Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

The Illest-New Anthem Beer Project (Wilmington, NC)

Darn near local!

Credit-one of the Bottle Rev employees suggested this as I picked up my October beer club 4 pack last month
Format-pint can
Style-double espresso imperial porter
Appearance-dark, dark brown with a creamy beige head
Nose-pass the cream and sugar, please!
Mouthfeel-smooth; mildly viscous
Tastes-lots and lots of coffee then milk chocolate, brown sugar, molasses and herbal hops
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-8.5%
Grains-pale malt (); oats; dark malts (there ya go!); C55 (maybe this? http://www.brewingwithbriess.com/Pro...l.htm#Ccrystal)
Adjuncts-lactose (thereby really making this an imperial milk porter ); whole bean espresso
Overall rating-I think they had 2 cans left but I'd buy a 4 pack of this in about 2 seconds
Ymm, Beer rating-easily slides into the low cat 3 tier; would be nice with a couple brownies or chocolate chip cookies; or some pancakes

[devildeac]

Hop Commander-Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

Uh-oh, another IPA !

Credit-1st beer from my November Beer club 4 pack
Format-3/4 pint can
Canned-10152019 1208 MPN 1361
Appearance-light bronze with a foamy, off-white head
Nose-grapefruit and pine dankness
Mouthfeel-mild/moderate bitterness
Tastes-grapefruit, orange rind, light pine bitterness
Hops-Bravo, Centennial & Citra (yay!)
IBU-65
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-good product from a good brewery in a large crowd
Ymm, Beer rating-solid 2; I like the brewery and this was solid

[devildeac]

Double Two Hearted Ale-Bell's Brewery

From Wednesday night.

Fuse pretty much covered everything above, as he very often does. There's lot of pine/resin but equal amounts of grapefruit and orange scents and tastes along with some rind and liqueur flavors. It was brewed on 8/31/19, IIRC, and the shelf life is listed as 3 months so I'm going to finish my two remaining bottles over the next couple weeks and very likely have a side-by-side with the DFH 90 Minute IPA, which is really a DIPA and still one of my favorites.

[devildeac]

From dinner/Duke-Georgetown/post-game last PM during a devildeac1&2 beer sampling:

Odd Job-Rheingeist Brewing Company

Drink Ohio!

I'd have sworn I sampled this a couple years ago but searching here and in my other archives yielded no results .

Credit-son of devildeac; thanks!
Style-IIPA
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-10/01/19
Appearance-clear/clean; yellow bronze with a foamy head
Aromas-orange, grapefruit, pine
Mouthfeel-pleasantly bitter (see below)
Tastes-grapefruit and orange juices; light resin; rind; light caramel
IBU-95 (no typo )
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-high quality stuff in that quite crowded field
Ymm, Beer rating-high fuse cat 2; I hope one is included in my departing "gift" package tomorrow

[devildeac]

Coolship Balaton-Allagash BrewingCompany

Drink local what someone else brought you!

Credit-fuse, from his summer vacation; many. many thanks!!
Format-corked and caged 375 ml bottle, an unusual presentation
Appearance-purified/clarified cherry juice; small, quickly disappearing head
Nose-cherry apple vinegar; red zinfandel
Mouthfeel-War Heads sour cherry
Tastes-sour/tart cherries; vinegar; wet wood;
Overall impression-superb spontaneously coolship fermented ale in oak wine barrels
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf fuse cat 3

It's hard to really express how appreciative I am/was to receive 4 Allagash coolship ales this summer. Son of devildeac also highly approved and we both sent our humble thanks.

[devildeac]

Pick Your Own-Allagash Brewing Company

Not much to add to fuse's outstanding review. Our son liked this a bit better due to all the fruit flavors where I think I preferred the "simplicity" of the cherry Coolship Balaton, but not by much. RJ199 would like the mixed fruit flavors better, I think, because he might believe he was eating a tart fruit Ymm, Pie he had won.

[devildeac]

12 Dogs of Christmas Barrel Aged-Thirsty Dog Brewing Company

Local!!

Credit-son of devildeac; thanks!!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Appearance-dark amber; clear; small, light tan head
Nose-spiced caramel, bourbon filled candy
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-caramel; butterscotch, mulling spices, warming bourbon and toasted wheat bread
Adjuncts-honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and "Santa's secret recipe"
IBU-17
ABV-10.4%; warming but not a booze bomb
Overall impression-a large step up from the already good recipe of 12 Dogs of Christmas
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; worth seeking a 4 pack, even if it is north of $20

[devildeac]

Fancy AF-The Answer Brewpub

Drink somebody else's local!

Credit-nyesq83; thanks!!
Format-crowler
Style-DDH session IPA
Appearance-hazy pineapple juice; modest creamy head
Scents-grapefruit, melons, stone fruits
Mouthfeel-not quite juice
Tastes-Dole pineapple/grapefruit juice; melons; peaches; mild floral bitterness
Hops-100% NZ Taiheke (https://www.brewshop.co.nz/hops-cascade-taiheke.html); see below
IBU-40ish
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-excellent selection of a style I drink very seldom
Ymm, Beer rating-solid 2; would readily try other brews from this joint

"Taiheke hops, formerly known as NZ Cascade, is a versatile hop variety that is popular for bittering, finishing and dry hopping of pale ale and American style beers. It is characterised by a floral, citrus profile, with a hint of spice."

[devildeac]

Fistmas-Revolution Brewing Company

Local if we had been there.

Credit-our younger daughter's checked bag; thanks!!
Format-12 ounce can\
Style-Christmas/holiday/winter red ale
Appearance-medium/dark amber with a modest off white head
Aromas-ginger and orange
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-immediate ginger and orange peel; musty; caramel; toasted whole grain bread; earthy
Adjuncts-ginger; orange peel
IBU-31
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-one of the better beers of the genre I've had; not toospicy
Ymm, Beer rating-high quality cat 2

[devildeac]

Black Maple-Jackie O's Brewery

Drink local! Really!

Credit-devildeac2; thanks!!
Format-capped 375 ml bottle (shared 3 ways)
Style-BBA imperial porter with local maple syrup from Sticky Pete's
Appearance-dark, dark brown with a thin, tan head; looks like a stout
Nose-where are you hiding those pancakes?
Mouthfeel-like a stout
Tastes-maple dark chocolate fudge drizzled with bourbon; molasses; dark caramel; over done pumpernickel toast
IBU-guessing 40
ABV-12.5%
Overall impression-outstanding concoction
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3, maybe middle shelf; worth finding and sharing

[devildeac]

Couple "leftovers" from Saturday night:

Sexual Chocolate 2010 (no typo)-Foothills Brewing

Drink nearby!

Credit-Tripping William from a Sexual Chocolate Vertical (not horizontal ) Dinner several years ago; thanks!!
Format-bomber
Appearance-mahogany; thin, tan head
Nose-dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-smooth/silky
Tastes-cocoa/dark chocolate; black strap molasses; dark toffee; burnt caramel/toast; dark fruits
Adjuncts-cocoa
IBU-85 (whoa!!)
ABV-9.75% and sneaky
Overall impression-it was a bit flat but interestingly, unlike "fresher" versions, tasted more grainy and less boozy, IIRC from my last sipping several years ago
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; should have sampled this a couple years ago as I've thought this was clearly cat 3 several times in the past; 2013 awaits...

[devildeac]

120 Minute IPA-Dogfish Head Brewery

Don't even think local!

Credit-yours truly
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared
Bottled on-05/01/09 (no typo, it was really 10.5 years old)
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-medium/dark brown, much darker than I remember; no head
Nose-sherry; dark caramel
Mouthfeel-smoother than expected; moderate burn
Tastes-oh, so complex; sherry, dark caramel, alcohol, dark fruits, herbs
IBU-120, IIRC
ABV-somewhere in the 18 to 21% range given it's age early in it's production history
Overall impression-so happy to have kept this so long as it matured wonderfully
Ymm, Beer rating-mid level cat 3; an excellent nightcap/sipping ale
Occasion-celebration of devildeac2 taking a faculty job at tOSU starting 7/1/20; well done; your Mama taught you well

[devildeac]

From Sunday night:

Transcendental Transformation (draft)-Jackie O's Public House and Restaurant in collaboration with Cappy's ()

Yep, it was local

Credit-my VISA but accfanfrom1970's request to buy 3 bottles from the brewery whose kitchen at a different location closed as we arrived
Format-four ounce sampler from a flight
Style-hazy IPA
Appearance-cloudy pineapple yellow with a small, creamy head
Olfactory-tropical fruit juice blend
Mouthfeel-juicy
Tastes-pineapple, mango, orange, peach (no adjuncts listed)
Hops-Idaho 7; Citra; Barbe Rouge (new to me)
IBU-50 maybe
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-fresh and juicy
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 2; if we had more time, I'd have inquired about cans of all 3 beers I tasted

[devildeac]

Sample #2:

Biorhythms (draft)-Jackie O's Public House and Restaurant

Credit-I paid, accfanfrom1970 made me buy him that beer I''l deliver this weekend or next month
Format-four ounce taster
Style-(yet another) hazy IPA
Appearance-pineapple/orange juice; small head
Scents-mo' tropical fruits
Mouthfeel-perhaps a bit juicier than #1
Tastes-lotsa pineapple, orange, peach, papaya
Hops-all New Zealand (not named)
Yeast-Kveik
IBU-probably 50 or less
ABV-6.9%
Overall impression-perhaps an IBU better than #1
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 2; would have had a pint of this but needed to drive 90 minutes to our hotel

[devildeac]

Final sample:

Frake Shake (draft)-Jackie O's Public House and Restaurant in collaboration with Pies and Pints

Staying local

Credit-same as the first two
Style-milkshake IPA
Appearance-reddish yellow; even hazier that the first two; small head
Nose-liquid fruit cake
Mouthfeel-"I didn't order a smoothie"
Tastes-an explosion of pineapple, cherry, orange, vanilla
Adjuncts-pineapple; cherry; blood orange puree, lactose
Aging-rum soaked vanilla beans
Hops-Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo and Samba (wait, that's a Brazilian dance)
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-6.6%
Overall rating-one of the better milkshake IPAs I've had
Ymm, Beer rating-sneaks into the cat 3 zip code; I'd have bought a 4 pack or sipped pint had we been staying in town and had some shopping time

[devildeac]

Hopruption-Sumerian Brewing Company

Not local

Credit-neighbor from his November beer club 4 pack; thanks!
Format-12 ounce can
Style-DIPA
Canned on-(shrugs)
Appearance-light yellow/amber with a generous head
Nose-pine
Mouthfeel-moderate bitterness
Tastes-mostly pine with some grapefruit and rind; hints of caramel
IBU-95
ABV-8%
Overall impression-better than the previous several selections from his beer club 12 packs but not balanced and too much pine/resin
Ymm, Beer rating-low level cat 2 compared to others I've been traded but wouldn't look for this beer/brewery if in zip codes north of Seattle

[devildeac]

What's good for RJ199 is good for me:

Blackbeard's Bear Hug-Bell's Brewery

Not local!

Credit-RJ199's review and my Visa card
Style-rum barrel aged imperial stout with flavors (see below)
Stemware-Stella snifter from RJ199
Appearance-onyx; small tan head; some particles floating on top but not as many as the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Hornswoggler
Nose-dark rum; dark chocolate; vanilla; cinnamon
Mouthfeel-viscous
Tastes-complex interweavings of dark chocolate fudge, rum, vanilla, toasted coconut, wood, cinnamon and more rum
IBU-probably 50
ABV-a life threatening 14.4% (higher than the draft RJ199 had) and not hidden
Overall impression-pure liquid decadence; rum fudge in a glass
Ymm, Beer rating-unquestionably cat 3; happy to have 3 remaining which I'll share or sip over the next 3-6 months

[devildeac]

Arabicadabra-Bell's Brewery

Far from local!

Credit-November beer club 4 pack member
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-coffee milk stout
Appearance-dark brown; mildly foamy beige head
Nose-iced coffee
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-lotsa java; some dark, burnt caramel; earthy
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-represents the style well
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 2; if I bought a 4 pack (or half dozen), I'd sip one or two more and trade the others; worth a single or draft

[devildeac]

Day Patrol: SPO-Forgotten Road Ales

New local! (Graham, NC; opened May, 2019)

Credit-older daughter; thanks!
Format-pint can, shared two ways
Style-Salted Pomegranate Orange sour ale
Appearance-cloudy orange reddish; no head
Nose-sour (not spoiled) fruit juice
Mouthfeel-pucker!
Tastes-if such a thing as an orange pomegranate vinegar existed, this would be it; hint of sal
Overall impression-quite a creation for a six month old brewery; daughter said the raspberry sour was even better and she's not a sour drinker
Ymm, Beer rating-top rung cat 2; I'd visit this brewery anytime and have a flight and/or take home a 4 pack or two

[devildeac]

Honey Ginger-Ardent Craft Ales

Not quite local

Credit-older daughter beer deliver service paid for with my check
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared 2 ways
Style-ginger beer (d'oh)
Appearance-slightly cloudy medium to dark amber; small, off white head
Nose-ginger (double d'oh)
Mouthfeel-zing!
Tastes-pick your favorite ginger ale and this might beat it; mild sweetness and moderate ginger "warmth"
IBU-18
ABV-7.8%
Overall impression-reminds me of Fullsteam's Cackalacky but a bit sweeter with a slightly higher octane, IIRC
Ymm, Beer rating-near the top of cat 2; will continue to order/buy Ardent ales