New Beer Weekend #47

Saint Arnold time. A favorite brewery for me around Houston. They just had their 27th Anniversary this last week. Some may say they have fallen into that bigger regional rut, like Sierra Nevada or Stone...well not exactly at that level but you see the same trends as they try to stay relevant. While they are putting out more IPA's with hazy, low cal, and juice as descriptors, they still have a way of staying true to themselves at the same time. H-Town Pils is a new favorite of mine, and I have been drinking their original flagship Amber more than ever lately.

Which brings us to this new offering. Simply named (wait for it) Russian Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Vanilla, Cocoa Nibs, and Coffee.

I think cause of the length maybe, the name got trimmed in the BA database, or there was a typo, oh well as it says: :Russian Imperial Stout Aged In Bourbon Barrels With Vanilla, Cocoa Nibs, An"

11.5% ABV...Good thing I have air conditioning in Houston, otherwise I would never pick this up in the summer



Pours an impenetrable opaque black color. A dense tan head rises to over two fingers. Excellent retention, with some lace left behind as the foam gently recedes.
A big rich nose of baked dark bread, roast, chocolate and coffee. Wood soaked bakers chocolate with vanilla. Oh my, very warming and excellent. Its not just "bourbon" and not just the additives, as everything mingles really well.
That all translates taste wise as well. Big warm and boozy oak and vanilla. Dark baked bread, bitter bakers chocolate/cocoa, which I really have a fondness for. Light roast and coffee that doesn't get in the way of things.
A full body with some stickiness, but not full on syrupy. Well carbonated, which all Saint Arnold's offerings are. Which always gives the allusion of a "thinner" body, but I welcome it, as I feel that adds to the "drinkability." A warming sipper that I'm enjoying.

As always with Saint Arnold, there is a deft touch here. Everything is well balanced when it needs to be (IE none of the flavorings are too much), and big and aggressive when needs to be (IE the warming and comfortable nature of the beer overall). So many times, when there are lots of additives like this, the beer can be overwhelming, not here. Overall really enjoyable.

Overall score is 4.18, A- for me.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/337/545615/?ba=champ103#review

And I'm just now finishing up my book, I could have last night as again, I couldn't put it down. Though wanted to savor it a bit more and reread some if it. A good beer and book pairing for the afternoon.

 

Central Waters Anniversary Edition XXIII BBA Imperial Stout, 13.7% ABV. Pours black with a one-finger brown head that left no lacing. Nose is oak, bourbon, chocolate, moleasses, and a hint of brown sugar. Taste follows, plus charred oak, slightly sweet, moderately bitter. Excellent mouthfeel, overall world-class.

4.55/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

 

Shit sorry I missed this. Its been pretty close to the same for me for about the last year. Ive worked at 4 places and have come and gone. Im not getting the satisfaction I was getting from when I ran a place and it was my food creations, recipes and menus. Im at the point in life where I really want to enjoy a few more things- like gigging a bit with acoustic/vocal act. I start another job Tues line cooking in a small hot kitchen and I know Im not going to like it. I want to go back to having weekends off again and normal life so I can go out and hang with friends once in awhile. Ive even looked into delivery driver but theres nothing close. Best of luck to you and congrats on the team! Thats a great feeling. I helped coach football for a few years when my son was playing and we won the state championship one year. I will never forget those kids and how excited they (and I) were.

 

Good afternoon NBW, hope everyone is doing well. I’m starting my lazy Sunday with Wilmington Brew Works (Ü)
4.04/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

16 oz can poured into a mug

A- A clear amber with a two finger white head.

S- Toasted malts, some caramel, earthy, hints of light fruits and some spice.

T- Caramel malts, toasted malts, earthy, light fruits, slightly earthy.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A well done and balanced Märzen, easy to drink.

Cheers!

 

You did a great job so thank you for that. As far as NBW/NBS goes I would still participate in either but as I stated on the thread I will always be partial to NBS. There was something special about that. I know some of the originals have gone but wouldnt mind seeing a NBS again. But Im open to different ideas. I like the idea of picking one style to focus on just for Sat and rotating it. Cheers

 

Antidoot Autonomia 2019/2020


Pours an amber color with a quickly receeding white head.


Smell is of matured, fermented apple, old oak and subtle leather. The cider got a pleasant barnyard funkiness to it, revealing white grape skins, rhubarb and matured herbs.


Drinks light and refreshing with an effervescent carbonation to it, while packing a thirst quenching bitter punch.


Tastes of sweet apples, blue cheese and bitter herbs, gently balanced by an old, wooden oak presence. The bitterness turns even more prominent then, supported by a vinous tartness and dusty leather, while getting topped off by a sweet, sun ripened apple peak. Finishes soft and balanced with prevailing apples, earthy turning, dry herbs and a calming wooden rusticness.


Intense, funky and well balanced. I never imagined to have a cider which you can drink too much from that easily.

 

Another from the free beer I got last weekend. Much like a previous post of yours @champ103 I’m always interested to see how hazy ipa/slushy breweries handle traditional beer styles. This one is from The Veil, an American lager called “they.” The one I had last week from them was by no means a traditional pils but I liked it so let’s see about this one.



Pours relatively clear pale straw color. The initial head lingered for quite some time and left some nice lacing. It continues to as I drink it down, solid retention and lacing on this one.

Smells initially hit me as subtle minty then there is a peachy apricot smell. This is definitely a hoppy beer. I’m struggling to find anything beyond the fruity hop aromas on this one.

The taste also heavy in the hop department, mostly in the apricot stone fruit taste. There is also a little bit of grassiness/earthiness as well as some white grape taste.

Mouthfeel is light and very smooth, much like the other veil lager I had the carbonation is perfect. Nice soft creamy bubbles that are noticeable but not overdone. There’s also a pleasant bitterness on it, also a very clean finish.

This one is different from most lagers I drink. It’a very hop forward but stops just short of being overdone. Cheers to doing it different but well is the vibe of this beer. So given my two Veil lagers I’d say I would definitely be happy to try any others they make should that opportunity ever come again.

I’m hoping to open a beer to sip long and slow tonight. So hopefully be back later for more!

 

Watercolors raspberry blueberry cheesecake Creamee by skygazer


3.96/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A new brewery for me. A 16 oz can purchased at fort point market , dated 4.9, opened 6.12, poured into a teku

Can notes : Berliner style weisse beer with raspberry blueberry cheesecake cream flavor and milk sugar



appearance
Reddish purplish plum colored smoothie sludge liquid with carbonation capped by a big bubbled purplish two finger cap that looks like it has a dusty coating . This looks wild and weird . The cap will not fade, very long retention . Gloppy unattractive lacings . Tired of waiting for the foam to recede and I take a swig , settles to a big bubbled puffy island



aroma
Aroma is raspberry, blueberry , sweet fruit, cheesecake , slightly sour cream cheese, sweet sour aroma

Taste
Taste is sweet tart raspberry , blueberry with a sweetness , cream cheesecake…it’s as advertised



Mouthfeel
Mouthfeel is low sudsing, mild tartness

Overall
Sometimes you gotta try a beer outside your comfort zone. Wild mind blowing visually as a beer . Seeing is believing . Tastes and flavors as advertised . Would make a great mystery beer for a BIF. A wild and crazy beer

 

This weekend's first (and possibly only) new beer is Mo Haze Ic, a hazy IPA from Migration. I've spent my morning building the first two components of a ridiculous drumstick (the ice cream cone) inspired layer cake for her birthday. Today was caramel sauce and sugar cone crunchies. Tomorrow I'll bake the cakes, make a ganache and the frosting, assemble and do a crumb coat. I'll finish on Tuesday.

The back story behind this: My wife is an *excellent* cook, and an incredible cake maker, and several years ago I started making a cake of her choosing for her birthday each year. I'm a mediocre cook at best (I can follow directions), so this is stressful and time consuming for me (my wife could probably whip this cake out in half a day, and I'll take three half days). If I don't have to remake any of the components, I'll consider it a success. Well, assuming it tastes OK.

I think she's been picking more and more complicated recipes just to fuck with my head. That's OK though, she's still worth it.

Anyway, on to the beer, since I'm done with today's tasks and can relax a bit!

12oz can served in a tulip. Dated 05/05/21.

Moderately hazy, dull amber in color, medium sized head with a big flash of carbonation on the pour, settles into a thin film that crawls up the side of the glass and a moderate amount of active carbonation. Smell is tropical juice -- pineapple in particular. Maybe a hint of biscuit.

Taste tropical, but less one-note than the aroma. Pineapple is there for sure, but I think I get some guava and mango, too. Moderate sweetness balanced by a fruit skin bitterness, neither overwhelming.

Mouthfeel is smooth, medium or a little thicker, but soft and almost fluffy. Overall, this is a really nice chill out beer. Flavorful, interesting, but not demanding.

 

Lagunitas StereoHopic IPA vol 2 StereoHoplc is a series of IPAS with the same grain bill but 2 different hops. Vol 2 hops are Elixir and Loral. This beer is a classic West Coast IPA , clear gold with a thick white lasting head. There is a nice strong aroma that is hard to describe of both flowers and malt. This beer tastes great malt and fruit with a nice hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is just short of full and the finish is dry and lasting. Excellent brew.

 

Untitled Art XUL Beer Co.
Mango Dragon Fruit Imperial Smoothie
Berliner Weiss Ale 8% abv

Poured from a can dated 5/6/21
Dark pink color thin pink head, quickly dissipates to a thin cap /4.25/
Big mango grapefruit like aroma, some kiwi and pear notes /4.25/
Taste is fruity, mango, kiwi, pear notes. It says dragon fruit on the can and I think that’s where the kiwi notes come from. Bright tasting /4/
Mouthfeel is juicy and fairly smooth, some pricklyness in the finish. I’d have to say low to medium carbonation. /4/
Overall it’s a nice representation of a Berliner style Weiss Ale. it’s fruity, crisp and easy drinking /4/
4.08. rDev +0.2%

 

5 mile mountain forest hike this am with Kim. What a gorgeous day it was. Very surprised we didnt run into any black bears honestly. The view from Rattlesnake Ridge was amazing. Now lets hope this beer courtesy of @BrewsOverHoes measures up to all that...
Southbound Brewing Co (Savannah)
Eyes of the World Double Tropical Juicy IPA.
Pours a murky amber color with a 1/2" off white head that settles quickly to a thin ring leaving spotty lacing.
Aroma of sweet orange, mango, yup passionfruit, also some peach/apricot and pineapple.
Tastes follows with juicy citrus and tropicals, a little chalky, resinous/mineral, mildly bitter with pith and pine notes, fairly well balanced. Very light malts.
Feel is on the lower side of medium, decent carb to lighten it up, pretty thirst quenching and going down easy for 8.2% finishing dry.
A really good tropical IPA for what feels like a Summer day. Really enjoyed this one. Thanks Ryan and Cheers!
Deep in the woods Mountain Laurel

 

IOW, just shoot NBS/W in the head and only have WBAYDN?

 

We used to play a similar game in a local tavern with PBR and Stella. Nobody could tell the difference. The PBR guys thought it was great fun. The Stella guys paying upwards of $5 a pint.... Not so much.

 

There my be some Germans that just turned over in their graves

 

Added @bbtkd ' Central Waters Anniversary Edition XXIII BBA Imperial Stout to my want list.

One more for the weekend, another "local" from the SW suburbs.

Goldfinger Original Lager



Can Notes: Helles Lager. 16 ounces canned 4/13/21. 5.2% ABV, poured into a large pilsner glass. Single. Decoction. Bready. Soft.

Appearance: Clear golden straw pour, bright white head short and dissipates quickly. Heavy carbonation throughout. 3.5

Aroma: Aroma bursting since the pour. Fresh lemongrass, cracker, salt and pepper. Like this. 4.0

Taste: Consistent with the aroma, even stronger. Salty cracker, nice grassy complement. Salty, bread. Hops balance the malt, properly measured, traditionally brewed. Really enjoyable. 4.0

Mouthfeel: Light, crisp, easy pleasant drinking. Carbonation lingers throughout, complements the base well. lightly dry, balanced, clean finish. 4.25

Overall: This is a solid lager, bursts with aroma and flavor, traditional and well executed. Will definitely seek this out in the future. 4.0

Looking forward to the rest of your reviews to close out Sunday.

 

New Wheat Beer Weekend

Things are fantastic in West MI. Skies are blue. It's hot, but not unbearable. Perfect weather for firing up the grill for dinner.

The weekend was full of more youth sports, yardwork, and cooling in the pool. This brew paired perfectly. (I swear I drink beers that aren't from Bell's).

Tropical Oberon
12 oz. bottle (~$10 four pack at Meijer) bottled 05/19/21 poured into a Stone snifter
A- A normal pour created 2-fingers of dense, foamy, off-white head atop a very hazy (almost murky) golden-orange body (almost grapefruit juice-like). The head settles in to 1/2 finger with lots of foamy lace left on the glass.
S- Speaking of grapefruit, the tropical fruits combine to get almost grapefruit-like. A combination of sweet and tart. Passionfruit tartness, mango sweet. Almost grape skin. Maybe melon.
T- Quite tropical. A combination of sweet and tart as suggested by the aroma. While I know it's mango, passionfruit, and guava, I could mistake it for peach and clementine. A hint of herbal/spicy notes. Kinda "5-alive."
M- Medium body. Tart and crisp.
O- An excellent summer brew. I can see downing a few on the deck. I plan on picking up more. A great varietal for this summer. The fruit additions really seem natural.
A-4.5 S-4.25 T-4.5 M-4.25 O-4.5

 

Good Sunday afternoon, New Beer Swiggers and commentators. Phew! I'm glad the "NBS v. NBW" controversy is now settled. And while I'll still post on Saturdays (why not, it's beer, after all), the Sunday afternoon session is still my favorite time of the week thanks to the cast of regulars on this thread.

Magnify Brewing has achieved a milestone of 1,000 batches since it opened in 2015. I don't understand the math - if a "batch" includes each time a particular beer is brewed, then it seems like the number of "batches" is too low. I've reviewed well over 200 Magnify beers - more than any other brewery. And that's only a small portion of the beers it's released, some of which are regular releases. And while Magnify now competes with Twin Elephant, Untied, and Bull n Bear for my attention, it will always have a warm place in my heart (and liver). This TIPA is just superb! Magnify has weird foibles with its gimmicky breakfast-themed beers and kettle sours but it just nails these big IPAs. Check out the hop bill below:

It pours a dense, muddy orange color with almost two fingers of fluffy, milk-white head and thick, clinging lacing. The nose is sweet and tropical with lemon, pineapple, ripe honeydew, and vanilla cream. The taste is fabulous. Initially, I notice the generous use of lactose, which blends well with the ripe melon, peach, passion fruit, orange, pine needles, resin, and a hint of cannabis. The hop bill in this ale is crazy - Citra Incognito, Citra Cryo, Citra, Mosaic Incognito, Mosaic Cryo, Mosaic, Galaxy, Amarillo Cryo and Apollo hop oil - but the result is soft and highly flavorful. The bitterness throughout and at the end is controlled and doesn't overwhelm the softness of the fruit. There is just a hint of astringency at the finish which is a hallmark of Magnify's IPAs. This ale is thick and plush with pleasant carbonation, and you would never guess the ABV is 10.5%. It drinks much too easily for the elevated ABV.

4.43/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I am so looking forward to Mag reopening its raucous little taproom in the industrial park in Fairfield!