New Beer Weekend #211

I guess I had pucker on my mind today. Sour is not a style I often have, or ever have; maybe one every other month. But today this is my second. Imperial Oak Brewing releases their foeder aged sours under the Savage Oak brand. Ruby is their Flanders red style sour and this one had currant added and was aged in bourbon barrels.



It looks ugly, but when backlit the clear body glows like a ruby.

Bourbon kissed fruit aroma portends a tart and sour elixir that doesn't disappoint.

Taste is tart cherry/currant lead and quite high on the pucker scale. Bourbon notes lean wet oak, especially due to foeder fermentation prior to aging bourbon barrels.

Overall a very tart sour change of pace, but not a looker.
Slaínte

 

Jackie O's Pub and Brewery Iron Furnace. A barleywine-style ale brewed with brown sugar and maple syrup, aged in bourbon barrels. Courtesy of @Blogjackets. The look is pitch black, with a brown tint. There was no foam that appeared when pouring the beer into the glass. The smell is remarkable. Brown sugar and maple syrup sweetness explode from the bottle. There are also scents of raisin, leather, plum, sweet potato, and bourbon. It is a very enticing blend. The taste is incredible. Flavors jump all over your palate. Maple syrup flavor can easily be overwhelming, but in this beer it blends perfectly with sweet, yet mild flavors of caramel, raisin, leather, brown sugar, molasses, brown bread, and bourbon. It is so delightful. The mouthfeel is oily, soupy, thick, silky, and rich, with low-medium carbonation. Overall, this is an incredible barleywine-style ale. Thank you so much, @Blogjackets!

 

When is a brewery not a brewery?

Today’s beer was gifted to me and it is an interesting beer on several levels:

· The name of the brewery is Another Moon Brewery which I have never heard of before.

· On the can it mentions “Conditioned in the can”.

· Also on the can: “Brewed by Another Moon Brewing Company at Suarez Family Brewery in Livingston, NY”

The brand’s name in smaller font on the can: “Moony’s Ale – Hoppy Saison”.

The third bullet above is a bit ambiguous: was this beer brewed by the brewers of Suarez or did the brewer of Another Moon brew the beer using the equipment at Suarez brewery?

I typically am not a fan of contract brewed beers since I have often times had less than stellar experiences when a brewery switches where they brew their beer (i.e., from brewing at the brewery they own/operate to some other brewery). In this particular instance I have less concern as regards contract brewing since I was impressed by the beers of Suarez which I detailed in a past thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-783.634783/#post-6811792

Below is information about Moony’s Ale from the BA description for this beer:

“This is a beer for drinking. Think farmhouse pale ale. This beer is can-conditioned so it still has all the frothy goodness you can expect from Another Moon beer - just in a can instead of a bottle. Brewed with NY state malt and NY Excelsior and a touch of NZ Motueka hops to keep things interesting. Notes of melon, kiwi, mango, and lemon. Moony's Ale: built for the trail.”

I never heard of the Excelsior hop before and from a quick web search I learned that it is not a hop variety but a blend:

“Excelsior hops are a testament to the rich agricultural diversity of New York, representing the first 100% New York-grown and processed hop blend. This innovative product is the result of a collaboration between the New York Hop Guild and the experts at Hoptechnic, who have meticulously selected and blended the finest hop varieties from the region.



The flavor profile of Excelsior hops is complex and tantalizing, marked by tropical mango and lychee notes, complemented by a bouquet of floral aromas and a medley of sweet fruits. This blend is particularly suited for crafting beers where a pronounced hop character is desired, adding a layer of depth and aroma that can elevate pale ales, IPAs, and other hop-forward styles. The unique combination of flavors works harmoniously to provide a sensory experience that is both exotic and familiar, making it a versatile choice for experimental and traditional brewing alike.”

Boy, all this typing has gotten me parched. Let’s drink!!

Served in my Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass:

Appearance

Golden yellow colored with a BIG rocky white head

Aroma

The aroma is dominated by yeast produced esters (fruity) and phenols (spicy) but there is also some hop aromas of citrus/floral in the background.

Taste:

The flavor follows the nose with fruity & spicy flavors plus some citrus/floral flavors as well. There is a low – moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel

High – medium carbonation level, a light- medium body with an off-dry finish.

Overall

This beer is very good. It is tasty and a joy to drink.

This beer is a Saison first and hoppy second.

Cheers!

 

Steve Austin lager
...very clear light amber
...medium carbonation with a just below average body
...aroma is corn,grain,cereal and malt
...taste is similar to aroma,very slight sweetness with not a lot of hop influence.
...not an overly complicated beer but thatis what seemed appealing to me. It made a good,just home from a long day and I want to crack open an uncomplicated but decent beer

 

Hill Farmstead - Vera Mae

750ml bottle served in a tulip. "Bottle conditioning since October 5, 2023." Handed to me by @Roguer.

Pours clear light yellow, big head on the pour, thin dense head after settling, moderately amount of moderately slow carbonation at rest. Smell is bright lemon and floral, some spicy funk, sweet honey and bread, something vaguely fruity and a background earthiness.

Taste is on the tart side, lemon is stronger and deeper, more on the rind side than the lemonade side. Tartness doesn't quite mask the honey, but it does cover up a lot of it. Floral stuff comes through, now something sort of chardonnay like comes through, I wonder if that was the vague fruitiness in the aroma. Earthiness comes across more clearly and woody/bitter.

Mouthfeel is very light, very dry, very airy. Overall, this is a very nice beer.

 

Kcbc 4am pils
...gold,amber appearance with a thin but lasting head.
...medium carbonation with a just below average body but adds up to a nice feel.
...aroma is grain, cereal, very mild mixed citrus and a little flowery
..taste is mild sweetness, grainy,cereal with some mild citrus in the background. Some very mild dry bitter hops on the finish that linger
..overall its really well done,nice beer

 

The first Maine adventure draws to a close. Hot but nice day on the lake today, sad to be packing up for the morning departure. Little guy made great strides in the kayak. We walked 4.8 miles yesterday at the Coastal Botannical Gardens - awesome place.

I'm going to bend the rules a bit. Two new beers reviewed during the week during the week. I hope I linked them right.

Radiant Days Papaya Tangerine Fluff from Definitive - crowler only, the missus liked it but it's basically bubbly fruit juice. Tastes good, hard to call it beer.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/51968/610463/

Allagash Upward Movement 2024 Czech Amber Lager - brewed with black tea. I loved it and it ticks another style. The tea is well- integrated and is not at all intrusive.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4/710764/

Of course we spent way too money at Barreled Souls and tried eight beers. The missus got her fruity sours and I stocked up some barleywines.

Of the eight beers we tried, two deserve special mention. Maria's Garden was excellent - port-aged barleywine. But...Barleywine X - only available on tap - was absolutely divine, heavenly awesomeness. If you like Barleywines and are anywhere near Barrelled Souls I'd call it an absolute must try - it has flavors like a pecan praline but it's still true to the style - no doubt what you are drinking. Sublime, in my opinion.

I've got more stash to get through and report on, plus the trip ain't over yet! We will be up in Liberty near Lake St. George in a week and uh-oh Barreled Souls Barleywine is Life event is happening the Saturday we return...rationalizing that it isn't that far out of the way...

 

Thank you for opening @Whyteboar ! A few comments about beers tried before diving in.

• I'll have to try to track down those Savage Bottles, especially your Flanders enjoyed today, a style hard to find beyond the usual classics.
• I'm stashing the Jackie O's for the Fall, both seasonal and the fact I have so many Drink Fresh beers from Wisconsin.
• Loved Suarez Family beers enjoyed this Spring at Monk's Pub. Hope we get access even for a festival at some point in Chicago.

Was to late / lazy to hit Spiteful today, perhaps early next week when it's cooler out. May go to Une Annee tomorrow, but either way this weekend is dedicated to at least one IPA each day to extend the IPA celebration today. I wasn't aware it was International Beer Day until this evening, otherwise I may have saved my international tasting last weekend for this one.

First up, I believe my first described WCIPA from a brewery I like across many styles.
.
Jester King West Coast IPA

4.11/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25



Full review linked above, NBW Cliffs Notes below:

• AP Crystal clear caramel base, light carbonation, generous white head.
• AR Pine and grapefruit, caramel malt strong as well.
• T More malty than expected, though perhaps 7 weeks out is the cause. Blends well with the Pine and Grapefruit.
• M Feels stronger than the 6.4% ABV, more malty than expected, medium to full body pine caramel malt finish.
• Overall: A solid enjoyable experience as expected, would revisit these notes if a future fresher can or draft pour yields a less malt driven more hoppy experience. That said, I am really enjoying as is.

 

Just curious if you have similar experiences, if you’ve had cases to notice, from the other side - i.e. a “gypsy brewer” that starts brewing on their own?

 

Cheers @Whyteboar for opening the taps on this new beer weekend

Perrin 59-10 ale


3.83/5 rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Can received as Lif winnings from @Whyteboar in Bif18

Chilled 12oz can poured into a pint glass

A Traditional IPA with a modern twist. A blend of old-school and new-age hops, perfectly blended with a sweet, malty backbone. These numbers stand for the home address of the brewery, the home of liquid craftsmanship.

Translucent copper colored liquid crowned by a fizzy one finger off white foam crown

Aroma is tangerine citrus , malty

Taste is sweet malts with a tangerine citrus hop finish

Malty sweet with a crisp hop kiss on the finish

Good beer, prosit!

 

Reviewed these two @Whyteboar beers back to back . West coast style ipas , very similar in taste, appearance and look. This beer and the brew above could be close cousins in style

Offside IPA


3.77/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can received from @Whyteboar in an lif associated with bif18

Oddside Ales original ipa

Introducing our IPA, a harmonious blend of Simcoe, Amarillo, and Citra hops that creates a perfectly balanced and well-rounded brew. With a delightful hoppy profile, it's not excessively bitter, making it exceptionally drinkable. Savor the nuanced flavors, and let the symphony of hops dance on your palate. Cheers to a refreshing experience!

Translucent copper colored liquid with a crackly fat one finger off off white foam

Aroma is sweet malts, pine , orange citrus

Taste is sweet malts, pine resin, orange citrus

crispy malt forward beer with pine hops providing a hop bite

Good beer

 

Thanks Jack - another insightful and interesting review!

 

I have not had many beers that were brewed via gypsy brewing (i.e., a brewer brewing beer at somebody else's brewery) but from memory I believe that I have enjoyed those beers.

My issues have been with beers that I enjoyed when they were originally brewed at the brewer's location but later on they decided to have their beers brewed via contract brewing.

Cheers!

 

I'm a little late to the party with this one, but still good stuff!

Half Acre Daisy Cutter Select

Appearance: Clear gold, big head.

Smell: Piney, some citrus.

Taste: Solid pine and citrus entry, then continues with more citrus, moderate bitterness. Somewhat light feel for a DIPA. Extremely drinkable.

Overall: Two of the best pale ale makers combine for a double IPA that drinks like a pale ale. SNPA and standard Daisy Cutter are two classics, this DIPA reminds me of both. Balanced flavor and great drinkability.