Notch Brewing (2023)

Anyone have the Stichfass of the Zwickel last week?

 

Also, updated Brighton list today has some goodies...

A beer called "The Automatic". A 12 Plato Czech Pale that kind of sounds like it's just The Standard with a new name.

Lost in the Dream back on.

Maibock (so probably their Helles Bock back on).

 

I’ll investigate for this thread.

 

I failed. Too much awesomeness on right now.

Supposedly the Automatic is similar to No Mud No Lotus.

Tmavy tasting awesome.

 

Bought a four pack of Cerne to do a blind side by side. Only time of the year you can do this. Well, twice a year you can.

 

Great minds!

 

I think it was also used in No Mud No Lotus. Sladek hops in both too (No Mud and Automatic).

 

Did two blind side by sides with Notch's Tmavé and Černé Pivo on separate days. Both 4.5% ABV, the former was canned 4/13 I think, the latter 3/13. They brew the latter for fall/winter, the former for spring/summer.

Round 1:

The first time I did this I hadn't eaten anything, so I had a cleaner palate. I've had both numerous times, so I figured I could possibly determine which is which. Had to pour each in a coffee cup because Tmavé is a lighter tan/black and Černé Pivo is black as night.

Poured the first can and even while pouring it it was starting to reveal itself due to the color. But nonetheless, it wasn't obvious since they're both still fairly dark. I picked it out as Černé Pivo fairly quickly due to the bitterness. This beer is more bitter than its brother to my palate, not as smooth in taste, but the mouthfeel was creamier.

Upon pouring more of it I accidentally saw the sticker on the bottom of the can, and it revealed itself as Černé Pivo. I had guessed right.

Tmavé is smoother, not as creamy in mouthfeel or bitter in taste. I've always preferred this one, but both are solid.

Round 2:

Did Round 2 last night. This time I poured each into a Steinkrug. Upon pouring I again started to notice the color, it was more tan. But again, they're close enough in color that you can't totally determine just from looking while pouring. You'd need to see the full pour in a glass. This one tasted more like Černé Pivo. I wasn't totally sure though.

Poured the other can into my Steinkrug, and it did taste very similar to the other can. I had just had dinner, so my palate wasn't as sharp. The reveal showed that I had it wrong this time. The first can was in fact Tmavé.

Since these were my last cans, I decided to blend the two. This was absolutely fantastic. Certainly quite dark, but a shade darker than Černé Pivo by itself. This blend was so incredibly smooth and malty. Loved it.

 

German Afternoons back on!

 

Correction, Cerne’s date was 3/15. They still have four packs at Brighton if anyone wanted to try this.