Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Trebuchet-Gizmo Brew Works

Yep, local!

Credit-older daughter and her husband; Christmas gift 2018; thanks!!
Format-bomber
Brewed on-12/2018
Style-a type of catapult, I mean, barleywine
Appearance-dark amber; clear; moderate caramel head
Nose-dark caramel, cherries, syrup
Mouthfeel-almost syrupy
Tastes-burnt butterscotch, earthy/herbal hops, dark caramel, cherries
IBU-61 (Untappd)
ABV-9.3% in label description; 10.1% Untappd; 10.3% on bottom of label;
Overall impression-a very good barleywine, more English than American
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; glad I waited a year to uncap.

[devildeac]

BBA St. Benedict's-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Close to local!

Credit-prior reviews by fuse and Tripping William; my Visa card; thanks to all!
Format-half pint draft
Style-flavored Belgian like dubbel
Appearance-dark brown with a small caramel head
Nose-dark fruits and bourbon
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-up front bourbon, followed by cocoa, coffee and lots of dried, dark fruits
Adjuncts-chocolate, coffee, oats
IBU-probably about 30
ABV-a surprisingly "low" 7.2%; punches well above its weight
Overall impression-the original is excellent; this variant is superb
Ymm, Beer rating-middle shelf cat 3; worth seeking out; Bottle Rev had no cans left but if August West found a 4 pack in Durham...

[devildeac]

Javafruitcake-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Darn near local!

Credit-a whim
Format-half quart can
Style-flavored milk stout
Freshness-canned on 11/08/2019; 12:01:03
Appearance-mahogany; small, tan head
Nose-is it breakfast/dessert time yet?
Mouthfeel-mildly viscous
Tastes-coffee first, then dark/dried fruits, burnt caramel, cinnamon, spices, more coffee, molasses, dark chocolate milk
Adjuncts-lactose, sweet cherries, brandied raisins, orange peel, cinnamon, allspice, coffee
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-a boozy slice of fruitcake, washed down with a cup of espresso
Ymm, Beer rating-I can't rate everything from Haw River a cat three so I'll set this on the top shelf, front row of cat 2; worth the entire 4 pack

[devildeac]

Javafruitcake-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Darn near local!

Credit-yes, the Visa card
Format-pint can
Style-heavily adjuncted milk stout
Appearance-very dark with a creamy beige head
Nose-fruitcake (d'oh!)
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-coffee, cake, chocolate milk, dark fruits, Christmas/holiday spices
Adjuncts-lactose, sweet cherries, brandied raisins, orange peel, cinnamon, allspice and coffee beans; no nuts or pineapple
IBU-probably 30
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-another wonderful Haw River creation
Ymm, Beer rating-bottom shelf cat 3; if you don't like fruitcake, it's a cat 2; I'd eat/drink a pound/pint of the stuff; worth the entire 4 pack for about $18, but I might trade 1 or two...

[Bob Green]

Starr Hill Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale

Enjoyable. A small after taste.

[devildeac]

Starr Hill Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale

Enjoyable. A small after taste.

Maple syrup/flavor in a brown ale sounds pretty good.

[devildeac]

The Mad Elf-Troegs Brewing

Credit-my memories of Christmas past, a good price and a Visa card
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-flavored Belgian type strong ale (most likely)
Appearance-cherry soda with a thin, fizzy head
Nose-sweet and sour cherries
Mouthfeel-mild alcohol burn
Tastes-"light" cherry brandy/liqueur; honey; caramel
IBU-15
ABV-11%; it burns a wee bit
Hops-Saaz; Hallertau
Yeast-spicy Belgian
Adjuncts-cherries; honey
Overall impression-totally worth the $2.50/bottle, or $15 for the 6er
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; a beer I haven't tasted for about 5 years; will be happy to sip a couple more and trade the rest

[devildeac]

Javanog-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

From a nearby zipcode

Credit-knowledge, adventure and being nowhere near my credit limit this month
Format-pint can
Style-really? java? nog? holiday season? (it's listed on the label as a coffee cream stout )
Appearance-dark, dark brown; the java triumphs over the nog
Nose-coffee; cream; spices
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-as the nose goes; nutmeg; milk chocolate; rum (it is rum barrel aged); vanilla; cream
Adjuncts-lactose, nutmeg, vanilla beans and coffee beans; no eggs were harmed in brewing this ale
IBU-48 (higher than perceived)
ABV-7.2% (lower than perceived; this has a pretty stiff punch)
Overall impression-Santa would highly approve and likely want more than one
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 3; worth seeking; a great concoction to sip with family and friends this season

[devildeac]

Blizzard of Hops-Troegs Independent Brewing

Local if you're in Hershey

Credit-memory and $2 cash
Format-12 ounce can
Style -Winter IPA
Appearance-light yellow gold; clear; meringue-y head
Nose-lemon and grapefruit juices
Mouthfeel-mild citrusy bitter
Tastes-citrusy juicy; pith; lemon zest; pine; hint of sweetness
Hops-Centennial, Chinook, Galaxy, El Dorado
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-inexpensive quality winter/white IPA
Ymm, Beer rating-middle tier cat 2; Troegs brews solid beers

[devildeac]

I asked Santa and he approved of this* as a Christmas/holiday beverage for Ymm, Beer's Virtual Pub:

Dragon's Milk Reserve Oatmeal Cookie-New Holland Brewing

Several hundred miles from local!

Credit-a whim
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-BBA imperial stout with additives
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-mahogany; frothy tan head
Aromas-grandma's holiday baking day
Mouthfeel-very smooth
Tastes-cookie spices, dark/dried fruits, dark chocolate, coffee (not added), bourbon, dark caramel, vanilla
Adjuncts-cinnamon, raisins, brown sugar, oats, vanilla extract
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-11%; dangerous
Overall impression-liquid cookie dough/batter, drizzled with bourbon
Ymm, Beer rating-I'll slide this into cat 3; very happy to share/trade/store for 3 or 4 months

*-the fat old fella also said he expected to have a bottle of this waiting for him on Christmas eve

[devildeac]

Minor Field Adjustment-Bond Brothers Brewing Company

Local!

Credit-location, location, location
Style-dry hopped golden sour
Stemware-10 ounce snifter
Appearance-peachy, hazy with a smallish head
Nose-sour apricots
Mouthfeel-mild pucker
Tastes-reminds me of Taxman's Apricot Cache Flow without the Brett funk; mildly tart/sour; apricots and other stone fruits; wet wood
Hops-Amarillo
IBU-25; a tad high for a sour
ABV-75; also a tad high for a sour
Overall impression-a foeder aged sour? yes, please; high quality stuff
Ymm, Beer-solid cat 3 (great minds and all that stuff )

Another enjoyable sipping out on Bond Brothers patio with fuse with temps in the low 60s in mid-December

[devildeac]

Comic Sans Retaliation-Bond Brothers Beer Company

We were identical strangers with our independent orders this evening .

Yep, more local!

Credit-location3
Style-NEIPA
Appearance-hazy pineapple yellow; thin head
Nose-tropical fruit juice
Mouthfeel-mild rindy bitterness
Tastes-pineapple, papaya, mango, orange, rinds
IBU-70 (no way!)
ABV-7%
Overall impression-another BBBC winner
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3; I'd have bought a 4 pack of this and the sour if they canned either/both

[devildeac]

CBS-Founders (Mahou San Miguel) Brewing Company

Nowhere near local

Credit-not sure if this is a son of devildeac credit or August West; thanks to both as I have two 4 packs!
Bottled on-10/02/19
Style-flavored maple syrup/bourbon barrel aged imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-Founders snifter
Appearance-mahogany with a foamy beige head
Nose-coffee, dark chocolate, bourbon, maple syrup
Mouthfeel-fudgy
Tastes-mirror the aromas; dark caramel; molasses
Adjuncts-coffee, chocolate
IBU-(shrugs)-maybe 50
ABV-11.3%
Overall impression-worth the hype, even if it is the last brewing of this for about the 5th time
Ymm, Beer-strong cat 3; world class; worth the $6/bottle

The main difference with this and the tailgate review/s are the serving temps. I think the tailgate sampling was at about 45 degrees or less with no chance for warming. Last PM, I chilled a bottle for about 15 minutes in the fridge, poured and sipped over about 45 minutes, pretty near room temperature for most of the tasting. World of difference with the flavors.

[devildeac]

Drip Drop-Otter Creek Brewing Company

Far from local!

Credit-item #1 from December beer club 4 pack
Style-coffee stout; or maybe stout coffee
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-101119 5917M
Appearance-dark brown with a foamy beige head
Nose-there *might* be some coffee in this beer; or maybe some beer in this coffee
Mouthfeel-a bit thin but smooth
Tastes-exactly as anticipated with heavy java, roasty bitterness and baker's chocolate
Adjuncts-ummmm, coffee anyone?
IBU-guessing 40
ABV-5.6%
Overall impression-reminds me of Sierra Nevada Coffee Stout which is nice company to keep
Ymm, Beer rating-middle cat 2; a nice inclusion in a winter beer club 4 pack; would happily sip again

[devildeac]

Photon Sphere-Olde Hickory Brewery

Text message session from last week:

devildeac to son of devildeac: "Is this beer really worth $22 for a 4 pack?"

son of devildeac: "Yep. I think it's awesome!"

Annnnnnd, into the shopping cart it went...

Credit-above
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Bottling date-05/30/19
Stemware-snifter, of course
Appearance-dark, dark brown; moderately frothy, tan head
Nose-dark chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla
Mouthfeel-slick
Tastes-in sync with the aromas, plus molasses (not added), coffee (not added), bourbon and ending with a bit of heat (added-see below)
Adjuncts-honey, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa and habanero peppers ()
IBU-probably about 50; lots of heavily roasted grains here
ABV-11.91% ()
Overall impression-I'm coming around; the heat is mild and only apparent as the beer warms at the end of the last few sips
Ymm, Beer rating-I'm sliding this into cat 3; I think Tripping William and RJ199 would rate higher and fuse a bit lower; I have 3 left if there's any interest...

[devildeac]

Orange Meringue Gose-HiWire Brewing (brewed and canned by Three Ring Brewing Company)

Kinda local.

Credit-beer #3 in my December beer club 4 pack
Style-must you ask?
Format-12 ounce can
Freshness metrics-canned on 10/22/19
Appearance-clear; pale orange yellow; blink and you miss the bubbles
Nose-orange soda
Mouthfeel-bubbly and slightly briney
Tastes-orange popsicle; tangy; lemon lime; a pinch of salt
Adjuncts-blood oranges, tangerines, orange peel; pink Himalayan salt; coriander
IBU-5ish
ABV-4.2%
Overall impression-solid repping of the style
Ymm, Beer rating-middle of cat 2

[devildeac]

Bladow!-Casita Cerverceria

I'll go with local.

Credit-older daughter and her husband; thanks!
Style-coffee imperial milk breakfast stout shake ('splained below)
Format-pint can ($5); I got a three ounce pour (I wuz robbed!)
Appearance-Pennzoil
Nose-strong coffee; dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-see appearance (oats involved here)
Tastes-liquid dark chocolate fudge; java; dark caramel
Adjuncts-oats, lactose (hence the milk stout), coffee and, astoundingly, no cocoa/chocolate listed
IBU-50 something (WAG)
ABV-11.5%; IOW, a booze-y, dark chocolate milkshake
Overall impression-superb; dessert in a glass
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; I may look for a 4 pack of this during the week

[devildeac]

Christmas Bomb!-Prairie Artisan Ales

Not local.

Credit-devildeac2; thanks!!
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle ($10, I think); divided among three tasters; I was allotted two ounces
Appearance-dark, dark brown; thin, tan head
Nose-lots of spices, mostly cinnamon
Mouthfeel-smoooooooth
Tastes-cinnamon, dark chocolate fudge; dark caramel; slight ginger zing
Adjuncts-cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg
IBU-65
ABV-13% (good reason I was only *allowed* two ounces)
Overall impression-such a well done ale
Ymm, Beer rating-another cat 3; very, very happy to have tasted this

[devildeac]

More sour stuff:

Black Angel-Wicked Weed (InBev) Brewing

Sorta local.

Credit-a trader (or gift) from RJ199; many thanks!!
Format-a shapely 500 ml bottle that was both capped and corked
Freshness-bottled on 07/13/18; 103009; 16:14:18
Style-bourbon barrel aged and fruited sour
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalices; rinsed and repeated
Appearance-dark burgundy; small, thin head
Nose-cherry vinegar
Mouthfeel-a bit more tart than Shady Grove
Tastes-sour/tart cherries, black pepper, fruited vinegar, mild bourbon
Adjuncts-1.5 pounds per gallon of Montmorency cherries
IBU-10ish
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-an excellent concoction from the Funkatorium; I believe RJ199 promised I'd really like this and he was correct
Ymm, Beer rating-easy placement in cat 3; tough to decide whether we liked Shady Grove or this better; we'll call it a draw

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Bourbon Barrel Dire Wolf-Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Bought local, delivered local.

Credit-devildeac2; THANKS!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-bomber
Packaged on-Sep/19/2019
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-inky; modest creamy tan head
Nose-dark chocolate fudge; dark caramel; burnt grains; bourbon
Mouthfeel-20W50
Tastes-liquid, dark chocolate fudge, espresso (not added), burnt caramel and grains and warming bourbon; all more pronounced once it hit about 55 degrees
Overall impression-decadent; the base beer is excellent and this version is superb
Ymm, Beer rating-easily cat 3; one of the better BBA imperial stouts I've had