Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Hell or High Watermelon-21st Amendment Brewing

If SF is local...

Credit-stolen from older son-in-law at lunchtime today; thanks
Style-flavored wheat ale
Format-12 ounce can
Glassware-pint glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy yellow gold with a hint of pink; small and fizzy head
Mouthfeel-cold
Tastes-sugar free Jolly Ranch watermelon candy; hint of orange
Adjunct-might have been some watermelons harmed brewing this beer
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-4.9%
Overall impression-washed down a turkey and cheese sammich quite nicely
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 2; haven't had for several years and it was quite refreshing with a temp of 90 outside

[devildeac]

Steve Austin's Broken Skull IPA-Brewed and canned for El Segundo Brewing Company by New Realm Brewing Company

Regional, I guess

Credit-son; thanks!
Format-pint can, shared
Serving vessel-half pint sampler glass
Appearance-slightly cloudy and foamy light yellow gold
Nose-a bit of pine and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-mild bitterness
Hops-Citra (not enough), Chinook and Cascade (a bit too much)
IBU-50 something probably
ABV-6.7%
Overall impression-Stunning Steve liked budweiser so we all thought this was kinda like a bud ipa; 'cuz Stone Cold says so!
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 2; a bit of a novelty; helped me cut fruit and grate cheese to help prepare dinner

[devildeac]

Trail Mojo-Booneshine Brewing Company

Kinda local

Credit-another steal from our older son-in-law; thanks !
Style-DIPA
Format-16 ounces sequestered temporarily in aluminum; shared
Glassware-half pint glass
Appearance-light yellow bronze; somewhat billowy head
Mouthfeel-a mild bite
Tastes-grapefruit, pine, stone fruit
Grains-Pilsen, CaraPils, C10
Hops-single (rotating); anonymous
IBU-probably 60
ABV-8%
Overall impression-solid offering
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; paired well with shrimp and grits and a splash or three of Frank's Red Hot Sauce

[devildeac]

Wanderlush-Highland Brewing Company

Local enough!

Credit-stolen from older son-in-law's 6er after lunch today (hey, we fed them last PM ); thanks!
Style-"hazy adventure ale" (it sez so on the can); it's really a session IPA
Format-12 ounce can
Drinking vessel-pint glass
Appearance-minimally hazy yellow gold; moderate head
Nose-melon, lemon and orange
Mouthfeel-minimal bit; a bit juicy
Tastes-cantaloupe, watermelon, peach, lemon candy
Hops-"CENTENNIAL, EKUANOT, SIMCOE, AND AMARILLO"
Grist-"2-ROW, MALTED WHEAT, FLAKED WHEAT, AND FLAKED OATS"
IBU-45
ABV-5.6%
Overall impression-mattman (IIRC) was on target as this is a solid beer for the style; not exciting but well brewed
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; I can't think of any session IPAs I'd give a cat 3 but this would place well with some of the other ones in a tasting/testing

[devildeac]

Nightcap last PM:

A Cursed Path to Nowhere-Burial Beer Company

Calling it local is fine with me.

Credit-our son received this as a trader from a friend last week and shared it with me; thanks!!
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-500 ml bottle
Serving vessels-snifters, of course
Appearance-dark, dark brown with a wispy tan head
Scents-cinnamon and coffee
Mouthfeel-roasty bitter and a bit thin
Tastes-leads with cinnamon and coffee followed by vanilla and a bit of chocolate covered nuttiness
Adjuncts-coffee, vanilla beans, salted hazelnuts and cinnamon
IBU-35
ABV-12.5% (whoa!), yet quite smooth and no alcohol burn
Overall impression-very well concocted
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; not much from Burial is cheap and I'd guess this was $15+ but it was an outstanding pour

[devildeac]

Saison de Pierre Delecto-Fullsteam Brewery

Yep, Derm is local

Credit-next to last birthday gift from last month from our part time office nurse; thanks!
Style-flavored saison/farmhouse ale
Format-pint can
Freshness stuff-4/13/2020 4051 4052
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-slightly cloudy, light yellow gold; moderate foamy head
Aromas-apples, pears, light citrus and peach
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-slightly underripe apples and pears, a splash of OJ, a drop of peach schnapps and flowers though I've never nibbled on an elderflower
Adjuncts-elderflowers
IBU-less than 30
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-highly palatable; nice pairing with a shrimp Caesar salad
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2 because it was quite the palate pleaser

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Rising Haze IPA-Highland Brewing Company

I'll go with semi-local

Credit-stolen from older son-in-law; thanks!
Style-d'oh!
Format-12 ounce can
Sipping vessel-pint glass
Appearance-light yellow gold; moderate, foamy head
Scents-citrus and tropical juice
Mouthfeel-slightly bitter
Tastes-pineapple, orange, zest, peach, apricot and a hint of pine
Grist-"2-ROW, MALTED WHEAT, FLAKED WHEAT, CARAPILS, & MALTED RYE"
Hops-"MOSAIC, EKUANOT, GALAXY, CITRA, CENTENNIAL, & APOLLO;" quite an appealing blend
IBU-35; I'd have thought a bit higher
ABV-7%
Overall impression-well done, HBC
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; paired well with a grilled/spicy chicken salad; would readily steal another of these

If mattman previously mentioned/reviewed this, he gets partial credit here, too.

[devildeac]

For Virtual Pub on Saturday:

Murphy's Imported Stout Draught Style-Brewed and canned by Caledonian Brewery under supervision of Murphy's Brewery

Credit-my $2.29 for the beer of the day on Saturday as named by Nrrrrvous
Style-c'mon now
Format-14.9 ounce can with the "ingenious floating draughtflow system"
Stemware-pint glass could barely contain it
Appearance-dark brown with a creamy tan head that was less than expected
Nose-heavily roasted grains
Mouthfeel-creamy
Tastes-almost burnt everything including toast, wheat, barley, caramel and toffee
Adjuncts-plastic floating widget thingy
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-4%
Overall impression-pretty classic stuff (since 1856)
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; nothing exciting but a standard for the dry Irish stout style

[devildeac]

Dance in the Sun-Wise Man Brewing

We used to live there so it's still "local"

Credit-RJ199; thanks!!
Style-Kölsch ale
Format-pint can
Freshness stuff-canned on 6/3/2020 L1 16:58
Glassware-shaped Dogfish Head pint glass
Appearance-clear/clean, light yellow gold; modest fizzy head
Nose-flowers, biscuits
Mouthfeel-bubbly
Tastes-mostly floral with hints of lemon, apple, straw and light caramel
Grain-German pilsner (? others not listed)
Hops-Noble Saaz (? others not listed)
IBU-25
ABV-4.9%
Overall impression-I'd like to side by side this with a true German Kölsch as this was quite good, meeting or perhaps exceeding expectations
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; it wasn't exciting but I really enjoyed it with a BBQ chicken salad because it is a well brewed product

[devildeac]

For Saturday's Virtual Pub:

Guinness Extra Stout-Guinness and Company

Credit-staying on topic
Style-see above
Format-12 ounce bottle
Glassware-shaped Dogfish Head pint glass
Freshness data-buncha numbers with no clue what they mean
Appearance-10W30; small, tan head
Nose-heavily roasted grain
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-pretty similar to Murphy's with burnt everything including grains, coffee (not added), molasses (not added)
IBU-perhaps 40
ABV-5.6%
Overall impression-I hated this when introduced to it in college many decades ago but now appreciate its wonderful history, style and flavors
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; this is an absolute classic stout that any beer drinker should try at least once

[devildeac]

Every once in a while, you buy/receive as a trader or gift, a beer that raises a eyebrow wondering what to expect. Tonight's dinner beer was one of those.

M 43-Old Nation Brewing Company (Williamston, MI)

Local? Nope! Who are these folks?

Credit-RJ199; many thanks!!
Style-NEIPA from their New Orthodox IPA Series
Format-tall boy can
Freshness stats-M 43 PKG on 0smudged dots/22/20 08:53:48
Stemware-boring pint glass; would have been better in a shaped pint glass or snifter
Appearance-the yellow brown when a pineapple is overripe; moderate, foamy head
Nose-hey, this is getting really interesting now; pineapple, grapefruit and a buncha stone fruits
Mouthfeel-pretty juicy
Tastes-even more intriguing; pineapple, grapefruit, lots of peaches and tangerines, strawberries and some pith, rind and pits (yes, pits)
Malt-pils, wheat and oat
Boil hops-Calypso, Amarillo and Citra
Dry hop-Citra, Amarillo and Simcoe
IBU-65
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-a fantastic blending of grains and hops with an amazing assortment of flavors; quite a surprising NEIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-slides well into cat 3; each sip got more fruity and juicy with minimal bitterness; I wouldn't have thought 98 on beeradvocate but this is outstanding

Deserves a second round of applause for RJ199. High praise.

[devildeac]

From last PM; for Virtual Pub today:

Stock Ale-Open Gate Brewery/Guinness Brewing Company

Closer than Dublin but still not quite local.

Credit-why, it's Irish beer themed Virtual Pub and I couldn't resist this one
Style-not just any stock ale but a stock ale that's a blend of Guinness' imperial stout AND barleywine ale (who knew they brewed either, let alone both?), both aged in Bulleit bourbon barrels
Format-11.2 ounces on these shores (330 ml from abroad); $20/4 pack
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-clean/clear dark brown with hints of ruby; small tan head
Mouthfeel-a bit thin, but not surprising given it's blending; smooth
Tastes-quite complex; dark roast grains, leather, tobacco, chocolate, burnt toffee, vanilla, wood, raisins, dates, figs and dark cherries
IBU-guessing about 60
ABV-10%; quite a smooth sipper over probably 45 minutes
Overall impression-delighted to have 3 more of these to age over the next 6-12 month or maybe trade one or two
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; worth finding; different than the "original" Guinness stout (imported from Dublin and aged in Bulleit barrels in Baltimore) without barleywine from maybe 2018

[devildeac]

Last of the day for Irish Virtual Pub:

Guinness Draught Stout-Guinness and Company

Local? Kidding, right?

Credit-an empty spot in my 4 pack carrier earlier this week, an Irish-themed pub and $2.29 extra in my pocket (plus tax)
Style-if you don't know by now...
Format-14.9 ounce can (ml not listed ) with "the famous round plastic widget"
Stemware-pint glass
Appearance-dark brown; moderately large, creamy tan head
Nose-heavily roasted grains
Mouthfeel-nitro smooth
Tastes-chocolate, coffee, burnt toffee/caramel, overcooked grains
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-not listed (WTH?) so I'll guess 5.6% as printed on the bottle of the original Guinness I had earlier in the week
Overall impression-classic stuff here; not quite like at a pub from a nitro pull but still very good
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2 based on style and authenticity; if you've never had one, it's worth the couple bucks

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Boss Tweed-Old Nation Brewing Company

This brewery's postal code is not nearby.

Credit-a trader from RJ199; very much appreciated
Style-DIPA from their New Orthodox IPA Series
Serving size-16 ounce can
Freshness stuff-Boss Pkg on 05/24/20 07:08:59
Serving vessel-Stella snifter, of course, the beer's from RJ199
Appearance-somewhat overripe pineapple juice/pulp with a frothy head
Mouthfeel-almost a fruit salad smoothie
Tastes-more tropical, citrus and stone fruit juiciness with peach, tangerine, cantaloupe, pineapple and grapefruit
Malt-pils, wheat, oat, Vienna
Boil hops-Magnum, Simcoe, Citra and Mosaic
Dry hop-Simcoe, Citra, Mosaic and Azzacca
IBU-68
ABV-9.3% (another fruit juicy beer smoothie )
Overall impression-my second Old Nation brew and another winner
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; if I ever find a couple/three of these in Raleigh, there'll have to be a side by side with some Burial stuff

Another excellent RJ199/Stella connection; a second thank you!!

[devildeac]

Pacific Time-Wooden Cask Brewing Company (founded by Randy Schlitz and...) Uh-oh!

Local? Nope.

Credit-from a neighbor's beer club July sampler
Style-American IPA (uh-oh)
Format-12 ounce bottle
Drinking vessel-pint glass
Appearance-clean light bronze amber; smallish, off white head
Nose-pine and resin (uh-oh)
Tastes-more pine and resin (no soap!); hints of grapefruit and orange; light caramel
Malts-2 Row, wheat, Crystal 40
Hops-Bravo, Columbus and Centennial (uh-oh)
IBU-50; not unpleasant
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-"If you are in the area, please stop by and check out our taproom;" (uh-oh, no thanks)
Ymm, Beer rating-pretty mediocre showing for the style; maybe high cat 1; no drain pour but a bit tough to finish

[devildeac]

From last PM; really:

Golden Milk Stout (in smaller print, aka as Spiced Blonde Stout)-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Credit-a timely birthday brew/gift from the irrepressible fuse; enjoyed belatedly; many thanks!!
Style-ummmm
Format-pint can
Freshness metrics-canned on 6/11/2020L1 11:57
Drinking vessel-snifter
Appearance-cloudy, medium amber; generous tan head
Nose-cinnamon coffee
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-a spiced coffee/tea blend?; cinnamon and coffee first, then hints of chocolate, coconut and a blend of spices
Adjuncts-lactose, oatmeal, toasted coconut, coffee beans, tumeric and spices (not named)
IBU-probably 40
ABV-6.2%
Overall impression-well blended/constructed
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; very nicely conceived and executed; would seek out and certainly buy again

[devildeac]

Batch 202-Dick's Brewing Company (for real)

Credit-neighbor with a mail order beer club membership; thanks!
Style-Northwest IPA (uh-oh)
Format-12 ounce bottle
Glassware-pint glass (didn't deserve anything "fancy")
Appearance-murky amber; moderate, foamy head
Mouthfeel-bitter
Tastes-pine, resin, hints of grapefruit and soap
Malts-2 Row, Crystal 60, Carapils
Hops-Simcoe, Cascade, Citra, Amarillo
IBU-60
ABV-6%
Overall impression-a mediocre effort at a west coast IPA, surprising given the hops used
Ymm, Beer rating-can't decide between upper cat 1 or lower cat 2; would not order/seek out

[devildeac]

Future Classic-Commonwealth Brewing Company

Credit-one of RJ199's traders from last month; thanks!!
Style-labeled DIPA but could easily fit in the NEDIPA shoebox
Format-1/2 quart can
Stemware-if it came from RJ199, it almost has to be in a Stella snifter
Appearance-a DelMonte tropical fruit juice
Aromas-pineapple papaya juice
Mouthfeel-blenderized fruit salad
Tastes-pineapple, papaya, mango, mandarin orange and peach
Hops-Strata, Citra and Hallertau Blanc
IBU-none listed but I'll guess about 50
ABV-8.5% (a beer smoothie)
Overall impression-another fine, fine Commonwealth offering
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; sometime, I'm going to acquire a couple/three Burial and/or Veil IIPAs and side by side with a Commonwealth brew

[devildeac]

Citrannati-Wooden Cask Brewing Company (Newport, KY on the Ohio River)

Not local

Credit-neighbor from his July beer club 12 pack; thanks!
Style-DIPA
Format-12 ounce bottle
Drinking vessel-pint glass
Appearance-medium amber; moderate head
Nose-pine and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-rather bitter
Tastes-about as expected with pine, resin, some orange zest and grapefruit; mild caramel
Malts-2 Row, Crystal 120 and Cara Malt
Hops-Bravo, Centennial, Columbus, Simcoe and Citra (too much of the first 3 and not enough of the last 2)
IBU-75
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-better than Pacific Time as it's a DIPA and Simcoe and Citra hops are added to the other
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 2; too much of a west coast style and not a very good one either; decent pairing with a homemade corn and black bean quesadilla

[devildeac]

Getting behind on some recent beer reviews; feeling like mattman :

Meyer Lemon Meringue/Kettle-Soured Saison-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Credit-RJ199; many thanks!!
Style-above but, given the ingredients below, you *could* call this a milkshake saison (especially if killerleft is paying attention)
Format-pint can
Stemware-went with my oversized Ommegang tulip which holds 16 ounces if you're really careful with the pour
Appearance-hazy, lemon amber with a quickly disappearing, fizzy head
Nose-lemon meringue pie (somewhat real, somewhat power of suggestion )
Mouthfeel-a bit of a pucker
Tastes-lemon meringue pie with some sour, some sweet, some vanilla and some graham cracker
Adjuncts-c*rolina culture yogurt (no cheating), lactose (milkshake!), fresh Meyer lemons and vanilla beans (more milkshake stuff!!)
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-6.2%
Overall impression-like drinking a lemon-vanilla milkshake pie; wonderful creation
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3 for me; would readily put a 4 pack of this in the mixed case if available and I ever get to the brewery (or get delivery)