Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From last PM:

12 Dogs of Christmas-Thirsty Dog Brewing Company

Credit-same as 2019; thanks!!
Style-rum* barrel aged and spiced winter warmer
Format-500 ml* pear shaped bottle, shared 3 ways
Glasses-small snifters
Appearance-dark, cloudy amber; small head
Nose-spiced rum
Mouthfeel-a bit sweet
Tastes-(all added) honey, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg (maybe), dark rum, dark brown sugar
Adjuncts-^^^^
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-10.4%
Overall impression-pretty similar to above; son liked BBA version better but I thought pretty equal
Ymm, Beer rating-still a mid cat 3; buy one if you see it

*=new for 2020

[devildeac]

Leftover from New Year's Eve Eve:

Christmas Island 2019-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the RVA beer guy to order/pick up/deliver.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; huge thanks!!
Style-rum barrel aged GBS variant
Format-750 ml bottle, corked and caged and shared 3 ways
Stemware-chalices
Appearance-darker and foamier than a cola
Nose-ginger, rum and booze
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-all the standard GBS goodies enhanced by dark, rummy notes and coconut
Adjuncts-ginger, cinnamon, honey and lactose
IBU-55
ABV-11.5% (a liquid rum cookie)
Overall impression-certainly a contender for a GBS Complete Set favorite
Ymm, Beer rating-easily mid cat 3 and maybe playing with the big boyz on the top shelf; really looking forward to the 2020 version in about 11 months...

[devildeac]

Wednesday nightcap:

Bourbon County Brand Proprietor's Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Not far from local for the Midwest beer mule.

Credit-younger son-in-law; huuuuge thanks!!
Style-BBA and flavored imperial stout
Format-500 ml bottle, shared 3 ways
Drink by-16OCT22 0825
Sipping vessels-cute snifters
Appearance-somewhat viscous
Nose-chocolate, cherries and bourbon
Mouthfeel-ooooohhhhhh
Tastes-a handful of pistachios and Bing cherries soaked in bourbon for a while then dipped in semisweet chocolate; some char and molasses
Adjuncts-pistachios, cherries and cacao nibs
IBU-likely 50
ABV-14.2% (this stuff starts catching up with you 15 to 30 minutes after your sipping starts)
Overall impression-frighteningly good; thinking his mixed 6er was about $105 and IIRC, included 2 originals and 4 variants as he did not get all of them
Ymm, Beer rating-easily reaches mid cat 3 and snoops around the top shelf for a while; better "value" than the Dark Lords

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Dinner beer last PM:

Cellar Door no. 14-Brewery Bhavana

Local, indeed.

Credit-RJ199 from his generous allotment,, both from Brewery Bhavana and his kindness; many thanks!!
Style-Brettanomyces conditioned, Solera/oak foeder fermented golden farmhouse ale since 2016
Format-750 ml capped bottle shared 3 ways
Stemware-2 chalices and a tulip
Appearance-first two pours of 250 ml each were crisp, clean and golden; the third pour (mine) was mildly cloudy (not a weather reference) from sediment
Nose-Brett funk/wet hay, apples and pears
Mouthfeel-tart yet fruity
Tastes-slightly underripe apples and pears, splash of lemon juice, straw/funk, oak and vinous
IBU-probably <10
ABV-6%
Overall impression-outstanding product; wonderful pairing with baked lemon dijon salmon, steamed carrots/green beans and Basmati rice
Ymm, Beer rating-easily mid cat 3; sure hope they can come back in business; RJ199 got a great, great deal when he got 9 months membership for 6 months $$.

[devildeac]

Dessert #1 last PM:

Darkness-Surly Brewing Company

Definitely not local.

Credit-younger son-in law; many thanks!!
Style-rum barrel aged flavored imperial stout
Format-pint can, one of two that an adult beverage store received near him just before Christmas; shared 3 ways
Drinking containers-small snifters
Appearance-darkness; thin, tan head
Nose ticklers-chocolate, vanilla, coffee and a seductive liquor from the Caribbean
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-dark, dark chocolate (not added), strong espresso, vanilla, rum, dark brown caramel and a hint of coconut
Adjuncts-two different coffees, vanilla beans and coconut
IBU-probably 50
ABV-12% (exceedingly dangerous)
Overall impression-high, high regards for my first sip of any of the Darkness variants from this brewery
Ymm, Beer rating-mighty close to the top shelf of the cat 3 label; super delicious concoction and highly grateful to have shared

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Bourbon County Brand Kentucky Fog Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Local for the Christmas beer mule.

Credit-younger son in law from his mixed Gooser 6er; very grateful for his delivery and sharing
Style-flavored variant of BCS
Format-500 ml bottle shared 3 ways
Drinkn by-13AUG22 08:20
Stemware-we are wearing out our cutie snifters
Appearance-a bit thinner than the original; nearly no head
Nose-strong tea, stronger chocolate (not added) and bourbon
Mouthfeel-slippery
Tastes-strong, dark tea, semisweet chocolate, bourbon, char, black strap molasses
Adjuncts-Earl Grey and black teas (leaves, not brewed); honey (hey, why not?)
Overall impression-fascinating variant; perhaps a tad below the Original and the 2020 "spumoni" BCS with pistachios and cherries but better than the 2018 orange
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; really enjoyed the wonderful blending

[devildeac]

Bourbon County Brand Kentucky Fog Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Local for the Christmas beer mule.

Credit-younger son in law from his mixed Gooser 6er; very grateful for his delivery and sharing
Style-flavored variant of BCS
Format-500 ml bottle shared 3 ways
Drinkn by-13AUG22 08:20
Stemware-we are wearing out our cutie snifters
Appearance-a bit thinner than the original; nearly no head
Nose-strong tea, stronger chocolate (not added) and bourbon
Mouthfeel-slippery
Tastes-strong, dark tea, semisweet chocolate, bourbon, char, black strap molasses
Adjuncts-Earl Grey and black teas (leaves, not brewed); honey (hey, why not?)
Overall impression-fascinating variant; perhaps a tad below the Original and the 2020 "spumoni" BCS with pistachios and cherries but better than the 2018 orange
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; really enjoyed the wonderful blending

[devildeac]

Good riddance 2020/Happy New Year 2021 beer:

Bourbon County Brand Midnight Orange 2018-Goosed again

Local for son in law.

Credit-^^^^; muled in Christmas eve; thanks, thanks and thanks!
Style-flavored BCS
Format-500 ml bottle, shared 3 ways
Bottled on-19SEP18 10:51
Sipping cups-small snifters, cleaned many, many times
Appearance-straight from the crankcase
Nose-wonderful bourbon, dark chocolate and orange
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-dark, dark chocolate, bourbon, hints of orange as it warmed, burnt caramel
Adjuncts-orange peels and cocoa nibs
IBU-50 is almost always a good guess for a RIS
ABV-15.2% (yes, we're still seated upright and sipping)
Overall impression-a wonderful 2 year old elixir
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; a good following to the Ol'Rugger Orange Vanilla in taste and name for the time/event

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Imperial Hop, Drop and Roll-NoDa Brewing

Charlotte is local enough.

Credit-a gift to our son from a buddy Friday night that he shared with me last PM; thanks!!
Style-IIPA
Format-tall boy can
Sipping containers-regular snifters
Appearance-yellow gold; moderate head
Nose-citrus
Mouthfeel-modest bite
Tastes-grapefruit, orange, citrus zests, honey (not added)
IBU-probably 60
ABV-9.2% (slightly boozy)
Overall impression-a well done step up from the original
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; wouldn't hesitate having another of these

[devildeac]

From Saturday PM:

Berry Milkshake IPA-Alaskan Brewing Company

Don't. Even. Ask.

Credit-younger son in law muled this from a package goods store near him; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-bomber shared two ways
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-slightly hazy pinkish amber; modest head
Nose-berries and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-a bite!
Tastes-lotta grapefruit, berries as advertised, some orange and vanilla
Adjuncts-strawberries, blackberries, natural vanilla flavor; gotta have lactose to make it a milkshake IPA but it's not listed
IBU-60
ABV-7%
Overall impression-interesting pairing with a bowl of vegetable beef soup and a mixed green salad
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; happy to have tried but wouldn't seek out

[devildeac]

From Saturday night; Let's get ready to rummmmmmmbbbbbblllllle:

BBA Sexual Chocolate (special edition September 2017)-Foothills Brewing

Our neighbors in Winston-Salem are local.

Credit-pretty sure Tripping William picked this up at a Foothills dinner and extensive tasting 2 or 3 years ago; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-bomber shared two ways
Stemware-if it's a Twin City brew, it's in Stella snifters
Appearance-really dark brown with a generous, creamy, latte head
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-well, I guess sexual would be an apt descriptor
Taste-dark chocolate, bourbon, dark fruits, leather, tobacco, vanilla, wood char, molasses
Adjunct-cocoa
IBU-75 (on the label; doesn't taste/feel that high)
ABV-9.6% (seductive)
Overall impression-superb; I still think this is better than the BBA People's Porter but there's a big $$ gap, too
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; such a wonderful sipper

[devildeac]

And, in the other snifters, from down east, tipping the scale at 750 ml:

Silent Night 2020-Mother Earth Brewing

Even closer than the Twin Cities.

Credit-RJ199 and the beer goddess as a trader; thanks and more thanks!!
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Format-750 ml bottle, corked and caged; shared 2 ways
Stemware-we cleaned the Stella snifters
Appearance-very, very dark brown; smallish tan head
Nose-espresso, dark chocolate (not added) and bourbon
Mouthfeel-not quite as sexual
Tastes-espresso, bourbon, black strap molasses, burnt caramel, wood char
Adjunct-Counter Culture Coffee
IBU-probably 60+
ABV-a paltry 9%
Overall impression-I'd forgotten how wonderful Silent Night tasted until fuse shared all his 2020 variants and the original
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3 but about 0.6% ABV below the BBA Sexual Chocolate, mainly because the cocoa pleases me ever so slightly more than the coffee

From Saturday night; Let's get ready to rummmmmmmbbbbbblllllle:

BBA Sexual Chocolate (special edition September 2017)-Foothills Brewing

Our neighbors in Winston-Salem are local.

Credit-pretty sure Tripping William picked this up at a Foothills dinner and extensive tasting 2 or 3 years ago; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-bomber shared two ways
Stemware-if it's a Twin City brew, it's in Stella snifters
Appearance-really dark brown with a generous, creamy, latte head
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-well, I guess sexual would be an apt descriptor
Taste-dark chocolate, bourbon, dark fruits, leather, tobacco, vanilla, wood char, molasses
Adjunct-cocoa
IBU-75 (on the label; doesn't taste/feel that high)
ABV-9.6% (seductive)
Overall impression-superb; I still think this is better than the BBA People's Porter but there's a big $$ gap, too
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; such a wonderful sipper

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Earth Below-New Anthem Beer Project

NC coast=close enough

Credit-gifted by a patient whose son *happens* to be the NA sales rep for eastern and central NC; thanks!!
Style-IPA on the can but it's really a NEIPA or hazee joose
Format-pint cylinder and all mine!
Stemware-DFH nonic pint
Appearance-quite cloudy, foamy and pineapple yellow
Scents-pineapple and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-juicy with a little bit
Tastes-grapefruit, pineapple and stone fruits
Hops-Mosaic, Citra and Simcoe
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-6.3%
Overall impression-a very finely crafted ale
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 in a socially undistanced environment; worth a can or two (oh, I did get 2)

[devildeac]

Far North Declaration-Lo Rez Brewing

Local for the beer mule.

Credit-younger son in law and a good beer steward at his local shop; thanks!
Style-BBA RIS
Pouring origin-3/4 pint can
Receiving vessel-snifter
Appearance-liquid fudge; thin, tan head
Nose-booze and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-soft
Tasty thoughts-dark chocolate fudge swirled with rye/bourbon whiskey; black strap molasses, burnt caramel
Aging info-12 months in Far North spirits rye whiskey barrels
IBU-54 printed on label
ABV-10% but punches a higher floor
Overall impression-rises a bit about your above average BBA RIS based on the rye whiskey barrel aging
Ymm, Beer rating-close to mid level cat 3; very sippable, enjoyable and potent; happy to have one more for trade or a bit of cellaring

[devildeac]

Nothing But Blue Sky-New Anthem Beer Project

Wilmington is close enough!

Credit-gift from patient last week; thanks!!
Style-milk NEIPA
Container-pint can
Glassware-nonic pint
Appearance-yellow hazy juice, moderate, foamy head
Nose-pineapple, tangerine, peach and melon
Mouthfeel-a thin tropical smoothie
Tastes-followed the nose
Adjuncts-lactose
Malts-Pilsner, oats and wheat
Hops-Citra, Mosaic, Cashmere with some Simcoe snuck in
IBU-low 40s?
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-no palate fatigue with this one; not quite a stand-out but well blended
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; slightly more palate pleasing than Earth Below

[devildeac]

Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout-Central Waters Brewing Company

Wait, there's more than one brewery in Wisconsin.

Credit-younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown wiht a moderate, tan topping after a vigorous pour
Nose-booze and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-smooth but a bit thin
Tastes-prominent bourbon, followed by dark chocolate, some cocoa, vanilla, wood, burnt toffee, molasses (IOW, all the usual suspects )
IBU-48 (from Untappd)
ABV-10.5% (ditto)
Overall impression-coming from a brewery unknown to me, this was an outstanding brew, recommended by a beer steward at a Binni's in Chicago land
Ymm, Beer rating-solidly in the middle of cat 3; I'd take 4 of these next winter to sip, share and/or trade

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Spiced Cranberry Gose-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for the RVA beer guys.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks and more thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-that's a pint can
Stemware-Dogfish Head nonic pint
Appearance-pinkish orange with a lot of fizz that disappeared in seconds
Nose-hints of cranberry, tangerine and salt
Mouthfeel- a good type of mild pucker
Tastes-light cranberry, tangerine, lemon/limeade, faintest hint of salt
Adjuncts-cranberry, tangerine, cinnamon and salt
IBU-5 (no typo)
ABV-4.5%
Overall impression-Mrs. dd said, "this isn't as bad/sour/bitter as some stuff you make me try and may I have another sip please"
Ymm, Beer rating-gotta be a low cat 3 if my beer (almost) hating bride kinda/sorta liked it; nicely brewed beverage; would have another

[devildeac]

A few days late:

Magnificent-BuckleDown Brewing

Kinda local for they buying/mule-ing guy

Credit-Christmas gift from younger son-in-law; thanks!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Pouring vessel-3/4 pint can
Receiving vessel-large snifter
Appearance-darn near black; creamy tan head
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-pillowy
Tastes-warming bourbon, dark chocolate, black strap molasses, vanilla (not added) and some burnt, dark caramel
Adjuncts-none
IBU-82 (; no way!)
ABV-11.5% (seductive)
Overall impression-an excellent "early entry" or should that be late entry in the game
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; yea, it's that good; simple and great blending/execution; looking forward greatly to 3 flavored variants

Note: the 2019 version was named Significant and also had 3 variants, all different than this year's line-up.

[devildeac]

Milkshake IPA-Brickstone Brewery

Local for the midwest beer mule.

Credit-Christmas gift from younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-umm...
Format-12 ounce can
Glass-snifter
Appearance-unfiltered raspberry jooce!!
Nose-berries and vanilla
Mouthfeel-juice with a small bite
Tastes-blueberries and vanilla ice cream and a splash of orange
Adjuncts-blueberries, vanilla (lots of it!), pomegranate and lactose
IBU-"no IBU" claimed on Untappd but I'd guess 30s
ABV-8.5% (another beer shake )
Overall impression-well crafted; lots of fruit and vanilla and minimal bitterness
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; not quite a Veil smoothie but very palate pleasing

[devildeac]

Doom Jazz-Pipeworks Brewing Company

Local for my midwest beer guy.

Credit-Christmas gift from younger son-in-law; thanks!!
Style-hazy IPA
Storage facility-pint can
Receiving facility-snifter
Appearance-tropical fruit juice; generous, frothy head
Nose-grapefruit and orange
Mouthfeel-Dole or Del Monte
Tastes-lotsa grapefruit juice and rind along with a generous helping of OJ and zest; some dank
Adjunct-lactose
Hops-Citra, Idaho 7, Galaxy and Cryo Simcoe (in case there are any home brewers reading)
IBU-probably 50s
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-juicy, fruity and dank; good combo of hops; if they tossed in some vanilla, it'd be a milk shake
Ymm, Beer rating-close to cat 3 but not quite; still very good and paired well with some leftover pork tenderloin, mashed sweet taters and roasted asparagus