New Beer Weekend #87

Prolly my last entry (although it's doubtful it's my last beer) of the day, from the metal themed brewery down on the Columbia River Grains of Wrath, Azrael Rice IPA: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/52114/594427/

 

Greetings, NBWers & March Madness Mavyns,

It is currently 46°, mostly cloudy and a bit breezy. Yesterday we were in the mid-50s, but, of course, the weather gods gotta smack us down a little on a Saturday.

Today I'm throwing up (maybe that's the wrong term) for your tender mercies a beer I had a mug of last night. I took a 6er of Whistle Punk beers home afterwards, and this one gets the nod for formal reviewing today: WP's Rice Lager -

...clocks in at 4.3% abv, and is brewed with Jasmine rice and Perle hops.

Pours a clear, lemony gold color, with a nice, bone-white head. Said head receeds fairly quickly.

Mellow, herbal, grassy hop aroma.

Same mellow, herbal hoppiness is the main flavor component. It doesn't do much, but what it does, it does well. Clean, crisp and dry finish.

Light bodied, crisp and dry mouthfeel.

A really refreshing beer. I could drink this all day. Matt at Whistle Punk makes great lagers, and this is no exception.

Gonna set off soon for some grub, beer and a seat where I can watch the Zags vs Memphis.

 

I’m back…this time with the brown ale from the same brewery. This one is pretty enjoyable.

Crooked Crab - Chuck





Pours a deep dark brown; slightly off white leaning light light brown head. Amazing retention; include picture of above, a dense creamy cap that just never left. Some great lacing too.

Aroma is lightly burnt toast, faint hoppiness, coffee undertones, and a woodiness to it.

Taste is very roasty; it also reminds me of a fruity coffee, like Ethiopian.

Medium body, incredibly creamy feel to it, slightly roast driven bitterness and just the slightest acidity, not sour by any means but just a hint that makes one think of cherry.

This beer is very enjoyable is very subtle and when it was cold not much was there. As it warmed more notes came out; the creamy head and great mouthfeel make this a really tasty beer for me.

 

Excellent point. I can completely agree with the lack of memorable hooks which indeed reflects the songwriting. Pretty sure I went backwards from Vortex and you are absolutely right...I remember listening, being quite impressed, but I couldn't come up with anything specific if I had to today. What I actually remember most from Vortex is the video itself, come to think of it. There were quite a few wow moments but definitely real time wows. Maybe it was the contrast influencing my ear, too...I've been on an a capella kick lately....with an occasional foray into Sabaton...

 

Yet another NBS BIF #14 gift from @WunderLlama: Cloud Candy, from (what I assume is) a tiny local place, Mighty Squirrel's Cloud Candy.

16oz can served in a stemless wineglass. Can is undated to the best of my knowledge.

Pours a hazy amber with a big poofy head. Medium amount of fine active carbonation. Eventually the head collapses into a thick clumpy ring that seems to be clinging for its life to the side of the glass. Smell is marshmallow fluff, tropical fruit, flowers, citrus rind, and resin.

Taste is still somewhat creamy, nice mixture of citrus and tropical without seeming overly juicy or sweet, moderate to strong resinous bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is somehow both fluffy and dry. This is a really nice beer.

 

Boulevard Brewing's Cinnamon Bun Ale, 9.5% ABV; 3.91 overall

Pours a gorgeous & effervescent scarlet /hazel with 2+ fingers fluffy tan head. Zero head retention or lacing

S: Cinnamon & cakeyness

T: Follows the nose, vanilla & dryness up front. Plenty of dryness, cinnamon & vanilla as this warms. Finishes sooo dry with too much vanilla sweetness & the right amount of cinnamon

MF: Fairly chewy body, low carbonation

Delivers on the promised flavors, but the intense dryness & oversweetness really impedes the drinkability. To enjoy this, I recommend consuming it with a large plate of bacon

 

My ass is a little chapped that I haven't seen that one yet!

 

Yet more NBS BIF #14 beer from @WunderLlama! Mayflower - Fear and Patience

16oz can served in a tulip. Dated 12/13/21.

Pours a hazy light amber-yellow with a huge fluffy head that dissipates slowly, leaving coarse bubbles forming tall, stiff peaks. Smell is green, cut grass, hop resin.

Taste is kind of unripe tropical, fruit skin bitterness, some of that resin coming through.

Mouthfeel is medium, a little on the gritty side. Overall, nice beer.

 

This evening, I'm having one of my two remaining "new-to-me" beers from HammerHeart. Sadly, their brewing operation in Lino Lakes is now closed, and I have heard nothing about their plan for contract brewing. I hope they come through with that plan, and that they can contract brew these smoked beers with the same skill as they exhibited when brewing them themselves.

I started this beer a couple of hours ago and have been nursing it along. It's not that it is that strong a beer. I guess I'm just lingering over it. It's almost gone now.

HammerHeart Gorm The Old Mesquite Smoked Old Ale
ABV: 7.7%
IBU: NA

Impenetrable black topped by a tall dark tan head, thick and creamy, with good retention. Sheet lacing as I tip the glass.

The aroma is not too strong. Campfire smoke and roasted malts.

Roasted smoky flavor followed by some bittering. The roasted smoky flavor is front and center.

Behind the roast/smoke, there's coffee, some light sweetness from the malts. While the smoky/roasted flavors are dominant, they are not overpowering. Like the other smoked beers I've had from HammerHeart, the smokiness is handled with skill.

The body is on the thin side of moderate, but not too thin. No carbonation in the feel.

Overall, a nice smoked ale. For an "old ale", though, it lacks a bit of complexity and body. Still, it's an enjoyable evening beer.

L: 4.25 | S: 3.75 | T: 3.75 | F: 3.5 | O: 3.75 | Rating: 3.76

 

Greetings All from the Great Northwest where we have seen the Gonzaga Bulldogs advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Neither game so far have been pretty, but "Survive and Advance."

Today we have The Centennial IPA from Flathead Lake Brewing in Montana.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12496/90904/

A tasty IPA with a caramel malt flavor and pine bitterness.

Third round on Thursday. I still have a couple of these beers for the game.

Until next time

 

Good Morning and welcome to New Beer Sunday 891!

My selection for today is from a local suburban brewery primarily known for their pastry stouts and beer slushies. This selection was brewed by the Women of Mikerphone to celebrate their third annual International Women's Day Brew. I'm always on the lookout for a solid WCIPA, so away we go.

Sorry for the photo miscue, first picture failed, this is the remaining 6 oz or so.

Mikerphone She's So Divine



Bottle Notes: $4.25 with tax at Beer on the Wall. West Coast India Pale Ale. 16 oz, 7.25% ABV. Brewed and canned by Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village. Created by the Women of Mikerphone. Hops: Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Simcoe. No can date listed, released to the public 3/9/22.

Appearance: Clear golden orange pour, heavy carbonation tapers off after a few minutes, generous white creamy head leaves solid lacing throughout. 4.0

Aroma: Floral grassy leads, pine follows, bitter, nice. 3.75

Taste: Flip the lead, pine leads and tastes very good, light grassy floral backing. Mild malt appropriate for this West Coast style. Liking it more as I work through this. 4.25

Mouthfeel: Medium somewhat creamy body, light carbonation, leans bitter but not harsh, easy drinking, clean finish. 3.75

Overall: This is an enjoyable WCIPA, holds true to old school style. Flavor and bitterness lighter than hoped for, but this is a good attempt at a WCIPA by a MW brewer, and I'm glad I tried and glad Mikerphone's Women brewed a standard beer. Perhaps they should expand their breadth. On the fence for additional purchases based on the higher price point. 4.0

I apologize for the accompanying musical selection, but rules are rules, even if the music pushes you to The Limit.

 

Proof that a hotel cup is a holy grail in disguise! Cheers!

 

I realize it's in character for me to be critical of a beer label. While the above isn't as brazen as the one I recently called out regarding Fullers, the label above still manages to be totally obnoxious for stealing someone's artwork for their consumer product rather than paying an artist to come up with something. Gross.
@steveh @jesskidden

 

Your image isn't showing, but is that a Walt Simonson swipe?

 

FLN

Arbor Holiday Bake Sale Double Milk Stout courtesy of @Whyteboar from an NBW BIF 14 LIF win.



Pours a deep dark brown with a substantial, big bubble head that dissipates over the course of several minutes. Pours thinner than expected, but we shall see if this translates to the mouth.

Despite several flavour add-junks, none of those listed really stands out on the nose. I get some cinnamon, maybe a little cocoa. Mostly it is dark malts that fill the nose. A nice smelling stout with a hint of something extra.

The various flavourings emerge more distinctly on the tongue. Cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla mostly. They work together nicely never hiding the base stout. Sweetness is quite light which is welcome.

Despite the thin appearance, this is medium bodied. Not a ‘mouth-coater’ but style appropriate to be sure.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. A flavoured stout that doesn’t devolve into the sickly sweet pudding of a pastry stout. Thanks Craig!