New Beer Weekend #61

Changing gears and stepping outside of my comfort zone with this collaboration between Heater Allen and Wayfinder -- Rauchbier Hell.

16oz can served in a stemless wineglass. Bought it a couple days ago at Bottleworks. Dated 07/23/21.

Pours clear golden yellow with a small head. Smell is undeniably smoky, slightly meaty, if I work really hard at it I can kind of get a little grainy sweetness underneath.

Taste is also very smokey, some general wood, moderate honey sweetness and a hint of grain tea. Some toffee sweetness too, some nutty bitterness to finish.

Mouthfeel is very light, very clean. Overall, this is a really nice beer.

 

Based on the font on the can, I thought this was a Tree House brew at first.

 

Hey all, I'm stopping by tonight with a new "sour IPA" from Hudson Valley Brewery. This is called Amulet and it's a sour IPA with blueberry and hibiscus. The side of the can also says it contains lactose. Additionally, checking the Untappd entry for this indicates that it was brewed with raw wheat and malted oats. It's hopped with Citra and Galaxy.



Impressive pour here. Dark red color with some impressive saturation to it. The beer is topped off by a rather retentive head of pink foam that sinks to about a half-finger after five or so minutes. Great lace and solid legs as well. Very quality appearance.

Nose kind of oscillates between jammy and cough-syrupy, and I don't think the herbal element from the hibiscus does the beer many favors on this front as it does come across a bit medicinal. There is a light honey aspect and the blueberry is very well-rendered overall, so I guess I can deal with the fact that this smells like Nyquil to some extent.

Drinks pretty well for a heavy sour beer, but I don't see anything remotely "IPA-ish" about this, and I do have past experience finding this "style" rather dubious. This is a smoothie-ish sour for the most part, with a bit more oomph to it and, I suppose if I really look for them, some citrusy/tropical hop aspects. They are very much drowned by blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry preserves-esque flavors, but I think I can detect 'em here and there. It's kinda like a midpoint between a healthy-tasting smoothie and a classic American fruited sour. I guess if this is your thing, you'll probably love it. To me, this is a clear one-and-done. I appreciated trying it, but even though I find it is successful at what the brewery was probably going for, it isn't really gonna be something I'll ever want again.

 

When in Rome…I had my first Rainier at the wedding we’re in Seattle for. We have to be up super early for the airport but here goes.

Rainer


Poured after the picture, light light gold with a pretty decent head for what the beer is. Even had some splotchy lacing.

Smell reminded me of a sweet wafer crackers. The sweetness really stood out to me.

Taste was much like the nose wafer like sweetness.

Light bodied beer that had a creamy carbonation to it. Pretty clean finish, leans sweeter rather than dry on the finish.

Looking forward to reading up while at the airport tomorrow AM. Hope to add another one tomorrow night from the east coast when we’re home.

 

My first review here in a very long while. I enjoyed this one last night.

Bellwoods I’m Not Dead Imperial Stout. This is the base beer that they use to make Bring Out Your Dead, their mostly annual Cognac barrel aged release. This is the first time they have released the base beer to the public. 500ml bottle purchased at the brewery when released back in July.



Pours a very deep dark brown with minimal visible carbonation. A thin ring of bubbles forms around the top at the end of the pour.

The nose has a nice roasted grain character. Stewed fruits, brown sugar and some hints of chocolate are also noticeable. Appealing.

This is rather sweet. That hits you first. Figs, prunes, chocolate and even a little licorice follow. The sweetness is fairly prominent and seems to linger longer as it warms. It isn’t off-putting.

This is a thick and chewy stout. Coats the mouth with every sip.

Overall a little sweet for my tastes. But, nevertheless. Still quite good.

 

It's ranier in Seattle or there is no weather. We used to drink that stuff like crazy 20 somethings. It's good and clean, for sure.

 

It totally does not qualify as "nonsense" since this is the first year that the bottled FW Oaktoberfest was lagered in oak barrels. (They finally adapted the packaged product to their formerly misleading beer name.) It's perfectly logical to consider it a "new" beer.

 

At some point in life seven years is like ten years in a dog's life, but never mind! Those older reviews can be instructive in recognizing how one's palate has developed or devolved. Saying what you think is what matters most. It's as close to the truth as we can get..

 

I definitely enjoyed at for that style of beer @rgordon

 

I cannot find the post, but here is a fine inherited memento from the Brussels Worlds Fair in 1958. And I have seen the boy peeing in the fountain!

It is a very good bottle stopper.

 

Back again for another new beer, and, since it's the season, it's an Oktoberfest beer, with a twist.


Oaktoberfest - Firestone Walker Brewing - Marzen - 5% ABV

This is not a traditional fest-bier at all. It doesn't really have the caramel flavors that a lot have. That being said, it's quite delicious. I'm very happy drinking this beer, and a good change up from most beers that fall into this style/group

Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2210/45148/

4.04/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Clear light amber pouring. I did an aggressive pour, so there was a 5 finger white head. The head is quite fluffy, and frothy. The retention was pretty good, but no lacing on the glass.
The nose is a pleasing aroma of malts, which is a bread biscuit aroma. I also get a good amount of oak on the aroma.
The flavor is very malt forward, as expected. A bread, biscuit malty sweetness. This is balanced by a hint of the oak used in the production of this beer that provides an earthy, woody flavor.
The body is light, crisp, and clean.
Solid beer, and a change up on the standard Oktoberfest beer.


I'm sure I'll be back later for more, heck, maybe even on a road trip.

 

Thanks to @colby600 . . .

Quiet Life Bohemian Pilsner from Fox Farm Brewery

Clear golden color with good white cap and lacing.

Very nice aroma of sweet malt and floral, spicy hops.

Excellent flavors of sweet malt and floral, spicy hops. It's really a surge of flavors showing great depth, power, complexity and finesse. Flavors just go on and on like a powerful truck with strong low end torque. Finish is quick, clean and refreshing.

Medium full texture and balancing carbonation.

This is easily one of the best Pilsners I've had in a long time. It manages to capture the complexity and finesse of classic European Pilsners while exhibiting bold flavors that invite a second glass.

 

Poured into a 16 oz tulip glass canned on 8/11/21. Pours a hazy yellow orange with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves thin streaks of lace with excellent retention. 4.75

Aroma is ripe melon, guava, pineapple, hints of marijuana, passionfruit, and apricot. 4.25

Taste follows cantaloupe, guava, pineapple, gonja, passionfruit, and apricot really well balanced. 4.5

Mouthfeel is big, soft gentle almost creamy carbonation, a tad sticky not dry, and at 8% it goes down really easy but huge flavor. 4.75

Overall this is another excellent NEDIPA from this brewery. Highly recommend this one with Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe, and Cascade. Cheers all. 4.5

 

Interesting. Another case where palates and/or experiences can be different.

I’m enjoying a Port City Schwarzbier (pictures on WBAYDN). I’m also enjoying a cigar with it, so wasn’t going to do an in depth review. Wasn’t going to do one at all, but since I was responding to this thread anyhow…

Decent head overflowed my glass with a mildly forceful pour. Thin ring remains at the bottom of the tall mug. Nose seems to have that fruity yeast @snaotheusentionrd in his Oaktoberfest review, along with a light char and some caramelized sugar.

Taste is a little sweeter than expected (cigar influencing this higher??). I think I’m getting some roasted malts, but they seem dulled, and that I do feel is influenced by my chosen pairing. Despite this, I’m quite enjoying the makeup of this beer and its light, clean feel.

Ah, hell, here’s a pic of PC’s description (and “the seal”):


Listening to Ooh La La by Faces.

 

Good morning NBW
Another new-to-me Oktoberfest from the Costco advent calendar

Ettl Brau Teisnacher 1543 Festmärzen


500mL can from the Costco advent calender stamped EXP 2023/05 poured into a dimpled mug at just above fridge temp 5.4% ABV. The beer pours hazy (naturtrüb noted on can) light honey to copper in color with thick light khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. The aroma is toasted and caramel malt and mild yeast and a bit of hop spice. The taste is semisweet bready, toasty, caramel malt with a rye like spice and earthy hops. Mild bitterness. The mouthfeel is soft, thin to medium bodied with average carbonation and a somewhat dry finish. Cleanly lagered. Overall, great beer that defies categories. Elements of a Märzen and Kellerbier and both are well both.

I am more excited about this box of beer than I was two days ago. The beers in the box I bought in 2019 were almost all loaded with diacetyl and ok to poor in my book. Maybe Kalea tightened things up with their contract brewer or maybe I've just been lucky. We'll see in December.

Cheers all!

 

Good afternoon NBW, wanted to drop in yesterday but just didn’t have the energy to do a review the new Oktoberfest I had, might revisit it today for a review. Watching the Eagles so I’m going local with Yards Unter Dog.
4.04/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A- A clear amber/copper with a small off white head.

S- Sweet, caramel malts, light fruits, mild earthiness, bready.

T- Sweet bread, caramel malts, earthy, touch of light fruits.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- Nose is a little weak and too sweet but the taste is more balanced with bigger flavors. A nicely done Oktoberfest and easy to drink

Cheers!

 

Participating in NBS BIF #14 has taught me an important bit of etiquette -- apparently LIF winners ought to then also have their own LIF. Since I won @Rub_This_BBQ's delicious homebrew mixed fermentation cherry sour, I will now offer my own. Next time I run out for fresh hops, I'll pick up a few for the first person to correctly guess the number of years of Bigfoot that I currently have in my stash of beer. One guess per person. Please quote this post so I know you're trying to participate, not just shouting numbers.

I'll be at a kid's birthday party, so I may not be the quickest to call out the winner, but I'll get to it before end of day at least!

 

Sorry, I was one and done as I feared the other Predator variants would be too sweet. In retrospect, I should have picked up the mix Predator four pack, and may have appreciated them more after some time had past.

@Snowcrash000 - I agree with your assessments on the slushy sour. I would try one if comped, but wouldn't seek on my own. I never liked cocktails much either once I left high school, preferred liquor neat or on the rocks.

Happy New Beer Sunday #865!!!

Needed a break from sweeter beers, and hopefully this one, my first from the latest variety pack, fits the bill.

Revolution El Dorado-Hero



May be a solid option for BIF Ninja boxes.


Can notes: 7.2% ABV, 12 oz canned 8/10/21 @19:24:43. A mythical showcase of resplendent hops.

Online notes: Hops: El Dorado, Citra and Cascade, 70 IBUs.The continuing expedition for perfect hops has uncovered a new wonder-the-gold-veined El Dorado hop and its pear, watermelon, stone fruit and citrus flavor bounty.

Appearance: Golden tan clear base, mild carbonation, puffy white head dissipates after a couple of minutes, leaving negligible lacing. 3.75

Aroma: Light fruit aroma, pineapple, citrus, backed by a pine which balances the sweetness 3.5

Taste: Much bolder than the aroma leads, stone fruit and citrus, take a back seat to a strong assertive bitter pine. All comes together very well. Malt backs well, complements the bitterness, stays within its proper lane. 4.0

Mouthfeel: Dry and bitter, nice counter to the sweet fruits which burst out at times but cannot overcome. Thin to light body, nominal carbonation into the pour, easy drinking, dry bitter aftertaste.3.75

Overall: Another fine offering hitting Revolutions IPA profile. Not too malty, fruit profile complements piney bitterness, very enjoyable drinking. Beers like this are the reason I keep picking up variety packs and expecting solid new to me beers and returning favorites. 4.0

You can catch me in the Oktoberfest with a few new to me reviews during the next two weeks, otherwise, I'll see you next week!