New Beer Weekend #103

jonphisher · Jul 11, 2022

kemoarps said: ↑

Happy birthday, man!

Today has been a full on Carlos Santana appreciation day. Just listening through the catalogue of the musician (thankfully he's ok after collapsing on stage this week!), in honour of the baseball player who has been instrumental in our recent successful (finally) foiling of the annual Blue Jays invasion series. Don't look now (Terry), but the Ms are looking pretty well set up for the rest of the season after it seemed like they were dead in the water just three weeks ago. Very exciting. Looks like the Angels' cowardly attempts to fabricate a fight to jumpstart their season backfired and actually ended up being a turning point for us instead. c'est la baseball.

Anyway, beer. I stopped by Chuck's, which -- as any Seattleite will tell you -- is one of the Meccas of local beer stores the other day with the intention of securing a keg for my brothers' upcoming wedding. He tasked me with getting kegs for the event because he knows that I'm into beer (which may be a surprise to those reading along here on this beer-focused website... /s), with the instructions that he wanted something in the vein of Pacifico (light, inoffensive, appeals to the masses since it's not like the wedding invite list is a bunch of BAs anyway. Also, ironic that we've got a Pacifico sighting here in this week's thread!). So I chatted with the folks there for a bit and we kind of had a bit of back and forth about options etc. Thankfully I didn't finalize anything, because it turns out, no, he actually just wants me to grab a keg of literal Pacifico. That's fine. It's his wedding, he knows his guests better than I do, etc, but... like if you just want that, just order it? I'm happy to pay for it, but why ask the person who is into beer to find beer for you if you don't actually want local/artisinal beer options? And thank goodness I am a procrastinator and hadn't finalized the other two kegs I was planning to get quite yet since. Anyway, whatever, I'm happy to grab it for him and am excited that they're doing this thing, it just feels silly.
Oh, yeah. The point of why I mentioned going to Chuck's in the first place. While there, my wife opted to stay in the car, since pregnancy is sapping her energy pretty completely. I tried to warn her that sending me in there alone, even with a mission, means accepting the consequences of that choice. She did a double take, but by then I was already through the doors and perusing. So I picked up a couple* of things. She's not drinking lately (obviously), so it's just me, and without her sharing, I've been drinking a lot less, but it's still good to have some new and variable options in the fridge again.

Today I opted for one of those brews: Chuck "Hop Shop" Shin is an IPA brewed by Seapine, who I think is a little bit underrated in the Seattle beer scene, and brewed (predictably based on the name) in collaboration/to celebrate said store, and the founder of said place.

It was a lovely pour. Yellow body that in the light gets a little neon-y, and a large billowy white head that sits around and sticks to the sides of the glass beautifully.

Nose was intriguing, as well. Light grainy malts lay underneath a fruity nose of tropical fruits, some melon, and maybe a bit of floral. It grew on me the longer I let it sit and dig into it.

Flavour unfortunately didn't stay completely true to the depth of promise in the aroma. Many of the same flavours are there, some light mango and honeydew, some spicy hops and crackery malts... it thins from there into a sharp green character that finishes unripe fruit bitter.

Body is slightly less than medium, moderately scraping carbonation. Finish is dry and bitter.

Overall it didn't fully live up to what I was hoping for, but it was not bad by any means or anything like that.

Cheers, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and summer, and remember: be excellent to each other!!
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Brother’s wedding, baby on the way…seems like life is good

Loved the read, and funny on the Pacifico, I really enjoyed that beer; more than I thought I would. I think it would do the job at a wedding.

Also brothers…haha. if you’re getting kegs I’m assuming the wedding must be coming up soon.

I went to chucks when we were out there; I think it would be impossible to go in there and not add something extra to the shopping mission.

See you next week.

TongoRad · Jul 11, 2022

LeRose said: ↑

What a day here, the last low humidity day for the near future. Great day to do nothing, so I perfected that skill. Watered the crops, threw a meatloaf on the smoker on autopilot for four hours and chilled.

Tonight's victim:

Schilling Alexandr - a Czech pilsner at 5%. I already have high expectations when I pop a Schilling brew, so let's get to it.

Knockout of a pour with a dense, soapy head floating on a crystal clear straw gold colored liquid. The head falls to a substantial cap - quarter inch or so. Incredible lacing like growth rings as the liquid volume inevitably recedes.

On the aroma...hmmm...not a ton of strength here but hitting the right notes. Biscuity malts, light lemon, and ample traditional Noble malt smells slowly assemble into an inviting but mild scent.

The taste opens ever so slightly sweet with biscuit-like malts. There is a nice level of lemon that delivers evenly across the tasting. The hops kick in with floral, herbal, grassiness and an extremely subtle bit of peppery spice. There is a sturdy bitterness on the finish. On repeat sips, that bitterness becomes a constant backdrop and everything else plays off that anchor.

This beer is smooth and well-rounded. It is medium heading to full in terms of the body. A bit drying, a little lingering bitterness that's a bit like grapefruit albedo. That very mild pepper note stays that way with a slight tingle.

This here is a very good beer and I hope it shows up here regularly. I continue to be impressed with Schilling. Well-crafted lager here, straightforward and well constructed with no tricks. Feeling 4.25 or a bit better here. In contrast to last night's "Italian" pilsner, this is fuller, slightly more bitter, and the hop presence while similar, has a bit less of the herb garden greenness, less aromatics, and more bitterness. Pilsner fans can't go wrong with this one, if you ask me.
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It's a great Pilsner and pretty much my standard these days. When I got that Tonewood earlier I was hoping that it would at least be as enjoyable as Alexandr; that baseline was certainly met.

New Beer Weekend #103

jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
Society Pooh-Bah Trader

TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
Society Pooh-Bah Trader

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New Beer Weekend #103

jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey Society Pooh-Bah Trader

TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey Society Pooh-Bah Trader

jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
Society Pooh-Bah Trader

TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
Society Pooh-Bah Trader