Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Daniel Boone (draft)-Olde Hickory Brrewery

I even stumped mattman with this one () as I'd never seen/heard of it before but had a half pint at Bottle Revolution after work today.

It's an out of production BBA imperial brown ale (IDK how Bottle Rev got a keg of it) so the pour was a medium brown with a small, creamy tan head. Pretty boozy nose. Tasted pretty boozy, too, but the alcohol was tempered by the expected milk chocolatey, mildly earthy/herbal nuttiness of a typical brown ale but sweeter like caramel due to the higher octane of 8.5%. I'll guess IBUs of about 30 as there was a bit of a bite to it. I'd pair this with grilled/smoked meats, some parmesan smashed potatoes and a mixed green salad with berries, bleu cheese and candied pecans.

[devildeac]

Oktoberfest-Brooklyn Brewery (it's in Utica )

Prost!

The 3rd member of my September beer club 4 pack.

It's a Marzen style lager so the pour was light amber with a small, light tan head. Aromas of toasted wheat bread with doughy, slightly nutty, herbal and light brown sugar tastes that followed. I'll guess IBUs of 20-30, consistent with very mild bitterness, and the ABV a pretty standard 5.5%. Pair this with wienerschnitzel and lederhosen.

[Very Duke Blue]

Tomorrow the plan is to go to Buggs Island Brewery. Their hours are limited. They are open tonight, tomorrow and Sun. I will pick up a beer or 2 for tasting for y'all.

[devildeac]

Tomorrow the plan is to go to Buggs Island Brewery. Their hours are limited. They are open tonight, tomorrow and Sun. I will pick up a beer or 2 for tasting for y'all.

Yes! Please! Thank you!

[devildeac]

Cranberry Ginger Shandy-Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Ok, stop, laughing. I can hear y'all.

No way I'm having the Chicago-based devildeac delivery service drive to Wisconsin to buy a trunk load of this, but August West brought a single, leftover from some visitors this summer and this was rather refreshing to share 3 ways as a starter beer last PM.

Pour was a light ruby-amber with a thin, fizzy head. It's basically the offspring of a Canada dry ginger ale and Ocean Spray cranberry juice with a bit of alcohol (4.2% ABV) on both the olfactory and gustatory senses. I'm not sure if any hops were used ( ) as there's no perceptible bitterness (I'll guess IBUs of 10 or less) and it's a bit on the sweet side. This would be pleasant with a fruit salad or gulping after lawn mowing.

So, a gracious thank you to AW. Now, back to your regularly scheduled tailgate beer-tasting...

[devildeac]

From 8/4/17:

Wisconsin Belgian Red-New Glarus Brewing

Well, it is a Belgian-style ale so Happy International Beer Day to all and a tip of the glass to Tripping William for his heads up.

Fuse and I have reviewed this any number of times but it's worthy of another short posting. I keep wondering when I'll ever tire of this (or any) NG fruit ales. I hope it's never.

Pour was a fizzy, cherry-brown color with a small, quickly-disappearing head. Smells like cherry juice and tastes like cherry champagne with slight woody, sour, brown sugary finish. Minimal bitterness, guessing 10-20 IBUs. ABV is 5-6%. Mrs. dd even had a half a champagne flute of this without her usual facial contortions () and I had half a red wine glass serving to accompany our dinner of Schweinebraten, Kartoffelpüree mit Speck und Käse und grüne Bohnen, keeping with the International theme .

From last PM: QFE

Wisconsin Belgian Red-New Glarus Brewing

Only in Wisconsin! (or at a tailgate near you)

I think we shared this 750 ml wax-capped bottle six ways and I think a fair assessment would be "rave reviews." One taster even ordered a bottle from the soon-to-be-delivered supply from my Chicago-Kenosha connection.

[devildeac]

From 3/12/17:

From 3/16/16:

Ninjabread Man-Asheville Brewing Company

Second serving tonight from a bomber ricks68 saved for me that I escorted out of town on Saturday for about $12. Poured an opaque brown with a modest tan head and aromas of ginger and chocolate and tantalizing tastes of ginger (d'oh!) and other cookie spices like cinnamon and vanilla. Raisins are listed on their website but I'm not sure I get that taste with all the other flavors bursting from this brew. No chocolate is listed but baker's cocoa sure stands forefront, too. I'm thinking IBUs in the 20s and the ABV is listed at 5.6%. I was going to head to the store tonight for some ice cream but the heck with that idea. This was dessert!

Thanks for saving, ricks68!

From Friday night:

Ninjabread Man (2016)-Asheville Brewing Company

Another year, another Ninjabread Man Porter. I don't think they changed the recipe much, if at all. Label has been changed to protect all the gingerbread men who were harmed in the brewing of this beer. Pretty much same appearance, aromas and tastes. IBUs listed at 26 so my hop-o-meter from last year is reasonably well calibrated . This was a bomber shared with our younger daughter and her husband as a belated birthday celebration after dinner for both of them and to honor 93-83. Next up, another Ninja...

From last PM:

Ninjabread Man (2016)-Asheville Brewing Company

Many thanks to grad_devil and his lovely bride for storing this in their beer "cellar" and bringing it to tailgate last PM to share! It held up quite well for almost a year after brewing, guessing it was created in about December last year.

Doughy, chocolatey and gingery nose and flavors "baked" into an excellent porter style beer. Paired nicely with a fancy mixed green salad, slaw, potato salad and brisket.

[lawgrad91]

From 8/4/17:

Wisconsin Belgian Red-New Glarus Brewing

Well, it is a Belgian-style ale so Happy International Beer Day to all and a tip of the glass to Tripping William for his heads up.

Fuse and I have reviewed this any number of times but it's worthy of another short posting. I keep wondering when I'll ever tire of this (or any) NG fruit ales. I hope it's never.

Pour was a fizzy, cherry-brown color with a small, quickly-disappearing head. Smells like cherry juice and tastes like cherry champagne with slight woody, sour, brown sugary finish. Minimal bitterness, guessing 10-20 IBUs. ABV is 5-6%. Mrs. dd even had a half a champagne flute of this without her usual facial contortions () and I had half a red wine glass serving to accompany our dinner of Schweinebraten, Kartoffelpüree mit Speck und Käse und grüne Bohnen, keeping with the International theme .

From last PM: QFE

Wisconsin Belgian Red-New Glarus Brewing

Only in Wisconsin! (or at a tailgate near you)

I think we shared this 750 ml wax-capped bottle six ways and I think a fair assessment would be "rave reviews." One taster even ordered a bottle from the soon-to-be-delivered supply from my Chicago-Kenosha connection.

I second the rave reviews on this. Hoping my buddy Robin will hook me up when either she goes to WI or her friend comes down to visit.

[devildeac]

From 8/4/17:

Wisconsin Belgian Red-New Glarus Brewing

Well, it is a Belgian-style ale so Happy International Beer Day to all and a tip of the glass to Tripping William for his heads up.

Fuse and I have reviewed this any number of times but it's worthy of another short posting. I keep wondering when I'll ever tire of this (or any) NG fruit ales. I hope it's never.

Pour was a fizzy, cherry-brown color with a small, quickly-disappearing head. Smells like cherry juice and tastes like cherry champagne with slight woody, sour, brown sugary finish. Minimal bitterness, guessing 10-20 IBUs. ABV is 5-6%. Mrs. dd even had a half a champagne flute of this without her usual facial contortions () and I had half a red wine glass serving to accompany our dinner of Schweinebraten, Kartoffelpüree mit Speck und Käse und grüne Bohnen, keeping with the International theme .

From last PM: QFE

Wisconsin Belgian Red-New Glarus Brewing

Only in Wisconsin! (or at a tailgate near you)

I think we shared this 750 ml wax-capped bottle six ways and I think a fair assessment would be "rave reviews." One taster even ordered a bottle from the soon-to-be-delivered supply from my Chicago-Kenosha connection.

I second the rave reviews on this. Hoping my buddy Robin will hook me up when either she goes to WI or her friend comes down to visit.

If/when this occurs, give me a call/holler/PM and I can provide some tips/suggestions. ;)

[Very Duke Blue]

Tomorrow the plan is to go to Buggs Island Brewery. Their hours are limited. They are open tonight, tomorrow and Sun. I will pick up a beer or 2 for tasting for y'all.

Yes! Please! Thank you!

I will not be bringing beers. It had no body. I'm now officially a beer snob. ;)

[devildeac]

Tomorrow the plan is to go to Buggs Island Brewery. Their hours are limited. They are open tonight, tomorrow and Sun. I will pick up a beer or 2 for tasting for y'all.

Yes! Please! Thank you!

I will not be bringing beers. It had no body. I'm now officially a beer snob. ;)

[devildeac]

Pecan Pie Porter (2016?)-Clown Shoes Brewing Company

This is entertaining stuff. Well, at least to me it is (you must look at the link ):

https://www.clownshoesbeer.com/wp-conte ... 25x488.jpg

"Genghis Pecan begrudgingly entered a pie eating contest at our request and ended up truly enjoying himself, but he no longer fits into his armor. For this year’s version of our Pecan Pie Porter, we tweaked the base recipe and added some honey malt for some additional sweetness along with the toasted pecans. We raise a toast to Genghis Pecan, whose memory will live on as long as you are drinking this beer."

Surprise beer of the tasting last PM and many thanks to dpslaw for a clever and highly tasty selection.


Pour was from a bomber and divided 5 or 6 ways. Color was dark brown with a modest, tan head. Nose of dark chocolate, a bit nutty and slightly boozy. Tastes were the same but, as it warmed, the more I thought it resembled a generously bourbon-laced pecan pie loaded with dark syrup and heavily laden with dark chocolate chips. I don't recall seeing the IBUs on the bottle but I didn't read it that closely and actually missed the description above but do remember the 9% ABV. I think it was the 2016 version (retired) but think they re-incarnated it for 2017 as that's what current on their website and the new brewing is listed at 10.5% ABV. Pretty tasty with a couple peanut/peanut butter cream-filled sandwich cookies.

[devildeac]

From 2/8/17:

Backwoods Bastard (bottled on 9/24/15)-Founders Brewing

From a ricks68 delivery during a late 2015 tailgate, IIRC. Two down, two remaining.

This was a 12 ounce bottle poured with a thin, tan head into a snifter and sipped over about an hour. Whisky and dark fruit juices on the nose. Brown sugar, cherries, dates, figs, raisins, vanilla, toasted coconut, light smoke and booze on the taste buds. Lots of booze. Still 50 IBUs but they've raised the bar on the ABV and it's now 11.6%. Nightcap. No food pairings. Outstanding again. The other two will be gone before 9/17.

From tailgate last PM:

Backwoods Bastard (11/9/14-IIRC)-Founders Brewing

August West brought this for the finishing beer last PM. A gracious thank you for a great beer!

I have no reservations about another review of this. Nil. Nada. Especially when someone is kind and generous enough to share.

The above review still stands, even with an ale that's almost 3 years old with this stamped on the bottle: BB 11/9/19.

This should be Founders Brewing barrel-aged beer #5 for 2017 and is due for release next month or in November. Find a 4 pack and have one when purchased and save the other 3 for 2018, 2019 and 2020. Worth the wait.

[devildeac]

1888 Octoberfest-Saranac/F. X. Matt Brewing Company

I will not scoff at Saranac beers again. Ever.

August West bought a 12 pack of seasonals and this was included so it was part of our exchange on Friday night. Thanks!

(The Haus Lager was included, too, but Bottle Revolution included it in my September beer club 4 pack as a 16 ounce can and I've already consumed and reviewed that one so last night's 3/4 pint bottled edition will not be re-posted. But I'm tempted. )

The Octoberfest poured a light amber with a small head. Pretty typical aromas and tastes, including toasted wheat bread, faint nuttiness, earthy hops and a bit of light brown sugar. IBUs of 20 and ABV at 4.9%, both from memory from last PM from the stats and description printed on the label on the bottle neck. I had it as a nightcap but this would match well with any tailgate grilled fare. I think a small notch below the Brooklyn Oktoberfest I had reviewed last week from my beer club sampler, but still a quality offering.

[devildeac]

Black Forest-Saranac/FX Matt Brewing

A black lager or schwarzbier.

The only 10 year connection I can make from this is celebrating about 10 years of tailgating with our group, three years in the Blue lots and now seven years in Devil's Alley. Plus, this was a trader from August West who I think is one of the original members of our group, now the TrueBlue'CueCrew. Thanks!

Pour was a dark brown with a modest mocha head. Faint aromas of smoke and stronger ones of darkly toasted pumpernickel bread. Mouthfeel was a bit thin but it's a black lager, not a porter or stout, so not surprising. There's a bit of unsweetened chocolate, some dark caramel, very mild herbal bitterness (IBUs are 20) with some more toasted dark bread and hints of coffee. Burgers and brisket would pair nicely here. The ABV is 5.3%.

Another nice, surprise, quality offering from this 4th generation upstate NY brewery. Prost!

[devildeac]

From 11/7/12:

Monster Ale (2011 bottling)-Brooklyn Brewing

This is a barleywine that is quite smooth and syrup-y when first released and continues to improve with age. Copper colored with a small tan head, the slightly piney three American hops are almost overwhelmed by the massive amount of English specialty malts with a surprise guest, wheat malt. Notes of sherry and syrup are present so this would make a fine dessert beer served slightly warmed in a snifter. I'd guess the IBU about 60-70 and the ABV is 10.3% so this is a sip at bedtime brew. Definitely worth the purchase of an $8 four pack so you can sip one now, trade one and stash a couple others away for a year or three.


From 3/28/16:

No head. Poured cleanly and carefully into a pint glass. Lots of sherry and syrup scents and tastes of the same, perhaps with a bit of orange liqueur and dark, dried fruits. Despite the typical/expected bitterness of a barleywine, this was quite smooth, yet moderately boozy and warming. Two bottles of this left in the "cellar." Supply of aged beers continues to dwindle. More next year .

It's next year. From last PM:

Monster Ale 2011-Brooklyn Brewing

10% ABV beer for a 10 point on the road win over a top 25 team. Works for me!

I don't think much has changed here. Surprisingly clear pour and a sweet smell and smooth tastes. Makes me re-think my recent barleywine boycott. Nah. Last one of these will be a 2018 review.

From last PM:

Brooklyn Monster (2011)-Brooklyn Brewing

Farewell, old friend. It didn't make it until 2018, but, for an early toast to DevilAlumna for starting this thread almost 10 years ago, I hoisted a Founders snifter of this in her honor.

Medium to dark amber pour with no head. Same sherry and sweet aromas and tastes along with dark cherries, a little Cointreau, a bit of leather and smoke and the typical smoothness of an English-style barleywine and not the hop explosion of most American brews of this style. If you desire, serve with some wheat crackers and a sharp/hard cheese, otherwise, sip at cellar temperature over an hour or so as your closing beer for the night.

[devildeac]

Bavarian Pils-Saranac/Matt Brewing

The fourth member of the trading package with August West on Friday and another winner. Thanks!

Pour was a medium straw color with a moderate, foamy head. Pretty typical aromas from a German-style pilsner, but wait, what's that other scent? It's orange and rind! It's the Mandarina Bavaria hop variety lending some citrus nose to a Bavarian-style lager. And, a rather pleasant one, too. Tastes are floral and light citrus with a bit of brown sugar and a tad more bitterness than expected at 38 IBUs. ABV in the target range at 5.5%. This would be fine with some lighter grilled fare like chicken, shrimp or scallops and a mild salsa topping.

[devildeac]

Synchopathic Apricot-Destihl Brewery

My final member of the September beer club 4 pack.

A sour apricot ale!

The pour from a 12 ounce can into an Ommegang tulip (I guessed the proper stemware), was a light apricot (D'oh)/peach hue with a somewhat generous head. Mild to moderately lactate/sour stone fruit nose and equally sour, apricot/peach/nectarine flavors but not nearly as sour as their Wild One, IIRC. I'm not sure they used any hops in this brew (IBU=8) and the ABV was 6%. This would accompany a fruit plate or a tangy, salsa-smothered grilled chicken breast or a half dozen similarly prepared skewer of jumbo shrimp.

[devildeac]

From 10/28/14:

Black Mocha Stout-Highland Brewing Company

Another trader from CB&B a couple weeks ago. Poured nearly black with a slightly more tan head than the Duck Rabbit porter just reviewed. This was also shared with my younger daughter tonight. This has a bit more coffee tones and more subdued chocolate nuances, both aromas and tastes, than the porter. Bitterness surprisingly low at 25 and ABV a bit low at 5%. This would also be pleasantly served at the same meal of ribs and brisket as the porter. Here's the ingredient list from the brewers:

Grains: 2 Row Brewers Malt, Munich, Roasted Barley, Caramel 40, Caramel 60, Chocolate, Extra Special Malt & Malted Wheat
Hops: Chinook & Mount Hood

I'm thinking the Chocolate listed is the malt and not the addition of chocolate as they claim all their flavors are from the roasting and not any additives.

From last PM:

Black Mocha Stout-Highland Brewing Company

Stout night and a beer I actually bought myself that is included in the current Highland variety pack.

I don't think they've changed the recipe much, if any. Dark, dark brown pour with a moderate tan, foamy head. Nose and tastes are more espresso than chocolate. A pleasant lead-off hitter for the line-up three of us shared last PM.

[devildeac]

From 4/1/17:

Chocolatized (winter 2016/17)-Pisgah Brewing

More liquid dessert in a glass.

Almost black pour with a modest mocha head. Sensuous aromas of semi-sweet chocolate and heavily roasted grains. Tastes of almost-burned, dark caramel, a little black strap molasses, more chocolate, hints of coffee and a warming, alcohol finish without any barrel aging. Estimated IBUs of 50 and the ABV on the bottle is 11%. I've got the other half of a bomber to finish tonight and may go hunting some brownies, blondies or chocolate chunk cookies to nibble with it.

Many thanks to ricks68 for including in his February delivery!

From last PM:

Chocolatized (2016)-Pisgah Brewing

Bomber. Three tasters but not quite equally divided-but close.

Similar to review six months ago but more cocoa/baker's chocolate presence with the aging and less sweetness. A bit more coffee than molasses flavor now, too. Pretty boozy without barrel aging. Nice pairing with some semi-sweet chocolate dipped pretzel thins.

Several thumbs up to ricks68 for his delivery early this year.