Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Christmas Island-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Honorary local

Credit-thanks again @wbmcards88 for the front money!
Style-RBA GBS with a guest adjunct
Format-12 oz stubbie
Stemware-2018 GBS tumbler
Appearance-rather dark brown; small, tan topping
Nose-dark brown sugar, rum and ginger
Mouthfeel-tropical
Tastes-rum, dark brown sugar, dark chocolate and ginger
Adjuncts-honey, toasted coconut, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and lactose
IBU-yep, 55
ABV-11.8%
Overall impression-a wonderful memory from GBS of Christmas past
Ymm, Beer rating- mid cat 3; another fabulous fun creation

[devildeac]

Peppermint Cocoa Stout-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Same city

Credit-same beer mule specialist; thanks @wbmcards88
Style-BBA GBS with the best adjunct you can mix with cocoa/chocolate
Format-stubbie, 12 oz
Glassware-same Hardywood GBS tumbler
Appearance-quite dark, brown and tanly foamy
Nose-mint and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-luxurious
Tastes-dark chocolate, peppermint, bourbon and ginger
Adjuncts-ginger, honey, Madagascar vanilla beans, cocoa, peppermint and lactose
IBU-SOS
ABV-12.2%
Overall impression-a boozy, minty cocoa
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; quite the winter warmer

[devildeac]

Apple Brandy Barleywine-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Y’all know by now

Credit-thanks @wbmcards88 for the order and pickup and to Mrs. dd for writing the check
Style-obvious
Format-stubbie
Stemware-pictured
Appearance-dark Amber; small, tan head
Nose-brandy, toffee and orange liqueur
Mouthfeel-rather warming
Tastes-carmelized brown sugar, Cointreau, wood, brandy
IBU-55
ABV-15.9% (highest Hardywood ABV I can recall)
Overall impression-amazing winter warmer style brew
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; their ginger bourbon barleywine last year edges this one slightly and remains one of my GBS Complete Set favorites

[devildeac]

Maibock (draft)-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Local as you can get

Credit-my card and an understanding wife
Style-no hints
Format-freshly spigotted
Stemware-some form of a pint glass
Appearance-clean/clear, light yellow gold; small off white head
Nose-fresh
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-light corn syrup and flowers
IBU-likely under 30
ABV-7.3% (close to imperial strength)
Overall impression-comparable to a couple Red Oak spring/Maibocks from past sipping events
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3

[devildeac]

Rocket Science 2.0 (draft)-Fullsteam Brewery

Sipped in the dining room

Credit-thirst and my card
Style-American IPA
Format-fresh from the tap!
Appearance-clean/clear yellow/bronze; modest head
Nose-citrus zest and hint of pine
Mouthfeel-a little zing
Tastes-grapefruit and orange juices and zest along with a hint of pine/resin
IBU-probably 50
ABV-7.0%
Overall impression-good pairing with a thick, fried, boneless chicken breast (not from @jwillfanspeech_balloon’s back yard) and some spicy mustard slaw
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3

[devildeac]

Overshift-Cigar City Brewing Company

Local for the El Catador Club buying guy; you know who you are

Credit-can’t recall if this was a trader or gift from @TeacherTom but many thanks either way!!
Style-brown sugar rum barrel aged imperial golden ale
Format-500 ml bottle not shared over 2 nights
Stemware-goblet
Appearance-medium/dark brown; thin, tan head
Nose-dark brown sugar syrup, rum
Mouthfeel-sweet
Tastes-followed the nose
IBU-11
ABV-11%
Overall impression-looked more like an amber ale than a golden but a fascinating combo
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3

[devildeac]

In the Meantime (draft)-Altered State Brewing Company

In the taproom

Credit-thirst and available beer $$ to burn :face_with_open_eyes_and_hand_over_mouth:
Style-westie DIPA
Format-freshly dispensed
Stemware-large tumbler
Nose-fresh white grapefruit juice and a splash of OJ
Mouthfeel-juicy with a bite
Tastes-leading with the nose with some resin, zest and pine
Hops-Citra, Mosaic, Summit and Simcoe (new school, old school)
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-8%
Overall impression-nice balance of juicy and bitter
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3

[devildeac]

Eniw Yelrab-Ragic Ytic Gniwerb

Local for the El Catador Club purchasing agent

Credit-many humble thanks @TeacherTom !!
Style-BBA Barleywine
Format-500 ml bottle, solo
Stemware-pictured
Appearance-dark brown, slightly murky, no head
Nose-bourbon and toffee
Mouthfeel-sultry
Tastes-toffee, bourbon and a lotta dark, dried fruits
IBU-17 (bovine shenanigans!)
ABV-13.8%
Overall impression-fabulous
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; rivals some the Hardywood barleywines @wbmcards88 had procured the last couple years

[devildeac]

Nightcap Thursday before our Friday journey to Ohio:

Bourbon County Brand Stout 2022-Goose Island Beer Company

Not local when quaffed

Credit-tipped off to this format by @AugustWest when released but he didn’t buy me any
Style-IYKYK
Format-12 ounce bottle, solo
Stemware-2015 Bourbon County Stout snifter
Appearance-thick and oily
Nose-semisweet chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-viscous and smooooth
Tastes-semisweet chocolate, bourbon, burnt caramel, molasses
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-14.3% (and yes, I slept well )
Overall impression-I think even a bit more “gentle” than when released in November, 2022
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/high cat 3; still world class

[devildeac]

Friday’s Jaguar Shark fest in 3 posts. First:

Jaguar Shark-Pinthouse (apparently a brewery and pizza joint; source is @Meld )

Local when bought.

Credit-several rounds of applause @Meld for sharing/trading/gifting this!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-pint can, shared 2 ways
Stemware-Zaftig snifters
Appearance-exceedingly dark brown; modest tan head
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-too sexy for my shirt
Tastes-semisweet chocolate morsels, bourbon, burnt caramel, molasses
Adjuncts-nada
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-10.5%
Overall impression-their “base” BBA RIS made quite a starter beer :face_with_spiral_eyes:
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; there are a helluva lotta beers in this zip code and this one shows very well

[devildeac]

Friday beer #2:

Enchantment Jaguar Shark Under the Sea-Pinthouse

Yep, same time, same place as the “base” beer

Credit-even louder applause @Meld for this one
Style-flavored BBA RIS
Format-another pint can, shared to the closest millimeter with devildeac2
Stemware-same Zaftig snifters
Appearance-really dark brown; modest tan head
Nose-espresso, bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-even more sexy, with or without a shirt
Tastes-very coffee forward, but not overwhelming; still a lot of bourbon, semisweet morsels and a splash of vanilla
Adjuncts-coffee and vanilla
IBU-likely low 40s
ABV-10.5%
Overall impression-a boozed up espresso with a drizzle of vanilla; half a step up due to the adjuncts
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; a bit less coffee mighta made it top shelf

[devildeac]

Final nail in the coffin for the night:

Breakfast Jaguar Shark at Klaus’-Pinthouse

Yes, @Meld was still in the buying mood

Cred-tumultuous, extended applause for @Meld and also @fuse for procuring and sharing
Style-even more flavored BBA RIS
Format-yep, different pint can, shared amazingly equally, even with me pouring
Stemware-well rinsed Zaftig snifters finish their workout for the night
Appearance-same as the first 2
Nose-wow, a boozy maple espresso
Mouthfeel-too sexy for any clothes now, let alone my shirt :face_with_peeking_eye:
Tastes-lotsa dark chocolate maple coffee fudge with berry jam with a generous bourbon chaser
Adjuncts-coffee, maple syrup and blueberry
IBU-probably still low 40s
ABV-10.5%
Overall impression-should be on every brewery’s breakfast menu
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; this would compete for PT (pouring time) quite well with many of the other BBA flavored stouts that have been reviewed here

[devildeac]

Atrial Rubicite-Jester King Brewery

When @Meld embarks on a buying spree, all bases are covered

Credit-final edition of the conditional beverages (see below) from @Meld; more humble thanks!!
Style-barrel aged fruited sour
Format-voluptuous 500 ml bottle, shared 2 ways
Stemware-small wine glasses
Appearance-brilliant reddish purple; thin pinkish head
Nose-life is just a bowl of raspberries
Mouthfeel-mild pucker
Tastes-saying a “sour raspberry jam” does not bestow justise (sic) upon this elixir; it’s a wonderful melange of raspberry puree, lemon/lime juice and wood, exactly as a high quality of sour beer should be
Adjunct-raspberries
IBU-Don’t. Care. (but low enough @Phredd3 might’ve enjoyed a sip or two )
ABV-5%
Overall impression-comparable to any highly rated fruited Belgian sour I’ve had previously
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/high cat 3

(below)-the Pinthouse stouts and the above Jester King gem were all shared/traded/gifted on the condition that they be shared with family and our son was more than delighted to partake with me; far less fun to sample these over 3-4 nights as a solo recipient. Many thanks again @Meld for selecting/buying and @fuse for ferrying him and said beers back to the Triangle.

[devildeac]

Return of the Lake Erie Monster-Great Lakes Brewing Company

Local for my weekend beer buddy and trading partner.

Credit-son of devildeac, aka devildeac2, traded two of these for an Altered State Wunderbar Banana Pudding; we’ll call it a draw
Style-DIPA, westie style
Format-12 ounce can
Freshness info-best by 6/18/24
Drinking vessel-the finest in hotel plastic ware
Appearance-clean and bronzey; generous head
Nose-rind and grapefruit juice
Mouthfeel-quite a bite
Tastes-grapefruit juice, zest, pith, OJ and a dollop of resin
IBU-65
ABV-9.5%
Overall impression-reminds me a lot of DFH 90 Minute IIPA, a long time favorite of mine
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; likely as good as Creeper, another Ohio DIPA from Columbus Brewing

[devildeac]

Imperial Wunderbar Banana Pudding-Altered State Brewing

Four miles from home is local

Credit-inspired to purchase for sharing/trading purposes by @Meld
Style-flavored imperial kettle sour
Format-half quart aluminum temporary storage unit
Stemware-oversized wine glass
Appearance-banana smoothie with a generous meringue topping
Nose-puddin’
Mouthfeel-pillowy
Tastes-banana pudding, vanilla, graham crackers, whipping cream
Adjuncts-Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas, vanilla, graham crackers, white chocolate and milk sugar
IBU-It. Doesn’t. Matter.
ABV-8%
Overall impression-woulda been better shared but this was delightful sipped solo over 90 minutes; plus, the “head” really looked/tasted/felt/persisted like a whipped cream topping
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; happy to have traded 2 with one remaining in the fridge

[devildeac]

Strawberry Shortcake Fandango-Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

“Brewed in beautiful Decorah, IA”

Credit-humble thank yous @Meld and @fuse for sharing this hard to find beer
Style-“malted beverage with natural flavors,” aka fruited sopur beer
Format-12 oz of liquid dessert; Mrs. dd took one sip
Recency bias-PKG 01/29/24 14:13:55
Glassware-5 ounce pilsner like sample glasses
Appearance-“Hey, who put my shortcake in the blender?”
Nose-strawberries and whipped cream
Mouthfeel-a puckery after dinner libation
Tastes-strawberries, lemon/lime, shortcake and yes @fuse, “I can almost taste the cream”
Adjuncts-didn’t research but would be certain of strawberries, lactose (because Mrs. dd made her “this beer has lactose face and I don’t like it” face) and vanilla
IBU-immaterial
ABV-5.8% about what one would expect if @Tripping.William pour a tablespoon or three of Stolichnaya vodka over a plate of shortcake, frewsh strawberries and whipped cream
Overall impression-strawberries are tough to incorporate into beer but Toppling Goliath pulled it off well
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; really tasted like a liquid summer dessert; grateful to have received a can but disappointed Mrs. dd didn’t enjoy it equally well

[devildeac]

Saturday Morning Blender-Hopfly Brewing Company

Within state boundaries

Credit-trader from older daughter; thanks!
Style-cereal sour
Format-now empty half quart aluminum cylinder
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-cloudy but not chunky yellow/orange; short lived head
Nose-beer cereal
Mouthfeel-mildly sour
Tastes-Fruity Pebbles/Fruit Loops, lemons and limes; no marshmallows :woozy_face:
Adjuncts-Fruity Pebbles and Lucky Charms; WTH?
IBU-10, maybe
ABV-6.5%
Overall impressions-should be the new “breakfast of champions :face_with_peeking_eye:
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; another from their Blender Series that sounded like a mess but was rather fun

[devildeac]

Punk Rock Bock-Wooden Cask Brewing Company

Not local

Credit-I guess hearty thanks @wbmcards88 as it was in his warehouse sale delivery but it wasn’t a Hardywood product :woozy_face:
Style-rye whiskey barrel aged doppelbock lager
Format-12 ounce can
Freshness data-PKGD ON 2/21/23
Stemware-Stella snifter
Appearance-slightly cloudy, dark amber, small, tan head
Nose-whiskey and toffee
Mouthfeel-warm
Tastes-whiskey, toffee, toasted bread, dried cherries
IBU-maybe 25
ABV-11.2%
Overall impression-new brewery and beer to me from KY; quality stuff
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; would happily accept another

[devildeac]

Amburana Aged Vintage Foeder Ale (draft)-HiWire Brewing Company

At the damn brewery .

Credit-early dessert
Style-from their original 2018 Vintage Sour Ale, foeder aged for 1.5 years then 1 month in Amburana wood (not sure if this is “original” from 2018 or an updated “variant “)
Format-freshly drawn
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-clean, amber/burgundy; no head
Nose-cherry vinegar
Mouthfeel-quite a pucker
Tastes-sour cherry vinegar, lemon, wood
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-6.7%
Overall impression-rivals some Rodenbachs I’ve had
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; high praise

[devildeac]

Cherry Streusel a la Mode-Funguys Brewing

About 6 miles from home

Credit-trader from @fuse and @Meld; thanks!!
Style-y’all really don’t think this is a barrel aged stout, do ya?
Format-pint can, not shared
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-purple and thick; no head
Nose-the local bakery where I grew up
Mouthfeel-almost gooey
Tastes-a cherry ring pastry from L&M Bakery in my home town or The Ritz Bakery in Hollis where an aunt would always buy pastry before visiting; and, as the name suggests, vanilla ice cream
Adjuncts-cherries, cinnamon streusel and vanilla soft serve ice cream
IBU-immaterial
ABV-6% (aka breakfast cake booze )
Overall impression-coulda taken the cherry streusel pastry, tossed it in a blender with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, blended on high for 15 seconds, poured it in my glass and convinced be easily that it was not beer
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; rivals Hopfly, Altered State and Veil smoothie sours