Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Bourbon County Brand Mon Cheri Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Ain't local

Credit-devildeac2; thank you falls far short of the level of appreciation for sharing this
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Format-500 ml bottle
Drink by-26AUG24
Appearance-dark, dark mahogany with ruby edges; small tan head
Nose-dark chocolate fudge, sweet cherries, bourbon
Mouthfeel-beyond smooth
Tastes-dark chocolate fudge, kirschwasser, Amaretto, lots of bourbon; hints of molasses and dark caramel
Adjuncts-cherries, granola, oats, brown sugar and "100% natural flavors"
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-14.1% and really, really dangerous
Overall impression-world class; worth the splurge at $25
Ymm, Beer rating-top, front and center cat 3; a stunning concoction

[devildeac]

Blink-New Anthem Beer Project

Nearby

Credit-beer #4 in my December beer club 4 pack
Style-pale ale (read on)
Format-half quart can
Freshness-????
Appearance-looks like a hazy IPA or NEIPA
Nose-smells like a hazy IPA or NEIPA
Mouthfeel-citrusy
Tastes-light pineapple/grapefruit juicy; some guava, mango pith and rind
Grains-pale malt; oats; rye
Hops-DDH Mosaic
IBU-40something
ABV-5.7%; drinks like a 7%+ brew
Overall impression-impressive pale ale that drinks like a session NEIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-midrange cat 2; quality stuff from New Anthem

[devildeac]

Dark Rye-Ardent Craft Ales

It appears I got a bottle blended from the two reviewed above . Burnt rye toast was the first impression, then chocolate followed by some molasses, dark fruits and hints of coffee as the beer warmed over about 45 minutes of sipping. IBUs were 60 and the ABV was 9.8%. The BBA version I had last year (or was it 2017 ) was easier/smoother on the palate than this version, not surprisingly. This falls in the middle of the cat 2 range for me.

[devildeac]

Silent Night 2015-Mother Earth Brewing Company

Local!!!!

Credit-mine!!
Format-750 ml corked and caged bottle
Style-BBA coffee infused imperial stout
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-dark, dark brown; no head
Nose-dark chocolate and coffee
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-dark chocolate, coffee and bourbon
IBU-50 to 60
ABV-9%; a bit low
Overall impression-high quality
Ymm, Beer rating-middle cat 3; not world class but very well done for the style


I will disqualify myself from any more reviews tonight d/t the quality and quantity of brews ingested; more tomorrow

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Prosper-Brewery Bhavana

Back to local!

Credit-a whim
Debit-$6
Format-pint can
Style-double barrel aged imperial stout
Appearance-dark chestnut; thin head
Nose-cabernet; dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-double chocolate fudge, red wine, dark berries, vanilla, wet oak; no bourbon until the last couple sips when it was near room temperature
Adjuncts-none
IBU-60ish
ABV-12.4%
Overall impression-stunning
Ymm, Beer rating-front and center of cat 3; another outstanding beverage from BB

[devildeac]

Double Barrel GBS (2018)-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for some people.

Credit-accfanfrom1970 for picking up at brewery; fuse for out of state pick up and delivery and finally, my Visa card; thanks to all!
Style-bourbon and grape brandy barrel aged spiced/flavored imperial stout
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle; shared
Appearance-dark sepia with a few bubbles on top
Nose-many spices, brandy, bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-exceedingly smooth
Tastes-brandy, bourbon, ginger zing, cinnamon, dark caramel, figs, dates, raisins, molasses; sooooooo complex
IBU-55
ABV-14.8% (whoa!!);
Adjuncts-cinnamon, ginger, honey
Overall impression-an amazing upgrade over an already spectacular stout
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; world class

[devildeac]

Well, if it was good enough for fuse today, it's good enough for me, especially when pairing with a small slice of homemade chocolate chip pecan pie:

Imperial Milk Stout-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for one frequent poster on this thread .

Credit-older daughter who "muled," err, lovingly transported several four packs of Ardent Ales last month after she visited Richmond; thanks!!
Style-d'oh
Format-12 ounce bottle
Appearance-dark chestnut; very small, tan head
Stemware-Stella snifter from RJ199 so I think of him every time I pour a beverage into this snifter
Nose-coffee; dark chocolate fudge
Mouthfeel-a bit harsh
Tastes-coffee (not added); burnt pumpernickel toast; dark caramel; molasses; dark chocolate fudge; all enhanced as it warmed
Adjuncts-none
IBU-32
ABV-10%
Overall impression-nicely executed quality brew
Ymm, Beer rating-middle to high cat 2; I'd imagine some cacao nibs, vanilla or barrel aging would smooth this out a bit

I think fuse wins the pairing for the day with Serendipity and the cranberry-cranberry cake.

[devildeac]

In no particular order/favorites:

First Frost (draft)-Fullsteam Brewery

Local!

Credit-knowledge
Format-about a 10 ounce pour, shared 3 ways
Style-fruited Belgian style strong ale
Appearance-clear amber; small, tan head
Nose-caramel, dark/dried fruits
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-I'd say persimmons, but I've never tasted one ; I'll go with raisins, dates, figs, brown sugar; hints of black pepper
Adjuncts-locally foraged persimmons
Grains-Extra Special Malt, Locally malted barley (Chocolate), Caramel 120, Locally malted barley (Munich), Locally malted barley (Foundation), Two-row brewer's malt
Hops-Crystal, Magnum
Yeast-Trappist Abbey Ale
IBU-30 something?
ABV-9%; deceptive
Overall impression-very pleasant combination of ingredients
Ymm, Beer rating-slides in cat 3; I *thin* the barrel aged version from a couple/three years ago was better but this is still very good

[devildeac]

Bananas Froster (draft)-Fullsteam Brewery

More local!

The story:

"Right as we started to brew this year's First Frost, the temperature controller on the beer's fermentation tank broke. That caused the beer to ferment at much warmer temperatures, out of spec for First Frost.

It also imparted a nice banana (estery) characteristic to the beer.

Bananas and persimmons aren't a natural pairing, and since this beer was turning out tasty (just not First Frost), we skipped the persimmons. In their place, we added cinnamon and rum-soaked oak staves to complement the beer's banana-like aroma."

Credit-fuse's suggestion from a few weeks ago
Style-flavored Belgian style dark strong ale
Format-shared 10 ounce glass
Appearance-a bit darker amber than First Frost; no head
Nose-bananas; cinnamon, dark fruits
Mouthfeel-sweet/smooth
Tastes-dates, raisins, figs, dried cherries, bananas, cinnamon
Grains-Extra Special Malt, Locally malted barley (Chocolate), Caramel 120, Locally malted barley (Munich), Locally malted barley (Foundation), Two-row brewer's malt
Hops-Crystal, Magnum
Yeast-Trappist Abbey Ale
Adjuncts-cinnamon; rum soaked oak staves
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-10.4%; even more deceptive
Overall rating-a very good save making chicken salad from chicken *&^% almost; high quality
Ymm, Beer rating-same as First Frost at cat 3; not sure which one I liked better

[devildeac]

Igor Cake (draft)-Fullsteam Brewery

Local again!

Credit-prior knowledge
Format-10 ounce glass; shared
Style-flavored imperial stout, Russian, I guess
Appearance-almost black with ruby edges; thin, tan head
Nose-Black Forest Cake with more dark chocolate than fruit
Mouthfeel-heavenly
Tastes-dark chocolate, cherry fudge; booze
Grains-Brewer's Malt, Roasted barley, Locally malted barley (Chocolate), Caramel 120, Locally malted barley (Munich), Locally malted barley (Foundation)
Hops-Bramling Cross, Magnum
Yeast-BSI A-75 Henley on Thames Ale
Adjuncts-Kirsch Rum flavoring, Sour cherry puree, Locally processed cocoa nibs
IBU-perhaps 50
ABV-9%
Overall impression-a bit better than the canned version which tasted like liquid fudge/cake
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3 but I'm not sure which I liked best today; we'll have to plan a playoff

[devildeac]

From 1/5/19:

Backwoods Bastard (bottled on 9/7/18)-Founders Brewing Company

No, this review is *not* about the cheats MBB coach.

I know this has been reviewed before but this is the 2018 version .

I was lucky enough to find a 4 pack of this at Total Wine last month for about $16 so I snapped it up, knowing that one now and one annually, whether shared or for personal consumption, is always a wise purchase.

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a snifter in the wee hours this AM showed me a dark brown liquid with a small, light tan head. A whiff or two of peat wafts to the nostrils, along with some dark caramel and bourbon. More caramel greets my tongue followed by some vanilla (not added), wood, lots of dark, dried fruits, toasted coconut, smoke and booze. This is their standard Dirty Bastard, a Scotch-style ale, that has been incarcerated in bourbon barrels for several months. No IBUs listed so I'll guess 30 (lots and lots of grains/malts here) with the ABV at 11%. One could pair this with a ribeye or filet but I was quite happy without any match.

From tonight:

Backwoods Bastard-Founders (Mahou San Miguel) Brewing Company

Let's see. Did much change in a year? Perhaps a bit smoother but the dried fruits, smoke, booze, dark caramel and some toasted coconut remain. This was a 12 ounce bottle shared 3 ways an hour ago. Highly recommended.

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Bourbon County Stout 2017-Goose Island Beer Company

The Original

It's not local: clap, clap, clap/clap/clap

Credit-younger son-on-law who "entrusted me with cellaring this after he bought it last year when the 2018 was released
Bottled on-02OCT17 09:02
Format-500 ml labeled bottle with additional raised lettering
Style-d'oh!
Stemware-five ounce snifters gifted last Christmas you younger daughter and above listed SIL; shared 4 ways
Appearance-5W20; microscopic head
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-amazingly smooth
Tastes-dark chocolate, bourbon, charred wood, dark caramel, faint smoke, toasted coconut and vanilla (neither added)
IBU-50?
ABV-14.7%; dangerous
Overall impression-not sure I could remember much difference for the 2019 we shared at the miami tailgate
Ymm, Beer rating-despite my disdain for InBev, this is still a world class beer so, cat 3

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale 2018-Goose Island Beer Company

Not nearby.

Credit-obtained by son of devildeac, but guess who paid the price?
Format-500 ml bottle; shared 3 ways
Bottled on-11AUG18 09:29
Style-BBA wheatwine ale (https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/60/)
Stemware-cute mini snifters
Appearance-medium to dark amber; thin, tan head
Nose-bourbon, butterscotch, caramel
Mouthfeel-syrupy
Taste-oh, so complex with vanilla, caramel, syrup, butterscotch, orange liqueur and bourbon, lots of bourbon
IBU-maybe 40 something, maybe less
ABV-15.4% () and definitely booze-y
Overall impression-a fabulous product; better than expected/anticipated
Ymm, Beer rating-strong cat 3; worth the $17+ tax for the bottles (yes, bottles ); an amazing beer

[devildeac]

Return to reality beer:

White-Alaskan Brewing Company

Local if you're in Juneau.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks! (I owe you a couple .)
Format-12 ounce can
Style-witbier with spices
Best by-07/15/19 A 00:20:31 (uh oh)
Stemware-tall Sam Adams White Ale glass
Appearance-slightly hazy; yellow/straw; modest, foamy head
Nose-orange and spices
Mouthfeel-bubbly
Tastes-typical wheat beer with orange, maybe coriander
Adjuncts-spices
IBU-20 something
ABV-5.3%
Overall impression-solid witbier/wheat beer
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 2; nice spring/summer porch rocker

[devildeac]

Local 1-Brooklyn Brewery

Far from local, but still Local and not lo-cal

Credit-manager's special closeout at Food Lion a few months ago for <$7 including tax
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle shared 2 ways; bottle conditioned
In small white spot on label-2096 B (shrugs); maybe best by 9/6/20 (?)
Style-strong Belgian like pale ale
Stemware-University of Delaware glass pint tankard/stein
Appearance-cloudy; light golden-yellow; billowy, generous, persistent head
Nose-apples, pears, biscuit, black pepper, clove, bubblegum, grass
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-mirror the aromas
IBU-30 to 40 something
ABV-9%
Overall impression-didn't know what to expect tastes/appearance/flavor/quality and was very pleasantly surprised
Ymm, Beer rating-couple steps inside the cat 3 border; this is a well done/conceived ale; shoulda bought more

[devildeac]

Winter-Alaskan Brewing Company

Don't even think about local .

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks!!
Format -12 ounce bottle
Best by-010120 (still fresh!)
Style-might be a winter beer
Stemware-pint glass
Appearance-clean; amber; small tan head
Nose-evergreen; toasted bread
Mouthfeel-mildly sweet
Tastes-never having tasted spruce tips before, I'll have to believe them; light brown sugar; earthy/herbal hoppiness
Adjuncts-spruce tips
Overall impression-solid seasonal ale
Ymm, Beer rating-middle tier cat 2; wouldn't travel to Maryland, err, Alaska to find but happy to have tasted

[Bob Green]

I picked up a six pack of Legend Brown Ale this afternoon. I like brown ale.

[devildeac]

I picked up a six pack of Legend Brown Ale this afternoon. I like brown ale.

Did you bring that to one of the tailgates this year? Or was that last year?

[devildeac]

Gingerbread Stout 2017 (I think)-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for some folks here.

Credit-not sure if accfanfrom1970 or duketaylor or devildeac; I'll toast all 3!!
Format-750 ml capped bottle divided over two nights
Style-flavored imperial milk stout
Stemware-my cure little Gingerbread Stout tumbler from 2018
Appearance-dark chestnut with a thick, foamy, creamy tan head
Nose-dark chocolate, ginger, cinnamon
Mouthfeel-don't get much smoother than this
Tastes-a spiced, dark chocolate shake, including ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and dark caramel
IBU-55
ABV-9.2% frighteningly sippable
Overall impression-as good as ever with the caveat being I *think* this was better fresh and in 2018; tasted slightly beyond its time
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3 when fresh or about a year old; low cat 3 if much >1 year old

If you've never had one of these, it's worth seeking out but not sure how widely it's distributed now; maybe north from Richmond to the DC/NOVA area and south to NC? If it made it to Ohio, it might calm down some of those damn Yankees from up there as they journey south...

<escapes out back door>

[devildeac]

It's been a long, long time since enjoying one of these:

Red Oak-Red Oak Brewery

Credit-leftover from some folks visiting our younger daughter and her husband over New Years
Style-Bavarian amber lager
Format-standard pint glass
Appearance-might have been amber ; smallish head
Nose-wet, herbal/earthy hops
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-light butterscotch and toffee; earthy hops; toast
Hops-Noble Spalt
Grains-Heritage Munich Malt
Adjuncts-None, dummkopf; 1516 Reinheitsgebot Purity Law applies
IBU-max of 30
ABV-5%
Overall impression-a wonderful, simple and pure lager; refreshing
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2 but I'd listen to a cat 3 nomination as it's brewed so cleanly