New Beer Weekend #228

I'll add some reviews from yesterday...after playing hooky from the last half of my work day, I went and had lunch at one of my favorite spots...The Hobbit Cafe. Whenever I read, or in this case reread some Tolkien I have to come here for at least a lunch ha. Considering I get in a fantasy mood around holidays, I tend to read a lot of Tolkien around Thanksgiving...so there you go . The Hobbit Cafe has been around for over 50 years, and has always had a great beer selection.

Anyway...

Parish West Coast Ghost, 8.0% ABV, billed as a West Coast DIPA.





Pours with a slight haze that keeps throughout. A yellow color with a one finger white head. Light lace is left behind.
Aroma is of citrus, melon, floral aromas. Becomes a bit of a fruit salad, which is fine. Though just a bit...not very expressive to me, for lack of a better way of putting it.
Taste wise, like the nose, all the citrus and melon fruit salad flavors you would expect. A bit floral and juicy. Though I wish there was more of a bitterness here.
A medium to full body. That is moderate, almost under carbonated to me. It is a very easy to drink Imperial/Double IPA. The alcohol is almost hidden.

If I had to drink a NEIPA then regular Ghost In The Machine is what I would choose. While, still not something I'm coming back to a lot, I can at least respect it. This, is actually more similar to that, than I would expect given the description and my expectations of a WCIPA. I don't get a lot of bitterness, and more of a melon fruit salad character. Which needs to be more crisp. That is probably down to more my peculiarities in taste than anything. To me, its perfectly fine, if not exceptional. Which, is maybe or maybe not coincidentally how I feel about Ghost In The Machine.

Overall score is a respectable 3.73
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24822/720902/?ba=champ103#lists

It did go well with the Bifur Lamb Burger. This is one of my favorite burgers in town.

 

Close to The Hobbit Cafe is Baileson Brewing. So I hopped over there to try their new Pils.

Unsupervised Dads, 5.2% ABV, billed as a West Coast Pils.

Note from the brewery: We created this pilsner-style ale, using the grain bill and hop profile of a traditional pilsner, but fermented with a strain of Kveik ale yeast. We then used an American hop profile of Cascade, Chinook and Simcoe hops.

So very much not traditional ha.



Pours a clear yellow color. A one finger white head forms with good retention. Light lace is left behind.
Aroma of citrus, floral and grassy hops. Earthy and spicy. There is a green vegetal aroma as well.
Taste wise, citrus and floral flavors. Earthy grassy, green veggies like flavor. A long almost astringent bitterness lingers on for a while.
A medium body that has crisp carbonation. Effervescent and a very dry finish. Overly bitter for bitter sake, lagers aren't my preference. Though this is still enjoyable to drink.

The bitterness becomes almost astringent for me, and I don't know if you can call this a lager/pils or whatever with a "Kveik ale yeast." However, saying all that, it is still an enjoyable pint. I can come back to it, even if it plays fast with whatever style it is trying to be, and not entirely my preference for lagers.

Overall score 3.68.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50448/724570/?ba=champ103#lists

I have a Wild Ale from True Anomaly and found a new to me Saison from Fair Isle. So I will definitely be back for beers today...

 

Brasserie Hoppy Road (France) ‘Dirty Love’ BA Barley Wine

33 cl bottle poured into a taster’s snifter. Not much fizz, none was expected, atop copper colored brew. Light reveals brilliant mahogony tones through the haze.
Nose is heavy on the Calvados, which is apple brandy distilled from fermented apple cider, made in a designated area of the Normandy region of France.
Taste is sweet, yet the Hallertau blanc and Columbus hops keep it in check with a hint of spruce for enlightenment. The barley malt profile struggles a little, yet stands up to gourmet notes of apple, oak and gingerbread. A touch of cinnamon (well restrained) brings reminiscence of Holidays apple pie. Fine alcohol nip rounds the finish, a little sticky kissy lip remains.
Mouthfeel is oily and not over dense. The addition of flaked oats brings a smoothness on the palate. Low end of medium carbonation.
Overall, a really beautiful, distinctly European, supurbly crafted sipping Barley Wine that is classy and delicious.

A solid 4.61/5 in the BA DB.

 

Woo Hoo Wuhan. JK
Happy Thanksgiving All. Wishing you fine time with family, friends, and fermenteds.

 

Here and there over the years, I have noticed a few of your musings from the Hobbit Cafe. I am intrigued and it is now officially "on the list." HAHA

On a side note, I have not read the Silmarillion in decades. But what I do remember is I needed to be closed off from the world to really focus on that one.

 

A wet or dry baby diaper, inquiring minds want to know.

 

Well I had a nice lineup for the holiday and following days, but it wasn't to be. Had an allergic reaction yesterday and got myself on a course of steroids so no alcohol around here until next weekend. Good news is that my appetite is certainly appropriate for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving all! I'm looking forward to seeing what you bring to the NBW table.

Also, @champ103, nice first edition US of the Silmarillian. I wish Tolkien had been able to get some of those tales into a more finished state, but together with the rest of the First Age corpus it certainly makes for a significant legedarium.

 

Im with @ZebulonXZogg ,I need further details

 

Sorry to hear that, but glad you’re taking care of yourself and getting better.

 

Hardywood Fluffy GBS

Imperial milk stout with spices, honey and toasted marshmallow flavor - ABV 9.2%



Looks nifty enough with that big fluffy head. Does indeed smell fantastic. Vanilla candy and Molasses. Like an old timey candy. Big Molasses taste that rides right up to spicy sweetness. Bit of sassafras in the finish. Leans towards the thin side but otherwise quite pleasant

 

4.79/5 rDev +2.4%

look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Near black body, very thin dark tan head. Waves of vanilla, chocolate, bourbon and charred notes. First taste on the tongue is vanilla, followed by the chocolate and bourbon notes. Very nice! Oily mouthfeel with a light carbonation…perfect! Such a great stout….IMO worthy of the $32 price tags for those special occasions.

 

Hanging out in the courtyard before the main course later on today. With book and funky cheese to snack on.

Fair Isle Henderson Saison, 7.1% ABV.

The breweries description: Henderson is a saison brewed with Pelton barley and Rimrock rye grown and malted by Mecca Grade Estate Malts in Madras, OR. During the mashing process we used Kentucky blue straw from the farm to assist in lautering instead of traditional method of rice hulls.



Pours with a dense head that has retention and lacing for days. Which sits above the slightly hazy caramel orange body.
Very aromatic. Peppery spice, mild musty basement "funk" and tart apples in the nose. The toasty, slightly grainy malts intermingle as well. Love it.
Taste wise, that peppery spice is up front and mingles with slightly tart apples. This is like apple cider. Then the malts come more into play. Toasted baked bread, caramelized sugars. Though that dries out with a solid tart acidity lingering on.
A medium body That is well carbonated and crisp at first. As this breaths, it becomes ultra smooth. Finishes semi dry. Oh this is excellent to drink. I'm not wanting this to end.

As always from Fair Isle, an excellent Saison. I'm really enjoying this, it is all perfectly balanced, with plenty of yeast, malty and fruity esters to go around. I seem to like Fair Isle more and more, every time I try something new from them. Well done.

Overall score, a very rare, at least lately, 4.3 for me.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/57519/600617/?ba=champ103#lists

 

Happy Thanksgiving you turkeys…I’m looking at you @Beersnake amongst others…



This stone draws tourists from all over the place to purchase saltwater taffy, t shirts and cranberry jam

Vienna lager by Goldfinger

3.92/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4


Brewers notes: One of our favorite lager styles of beer to brew for its malt complexity, yet infinite drinkability. Due to the double decoction method of brewing, we achieved a unique depth of malt flavor that is balanced by Czech Saaz hops. This beer is copper in color with a medium body for a slightly more robust drinking experience.

28 IBU
Double Decoction

#3 Ranked for the style on beer advocate

Named after the city in which it originated, a traditional Vienna Lager is brewed using a three step decoction boiling process. Munich, Pilsner, Vienna, and dextrin malts are used, as well as wheat in some cases. Its color reliably falls between pale amber and medium amber—there should be a reddish hue to examples of this style. Noble hops are used subtly, with the resulting beer having a crisp quality, a toasty flavor and some residual caramel-like sweetness. Vienna Lager and German Märzen have much in common. Although Austrian in origin and rare these days, some classic examples come from Mexico, such as Dos Equis Amber, the result of late 19th century brewers immigrating from Austria.

Canned 4.15, opened 11.28, acquired on a recent Chicago visit

Clear copper liquid , demure carbonation , pencil thick taupe foam cap , occasional lacings

Aroma is a sweet caramel , bready

Taste is malty , bready

Mouthfeel is crisp , clean , sudsy , semi dry finish

Good beer

 

Thank you @Beersnake for kicking off the Holiday Weekend, and your intro and presentation of your unique Chinese beer. I believe I still need to tick that one. Also enjoyed reading about your trip to The Hobbit Cafe. And get better soon @KP7 !

I bought a bakers dozen of new to me beers last night, most of which are under 10% ABV to balance out the intimidating 19 new to me Barrel Aged beers.

Going with a heavy hitter today, this one from the Pipeworks Dojo. I’m grateful I finally made my first trip there in June, after they finally reopened for the first time since 2020, and returned a few months later to pick up several BA releases including this one, a dessert before Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Pipeworks Sundae Sauce - Barrel Aged

4.1/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25



11/28/24 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased a single can for $11.01 with tax on August 23, 2024 at the Pipeworks Dojo, refrigerated at home until this afternoon. 16 oz can without a date stamped released earlier in the year. 13.9% ABV. Tales From the Oak. Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Cherries, Vanilla, Lactose, Cacao Nibs and Natural Pecan Flavor. Label Art by Beejay Olson. 2024 Pipeworks Brewing Company. Brewed and Canned in Chicago, Illinois.

Appearance: Poured about half the can into a 12 oz snifter. Still near black colored pour, dark tan head lasts several seconds before fading to faint white bubbles lingering around the glass. Nominal carbonation noted. 3.75

Aroma: After letting warm for 20 minutes, pecan leads the way, really nice, followed by a bourbon barrel backing, strong but smooth. Fetching some cherries and chocolate as well, no vanilla but I'm not complaining. This all comes together very well, can't wait to dive in. 4.25

Taste: Bourbon front and center here, a bit harsh at first, but smooths out over time. Pecan and chocolate backing. Getting some vanilla and malt sweetness as well. Let this sit a bit and be patient. 4.0

Mouthfeel: Faint , gentle carbonation and a creamy medium to full body. Strong from go, ABV packs a punch. Bourbon and sweet malt and flavors the primary taste sensation through the finish. 4.0

Overall: This beer is as advertised. First sip was not great, but working well through a large can between the bourbon which becomes smooth and enjoyable with the sweet flavors complementing well. This isn't my first type of BA stout, I prefer a clean treatment, but the salesman sold me with a sample at the brewery, and it delivers as it did when I pulled the trigger. If you like the beer description, you should enjoy. If it sounds too sweet, it is, but a nice blend of flavors and complement to the bourbon barrel makes this a winner, winner, Turkey Dinner! 4.25

See you tomorrow and if I'm brave, another BA offering. Hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving Day!

 

Happy Thanksgiving all!

I'm at a family gathering and my sister brought some beers from Bethlehem, PA.


Bunny Farm from Bonn Place Brewing. Supposedly has more hops than a bunny farm.

Very saturated flavor, tropical and citrusy. Big guava, pineapple and tangerine, fruity and full to start. Finishes nicely dry with a fairly huge bitter swipe of grapefruit peel. Definitely up my street and quite enjoyable, in the 4.3 range.

 

Boulevard 35th Anniversary BBA American Strong Ale, 12.5% ABV. Pours blackish brown with a small ring of bubbles. Aroma is dark fruit, spice, cherry, and bourbon. Taste follows, moderately sweet, faintly bitter. OK mouthfeel, overall excellent.

4.21/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I wanted to like this more. It did improve with warming. In the end I'm glad I only got a single.

 

Suburban Brewing Co. Callista Dry-hopped Conestoga Cream Ale



Suburban is a local place and one of their regular be brews is Conestoga Cream Ale. I filled a howler with this dry-hopped version for the holiday. While it still has the qualities of a cream ale, the hops add elements of a pale ale or NEIPA. Interesting combination. I usually prefer unadulterated cream ales but this is enjoyable.

For dinner we also had some apple cider mead, wine, and Lancaster Baked pumpkin ale. Later will be some Tröegs Mad Elf from 2023.

 

Tonewood focal point czech pilsner
...golden appearance with a decent head that dissipates slowly
...around medium carbonation with close to the same for the body which added up to a nice feel
...aroma is grass, pepper, bread,slightly floral and earthy
...taste is a pleasant mix of everything that showed up in the aroma.
...overall this is a really well done beer and at 3.8 percent abv it packs a lot of flavor but perfect to start the evening with

 

So I got the Founders variety pack- 4 beers I had not tried yet. The first was the Blond Roast. The bright orange color didn't prepare me for the coffee forward smell and taste! You get more and more caramel as it goes down. It was...okay. 3.69, 134th on my list. (which, since I wasn't disappointed by the top 146, isn't terrible).
Second was the Oatmeal Stout. Unlike the Blond Roast, it had quite a nice head. I ended up giving it a 3.63 /136th, but I might upgrade when I try it again.
Third was the Winter Bock. Haven't figured a rating yet, but I remember liking it better as it went along. Kinda hoppy for the bocks I've had.
Vanilla Porter to go.