinking, and I'm excited for the changing of seasons, but it's still technically Summer, so I have two beers today that will hopefully anchor me a bit in the "Summer" mood while the transition happens. Granted, I've already started drinking Warlock/Pumking and a select several Oktoberfests because I'm a heretic, but these next two seem more apropos of August. The first is a new surprise sour by a brewery we all know, and the next will be a fruited double IPA from a brewer fewer people have had the opportunity to consume beer from. Let's hope they're both quality!



I didn't know that this was going to be a thing, so when I saw it while out-and-about today, I was intrigued and grabbed a sixer. I figure it's probably not going to be amazing whatsoever, since Boston Beer Co. hasn't done anything spectacular in a while, but I'll definitely throw ten bucks at it just to see what's up. Worst thing that happens is I get six mildly-drinkable sorta-sour beers. *shrug* The back of the label is amusing; it says nothing whatsoever about what this actual beer is, only that it is blended with their Kosmic Mother Funk (which a rare creation of SA's that typically only appears in blends like this one and consists of a spontaneously fermented beer aged for two years in Hungarian oak foeders). Who knows what this will be? I mean, the word "blend" is so non-specific, and it wouldn't really surprise me if SA made a rather-generic kettle sour base (or, hell, even a generic Belgian blonde session ale) and blended it with 5% KMF just to sell units. My optimism is becoming cynicism as we speak, so let's get into this before I pre-judge it too much.

Pours a deep golden color with a copper highlight/sheen to it. Thick and creamy head that dies down to a thin, half-finger ring after 5-7 minutes in my glass. Surprisingly decent soapy lace (spotty though it may be), and alright legs on this one. Mostly hazy body, but I can see some decent carbonation rising from the bottom for the first few minutes it's in my glass. Kinda stops producing bubbles after a while.

The nose is a touch of apple cider vinegar atop a toffee-like layered malt bill that sneaks in some notes of tart green apple, grapefruit rind, and lemony acidity. Maybe a little soapy, earthy, and herbal, but with no metallic elements to speak of (thank the beer gods!). A little light berry (raspberry, mostly) with a touch of funk. Almost reminds me of a young Flemish brown ale with a slightly different malt bill.

Flavor profile is, well... existent? I mean, I didn't expect this to blow my mind whatsoever, but it's just kind of there. Definitely more of a "beginner sour," but there's nothing wrong with that in theory. The semi-tart, juicy berry notes from the nose show up here, melding well with the caramel/toffee malt. I wish this just used pilsner malt, honestly, though... the dynamic is really middle-of-the-road because as soon as you're about to feel some real tartness, it gets changed over to an unusual (but not bad) sweetness. Feel is a bit heavy and thick on the tongue as a result, and the carbonation could probably be dialed-up a little bit. Honestly, though, it's not that bad. For a near-macro "sour beer" it's enjoyable and fun enough, but after this sixer, I can safely say I won't return to it.

 

Good afternoon and happy New Baffled Sunday, BAs. Baffled because as I sit here at Great Notion with the goal of buying some goodies for a friend, what do I see on the taplist? A Rauchbier? From Great Notion?!! Alright, interest piqued.

Great Notion
Smoked Oak- Rauchbier





To my surprise, a beautiful toasted chestnut body with perfect clarity with a lightly tanned thin and bubbly head. Little spots of lace have to earn their stay.

The Märzen base is apparent; bready, drizzled with caramel. Burnt wood doesn't quite engulf, but actually enhances the rest.

Flavor follows quite well. Toasty, roasty, burnt goodness with soft white bread, walnut, and caramel.

A little light, or watery feeling possible subject to the lower carbonation. Very easy to drink and very well balanced.

Overall, this might not end up a well decorated Rauchbier, but it's pretty damn solid. And much respect to GN for taking on the style. I love when they branch out.

After my official review I gave Smoked Oak a rating of 3.99. Cheers!

 

Thanks for the thorough review. My son bought this, he drank 2 and I have been staring at the other four for a week now. Just before I read your review I took a bottle out and read the label again. I had just finished telling my son if he opens one, I'll try his, but I'm not opening one for myself first.

 

No magic involved, however I cracked it open on 8.23 and not 7.23, thanks!

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Sippers and commentators. Yesterday was Rushing Duck's 7th anniversary. For each anniversary the brewery releases a special blend of some of its other favorites. "Birthday Blend" honors the 10th birthday of James, the iconic brewery cat. This American Strong Ale is a blend of 2016 Ded Moroz (a stout), Imperial Ryezenbock, Unironic Tweed (a Barleywine), Barrel-aged Unironic Tweed in both honey and maple barrels. They added copious amounts of coffee and vanilla bean. Rushing Duck are masters at blending and this is just delicious! It's about as delicate a 10.9% Ale as you'll find. About my only disappointment is that it was only sold in crowlers. I wish it were bottled as was the 6th anniversary blend. I poured the rest of the can into a growler and will finish it tonight. Here's my full review:

4.41/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Released for Rushing Duck's 7th Anniversary. Poured from crowler two days after canning. Served at nearly room temperature. It pours a color between dark cola and walnut with a fluffy, light khaki head the dissipated quickly leaving a thin sheen of lacing. A super fragrant nose with roasted malt, brown sugar, fresh coffee, toffee, freshly-cut nuts, vanilla, oak, and ripe cherries. The taste opens with a surprising amount of dark fruit: ripe cherry, raisin, and perhaps some fig. Then the flavors come one after another. There's burnt coffee, chocolate, vanilla, toffee, oak, and hints of leather and smoky peat. The Kola nut is evident and it tastes very fresh and tropical. As the ale breathes in the glass the flavors seem to evolve so that with different sips I get different tastes. The feel is more like a Barleywine than a Stout; it's creamy but not as thick as some of Rushing Duck's big stouts. It has mild but pleasant carbonation. While the 10.9% ABV is warming it's by no means overpowering. Overall, Birthday Blend is superb - as I expected it would be. Rushing Duck has really mastered this style and I look forward to its anniversary release every year. My only regret is that RD didn't bottle this blend; it was only sold in crowlers so it's hard to age.

I hope you're all enjoying your new beer(s) today. I always look forward to reading your reviews. Cheers, NBS!

 

Had their Lucididty IPL right after, and of course it was hazy. But God damn was that a good use of Nelson Sauvin!

 

A- Pours a nice amber color with a slight head and lacing
A- Aroma has nice chocolate and caramel malt hints
M-The taste follows the nose with a generous Chocolate and caramel malt flavor
M-A medium bodied moderately carbonated beer
O-A well done Doppelbock

 

Moat Mountain Czech Pilsner. Mount Washington Valley, North Conway, New Hampshire. Canned 8/5. 4.9% ABV. Can states Dry Hopped for your pleasure. Poured into a poorly cleaned all purpose glass at a vacation rental.

Pours a clear straw yellow with little head and poor retention, although I’m not sure how much of that is due to the glass. Aroma is some bready malts with a touch of lemon. Taste follows with bready malts, and restrained hops with just a touch of spice. Finishes sweeter than I would like and no sign of hop bitterness. Feel is light to medium. Overall not a great Pilsner in my book. Needs more hops and a drier, crisper, finish and dry hopping is not in evidence.

Still, goes down easily enough, and any beer is a good beer on vacation. Have tried some Moat Mountain beers at the brewery and bbq restaurant before and know they are not generally the best out there. Still have always had a good time eating and drinking there. Cheers!

 

Continuing with my all NH beer drinking on my NH vacation. Safe Space NEIPA by Concord Craft Brewing. Canned 8/14. 6% ABV. Poured into a slightly cleaner all purpose glass.

Pours a hazy yellow-gold with nice white cap. Aroma of citrus and tropical fruit bursts out upon opening the can. Flavor is not quite as fruity, but nice blend of pineapple, peach, and mixed citrus. Feel is soft and medium-bodied. Overall, one of the better NEIPAs I’ve tried. I appreciate the lower ABV options for IPAs, and this one delivers on both aroma and taste. Cheers!

 

A-Pours a hazy light golden color with a nice head and lacing
A-Aroma has citrus, herbs and hop hints
T-The taste follows the nose with a pleasant citrus, herbs and hop flavor
M-A medium bodied moderately carbonated beer
O-A well balanced Belgian IPA

 

Alright on to a beer almost twice the strength of my previous beer, and hopefully at least a little bit better. I've had a rocky relationship with Decadent in the past, but their last few beers I've had have been curiosities that I wouldn't mind having multiple times (though never more than one per session unless I'm looking to pass out, cuz they're all like 9%).



Pineapple Orange Pacific Punch is a version of the original Pacific Punch by this brewery, which was released last year in September (or thereabouts; that's when I reviewed it anyway). The original used pineapple, mango, peach, and strawberry, and the can for this one seems to imply that only pineapple and orange were added this time. Let's hope for a more focused affair, although I did enjoy the original quite a bit once I mulled it over a bit (see my review here).

Pours much paler than the original... this is like 3 SRM, and features a very "meh" cap of foam that lazily forms and dissipates quite quickly. No lace or legs. Incredibly hazy and essentially opaque with not much going on. Markedly worse looking than the original for whatever reason. Hmm...

The nose is very boozy and harsh, with strong citrus and tropical elements abound. Super juicy, but with an almost overtly-aggressive ethanol component. Guys, whyyyyy? It's like paint thinner-level intensity here. I can't comprehend why breweries allow stuff like this to come out. It's so confusing to me, because I can tell there's an actually-pretty-fun/interesting beer in here, but it's just buried under so much alcohol that there's next to zero balance. Here goes nothing... my first sip...

Yeah, it's boozy. This tastes like it's in the 11% range, and it's only just over 9%. Harsh fruitiness and pineapple juice with overripe mango stickiness and strong orange peel/grapefruit pith citrusy elements. Goddamn, this is a chore. It wants to be a fun, carefree beer with a juicy complexion, I can tell, but it's just so harsh and rough. Other reviews, however, don't think of this as boozy, so maybe I'm just being a wimp? I dunno, I feel like I've had this issue with Decadent before, and it's probably because they're contract-brewed by one of the less-trustworthy outfits in New England (Dorchester Brewing, who in my opinion has a history of spotty renditions of beers I've had before, as well as just general batch inconsistencies that I typically associate with a lot of smaller NH breweries, though that's another opinion for another thread). Feel is extremely dry and harsh, almost "Brut IPA" in terms of lacking any residual sugar, which is weird considering how sweet and pineapple-forward the mid-palate seems. This is a mess. I'm disappointed but... somehow not really surprised.

So much for a superb NBS, fellow BAs! Can't win 'em all, but I was hoping to have some better stuff after being away for so long. Perhaps next week.



You know what isn't disappointing? THIS ALBUM! If you even remotely enjoy upbeat, catchy, yet slightly off-kilter electronic music... do yourself a favor and blast this. Give it a few minutes. If you're remotely like me, this will be your new jam to listen to on repeat. Cheers!

I avoid this beer all the time because of how utterly shitty and mean-spirited that beer name/label implication is. Hell, I can already tell people are gonna be like "yo get a sense of humor," but screw that. Making fun of the concept of "safe spaces" is not something that belongs in the craft beer scene. Sorry to get pseudo/slant-political, but I had to get this off my chest.