New Beer Weekend #162

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Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

My weekend has finally begun. I was inspired to get a few Oktoberfest beers today at work, and here's the first. O'zapft is!


Oktoberfest - Waconia Brewing - Waconia, MN - 5.8% ABV

This one has a nice malt bill, with hints of rye bread, and a bit of pepper. There's a good deal of caramel as well. This is quite tasty, and I'm so happy I bought it. Delicious!

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/36554/193175/

4.07/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From a can:

Clear pouring beer that pours a lighter amber color. Lots of carbonation rising in das boot. The head that forms is thick, 3 finger, and slightly off white. Overall the head retention is decent, and there's just a bit of lacing on the glass.
Aroma is malty, as expected. Notes of caramel shine through, and lots of cereal and bread, that seems to have a bit of rye in it.
Taste - I get lots of malts here. Tons of cereal with a good rye bread note to it. I get a good deal of caramel. I also get a bit of a pepper flavor coming through. There's a hint of hop bitterness on the back, but very slight.
The body seems pretty good for the style. Nice and full feeling.
This is quite good. I think this is a good representation of the American style Oktoberfest.


I've got 3 more new Oktoberfest beers to go, and I'll see if I can get a few more in tonight. Cheers!

 

Fairly certain I had this many years ago, but never reviewed. In any case...

3.64/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Best before December 15, 2023 - enjoyed on August 27, 2023 - poured from a 12oz can into my Radeberger pokal.

Brilliantly clear Aureolin body supports two fingers of ivory crepe. Sticky, varied lacing; very good retention.

Biscuity, bready, faintly dough-y aromatics - malt forward with just a hint of wild grass.

Slightly metallic and sharp on the palate - relatively mild bitterness with a very delicate vegetal/grassy hop flavor. Distinctive lager yeast notes linger in the long dry finish. Some savory/umami elements (not as unpleasant as sulfur not as pleasant as sencha) persist. Malt emerges a bit as the beer warms (crackers and cookie dough), but never lives up to the promise of the nose.

Light, medium-full carbonation, not quite crisp, fairly refreshing.

Somewhat forgettable take on the style - rides the line between restraint and weakness. Back to Bitburger for me....

 

Even though it is hotter than Georgia Asphalt here in SC, I have been enjoying the fall beers! Shared a few Zirkusfest Marzens from Hi-Wire brewing. Very nice beer for an American brewed Marzen

3.78/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 16 oz can into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint Glass

the beer pours a crystal clear light amber color with a big foamy off white head that slowly recedes leaving behind quite a bite of lacing

The flavor and aroma are very similar; biscuity and toasty with a nice honey sweetness. There is also a nice hint of floral hops. Medium bodied and moderately carbonated, with a slightly dry finish.

overall the beer is very good for an American made Marzen. A nice beer, but it lacks the character of some of the better versions of the style.

 

https://instagram.com/chrisgehringer?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==

 

It's a long dusty trail..take your time.

 

Next round with an Oktoberfest beer.


Oktoberfest - Copper Trail Brewing - Alexandria, MN - 5.5% ABV

With a name like Copper Trail, well, the beer looks like a deep dark copper color. It reminds me of a nice red/brown BU cent. The aroma is a bit lacking, but the flavor, of the flavor. There's so many layers to the flavor, and my review really doesn't do justice to the flavor. I am happy with this one.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48056/335244/

3.98/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a can:

The beer is a nice dark copper color pour, and clear. Decent amount of carbonation rising in the glass to form a 3 finger slightly off white head. Head retention is so/so. The end result is a bit of lacing on the glass.
Aroma is full of cereal and a hint of caramel.
Taste - This beer has a good and malty flavor. I get some caramel up front, but, the back is full on malt. This malt has a lot of different layers, and I don't know if I can fully describe all. I do get a lot of cereal in the flavor. The cereal moves over to a wheat bread flavor. The flavor goes slightly earthy after that with a nice biscuit finish. This really doesn't do justice to the flavor profile.
Thick and full bodied. Very smooth feeling.
Quite a delicious beer overall.


I'll see if I can squeeze one more in tonight.

 

Finally! Man, it's been a weekend for the books. Yesterday we went to a local steak house for our anniversary dinner (which was actually on he 8th) and I ordered a new to me beer from Blackrocks Brewery - a hazy IPA. What showed up at the table was very clear and had very little IPA of any sort aspects. Think it was actually Grand Rabbits that they served me. I spoke to the waitress (hey, we were paying big bucks for this dinner!) and she offered to get me something different. So I asked for something I had before, a hazy from New Belgium - and again, I got a completely clear beer with virtually no IPA anything. I started to point out the fact that this too was wrong, but she had poured it herself - so it's even worse - the person setting up the taps has it wrong.
So I had another beer when I got home which was also a disappointment; I may post that one later. But for now, something very good:

Received as part of a 6 bottle trade gone wild with @beergoot - King Titus Porter.
Another very different but very good porter. Maybe it's only different for me as I am used to Founder's and Bells versions; both revel in deep malt darkness. But like Hello Darkness, this is smooth and balanced with not a hint of bitterness. It's all about the malts but in an almost mellow sort of fashion.
Breakfast blend coffee, milk chocolate, figs and plums. It frequently astounds me the flavors some brewers can pull out of the ingredients. Darn fine Porter. Thank you Dave!

 

NBS #2: Goose Chase, an Imperial Stout brewed by Fonta Flora Brewing Brewery in North Carolina. I received this can from my son who lives in the Old North State. I let it warm to room temperature for about an hour before pouring from an undated 16 oz. can into a stout glass. It pours a dark cola-mahogany color. The medium mocha-colored head fizzled away quickly leaving virtually no lacing. Its smell is big and bold with roasted malt, cinnamon, clove, and ginger. The taste represents a good balance of milk chocolate and and gingerbread spicing, including allspice and clove. It really simulates gingerbread. For an Imperial Stout the mouth feel is rather thin but at 8% ABV it drinks quite easily. Overall, Goose Chase is a mixed bag; the taste and smell exceed the look and feel. But it's a fun stout to drink.

3.96/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Cheers, everyone!

 

Oud Beersel Bersalis sour Blend, 6.0% ABV; 3.86 overall

Pours an effervescent & hazed amber with one finger of cream colored head. Average head retetion & better lacing

S: Pear notes, some woodiness, plums & brown sugar once warm

T: Follows the nose, oaky dryness/tartness, a little leafy hops & just a hint of acidity up front. Certainly get a lot oakyness as this beer warms up, hints of white grapes and pears as well, plus some figgyness. Finishes with pears, white grapes, leafy hops, figgyness & dryness

MF: Medium body, fairly lively carbonation

This was alright, but not one I would revisit

 

Avery is pretty much gone from this area

 

My apologies I'm not in a reviewing mood- singing and playing. But I thought you had tasted TBs Cactus.
It's always been one of my favorites. Of TB. Bourbon is really good as well.

 

I loved reading this!

 

Maibark

7% Maibock by Thirsty Dog

Poured from a twelve ounce can, the body is an orange-amber. Not much head and no lacing.

Nose is grain, honey and caramel.

Taste follows nose with a malty, grainy sweetness. A slight hoppiness is deep in the background and a wee bit present at finish. Not enough hop to balance, but enough to keep the sweetness in check. No sign of the 7% ABV.

Carbonation is low but enough to make an acceptable mouthfeel.

Overall a solid Maibock that is a super easy drinker.

 

Hello All. And Happy Late Night NBW.
Life has been super busy lately. I need to set aside some moments to smell the roses, or at least the hops!
Thanks to @FBarber I enjoyed this non-shrinking violet tonight. Sent to me in the glorious chaos known as NBS BIF #17
Bella Strada an Italian Style Pilsner from the fine folks at Art History Brewing.

Gusher at first. So...abundant head is an understatement. But once she settled down, a nice frothy cap with some clumpy lacing, and decent retention. Underneath, a slightly opaque straw to gold colored liquid.
Nose pops with a firm noble hop profile. She is not shy. Floral, spicy, and bright. Eventually a malt note pipes up. Some what and a hint of corn.
Flavor is a pleasing blend of the wheat malt base and earthy, yet spicy, hops. Not a light one.
Mouthfeel is on the petite side, slightly active carbonation, and a drying bitterness closes things out.
Overall I like the assertive flavor and nose.

Thanks Frank!

 

4.28/5 rDev +4.1%

look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 16 ounce can into a teku glass.

Look- Pale straw, very hazy, sudsy white head, average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Clementine, melon, slightly dank, medium strength of scent.

Taste- Clementine, melon, peach, moderately sweet honey finish, medium strength of flavor.

Feel- Medium body, slightly above average carbonation, low bitterness, highly creamy, soft.

Overall- This beer provided an enjoyable drinking experience, but the flavor was not as vibrant as desired. Also, the bouquet and flavor were fairly simple, but still pleasant.

 

Dear Lawd! I'm back with another fantastic Frank @FBarber beer.
Beer for Kings by Off Color Brewing

Thanks to Frank, I tried the Beer for Commoners a few months back, now it's time for Beer for Kings. "Pawn jump queen..."
Gorgeous. Orange to caramel in hue. A fluffy, silky white head rises and settles to a thin, scattered cap. A thin, streaky lacing clings to the glass in a haphazard form.
Nose is very subtle and understated. Mild, fruit-tinged, sweetness barely chimes in. The specific fruit is not discernible.
The flavor is a different story. It begins with a velvety, delicate sweetness. Caramel, buckwheat, and a hint of rye. Then notes of apple, pear, and maybe maybe candied orange. But oh, so light. I love the nuanced variety of flavors.
Mouthfeel is medium, slightly slick, low carb, and smooth. No warmth.
Overall, I find this to be a more nuanced, yet thoroughly enjoyable wheat wine. I think this would be exceedingly approachable for people who are scared off of barleywines and stronger wheat wines.
In the immortal words of Mel Brooks, "It's good to be the King."
4.06/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

 

Haha! I hadn't seen that before but it's gold.

Now at least a few hours later than I planned, but oh well, it was a good day overall!

Desert Edge - Pro Tem Pale (version IX)



No canning date. Purchased from the brewery for $2.50

Poured at fridge temp into a dumb can glass.

Pours a dark and nearly opaque hazy tangerine with a full 2F foamy head. Color put me off a bit but the foam was delightful. More notes on this in overall, cause of my higher rating. 4

I want to say I could tell it was mosaic right off the bat with aroma but I'm a tad unconfident. Unbeknownst to me this is an apparently rotating hop line, and I couldn't find description at the brewery or online. Inquiry pending cause I'd like to know. Heavy and dank pine, some fermented pineapple and light tropicals. 3.75

Fairly bitter and seemingly weedy (have yet to partake, thank yewww asthma ) pine and a touch of juiciness. 3.75

Moderately filling body with some sharp effervescence and dry finish. 4

Overall I feel like I could give a better or perhaps more confident rating on this if I knew what was in it, but satisfying especially since I felt it pushed my identification to the test. Left some beautiful full sheet lacing down the glass and head retained til the last sip. 3.75