Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From 1/3/19:

Heavyweight Champ (9/28/17 stamped on label)-Trophy Brewing

A tardy review for my first beer of 2019 (at 100 AM) in answer to Tripping William's query.

Thankfully, three of us divided the 750 ml bottle darn near equally. Pour was almost black but not as viscous as I imagined for this BBA imperial stout. Little to no head with aromas of dark chocolate and caramels, molasses, a drop or two of coffee (not added but a variant is coffee-infused) and bourbon with the tastes falling in order right behind the scents. Mouthfeel was smooth/silky but not 10W40 oily. I'll guess IBUs around 50 based on the style (heavily roasted, not overly hoppy) and the ABV was a stunning and numbing 14%. And, as I mentioned upthread, this did indeed deliver the knockout punch for the night's and early AM's festivities. Might have to heard to Trophy soon as they have a variant of this available in addition to another BBA imperial stout or two.

From 1/1/22:

Heavyweight Champ-Trophy Brewing Company

From right here in town.

Credit-couldn’t resist a couple 2 packs of this last summer; two singles for me and one for our son and the 4th for our younger son in law; Happy New Year to us!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways, but not quite equally, on NYD
Bottom of can-12:01:41 05/19/21
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-extremely dark brown; thin beige head
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-dark chocolate, bourbon, molasses, slightly burnt caramel, hint of coffee
Adjuncts-none
IBU-probably 50s
ABV-14% (hence, Heavyweight Champ)
Overall impression-as good as I recal from 3 years ago, maybe better considering the 750 ml bottle then was about $22 and the 2 packs last summer were about $12
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; we have a tough life when the “starter” beers were even better than the finishing beer

[devildeac]

Mexican Cake 2020-Westbrook Brewing Company

That state to the south of us ain’t local.

Credit-Something I actually bought for myself a year or more ago; Happy New Year to me!!
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-bomber over 2 nights, but more recent Untappd photos indicate it’s a canned product now
Bottled on-5/4/20
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-darn near inky; smallish mocha head
Nose-unsweetened dark chocolate and cinnamon
Mouthfeel-oily
Tastes-semi sweet chocolate morsels, drop of vanilla, sprinkle of cinnamon, faint hint of peppers/heat
Adjuncts-cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks and fresh habaneros
IBU-25 qouted by Untapped and 50 by beeradvocate
ABV-10.5%
Overall impression-wonderfully done but I’d have been happy with a bit more heat (WHAAA??)
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I’m not going with a world class rating of 97 here like beeradvocate but I’d certainly buy a 4 pack this year if I see it and would guess about $20 instead of $15 for a bomber like this was

[devildeac]

Hopness Haze-Catawba Brewing Company

Kinda local.

Credit-needed some “regular” beers and this was part of a mixed 6er ($11) of Harris Teeter singles
Style-hazy/NE IPA
Format-12 ounce can
Ink stampage on bottom of can-some code for which I have no clue
Glass-Dogfish Head nonic pint
Appearance-hazy, pineapple yellow, small head
Nose-pineapple and tangerine
Mouthfeel-slightly sweet, slightly bitter
Tastes-light juice, including pineapple, tangerine and mango with a twist of rind
Hops-Citra and Zythos
IBU-26
ABV-6%
Overall impression-flavors on the light/thin side but quite drinkable
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2 is a reasonable grade; not outstanding but would not turn down another few sips if offered

[devildeac]

Black Butte XXVI-Deschutes Brewery

It was local when my parents and brother lived in the state and we frequently visited them.

Credit-a wild hair, well four of them to be exact, a couple years ago when I saw the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th (I think) Birthday Reserves on the shelf at Total William and thought, “What the heck; why not?”
Style-BBA blended and flavored imperial porter
Format-bomber, divided over 2 nights
Stemware-snifter
Best after-06/27/15 (Untapped info says released on June 27, 2014); I guess I cellared long enough, or allowed Tripping WIne to store a few years for me before purchase
Appearance-clean medium/dark brown with some fine sludge in the last 1/4 ounce; no head
Nose-bourbon and dark berries
Mouthfeel-a bit thin, but remember, it’s a porter, not a stout; still alluring
Tastes-dark berries, bourbon, dark caramel, semi sweet chocolate, black strap molasses, char
Malt-Pale, Wheat, Midnight Wheat, Chocolate, Crystal
Hops-Millennium, Cascade, US Tettnang
Adjuncts-Theo Chocolate Cocoa Nibs, Pomegranate Molasses, Cranberries
Barrel aging-6 Months in Bourbon (50%)
IBU-60 (I’d have guessed 40s)
ABV-10.8% (and that’s without a shot of “cheap” bourbon added )
Overall impression-exceeded expectations; start with a classic porter (Black Butte Porter has been around since the late 80s or early 90s) and play with it for many years and you get classics like this
Ymm, Beer rating-easy mid cat 3; I like the texture of imperial stouts a tiny bit more but I am really, really looking forward to the other 3 bottles of subsequent Deschutes birthday beers

[Bob Green]

I took a trip to Total Wine this morning and picked up several six packs of quality beer. Currently chilling in my garage refrigerator is Old Speckled Hen a British Ale so definitely not local:

https://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/our-be ... ckled-hen/

My introduction to OSH was in a pub in Sydney, Australia when a local recommended it to me. I’m looking forward to having a couple later this afternoon while watching the NFL.

[devildeac]

I took a trip to Total Wine this morning and picked up several six packs of quality beer. Currently chilling in my garage refrigerator is Old Speckled Hen a British Ale so definitely not local:

https://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/our-be ... ckled-hen/

My introduction to OSH was in a pub in Sydney, Australia when a local recommended it to me. I’m looking forward to having a couple later this afternoon while watching the NFL.

Classic British ale. Haven't had one for several years but I think someone sipped one during our UK Virtual Pub last year.

[devildeac]

Fear. Movie. Lions-Stone Brewing

Maybe, maybe not local.

Credit-beer #2 from my $10.99 mixed 6er of grocery store beer from Harris Teeter this week
Style-NEDIPA; umm, not quite, Stone
Format-pint can night cap late last PM
Packaged on/Enjoy by-I beat the deadline stamped on bottom of can but Mrs. dd has already recycled 3 floors down and I’m not searching
Stemware-large wine glass (I’m talking about an 18 ounce glass!!)
Appearance-hazy yellow; frothy head
Nose-grapefruit, rind and pine
Mouthfeel-moderate pith
Tastes-grapefruit, citrus zesties, resin/pine, a bit of caramel and OJ
Hops-Loral and Mosaic (I’d have guessed several of the “C” hops)
IBU-60 (c’mon, Stone, that’s a bit high for a NEIPA/DIPA)
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-not what I expected reading the can and Untapped but still a very good brew but don’t call it a hazy/NEDIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 2; great “bargain” at $1.85 for a pint can at 8.5% ABV; would pair well with spicy fare

[devildeac]

Pilsner-Highland Brewing Company

NC brew=local

Credit-leftover in fridge at beach house
Style-oh, c’mon
Format-12 ounce can
Filled on-09/01/21 11:51
Glassware-boring pint glass
Appearance-identical to the photo
Nose-flowers and corn syrup
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-floral, light caramel/corn syrup, gentle bitterness
Hops-“German”
Grains-“German”
IBU-30
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-unexciting but pleasant and refreshing
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; even a bit “outdated,” this was still a good quality pils

[devildeac]

Little Sumpin’ Sumpin Ale-Lagunitas Brewing Company

Could been local if it was brewed when we visited Chicago.

Credit-another $1.85 part of my Harris Teeter mixed 6er last week
Style-wheat IPA probably the best pigeon hole for it
Format-12 ounce can
Bottom of can info-251 1 2 5432 2241
Stemware-Dogfish head nonic pint
Appearance-light straw; smallish head
Nose-light citrus
Mouthfeel-mild pithiness
Flavors-mild OJ, light grapefruit and a little pine
IBU-64
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-appears to be their “base” for other brothers and sisters that included apricots, black currants, mangoes and a few oddities
Ymm, Beer rating-solid upper cat 2; no real knockouts from Lagunitas but no average or bad beers that I’m able to recall

[devildeac]

Dr. Dank-Wicked Weed Brewing

Kinda local

Credit-last of the $1.85 beers from last week
Style-west coast IPA
Format-12 ounce can
Flip side inkage-Drink by 01/11/22 (oooh, just in time ); PKG on 10/28/21 E1 16:39:23 WW
Stemware-large InBev, err, Goose Island nonic pint
Appearance-slightly hazy, straw yellow; smallish head
Aromas-cannabis
Mouthfeel-herbal
Tastes-dank, weed, pine, rind, citrus
Adjuncts-hemp seeds and other “natural flavors”
IBU-65
ABV-7.1%
Overall impression-good pairing with a spiced chicken bowl from Chipotle
Ymm, Beer rating-uper cat 2; lotta IPAs and IIPAs on the shelf above; gotta do better, WW

[devildeac]

Black Butte XXVII-Deschutes Brewery

Not local

Credit-another decent price Total Wine buy a couple years ago
Style-50% BBA and flavored imperial porter
Format-bomber, divided over 2 nights
Instructions-Best after 6/15/16
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown; thin, tan head
Nose-bourbon, dark chocolate, molasses
Mouthfeel-a bit thin, but again, a porter, not a stout
Tastes-molasses, bourbon, dark berries, char and a hint of apricots at the end (power of suggestion)
Adjuncts-Theo’s cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses and select spices, blended with apricot puree
IBU-60 (I’d have guessed 40s)
ABV-11% but soooo smooth
Overall impression-apricots were a bit overpowered by the bourbon and dark beer and I liked this ever so slightly less than the XXVI
Ymm, Beer rating-still sneaks in the back door of mid cat 3 based on flavors and style

[devildeac]

Dominga-New Belgium Brewing Company

Could be local…

Credit-this was my last $1.85 beer from the $10.99 mixed 6er from Harris Teeter, not the Lagunitas brew
Style-mimosa sour
Format-12 ounce can
Ink on can bottoem-13 MAR 2022 2246 210909051T240951
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-orange tinted yellow, cloudy with a small offwhite head
Nose-OJ and tangerine
Mouthfeel-a bit more juicy than sour
Tastes-OJ, tangerine and a generous squeeze of lemon; not sure I “get” the calamansi fruit
Adjuncts-pressed Calamansi fruit
IBU-“no IBU” but I’ll guess <10
ABV-6%
Overall impression-good pairing with a free Chick Fil A sammich and Polynesian sauce
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 2; would be quite refreshing on a warm summer evening, too

[devildeac]

Black Butte XXVIII-Deschutes Brewery

Not local

Credit-3rd in the vertical of $12.99 bombers from TW from couple/three years ago
Style-double barrel aged and flavored imperial porter
Bottled on-06/13/16
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-really dark brown; thin tan head
Nose-booze, baker’s chocolate and dark caramel
Mouthfeel-a bit thin but seductive and alluring
Tastes-bourbon, Scotch, cocoa, vanilla, char, dark caramel with a hint of smoke and orange peel
Adjuncts-cocoa, vanilla and sweet orange peel
Aging info-50% aged in bourbon and Scotch barrels
Grains-“peated malt”
IBU-51
ABV-11.6%
Overall impression-might be my favorite of the 3 so far; excellent sipper; will look for more recent vintages this weekend
Ymm, Beer rating-mid level cat 3; looking forward 29th (or 30th) birthday reserve; not sure which one is left

[devildeac]

Session GBS-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Honorary local.

Credit-wbmcards88 paid and picked up, I reimbursed and nrrrrvous muled; great teamwork; thanks!!
Style-go figure
Format-pint can
Stemware-Hardywood 2018 Complete Set tumbler
Appearance-a slender stout
Nose-less aromas than the original
Mouthfeel-skinny
Tastes-less ginger, honey, vanilla and cinnamon than the original; light cocoa
Adjuncts-see tastes, plus lactose
IBU-none listed but gotta be less than the original which is 55 so I’ll roll with 40
ABV-5%; Dafuq; I coulda/shoulda had 3 of these last pm
Overall impression-actually, this was a fun beer; would be good with a shot of Maker’s Mark
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; sorry, Hardywood, it ain’t the original and ain’t gonna get a 100 on beeradvocate

[devildeac]

Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine (2018)-Goose Island Beer Co.

Bought local.

Credit-younger son in law left in fridge during Christmas visit in 2018; I claimed ownership tonight; thanks!!
Style-if you know, you know
Format-500 ml bottle; 5 ounces with dinner and sipping the last 11.9 ounces now
Bottled on-11AUG18 10:12
Stemware-Goose Island snifter
Appearance-dark amber; few tan bubbles
Nose-bourbon, toffee and orange liqueur
Mouthfeel-soft and warm
Tastes-bourbon, toffee, orange liqueur, butterscotch, wood
Grains-Two row and malted wheat
IBU-60 (no damn way!)
ABV-15.4% (not NC legal); glad I apportioned the brew as I did this evening
Overall impression-damn fine offering for their first variant since barleywine in 2013
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I still like the BCS original better but I’d sip this over any brutal barleywine almost anytime

[devildeac]

The Abyss Scotch Barrel Aged-Deschutes Brewery

Not local but have visited Bend and been to the brewery.

Credit-a detour beer onb the way from Lexington to Columbus several years ago, sharing a bottle or two with TW along with a brandy barrel variant or was it a rum barrel variant? Or both?
Style-adjuncted andbarrel aged imperial stout
Format-bomber, divided over 2 nights
Bottled on-12/09/16
Stemware-little cutie snifters
Apppearance-ink and a few tan bubbles
Nose-a little booze, a little licorice and some semisweet chocolate morsels
Mouthfeel-lubricious
Tastes-burnt molasses, hints of peat/smoke, moderately Scotch which nicely mitigates the licorice
Adjujncts-black strap molasses, licorice, cherry bark, whole vanilla beans
Barrels-Scotch for 12 months
IBU-likely 50ish
ABV-12.3%
Overall impression- well done integration of the Scotch and licorice which is also tamed by the vanilla and molasses
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; may have to look for some more of The Abyss this week along with some vintages/anniversary bottles of Black Butte, hoping to find they changed the format to 12 ounce bottles in 4 packs.

[devildeac]

The Abyss Brandy Barrel Aged 2016-Deschutes Brewery

If they’d ever opened in Roanoke, I’d call them local.

Credit-part of a mixed case of barrel aged Abysses I bought in Crescent Springs, KY about 4.5 years ago
Style-^^^^
Format-bomber divided over 2 nights
Bottled on-12/09/16
Stemware-cutie snifters
Appearance-very, very dark brown; 1 mm tan head
Nose-brandy, dark chocolate and licorice
Mouthfeel-almost pillowy
Tastes-brandy, dark chocolate, burnt molasses, dark chocolate, vanilla, wood and hint of licorice
Adjuncts-black strap molasses, licorice, cherry bark and whole vanilla beans
IBU-63 (source: Untappd)
ABV-13.3% ( )
Overall impression-first night, a bit too much licorice; second night, much more brandy, molasses, vanilla and very little licorice
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; a bit less licorice likely makes it a top floor cat 3 but overall a wonderful sipper

[devildeac]

Burley Barleywine-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

If you know someone in the Family Tree, it’s local.

Credit-pickup, deliver and trade from wbmcards88 last year; huuuge thanks!!
Style-BBA English style barleywine
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle divided over 2 nights
Stemware-last pm, mini snifters; tonight, a cute, little GBS tumbler (2018 Complete Set exclusive)
Appearance-between a brown ale and a porter; 2 mm tan head each night
Nose-liquid Heath bar swirled with bourbon
Mouthfeel-soft and sweet
Tastes-slightly burnt toffee, wet leather, bourbon, tobacco and hints of milk chocolate and smoke
Grain-100% Maris Otter (typical English)
Barrels-Basil Hayden for 9 months
Significant brewing fact-“long boil” for 5 hours; mattman’ll have to 'splain that
IBU-“no IBU” and I’ll call 100% bovine shenanigans on that claim; my SWAG would be 50
ABV-12.3% (stuff’ll knock your ass out)
Overall impression-English barleywines >> US barleywines; this was outstanding and I don’t like the style much anymore but this certainly is a mind changer
Ymm, Beer rating-easy mid cat 3 and closely eyeing the short step up to the top shelf

[devildeac]

It Loves Me (draft)-New Anthem Beer Project

Close enough

Credit-$4 off FrIPAday at Bottle Rev; my dime
Style-NEDIPA
Format-freshie divided over 2 nights
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-as above with hints of blood orange
Nose-fresh bowl of citrus
Mouthfeel-pithy and juicy
Tastes-pineapple, underripe strawberry, OJ, grapefruit and tangerine
Hops-Citra, Simcoe, Strata, El Dorado and Belma (WTH? I thought that was Fred Flintstone’s wife; never mind, wrong thread)
IBU-“no IBU” but I’m not as dumm as I look so I’ll guess <40
ABV-7.7%
Overall impression-another winner from the folks in Wilmington; they keep brewing really, really good IPAs/DIPAs/NEIPAs/NEDIPAs
Ymm Beer rating-mid cat 3; yea, it’s that good, rivaling Veil, Treehouse and Trillium and I don’t even have to send RVS mules on wild beer chases for this stuff

[devildeac]

Double Homestyle (draft)-Bearded Iris Brewing

Not local

Credit-$4 off mini growler from Bottle Rev on Friday after work
Style-NEDIPA
Format-^^^^; half last pm, other half in glass now
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy, yellow bronze; moderate foam
Nose-fresh squeeze!!
Mouthfeel-juicy juice
Tastes-OJ, orange liqueur and rind, grapefruit juice with splashes of cantaloupe and tangerine
Hop-Mosaic, double portions
IBU-“no IBU;” ; likely about 40
ABV-8.2%
Overall impression-I liked the New Anthem It Loves You a bit better, but not much
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; still, a very juicy NEDIPA that’d I’d recommend buying a single pint or a 4 bagger to drink/share/trade.