Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Rehydration liquid last pm:

Golden Monkey-Victory Brewing Company

No

Credit-also included in the 15 pack of traders
Style-spiced Belgian style tripel
Storage vessel-12 ounce can
Freshness data-BEST BY FEB 24 PBG22984 10:$# FL
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalice
Appearance-light gold; mild Belgian lacing
Nose-a spring meadow (no barnyard animals!), light brown sugar and spice and everything nice
Mouthfeel-tickley
Tastes-orange peal, light brown sugar, flowers, hint of black pepper
Adjuncts-likely some orange peel, coriander and Belgian candi sugar
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-9.5%
Overall impression-I’ve liked this for maybe 20 years and it’s not authentic but compares favorably with what the monks brew
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; still very enjoyable/sippable

[devildeac]

Blue Hen Pilsner-Boston Beer Company, aka Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Nope

Credit-trader from August West at the Wake tailgate; thanks!
Style-go figure
Format-12 ounce can
Can inkage-JAN 2023 D 202 2 0536 11
Stemware-what a coincidence my Dogfish Head nonic pint was clean
Appearance-light bronze and clean with a modest, fluffy head
Nose-Alpine flowers and corn surup
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-flower porn, light Karo syrup
Grains-“Delaware grown and malted barley”
IBU-"no IBU on Untappd and I’m too lazy to go to the DFH website to check so 25 is my guess
ABV-4.8%
Uberall impression-unexciting but delightful
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; doesn’t come close to the 4.2 on Untappd but this is a really solid beer

[devildeac]

90 Minute Imperial IPA-Boston Beer Company, aka Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Still not local

Credit-second of 4 traders from AW last Saturday; thanks!
Style-you’re on your own here
Format-12 ounce can; first time I’ve seen this format for this beer
Freshness stats-FEB 2023 D 228 2 1216 11
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-clean and light to medium copper; generous bubbles
Nose-fresh orange zest and pine sap
Mouthfeel-a tad short of bracingly bitter but wonderful caramel sweetness for balance
Tastes-fresh pine sap (though I’ve never tasted it ), shaved orange and grapefruit peels, orange liqueur, grapefruit juice and caramel syrup
IBU-90 (no typo!)
ABV-9%
Overall impression-still very fond memories of perhaps my first IIPA; this beer never disappoints
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 but because it’s a classic westie IIPA, one could sneak this into mid cat 3 as it’s still that good

[devildeac]

From 8/16/14:

Here's one they didn't have on the menu but have featured in their taproom in the past:

"Hef-You

A deliciously refreshing unfiltered Bavarian style Hefeweizen."

I kid you not. Interesting name.

I would love to sit around the table with these guys as they choose names for their beers.

Here's another interesting name/beer:


Double Bag-Long Trail Brewing (Bridgewater Corners, VT)

My "bargain" of the trip so far. I found a bomber of this in a Price Chopper grocery store for $4 in Burlington, VT, the night we arrived and consumed all of it in about 60-90 minutes. Had no cork so I sipped slowly. I had this about 5-6 years ago but don't think I ever reviewed it anywhere unless someone can find it on this thread in 2007 or 2008. My search skills kinda suck here.

It is labeled as a double alt beer, meaning an "imperial" style of this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altbier). Dark amber in color with wonderful scents of over-baked wheat bread, dark honey and medium to dark caramel and a slight floral presence. Poured with a moderate, creamy head with the tastes being true to the aromas with perhaps a hint of dried cherries. Hops had a modest role here with IBUs of 39. The malts are the winners in this brew with the ABV at 7.2%. A typical alt beer has ABV around 5%. I should have picked up a second bottle at that price for a fall tailgate. Nice label, too:

http://longtrail.com/sites/default/f...?itok=c6MgDDgv

From last PM:

Double Bag-Long Trail Brewing Company

Local when purchased by our cross country beer mule.

Credit-trader from Traveling Teacher Tom; thanks!!
Style-double amber ale on bottle but “Stickebier,” German slang for “secret brew” on Untappd
Format-12 ounce bottle
Bottle neck ink-PKG 252 W 09/06/22 09:54
Glassware-DFH nonic pint
Appearance-dark amber, clean with a good amount of foam
Nose-dark caramel
Mouthfeel-malty
Tastes-dark caramel, amber honey, well toasted wheat bread, mild earthy hops
IBU-39
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-very fond memories of this from 8/16/14 (see next post, dredged from the archives at crazietalk.net)
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; very nice pairing with some of Mrs. dd’s almost famous chicken salad on whole grain toast and a side fancy pants kale salad

[devildeac]

Nightcap to celebrate the cheats loss, among other events of the day:

25th Anniversary Ale-Brewery Ommegang

When we visited in 2014 it was local

Credit-retirement gift; many thanks @fuse!!
Style-flavored imperial amber ale
Format-12 ounce bottle
Freshie data-BEST BY 041223
Stemware-amazing coincidence that my oversized Ommegang tulip gift to myself from 6-7 years ago (along with 3 large format bottles for about $25) was clean!!
Appearance-dark amber with some ruby glints
Nose-caramel and spices
Mouthfeel-spiced
Tastes-intriguing blend of spice (see below), orange peel and lots of toasted bread, pinch of black pepper, caramel and dark honey
Adjuncts-orange peel, grains of paradise and coriander
IBU-25
ABV-9%
Overall impression-fascinating concoction from a really fine brewery
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 based on fascination, intrigue and a really interesting and tasty brew

[devildeac]

thena-Creature Comforts Brewing Company

Local for that Georgia guy

Credit-trader from OPK; thanks!!
Style-German style Berliner Weisse
Format-12 ounce can
Freshness stuff-ON: 07/06/22 BY: 01/06/23 1110 13:26
Glassware-standard pint
Appearance-light yellow straw; lots of fizzy stuff
Nose-lemon lime
Mouthfeel-tart and tingly
Tastes-hints of lemon and lime juice, small splash of orange, pinch of salt
Adjunct-lots of wheat
IBU-gotta be <10
ABV-4.5%
Overall impression-good brew for the style; very nice pairing with a plate of leftover Calabash style shrimp, scallops, flounder, grilled salmon, roasted potatoes, fancy pants green beans and some slaw
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; not a wow beer but quite enjoyable

[devildeac]

Mocha Dolce Nitro Stout-Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Tain’t local

Credit-a retirement gift from @fuse; thanks!!
Style-add “milk” to the name and you’ve got it
Format-12 ounce can
Glassware-stemless Incendiary teku, aka a tumbler
Appearance-dark, dark chocolate milk; less “nitro” than expected
Nose-latte
Mouthfeel-smooooooth
Tastes-a rich latte (cocoa, vanilla and coffee)
Adjuncts-“vanilla beans, whole-roasted coffee beans, and cacao nibs” and a “touch of lactose”
IBU-35
ABV-65
Overall impression-checked all the boxes; wonderful sipper for H2 last pm
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; quite enjoyable

[devildeac]

Cronus-Cigar City Brewing

El Catador Club 15th Edition exclusive ( El Catador Barrel-Aged Beer Club – Cigar City Brewing)

Local for the Florida guy

Credit-trader from Teacher Tom; many thanks!!
Style-" Blend of Cabernet-Whiskey and Rum Barrel Aged Barleywine-style Ale"
Format-500 ml capped bottle, divided over 2 nights
Stemware-5 oz snifter night one an Funky Buddha tulip night two
Appearance-very dark brown; no head
Nose-tobacco, wet leather, wine and bourbon
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-red wine, bourbon, dark chocolate, leather, wet wood, leather and tobacco
IBU-35
ABV-16% ( ); hence, divided over 2 nights
Overall impression-terrific blending though I lost the rummmy part of the blending;
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3 and this is a crowded shelf

[devildeac]

With dinner last pm:

The Perfect Pairing-Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Not nearby

Credit-trader from August West; thanks!
Style-pale ale
Format-12 ounce can from a DFH party pack
Stemware-how’s a DFH nonic pint sound?"
Appearance-yellowish gold and foamy
Nose-grapefruit and orange-
Mouthfeel-slight bite
Tastes-grapefruit, splash of pineapple, crackers and a drizzle of caramel
Adjuncts-(from the DFH web page) “Pairing has a beautiful hazy golden hue thanks to cultures and upcycled whey – a bi-product of the cheese making process – from our friends at Cabot. These additions help adjust the pH of the wort prior to fermentation, making for a cleaner hop bitterness that enhances the juiciness of the hops. Pretty science-y, huh?”
IBU-35
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-very good pairing with my wife’s homemade chicken noodle soup that was much closer to a stew; darn perfect pairing with some sharp cheddah and colby jack cheeses and Triscuits as side bars
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; another beer that won’t excite but you’ll realize is a very solid beverage

[devildeac]

Distress Signal-Akademia Brewing Company

Local for the mule team from last weekend.

Credit-trader from OPK; thanks!!
Style-NEDIPA
Format-pint can
Freshie stuff-CANNED ON 08 18 22
Glassware-3/4 standard pint glass, IOW, what our hotel tonight had available
Appearance-slightly ambered pineapple juice; modest head
Nose-lotsa guava and slightly underripe papaya
Mouthfeel-tropical fruit juice with a lotta pith
Tastes-pineapple juice with lotsa guava and papaya, some pith and a little rind
Hops-Sultana and Mosaic, an unusual combo
IBU-I’m gonna stop including this soon but I’ll guess high 40s
ABV-8.4%
Overall impression-fascinating combination with intriguing tastes with a bit more pithy than sweet
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; happy to have another can to trade/share

[devildeac]

New beer in the glass:

The Innate Pattern of What Was and What Will Be-Burial Beer Company

Close enough

Credit-I bought quadruplets of this one to sip/share/trade
Style-NEIPA
Format-pint can
Freshie info-25 OCT 2022 (and some smudges under that)
Glassware-boring pint glass
Appearance-“inside the morning cloud” (yea, more nonsense from their website); it’s actually hazy yellowish with good foaming
Nose-guava and mango
Mouthfeel-lotsa juice and some hints of pith
Tastes-mango, guava, papaya and a splash of pineapple
Hops-Grungeist, Centennial and DDH with Strata and Citra
Grains-“loads of oats”
IBU-40 (cuz Burial sez sop)
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-quick, tell me the last time you didn’t like a Burial brew; this is no exception as it’s quite good
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2 because there are soooo many NEIPAs in the show; certainly worth a can but I’m happy I bought 4 as OPK got 2 and I think August West got 1 through the transfer portal

[devildeac]

From yesterday:

Humidity (draft)-Fullsteam Brewery

From the “other” side of town

Credit-needed some cheer juice pregame and this looked perfect
Style-hazy IPA, not the Pacific Northwest style IPA as listed on the menu
Format-fresh from the spigot at the WaDuke
Glassware-oversized nonic pint (menu listed 12 and 20 oz pours and the server said all the drafts were pints
Appearance-yellow hazy juice
Nose-pineapple and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-juicy
Tastes-lotsa pineapple and mango with hints of OJ and zest
Grains-wheat, locally malted barley (Chit*), locally malted oats
Hops-Cashmere, Citra and El Dorado
Yeast-Fermentis S04
IBU-32
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-wonderful pairing with a Reuben on a preztel bun with stone ground mustard and onion rings as condiments and a side fruit salad
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; once again, a very tasty pairing but there’s a waiting list to enter low cat 3; wouldn’t hesitate ordering another

(* the good Chit, of course)

[devildeac]

From a couple hours ago with supper:

Zoigl Hell-Zoiglhaus Brewing Company

Raise your hand if you know from what city this beer originated (Teacher Tom, please be quiet )

Local when bought.

Credit-trader from Teacher Tom; thanks!!
Style-German style lager, aka Helles
Format-12 ounce can
Is it fresh info-beats the “Helles” outta me as I can’t read the angled dots near the base of the can
Glassware-standard pint
Appearance-slightly cloudy yellow with moderate fizz
Nose-light corn syrup and a German meadow
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-floral and corn syrup
Malt-100% German pilsner
Hops-“spicy German”
IBU-22
ABV-5%
Overall impression-solid pairing with some Old Bay seasoned and lightly sauteed shrimp, roasted Yukon gold potatoes and a southwest salad mix
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; not exciting but true to style with a good pairing

[devildeac]

Pliney the Elder (draft)-Russian River Brewing

Brewer's notes:





Pliny the Elder was a Roman naturalist, scholar, historian, traveler, officer, and writer. Although not considered his most important work, Pliny and his contemporaries created the botanical name for hops, "Lupus salictarius", meaning wolf among scrubs." Hops at that time grew wild among willows, much like a wolf in the forest. Later the current botanical name, Humulus lupulus, was adopted. Pliny died in 79 AD while observing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. He was immortalized by his nephew, Pliny the Younger, who continued his uncle's legacy by documenting much of what he observed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

8.0%ABV, 1.071 O.G

Gold Medal, 2006 World Beer Cup (Double IPA Category)
Gold Medal, 2005 GABF (Double IPA Category)
Bronze Medal, 2004 GABF (Double IPA Category)


My thoughts:


This is quite the IIPA. The notes at the restaurant claim that this is the original IIPA but I can't verify that. This was a $4 pilsner glass (7-8 ounces) that appeared with a 2 fingered head and a very pleasant/pungent aroma and taste of fresh grapefruit. The color was slightly orange-yellow with a solid malty balance to the stunning and very deceptive 100 IBU. The ABV was a bit low for the style at 8% with no alcohol burn. Matched nicely with my Salade Nicoise. Wouldn't hesitate for a moment to have another (and another...) of these.

Just remembered to look for a prior review and, of course, the ever-dependable bluebeer had one earlier this year:

Russian River Pliny the Elder--Very excited to give this a try as my first Russian River beer..Nice plain 500ml bottle. Pours a pale amber with a thin but frothy head. Fairly thick in body with an initial taste like biting into a grapefruit. Some slightly sweet light malts but they are really an afterthought. Bitter but not overpowering with a crisp and dry finish. There are only a few other IPAs/IIPAs that I would consider as well balanced and smooth. I would be drinking this all summer if RR distributed around here. 8% ABV. Great beer..

From last PM:

Pliny the Elder-Russian River Brewing Company

Local when the cross country mule purchased.

Credit-countless thanks @TeacherTom for picking up a case (12 bottles) of this on his Duke basketball journey last month!
Style-westie DIPA
Format-500 ml bottle
Creation date-brewed on 11/20/22
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-yellowish gold; generous foam topping
Nose-grapefruit and fresh pine
Mouthfeel-bbbbitter but sweet
Tastes-pine, grapefruit juice and zest, light caramel
Hops-Amarillo, Centennial, CTZ, Cascade, Warrior, and Simcoe (about as old school and westie as you can find)
IBU-100 (no typo )
ABV-8%
Overall impression-still amazing tastes and balance 11.5 years after my first tasting
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3 but staring longingly at that top shelf; beyond excited to have received a very generous amount of these with plenty to trade and sip and save a couple to share with family in a couple weeks

[devildeac]

From last PM:

Little Man Tate- High Branch Brewing Company

Kinda local. Anyone know the location?

Credit-needed traders for OPK and others
Style-fruited gose
Format-pint can
Freshness info-none
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-cloudy off yellow/straw; lotsa quickly disappearing fizzies
Nose-pineapple juice cocktail
Mouthfeel-some citrus, some sour
Tastes-pineapple, maybe I tasted the passion fruit, dash of salt
Adjuncts-pineapple, passionfruit, NaCl
IBU-likely 5 to 10
ABV-5%
Overall impression-quite an interesting melange that even Mrs. dd liked, taking 2 sips instead of 1
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; well constructed and would have been a delicious summer brew with a bowl of fruit

[devildeac]

Trance of Tranquility-Bhramari Brewing Company (brewed and packaged by Hivemind Brewing Company)

Close enough

Credit-one of a generous number of retirement beers; many thanks @fuse!!
Style-American IPA (looked and tasted more like a hazy/juicy IPA)
Format-pint can
Packaging info-none
Stemware-large wine glass; again
Appearance-white grapefruit fresh squeezings; modest head
Nose-grapefruit juice cocktail juice blend
Mouthfeel-a bit thin
Tastes-grapefruit juice light with some guava, underripe papaya and a splash of coconut water
Hops-Sabro, Citra and Motueka
IBU-“no IBU” (lololol) but palate says high 30s
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-good dinner pairing with a bacon, lettuce and tomato on toasted multigrain bread, making it a sandwich
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; tough to get cat 3 with this style with soooo many on the shelf above it

[devildeac]

Divided over two nights.

Leto-Cigar City Brewing El Catador Club 15th Edition

Local for the cross country delivery mule.

Credit-trader from Teacher Tom; many thanks!!
Style-flavored, double barrel aged imperial stout
Format-500 ml bottle
Stemware-mini snifter filled twice each of the last 2 nights
Appearance-Texas crude; no head
Nose-cognac, dark chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla
Mouthfeel-“Take Me Home Tonight”
Tastes-cognac, cinnamon, vanilla, dark chocolate, bourbon and chiles
Adjuncts-cinnamon, Madagascar and Mexican vanilla, Bolivian and Ugandan cacao, and Chile peppers
Barrels-cognac and bourbon
IBU-57
ABV-14.2%; this beer bordered on hot, both from the chiles and the ABV/booziness
Overall impression-the spices and barrel aging mitigated the peppers quite well; an excellent sipper
Ymm, Beer rating-torn between low and mid cat 3; without the peppers/heat, it’s absolutely a mid cat 3 beer but the warmth was just that, warming and not unpleasant; really a terrific elixir

[devildeac]

Mille Fleur- Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Local

Credit-needed traders for OPK and I thought he’d enjoy this and I needed to revisit
Style-“rustic saison” or “farmhouse style blonde ale”
Format-pint can
Was it fresh stamp-09/28/22 10:26
Stemware-oversized Ommegang tulip
Appearance-slightly hazy straw; moderate fizz with a short half life
Nose-wet straw and black pepper
Mouthfeel-slight bite
Tastes-“mille fleur” or a thousand flowers, black pepper, light corn syrup
Grain-malted spelt
Hops-Crystal and Sorachi Ace
IBU-21
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-what a tantalizing brew; fine by itself but it’d be great paired with some lemon dill fish or rosemary chicken
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; not sexy stuff but well brewed

[OZZIE4DUKE]

These won’t be reviewed here for a while, as they’ll either be gifted or show up at a tailgate ext season. Or both!

[devildeac]

These won’t be reviewed here for a while, as they’ll either be gifted or show up at a tailgate ext season. Or both!

6C3DCD7D-954B-4B67-8EED-3A3E4B429835.jpeg41C8DDAA-A40E-40D3-B954-057F272C38AD.jpeg

I'd strongly urge you to gift them over the holidays (and no, silly boy, not to me ) as they'll likely not be very good 8-9 months from now, especially the IPA.