Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Gizmo Gose Wild (draft)-Gizmo BrewWorks

Credit-fuse treated for this pint at The Peak Taproom and Kitchen; thanks!!
Style-fruited gose
Appearance-slightly cloudy yellow ; modest, foamy head
Nose-strawberry jam; fruited vinegar
Mouthfeel-pucker
Tastes-strawberry-lemonade with a pinch of coriander; mild brine
Adjuncts-30 lbs of fresh strawberries; coriander; Himalayan sea salt
IBU-13
ABV-4.3%
Overall impression-not a good pairing with a loaded meat and veggie flatbread but would recommend/order again but not buy a 6er of it

[devildeac]

Continuing with the sour mood/theme:

Mama Bear's Sour Cherry Pie-Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Yes, that's really the name of the beer.

Credit-fuse; many thanks!!
Format-corked and cage 750 ml bottle
Style-if you haven't discerned that by now, there's no hope
Stemware-cute little 5 ounce snifters
Appearance-murky ruby-brown; small head
Nose-sour cherry-apple cider vinegar
Mouthfeel-tart
Tastes-unsweetened cherry juice; wet wood; cherry vinegar
IBU-10ish
ABV-6.6%
Overall impression-exactly like the label/name says
Ymm, Beer rating-solid fuse cat 3; an outstanding fruited sour; highly recommended

[devildeac]

What a coincidence you should use that phrase !

Err on the Side of Awesome-New Belgium Brewing and The Rare Barrel collaboration

The background:

"This collaboration with our long-time friends and world-class sour producers, The Rare Barrel, is full of complex and risky adventure. We took a portion of our dark sour, Oscar, blended it with kriek lambic, matured it in our original 17 wine barrels that began our sour program, then blended in our golden sour, Felix, before corking and bottle conditioning for several months."

Do you *really* need a description after that story? Yes, you still do .

Credit-fuse; humongous thanks!!
Format-corked and caged 375 ml bottle, not a common presentation
Appearance-very slightly murky cherry cola (c-o-l-a, cola); minimal tan head
Aromas-red wine, cherry cider vinegar,
Mouthfeel-a bit less tart/sour than Mama Bear's Sour Cherry Pie (won or lost by RJ199)
Tastes-cherry cider vinegar, tannins, tart/sour cherries, red wine and perhaps a bit less woody that Mama Bear's ale above
IBU-who cares
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-two words: world class
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3 because fuse won't "let" us rate anything higher than 3 ()

We could have stopped there...

[devildeac]

From 5/16/19:

no. 1-Brewery Bhavana

From the label:

"Slow-fermented in our white oak foeder since February 2017, this house sour forms the backbone to so many of our favorite offerings."

My guess is this was bottled in June, 2018 to start their Cellar Door series in July, 2018. Another tip of the tulip to fuse for acquiring this for me as part of his membership late last year. Thanks!

If I was blindfolded, I might not be able to differentiate this from the original Rodenbach and that's about as high as the praise gets when it's compared to a world class sour. I had about 375 ml tonight, half of my 750 ml capped bottle. Pour was gentle into an Allagash tulip. Appearance was cloudy and reddish-amber with a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass. Acetic nose and palate but classic for the style with woody/oaky tastes to accompany sour cherries, raspberries, lemon and vinegar tantalizing the taste buds, too. I'll guess IBUs about 10 (tart and sour, not hoppily bitter) with the ABV at 6%. Another ale I'd consider serving with Italian dishes.

From last PM:

Another bottle I "found" in the recycle bin this AM:

Cellar Door #1-Brewery Bhavana

I'm not sure much has changed since another 5+ months in the bottle but I am extremely grateful to fuse for saving this from his BB collection and sharing it on Ymm, Beer Virtual Pub Sour Day yesterday. Many thanks again!!

A magnificent sour-world class.

[devildeac]

And, from the top of the recyclable bottles heap created last PM:

Sacred Sacrum 2016-Against the Grain Brewery

From their All Funked Up Wild Series (words all spelled correctly); "wild beers, wild souls"

Credit-me!
Format-capped 750 ml bottle
Genre-Belgian style ale aged in red wine barrels; finished with Brettanomyces
Appearance-murky; dark raspberry-amber; smallish, bubbly head
Nose-wine and funk
Mouthfeel-mild to moderate tart/sour
Tastes-Cabernet; wet straw; berries; raisins; dates; figs; tart/sour; wood
IBU-20?
ABV-9%
Overall impression-very interesting beverage that likely started with a Belgian style dubbel, followed by lots of different additions
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; would buy others from the series; not world class but still an excellent mélange of flavors

[devildeac]

3 Weight-Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Credit-August West; thanks!
Format- 12 ounce bottle from their current mixed 12 pack
Style-session IPA
Appearance-light straw; modest, meringue-y head
Nose-grapefruit juice cocktail light
Mouthfeel-mild bitterness
Tastes-Tropicana light grapefruit juice; flowers; light caramel
IBU-38
ABV-4%
Grains-Pilsner, CaraRed, Perla Negra, Wheat
Hops-Cascade, Citra, Magnum, Simcoe, Mosaic, Loral
Overall impression-good porch sipper or fishing beer; if tasted blindly, there's a good chance I'd guess this to be a Euro lager/pilsner
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 2; the 12 pack would be a nice purchase for those wanting to try several SN beverages or drink 6 and trade 6

[devildeac]

From 2/17/18:

Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey Ginger (brewed on December 8, 2017)-Ardent Craft Ales

World class beer. (Can I stop my review there? )

Delivery source: accfanfrom1970 (Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!)

Normally, I'd cellar a beer like this for 6-12 months or more given its characteristics and expectations, but somehow, this one beckoned me on Tuesday and Wednesday nights when I divided this 750 ml capped bottle.

Poured into Gouden Carolus and Allagash tulips, the color was gold with a modest fizzy and foamy head. As anticipated, aromas were ginger, honey/light brown sugar and bourbon. Tasted like a classic bourbon and ginger ale cocktail with a tad more sweetness from the honey-ish finish. Amazingly smooth at only 18 IBUs with the ginger providing a bit of a warming bite. ABV was a dangerous 11.5% as it was seductively smooth and easy sipping and could have been consumed in one sitting. Or shared (hint to accfanfrom1970: we'd gladly welcome one or more of these to a tailgate this fall if you and your wife are able to attend again-yes, I'm shameless). Cost? I got this and two Hardywood GBS variants for $25, almost unheard of pricing for beers of this quality.

Thank you again!

From last PM:

Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey Ginger 2019-Ardent Craft Ales

Credit-trader from accfanfrom1970; thanks and more thanks!!
Format-brought to you now in 12 ounce bottles
Style-Belgian style tripel
Appearance-golden amber; same type head
Nose-as above
Mouthfeel-bubbly; warming
Tastes-Fullsteam Cackalacky meets Mother Earth Triple Overhead; medium brown sugar; ginger zing
IBU-18
ABV-a truly dangerous 11.5%
Overall impression-still outstanding
Ymm, Beer rating-easily fuse cat 3; worth seeking out/trading for

[devildeac]

Coffee Stout-Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Credit-August West; thankis
Format-12 ounce bottle from a 12 pack sampler
Dating-PKGD 08/06/19
Style-
Appearance-dark, dark brown; foamy tan head
Aromas-it's breakfast time!
Mouthfeel-smooth; roasty
Tastes-java, milk chocolate, slightly burnt caramel; herbal
IBU-30
ABV-6.2%
Adjuncts-d'oh!
Overall impression-a standard bearer for a simple coffee stout
Ymm, Beer rating-solid fuse cat 2; a very nice inclusion in the current 12 pack

[devildeac]

Fantaculous-Casita Cerveceria

Credit-I treated myself
Format-pint can
Freshness data-canned on 09/26/19 10:08
Style-IPA
Appearance-cloudy pineapple yellowish; thick, foamy head
Nose-pineapples, mangos and papayas
Mouthfeel-pithy and rindy; moderate bitterness
Tastes-match the aromas; tropical fruit juice blend with oranges
IBU-60ish
ABV-7.5%
Overall rating-another quality offering from this "gypsy" brewer who's still working out of the Duck Rabbit joint in Farmville, NC
Ymm, Beer rating-a bit shy of fuse cat 3 as the bitterness is a bit rough but definitely worth a pour for about $5

[devildeac]

Oktoberfest-Foothills Brewing

Credit-October beer club 4 pack
Format-12 ounce bottle
Buncha numbers on bottle neck-082719 5830 0028574 1614
Appearance-dark amber; moderate foamy head
Nose-malt bomb!
Mouthfeel-a shade more bitter (herbal) than I expected but I believe I was alerted to this during our Septemberfest
Tastes-toasted wheat bread; honey, caramel; earthy hops
IBU-42 (high end of standard for a lager)
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-one of the better examples I've had in recent years
Ymm, Beer rating-very solid cat 2; would include in any tasting session to compare the style in years to come

[devildeac]

Copper-Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Credit-12 ounce bottle included in my October beer club 4 pack
Style-Düsseldorf type altbier, just in time to end Octoberfest
Appearance-dark amber; foamy, tan head
Nose-malt bomb
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-toffee, nuts, toasted wheat bread, honey, earthy hops
Adjuncts-dummkopf, dies wird streng nach Reinheitsgebot gebraut!
IBU-30ish
ABV-4.9%
Overall impression-I haven't had an altbier in years and this is a very good one
Ymm, Beer rating-solid fuse cat 2; worth a bottle or draft

Prost!

[devildeac]

Nothing creative tonight .

Hop on Top-Lynnwood Brewing Concern

Credit-pilfered from older daughter and son-in-law's beer fridge yesterday as compensation for doggie boot camp for several days
Format-pint can
Style-American/West Coast IPA
Appearance-light yellowish bronze with a modest, foamy head
Nose-grapefruit and a whiff of pine
Mouthfeel-moderate bitterness
Tastes-more grapefruit juice and rind than pine; hints of OJ and rind; fleeting honey (not added)
IBU-maybe 60
ABV-7%
Overall impression-in a very crowded market, this won't stand out but it's a high quality beer
Ymm, Beer rating-middle tier fuse cat 2; I'd steal another of these from their fridge if/when I return their hound and they're not home

[devildeac]

Kühler-New Glarus Brewing Company

Credit-younger son in law who bought two 4 packs of this at a BP station or at the Brat Stop almost on the WI-IL border on his way back to Chicago after a golf outing in upstate WI; thanks, thanks and more thanks!!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-sour from a coolship I guess would be the best way to describe it
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-cherry juice tinted apple juice; minimal head
Nose-mildly tart; cherries and apples
Mouthfeel-mildly viscous is correct but not cloying
Tastes-a cocktail made with Raspberry Tart, Wisconsin Belgian Red, Apple Ale, not too sweet iced tea and splashes of lemonade and a Grand Marnier ending
IBU-10? 20?
ABV-maybe 5%
Overall impression-a fabulous, complex beer; fuse and RJ199 got about all the salient points above
Ymm, Beer rating-darn near busting out of the fuse cat 3 zone; it'd be great to hear if tbyers11 got any of this and what he thinks...

Sadly, "Only in Wisconsin" unless, of course, you have the proper connections

[devildeac]

Clap Back-New Anthem Beer Project

Drink kinda/sorta local!

Credit-my own Visa card with an assist to a Bottle Rev employee who suggested this beer
Cost-probably $4
Format-half quart can
Style-listed as a DIPA but that's an alternative fact as it's really an imperial NEIPA or a NEIIPA
Appearance: pineapple juice
Nose-fresh squeezed tropical juice blend
Mouthfeel-darn near smoothie in texture
Tastes-pineapple/grapefruit/papaya/mango blend with a splash of OJ; some pithy/rindy bitterness
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-8%
Overall impression-an excellent entrant into the burgeoning NEIPA/NEIIPA field; rivals some Veil brews accfanfrom1970 has procured
Ymm, Beer rating-fuse cat 3, lower tier; I'd have this again as a pint draft or can or buy a 4 pack to share/trade

[devildeac]

Sweet Potato & Sage Saison-Ardent Craft Ales

Drink someone else's local!

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks!!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Appearance-a clean, clear, light gold with a thin, fizzy head
Nose-sage (no parsley, rosemary, thyme or grouse)
Mouthfeel-light, bubbly
Tastes-sage, then hints of apple, pear and straw; didn't perceive much sweet potato and neither did younger son-in-law who shared the bottle with me
IBU-28
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-an interesting and well-executed "light" beer; I'd serve with grilled, non-BBQ'd pork or chicken or a plate of pasta with marinara
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 2

[devildeac]

NRB Stout-New River Brewing Taproom and Eatery

Drink regional!!

Credit-younger son-in-law who was gifted this by a friend in the NC mountains this weekend
Format-crowler
Style-more like an imperial milk stout
Appearance-dark chocolate milk; creamy, voluminous, creamy mocha head
Nose-milk chocolate
Mouthfeel-smooth and silky
Tastes-milk chocolate, dark caramel, slightly burnt toast, earthy hops
IBU-35
ABV-8%
Overall impression-solid offering from a relatively new joint in West Jefferson, NC; I'd readily visit this place for a flight
Ymm Beer rating-middle tier cat 2

[devildeac]

Mamaw's Mean Cobbler-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for somebody!

Credit-accfanfrom1970; many thanks, a great choice!!
Format-pint dessert canister
Category-fruited and spiced and everything niced Belgian style tripel
Appearance-a cloudy, peachy hue with a moderate, foamy head
Nose-"...Millions of peaches, peaches for me..."
Mouthfeel-juicy and almost pulpy
Tastes-see nose; cooked peaches, vanilla, cinnamon, peach skin with some bread/dough
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-8.2%
Adjuncts-might be some peaches ; vanilla, cinnamon, lactose, coconut (not sure I'd have guessed this)
Overall impression- a really fun dessert beer/nightcap
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; their Peach Tripel, which I really like, turned into a liquid dessert

[devildeac]

Holy Water-Sumerian Brewing Company

Not local !

Credit-a neighbor's trader from his beer of the month 12 pack his wife gifted him for #50.
Format-12 ounce can
Style-Citra IPA
Apearance-slightly cloudy yellow with a generous, foamy head
Nose-faint citrus
Mouthfeel-mild piney bitterness
Tastes-faint citrus, pine with a soapy finish
IBU-maybe 45
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-misses on a number of counts, namely, not enough Citra hops which I really like; IBU and ABV both too low for the style
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 1; not Ycch, Beer/drain pour but not worthy to re-visit

[devildeac]

Hop Bullet-Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

From last PM, folks as I'm not drinking a DIPA on International Stout Day

Credit-August West from an October tailgate; thanks!!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Appearance-golden yellow with a billowing head
Nose-grapefruit with rind; orange with rind; hints of pine
Mouthfeel-pleasantly bitter
Tastes-match the aromas; a very nice balance
IBU-55
ABV-8%
Grains-Two-row Pale, Caramelized malts, Acidulated, Oats, Wheat
Hops-Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Crystal, Magnum, Idaho 7
Overall impression-gotta admit after reading the hop contents that this was a lot more pleasant than expected given all the "C" hops
Ymm, Beer rating-strong cat 2 in a very crowded field; an excellent "closer" from the last of the six bottles AW traded last month; worth a taste

[devildeac]

Finally, a stout :

Sunday Morning Stout-Weyerbacher Brewing Company

Credit-all mine!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Numbers on bottle neck-01/30/18; 01/30/23; 696973B4
Appearance-dark, dark brown with a thin, tan head
Nose-coffee and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-smoooooth
Tastes-lots of java and dark chocolate with molasses, dark/burnt caramel, toasted coconut and vanilla (neither added) and a warm, bourbon finish
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-12.7%; frightening
Overall impression-an excellent beverage
Ymm, Beer rating-treading in cat 3 territory; I'd like a bit more bourbon flavors here but that's being pretty picky; if you see a stray one, buy it!