New Beer Weekend #65

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by JackHorzempa, Oct 16, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 9
  1. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I suppose I will get the ball rolling today. For the regulars you know what to do. For some of the newer members of the NBW community a few reminders:

    · Please describe the new beer you are drinking (e.g., in the AATMO format – Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel and Overall)

    · A photo of your new beer is most appreciated

    · Any stories or beer related thoughts are greatly appreciated as well.

    For my special day:

    I wish there were more Weizenbock brands

    There was discussion about a German brewed Dunkle Weizenbock in a past thread and while I knew I wanted to try this beer every time I was at my local Wegmans supermarket I ended up buying some other brands instead (plenty of Oktoberfest type beers in the past few weeks). But earlier this week I remembered to buy: Plank-Bier Dunkler Weizenbock Ale.

    On the back of the can there is lots of information:

    “Brewed in Laaber (Bavaria) & Canned Fresh in Connecticut”. There is even a photo of the large tank that is used to transport this beer to the B. United canning facility.

    There is also a depiction of various awards:

    · World Beer Cup 2004: Gold for Dunkler Weizenbock

    · World Beer Cup 2016: Bronze for Dunkler Weizenbock

    · World Beer Cup 2006 & 2012: Champion Brewery & Brewmaster – Small Brewing Company

    Some information about this beer via the brewery:

    “Dunkler Weizenbock

    Traditional Bavarian Wheat Beer Bock

    Ingredients: Water, wheat malt, barley malt, hops, yeast

    Original Gravity: 18.9 °Plato

    ABV: 7.8%

    Bitterness: 15 IBU

    Color: 17 EBC

    Is a strong beer for special moments. It is a dark color beer with a sensational foam, a banana smell and a hint of coffee bean and finishing with a full malt aroma.”

    Well, I consider NBW to be a “special moment” so let’s drink!

    Served in my Kapuziner Weißbier glass:

    Appearance:

    A deep mahogany color with a BIG khaki colored head.

    Aroma:

    Wow! An enticing combination of dark malt aromas (e.g., cocoa, molasses, some coffee,…) along with some banana. It sorta smells like freshly baked pumpernickel/banana bread (if there is such a thing).

    Taste:

    The flavor follows the nose with dark malt flavors (see above) along with the banana flavor but there are also some spicy (clove-like) flavors as well. There is a low bitterness to this beer.

    Mouthfeel:

    Medium bodied with an off-dry finish.

    Overall:

    In one word: EXCELLENT! There is a lot going on in this beer and all of the flavors/qualities play wonderfully together.

    Prost!

    P.S. Chris (@zid) I was mistaken in past discussions; this is indeed a canned beer.

    @rotsaruch @RobH @Snowcrash000

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 JackHorzempa, Oct 16, 2021
    keithmurray, woemad, Smakawhat and 40 others like this.
  2. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wow, it's a late start here this weekend. Thanks @JackHorzempa for the great start!

    I'll chime in with my first new beer of the weekend, a slow sipper: Barrelogenesis, a bourbon barrel aged English/British Barleywine from Beachwood, and sent my way via return fire from @Beersnake1 in the NBS BIF.

    [​IMG]

    13%. Aged in bourbon barrels for a year. This should be ... strong. :wink:

    And it is! Fortunately, I like EBWs, and I like bourbon barrel aged strong ales/stouts. It does get a little hot, especially around mid sip, but it's never a chore to sip and savor.

    Head production and retention are nonexistent, to the point that I had a minor worry about infection. I can't really score this beer any points on appearance, but it more than makes up for it when you get a taste.

    On the nose, I get toffee, leather, oak, bourbon, caramel, nuts, dark fruit, molasses, vanilla, and chocolate. The flavor is much the same, with dark fruit (cherry, plum, grape), molasses, caramel, and chocolate leading the way, before yielding to the strong bourbon note. There's some effervescence as the bourbon leaves the mouth, resulting in a moderate boozy sting, and leaving behind room for corn, vanilla, and eventually coconut.

    I don't think this one reinvents the wheel or anything, but it's a damn tasty beer. It reminds me quite a bit of Abacus (Sucaba if you must). It doesn't quite have as much richness and fullness as I remember from Abacus, but it has about every bit the depth of sweet malty goodness.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25959/239925/?ba=Roguer#review
    4.1 / -0.2%

    Cheers!
     
    #2 Roguer, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, MacMalt, Premo88 and 34 others like this.
  3. lordofthewiens

    lordofthewiens Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,225) Sep 17, 2005 New Mexico
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My wife gifted me a subscription to Beer Drop, and I've been quite pleased with what they've been sending me. Today I'm having Cinnamonstah brewed by Wiley Roots Brewing Company in Greeley, Colorado. Normally I would be a bit leery with a beer by this name. I like cinnamon, just not big doses of it. Fortunately, the cinnamon in this beer is just the right amount.
    Dark brown/black color. Thick tan head that persisted.
    Aroma of chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet malt.
    Taste of sweet chocolate, cinnamon, graham cracker, vanilla.
    Chewy. Good dessert beer.

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 lordofthewiens, Oct 16, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, b9d9, MacMalt and 27 others like this.
  4. larryi86

    larryi86 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,118) Apr 4, 2010 Delaware
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Had a busy week leading into a busy weekend, got things to do later today but the wife is doing the driving so I can enjoy a beer or two. Starting with Southern Tier Cold Brew Pumking Nitro, I tend not to buy pumpkin beers anymore but Pumking is one I enjoyed back in the day so nitro and cold brew sounds great to me!
    4.14/5 rDev +4.3%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

    13.8 oz nitro can poured into a pint glass

    A- A clear amber with a big cascading nitro head.

    S- Typical Pumking/pumpkin pie with some nice cold brew coffee in the background.

    T- Pumpkin pie, nutmeg, cold brew coffee, nice balance.

    M- Silky smooth, medium body.

    O- I can see where mixed reviews are coming from with this, the taste isn’t as good as the nose but I still enjoy it.
    [​IMG]
    Next beer up will be matching @JackHorzempa opening beer since I have been meaning to try the can I got, cheers!
     
    #4 larryi86, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, b9d9, MacMalt and 31 others like this.
  5. Roy_Hobbs

    Roy_Hobbs Pooh-Bah (2,623) Jan 21, 2017 Connecticut
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the great start, and this is an excellent example of what's so great about this thread. I read this review and immediately thought "I definitely need to try this beer at some point.". Sounds great!
     
    #5 Roy_Hobbs, Oct 16, 2021
    MacMalt, LeRose, ChicagoJ and 9 others like this.
  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Just to provide a 'heads up' these beers are quite pricey (as is the case for most B. United distributed beers) but in this instance worth the price IMO.

    Cheers!
     
    #6 JackHorzempa, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, MacMalt, ChicagoJ and 9 others like this.
  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Just like you I personally tend to be leery of spiced beers.

    Last evening my wife and I went out for dinner at a local craft beer bar/restaurant. I had my first pumpkin beers of the season:

    I started off with a draft pint of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale and I do appreciate that they judiciously add spices in the brewing of this beer. My wife took a sip and commented: "tastes like fall".

    They also had Troegs Master of Pumpkins Ale on tap. I have never had this beer before and I ordered a 13 ounce tulip glass of this beer. Now, in contrast to Dogfish Head Punkin this beer was quite big & bold in spices. From the Troegs website:

    “Master of Pumpkins Ale
    Ale brewed with Pumpkins & Spices
    We taste: nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, vanilla bean”

    https://troegs.com/beer/master-of-pumpkins/

    To my great (and pleasant) surprise I really enjoyed drinking this beer. Given the fact that there was plenty of spicing here I still very much enjoyed this beer. If I can locate some packaged versions of this beer at my local beer retailers I will buy some and provide a more thorough discussion of this beer in an upcoming NBW thread.

    Cheers!

    @larryi86
     
    #7 JackHorzempa, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, b9d9, MacMalt and 18 others like this.
  8. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good post indeed to second what @Roy_Hobbs said.

    Seriously before I tried FBS or some other big Founders stouts, the level of description and words used made me almost sip on it before I did, nevermind the picture so when I got to try it, it seemed almost familiar.

    This goes both way, a description of an awful beer should also be off-putting (sometimes funny even) so that I never purchase it. Cheers!
     
    #8 Shanex, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, MacMalt, ChicagoJ and 11 others like this.
  9. SawDog505

    SawDog505 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,922) Apr 9, 2010 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah

    [​IMG] Pours a very hazy yellow with a finger plus sticky white head that leaves massive streaks of lace with excellent retention. 4.5

    Aroma is papaya, tangerine, slightly dank, apricot, and a little hit of grapefruit. 4.5

    Taste follows papaya, tangerine, a little on the dank side, apricot, and some grapefruit to round it out. 4.5

    Mouthfeel is above average, not sticky or dry, soft gentle carbonation creamy carbonation, and at 8.5% ABV it goes really easy, but loaded with flavor. 4.5

    Overall another excellent and fairly unique NEDIPA from this excellent brewery who will be turning 2 in a few weeks. 4.5 Thanks @JackHorzempa for getting us started. Cheers all.
     
    #9 SawDog505, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, b9d9, MacMalt and 27 others like this.
  10. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    And I appreciate when folks discuss the beers that were disappointing to them. Based upon how they describe the beer I will make a mental note to never purchase that beer.

    One of the values of the NBW (BA) community: Each member can 'take one for the team'. :+1:

    Cheers!
     
    #10 JackHorzempa, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, MacMalt, LeRose and 12 others like this.
  11. larryi86

    larryi86 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,118) Apr 4, 2010 Delaware
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That Master of Pumpkin Ale sounds pretty good, I might be in the look out for it myself.
     
    #11 larryi86, Oct 16, 2021
    MacMalt, Ozzylizard, GreenBayBA and 4 others like this.
  12. JayORear

    JayORear Grand Pooh-Bah (3,058) Feb 22, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad to hear your opinion of Master . . .it's at a couple of my local shops, and I've wondered. The only pumpkin beer I've ever truly loved was a pumpkin barleywine that Almanac did a long time ago. Remember that, @Beersnake1? I think it was called Heirloom Pumpkin Barleywine.
     
    #12 JayORear, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, MacMalt, ChicagoJ and 5 others like this.
  13. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    The pumpkin beer I drank the most last yeast was Schlafy Pumpkin Ale. I really like those beers. I discussed it in a side-by-side tasting with Dogfish Head Punkin Ale a couple of years ago:

    [​IMG]

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-weekend-18.650475/#post-7093000

    I am somewhat embarrassed to admit this but I 'lost track' of one bottle from last year and it is in the very back of my refrigerator. In a week (or so) when fall type weather finally arrives to SEPA (it is 78 degrees right now!!) I will move stuff aside and 'rescue' this bottle and drink it. Will a Pumpkin Ale still be enjoyable after 1+ year (but continuously refrigerated by me)? We shall see.

    Cheers!
     
    #13 JackHorzempa, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, b9d9, MacMalt and 18 others like this.
  14. WunderLlama

    WunderLlama Grand Pooh-Bah (4,820) Dec 27, 2010 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    What I like about this forum is that I can read reviews of beers that I haven’t tried, and I say to myself “yeah I think that’s something that I’d like to try.“ If it’s a local beer I’ll put it on a list to search out.

    As a result to this thread , I joined the beer it forward for this new beer Sunday/new beer weekend. it’s populated with like-minded people. Those people are in search of new fresh beers. In a recent BIF, specifically number 13, @Roguer sent me a local brew from a Connecticut brewery I’ve never heard of. Turns out it’s a really really good brew that I recommend. Here’s my review of headspace from New park brewing

    [​IMG]

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

    Can received in a Lif associated with Bif 13 from @Roguer

    Pint can poured into a handbell ipa glass

    Brewers notes: An amped up version of one of our favorite double IPAs. We took the Headband grain bill and made it even bigger and full bodied while retaining its soft and malty characteristics, and hiding any heat. We also almost doubled one of our favorite hop blends to create absolutely massive flavors of fresh pineapple, papaya, guava, and freshly baked brioche.

    Rich creamy one finger off white foam cap over a turbid orange haze bomb

    Aroma is tropical fruits, pineapple, guava, papaya,

    Taste is tropical fruits, guava, pineapple

    Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy , hop taste, no bite

    Great beer , recommended and repeatable

    Thanks @Roguer
     
    #14 WunderLlama, Oct 16, 2021
    ChicagoJ, woemad, MacMalt and 26 others like this.
  15. Coronaeus

    Coronaeus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,744) Apr 21, 2014 Canada (ON)
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I bought a bunch of this to send south for fans of the band. In fact, several boxes are en route as I type. I figured i should open one up a d give it a try. As a side note, I’m not a fan of the bad at all, so this is just another beer for me.

    Henderson Rush.

    [​IMG]

    Pours flat. Hazy golden with no head and an oil slick on the surface. Does not bode well.

    Sweet malty aroma. Mild. A little cracker and honey as well. No hop aromas present.

    Negligible flavour. Slight honey sweetness. No body. Zero carbonation. Tastes stale.

    I’m assuming I have a ‘bad can’. Reviews on UT give this a respectable 3.5. I can’t imagine anyone would rate this that high. I drank a third and dumped the rest.

    Feeling bad for all the cans I’ve sent out of this….
     
    #15 Coronaeus, Oct 16, 2021
    ChicagoJ, woemad, b9d9 and 28 others like this.
  16. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Harpoon is one of those breweries I don't often think about - especially during the periods where I don't live in New England. I feel that they've been kind of left behind by the craft scene, in a sense - but don't have the size and clout of Sam Adams/BBC (for better and worse).

    My partner and I are going to try a couple of Harpoon singles, both Dunkin' Donuts-inspired. (For those that don't know, there's a DD around every freaking corner of New England.)

    [​IMG]


    First up: Dunkin' Pumpkin, a, well, pumpkin ale with coffee. Obviously.

    [​IMG]


    This is a very good Fall beer. It delivers on the pumpkin and dry spice, without being overpowering. Better yet, it tastes natural and real. The coffee adds little discrete flavor, but it does punch up the beer, adding an extra layer of bitterness, as well.

    Drawbacks? Well, this is an ugly beer. I call 'em like I see 'em, and when I say a beer is ugly, it's not getting a 4.0 from me in Appearance. Additionally, it's a bit plain. There's simply not much going on, which is perhaps a flaw inherent to the pumpkin/pumpkin spice beer style; it's no coincidence that my favorites are Southern Tier Warlock (pumpkin porter) and Two Roads Roadsmary's Baby (rum barrel aged pumpkin ale). In this case, the coffee isn't enough to set it apart from your more run-of-the-mill pumpkin ales (think: Shipyard).

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/98/505589/?ba=Roguer#review
    3.7 / +0.3%
     
    #16 Roguer, Oct 16, 2021
    ChicagoJ, woemad, b9d9 and 27 others like this.
  17. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad you liked it! It definitely reminded me of Abacus/Sucaba as well. Cheers!
     
    #17 Beersnake, Oct 16, 2021
    MacMalt, Ozzylizard, GreenBayBA and 3 others like this.
  18. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    YES!! I loved that beer from Almanac. It looks like I gave it a 4.25 back in 2013. I would love to try that again if they decided to release it.
     
    #18 Beersnake, Oct 16, 2021
    MacMalt, Ozzylizard, GreenBayBA and 3 others like this.
  19. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Second Harpoon "Dunkin' Donuts" beer, and this one is a blonde ale: Maple Cream.

    [​IMG]


    Using a light, 5.2% ABV blonde ale base for a maple cream doughnut inspired beer? That's a bold strategy, Cotton.

    It pays off, though: this is really good! Well, with a caveat: if you bought a Dunkin' Doughnuts Maple Cream ale without expecting it to taste like a maple cream doughnut, then that's on you, I suppose. :wink:

    It's not overly sweet, but by the back third, it really does evoke the dessert, along with a doughy, moderately sweet malt base, maple syrup, and vanilla cream.

    I have no real complaints here. Don't buy kale if you don't like kale; don't buy a doughnut beer if you don't want it to taste like that doughnut. Pretty simple, really, and I think Harpoon nailed it.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/98/569581/?ba=Roguer#review
    3.78 / +8.9%
     
    #19 Roguer, Oct 16, 2021
    keithmurray, woemad, b9d9 and 23 others like this.
  20. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thank you @JackHorzempa for your opening, and love seeing Beachwood get some love @Roguer & @Beersnake1 . Always look forward to the Fall Beachwood drop in Chicago. I pondered on whether to get three Amalgamator four packs, one of my all time beers, or buy two and take a chance on a four pack of this one. Did I choose wisely?

    AleSmith Beachwood Collaboration Tower of Flower

    [​IMG]

    Can Notes:     $13.99 four pack, 10/1/21 canning date, 16 oz., 6.8% ABV, collaboration brewed at AleSmith. DDH West Coast-Style India Pake Ale with Galaxy, Cashmere, and Nelson Hops.

    We've teamed up once again with our good friends at Beachwood Brewing to make this behemoth West Coast-Styke India Pale that has been double dry-hopped with Galaxy, Cashmere, and Nelson Hops. This monstrous hop blend gives this beer intense notes of Passion Fruit, Citrus, Peach and Melon. Dubbed "Tower of Flower", this IPA is build with a solid foundation for your enjoyment!

    Appearance:     Multiple pours from the 16 oz can into a shaker pint glass. Foggy yellow tan base, bright white creamy head lasts a long time, leaving a nice creamy layer over the base and generous lacing. Light to mild carbonation. 4.0

    Aroma:     Mostly tropical fruit, mango. Light citrus and pine backs. Overall sweet, does not mesh pretty well. 3.25

    Taste: Consistent with the aroma, but a tasteless bitterness and tropical fruit flavors from the hops mix do not blend well for my palate. The tropical stone fruit peeks out a bit, but the bitterness just blunts it, does not complement the overall taste profile like a well brewed WCIPA. 2.5

    Mouthfeel:     Light body, nominal carbonation, bitter overall, with bursts of sweetness at times. Drinks at the ABV, dry and bitter, bitter piney aftertaste. 2.75

    Overall:     I really like several IPA from both these brewers, but this collaboration doesn't do it for me. The hop blend doesn't work well, mostly blunt bitterness, and I love a well executed WCIPA with a flavorful bitterness profile. Perhaps I'm more critical than usual because I could have just picked up either AleSmith's or Beachwood's flagship IPAs and would have been much more pleased. In any event, it is what it is. 2.5

    Musical accompaniment = Pearl Jam
     
    #20 ChicagoJ, Oct 16, 2021
    woemad, b9d9, MacMalt and 26 others like this.
Page 1 of 9
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.