Ymm, Beer!

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From the last couple nights:

Peanut Butter Cup Cassowary-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Hey, @fuse, what’s a Cassowary?

If RVA ain’t local by now…

Credit-wbmcards88 Family Tree; thanks!!
Style-imperial milk stout with Peruvian cocoa nibs and peanut butter
Format-corked and caged 740 ml bottle
Stemware-Hardywood GBS Complete Set teku 2019
Appearance-deep, dark brown; kinda small tan head
Nose-boiled peanuts
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-boiled peanuts, milk chocolate, dark caramel, cocoa
Adjuncts-above plus lactose
IBU-"no IBU’ but common sense says about 50
ABV-11% (holy , an alcohol laden Reese’s PB cup!!)
Overall impression-a bit more boiled/roasted peanuts than peanut butter cups, but, not chunky, sorry, OPK
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; “suffers” slightly from boiled/roasted peanuts instead of Reese’s PB cups flavors but a very enjoyable/appreciated sipper

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The Weapon Exhibit A-The Veil Brewing

Youze guyz are neighbors.

Credit-a multiplayer deal involving cay-ush from nrrrrvous; thanks!!
(hey, RJ, yours awaits)
Style-DIPA
(hey, RJ, you’ll like this one)
Format-pint can/mixed 5 pack (huh?)
(hey, RJ, none missing from yours; yet)
Bottom of can-10/08/21
(hey, RJ, this is how you like them)
Appearance-sunshine and peaches; mild foam
(hey, RH, it’s a pretty beer)
Nose-stone and citrus fruits
(hey, RJ, this’ll tantalize your nares)
Mouthfeel-juicy
(hey, RJ, fresherer is betterer)
Tastes-OJ, tangerine, peaches, cantaloupes, white wine and Maraschino cherries (yea, really)
(hey, RJ, fight me)
Hops-Mosaic and Nelson
(hey, RKJ, your faves?)
IBU-who know?
(hey, RJ, your guess is as good as mine)
ABV-8%
(hey mattman, not too high, amirite?)
Overall impression-a wonderful “base” beer to launch this “series”
(hey, RJ, Commonwealth/Burial quality?)
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; what a great start to this group of variants
(hey, RJ, you’d better not wait on these)

[devildeac]

Reviewed contemporaneously but an hour late and a dollar short to beat fuse:

Rum Barrel Pumpkin-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

RVA, a Raleigh suburb?

Credit-a trader from wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-three guess and two don’t count
Format-12 ounce stubbie!!
Stemware-Hardywood teku
Appearance-light/medium amber orange; one finger head (don’t believe me? look @fuse’s photo)
Nose-liquid pumpkin 3.14159
Mouthfeel-desserty
Tastes-cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, rum, apples, pears and more rum
Adjuncts-see tastes; pure speculation; no sources/links (flag me!!)
IBU-21 (on the label)
ABV-12.3% (a booze pie/bar/muffin/bread!!)
Overall impression-would have been a great side by side with the Southern Tier Rum Barrel Aged Pumking which rolls in at about 14%, IIRC; this is a very, very good creation
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; I could drink this every year, especially in this format

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Part 2:

The Weapon, Exhibit B-The Veil Brewing Company

A mere 150 miles away.

Credit-a trader from nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-sour DIPA with milk sugar
Format-pint can
Numbers on bottom of can-10/08/21
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-cloudy, light orange/amber; modest meringue head
Nose-baby poo
Mouthfeel-juicy; sweet and slightly sour; nothing at all like the nose
Taste-mango, lemon meringue pie and splashes of peach and cantaloupe
Adjuncts-lactose
IBU- but palate says 40ish
ABV-8%
Overall impression-get by the nose and this is a wonderful progression from the “base” The Weapon; a sour milkshake DIPA with no fruit or vanilla
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; a sour DIPA milkshake style is a very interesting creation

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Tailgate beers yesterday:

KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa-Founders Brewing

Nope.

Credit- August West shared this; thanks!!
Style-y’all know already
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-2010 MBB NCAA championship pint glass
Appearance-really dark brown; modest tan head
Nose-bourbon, dark chocolate and java
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-bourbon, burnt caramel, semisweet morsels, toasted coconut, cinnamon and vanilla
Adjuncts-coffee, cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa
IBU-probably low 40s
ABV-12% (we started “low” )
Overall impression-helluva leadoff hitter
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; great blending and flavors

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Beer 2:

Straight Talk Vol. IV-Hardywood Park Craft Beers

Yea, the RVA is good for local credit.

Credit-trader from wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-“four year aged bourbon barrel Belgian style quad”
Format-12 ounce stubby
Stemware-same as above; rinsed clean
Appearance-mildly muddy; small, thin offwhite head
Nose-dark, dried fruits and bourbon
Mouthfeel-soft, warming
Tastes-figs, raisins, dates, brown sugar and bourbon; lots of bourbon
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-14.1% (whoa!!)
Overall impression-Hardywood never fails; this is a fabulous beer
Ymm, Beer rating-mid class 3; really tough to beat a BBA quad

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Beer 3:

Olde School-Dogfish Head Craft Ales

Delaware is not nearby.

Credit-another “share” provided by August West; thanks!!
Style-barleywine
Format-12 ounce botte, shared
Stampage on bottle neck-bottled on 10/17/2014 (no typo)
Stemware-same rinsed pint glass
Appearance-muddy, no head
Aromas-wet leather, uncured tobacco, butterscotch (not diacetyl) and booze
Mouthfeel-smoother than expected, but, it’s >7 years old
Tastes-same as nose plus some medium caramel, earthy hops, dates and figs
Adjuncts-figs and dates
IBU-probably but could be >70
ABV-not on label but likely 16-17% (toned down from early versions which were 20%+
Overall impression-quite sooth for the style but 7 years in captivity would mellow you, too
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; still not a huge barleywine fan but the fruits and aging really toned this down

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The Weapon: Exhibit D-The Veil Brewing Company

Keep getting those beers, neighbors!!

Credit-another nrrrrvous trader; thanks!!!
Style-fruited, sour DIPA
Format-pint can with a couple sips shared
Appearance-looked like Exhibit C
Nose-quite similar to Exhibit C with some tropical notes
Mouthfeel-very similar again
Tastes-buckets and buckets of mixed berry jam, splash of lemon and maybe a drop or two of pineapple and peach
Adjuncts-milk sugar, raspberries and blueberries
IBU-unknown but it’s a DIPA so I’ll guess 40ish
ABV-8% (yea, riiiigggghhhht)
Overall impression-not sure I’m able to pick a favorite between imperial sour C and sour DIPA D so I’ll declare it a draw and wait for another delivery…
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; this was a wonderful exercise in tasting various tastings of the same “base” beer with variants/deconstructions; fuse did the tasting the best way as a side by side by side by side with his “accomplice” and it’ll be interesting to see/read what RJ does if his supply ever reaches him…

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Embarrassingly late review:

Double Bass Toasted Marshmallow Double Chocolate Stout-Starr Hill Brewery

Crozet getting outside the local designation.

Credit-trader from nrrrrvous; thanks!
Style-easy guess
Format-12 ounce bottle
Bottle neck ink-PKG on 10/18/21
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-very dark brown, modest tan head
Nose-chocolate and marshmallow
Mouthfeel-soft and sweet but a bit thin
Tastes-a S’mores with no cracker
Adjuncts-cocoa and marshmallows
IBU-probably <50
ABV-7.8%
Overall impression-pleasant, fun and tasty brew
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; would have been more fun to share a few ounces of each one like with The Exhibits

[devildeac]

Another late review:

Double Bass Peppermint Double Chocolate Stout-Starr Hill Brewery

Crozet still not local.

Credit-trader from nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-third variant in the series
Format-12 ounce bottle
Bottling info-PKG on 10/18/21A
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown; moderate beige whipped topping
Nose-it’s Christmas time!!
Mouthfeel-soft, smooth
Tastes-chocolate covered restaurant mints
Adjuncts-cocoa, fresh mint
IBU-likely 50ish
ABV-7.8%
Overall impression-reminded me of Gizmo’s Peppermint Stilletto Stout
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; a bit too minty so I’ll slot this right under the toasted marshmallow version

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Final Double Bass review; from last PM, so not late :

No more local than the others.

Credit-trader from nrrrrvous; thanks!
Style-4th variant of their double chocolate stout
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-rinse, lather, repeat; this had hints of ruby
Nose-chocolate covered cherry cordials
Mouthfeel-liquid candy
Tastes-dark chocolate and bing cherries
Adjuncts-cherries (not sure what format/variety) and cocoa
IBU-50ish
ABV-7.8%
Overall impression-probably my fav of the variants
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2, a half step above the toasted marshmallow version

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From last PM:

Winter Lager-Boston Beer Company

Not local.

Credit-trader from August West; thanks!
Style-flavored lager
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-clean/clear orange amber; modest offwhite head
Nose-caramel and cinnamon
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-light cinnamon, drop of orange
Adjuncts-“clementine infused orange peel, cinnamon and ginger”
IBU-22
ABV-5.6%
Overall impression-coulda used more adjuncts
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 2; was a good pairing with a small Caesar salad last pm

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Two “pints” of Sam Adams, working on three…

Reunion IPA-Boston Beer Company

Not even close.

Credit-trader #2 from August West on Saturday; thanks!
Style-“ale”
Format-3/4 of a pint bottle
Glassware-standard pint
Appearance-goldish yellow; modest, creamy head
Nose-grapefruit juice light
Mouthfeel-a bit pithy
Tastes-grapefruit juice cocktail, light caramel and a drop of pine
IBU-40
ABV-6%
Overall impression-nice pairing with a rather large, homemade chicken, black bean and corn quesadilla; a bit of spice from each one
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; more flavor/tastes than the Winter Lager

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Imperial Mango Tango Foxtrot-Deep River Brewing Company

Johnston County is adjacent…

Credit-lunch thirst; thanks to me!!
Style-imperial version of their MTF IPA
Cupware-8 ounce plastic
Appearance-orange/amber; thin head
Nose-tropical
Mouthfeel-a bit of spice, a bit of fruit
Tastes-mango, orange, caramel, mild bitterness
Adjuncts-I think it has mango added but not sure
Hops-Citra, Galaxy and Amarillo
IBU-75 (would’ve guessed 50something)
ABV-9% (no way)
Overall impression-nice upgrade over the original which I haven’t had for several years; nice pairing with a spicy Chick Fil A spicy sammich (no hot dogs added) and zesty buffalo sauce
Ymm, Beer rating-sneaks into low cat 3 with a pleasant combo of flavors, hops, food pairing on a gorgeous 72 degree cloudless afternoon on the Bottle Rev patio

Further proof that something good exists in Johnston County, NC.

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Riding into the Heart of Hell (draft)-Burial Beer Company

Local enough but not describing a car trip to Orange County, NC.

Credit-FrIPAday draft special at Bottle Rev
Style-American IPA
Format-mini growler, half tonight and half tomorrow
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy orange yellow; modest meringue like head
Nose-citrusy
Mouthfeel-a tiny bite
Tastes-lemon, orange and grapefruit hard candies, hint of cantaloupe, drop of resin
Hops-(from Untappd) "Citra and Mosaic Incognito and Cryo, and then triple dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic pellets and Cryo

We interrupt this review to page mattman to explain the “Incognito and Cryo” part above

IBU-60 (I woulda guessed about 50)
ABV-6.8% (about perfect balance)
Overall impression-high quality stuff as anticipated from Burial; highly tasting pairing with my homemade black bean, corn and cheese quesadilla for dinner
Ymm, Beer rating-close to mid cat 3; better than the Imperial Mango Tango Foxtrot but not quite top shelf; see it? buy it!!

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Holiday White Ale-The Boston Beer Company

Not even close.

Credit- a trader from August West; thanks!
Style-ummm…
Format-12 ounce bottle
Glassware-pint glass
Appearance-light amber yellow; small, fizzy head
Nose-Christmas spices
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-cinnamon, ginger and maybe cardamom
Adjuncts-“spices”
IBU-8
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-good pairing with a crab cake, green beans and Texas caviar last PM
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 2

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From Sunday and Monday nights:

Bourbon County Brand Stout 2019-Goose Island Beer Company

Depends on who bought this one.

Credit-I’ll give it to our son, our younger SIL and take partial credit myself; thanks!!
Style-y’all got this one
Format-500 ml bottle, shared with me and myself over 2 nights
Drink by-03SEP24 14:19 (Develops in the bottle for up to 5 years)
Stemware-Bourbon County Stout snifter
Appearance-Pennzoil
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-viscous
Tastes-bourbon, molasses, dark chocolate, burnt caramel, dark dried fruits, char
IBU-probably 60
ABV-14.7% (happy to have 250 ml servings each night)
Overall impression-still amazing
Ymm, Beer rating-InBev be damned, this is still a upper tier cat 3 world class offering

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Holiday Porter-The Boston Beer Company

Not. Local.

Credit-trader from August West; thanks!
Style-“ale”
Format-12 ounce bottle from a mixed 12 pack
Glassware-standard pint glass
Appearance-dark amber with burgundy edges
Nose-toffee
Mouthfeel-slightly roasty
Tastes-toffee with small splashes of coffee, milk chocolate and dried dark fruits
Adjuncts-none
IBU-40
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-quality stuff here and better than the Holiday White Ale or IPA
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; wish I had some figgy pudding with it

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Samuel Adams traders finished their evaporation process last PM.

Old Fezziwig-The Boston Beer Company

Not even nearby.

Credit-August West trader; thanks!
Style-spiced ale
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-orange amber; small, fizzy head
Nose-cinnamon and orange
Mouthfeel-wintery
Tastes-moderate cinnamon, orange peel/juice, hint of ginger and some toffee
Adjuncts-cinnamon, ginger and orange peel
IBU-25
ABV-5.9%
Overall impression-this is an old friend from a couple decades ago and remembered fondly
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; more flavor and spices than the Holiday Ale and White IPA

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From the last 2 nights:

Caliente GBS 2020-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

What do you mean RVA is not in NC?

Credit-wbmcards88 who picked this up and delivered it last December; thanks!!
Style-“heated” BBA GBS
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle
Stemware-that 2018 GBS tumbler sure is cute
Appearance-oily
Nose-bourbon and mildly hot peppers
Mouthfeel-warming in two different ways
Tastes-bourbon, cinnamon, chiles, dark chocolate, ginger, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, char
Adjuncts-ancho chiles, lactose, extra cinnamon, vanilla, honey and ginger
IBU-55
ABV-13%
Overall impression-not my favorite beer adjuncts but this is pretty much perfectly crafted with a little heat up front, increasing as it warmed each night over an hour but never overpowering and the chiles are well mitigated by the spices, especially the extra cinnamon
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; looking forward to my 2 stubbies in this year’s GBS Complete Set