Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Syndicate-Commonwealth Brewing Company

Not really local.

Credit-RJ199 and the beergoddess; thanks!!
Style-DIPA
Minimum security prison-pint can
Stemware-teku
Appearance-pineapple/grapefruit juice; modest, foamy head
Nose-grapefruit, lemonade and pineapple
Mouthfeel-tropically bitter
Tastes-tropical fruit salad juice including pineapple, grapefruit, mango and a splash of lemon juice
Hops-listed above (I'm gonna have to research Cryo Mosaic but I'll guess it's frozen, liquid hop oil)
IBU-gotta be at least 60
ABV-8.7% (beer smoothie)
Overall impression-great execution/variation of the "traditional" DIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 for me; clears customs on many fronts

[devildeac]

Coolship Red-Allagash Brewing Company

Local? Nope!

Credit-RJ199 said my palate and I had to have this beer so he traded it Saturday; thanks!!
Style-barrel aged, fruited sour
Format-unusual, a corked and caged 375 ml bottle
Bottled on July 2, 2020 (see below; it had 2-2.5 years aging before that)
Stemware-small Allagash tulip from a "glass night" at Tyler's Durham several years ago
Appearance-sparkling clear (until the murky last 5 ml) raspberry red; small, bubbly head
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-sour raspberry wine; tart, yet hints of raspberry jam; lemon and lime; Cabernet; oak
Aging-label said 2 years in foedres and 4 more months "on raspberries;" Untapped says 6 months on raspberries in oak wine barrels
Adjunct-100 lbs fresh Maine raspberries per each oak barrel
IBU-might be <10
ABV-6.2% (felt higher due to the wine barrel aging)
Overall impression-superb sour; paired well with mixed greens, grilled chicken, blueberries, strawberries and apples
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; a bit spendy but worth the splurge

[devildeac]

Satan's Pony-South Street Brewery

Local? It was for the purchasing/delivery agent

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-amber ale
Format-12 ounce bottle
Enjoy by-01/11/21
Stemware-pint glass
Appearance-dark amber; modest, foamy topping
Nose-fresh dark wheat bread
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-liquid wheat bread, caramel, earthy hops
IBU-12 (low, even for an amber)
ABV-5.3%
Overall impression-a notch above Fat Tire (meant as a compliment as I like Fat Tire); would pair well with BBQ, ribs, burgers and deli sammiches
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; nothing special but a very solid, nicely brewed ale which paired nicely tonight with a fried chicken/mixed greens salad

[devildeac]

Christmas Pancakes (member of the 2019 GBS Complete Set)-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

It was local for the purchasing and delivery agent.

Credit-accfanfrom1970 for fronting the cash in addition to the pick-up and personal handover; thanks!!
Style-the original GBS plus an extremely healthy addition of maple syrup (breakfast at bedtime )
Format-500 ml bottle
Stemware-why a cute little GBS tumbler from the 2019 set
Appearance-dark, dark brown with a foamy tan head
Nose-all the spices/adjuncts of GBS plus "Grade A Dark Color, Robust Taste Maple Syrup" (https://www.maplesource.com/maple-sy...des-explained/)
Mouthfeel-decadently slippery
Tastes-ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, dark chocolate (not added) and dark maple syrup
Adjuncts-^^^^
IBU-55 (same as the original)
ABV-9.2% (ditto)
Overall impression-not sure I could pick a favorite between this and the original
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; I'd buy a case of this to drink throughout the year and supplement the Complete Set

[devildeac]

Rosette (2020)-Brewery Bhavana

Damn right it's local.

Credit-RJ199 and the beer goddess; thanks!!
Style- rosé ale () soured, fruited and aged
Format-500 ml bottle
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice x2 servings
Appearance- rosé wine (d'oh!), small, bubbly head
Nose-fruited vinegar
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-raspberries, lemons, cherries, limes, tart, woody and citrus
Adjuncts-Hibiscus, rose hips, tart cherries, grapefruit zest and raspberries
Aging-vessel not revealed
IBU-10ish
ABV-12.1% (yes, 12.1%; might be stronger than some rosé wines )
Overall impression-wonderful creation
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; first serving was a great pairing with lasagna and second serving was a la carte and just as amazing

[devildeac]

Gordgeous-NoDa Brewing Company

Close enough for local.

Credit-RJ199 strikes again; thanks!!
Style-pumpkin beer; first of the year
Format-pint can
Sipping vessel-Goose Island nonic pint glass
Appearance-dark amber; generous light khaki head
Nose-pumpkin and spices
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-moderate pumpkin with a generous ginger zing, dark caramel, cloves and dark wheat bread
Additives-pumpkin puree, brown sugar, ginger root, allspice, cloves and cardamom
Not added-cinnamon or nutmeg
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-very good quality pumpkin beer without overpowering spicing
Ymm, Beer rating-top tier cat 2; if you drink any pumpkin beers this fall, this should be one of them

[devildeac]

Curtains V-The Veil Brewing collaboration with Hudson Valley Brewery

Local for dem that brought it.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks and more thanks!!
Style-fruited sour DIPA
Format-half a quart of liquid surrounded by aluminum
Freshness data-08/18/2020 05:25:28
Stemware-if it's from RVA, it's (almost) always in a Hardywood teku
Appearance-brilliant purple burgundy with a foamy red raspberry head
Nose-berries and grapes, plus, more berries and grapes
Mouthfeel-a bit tart, a bit sweet and thick
Tastes-buckets of raspberries, orchards of grapes, a splash of lemon juice and a hint of bitter with a grape must to finish
Grains-raw wheat, malted oats
Hops-Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic
Adjuncts-lactose, raspberries and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes
IBU-I'll guess 50 but bitterness here was shoved into the back of the moving truck
ABV-8% (wait, there was alcohol in this smoothie?)
Overall impression-when Mrs. dd asks for another sip or three of a sour IPA/IIPA, it's an otherworldly beer
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 3.99; I could've had 4 of these last PM

[devildeac]

Silver Linings-Brau Brothers Brewing Company

Minnesota is not local.

Credit-another trader from RJ199; thanks!!
Style-mango milkshake IIPA
Format-750 ml bottle, shared 2 ways (socially distanced driveway beer)
Stemware-Stella snifter for fuse and a Founders snifter for me
Appearance-mildly hazy yellow gold with a generous, frothy head
Nose-mango, other citrus, rind
Mouthfeel-mildly creamy
Tastes-the mango is a tad more bitter than I expected and more like papaya and core; some vanilla and maybe hints of orange
Adjuncts-mango (d'oh!) and I'll guess vanilla and lactose
IBU-none according to Untappd but I'd guess 50ish
ABV-8.9%
Overall impression-a bit less sweet than I expected and more bitter; I liked Wise Man's Blissed Out better; not sure if I've sipped other mango milkshake IIPAs
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; probably earned an extra point or two from the sharing experience

[devildeac]

German Chocolate Cake-Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery (https://untappd.com/LickingholeCreekCraftBrewery)

Local when purchased.

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-flavored doppelbock
Format-pint can
Stemware-nonic Dogfish Head pint glass
Appearance-clean; medium/dark brown; foamy topping
Nose-toasted wheat bread, milk chocolate, dark caramel
Mouthfeel-soft and tender
Tastes-milk chocolate, dark caramel, dark wheat bread, prominent coconut, hints of nuts and vanilla; earthy hops
Adjuncts-cacao nibs, toasted coconut, pecans and vanilla
IBU-probably 20
ABV-9% (); booze cake!!
Overall impression-blended the above ingredients in a near perfect manner; wasn't sure whether I should drink from a glass or lick from a dessert plate
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; a really well done beer and I can only imagine what the BBA version might taste like

[devildeac]

Mamaw's Mean Cobbler-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local, for certain special people .

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks!! (fuse got the Mamaw's Blackberry Cobbler, an "enhanced" version of their Virginia Blackberry witbier)
Style-spiced and fruited Belgian style tripel (not brewed by monks )
Pouring vessel-16 ounce can
Receiving vessel-why, a lovely Hardywood teku from the 2019 GBS Complete Set package
Appearance-hazy yellow orange with a thick, creamy head (almost like the ice cream with which it *could* be served)
Nose-homemade peach pie/cobbler (not toaster/oven required)
Mouthfeel-fruity
Tastes-"millions of peaches, peaches for me;" cinnamon, vanilla, pie crust; not sure about the coconut; a bit on the sweet side
Adjuncts-cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, peaches (d'oh!) and lactose
IBU-20ish
ABV-8.2% (booze in a baking dish)
Overall impression-"movin' to the country I'm gonna eat a lot of peaches;" just like (somebody's) Mamaw used to make
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; quite a fun beer and good every two or three years; fuse also got the Cuvée Peach, their Peach Triple aged in wine barrels

[devildeac]

Juicy #22-Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery

(aka as Something Hidden Juicy #22 on Untappd)


Local, but only RVA local. (yea, I had to learn where Goochland, VA is located)

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thank you!!
Style-DNEIPA or NEDIPA (from their juicy IPA series featuring a different hop variety or combination with each release)
Vessel-pint can (will be recycled next week to minimize the 10 billion # attached to the worldwide aluminum can deficit)
Stemware-boring pint glass
Appearance-yellowish orange with a 2 fingered, creamy head
Scents-OJ and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-smooth and juicy; no pulp
Tastes-an explosion of oranges, orange zest, tangerine and a splash of pineapple/grapefruit juice and some lemon candy
Adjuncts-OJ, orange zest and vanilla (if wheat and oats were listed, I'd believe those actors, too)
Featured hop-Lotus (ok, who first started talking about this variety a couple months ago?)
IBU-Untapped claims "No IBU" () but I'd guess about 40
ABV-7.5% (kinda on the edge of IPA/IIPA territory)
Overall impression-I paired with a giant, homemade soft shell taco, not knowing what to expect and was very pleasantly surprised
Ymm, Beer rating-fighting for recognition in a large stadium, I'm sliding this into the lower tier of cat 3 as I found this a very tasty beverage

[devildeac]

Well, if it was good enough for fuse today, it's good enough for me, especially when pairing with a small slice of homemade chocolate chip pecan pie:

Imperial Milk Stout-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for one frequent poster on this thread .

Credit-older daughter who "muled," err, lovingly transported several four packs of Ardent Ales last month after she visited Richmond; thanks!!
Style-d'oh
Format-12 ounce bottle
Appearance-dark chestnut; very small, tan head
Stemware-Stella snifter from RJ199 so I think of him every time I pour a beverage into this snifter
Nose-coffee; dark chocolate fudge
Mouthfeel-a bit harsh
Tastes-coffee (not added); burnt pumpernickel toast; dark caramel; molasses; dark chocolate fudge; all enhanced as it warmed
Adjuncts-none
IBU-32
ABV-10%
Overall impression-nicely executed quality brew
Ymm, Beer rating-middle to high cat 2; I'd imagine some cacao nibs, vanilla or barrel aging would smooth this out a bit

I think fuse wins the pairing for the day with Serendipity and the cranberry-cranberry cake.

Barrel Aged Imperial Milk Stout-Ardent Craft Ales

Indigenous when procured. Not the same beer as Christmas, 2019, but the Ardent brewers/PR folks must be reading Ymm, Beer.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; multitude of thanks!!
Style-d'oh!
Format-12 ounce bottle (no aluminum trees were harmed in the supply chain of this beer)
Stemware-RVA beer means RVA/Hardywood GBS complete Set 2019 teku
Appearance-Pennzoil; moderate, creamy tan foam
Nose-dark chocolate and booze
Mouthfeel-high viscosity
Tastes-dark chocolate fudge covered bourbon balls, molasses, dark/burnt caramel and pumpernickel toast
IBU-32
ABV-11.8% and and dangerously quaffable
Overall rating-the wonderful benefits of BBA improved this imperial milk stout quite nicely
Ymm, Beer rating-easily moves into low/middle tier cat 3; worth a 4 pack (or a case)

[devildeac]

Triple Apri-Guav Tastee-The Veil Brewing

Local for the beer mule.

(so tempting to put this review in white/off white and the smallest font DBR allows because of the printing on Veil labels)

Credit-accfanfrom1970; great choice; thanks!!
Style-heavily fruited, smoothie style sour ale
Format-one part of the 10 billion can shortage in which we're living
Sipping vessel-if it's from RVA, it's very likely being tasted from a Hardywood teku
Appearance-yellow orange tan () with a foamy, never ending head
Nose-apricot jam and guava jelly
Mouthfeel-this can't be beer
Tastes-heavy apricot slugs it out with equally weighted guava with some hints of pineapple and mango; scant bitterness
Adjuncts-lactose joins hands with triple apricot and triple guava
IBU-10ish
ABV-wait, there's alcohol in my glass (yea, stupid, but it's only 5.5% ABV)
Overall impression-an alcohol infused tropical smoothie that's really, really well presented
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 because I've had better smoothies, err, sour beers from Veil; wonderful creation

[devildeac]

Mosaic Promise-Founders Brewing Company

It was local for us a bit over 4 years ago on the devildeac midwest beer, umm, Duke Football tour.

Credit-sneaking a fuse gift in here; thanks!!
Style-single hop (pale) ale
Format-another one of 10 billion cans from the shortage
Stemware-standard pint glass
Appearance-orange yellow; modest foam
Nose-orange zest and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-slightly bitter
Tastes-more orange zest than OJ; splash of grapefruit juice and twist of rind; hint of caramel
Hops-ummm...
IBU-50 (on can; my guess was 40)
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-single hop PA and/or IPA are good ways to learn hop characteristics and this really helped
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 2; good pairing with half an Italian sub

[devildeac]

Carrot Cake Imperial Amber Ale-Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery

Local for the purchasing agent.

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-flavored and spiced ale
Format-pint can from an endangered aluminum tree
Sipping vessel-nonic 16 ounce glassware
Appearance-dark orange amber; somewhat dense offwhite head
Nose-lotsa spices
Mouthfeel-spicy, smooth
Tastes-cinnamon, clove, allspice, vanilla; honestly not sure I'd have guessed (hundreds of pounds of) carrots
Adjuncts-cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, carrots and vanilla
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-9% ; not many imperial ambers brewed
Overall rating-I think a previous poster commented this might simple be better labeled a spiced holiday ale; still very tasty
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 2; a good pairing would be (wait for it) a slice of carrot cake or even pumpkin pie

[devildeac]

Gaffney 2049-Fullsteam Brewery

Local? You bet!

Credit-gifted from fuse (no worries, I'll save a couple for you out of my next allotment ); thanks!!
Style-fruited, hazy IPA
Format-another pint sized aluminum tree suffers
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-not that hazy yellow orange; moderate, foamy head
Nose-I perceived some citrus and stone fruit
Mouthfeel-tinge of bitter and fruity
Tastes-oranges and cantaloupe at first and finishing with a lot of that fuzzy fruit, some tangerine and orange rind
Grains-"Locally malted barley (Chit, Gold two-row, Bruehmalt and Foundation), Flaked oats, Two-row brewer's malt"
Hops-"Idaho Gem, Zythos, Azacca, El Dorado, Magnum"
Adjuncts-peach puree
Yeast-London Fog ale (wait, are talking beer or raincoats here? )
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-another Fullsteam winner; would readily drink again
Ymm, Beer rating-knocks on door and gains entry to outer level cat 3; great pairing with my grilled chicken, berry, bleu cheese and apple salad minutes ago

[devildeac]

Veil The Weapon

Another fascinating pour, somewhere between raspberry oil and raspberry puree.

Outside of Guinness or nitrogen charged beer, never seen a beer with a “reverse head” before.

Poured like ink, and then transformed into sort of raspberry sludge generating about a quarter inch silly dense magenta head.

Smells kinda funky, can’t place it. There is almost a mintiness to the nose.

Straining raspberries is only so effective.
If a chunky beer turns you off, look elsewhere.
In this case, that would be your mistake.

Tastes like raspberry yogurt.

There is a bracing tartness, which is welcome, and not shocking.

Veil simply brews unique beer, which really don’t invite comparison as there is not much out there that I have experienced that is comparable.

What a loss it would be if breweries like Veil didn’t push the boundaries of what is beer.

This, and Curtains V are lethal. Its simply unfair to package something so high ABV in such a luscious package.

Simply. Amazing.

[devildeac]

Minute Man-Three Notch'd Brewing Company (with a branch/taproom in RVA, IIRC)

Local for the beer mule who brung it.

Credit-a trader from Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-NEIPA (see below)
Format-another aluminum tree, gone forever
Stemware-standard pint glass
Appearance-slightly hazy, amber orange; moderate eggwhite head
Nose-OJ
Mouthfeel-more bitter than claimed (see below)
Tastes-orange juice and zest, grapefruit and more pine/resin than I'd have thought with the NEIPA on the label
IBU-20 (bovine shenanigans!); felt/tasted closer to 50
ABV-7%
Overall impression-tasted more like a west coast/NEIPA hybrid with the (perceived) bitterness and the pineyness; good pairing with some deep dish pizza
Ymm, Beer rating-overall, a very good product so mid/upper cat 2; I'd sip this again and/or try other Three Notch'd products

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Devil's Tramping Ground-Aviator Brewing Company

From right here in Wake County; what's not to like with a name like this?

Credit-saved the last one for myself as I traded the other 3 to accfan and Nrrrrvous
Style-(imitation) Belgian tripel
Format-3/4 pint can
Stemware-Ommegang tulip
Appearance-light bronze; fizzy, short duration head
Nose-hints of banana, bubblegum, clove and orange
Mouthfeel-it tickled a bit
Tastes-orange, pinch of zest, clove, bubblegum, banana and light caramel syrup
Hops-Saaz and Hallertau
Grains-Pilsner and Vienna malts
IBU-31
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-good/fond memories from my last one probably a decade ago
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; certainly a notch below other US tripels like Allagash, Pisgah and Hardywood and in the New Belgium and Golden Monkey range

[mattman91]

Now that I have a deck, I'm almost ready to host SDDB events. I'd love to get something set up before it starts getting cold.