Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From Friday PM:

Fruit Punch Out Round 3 (draft)-Heist Brewery in collaboration with Arkane Aleworks

At the Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts location at Camp North End, so yeah, it’s local.

Credit-Mrs. dd was happy to share a sip (yea, she really drank this one )
Style-fruited Berliner Weisse
Stemware-tulip
Format-freshie !!
Appearance-pinkish yellow and cloudy tropical fruit punch
Nose-sour and fruity
Mouthfeel-puckery with a hint of sweetness
Tastes-a tropical fruit punch explosion with orange, tangerine, mango and cherry
Adjuncts-mango, orange, tangerine, Cara Cara orange, sweet cherries and marshmallow
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-4.3%
Overall impression-Mrs. dd compared this to a New Glarus fruit ale that didn’t taste like beer despite its moniker as a Berliner Weisse, a mildly sour ale
Ymm, Beer rating-hanging around mid cat 3; yea, it was that good; not quite as fruity as a Veil gose or Berliner Weisse but damn close

[devildeac]

Big, big beer=big, big review

Triple Barrel GBS 2019-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the pick up/delivery dude.

Credit-my card and the Family Tree member for order/pickup/delivery; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle all by myself (over 3 nights :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:)
Stemware-a couple mini snifters each night
Appearance-dark, dark chestnut with a thin, tan head
Nose-lots and lots of booziness
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-rum, ginger, brandy, vanilla, dark caramel, dark chocolate, dark brown sugar, dark fruits, char and a hint of bourbon
Adjuncts-ginger, vanilla, honey and cinnamon
Barrels-traditional brandy first for 11 months, then 1/2 to A. Smith Bowman bourbon and 1/2 to Caribbean rum barrels for 4 months
IBU-55, just like the original GBS
ABV-13.5% (yo, yo, yo)
Overall impression-superb end result; I think the cinnamon and honey additives get lost along with the bourbon
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 3; hoping there’s another triple barrel variant in the 2020 GBS Complete Set

[devildeac]

From Tuesday night:

Fluffy GBS-Hardywood!!!

RVA is now officially local for me .

Credit-The Family Tree guy and my plastic
Style-toasted marshmallow GBS
Format-horizontal pint can
Stemware-2019 GBS tumbler
Appearance-very, very dark brown; moderate, creamy tan head
Nose-typical GBS with toasted marshmallow
Mouthfeel-cute and sexy
Tastes-ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, toasted marshmallows, milk chocolate
Adjuncts-round up the usual subjects and top with a couple toasted marshmallows
IBU-55
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-fun and delicious
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; yea, it’s creative and very well executed; maybe a BBA in the 2021 GBS Complete set?

[devildeac]

Capri (draft)-Southern Pines Brewing Company

From a mere 45 minutes away.

Credit-because I vaguely remember TW has reviewed this, it was FrIPAday at Bottle Rev and was $4 off and I needed a brew for our gathering
Style-fruited NEIPA
Format-mini growler
Stemware-small pilsner tasting glass
Appearance-pink grapefruit juice; smallish head
Nose-grapefruit
Mouthfeel-hints of sweet and sour
Tastes-grapefruit (wrong, wrong, wrong); see below
Adjuncts-passionfruit, dragonfruit, mango and peach puree
Hops-DDH Rakau, Citra and Mosaic
IBU-probably 30s
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-none of the tasters yesterday, including yours truly named any of the ingredients except one wiseacre who said, “water, barley, yeast and hops,” thus proving we’re all FoS when we post these reviews and think we know far more than we really do
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; high quality concoction with all those fruits and hops

[devildeac]

#2 (no, not that #2 RJ ):

Twice the Daily Serving-Trillium Brewing Company

Local when it was bought (keep reading)

Credit-a nrrrrvous family camping trip beer; words can’t completely express my gratitude for him sharing this after taking time away from his family last month to visit the brewery and finding room for this in their vehicle; many, many thanks!!
Style-(heavily) fruited imperial Berliner Weisse
Format-pint can with contents that had a very high evaporation rate ; shared about 6 ways
Stemware-whatever the 336er/919er/804er was holding at the time
Appearance-purple haze
Nose-berries!!
Mouthfeel-finely pulpy
Tastes-many, many berries, sweetened and unsweetened with a hint of sour
Adjuncts-(based on picture on label) 6 berries including straw, blue, boysen (?), black, red rasp and black rasp
Vitamin C content-secret
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-7.2%, hence the moniker imperial Berliner Weisse
Overall rating-terrific beer intended to compare to Raspberry Tart but we nixed that plan as they’re totally different beers/styles, much as we did this spring with Raspberry Tart and Raspberry Crush
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I was honored to taste a beer from the (recently) legendary Trillium Brewing Company which, upon first tasting, meets the well deserved beeradvocate hype

[devildeac]

From yesterday afternoon, evening and right now:

Maple & Vanilla Bourbon Baltic Porter-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local to the 804

Credit-wbmcards88 and the Family Tree contributed this to the beer tasting yesterday; many thanks!!
Style-ummmmm
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle, shared several ways Saturday with a 5 ounce pour solo last PM and tonight
Stemware-cute little 2019 GBS complete set tumbler tonight; mini snifter last PM
Appearance-dark mahogany; smallish, tan head
Nose-bourbon and maple syrup
Mouthfeel-salacious
Taste-bourbon, maple, vanilla, dark chocolate, wood char, tobacco, leather and a hint of licorice
Adjuncts-Shenandoah harvested maple syrup and Madagascar vanilla beans
Barrel aging-26 months with 50% in Buffalo Trace and 50% Four Roses
Overall impression-I’m not a big Baltic porter fan but this was outstanding
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; delighted/honored wbmcards88 would share and nrrrrvous would deliver; another round of thanks for this gem

[devildeac]

Circumstances of Collision-Wise Man Brewing

Local for the 336ers.

Credit-mattman brought to share; thanks!!
Style-fruited sour IPA
Delivery apparatus-pint can
Canned on-6/23/21 11:05:07
Stemware-whatever he poured it into
Appearrance-raspberry lemonade
Nose-berries and lemons
Mouthfeel-ooh a sexy mother pucker
Tastes-a minimally sweetened raspberry lemonade/shandy
Adjuncts-raspberry and lemon
(IBU-65
ABV-6%
Overall impression-about what I expected from the label
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; in interesting brewing from the fruits to the sour IPA style

[devildeac]

Another Saturday special:

Full Current-Wise Man Brewing

Local again for the 336 gang.

Credit-mattman with 2 in a row; thanks!!
Style-fruited gose
Format-pint can
Canned on -7/28/2021 09:37:blurr
Stemware-he poured into whatever we were holding
Appearance-limeade, no pulp
Nose-limeade
Mouthfeel-another sexy mother pucker
Tastes-limeade, lightly sweetened and lightly salted with a splash of lemon
Adjuncts-lime and salt
IBU-8
ABV-5.1%
Overall impression-well done; not quite Westbrook Key Lime Pie gose, but what is?
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; please, may I have another

[devildeac]

Julius-Tree House Brewing Company

Local when bought.

Credit-nrrrrvous; many, many thanks!!!
Style-IPA
Format-pint can, shared about 5 ways
Dating-“crack Me Open and Enjoy;” 09:10:54 07/15/21 (damn fresh stuff!!)
Stemware-whatever we were holding Saturday afternoon
Appearance-hazy, hazy jooooice!!
Nose-many tropical and citrus fruits
Mouthfeel-sexy and juicy
Tastes-massive OJ, pineapple, mango, tangerine, peach and cantaloupe
Hops-American
IBU-72 (no way!!)
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-easily meets/exceeds the beeradvocate #8 NEIPA hype; likely the best IPA/NEIPA I’ve ever sipped and I’m beyond thrilled to have another full can that I might share with our son in a couple weeks
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 3; I’m humbled/honored nrrrrvous would stop/shop/buy this on a family vacation and transport it several hundred miles back to his house and then again another 2.5 hours to our beer tasting AND trade one of his last cans

[devildeac]

Another Saturday late entry:

Tahitian Hazelnut Mochaccino-Commonwealth Brewing Company

Not nearby.

Credit-RJ199; many, many thanks!!
Style-flavored and BBA imperial stout
Format-500 ml bottle
Stemware-whatever we were holding when he poured
Appearance-Pennzoil
Nose-a chocolate nut candybar with a bourbon chaser
Mouthfeel-highly seductive
Tastes-bourbon, vanilla, coconut, hazelnut and espresso
Adjuncts-Tahitian vanilla beans, hazelnut, coconut and espresso
IBU-probably 50
ABV-14.6% (holy )
Overall impression-tied Julius for best of show; this was stunningly well flavored
Ymm, Beer rating-easy top shelf cat 3; reminds me of Marveloso, Ol’ Rugger variants and something Hardywood would produce

[devildeac]

Knockout Blonde-Lawson’s Finest Liquids

LOL at local.

Credit-nrrrrvous; thanks!!
Style-yep
Format-pint can
Canned on-04/28/21 Enjoy fresh!
Appearance-see photo
Nose-light honey and flowers
Mouthfeel-soft with a minimal bite
Tastes-flowers, light corn syrup, hint of bitter
Hops-Cascade and Centennial
IBU-none claimed but I’ll guess <30
ABV-5%
Overall impression-a relatively simple yet flavorful ale representing the style well
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a wonderful porch sipper or sammich washer on a hot day

[devildeac]

The Works-Listermann Brewing Company

Local for one buying agent.

Credit-our son; thanks
Style-imperial pastry milk stout
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark and darker; minimal, thin tan head
Nose-peanut butter and chocolate
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-peanut butter (no crunchy stuff in beers), dark chocolate, burnt caramel and vanilla
Adjuncts-caramel chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, powdered sugar, nuts, sprinkles and lactose
IBU-none claimed but reality says about 50
ABV-10%
Overall impression-very tasty, liquid delight that could have used a bit less peanuttiness
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 based on a bit too much peanut butter and not being able to taste the sprinkles ; no toaster required

[devildeac]

Deep Blue-Gizmo BrewWorks

Can’t get much more local.

Credit-dog sitting fee; stolen
Style-fruited saison
Format-12 ounce can
Recency bias and other stats-Canned on 05/05/21 13:09:29 DRINK LOCAL
Drinking apparatus-small wine glass
Appearance-orangey amberish with barely a hint of blue/purple; minimal head
Nose-a bit of fruit, a bit of sour
Mouthfeel-a bit of a pucker mother trucker
Tastes-tart apples and pears, splash of blueberry, wet hay
Adjuncts-blueberries
IBU-probably 20
ABV-6.4%
Pairing-turkey and cheese sammich with a thick slice of NC tomato and a thin layer of real mayo
Additional pairings suggested on label-hot days, warm nights, chess matches and sailing in shark infested waters
Overall impression-rather pleasant midday lunchtime beverage
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; shoulda stolen one sooner

[devildeac]

#26-Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery

Local for the RVA folks.

Credit-nrrrrvous; thanks!
Style-juicy IPA
Format-half quart can
Stemware-it all fit in a large wine glass; no wonder so folks question when a bottle of w9ine became “only” two glasses :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:
Appearance-cloudy, amberly orangely; moderate foam
Nose-dank
Mouthfeel-pithy
Tastes-dank, cannabis, overripe pineapple, orange rind and pine
Hops-Simcoe and El Dorado
IBU-probably 60
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-appreciated greatly but I think I liked #22 and/or #23 better based on perusing a couple old reviews on crazietalk; a bit too much resin for me
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; a better food pairing might have bumped it into cat 3

[Bob Green]

I’m enjoying a Hardywood Richmond Lager. When I finish it I am going to have another one.

[devildeac]

I’m enjoying a Hardywood Richmond Lager. When I finish it I am going to have another one.

[OPK]

I’m enjoying a Hardywood Richmond Lager. When I finish it I am going to have another one.

I hear good things about Hardywood. Enjoy!

[devildeac]

From Thursday night, prepping for my dry VP:

Saison Blanc 2021-Brewery Bhavana

Really local.

Credit-mattman’s VP and my credit card and the need for some traders, too
Style-wine barrel aged (2-3 years) farmhouse ale
Format-pint can
Recency bias-07/13/21 (freshie!!)
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-hazy yellow with hints of red and orange; fizzy head with less staying power than Rick Pitino
Nose-white white vinegar
Mouthfeel-more puckery than I anticipated
Tastes-tart and fruity with heavy vinous and vinegary overtones and hints of tropical fruits and zest and wood
Adjuncts-mango, guava, grapefruit zest, passionfruit and peaches
IBU-probably <10
ABV-6.6%
Overall impression-surprisingly sour but quite the creation; likely blended from prior threads of their 2018 and 2019 Saison Blanc issues with new fruiting
Ymm, Beer rating-the sourness dropped it to low cat 3 for me but it’s a wonderful new offering from Bhavana

[devildeac]

Fusion Series Vol II-NoDa Brewing Company

Close enough.

Credit-sounded good; needed traders; had a coupon
Style-fruited, hazy IIPA
Format-pint can
Bottom of can stuff-smear, smudge, CANNED 07/19/21 12:58
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-yellow haze, foamy top
Nose-grapefruit and other citrus squeezings
Mouthfeel-pithy
Tastes-white grapefruit juice, zest, rind, pith, guava, orange
Hops-Centennial, Galaxy, Ekuanot, Cascade and Azacca
IBU-40
ABV-9.4% (whoa!)
Overall impression-liked this a bit more than imperial Hop, Drop and Roll, a very good beer
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; top tier it’s not but I’m delighted/proud to trade two and drink #4 myself; wonderful pairing last PM with a spicy, grilled southwest chicken salad

[devildeac]

Synchopathic-Destihl Brewery

WTH? This isn’t the DSM-5!!

Not even close.

Credit-another dog sitting brew (anything worth having is worth cheating for, amirite, roy?)
Style-dry hopped sour ale (dafuq?)
Format-12 ounce can
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-mildly cloudy, yellowish orange; fizzy head
Nose-handful of Sour Patch citrus candies
Mouthfeel-tarttastic
Tastes-orange, grapefruit, tangerine and lemon Sour Patch kids candies
IBU-12
ABV-6%
Overall impression-thankfully, not as sour as their original sour brew; this was very drinkable and paired nicely with a Mediterranean plate
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; would be a good intro to sours for the uninitiated; worth stealing, err, borrowing