Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Sexual Chocolate Coffee Infused BBA 2020-Foothills Brewing

Raleigh and Winston-Salem, like identical strangers, separated at birth; yea, local

Credit-reputation, 336 recommendations and on the shelf at Wegmans early this year for $12 a 4 pack
Style-wrong answers only, please
Format-12 ounce can
Ink on can-120720 6187 0002881 1726
Stemware-Stella Brew snifter
Appearance-almost onyx; moderate tan head after a vigorous pour
Nose-“I know I’m married, but…”
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-tons of chocolate, no, wait, that’s cocoa; but wait some more, that’s java; whoa, bourbon now; some burnt caramel
Adjuncts-cocoa and coffee
IBU-60s?
ABV-9.6% (surprised it’s not higher given that barrel aging almost always loses its “Angel’s Share”)
Overall impression-simply superb; I think the regular SC actually oxidized a bit upon further review and this one lost nothing in 10 months in the can
Ymm, Beer rating-top tier cat 3; perfect blending of BBA, cocoa and coffee with none of the flavors shouting louder than any of the others; will search for the 2021 version

[devildeac]

In the Midst of Cruel Abandon (draft)-Burial Beer Company

Close enough.

Credit-on the tap list and $4 off on Saturday for BYOG (bring your own growler)
Style-NEDIPA
Format-mini growler, half last PM and the remainder evaporates tonight
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-pineapple yellow; respectable thick, foamy head even after 2 days in captivity
Nose-a tropical fruit bouquet
Mouthfeel-juicy with a bit of pith
Tastes-pineapple, guava, honeydew with hints of tangerine
Hops-" Whirlpooled with Mosaic Incognito and Cryo. Triple Dry-Hopped with Strata, Mosaic, El Dorado, Riwaka, and Wai-Iti. Finished with a heap of Mosaic Cryo." (copied and pasted from Untappd)
IBU-40
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-more great stuff from Burial; highly recommended
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; did not suffer waiting to be poured after airtight capping; might be a bit less enjoyable tonight but still expecting an excellent pour

[devildeac]

1554-New Belgium Brewing

It’ll be local for OPK this weekend.

Credit-trader from August West from the GT tailgate from a mixed 12 pack; thanks!
Style-spiced dark ale
Format-12 ounce bottle
Enjoy by-56037 30JAN22 10726052T1638 {shrugs}
Stemware-Full Sail pint glass
Appearance-clear, dark brown; medium, light tan head
Nose-hints of coffee and cocoa
Mouthfeel-a bit roasty
Tastes-splash of coffee, sprinkle of cocoa
Adjuncts-“dash of licorice root”
Hops-Nugget
Grains-Pale, Carapils, Black, Munich, Chocolate
Yeast-European lager (but fermented at ale temperatures)
IBU-21
ABV-6%
Overall impression-solid pairing with a Casear salad and a side of smashed redskin potatoes smothered with bacon and cheddar for dinner tonight
Ymm, Beer rating-upper section cat 2; very enjoyable, well brewed product

[devildeac]

Accumulation-New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins or Asheville, take your pick.

Credit-August West’s final trader from the GT tailgate from his mixed 12 pack; thanks!
Style-winter hazy IPA
Format-12 ounce bottle
Enjoy by-131128 19DEC21 210809071T1210 (hurts shoulders shrugging again)
Glass-standard pint
The looks-hazy straw/yellow; modest foam
The scents-light grapefruit, peach, honeydew
Mouthfeel-tiny bite
Tastes-matched the nose with maybe a bit of OJ
Yeast-ale
Malt-pale wheat (gotta be something else, too)
Hops-Strata, Mosaic, Lotus, El Dorado
IBU-70 (woulda never guessed that high)
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-this completes a very nice trading mixed 6er
Ymm, Beer rating-upper echelon cat 2; nice pairing with a spicy grilled chicken salad; if you see a 12er and wanna share with some friends, grab it and chill it

[devildeac]

Maximus Colossal IPA-Lagunitas Brewing

Not local.

Credit-my own purchase as a twin in a mixed 6er to drink 3 and trade 3; $10.99 for the litter
Style-west coast DIPA
Format-12 ounce bottle
Freshness data-MIA
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-bronzish gold; modest foam
Nose-lots and lots of pine/resin
Mouthfeel-less bitter than I thought
Tastes-pine, resin, hint of caramel and orange rind
IBU-61 (Ida guessed 80 to 90 range)
ABV-9%
Overall impression-if you want an old style IIPA, grab one for a couple $$ and side by side it with a DFA 90 Minute
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; I like the DFH better but this was $1.83 plus tax so tough to argue lack of value here

[devildeac]

Pumpkin Chai-Saugatuck Brewing Company

Not even close.

Credit-stolen from younger daughter/son in law to accompany a chicken salad sandwich
Style-amber ale with…
Format-12 ounce can
Bottom of can-09/14/21
Glassware-standard pint glass
Appearance-coulda been amber
Nose-pumpkin pie spices
Mouthfeel-spicy
Tastes-all the usual suspects along with Chai tea
Adjuncts-I’ll guess clove, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg with pumpkin
IBU-probably 30
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression- a bit overspiced but paired well with the sandwich
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 2; better pumpkin beers than this exist but the tea made an interesting twist

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Utopias Barrel-Aged World Wide Stout (2020)-Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Lewes=not local

Credit-younger son in law; many, many thanks for sharing!!
Style-“And thanks to a shipment of freshly emptied Utopias barrels from our friends at Sam Adams, we were able to see just how well these two beloved brews would mingle. After sitting in the barrels for a full seven months, Utopias Barrel-Aged World Wide Stout was born.”
Format 12 ounce bottle, shared
Geek stuff-buncha numbers on the bottle neck and no clue as to brew date except the 2020 in the name
Stemware-tumblers
Appearance-clean, very dark brown; no head
Nose-booze and dried fruits
Mouthfeel-lubricious
Tastes-as complex as imagined with raisins, dates, figs, espresso, blackstrap molasses, char, tobacco, wet leather, semisweet chocolate, port, bourbon and maybe some cherries
Adjuncts-none listed/claimed
IBU-70
ABV-17.3% and it is very, very well hidden and therefore quite dangerous
Overall impression-a stunning upgrade on a world class stout that’s been around for almost 20 years and already/only had vanilla and BBA variants as best I can recall
Ymm, Beer rating-another entrant into the RJ cat 4 ionosphere because it’s as good as Mas Agave Lime in its own special/categorical way; get your friends in non ABV limited states to buy you a bottle, heck, get a 4 pack, hell, get a whole damn case and share with your best Ymm, Beer friends

[devildeac]

Oktoberfest-Foothills Brewing

Local? Check.

Credit-bought twins of this; trade one, drink one
Style-oh, c’mon
Format-12 ounce bottle
Bottle inkage-090821 7288 0020256 2101
Glass-Full Sail pint glass
Appearance-clear, medium dark amber; smallish head
Nose-toasted cereal
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-toast, nuts, light brown sugar and some earthy hops
IBU-42 (I’d have guessed 30)
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-very good for the style; good pairing with a NC State Fair tribute, grilled sausage, peppers and onions and some marinara sauce
Ymm, Beer rating-upper shelf cat 2; I like the Staghorn a bit better but this was more than solid

[devildeac]

From Saturday PM.

Deth by Cherries-Revolution Brewing

Local when bought.

Credit-younger son in law; many thanks!!
Style-flavored BBA oatmeal imperial stout
Format-12 ounce can, shared
Canned on-11/02/20
Glasses-tumblers
Appearance-very dark brown with ruby edges; thin, tan head
Nose-bourbon and cherries
Mouthfeel-slippery
Tastes-slightly tart, mildly sweet, cherry jam, bourbon, dark chocolate, char/wood
Adjuncts-oatmeal and cherries (guessing Montmorency or Bing and not some cheapass masharino {sic} crap
IBU-“no IBU” but I’ll guess 50
ABV-12.5% and frighteningly sippable
Overall impression-great balance, blending and execution; top notch
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 3; another can might make it to NC for New Year’s eve/day

[devildeac]

Strawberry Rubarb-New Glarus Brewing Company

Indigenous, aka “Only in Wisconsin”

Credit-my road trip and my credit card
Style-wild, fruited sour ale
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared with Mrs. dd
Stemware-champagne flutes
Appearance-slightly hazy pink with a small, fizzy head
Nose-strawberries (I’d say rhubarb but never smelled it)
Mouthfeel-it tingled!
Tastes-close to ripe strawberries, tart (?) rhubarb, hint of cherry cider vinegar
Adjuncts-wrong answers only, please
IBU-probably <10
ABV-4%
Overall impression-better than I thought after a couple prior reviews; perhaps a bit high at #4 on the beeradvocate top 100 fruit beers but name 5-7 others not from New Glarus you’d put higher
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; certainly a bit below the Belgian Red and Raspberry Tart but pretty damned good. I have 7 left available to trade/mix cocktails

[devildeac]

Pear 21-New Glarus Brewing Company

“Only in Wisconsin”

Previously reviewed by @fuse but I can’t find it (and that’s on my cuz I didn’t search very thoroughly and I know the search feature is better here than the piece of they have OY).

Credit-I was withing buying distance and had available credit on my card
Style-Berliner Weisse is on the label but I’m not sure about that claim
Format-the usual 12 ounce bottle, shared (sorta)
Stemware-champagne flutes
Appearance-cider with a modest, bubbly head
Nose-pear nectar/juice/fruit cup
Mouthfeel-sweetish
Tastes-lots and lots of pear, some fresh, some juice, some canned, some natural “syrup” and mildly cloying
Adjuncts-“5 pear varieties from the Pacific Northwest”
IBU-probably 5 to 10, though none claimed
ABV-4%
Overall impression-a mildly alcohol laden pear cocktail; better than anticipated
Ymm, Beer rating-I downgraded slightly due to its sweetness but it’s still a low/mid cat 3 beer and I’m delighted to have 7 more for sipping, sharing and/or trading

[lawgrad91]

Pear 21-New Glarus Brewing Company

“Only in Wisconsin”

Previously reviewed by @fuse but I can’t find it (and that’s on my cuz I didn’t search very thoroughly and I know the search feature is better here than the piece of they have OY).

Credit-I was withing buying distance and had available credit on my card
Style-Berliner Weisse is on the label but I’m not sure about that claim
Format-the usual 12 ounce bottle, shared (sorta)
Stemware-champagne flutes
Appearance-cider with a modest, bubbly head
Nose-pear nectar/juice/fruit cup
Mouthfeel-sweetish
Tastes-lots and lots of pear, some fresh, some juice, some canned, some natural “syrup” and mildly cloying
Adjuncts-“5 pear varieties from the Pacific Northwest”
IBU-probably 5 to 10, though none claimed
ABV-4%
Overall impression-a mildly alcohol laden pear cocktail; better than anticipated
Ymm, Beer rating-I downgraded slightly due to its sweetness but it’s still a low/mid cat 3 beer and I’m delighted to have 7 more for sipping, sharing and/or trading

Oooh. New Glarus....

[devildeac]

Over Burning Ground-New Anthem Beer Project

Local.

Credit-gifted by a patient from her son who is the New Anthem sales manager; thanks!!!
Style-NEIPA
Format-pint can
Stemware-large wine glass (stop laughing, it’s a great beer glass)
Appearance-above
Nose-a large bowl/glass of citrus
Mouthfeel-pillowy
Tastes-OJ, pineapple, peach and tangerine
Hop-Citra
Grains-pale malt, Chit (and good chit, too!!) and wheat
IBU-“no IBU” but I’ll guess 40s
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-compares favorably with Ba’al and Neon God, seriously good; never had Yellow Postcards
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; this was Veil/Resident Culture/Burial good and if I/we ever get another Tree House/Trillium deliver, I’d side by side this with one of them in a heartbeat

[devildeac]

Pear 21-New Glarus Brewing Company

“Only in Wisconsin”

Previously reviewed by @fuse but I can’t find it (and that’s on my cuz I didn’t search very thoroughly and I know the search feature is better here than the piece of they have OY).

Credit-I was withing buying distance and had available credit on my card
Style-Berliner Weisse is on the label but I’m not sure about that claim
Format-the usual 12 ounce bottle, shared (sorta)
Stemware-champagne flutes
Appearance-cider with a modest, bubbly head
Nose-pear nectar/juice/fruit cup
Mouthfeel-sweetish
Tastes-lots and lots of pear, some fresh, some juice, some canned, some natural “syrup” and mildly cloying
Adjuncts-“5 pear varieties from the Pacific Northwest”
IBU-probably 5 to 10, though none claimed
ABV-4%
Overall impression-a mildly alcohol laden pear cocktail; better than anticipated
Ymm, Beer rating-I downgraded slightly due to its sweetness but it’s still a low/mid cat 3 beer and I’m delighted to have 7 more for sipping, sharing and/or trading

Oooh. New Glarus....

Lemme know when y'all coming to a tailgate and I'll bring one for a trader. Shoot, I might bring a Pear 21, a Lot O' Peaches (tonight's beer) and a Strawberry Rhubarb, too...

[devildeac]

Barrel Aged Honey Ginger-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for one of the buying guys from the Commonwealth.

Credit-wbmcards88 (not sure whether this is an IOU or a trader 4 pack); thanks!!
Style-“spiced beer;” likely a dark amber ale base
Format-12 ounce cans (new!!)
Stemware-large tulip
Appearance-clean/clear amber; smallish head
Nose-bourbon and ginger ale
Mouthfeel-highly attractive
Tastes-dark honey, ginger and bourbon; the honey gives this a slightly different feel/taste than the standard /classic bourbon and ginger ale cocktail
Adjuncts-honey and ginger
IBU-18; sooooo smooooooth
ABV-10%
Overall impression-welcome back; very happy they barrel aged a portion again for 2021
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; delighted to have a 4 pack, likely trading one to our son

[devildeac]

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Hammer of God-New Anthem Beer Project

Pretty nearby

Credit-gifted by a patient from her son who is the NA sales manager; thanks
Style-pale lager
Format-pint can
Glassy thingy-Full Sail pint container
Appearance-very slight chill haze; light straw hue with a meringuey head
Nose-corn syrup and a flower garden
Mouthfeel-soft; bubbly
Tastes-corn syrup, flowers, light Karo syrup
Grains-pilsner and Vienna malts
Adjuncts-corn
Hops-Hallertau
Reason for brewing-“Made in tribute to our friend MSGT Aaron Torian who died serving his country in Afghanistan and proceeds to Raider Foundation”
IBU-none claimed but I’ll guess 30 or less
ABV-5.3%
Overall impression-very good for the style but their IPAs/NEIPAs/DIPAs/NEDIPAs are better
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; not exciting but a good sandwich/cookout brew

[devildeac]

Second IPA to celebrate no more hospital work this afternoon for the rest of my career:

Tryin’ Not to Sweat (draft)-New Anthem Beer Project

Credit-my card; thanks !
Style-NEIPA
Format-^^^^
Cupware-half pint plastic
Appearance-hazy pineapple yellow; smallish, creamy head
Nose-tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-more grapefruit and guava than pineapple with twists of rind and pine
Hops-old school Simcoe and Centennial
IBU-no data but probably low 40s
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-another fanboi data point; wonderful sipper on the patio with clear skies and 68 degrees
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a shade better than Mountain Candy and a very small notch below Ba’al and Neon God; worth a can or a 4 bagger if you see it

[devildeac]

No Soul to Sell-New Anthem Beer Project

Lessee, where was I:

Format-pint can
Numbers on bottom of can-21 239 (that’s it; you figure it out )
Stemware-pint glass
Appearance-dark, dark brown; foamy, tan topping
Nose-heavily roasted grains
Mouthfeel-roasty
Tastes-hints of coffee, unsweetened chocolate, lightly burnt pumpernickel toast
Grains-none revealed but gotta be a ton/mix of chocolate/black malts
Hops-Chinook and Centennial
IBU-36
ABV-7.9% (can); 7.7% (Untappd)
Overall impression-reminded me of the Guinness I had when we had stouts or UK beers for a VP a few months ago; never had the export Guinness, likely only available at the pub in Dublin or whatever countries not named the United States to which they export
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; another well brewed NA beverage

[devildeac]

Coastline (draft)-Salty Turtle Brewing Company

Really, really local

Credit-$5 Monday night flights
Style-Kolsch
Glass-cute little 4 ounce taster
Appearance-light straw; thin head
Nose-flowers
Mouthfeel-tiny bubbles
Tastes-light Karo, garden flowers
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-6%, a bit higher than I’d have thought
Overall impression-nice product for the style
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; good pairing with a meat and veggie flatbread

[devildeac]

Sample #2:

Betio Blonde (draft)-STBC

Same local

Credit-same flight
Style-coffee infused blonde ale
Glass-different 4 ounce sampler glass
Appearance-clean, very pale yellow; very small head
Nose-super light roast coffee and flowers
Mouthfeel-soft with a hint of bitter
Tastes-blonde roast coffee, hint of corn syrup, flowers
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-4.8%
Overall impression-artfully blended
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; another good pairing w/pizza