Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Analog Groove (draft)-Heist Brewing

Credit-it was on the list and thought it'd pair well with a "New Yorker" pizza; plus, somebody else was paying
Style-west coast IPA; sort of
Format-half pint plastic cup (hey, it was outdoors on a patio and socially distanced)
Appearance-orange yellow, moderate head
Nose-pine, grapefruit and pineapple
Mouthfeel-moderate bitterness; wet (it was 91 freaking degrees!)
Tastes-fruity, resin-y, some dank
IBU-60 is my guess
ABV-6.3%
Hops-Centennial, Cascade (two uh-ohs here) with Citra and Strata in the whirlpool and dry hop (may have "saved" the beer for my palate)
Overall impression-solid "mash-up" of piney/bitter old hops with a couple fruity, newer hops
Ymm, Beer rating-solid mid level cat 2; good pairing; would revisit/have more Heist brews

[devildeac]

All Squeezed Out (draft)-A*s*s Clown Brewing

North of Charlotte is local, amirite?

Credit-somebody else's plastic card and it was on the draft list at Bottle Rev
Style-NEIPA
Format-8 ounce plastic cup
Appearance-hazy juice!
Nose-pineapple, papaya, mango, melons
Mouthfeel-smoothie
Tastes-as expected with waves of tropical fruit salad and a hint of dank
Hops-Zappa (Frankly, this is new to me) and Galaxy (I remember this quite fondly from a Trophy beer a couple years ago)
IBU-68 (Untappd)
ABV-6.7%
Overall impression-very nice combo of hops and presentation; good pairing
Ymm, Beer pairing-high cat 2, maybe sneaking into low cat 3; would buy a can or 4 pack if I saw it

[devildeac]

C*rolina Taffy (draft)-A*s*s Clown Brewery Collaboration with Crystal Coast Brewery

Two locals!!

Credit-still on somebody else's account, not expensive and on the tap list from the featured brewery (first one listed) on Wednesday
Style-fruited sour, aka "liquid candy"
Format-eight ounce plastic cup (I'm still outside on a patio socially distancing at a business dinner)
Appearance-pink cotton candy; little head
Nose-a strawberry Sour Patch kid
Mouthfeel-a Sweet Tart
Tastes-a thin strawberry lemonade smoothie with a pinch of salt
Adjuncts-strawberries from Garner farms in Newport; wheat (and barley) from C*rolina Malt House in Cleveland and sea salt from Sea Love in Wrightsville Beach
IBU-<10
ABV-6.5%, perhaps a bit higher than anticipated
Overall impression-nicely executed even thought I'm not a real big fan of strawberry beers
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; a bit unusual but I'd taste again

[devildeac]

Más Agave Grapefruit-Founders Brewing:

Credit-the Conceited Genius, 2.0 of course, for reminding me about this and my other self for returning to the other TW for "other" products, too
Style-tequila barrel aged, flavored imperial gose
Format-12 ounce bottle
Packaged on-04.25.20 1330
Stemware-Hardywood teku
Appearance-ever so slightly amber ruby red grapefruit juice; thin, short-lived, fizzy head
Nose-grapefruit juice and booze
Mouthfeel-same with a hint of salt
Tastes-grapefruit syrup, aged tequila (don't ask me which "category"), lots of lime juice/syrup and a pinch of salt
Adjuncts-lime juice, agave (the label says added and then tequila barrel aged) and salt
IBU-likely about 5
ABV-9.7%, yet sooooo smooth and dangerous to sip
Overall impression-I'll agree with myself again and claim to like the lime version better but that's from a 2019 memory; will try the 2020 tonight
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; perhaps a bit sweet to make it to top tier cat 3 (yea, that's a nit-picking if I ever read one); find at least one of these to try

[devildeac]

From yesterday afternoon on the "surface of the sun:"

The Purist-New Belgium Brewing

Sorta local

Credit-fuse and the Love Ninja; thanks!
Style-"clean lager"
Format-somewhat tall and skinny 12 ounce can
Glassware-standard pint glass
Appearance-clear, light straw color with a small, fizzy head
Nose-floral
Mouthfeel-cold and tingly
Tastes-light, floral hops with minimal bitterness; light caramel
Calories-95
Carbs-3
IBU-probably 20
ABV-3.8%
Overall impression-should/could replace any of the mass light beers; solid porch pounder
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 2; not a "throwaway" as fuse suggested; a solid light lager with decent flavor

[devildeac]

Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza (Mango, Mexican Orange, Agave)-New Belgium Brewing and Cerveceria Primus collaboration

Local? partial credit

Credit-fuse kindly dropped one of each flavor in the cooler as we departed Sunday' thanks!!
Style-flavored ale
Format-tall and a bit thin 12 ounce can
Glassware-pint glass
Appearance-yellow orange; modest, fizzy head
Nose-fruit salad
Mouthfeel-fizzy and fruity
Tastes-Orangina with a splash of mango and a dollop of syrup
Adjuncts-in beer name
Calories-110
Carbs-9
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-4%
Overall impression-it was about 96 degrees today and this hit the spot with a crab cake, apple/Romaine/cashew/grated Gruyere salad
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 2; pound your porch and rehydrate with this one

[devildeac]

That Fish Cray-Fiddlin' Fish Brewing Company

(possibly reviewed before and, if so, credit to the original purchaser/s)

Credit-a 4 pack to be used for sipping and trading at the right price from Total Wine
Style-NEIPA
Format-pint can; about $3
Glassware-boring pint glass
Appearance-pineapple orange juice; foamy head
Nose-citrus and tropical
Mouthfeel-juicy
Taste-pineapple/grapefruit/orange juice light with a splash o mango and a drop or two of pith
IBU-oh, maybe 45
ABV-7%
Overall impression-solid effort; good pairing with a fancy salad with chicken and berries and apples
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; happy to taste and happy to share; at this point, I think WMB>FF, though "sample size is still small"

[devildeac]

From late last PM:

Orange Blossom Pilsner 2 (OBP2)-Orange Blossom Brewing

Nope, not local.

Credit-RJ199 for buying it and trading it for cash last weekend and TW for reviving it a few weeks ago; thanks!!
Style-flavored imperial pilsner
Format-12 ounce aluminum can
Glassware-pint glass but it shoulda been a snifter
Appearance-light amber; small, fizzy head
Nose-honey and lightly toasted cereal
Mouthfeel-mildly cloying
Tastes-honey, flowers, light grain, orange liqueur
Adjuncts-honey
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-11%; dangerously quaffable
Overall impression-great memory from 2009 when I *think* I first had this beer; reminds me of a Belgian tripel
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; shoulda drank more of this over the years, but, as fuse said, I'm not sure I've seen it very often

[devildeac]

Mural (Watermelon, Lime, Hibiscus and Agave)-New Belgium Brewing and Cerverceria Primus collaboration

Local? Partial credit

Credit-fuse; a "throwaway" and a good one, too; thanks!
Style-flavored light ale
Format-one of those tall, skinny 12 ounce aluminum cans causing a shortage as I linked earlier today
Drinking vessel-pint glass
Appearance-cloudy, pink raspberry color, small, fizzy head
Nose-lime and watermelon
Mouthfeel-tiny bubbles
Tastes-mildly tart lime, slightly sweet watermelon, floral and a hint of simple syrup (agave)
Adjuncts-see above
IBU-might not even be 20
ABV-4% (110 calories )
Overall impression-refreshing with an Italian sub on a hot, muggy NC evening
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 2; looking forward to my 3rd and final variant next week after a weekend of call

[devildeac]

Lemon Cello-Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project and Grassroots Brewing

Not. Local.

Credit-an RJ199 and beergoddess trader/delivery on a hot beer tip from fuse; thanks!!
Style-see above; a fruited soured DIPA essentially
Format-375 ml bottle
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip; a snifter or teku would've been fine, too
Appearance-fresh squeezed lemon juice; modest, fizzy head with a short lifespan
Nose-like it looked
Mouthfeel-pucker factor 4 out of 5
Tastes-lemon juice, lemonade, lemon zest, wood, Brett funk, a drop of cream
Adjuncts-fuse covered above
IBU-tough to ascertain with the style and additives but I'll guess around 50
ABV-8%
Overall impression-outstanding covers it
Ymm, Beer rating-a magnificent Crooked Stave and Hill Farmstead collaboration; high cat 3

I'm gonna research Grassroots Brewing a bit more.

[devildeac]

Space Trash-New Grass Brewing Comapny

I don't have much to add to these two fine assessments except: 1) a sincere thank you to RJ199 and the beergoddess for selecting/sharing/delivering and 2) the lactose, marshmallow and vanilla also made me think of a cobbler/milkshake/sundae and 3) this coulda been a Veil or Vasen beer from Richmond. High praise. Low/mid cat 3.

[devildeac]

Mural (Berry, Guava and Agave)-New Belgium and Cerveceria Primus collaboration

Credit-a "throwaway" from fuse that was far from that category; thanks!
Style-fruited ale
Format-tall, thin 12 ounce can (so this is why the aluminum shortage is happening)
Glassware-pint glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy, pinkish purple; thin head
Nose-berries
Mouthfeel-tiny bubbles
Tastes-blueberries and strawberries, light syrup
Adjuncts-see above
IBU-can't be >10
ABV-4%
Overall impression-light, fruity and refreshing brew to sip with some parmesan pork, sauteed spinach, Insalate Caprese and roasted potatoes
Ymm, Beer rating-won't win any awards but this was an easy sipping/drinking summer ale; cat 2

[devildeac]

Patisserie-Commonwealth Brewing Company

Credit-RJ199 and *the* beergoddess; many thanks!!
Style-DIPA/NEDIPA/DNEIPA
Format-pint can (could've knocked down a crowler of this tonight)
Stemware-if it's in a drop from RJ and the beergoddess, it *must* be sipped from a Stella snifter
Appearance-just like fuse and RJ posted
Nose-see appearance
Mouthfeel-pureed tropical fruit salad
Tastes-I'm running out of descriptors here so read what fuse and RJ typed
IBU-probably 50 (SWAG)
ABV-8.2%; way to easy to sip
Overall impression-I'm going to Falls Village Wine and Beer tomorrow and try to order a case of this
Ymm, Beer rating-I'll dial it back ever-so-slightly and say mid cat 3; very comparable but not better than Burial or Veil; it's a fabulous beer

[mattman91]

Sounds like a tasty fucking beer.

[devildeac]

About time I drank mine; from earlier this week:

The Great Pause-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

A neighbor of local.

Credit-a birthday gift/trader from fuse; many thanks!!
Style-French oak aged farmhouse funk
Format-500 ml bottle
Stemware-oversized Ommegang tulip
Appearance-orange yellow; slightly cloudy; rather fizzy head with a short life
Aromas-wet hay, white wine
Mouthfeel-a bit of sour
Tastes-Pinot Gris/Sauvignon Blanc, apples, pears, oak
Adjuncts-Brettanomyces yeast
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-5.4%
Overall impression-delicate indeed; playful; the white wine comparison also made me think of honeydew melons; a real gem
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; very enjoyable; honored to have been given this for a birthday; thanks again to fuse

[OPK]

Finally getting to a Trappístes Rochefort 10 Belgian Ale that I picked up for virtual pub a few months ago. Damn. Good. Beer.

[devildeac]

Because mattman asked and I've promised for several nights:

The Road to Nowhere-Fullsteam Brewery

Local? Durham, indeed

Credit-it looked and sounded good and was fresh; my Visa helped
Style-Pacific Northwest style IPA
Format-a shortage causing pint can
Drinking vessel-pint glass
Appearance-slightly hazy, light amber yellow; modest, foamy head
Nose-a bit of citrus and a lot of pine
Mouthfeel-mildly bitter
Tastes-grapefruit, pine and orange with a bit of caramel
Grains-Goldenpils Vienna malt, Chit malt (made me think of Rogue's Good Chit Pilsner), Roasted barley, Aromatic malt, Locally malted barley (Heritage), Two-row brewer's malt
Hops-Citra, Eureka!, Simcoe (somewhat surprising it was on the piney side with that combo)
IBU-probably 50 to 60
ABV-6.6%
Overall impression-another well brewed Fullsteam beverage
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2 for quality but not quite ready for cat 3; worth a pint or single or draft

[devildeac]

Finally getting to a Trappístes Rochefort 10 Belgian Ale that I picked up for virtual pub a few months ago. Damn. Good. Beer.

Worthy of a review OY ;) . This is a world class beer.

[OPK]

Finally getting to a Trappístes Rochefort 10 Belgian Ale that I picked up for virtual pub a few months ago. Damn. Good. Beer.

Worthy of a review OY ;) . This is a world class beer.

Looking forward to the porters!

[devildeac]

Another One (draft)-Maine Beer Company

Local? LOL.

Credit-fresh tap at Bottle Rev on Friday on my wife's Visa
Style-American IPA
Format-half pint
Container-plastic cup
Appearance-slightly hazy, yellow gold
Nose-grapefruit, orange, pine and citrus zest
Mouthfeel-pleasantly bitter
Tastes-mirrored the aromas; maybe some guava
Hops-Cascade, Citra and Simcoe
Grains-American 2 Row, Red Wheat, Carapils
IBU-not listed; my SWAG is 50
ABV-7%
Overall impression-world class; #27 here (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/top-styles/116/) and well deserved
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; shoulda bought a mini growler for the weekend as it's gone now from their current tap list