Ymm, Beer!

[Bob Green]

I’m drinking a Firestone Union Jack IPA courtesy August West. It is icy cold and refreshing.

[devildeac]

I’m drinking a Firestone Union Jack IPA courtesy August West. It is icy cold and refreshing.

I'll have mine tomorrow or Tuesday.

Thanks for sharing the Alewerks imperial chocolate stout yesterday. I'll review that tomorrow.

[devildeac]

Friday night beer:

Can O Bliss-Oskar Blues Brewery

Close enough

Credit-single trader from a mixed 12 pack at the prior tailgate from August West; thanks!
Style-hazy IPA; from a series
Format-12 ounce can @09:33 1143
Canned on-06/28/21
@
Glassware-boring pint glass
Appearance-mighta been hazy an yellow with moderate foam
Mouthfeel-pine/resin and orange rind
Tastes-OJ, zest, pine/resin and a bit of bready caramel
Hops-Strata, Cashmere, Enigma, Hallertau Blanc and Eureka
IBU-secret but I’ll guess 50 or a bit less
Overall impression-more a westie style then hazy; good pairing with a plain Caesar salad
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; near the “end” of shelf life

[devildeac]

"You cannot make another post so soon after your last."

[devildeac]

Friday nightcap:

Can O Bliss Resinous-Oskar Blues Brewery

Same location.

Credit-another single from AW from his 12 pack; thanks!
Style-IPA
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-06/21/2021 17:57
Glassware-yet another clean shaker pint
Appearance-minimally hazy yellow/orange; moderate froth
Nose-citrus and pine
Mouthfeel-less resin than I expected
Tastes-OJ, tangerine, pine and a drizzle of caramel
Hops-“new school blend of Bravo, Meridien, Saphir and experimental
HBC692” (another OB page says the last hop is Talus)
IBU-not revealed but my fatigued palate says low 50s
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-solid, but not outstanding but closed the evening well
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; lotta damn beers in this field to beat to enter cat 3

[devildeac]

Lemme try to knock out some reviews from tailgate. Leading off:

Altamont DIPA-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for the delivery guy.

Credit-wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-pint can, shared several ways
Appearance-hazy, yellow and frothy
Nose-pineapple and citrus
Mouthfeel-juicy
Tastes-pineapple, cantaloupe and peach
Hops-Cashmere and Mosaic
IBU-7 (shenanigans!!)
ABV-8%
Overall impression-wonderful starter beer/palate cleanser
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; I’d readily have another

[devildeac]

Number 2:

Velvet Rush-Founders Brewing Company

From the “other” Beer City, USA.

Credit-August West; many thanks!!
Style-BBA and flavored imperial brown ale
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared several ways
Stemware-Duke 2010 championship pint glass
Appearance-dark brown, clean, little head
Nose-bourbon and coffee
Mouthfeel-smooth but a bit thin as expected given the style
Tastes-bourbon, coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, burnt caramel, wood
Adjuncts-lactose (therefore it’s really an imperial milk brown ale ), coffee, vanilla extract, some form of chocolate
IBU-30
ABV-11.1% (holy )
Overall impression-never seen/heard of this one and AW finds a real gem
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; Founders barrel aging offerings remain top notch

[devildeac]

Droste Effect-Alewerks Brewing Company

Darn near local for the other, other VA delivery guy.

Credit-Bob Green; many thanks
Style-imperial flavored stout
Format-pint can; we’re still sharing
Glassware-perpetually rinsed 2010 Duke championship pint glass
Appearance-dark brown with a generous latte head
Nose-dark, unsweetened chocolate
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, hint of coffee (not added), burnt molasses
Adjuncts-“dozens of pounds of chocolate” and roasted cocoa nibs
IBU-50
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-surprise/sleeper beer of the tasting
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; this would’ve been terrific with brownies/chocolate chip cookies but was wonderful with our burgers and hot dog sandwiches; thank you again, Bob!

[devildeac]

Panther Cub-Founder’s Brewing Company

Nope.

Credit-AW strikes again; thanks!!
Style-BBA flavored imperial porter
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared
Stemware-if AW’s still pouring, I’m still rinsing my pint glass and offering it to him
Appearance-dark brown, thin tan head
Nose-bourbon, chocolate, vanilla
Mouthfeel-soft, a bit thin, as expected
Tastes-bourbon, vanilla, hint of maple, wood, burnt caramel
Adjuncts-maple syrup and vanilla extract
IBU-30
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-I saw this several times this summer and never bought it, choosing a buncha locals and the Mas Agave series; delighted AW bought and shared
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; rumors swirl a get one at the GT game as a trader

[devildeac]

Great Uncle Cru-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local if you’re part of or live in the Family Tree.

Credit-wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-BBA quad/grand cru
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle
Stemware-my 2010 Duke championship pint glass gets emptier and emptier
Appearance-cloudy brown; moderate tan head
Nose-bourbon soaked dried, dark fruits
Mouthfeel-soft and warm
Tastes-raisins, dates, figs, plums, all steeped in fine bourbon
IBU-at this point in the tasting, who cares?
ABV-12.7% (OMG)
Overall impression-another terrific Hardywood limited edition
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 3; I’d buy a case if offered

PS-wmbcards88 is welcome to edit/correct anything above

[devildeac]

Final entry at tailgate Saturday:

CBS 2018 (draft)-Founders Brewing Company

Still. Not. Local.

Credit-a Bottle Rev 10th anniversary special ferried by yours truly
Style-if you don’t know by now…
Barrels-bourbon, then maple syrup
Format-mini growler at $4 off dur9ng a Saturday special
Stemware-my Duke 2010 championship pint glass is exhausted now
Appearance-almost inky with a small, tan head
Nose-bourbon, java and chocolate
Mouthfeel-I think I’m in love
Tastes-semisweet chocolate, bourbon, espresso, burnt caramel, wood
Adjuncts-coffee, chocolate
IBU-45
ABV-11.3%
Overall impression-world class; couldn’t resist this on draft, on special and aged 3 years
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; yea, it’s worth the hype and at about $7/pint, a great deal

[devildeac]

Dinner beer last PM:

Strata Hazy IPA from the Propagator Series-Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Not local

Credit-a single trader from August West mixed 12 pack on Saturday; thank you!
Style-obvious
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on: 07/29/21 15:57
Stemware-boring pint glass from the cupboard
Appearance-hazy, yellow/straw and foamy
Nose-peach and tangerine
Mouthfeel-light fruit and pith
Tastes-understated peach, tangerine and honeydew
Hops-ummmm
IBU-“no IBU” but, not being as dumm as a bag of unc swag, I’ll guess 40s
ABV-5.6%
Overall impression-nice “session” hazy IPA with a good food pairing
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; lotta hazy IPAs on the market keeping it from cat 3

[devildeac]

Deth’s Tar-Revolution Brewing

Local for the buying guy last fall.

Credit-younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-BBA oatmeal stout
Format-12 ounce can
Filled-10/07/2020 06:24:55
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-inky; thin, tannish head
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-viscous; salacious; silky
Tastes-bourbon, dark chocolate, heavily toasted coconut, wood char, vanilla, more bourbon
Adjuncts-oatmeal
IBU-35
ABV-14.8% (almost lethal); boozy but not overpowering
Overall impression-a stunning sipper for last PM’s nightcap, taking over an hour
Ymm, Beer rating-easily top tier cat 3; world class; comparable to BCBS; I’d get a case this fall if I could

[devildeac]

After dinner beer this evening:

Luponic Distortion IPA Series Number 19-Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Paso Robles ain’t nearby.

Credit-trader #2 from August West on Saturday from his mixed 12 pack; thanks!
Style-obvious
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-01/29/21 12:52
Stemware-shaker pint
Appearance-clean/clear light bronze; moderate foam
Nose-peach and honeydew
Mouthfeel-light juice
Tastes-light peach, tangerine, honeydew, white wine
Hops-Comet, Talus, Cashmere Blanc, El Dorado and Vic Secret (all southern hemisphere, I think)
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-5.9%
Overall impression-very tasty blend of hops
Ymm, Beer rating-this one sneaks into cat 3 based on the hop combo, little bitterness and pleasant juiciness; would pair well with a turkey and havarti sammich

[devildeac]

Mind Haze-Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Still ain’t local.

Credit-August West from tailgate; thanks!
Style-hazy IPA
Format-12 ounce can from a mixed 12 bagger
Canned on-07/26/2021
Stemware-yawn, another standard pint glass
Appearance-hazy, yellow, foamy
Nose-faint peach, tangerine and honeydew
Mouthfeel-mildly fruity
Tastes-match the nose with a drizzle of pith
IBU-40
ABV-6.2%
Overall impression-a pleasure to sip with an antipasto sans meat
Ymm, Beer rating-a bit shy of cat 3; lots of hazies in front of it, but still tasty

[devildeac]

Gingerbread Porter-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local fo you know who.

Credit-wbmcards88 for the order, pick up and delivery
Style-ooh, c’mon now
Format-pint can
Canned on-11/09/20
Stemware-perfect time for a Hardywood teku
Appearance-dark brown, one finger head
Nose-ginger (no Mary Anne) and vanilla
Mouthfeel-as expected, a bit thinner than the GBS; modest ginger zing
Tastes-ginger, ginger, ginger, vanilla, honey, a bit chocolatey and coffeeish
Adjuncts-ginger, honey, vanilla and cinnamon; no lactose!!
IBU-55
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-another high quality Hardywood creation that falls a bit short of the GBS
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 but still delighted they included this in the 2020 GBS Complete Set; would pair well with a brownie or a blondie

[devildeac]

From last PM/early this AM:

Christmas Pancakes-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for you know who.

Credit-wbmcards88 for order, pickup and cash on delivery; thanks!
Style-mapleized GBS, IOW, breakfast at bedtime
Format-pint can
Canned on-102120
Stemware-large wineglass
Appearance-dark brown, moderate Venetian Portico head
Nose-sap producing Canadian tree
Mouthfeel-sweet and zingy
Tastes-grade A maple syrup, grated ginger, baker’s cocoa (not added), vanilla and cinnamon
Adjuncts-“spices” have to be cinnamon, vanilla and ginger; honey and “gallons of local maple syrup”
IBU-55
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-shoulda had flapjacks with this as it was delicious
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; wonderful blending/brewing

[devildeac]

Pilsner-Highland Brewing Company

Close enough.

Credit-whoever left it in the ancillary beach fridge; thanks!
Style-
Format-12 ounce can
Filled on-07/07/21 07:58
Stemware-pint glass
Appearance-clean/clear, light yellow/straw; medium off white head
Nose-floral
Mouthfeel-it bit back but only a little
Tastes-flowers, light caramel and herbs
Hops-“all German”
IBU-probably 30
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-good pairing with a turkey and cheese on rye for lunch; a hint more “bitters” than the Germans brew
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; unexciting but enjoyable

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Christmas Morning-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local on a technicality

Credit-wbmcards88 for the order, pickup and delivery; thanks and thanks!!
Style-GBS on heavy coffee
Format-pint can of goodness; breakfast at bedtime
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-dark brown with a moderate mocha head
Nose-espresso
Mouthfeel-heavy roast bitterness but smooth
Tastes-coffee overpowers the other typical GBS spices but not unpleasantly; some ginger, cinnamon and vanilla
Adjuncts-“blend of Brazilian and Sumatran coffee beans from Richmond’s Blackhand Coffee Company;” vanilla, ginger, honey and cinnamon
IBU-standard GBS stuff here at 55
ABV-more standard stuff at 9.2%
Overall impression-very good variant that could use a few less beans
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; coffee power detracts very slightly

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Union Jack IPA-Firestone Walker Brewing Company

“A California beer company”

Credit-a single trader from a mixed 12 pack from August West Trader last tailgate; thanks!
Style-westie
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-07/28/21 11:27
Stemware-nonic pint
Appearance-clean/clear light bronze; small, offwhite head
Nose-pine and rind
Mouthfeel-bracing
Tastes-pine/resin, orange and grapefruit rinds, pith, light caramel
IBU-70 (tasted it, too)
ABV-7%
Overall impression-if you’re Jonesing for a west coast IPA, this one’ll fly
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; pair with some spicy/hot food