Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Dire Gorgon-Wolf's Ridge Brewing; collaboration series with Streetside Brewery

Local for the buying agent

Credit-our son; thanks!!
Style-ice cream/flavored imperial stout
Format-pint can
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-really dark brown with a creamy, latte head
Nose-chocolate covered strawberries
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-chocolate/strawberry spumoni, vanilla, dark caramel
Adjuncts-pistachio, vanilla, strawberry and single origin Ugandan cacao
IBU-50
ABV-10%
Overall impression-Ymm, Beer ice cream; a decadent liquid dessert
Ymm, Beer rating-on the edge between low/mid cat 3; wish I had another

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Tricycle Prince-Crank Arm Brewing

Local

Credit-mine
Style-triple fruited sour
Format-pint can
Stemware-large tulip
Appearance-purple berry juice; quick foam, then gone
Nose-berries and more berries
Mouthfeel-puckery
Tastes-not sure I could name all 3 berries but there's a lot of berry flavor plus, lemon/lime concentrate
Adjuncts-raspberries, blueberries and blackberries
IBU-11
ABV-4.4%
Overall impression-haven't had many Crank Arm brews but will look for more after this goodie that even prompted three sips by Mrs. dd
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; not Veil league but very good

[devildeac]

Party Days-Resident Culture Brewing Company, Collaboration with Cellarmaker Brewing Company

Sorta local

Credit-my card for a 4 pack to share/trade
Style-IIPA, west coast style
Format-pint can
Stemware-teku
Appearance-cloudy, yellow sunshine with a foamy top
Nose-grapefruit OJ, pine
Mouthfeel-moderate bitterness with a some sweet
Tastes-OJ, rind, grapefruit juice, pine, peach and a hint of honey
Hops-Strata, Simcoe, Nelson Sauvin
IBU-none claimed but reality is closer to 40
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-high quality for the style; almost a hybrid NEIIPA and west coast DIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-darn close to mid level cat 3; worth seeking out for a bit over $5/pint

[devildeac]

Citraquench'l (draft)-Heist Brewery

Local enough

Credit-treat from drug rep
Style-hazy IPA
Format-half pint
Plasticware-half pint cup
Appearance-hazy yellow orange' small head
Nose-juuuuuuice
Mouthfeel-more juice
Tastes-orange, peach, pineapple and lemon candy
Hops-100% Citra
IBU-undisclosed but likely 50
ABV-7.1%
Overall impression-excellent
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 easy; would have again and again

[devildeac]

Another Suggestion (draft)-Bearded Iris Brewing

Not local

Credit-another treat beer
Style-NEDIPA
Format-^^^^
Cupware-half pint plastic
Appearance-banana pineapple with a small head
Nose-citrus juice squeeze
Mouthfeel-more juice
Tastes-OJ, peach jelly, lemon concentrate, melon and honey
Hops-Nelson, Citra and Motueka
IBU-don't exist, but I'll guess 40
ABV-7.8%
Overall impression-excellent rep for the style with juice, bitter, sweet and smooth
Ymm, Beer rating-dancing on the low/mid cat 3 border; grab one or four if you see this and share or hoard

[devildeac]

Puffed-Listermann Brewing Company, a collaboration with Seventh Son Brewing

Local for the Ohio agent

Credit-son; thanks!!
Style-pastry imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle, divided over two nights
Stemware-small snifter
Appearance-dark brown, "clean" with little foam
Nose-"Hey, grandma, whatcha baking?"
Mouthfeel-a bit thin but very smooooth
Tastes-dark chocolate, vanilla, dark caramel, nuts
Adjuncts-chocolate, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, toasted almonds, marshmallows and lactose
IBU-more "no IBU" but I'll guess 50
ABV-10.7% (well hidden)
Overall impression-decadent
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; not as sweet as something Southern Tier would make but still hits your sweet tooth

[devildeac]

Flying Horse Royal Lager Beer-United Breweries

Bangalore is not local

Credit-gift from drug rep friend who got it from the owner of his favorite Indian restaurant; thanks!!
Style-ummm
Format-bomber
MFD-12/20
Stemware-pilsner glass
Appearance-light straw; moderate foamy head
Nose-Euro floral hops
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-floral, a bit of corn
IBU-none claimed but probably <30
ABV-4.7%
Overall impression-didn't expect much but was a pleasant surprise
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 2; decent pairing with leftover pizza but would be great on the porch with a turkey and havarti sammich

[devildeac]

A Hopwork Orange-Blue Mountain Brewery

Kinda local for the nearby RVA purchasing agent

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-fruited IPA
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-well, sorta orange bronze; smallish head
Nose-pine and orange
Mouthfeel-a little bite
Tastes-pine, orange peel, orange liqueur, caramel
Adjunct-orange peel
Hops-"Pacific Northwest"
IBU-65 (old school!!)
ABV-7%
Overall impression-quality west coast IPA; good pairing with a grilled chicken salad with various berries
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; I'm kinda like TW (who knew ) and grade IPAs moderately strictly; would have another if offered

[devildeac]

Mulling Spices Port Barrel Magellan-Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Local

Credit-son from a limited release session at the brewery
Style-flavored, port wine barrel aged imperial stout
Format-8 ounce bottle
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown, hints of ruby and no head
Nose-wine and spices
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-port, mulling spices and dark chocolate
Adjuncts-maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, orange peel and nutmeg
IBU-probably 50
ABV-13% (good gracious)
Overall impression-fabulous creation
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; worth a splurge

[devildeac]

Hop Duster-Blue Mountain Brewery

Kinda local on the mule-ing route.

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-DIPA
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-bronze and clean with a moderate foamy head
Nose-pine and orange, but not pine sol
Mouthfeel-a bit of a bite
Tastes-orange peel, OJ, pine/resin, caramel
IBU-72
ABV-8.4%
Overall impression-a good throwback beer to the west coast DIPA style; good pairing with a spicy chicken sammich
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; lotsa entrants here and this is a well brewed but not great beer which I think is how Nrrrrvous describe this and/or A Hopwork Orange

[devildeac]

Diregorgon-Streetside Brewery, a collaboration with Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Local

Credit-son; thanks!!
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-pint can
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown and foamy
Nose-dark, roasted grains
Mouthfeel-slick
Tastes-baker's chocolate, burnt caramel, almonds, vanilla, hint of coffee
Adjuncts-toasted almonds and vanilla
IBU-"no IBU" but likely 50ish based on the style
ABV-11%
Overall impression-very good but the Dire Wolf version, a "Spumoni style" imperial stout was better
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; lotsa entries and this is good but doesn't stand out; fun plans by the 2 breweries to each brew their own versions and sell as mixed 4 packs

[devildeac]

DDH Valhalla-Triple Crossing

Local for *some* people

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-DIPA
Can-yep, a pint
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-yellow/orange and foamy
Nose-OJ, tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-a bit pulpy and a little bitter but sweet
Tastes-orange, peach, cantaloupe, mango and pineapple
Hops-100% Citra
IBU-none claimed but palate says 50ish
ABV-8%
Overall impression-second beer I've sipped from Triple Crossing and second winner
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; Veil and Burial comparable; a great find

[devildeac]

Stage Road Barrel Aged Wee Heavy-Three Notch'd Brewing Company

Local

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-clean, medium amber with a smallish head
Nose-bourbon and caramel
Mouthfeel-warming
Tastes-caramel/toffee, bourbon, toasted wheat bread, hint of cherries
IBU-35
ABV-12.7% warming but but soooo smooth
Overall impression-maybe not quite a Catawba Hooligan but certainly one of the better Scotch ales I've ever had
Ymm, Beer rating-easy mid cat 3, maybe upper tier; an outstanding release

[devildeac]

Chapter One Event Horizon-Skygazer Brewing Company

Credit-RJ; thanks
Style-can says IPA, ABV says IIPA
Format-pint can
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-tropical fruit juice with foam
Nose-guava, pineapple
Mouthfeel-soft with some bitter
Tastes-pineapple, mango, papaya, cantaloupe
Hops-Galaxy and Citra
IBU-lol again at "no IBU" so I'll say 40
ABV-85
Overall impression-new brewery to me, wonderful first product
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3

[devildeac]

Fig Gose-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for the purchasing agent

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks!
Style-^^^^
Format-pint can
Stemware-wine glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy, light amber red; no head
Nose-lemon lime and salt
Mouthfeel-a bit of sodium chloride
Tastes-salt, lemon, lime, fig, orange zest, coriander
Adjuncts-fig puree and orange zest
IBU-4 (no typo)
ABV-4.5%
Overall impression-a bit salty and not quite enough fig; orange/zest well done
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; with a bit less salt and a bit more fig this is likely a low cat 3 beer

[devildeac]

Kentucky Christmas Morning 2019-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local to the order/pick-up guy

Credit-^^^^, but my plastic card ; thanks, accfan!!
Style-BBA flavored imperial milk stout
Format-750 ml bottle divided over 2 nights
Stemware-Hardywood GBS tumbler
Appearance-rather dark brown with a creamy/foamy tan head
Nose-coffee and ginger
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-strong coffee, ginger, dark chocolate, vanilla, ginger, oak and not as much bourbon as I anticipated
Adjuncts-ginger, coffee, lactose, vanilla and honey
IBU-55, same as the original GBS
ABV-11.5%, therefore a 2 night beer
Overall impression-wonderful upgrade/variant of their original GBS
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; a bit heavy on the coffee but very well balanced

[devildeac]

West Coast Clever Girl-Triple Crossing

Local for the RVA guys

Credit-Nrrrrvous; thanks!
Style-^^^^
Format-pint can
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-pineapple juice with froth
Nose-pine, resin and orange
Mouthfeel-pithy and piney
Tastes-oranges and rind, pine and resin with a little caramel
IBU-"no IBU" but I'll claim mid 50s
ABV-6%
Overall impression-tired of WC IPAs a couple years ago but this rekindled some fine memories
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2

[devildeac]

Mamaw's Mean Cobbler-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the delivery guy.

Credit-accfan; thanks!!
Style-"spiced fruit ale"
Format-pint can
Stemware-large tulip
Appearance-cloudy yellow/orange with a lacey, foamy head
Nose-"hey grandma, whatcha baking?"
Mouthfeel-desserty
Tastes-peach, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar and a hint of orange
Adjuncts-vanilla, cinnamon, coconut and lactose
IBU-secret
ABV-8.2%; truly a booze cobbler
Overall impression-a delicious finish to the night on Thursday
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a fun and tasty delight

[devildeac]

Tropication-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the buying guy

Credit-accfan; thanks!!
Style-IPA
Container-pint can
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-slightly hazy yellow orange; moderately creamy topping
Nose-orange grapefruit juice
Mouthfeel-minimal bite
Taste-OJ, zest/rind, grapefruit juice, tangerine and a bit of sweetness
Hops-Centennial, Citra, Hallertau Blanc and Mosaic
IBU-35
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-a really soft and juicy IPA I'd have labeled a NEIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; super sippable; happy to have received as a trader

[devildeac]

Bunches & Bunches-Casita Brewing Company in collaboration with Incendiary Brewing Company

Local east and west of my zip code

Credit-RJ; thanks
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-pint can
Stemware-teku
Appearance-dark brown; moderate beige head
Nose-30,000 pounds of bananas (and dark chocolate)
Mouthfeel-a bit this but quite velvety
Tastes-frozen chocolate covered bananas, dark caramel and a bit of char
Adjuncts-toasted walnuts, cacao nibs and vanilla
Yeast-"a very expressive yeast modified to produce a banana flavor"
IBU-none claimed but I'll guess 50
ABV-8.8%
Overall impression-very interesting that no bananas were harmed while brewing this high quality beer
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; would sip again; interesting pairing with a half slice of carrot cake with cream cheese icing