New Beer Weekend #190

Jealous....

 

Had a couple new ones today. This is the most recent one.

Received in a trade with @Mikexw.
Poured stout black with very little carbonation, which seems to be the norm for BA Porters.
Sorry, still not able to smell much other than dog poop. (Yes, I believe God has a sense of humor)
The taste is freaking amazing. The aforementioned coffee, cacao, rich malty goodness.
The feel is slightly viscous, perfectly appropriate for a BA beer.
OA, this is one of the finest porters that I’ve had, and would likely have one every week if it was distributed here.
Cheers!

 

Slightly surprised and pleased with this 9.6oz bottle of Jamaican brew. Sweet, chocolate, a bit of chest warming. 10% ABV. EZ drinking. I'd buy it again.
Dragon Stout Fire

 

@mhksuccess Cheers! riip Beer Co. Stratacaster West Coast IPA, 7.0 with 100% Strata; 4.15 overall

Pours a bright & effervescent gold with a finger of pearl colored head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Melons, peaches, some hints of Kiwi Fruit

T: Follows the nose, dryness, tangerine, a touch of watermelon & strawberry in here as well up front. Dryness, Kiwi Fruit, Cantaloupes, a kiss of tangerine as this beer warms up. Finishes a touch dry with green melon, tangerine & lime

MF: Medium body, fairly lively carbonation; lovely balance

Solid Offering, very easy to drink

 

Snake River Brewing- Cross Czech Pilsner

L- Very clear golden beer with white head that has little lace and vanishes quickly
3.75
S- Faint honey like aroma with some light yeast and hints of lemon and bread
3.5
T- Somewhat sweet white bread with a touch of lemon flower or chamomile. Hop notes are subdues and floral with just a bit of drying and little bitterness.
3.75
F- A really well balanced feel. Carbonation is light yet there and body is on the mid light side, yet overall really crushable without being watery.
4.0
O- A well done pilsner close to a Czech or Bohemian with more floral notes, sweeter and less hoppy than the standard. I like it.
4.0
Final Score = 3.77 or according to BA guide Very Good

 

Yellowhammer Brewing American Light Lager

Lighter shade of gold color with a small diminishing cap.

Aroma of mildly spicy hops resting on a sweet grain base.

Flavor is about medium strength sweet grain with low level quickly fading hops. Really the hops are just enough to cut the grain sweetness. Good balance though in an easy drinking style.

Not sure what the brewer is going for here. Although it's clearly labeled as a light lager it clocks in at 5% ABV and 147.9 calories which isn't exactly light beer territory. Either they are referring to color and taste or it's a stab at the light beer drinking market.

 

Verboten Brewing- Pilsner - Loveland, CO

L- Clear deep golden beer color, white foamy head that was outstanding in height and laced from the top of the glass to a small remnant of itself after a few minutes
S-Slight yeast note on top of a pleasant sourdough bread note, touch of very light sulfury hop and a bit of green thyme or herb, but very light.
T-Touch of green hop on top of barley, hint of apple, a touch of rye bread. At a loss to add more but I like it.
F- Clean and smooth with light tiny effervescence in each taste. Hops add to a drying feel with a bit of a lightly acidic ending.
O- Really nice and clean with a very light souness that adds to the overall barley fullness. Hops add a bit more weight and keep this from being sweet. Very refreshing.

Overall 3.94 = Very Good

 

32°/50° Kölsch from COAST Brewing Company is a very nice, and I feel somewhat unique, take on the style. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16354/39238/?ba=neenerzig#lists

Eric

 

Good morning, folks. We had some company over to distract me from my college's final basketball game of the season that they thankfully won and avoided (for a game) a problem that has plagued them for a half dozen games or so - looking completely incompetent on offense. They still had streaks of ineptitude, and hopefully I get to see at least one more win this season, though I'm not counting on it.

Anyhow, I did finally make my way back to Chicago, and I wonder if the less-than--a-handful of you who read and cared about my vague allusions in earlier knew this brewery was coming up next:


I have had the chance to try one Dovetail beer (Baltic Porter), thanks to the BA Lager Fest box. I really enjoyed that beer, but I have been looking forward to some paler beers from them, and I was able to pick up this one, their Kölsch style ale.

I didn't necessarily anticipate a crystal clear beer, but I have a beer with a bit more haze than expected. This beer looks as much like a Hefeweizen as it does anything. The head built up in a fairly structured foam, holding for a little while; most of the structure gave in to gravity, though a few splotches had the strength to hold to the inside of the glass.

Putting my nose up to the tall vessel's opening and the resemblance to a classic German wheat beer disappear. There is a lemon citrus, peppery and slightly herbal bread (not too yeasty, perhaps focaccia-esque) vibe to it. To me, it smells like a quintessential Kölsch, though I am not an expert on the style.

The taste keeps alive my belief that this is a very good example of a Kölsch, or at least it matches the flavors in my preferred American takes on the style. I might need to grab an import to compare this week or next.

I'll start with the "negative" - I like the nose a slight bit more than the taste. Given how much I enjoyed the aromas of the beer, this is far from a slight. There is a bit more of a grain and biscuit note to the soft opening, with a grass and herbal flavor working itself in by mid-palate. The lemon note isn't as bright as it is on the nose, almost acting lightening up the feel than providing a distinct flavor element.

I'm not quite sure how to explain the last interesting thing about this beer. It's light honey sweet note seems to string from front to back. To me, it's neither a sweet nor bitter beer, but the thread that acts as the sweeter aspect seems to hold up, even when I want the herb or grass to cut more into it by the end. It's a minor thing, and is really just my attempt to explain what would take my already high appreciation up another notch.

I am not expecting it, but I hope north Chicago (to my untrained eye) and northern Virginia can keep this relationship alive.

 

Thanks for this. I've been working on improving my reviews, especially since I joined the NBW crew, and it's nice when someone recognize my progress. While it takes me a bit of time to think through and write it up, I enjoy the process and being thoughtful about it often results in my noticing aspects of the beer that I'd otherwise miss.

I may be back later on today with another new one depending on how the day plays out. If not, I'll see some of you over in WBAYDN.

 

A couple of new beers for me this weekend. Met some friends for happy hour earlier on at Bad Astronaut Brewing in Houston. Took some notes before they arrived, as I was finishing my book, yep I can do multiple things at once ha.

Bohemian Tapsody, Bohemian/Czech Pilsner. 4.8% ABV.



Pours a crystal clear golden/yellow color. A small white head forms and leaves a bit of lace behind.
Not very aromatic. Toasted cereal grains, corn, light grassy hops. Very simple overall, and just kind of middle of the road.
Taste wise. a substantial cereal grain flavor, toasted malts and cooked corn. A very light grassy hop character, maybe some light bitterness but hard to say. The cooked corn lingers on, takes over, and seems like DMS to me.
A light body with effervescent carbonation. This is very dry, but not as clean as I would like. The possible DMS I'm detecting is not pleasant. Which, in turn, is not something I really want to drink again.

I guess I have said what I need to say. Cooked corn oddly takes over. Which makes this a sub par lager for me. I don't know if that is DMS specifically, but seems possible and not very pleasant overall.

Overall score is 3.13,
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63715/650804/?ba=champ103#lists

Next, Swerve The Penguin, American Stout, 6.8% ABV



Pours a murky brown with some ruby highlights around the edges. A small beige head forms, but recedes to nothing in a second with little lace.
Aroma has some toasted bread and roasted malts. A light chocolate aroma is noticeable. Really simple and by the books.
Taste wise, like the nose, toasted bread and plenty of roast. A more milk chocolate flavor shows up, and is almost like lactose. I'm not sure if that is used here. Regardless, pretty average for me.
A lighter body than expected, with moderate carbonation. It is watery and almost thin, and a bit muddled. Not a stand out version of the style, and I'm not looking to come back to this any time soon.

I'm always for a less is more approach. Though not much here that I would recommend over many other stouts available. About the definition of average.

Overall score is 3.3
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/63715/650807/?ba=champ103#lists

I was debating on whether or not I should post these, cause I like to try and have something good to say. Though I have been on a streak of just average to maybe slightly below average new beers lately. Oh well. At least the pictures are kind of neat, as I normally don't take very good ones, but these turned out interesting for me anyway. Also, Anne Enright's new book is fantastic.

Maybe have some afternoon beers at Great Heights today, I think they still have their new Amber Lager on, so might get another review then. Already starting my next book from Colm Toibin...

 

I think we both got what we want out of that game. You got the two points and some welcome secondary scoring. The new guys fit in pretty well for the most part as well.

Our first line went straight up against yours for most of the game and dominated statistically. Slafkovsky and Suzuki were excellent. Guhle and Matheson shut a lot down. It’s nice to see the excellent play from the guys that will be part of the future success if that have some. And, we don’t help ourselves into a lesser shot at Celebrini by losing in regulation!

 

Watched the extended highlights this AM and they were quite entertaining. That’s the type of game you want either way; close, high energy and great crowd.

 

Hello New Beer Weekend!!!

Quick post from Inver Grove Brewing in Inver Grove Heights, MN

Sky High Coffee Coconut Cream Ale - 9.5%

Tasty coffee forward and Coconut on the back.

 

Well bother. I mentioned yesterday that I had 2 beers to share and neglected to post the other. Let me fix that-

Acquired to see if it would make a good addition to the box going to my target in NBW BIF #18.
Poured deep brown with a light brown head that didn’t stick around long.
I’ve had Black Chocolate Stout so I know how much chocolate flavor you can get without having chocolate in the mix.
This struggled to bring chocolate to mind, but it did have some almost nutty flavor with some dark fruit notes. Decent, but not exceptional porter.
Now if they did an imperial version of this I’d gladly try it.
The feel is quite thin, nearly water like. Found that most curious and what caused me to think of the imperial version.
Ah well, that’s why I generally buy singles until I know.
Cheers!

 

Travel day for work, so a new beer in the Charlotte airport. Fortunately, they have a “taproom” (which is actually a kiosk-esque) setup featuring The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, which is a criminally UTR brewery that focuses on traditional German styles.

Naturally, I’m having their first foray into the WCIPA style. This is UnFOURseen. Let’s party, NBS!



4.42/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nearly clear vivid orange color with a fluffy white head that coats the glass and lingers on the body of the beer as you drink it. Gorgeous WCIPA.

The nose includes a plethora of citrus notes, including candied oranges, ruby red grapefruit, and mango, plus a bit of resiny pine.

That pine is more prominent on the taste, closing the beer show with a lingering and welcoming bitterness at the back of the palate after allowing the candied orange, ruby red grapefruit, and mango flavors to shine. Delicious WCIPA.

The mouthfeel is medium and very dry, adding to the drinkability of the beer. Olde Mecklenburg is known for brewing traditional German styles, so I was curious to see how this would go. The fact that they used German hops (Callista) is indicative of their attention to detail, and shows through in the quality of this beer. I could drink this for DAYS.

 

Finishing up the last day of Tampa Bay Beer Week, drinking at home - My fest bottle from Wednesday’s Arkane's ticketed event - “Arkane in the Membrane” (2024) an imperial stout aged 29 months in 10 year Willett Family Estate Bourbon Barrels:





Poured at 58°. Black with ruby edges; reddish brown fizzy head with a few rocks that vanished quickly; thin ring; no cap retention nor lace; no legs on swirl. Strong bourbon nose followed by chocolate. Taste is bittersweet dark chocolate; toffee; sweet; some oaky vanilla; mild hop bitterness. Silky smooth verging on viscous feel yet drying on the tongue; heavy minus body, not adjuncty; light carbonation; some warmth from 12% abv; mild alcohol bite on tip of tongue. Overall,boozy bourbon which I like, but a little on the sweet end notwithstanding some hop bitterness; otherwise a worthy BBA impy stout with a long chocolate linger.



4.0 | 4.25 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5
Score: 4.41 rDev 0
I added beer to database.


A beer I would gladly drink again. Bottles were general admission only, one bottle per person. Happy to savor fresh today - Cheers y’all!

 

In River Falls, Wisconsin now, and at Swinging Bridge Brewing, and enjoying a green beer.

Irish Tea Party Matcha Hazy IPA - 6.4%

It is green and tasty. The tea provides a nice contrast to the hops. Very interesting indeed

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/49347/693566/
3.7/5 rDev 0% look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75 It is green? Hazy green murky pour with a white head. Nose is a tea aroma with a faint hint of pine hops. Taste. The tea hits right away and lingers. It has a slight sweetness to it. The backside has the hops shining more, and a pleasing bitterness. Crisp feeling body. The feeling from the tea and hops is interesting. Strange and interesting beer. I think I like it.

Also, I forgot to post my review of my last one, so here it is.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/57540/693558/
3.76/5 rDev 0% look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75 On tap at the source. Clear amber pour with a white head. Hints of coffee on the nose. Mild aroma. The beer is coffee forward. The coffee mellows out and the coconut kicks in. Some lactose also shows up and a hint of vanilla. Smooth and creamy body. Pretty full feeling. Tasty.

 

Back again friends, Mrs. Phisher worked a few hours today and got home a little bit ago; given the boys some TV time so figured I'd fit in a beer in quiet before we head over to in laws later for dinner where I'll share some of this beer.

This was another surprise beer from @snaotheus that came along with that beer from yesterday's, another NW lager brewery, this one is from Wayfinder. @Coronaeus our interactions this AM put this glass on my mind, thanks again for it, I still love it. Oldest says, "dad where did you get a maple leafs glass?" "from a friend in Toronto, we talk on the internet about beer." "oh, does he have a youtube channel?" . We are all Philly everything Peter but if anyone asks him his favorite sports team he responds "Maple Leafs," every favorite sports team day at school he rocks his shirt

Wayfinder - Marzen (5.5%)



Pours beautiful deep dark amber, good clarity; very weird bubbly head fizzes like soda and disappears within seconds leaving nothing, I did managed to get the picture with head but after it looked like a cup of iced tea.

Sweet caramelized malts dominate the nose initially; whole grain bread, some toasted quality to it, sweetness as it warms.

The taste is similar; sweet malt with some caramel/toffee quality, reminds of soft whole grain bread, finishes with some sweetness; some lingering nuttiness on the finish.

Medium body, very low carbonation; clean though, finishes dry but with some lingering residual sweetness.

This beer hits most the marks for a good marzen but it’s lack of carbonation increases perceived sweetness and give it a little bit of syrupy quality. Like you said in your review Ryan, I’d be curious to see what this is like if the carbonation issue was resolved. Either way it’s a quite tasty beer, thanks for thinking of me with this one.