Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Canis Mexicanus-Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Local for the buying guy.

Credit-son of devildeac; thanks!!
Style-flavored RIS
Format-bomber (no worries folks, I only had half of it last PM)
Packaged on-Aug/07/2020
Glass-snifter
Appearance-deep, dark brown; small, mocha head
Nose-baker's chocolate, cinnamon, java and some chili pepper
Mouthfeel-roasty and toasty; smooth
Tastes-hot cocoa, cinnamon, coffee and some low Scoville Heat Units as it warmed a bit
Adjuncts-oats, chili peppers, cinnamon and cacao nibs
IBU-60 (Untappd)
ABV-10.8% (again, only half a bomber, didn't want to get sloppy)
Overall impression-y'all know what I generally think about "pepper" beer but this was excellent with a nice blend of IBUs and ABV with coffee and spices to balance the heat
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; sipping my second portion on night #2

[devildeac]

Double Narangi Double Sunrise-Foreign Exchange Brewing Company (brewed and packaged by Church Street Brewing Company)

Somewhere near local (Chicago? Illinois?)

Credit-Christmas gift from younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-double milkshake IPA; or should that be a milkshake DIPA?
Format-1/8 gallon alloy
Serving glass-snifter
Appearance-foamy pineapple juice
Nose-tropical fruitshake!!
Mouthfeel-almost pulpy
Tastes-tangerine, rind, pineapple, melons and vanilla
Hops-Citra and Idaho 7 (for those home brewers out there)
Adjuncts-more than triple the amount of fresh tangerine puree (vs Narangi Sunrise), double Madagascar vanilla; lactose
IBU-Untappd claims 0; I'll go with 30 something
ABV-8.5% (yet another booze smoothie)
Overall impression-rivals a Veil beershake/smoothie
Ymm, Beer rating-simply an excellent combo of ingredients; easy mid cat 3; was one of the midwest beer mule's favorites of the ones he bought/brought last month

[devildeac]

Last Caress-New Anthem Beer Project

Close enough for local.

Credit-NABP via an anonymous patient; thanks!!
Style-NEDIPA
Format-pint can
Stemware-boring pint glass
Appearance-unfiltered tropical fruit juice; generous foamy head
Nose-pineapple (Mrs. dd thought it smelled great but politely declined a taste )
Mouthfeel-almost fresh squeezed
Taste-pineapple, OJ, mango, peach
Adjuncts-malted oats
Hops-El Dorado, Amarillo, Citra and Simcoe
IBU-"no IBU" (source: Untappd )
ABV-7.9%
Overall impression-another "touch them all" for New Anthem; worth seeking out
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 because there are sooooo many in the market here; quite enjoyable

[devildeac]

Humidity-Fullsteam Brewery

Local.

Credit-somebody left one in the fridge; anonymous thanks!
Style-pale ale
Format-old time pint can
Glass-standard pint\
Appearance-light yellow with a hint of orange; fizzy head
Nose-grapefruit juice lite
Mouthfeel-tiny bite
Tastes-grapefruit juice cocktail, biscuits
IBU-maybe 35
ABV-6%
Overall impression-good pairing with a fancy cheese quesadilla last PM
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2

[devildeac]

Barrel Aged Narwhal-Sierra Nevada Brewing

Local? Kinda.

Credit-my own card
Style-if you're not sure...
Format-pint can
Pkg on-12/20/2019
Glass-snifter
Appearance-crankcase drainage; moderate, tan head
Mouthfeel-viscous
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Tastes-dark chocolate, bourbon, burnt caramel, black strap molasses, vanilla, oak
Adjuncts-none
IBU-50 (from Untappd)
ABV-11.9% (a reeaal sipppppper)
Overall impression-outstanding
Ymm, Beer rating-mid level cat 3; a classic that was available a year ago as a 4 pack for the first time, IIRC; totally worth the $20/package

[devildeac]

Bourbon Barrel Pi-Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Local for the buying guy.

Credit-our son who shared a 4 pack with me around Thanksgiving; thanks!!
Style-spiced and boozed pumpkin beer
Format-12 ounce bottle
Packaged on-Sep/11/2020
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-medium brown, clear; smallish tan head
Nose-java, cinnamon and bourbon
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, coffee, ginger, nutmeg with some ancho chile heat and bourbon as it warmed
Adjuncts-^^^^ plus smoked Ohio pumpkins
IBU-20
ABV-8.5% on my label but 9.5% on Untappd
Overall impression-sugar and spice and everything warm and nice
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; ancho chiles were rather mild, thankfully; wouldn't hesitate to have another late this year

[devildeac]

Embarked on the Dark Secret series last PM:

Dark Secret-Brickstone Brewery (brewed for/with/by their friends at Binni's Beverage Depot)

Local for the Midwest beer mule.

Credit-younger son in law; thanks!
Style-BBA RIS (Buffalo Trace whiskey barrels)
Presentation-9.375% of a gallon can
Sipping vessel-snifter
Appearance-almost black and mysterious; small, tan head
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-10W30
Tastes-bourbon, fudge, molasses, bourbon, char, burnt caramel
IBU-60 (Untappd)
ABV-11% (Untapped); 13% on label
Overall impression-pretty damned good for a "plain" BBA RIS
Ymm, Beer rating-middle level cat 3; makes me really look forward to the other 3 members of the 4 pack gifted to me at Christmas

[devildeac]

Magic Scones (draft)-Commonwealth Brewing Company collaboration with Magic Rock Brewing

Not really local.

Credit-specially priced mini growler on FrIPAday on the trip home this afternoon
Style-fruited sour IPA (really a DIPA)
Format-two pints of ale in a glass jug; half tonight
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-unfiltered berried juice; minimal pinkish head
Nose-berries
Mouthfeel-pucker up!
Tastes-blackberries, lemonade, lemon candy and SweeTarts
Adjuncts-honey, blackberries, lemon zest, milk sugar and a "lemon drop hop"
IBU-might be around 50
ABV-7.8% (a booze biscuit shake )
Overall rating-terrific creation; paired well with a crab cake Caesar salad
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; a near perfect blend of ingredients from a great brewery; nothing sloppy here; highly recommended

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Dark Secret Irish Cream-Brickstone Brewery

Considered local for the mule-ing agent.

Credit-Christmas gift from younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-variant of Dark Secret
Format-12 ounces squeezed into an aluminum cylinder
Serving method-snifter
Appearance-dark () brown but no longer a secret; modest, foamy latte head
Nose-bourbon, cream and fudge
Mouthfeel-sultry
Tastes-bourbon, dark chocolate fudge, half and half, vanilla, soaked wood, hint of java
Adjuncts-vanilla and lactose
Barrels-Buffalo Trace
IBU-60
ABV-13% (oh, my!)
Overall impression-delicious variant that may have been a shade too sweet but not in the Southern Tier Creme Brulee category
Ymm, Beer rating-teetering on low/mid cat 3; looking forward to a yet another variant tonight

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Dark Secret Raspberry Tiramisu-Brickstone Brewery

Local for one of the mules.

Credit-Christmas gift from younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-flavored BBA variant of Dark Secret imperial stout
Format-12 ounce can with a 60 minute timer
Glass info-snifter
Appearance-dark brown, ruby edges, tan head
Nose-as advertised
Mouthfeel-viscous
Tastes-semisweet chocolate, coffee, vanilla, bourbon, raspberries
Adjuncts-raspberries, coffee, vanilla and cocoa
IBU-60
ABV-13%, yet so smooth
Overall impression-very well schemed and executed
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; what a pleasure to learn about this brewery and receive a sampler 4 pack of some great beers

[devildeac]

An "accidental" extra beer last PM:

Postmodern Depictions of Natural Phenomena-Burial Beer Company

Asheville-brewed; Raleigh sold

Credit-added this to a couple freshies on a tip from Nrrrrvous last week; thanks for the heads up!!
Style-DIPA
Format-pint can
Packaged on-01DEC2020 Watch the Drip
Sipped from-snifter
Appearance-pineapple orange juice; moderate, foamy head
Nose-OJ, lemonade, pineapples
Mouthfeel-juuiiccee!!
Tastes-OJ, peach, cantaloupe, honeydew, tangerine and mango; oh my!!
Hops-DDH Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, Strata, Idaho Gem and Motueka
IBU-not revealed but 50 would be a SWAG
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-outstanding entrant in a large arena
Ymm, Beer rating-easy mid cat 3; will be interesting to read reviews from the RVA beer gang and RJ199 when he gets his soon

-while disengaging this can from its plastic holder, it caught the tab and released a bit of fizz and liquid so it had to be consumed last PM or dumped...

[devildeac]

Preview for Saturday's Virtual Pub from last night:

Cuvee Tripel-Hardywood Park Craft Ales

Local for the Family Tree guy.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks!!
Style-white wine barrel aged fruited tripel
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle divided over 2 nights
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-light gold, slightly cloudy, fizzy head
Nose-white wine and peaches (Boone's Farm )
Mouthfeel-tingled a lot
Tastes-Sauvignon Blanc, pinch of black pepper, biscuits and peach juice
Adjuncts-millions and millions of peaches
IBU-25
ABV-9%
Overall impression-another interesting, high quality brew from Hardywood
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 for blending and execution

[devildeac]

Preview for Saturday's Virtual Pub from last night:

Cuvee Tripel-Hardywood Park Craft Ales

Local for the Family Tree guy.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks!!
Style-white wine barrel aged fruited tripel
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle divided over 2 nights
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-light gold, slightly cloudy, fizzy head
Nose-white wine and peaches (Boone's Farm )
Mouthfeel-tingled a lot
Tastes-Sauvignon Blanc, pinch of black pepper, biscuits and peach juice
Adjuncts-millions and millions of peaches
IBU-25
ABV-9%
Overall impression-another interesting, high quality brew from Hardywood
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 for blending and execution

Second night:

Cuvee Tripel-Hardywood Park Craft Ales

Almost as good tonight after "wine corking" for the last 24 hours. Still reasonably carbonated with some sediment and more cloudiness in the final 30 ml from the bottom of the bottle.

[devildeac]

Edinbrue (Cabernet Sauvignon barrel aged on Brettanomyces) 2017 or 2018 (?)-Brueprint Brewing

Local!

Credit-patience and an old Visa charge; thanks to me!!
Style-Scotch style ale with enhancements
Format-500 ml bottle (no indication of age) divided over 2 nights
Stemware-small snifter
Appearance-cloudy, reddish brown with a thin head
Nose-sour and winey
Mouthfeel-pretty typical Brett
Tastes-vinous, sour, funk, wet hay, berries and a hint of toffee
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-9.5%
Overall impression-wonderful creation/combination
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; happy to have bought a couple bottles of this after my 2016/17 tasting impressions, sipping one about a year ago

[devildeac]

Edinbrue (Cabernet Sauvignon barrel aged on Brettanomyces) 2017 or 2018 (?)-Brueprint Brewing

Local!

Credit-patience and an old Visa charge; thanks to me!!
Style-Scotch style ale with enhancements
Format-500 ml bottle (no indication of age) divided over 2 nights
Stemware-small snifter
Appearance-cloudy, reddish brown with a thin head
Nose-sour and winey
Mouthfeel-pretty typical Brett
Tastes-vinous, sour, funk, wet hay, berries and a hint of toffee
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-9.5%
Overall impression-wonderful creation/combination
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; happy to have bought a couple bottles of this after my 2016/17 tasting impressions, sipping one about a year ago

Not quite as good on night 3, missing night 2 as I was bound by work restrictions.

[devildeac]

The Abyss 2015 Reserve-Deschutes Brewery

Not a bit local.

Credit-a keen eye about 5 years ago; thanks to me!!
Style-multiple barrel aged and flavored imperial stout
Format-waxed and capped bomber divided over 2 nights
Dating-Best after 12/08/16
Stemware-snifter
Good looks-very, very dark brown; moderate mocha head
Nose-molasses, bourbon, licorice and red wine
Mouthfeel-slippery
Tastes-bourbon, molasses, dark chocolate, splash of coffee, wood and vanilla
Adjuncts-black strap molasses, licorice, cherry bark and vanilla
Barrels-bourbon at 21%, oak 8% and wine at 21%
IBU-70
ABV-12.2%
Overall impression-much smoother than last tasting maybe 2 years ago
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3 unless you don't like licorice, then it might be low cat 2; really a superb "blending"

Looking forward to night 2

[devildeac]

Cellar Door #15-Brewery Bhavana

Local? Yep!

Credit-RJ199 trader; thanks!!
Style-flavored and Sangiovese barrel aged Helles lager
Format-capped 750 ml bottle divided over 2 nights
Stemware-Allagash tulip
Appearance-pale straw, clear and lotsa bubbles
Nose-white wine
Mouhfeel-oooh, bubbly
Tastes-white wine, flowers, light corn syrup
Adjuncts-white peony tea
IBU-maybe 20?
ABV-6%
Overall impression-highly favorable for a delicate style
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; well executed/blended

Looking forward to night 2.

[devildeac]

Breakfast Barrel Dire Wolf-Wolf's Ridge Brewing Company

Local for *that* beer guy.

Credit-son of devildeac; thanks!!
Style-flavored and barrel aged (d'oh!) imperial stout
Format-bomber, shared 3 ways
Packaged on-01/22/21 (fresh!!)
Drinking vessels-mini Ditka snifters
Appearance-deep, dark brown; small tan head
Aromas-I need some pancakes and bacon/sausage with this
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-dark chocolate, bourbon, coffee and vanilla; all x2
Adjuncts-two types of coffee and vanilla; no chocolate harmed but it sure tasted like that
IBU-50, I think
ABV-10.8%
Overall impression-outstanding blend
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; not only are there a lot of IPAs/IIPAs in the room, there are also many barrel aged RIS; this one's a winner

[devildeac]

German Chocolate Cake Foolery 2020-Hardywood Park Craft Ales

Local for Family Tree members.

Credit-accfanfrom1970; thanks, thanks and thanks!!
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle shared 3 ways
Service-standard snifters
Appearance-dark, very dark brown; small, mocha head
Nose-"what'd you bake today, Mom?"
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-dark chocolate, coffee, bourbon, pecans, burnt dark brown sugar, subtle coconut
Adjuncts-from the back label; "all the elements of a slice of German Chocolate Cake and a hot cup of coffee"
IBU-who cares, but probably around 50
ABV-13.2% (there should be an additional warning on the bottle)
Overall impression-stunning
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 3; all tasters thought this was one of the top 5 (?3) fancy/pastry stouts we've ever tasted; I'd buy a case

[devildeac]

Imperial 3 Scoops-The Answer

Local for the RVA beer guyz.

Credit-Nrrrrvous; muchas gracias!!
Style-can says "fruit beer" but I'm gonna call shenanigans on the "beer" part
Format-pint can
Serving container-large wine glass
Appearance-orange yellow smoothie; moderate head
Nose-tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-not beer
Tastes-pineapple, mango, guava, rind
Adjuncts-^^^^
IBU-impossibly low
ABV-7.12% but tasted like 7.13% to me
Vitamin C content-had to be at least 200 mg
Overall impression-damn near Veil quality but, Nrrrrvous said this was $10/pint and Veil's smoothie beers are usually $5-7/pint
Ymm, Beer rating-middle shelf cat 3; well worth the splurge