Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Vibrant P'Ocean-Dogfish Head and Rodenbach collaboration

Credit-keen eyes and a bit of adventure
Style-flavored kettle sour and traditional Belgian sour blend
Format-12 ounce can
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip, my favorite glassware
Appearance-raspberry soda; small, fizzy head
Nose-flowers, lemon juice, berries
Mouthfeel-less pucker than I anticipated
Tastes-raspberry lemonade with minimal sweetness; flowers, dry berries; light salt
Adjuncts-(your father smells of) elderberries, elderflower, lemons, fleur-de-sel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_de_sel)
IBU-12
ABV-4.7%
Overall impression-very impressive creation
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; a sour for those who won't drink one; highly recommended, especially at <$15 for a 6er (fuse gets 3 of mine)

[devildeac]

Grandma's Secret Recipe-Wolf's Ridge Brewing Company

Credit-part of a Christmas 2 pack gift set along with Gingerbread Cookie Clear Sky; thanks, son!!
Format-bomber, divided over 2 nights
Style-spiced imperial stout
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown with an orange tine; small, tan head
Nose-grandma, was that you in the kitchen on Christmas eve?
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-a cornucopia of spices (see below); date nut cookies/balls
Adjuncts-"Grandma's Secret Recipe: our imperial stout, Dire Wolf, and infused with dates, toasted walnuts, orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and vanilla beans. This beer was inspired by the secret fruit ball cookie recipe of our head brewer's grandma!"
IBU-probably 50
ABV-10.3%; Oh my, a booze ball/cookie
Overall impression-very, very tasty liquid cookie dough
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a wonderful holiday/Valentine's nightcap; another delicious Dire Wolf variant; now, about those rum barrels...

[devildeac]

COOLSHIP resurgam-Allagash Brewing Company

Credit-the fuse north by northeast delivery service; thanks!!
Format-corked and caged 375 ml bottle
Date bottled-Nov. 7, 2018
Style-1/2/3 year old blends of French wine barrel aged farmhouse ales
Stemware-why, my cute little Allagash tulip, of course
Appearance-clean/clear straw with two fingers of Belgian lacing
Nose-funk, wet hay, apples, pears, zinfandel vinegar
Mouthfeel-oooh, tiny bubbles
Tastes-zinfandel wine vinegar, apples, pears, lemons; dry
IBU-10ish
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-a superb pairing with stuffed salmon, smashed redskin potatoes with shredded parm and bacon bits and a Casesar salad
Ymm, Beer rating-well into cat 3 land; a brilliant beer; worth a journey to Maine or your local bottle shop as some Allagash coolships beers are here!

[devildeac]

Sylvan-Brewery Bhavana

Local for me; nearby for RJ199

Credit-RJ199, of course; thanks!!
Style-wine barrel aged saison
Format-wax capped 500 ml bottle, half now, half tomorrow
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-clean; reddish amber (WTH? a saison?); few bubbles on top
Nose-vinous
Mouthfeel-a mild pucker
Tastes-berries and cherries, oh my; red zinfandel, tannins; mildly tart; hints of dark chocolate
Adjuncts-none listed
IBU-10ish
ABV-6.2%
Overall impression-to quote fuse, this is a brilliant beer; their original saison aged in red wine barrels for 2 years
Ymm, Beer rating-front and center, top shelf cat 3; I could go broke sipping this every couple weeks; highly recommended but likely not available

[devildeac]

Surf Wax (draft)-Burial Beer Company

Now, it's local

Credit-they added another taproom in Raleigh and it was time for another meet up
Style-IPA
Appearance-hazy yellow; modest, creamy head
Stemware-shaped pint glass
Nose-lots of grapefruit, pineapple and pine
Mouthfeel-this one had a mild bite to it
Tastes-tropical and citrus juices; a bit of resin
Hops-Mosaic, Citra, Chinook and Centennial (from memory)
IBU-perhaps 50
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-I don't drink enough Burial products
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 2; very tasty; as Tripping William and I commonly say, "Crowded field," and this is one of the better ones

[devildeac]

Post not being cellared for davec's Virtual Pub this Saturday:

Cerveza de Mezquite-Jester King Brewery

Surely not local

Credit-trader from RJ199; thanks!!
Format-capped 750 ml bottle; 2 night adventure
Style-mixed fermentation farmhouse ale that tasted like a sour
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-dark, clear amber 1st night with a small, fizzy head; slightly cloudy 2nd night with even smaller head
Nose-funk, wet straw, chalk with hints of nuts and vanilla
Mouthfeel-mild pucker
Tastes-pretty complex mix of pears, sour apple and cheery cider, vanilla, chalk, nuts and wet hay
Water-Texas Hill Country well water
Grains-malted barley and wheat, rolled oats
Hops-not named
Adjuncts-Mesquite beans (see above post)
Microorganisms-Brewers yeast, native yeast and bacteria (no viruses listed ) which remain unnamed
Other info-unfiltered, unpasteurized and bottle conditioned
IBU-10 sounds good
ABV-5.3%
Overall impression-a very complex, well done farmhouse/sour ale
Ymm, Beer rating-low to mid cat 3 based on complexity of aromas and tastes; will look for more Jester King brews in NC

[devildeac]

A sequestered/early review from this past weekend for the Virtual Pub

Today More Than Any Other Day-Casita Cerveceria

Fairly local

Credit-shamelessly stolen from our older daughter's fridge for hound-sitting chores
Format-pint can
Style-DIPA (davec ok'ed doubles and triples)
Stemware-standard pint glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy pineapple yellow; thick, foamy head
Nose-orange and pineapple wine cooler
Mouthfeel-citrusy/rindy bitter
Tastes-orange and pineapple juice; orange and grapefruit rinds; white wine; hints of pine
Grains-pilsner malt, raw wheat, flaked oats
Hops-Nelson Sauvin
IBUs-50 to 60 range
ABV-8%
Overall rating-another excellent Casita Cerveceria offering
Ymm, Beer rating-sneakily enters cat 3; I'm happy I bought a 4 pack of this and happy to share with family and friends-soon

[devildeac]

A weekend beer "cellared" for today's Virtual Pub:

Devil's Son IPA-Edward Teach Beer Company

Kinda local

Credit-next door neighbor for looking out for their abode whilst they dined and tasted NC coast brews; thanks!
Style-ummmm
Format-half quart can
Freshness dating-smudge
Glassware-standard pint glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy pineapple yellow with a generous head
Nose-a tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-mild bitterness
Tastes-pineapple, mango, orange, pith, rind and a bit of honey (not added)
Hops-"Citra is used heavily in the whirlpool addition and this beer is double dry hopped with Falconers Flight and Citra"
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-very solid IPA
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; if you're at the NC coast, visit the brewery and sample this one

[devildeac]

Preliminary tasting for Virtual Pub Day:

The Hemperor-New Belgium Brewing

Halfway local

Credit-it was on the shelf tonight and it's IPA day on Saturday on Ymm, Beer
Style-HPA (oops, and HPA is close to an IPA, I guess)
Format-12 ounce bottle
Freshness stuff-Enjoy by 16FEB20 (pretty close)
Glassware-standard pint glass
Appearance-looks like Fat Tire
Nose-THC; herbal; dank
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-light caramel; cannabis; herbalishious hops; orange rind; hemp, I guess
Hops-Nugget, Cascade, HBC 522 and Simcoe (ahh, HBC 522)
Grains-Pale, White Wheat and Midnight Wheat
IBU-55 (a bit surprising-I'd have guessed about 40)
ABV-7%
Overall impression-rather interesting creation, especially after fuse mentioned hemp beers a few months ago, IIRC
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 2; worth a $2 single, especially for a Ymm, Beer Virtual Pub

Here's the New Belgium explanation:

"Get ready: an exciting new offering that’ll change the way you think about hoppy beers is coming your way. The brewers at New Belgium have created a new style of IPA: The Hemperor HPA. With the popularity of hoppy beers, our brewers are always on the lookout for different hop varieties and the complexities and flavors new strains can bring. That’s where hemp comes into the picture. Without getting too nerdy, we found a unique way to recreate hemp terpene flavors in a beer, which complement the inclusion of hop flavors and hemp hearts (seeds) in a brand new, delicious way—not to mention this beer is extremely dank! The flavors and aromas are so unique that it’s a style unto itself, hence HPA®."

[devildeac]

OAD/early entry for the Ymm, Beer Virtual Pub on Saturday, IPA style

Eagle Claw Fist-Clown Shoes Beer

Boston is not local; neither is Windsor, VT

Credit-included in my February beer club 4 pack
Style-Throwback Series IPA, but, read on
Format-1/8 gallon can
Freshness stuff-brewed on 11/19/19
Appearance-medium amber ( ); moderate foamy head
Nose-caramel, pine, orange
Mouthfeel-moderate piney bitterness
Tastes-orange peel, caramel, toffee, herbal/earthy hops, resin, grapefruit
Grains-"Canadian Two Row, English Crystal, and a little English Black Patent"
Hops-Simcoe, Centennial, Columbus and Citra
IBU-60 something
ABV-8%
Overall impression-this really looks, smells and tastes like an imperial amber/red ale, but is likely a "hybrid"
Ymm, Beer rating-low level cat 2; happy to taste and review for the Virtual pub but would not revisit


Website explanation:

"Eagle Claw Fist was a part of our core lineup in the early days as a punchy Imperial Amber Ale. It was one of our favorites and we’ve missed it ever since it was retired.

We finally found an excuse (our 10th Anniversary!) to dust off the recipe and update it for 2019 with a more expressive, modern hop bill that balances strong malt flavors with notes of citrus, pine, and a touch of resin. Pick up a 4-pack and start brushing up on your Clown Shoes Kung Fu."

[devildeac]

Sequestered review for Saturday's Ymm, Beer Virtual Pub

The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg-Casita Cerveceria

Pretty close to local

Credit-keen powers of observation of local tap lists and inventories
Style-IPA (more on that below)
Format-two half pints in one container
Glassware-boring pint glass
Appearance-hazy yellow; moderate foamy head
Nose-peaches, pineapples, nectarines and melons, oh my!
Mouthfeel-juicy and smooth
Tastes-stone fruit smoothie with peaches and nectarines, complemented with mango, orange, cantaloupe and honeydew
Grains-oat malt, flaked oats, wheat and pilsner malt
Hops-Centennial, Montueka, Cashmere and Amarillo
IBU-somewhere in the 50s maybe
ABV-7%
Overall impression-another high quality brewing from CC
Ymm, Beer rating-tough to get me to put a cat 3 on an IPA but this one deserves it with its very flavorful presentation; worth a pint or draft

[devildeac]

Late entry from Virtual Pub from yesterday:

I gotta admit, even though I was on call, I couldn't resist a very small sample (2 oz) of our older son-in-law's new Burial release when he offered:

A Mortally Conscious Decay (draft)-Burial Beer Company

Really local, unless it's Asheville brewed, then it's close to local

Credit-older son-in-law
Style-DIPA
Glassware-Burial tumbler
Appearance-tropical fruit juice; small, foamy head
Nose-see appearance
Taste-see appearance; pineapple, orange, peach, mango, grapefruit, pith, rind
Hops-"Double dry-hopped with 2019 crop Cashmere, Mosaic, Simcoe and Simcoe Cryo."
IBU-44; oh, my, a DIPA with that low IBU? yes, please
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-shoulda bought a 4 pack, even at $19, but, I've got waaaay too much beer in storage
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; outstanding DIPA, rivaling some of the Veil brews I've tried

[devildeac]

Citra Mosaic Opacity-The Glass Jug Beer Lab

Pretty local

Credit-fuse traders; thanks!!
Format-pint can
Style-hazy IPA (you'll have to ask the coach why his DNP during davec's Virtual Pub IPA day)
Freshness data-no info but I'll bet <1 month old
Glassware-standard pint glass
Appearance-hazy pineapple yellow
Nose-juicy!
Mouthfeel-fruity
Tastes-peaches, mangos, pineapples and oranges, oh my!
IBU-perhaps 40 something
ABV-7.3%; wait, this was an alcoholic beverage?
Overall impression-if you blindfolded me, I'd have thought Dole or Tropicana tropical/citrus juice cocktail
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; this is a very well executed hazy IPA; delighted to have a 2nd can

[devildeac]

Sexual Chocolate 2013-Foothills Brewing Company

Credit-Tripping William from several years ago; many thanks!!; and some patience cellaring on my part
Format-bomber, shared two ways
Style-imperial stout
Stemware-mini snifters
Appearance-coal; small, tan head
Nose-dark chocolate, coffee, dark fruits
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-dark chocolate, coffee, burnt caramel, dark fruits; earthy hops
IBU-75
ABV-9.75%
Overall impression-thankfully, this didn't taste stale like the 2010 version I cellared too long; still a great beer
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; looking forward to a 2017 later this year, some recent BBA version and the new 2020 canned edition

Respectfully and organically submitted as post #25,000 on Ymm, Beer with a heartfelt tip of the snifter to all who have contributed here in years past and especially recently in the form of our Virtual Pub. May we sip, enjoy and discuss many more beers over the next several days/weeks/months/years, I remain your humble servant and beer porter/taster,


a.devildeac

[devildeac]

From a couple nights ago-vacation beer!

Collaboration Without Representation-Deep River Brewing Company

Local, but exported

Credit-working very near the craft beer store that gets first delivery of this
Style-BBA, flavored imperial stout
Format-pint can (shared 3 ways)
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-West Texas Intermediate; creamy, mocha head
Mouthfeel-thick
Nose-dark chocolate, coffee, bourbon
Tastes-semi sweet chocolate, espresso, dark fruits, burnt caramel, oak with a warm bourbon finish
Adjuncts-chocolate and coffee
IBU-oh, maybe 60
ABV-exactly 12.8%, a good sharing number
Overall impression-darn good stuff for something from Johnston County's first legal brewery
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; I still like this year after year; 4 variants were brewed, I got 3 when I arrived

[devildeac]

Festival Express-Foothills Brewing

Local? You betcha for RJ199 (and Tripping William who lives in the same/nearby zip code)

Credit-RJ199; thanks!!
Style-IPA
Format-12 ounce can (shared)
Stemware-plastic cups (sorry, traveling )
Appearance-slightly hazy yellow orange; modest foamy head
Nose-citrus, pine
Mouthfeel-mild bitterness and juiciness
Tastes-orange, pineapple, pine, rind, peaches and melons
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-5.7%; high for a session IPA, low for a standard IPA
Overall impression-very pleasant
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 2; happy to receive and trade a few of these from the 6er (fuse, are you reading this? )

[devildeac]

Sexual Chocolate 2020-Foothills Brewing

Regional for me, local for RJ199 and Tripping William

Credit-RJ199; thanks!!
Style-flavored RIS
Format-12 ounce can (shared), brand new for 2020
Serving vessel-plastic cups
Appearance-anthracite; small, mocha head
Nose-chocolate (added) and coffee (not added)
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-dark chocolate, cocoa, espresso, dark fruits, molasses and earthy hops
Adjuncts-chocolate (d'oh )
IBU-75 (SWAG), not listed this year
ABV-9.6%
Overall impression-true to expectations, an excellent tradition, now in its 11th or 12th year (?since 2009 maybe)
Ymm, Beer rating-still cat 3 for me; will report back with can#s 2-4; (calm down, fuse, RJ199 sent a 4 pack for you, too )

[devildeac]

Shake It Up-Against the Grain Brewing

Darn right local-it was delivered to our table in a pint glass right from the tap yesterday

Credit-brilliant/strategic planning
Style-creamsicle IPA (settle down, killerleft, we were in loovil yesterday)
Format-shaped pint glass; shared
Appearance-light amber with a modest, creamy () head
Nose-orange and caramel
Mouthfeel-bubbly
Tastes-upfront was caramel and citrus hops, the finish was orange sherbet
Adjuct-(SWAG)-orange peel/juic/rind
IBU-69 (surprising)
ABV-7.7%
Overall impression-nicely done for the style; more like an orange IIPA with the above metrics
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 2; takes a lot to earn that cat 3 badge these days

[devildeac]

70K-Against the Grain Brewing

really, really local as of yesterday's lunch

Credit-younger son-in-law
Format-draft; two ounce taster
Style-BBB imperial milk stout
Stemware-mini snifter
Appearance-dark and darker; small mocha head
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-silky and warm
Tastes-a liquid dark chocolate bourbon ball
Adjuncts-(SWAG) chocolate
IBU-48 (on the best chalked beer board I've ever seen)
ABV-13.1% and it felt it
Overall impression-good gracious!!
Ymm Beer rating-easy cat 3; good enough for younger son-in-law to buy a bomber and another bomber of the same stuff aged in a rare wood I can't recall

[devildeac]

Supernumerary Tripel-Against the Grain Brewery

Remaining ultra local

Credit-couldn't resist the name; plus, with a beer or three at a tailgate, I *might* tell you the rest of the story
Style-whaddaya think?
Format-pint draft
Glassware-shaped pint glass; shared
Appearance-light gold; small head
Nose-banana, clove, bubble gum
Mouthfeel-it tingled
Tastes-see nose and add apricots and oranges; very mild floral hop bitterness
Adjuncts-none to my knowledge
IBU-27
ABV-9.9%; hidden well
Overall impression-well done for the style
Ymm, Beer rating-One of my favorite styles but not quite cat 3; still, very pleasant