Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Note to davec: do not read this

All You’ve Found at the Apex of Insanity-Burial Beer Company

Local enough

Credit-needed traders for davec and to restock my own supply; thanks!
Style-IPA
Format-pint can
Stemware-large wine glass (held the full pint after allowing 30 seconds of some head disappearance)
Appearance-fresh squeezed citrus juices; 2 finger head
Nose-smelled like it looked
Mouthfeel-lotsa juice
Tastes-pineapple, cantaloupe, peach, OJ and some mango
Hops-Cashmere, Mosaic, Strata and Vic Secret
IBU-44 (because Burial sez so)
ABV-7.4%
Overall impression-another fantastic Burial IPA; our son agreed as he got one and sent me a brief review earlier this evening
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; how many cat 2 beers have you had from Burial?

[devildeac]

Maple Barrel Qualified-Taxman Brewing Company

Local for davec.

Credit-guess who? Thanks!!
Style-maple syrup flavored quad aged in maple syrup barrels
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-02/07/22
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-muddy and moderately foamy
Nose-am I in Canada during harvest season?
Mouthfeel-sweet and sexy
Tastes-a bit too much maple to start but surprisingly, after 30 minutes of sipping, the maple was less prominent and the other expected flavors like caramel, dates, figs and toffee shone very brightly
Adjuncts-maple syrup
IBU-20
ABV-10%
Overall impression-another terrific Taxman brew from the Vault, their barrel aged series
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; quite an evening sipper and even better than their regular Qualified product

[devildeac]

Just to be Disoriented and Staring into Middle Distance-Burial Beer Company

West side of NC? Still local.

Credit-it was trading time last week and davec and I both like IPAs so there ya go
Style-IPA on can but more like a NEIPA
Format-pint can
Ink on the bottom of the can-29M{smudge}OFT{smudge}WHEN{smudge}; (figure out that code, mattman
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-frothy, white grapefruit juice
Nose-grapefruit and pguave
Mouthfeel-pithy
Tastes-grapefruit, pith, lots of pith, grapefruit rind, guava and a drizzle of OJ
Grains-oats and wheat; other malts not names
Hops-“Whirlpooled with Cryo and Incognito. Double dry-hopped with hand-selected Simcoe and Riwaka hops”
IBU-38 (I’d have guessed high 50s)
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-personal taste says I liked the All You’ve Found at the Apex of Insanity a bit better as it was fruitier and juicier but this was still excellent
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; we’ll see how our son and davec like theirs as only kept one for myself but, beer is for trading and sharing and sipping, too

[devildeac]

From last PM (note @fuse; not for your eyes ):

Revive-Upland Sour Ales; New American Series

Local for the purchasing agent, you know who you are…

Credit-davec delivers, again; thanks!!
Style-fruited, barrel aged blonde sour
Format-500 ml bottle, divided into 2 equal aliquots, one for dance lubrication and the second for rehydration
Bottle date-APR 21
Batch No.-F 21
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-cider; very few bubbles
Nose-sour apples and pineapples
Mouthfeel-quite the mother pucker
Tastes-sour apples first, then lemon/lime and white wine with a sour pineapple finish
Adjuncts-pineapple and camomile
Aging-wine barrels for 3 to 4 months, likely chardonnay but coulda been white zin
IBU-“no IBU” but likely <10
ABV-6.1%
Overall impression-high quality sour here; woulda been a very interesting side by side with the FFF Secario Pina from last fall
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3, lofty praise but well deserved; to have a 1 year old sour with this clarity and degree of execution speaks volumes of the cooperation with the brewery and a couple local wineries with which I’m familiar

[devildeac]

Rye on Rye Maple-Boulevard Brewing Company

Not nearby.

Credit-my Hamiltons with a tip of the snifter from wbmcards88 for the heads up
Style-whiskey barrel aged rye ale with maple
Format-12 ounce bottle
Please enjoy by-16MAR2021 D L 031620 13:17
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-medium amber with a modest light beige head
Nose-whiskey and maple
Mouthfeel-soft and sweet
Tastes-tons of maple and whiskey, slight must, toffee, caramel, dark brown sugar syrup
Adjuncts-maple syrup
IBU-18
ABV-13.2% and started feeling every molecule about 15 minutes into my 60 minute sipping
Overall impression-still as wonderful as I remember though I’m unable to fine any prior reviews
Ymm, Beer rating-top of the cat 3 shelf; delighted to have had a four pack over about a year I guess but sorry to finish the last bottle; might have to do a bit of beer hunting this week but don’t tell Mrs. dd

[devildeac]

From last pm:

Whipped-Black Dog Brewing

From somewhere local to daved.

Credit-bows humbly to davec again for selection and delivery; thanks!!
Style-milkshake IPA/IIPA
Format-pint can
Canned on 7/1/2021 (uh-oh; see below)
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-cloudy, flocculent/chunky orange; moderate pale peachy head
Nose-pasteurized OJ from concentrate
Mouthfeel-soft and juicy
Tastes-juiced oranges with some pith and zest, cream
Adjuncts-“infused with real oranges” and lactose
Hops-Mosaic and Idaho 7
IBU-“no IBU” but probably 40 something
ABV-7.7% (a boozy milkshake beer)
Overall impression-once you overcome the unattractive appearance with all the “chunk” and let the particulates settle for 10-15 minutes and skip the last 1/2 ounce of junk in the bottome of the glass, this ended up being a pretty good beer that was likely better 3-6 months ago; really tasted like an orange shake or creamsicle and “cleaned up” pretty well as “contents may have settled over time”
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; I’d happily revisit this if found fresh; not picking on davec at all with this review

[devildeac]

More davec beer:

Double O-Brew Link Brewing

Local.

Credit-davec with another winner; thanks!
Style-flavored imperial milk stout
Format-pint can
Freshie stuff-Canned on 12/22/21
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-not quite Oreo cookie black; foamy tan head
Nose-liquid Oreos
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-a creamy, Oreo chocolate cookie shake
Adjuncts-“double dry cookied with double stuffed Oreos” and lactose
IBU-30
ABV-7.9%
Overall impression-quite a tasty nightcap disappearing from my snifter as I type
Ymm, Beer rating-if you can make a chocolate beer shake with Oreos and have it look/taste “clean,” it’s a cat 3 beer; quite a fun beer

[devildeac]

With dinner tonight:

It’s 5 O’Clock Somehow-Hoof Hearted Brewing (say that 3 times fast…)

Local when bought.

Credit-needed a couple pints to enter the transfer portal for a neighbor who looked out for our house while we were beer hunting, err, traveling to visit family
Style-DIPA on can but it’s really a NEDIPA
Format-aluminum cylinder containing 16 ounce of an adult beverage
Canned on-4/11/2022 (fresh!)
Stemware-usual large wine glass
Appearance-white grapefruit juice with a generous foam cap
Nose-pineapple grapefruit juice
Mouthfeel-jooooicy
Tastes-fresh squeezed grapefruit/pineapple juice blend with a splash of honeydew and drop or two of peach
Adjuncts-Phantasm (https://www.nibrewing.com/post/introduc ... nt-in-beer)
Hops-DDH Citra and Nectaron (Nectaron Hops: Substitution, Flavor, Aroma - Beer Maverick)
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-8%
Overall impression-Burial/New Anthem quality NEDIPA here
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; gonna hafta buy more from this brewery on our next Ohio trip

[devildeac]

With dinner tonight:

Space Pegasus-Boonshine Brewing Company

Kinda local.

Credit-dog and babysitting fee from our older daughter; thanks!
Style-NEIPA
Format-pint can
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-dark yellow and foamhy
Nose-OJ and pine
Mouthfeel-mildly juicy
Tastes-light OJ, pine, mango and peach
Hops-“rotating per batch”
Grains-“light profile”
IBU-40
ABV-6.3%
Overall impression-above average, but not much
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; worth a single whether you buy it or pilfer it and quite a decent pairing with a homemade Caesar salad

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Apple Brandy Barrel GBS Blend (2021)-Hardywood park Craft Brewery

RVA local? Close enough!!

Credit-wbmcards88 pickup and nrrrrvous delivery; thanks!!
Style-imperial mild stout blend after 8 and 16 month slumbers in Laird’s Apple Brandy barrels
Format-stubbie!!
Stemware-2018 Hardywood GBS Coomplete Set tumbler
Appearance-straight from the crankcase; moderate tan foam
Nose-apple brandy and spices
Mouthfeel-“Take Me Home Tonight”
Tastes-apple brandy, ginger, vanilla, dark chocolate, dark caramel and char
Adjuncts-ginger, honey, vanilla, lactose and extra cinnamon
IBU-probably 55, same as the base GBS
ABV-12.8% (whoa!)
Overall impression-decadent
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I still like their BBA better, but not much

[devildeac]

Day Patrol: Triple Berry Lemon Lime-Forgotten Road Ales (“We’re veteran owned, female owned, Certified Cicerone owned, and fiercely independent.”)

A couple counties away is local enough.

Credit-another pilfered brew for child and dog sitting; thanks!
Style-fruited sour
Format-pint can, shared, but not equally
Stemware-champagne flutes
Appearance-burgundy purple; thin, fizzy pinkish purplish head
Nose-berries
Mouthfeel-mild/moderate pucker
Tastes-lots and lots of berries, lemon/limeade
Adjuncts-blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, lemon and lime
IBU-had to be <10
ABV-6%
Overall impression-a partial tier below The Veil and davec’s recent trader sours
Ymm, Beer rating-sneaks into low cat 3; worth a full pint for yourself or a share

[devildeac]

Wilson’s Sampler-Casita Brewing Company

Another nearby county=local

Credit-needed some traders and this looked interesting
Style-flavored imperial (pastry? candy?) stout
Format-16 ounce aluminum wrapper
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-liquid dark fudge; moderate beige head
Nose-dark chocolate, nuts and maple syrup
Mouthfeel-pillowy
Tastes-dark chocolate fudge, roasted almonds, maple syrup; coconut gets lost
Adjuncts-chocolate, almonds, coconut and maple syrup
IBU-“no IBU” but I’m no dummy so I’ll claim 40
ABV-8%
Overall impression-better as it warmed; almost Southern Tier cloying but sippable in one sitting
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; really a fun beer and Casita never disappoints; grab one of these for dessert this week

[devildeac]

Iron Rail IPA (draft)-Wedge Brewing

As local as you can get; delivered at the window at the brewery

Credit-thirst and proximity
Style-English style IPA
Format-from the tap to the…
Stemware-…standard pint glass
Appearance-above
Nose-pine and rind
Mouthfeel-bitter
Tastes-pine, resin, orange rind, hint of caramel
Grains-Maris Otter 2-row, Canadian Honey Malt and Belgian Crystal
Hops-Centennial, Kent Golding, and Cascade
IBU-“no IBU” (they’re lying; had to be >60)
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-good for the style once I did some research; initially, I thought it was a westie IPA
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; I’d bet matt “the brewer” man and RJ would have liked this more; not a palate fave but had to try it based on mattman’s suggestion and the fact this Wedge location, the original, was a 4 minute walk from HiWire.

[devildeac]

From Wednesday night:

Passion Fruit Sour (draft)-Wedge Brewing

Can’t get more local than the beer window.

Credit-it was a couple blocks from HiWire
Style-wrong answers only, please
Format-from the spigot
Stemware-large tulip; Mrs. dd kinda shared some with me
Appearance-pinky orange yellow; no head
Nose-passion fruit
Mouthfeel-a bit more pucker than the HiWire sour
Tastes-passion fruit punch, strawberry, lemon/lime
Adjuncts-passion fruit
IBU-gotta be <10
ABV-6%
Overall impression-a bit thin with limited pucker
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2; a refreshing sipper on a warm spring evening down by the river

[devildeac]

From last pm:

Guava Rodeo (draft)-Oskar Blues Brewing

On the property

Credit-needed a dinner beverage
Style-fruited sour
Format-from the beer dispenser
Stemware-large tulip; Mrs. dd allowed me a couple sips before she claimed the rest
Appearance-yellowish orange with little fizz
Nose-tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-sweet mother pucker
Tastes-guava, tangerine, peach, honeydew (or honey don’t…)
Adjuncts-guava and tangerine
IBU-“no IBU” but I’ll guess <10
ABV-6%
Overall impression-nice pairing with Mrs. dd’s cheeborger (which she didn’t share, FYI) and my smashed pork burger
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2 as it tasted less diluted than the HiWire and Wedge brews the night before

[devildeac]

My beer from last pm:

Punchout IPA (draft)-Oskar Blues Brewery

On the grounds

Credit-I deserved a brew with dinner, too
Style-somewhat hazy IPA
Format-nonic pint glass
Appearance-orange bronze; small head
Nose-pineapple and melons
Mouthefeel-juuiicy
Tastes-pineapple, papaya, cantaloupe and OJ
Hops-Nectaron and Motueka, both NZ varieties
IBU-50
ABV-7%
Overall impression-wonderful hop combination and Untappd claims the yeast strain helps pull out the flavors above
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; I’d have another but was “saving” room for a mattman suggestion on the trip from Brewvard, err, Brevard to Asheville

[devildeac]

From Friday night:

Shade of Lies-Incendiary Brewing Company

336=local

Credit-trader from RJ; wow!!
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-pint can of bliss
Canned on-03/14/22
Stemware-cocktail glass (beer not enjoyed at home)
Appearance-North Sea crude; single finger of tan foam
Nose-maple, java, coconut
Mouthfeel-sinfully viscous; chewy
Tastes-pretty balanced dark roast coffee, maple and dark chocolate with hints of toasted coconut
Grains-2 Row, roasted barley, Chocolate Malt, Crystal 80, Black Malt and flaked oats
Yeast-American house strain
Adjuncts-maple, coffee and toasted coconut
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-11.3%
Overall impression-sweet, sensuous and liquidy, fudgy decadence
Ymm, Beer rating-some folks might pick a nit about cloying or the roastiness but this is a fantastic beer, easily mid cat 3 but staring longingly at that top shelf of cat 3; many thanks again to RJ for the entire 4 bagger!

[devildeac]

From Thursday night:

Dream Only by Night (draft)-Burning Blush Brewery

Right on the highway in Mills River

Credit-shout out to mattman for the suggestion; thanks!
Style-dark Czech lager
Format-from the draft wall
Stemware-short, wide German style handled mug with a big mouth (no comments about Grandma here )
Appearance-really dark brown; 2 finger offwhite topping
Nose-roasted grains and caramel
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-a bit overroasted cereal, dark caramel, hint of char and smoke
Grains/yeasts/adjuncts-I didn’t inquire
IBU-27
ABV-5.2%
Overall impression-very well crafted; would have again or try more from this joint
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a wonderful brew on their patio after hours of hiking/walking and waterfall hunting in Transylvania County; I may have enjoyed this a bit more than the one OB brew I drank and the other I tasted from Mrs. dd’s tulip

[devildeac]

From last pm:

High Fives and Good Vibes-Casita Brewing Company collaboration with Resident Culture

Two area codes in NC puts this in the local basket

Credit-hmm, wonder who; thanks, RJ!!
Style-TIPA (debatable)
Format-pint can
Freshness check in-PO 04/26/22
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-golden yellow with hints of amber (waves of grain); moderate foam
Nose-fresh OJ and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-soft, almost creamy
Taste-fresh OJ and grapefruit juice, tangerine, peach and hints of pine
Grains-wheat, pale and oat malts
Hops-Simcoe, Citra, Strata and Ekuanot
IBU-no data available so I’ll guess mid 40s
ABV-9.2% (hence my above debatable comment as I think of TIPAs as >10%)
Overall impression-a freshie from 2 of my fav breweries in NC, yes, please!!
Ymm, Beer rating-I’m going a bit higher than RJ with a mid cat 3 as I really liked the citrusy, juicy aspects of this and its smooth mouthfeel; I’d get a 4 pack, keep a couple and trade a couple; thanks, again for the muleing gift, RJ!!

[devildeac]

From Tuesday night:

Road to Ruin-Incendiary Brewing Company

Nearby

Credit-last holdout from a late fall trader pack from RJ; thanks!!
Style-double barrel aged RIS
Format-pint can
Canned on-11/22/21
Stemware-wonderful Incendiary stemless teku from RJ; more thanks!!
Appearance-bubbling crude, oil that is; 8 bubble head
Nose-bourbon dark chocolate fudge
Mouthfeel-smooooth
Tastes-bourbon, very dark chocolate fudge, char, hints of coconut and vanilla (neither added)
Barrels-Buffalo Trace bourbon and Jim Beam rye
Grains-Maris Otter, 2 Row, Crystal, chocolate, black
Adjunct-Belgian syrup
IBU-probably 40s
ABV-11.6% (borderline lethal)
Overall impression-fantastic
Ymm, Beer rating-dancing on the mid/upper cat 3 line; what a fabulous nightcap sipper over about 60 minutes