Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Bitburger Premium Pils-Bitburger Privatbrauerei

5000ish miles from local

Credit-someone left 3 cans in our beach house fridge and they became mine last weekend: thanks!
Style-wrong answers only
Format-500 ml can
Bottom of can info-2023.06. 22 L 2023.06.22 21:42 D
Glassware-nonic Goose Island pint
Appearance-clean, pale yellow; nice foam
Nose-flowers and corn syrup
Mouthfeel-soft and bubbly
Tastes-matched the nose
Hops-Mit Hallertau und Bitburger Siegelhopfen
IBU-maybe 25
ABV-probably <5%
Overall impression-good dance juice; would be good with brat sandwiches, kartoffelsalat und kraut
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; not exciting but nach Deutschem Rheinheitsgebot gebraut

[devildeac]

Yes, that is a new “variant,” a 12 oz bottle of this 31 year old classic.

Bourbon Country Brand Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Nope, not local.

Credit-trader from August West; thanks!!
Style-you know
Format-above
Drink by: 10OCT27 WLLT GI 09:56
Stemware-my classic Bourbon County Brand snifter
Appearance-Texas crude
Mouthfeel-lubricious
Tastes-dark chocolate fudge, bourbon, wood char, molasses, dark caramel
IBU-“no IBU” ( ) but I’ll guess 60something
ABV-14.3%, hence the two nighter
Overall impression-world classic stuff again; excited to have 3 more 12 oz bottles AND four 500 ml specimens
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; change my mind;

[devildeac]

From 11/7/20:

Kentucky Christmas Morning 2020-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the ordering/pick-up dude.

Credit-wbmcards88^^^^ and our checkbook; grateful for his Family Tree membership
Style-flavored and BBA imperial milk stout
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle, divided over 3 nights (hey, tailgate was yesterday and we drank a lot of great beers and I only had about 6 ounces last PM for a nightcap)
Stemware-mini snifters Friday and Saturday with a full Hardywood teku serving now
Appearance–waaaay darker than chestnut; thin, mocha head
Nose-spices
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-ginger and cinnamon earlyk then vanilla and dark chocolate (not added0 and a warm, bourbon finish
Adjuncts-above, plus vanilla and lactose
IBU-55
ABV-11.6%
Overall impression-good gracious, I’m sooooooo happy wbmcards88 is not fond of coffee
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I like spices and I like coffee and bourbon

From last PM:

Kentucky Christmas Morning-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Same old local claim.

Credit-trader from @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-ya already know
Format-12 oz stubbie, new packaging in the 2021 GBS Complete Set
Stemware-cute little Hardywood GBS tumbler form the original GBS Complete Set, 2018, IIRC
Appearance-really dark brown; little tan bubbles
Nose-java
Mouthfeel-roasty
Tastes-espresso, dark chocolate, ginger, bourbon, vanilla, more coffee
Adjuncts-lactose, ginger, vanilla, honey, cinnamon and coffee
IBU-55
ABV-11.6%
Overall impression-more java to me this year but still delicious
Ymm, Beer rating-I’m downgrading this to low/mid cat 3 this year as the coffee is almost over the top and the bourbon flavor suffers ever so slightly; would I drink another? Hell, yeah!

[devildeac]

Velvet Glow-Russian River Brewing Company

Local when the cross country beer mule purchased.

Credit- for deal with Teacher Tom after his multimillion mile cross country pursuit to watch Duke basketball; thanks!!
Style-“pale dry beer” on the label but, upon further review, it’s a Helles style lager, coming as no surprise, given the buying agent
Format-pint can
Freshness info-no data
Glassware-Goose Island nonic pint
Appearance-light yellow straw with a moderate foamy cap
Nose-an alpine meadow and light Karo syrup
Mouthfeel-Oh. So. Soft.
Tastes-liquid flowers drizzled with light corn syrup
IBU-20
ABV-4.75%
Overall impression-high quality offering for the German style; good pairing with some homemade chicken and spinach quiche
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; neither exciting nor sexy but a most pleasant product; delighted with the Teach’s selection!

[devildeac]

Javaque-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Pretty darn local

Credit-bought a 4 pack of this with my own credit card for trading and sipping myself; plus, shout outs to TW, RJ and OPK for beating me to the pours with their pix/reviews!!
Style-flavored cream stout
Format-12 ounce can
Bottom ink-(smudge) MAPLE 05/10/22
Stemware-Incendiary stemless teku which still looks like a tumbler to me
Appearance-very dark brown; smallish beige head
Nose-“get yer ass outta bed, it’s breakfast buffet time”
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-mapled bacon, high quality milk chocolate shake, hint of salt, dark caramel
Adjuncts-2x bacon, 2x bacon, 2x coffee, lactose, sea salt, maple syrup
Grains-cherrywood smoked malt
Aging-“on sugar maple staves”
IBU-the usual “no IBU” but likely 40something
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-lots of additives, aging, aromas and tastes that coulda been a mess but Haw River does things like this regularly and almost always nails it
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; I’d serve this as dessert, with beefy/porky/fowly/smoky grilled creatures or as a nightcap sipper; delighted to have one left

[devildeac]

Cabernet Finish BA Dire Wolf-Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

Local for the purchasing agent, our son.

Credit-^^^^; thanks!!
Style-double barrel aged variant of their base imperial stout, Dire Wolf
Format-8 oz bottle
Stemware-Founders snifter
Appearance-really dark brown with brilliant ruby highlights
Nose-red wine, bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-dark berries, cherries, semisweet dark chocolate, bourbon, wet wood and leather
Barrels-Cabernet Sauvignon barrels that also held George Dickel whiskey
IBU-“no IBU” but cmon folks, it’s an imperial stout; SWAG of 50
ABV-10.8%
Overall impression-terrific sipper all for me
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3 but frightfully close to the top shelf

[devildeac]

Blanton 's Barrel Lord Maris-Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

Our son is local for this one.

Credit- for trader from you know who; thanks!
Style-BBA English barleywine
Format-8 oz bottle
Stemware-Incendiary tumbler, aka a stemless teku
Appearance-very dark mahogany; thinnish head
Nose-bourbon and toffee
Mouthfeel-warming
Tastes-bourbon, really good bourbon, wet leather, tobacco, toffee
Barrels-Blanton’s for over 18 months
Grains-Lord Maris
Boil-8 hours ( )
IBU-40 (I’d have guessed 60+)
ABV-11.4% and felt every bit of it after 8 oz
Overall impression-for someone that stopped liking barleywines after trying to drink Bigfoot for 10+ year, this was mighty damned good
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; woulda been fun to side by side with a couple of Hardywood sippers

[devildeac]

Beer with dinner lst pm:

Misty Mountain (draft)-Crank Arm Brewing

Less than 2-3 miles from the brewery is most certainly local.

Credit-our very own plastic card
Style-hazy IPA
Format-^^^^
Glassware-yes
Appearance-pineapple grapefruit, fresh squeezed; small on the foam
Nose-fresh and juicy
Mouthfeel-juicy and fruity
Tastes-as expected pineapple, grapefruit juice with a splash of OJ
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression paired nicely with a buncha small plates like fried oysters, mixed greens, grilled swordfish, fingerling potatoes and NCSU raised sea bass
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; quality stuff from a Raleigh brewery whose “juices” I rarely purchase

[devildeac]

Merry Christmas Eve:

Porter-Russian River Brewing Company

Local when the agent purchased.

Credit- for transaction with Teacher Tom; many thanks!!
Style-no hints for y’all!!
Format-pint can
Brewed on-30 SEP 22
Glassware-standard pint vessel
Appearance-quite a dark brown; generous head
Nose-roast and cocoa
Mouthfeel-smooooth
Tastes-baker’s chocolate, almost burnt cereal, hint of coffee, toffee
Hops-Brewers Gold, Cascade and Celeia (new to me)
IBU-30
ABV-5.75%
Overall impression-boring and unimaginative yet an excellent example of an American porter (#27 on beeradvocate)
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; yea, it’s that good/classic

[devildeac]

Rainbow Sherbet Sour-Ballad Brewing

Out of state but kinda local when our older daughter bought last week

Credit-^^^^; thanks!!
Style-no hints here
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways
Freshness stuff-CANNED ON L4 08/09/2022 11:37:21
Glassware-small pilsner like tasting cuties
Appearance-Crayola yellow orange; lotsa fizziness that didn’t last
Nose-a mouthful of mixed fruit Lifesavers
Mouthfeel-mildly tart and sweet
Tastes-lemon, lime, orange, pineapple and strawberry
Adjuncts-rainbow sherbet and lactose
IBU-“no IBU” could be pretty close but I’ll guess 10
ABV-4.4%
Overall impression-a nice sipper before last night’s feast
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; I’d sip again, or try another brew from this new to me brewery

[devildeac]

Curieux-Allagash Brewing Company

Not local this time.

Credit-part of a retirement gift assortment from @fuse; a large, loud and ‘wow’ thank you!
Style-BBA Belgian style golden ale
Format-12 ounce bottle all to myself
Bottled on-05/19/22 16;44
Stemware-my cutie pie Allagash tulip was too small so my oversized Ommegang tulip subbed in
Appearance-clean, light golden yellow with a 1.5 finger topping of gorgeous Belgian lace
Nose-a Belgian (well, maybe a Maine) meadow with traces of bourbon
Mouthfeel-delicate
Tastes-quite a bouquet of flowers, vanilla, orange liqueur, coconut, candi sugar and a warm bourbon finish
IBU-27
ABV-10.2% (a bit lower than previous offerings that clocked in at 11%, an observation, not a complaint)
Overall impression-a wonderfully brewed assortment of tastes and aromas
Ymm, Beer rating-still a mid cat 3 and highly appreciated both as a beverage and as a gift

[devildeac]

Part of beer cocktail night yesterday

Speakeasy Rum Punch-Barreled Souls

Local for the buying guy

Credit-Teacher Tom on his northeast beer excursion; thanks!!
Style-fruited and rum barrel aged imperial gose
Format-pint can, shared
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-cherry cola mud; little fizz
Nose-rummified fruit punch
Mouthfeel-tart
Flavors-pineapple, orange, rum, salt and some other fruits
Adjuncts-pi9neapple, orange, cranberry and pomegranate
IBU-“no IBU” but I’m not that dumm so I’ll claim 10
ABV-8.2%
Overall impression-quite a pleasant concoction; coulda been a mess but was delightful
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; would have another

[devildeac]

Honey Ginger Barrel Aged-Ardent Craft Ales

Local for the RVA mules

Credit-many thanks @wbmcards88!!
Style-“spiced beer”
Format-12 ounce can, shared
Freshness stuff-nothing here, move along
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-cloudy amber; modest head
Nose-bourbon and ginger ale
Mouthfeel-warm and zingy
Tastes-bourbon and ginger ale cocktail with a drizzle of honey
Adjuncts-there might be honey and ginger hedre
IBU-18
ABV-10%
Overall impression-Ida been happy to have the aromas of this one tantalize my nares for an hour but I drank it anyway
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I think prior editions were ever so slightly better but I’d buy a case of this one

[devildeac]

Dessert wine, err, beer last PM:

Nectar Ale-New Glarus Brewing Company

"Only in Wisconsin"

Note-last bottle from summer, 2020 beer mule-ing by younger son-in-law and Ohio meet-up

Credit-above; thanks
Style-fruited, oaked, blended wild ale/lambic
Format-12 ounce bottle shared kinda/sorta 4 ways
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-golden orange cider; skinny head
Nose-winey, apricot candy
Mouthfeel-sweet and a bit tart
Tastes-daughter said muscatel, beer mule said candied apricots, wife said lemon candy, I thought Riesling/Gewurtztraminer
Adjuncts-Geisenheim grapes; raw wheat
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-(secret); my guess is 5%
Overall impression-another amazing New Glarus creation; beer/wine!!
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; wonderful tastes, blending of styles/ingredients; porch sipper or dessert wine; likely never to be seen again

“Often wrong, never in doubt”

Nectar Ale-2022-New Glarus Brewing Company

Credit-my wife’s debit card; thanks!!
Style-beer/wine
Format-12 ounce bottle, not shared
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-clean/clear cider with glints of orange; tiny bubbles
Nose-white table wine
Mouthfeel-vinous
Tastes-label convinced me it was honeyed apricots, lemon candy and white wine
Adjuncts-Geisenheim grapes from New York
Aging-oak
IBU-maybe 5
ABV-6% (Untappd)
Overall impression-better than the 2020 version but could be “recency biasw”
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; thrilled to have 3 left

[devildeac]

Omega Point-Olde Hickory Brewery

Kinda local to celebrate 25 years of brewing

Credit-10% off NC beers day at Bottle Rev a couple months ago and special ordered by @fuse and @wbmcards88
Style-barrel aged barleywine ale
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared
Bottled on-06/09/21
Stemware-mini snifters
Appearance-dark, murky brown with few bubbles
Nose-bourbon and red wine
Mouthfeel-salacious
Tastes-bourbon, wet leather, red wine, tobacco and some dark toffee
Barrels-almost too many to mention/name, including multiple barleywines from NC white oak, bourbon, brandy, burgundy and Sauterne
IBU-60 (likely from the 2020 version on Untappd)
ABV-11.7%
Overall impression-pretty complex stuff here with all the blended beers and barrels used; quite a sipper
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; this is half a step below what Brian does with his blends at Hardywood

[devildeac]

Beer #2 from 12/30:

Bourbon Barrel Coffee Cherry Vanilla Dire Wolf-Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

Credit-trader from son a couple months ago; thanks!!
Style-(no hints)
Format-bomber, shared 4 ways
Packaged in: May 2022
Appearance-motor oil with ruby edges; small, tan head
Aromas-a bourbon cherry cola
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-everything on the label
Adjuncts-Ugandan vanilla, M*ichigan tart cherries, One Line coffee
IBU-50
ABV-10.8%
Overall impression-an outstanding creation
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3, but quite close to that top shelf

[devildeac]

Beer 3 on 12/30:

Parabolita-Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Not local

Credit-retirement gift from @fuse; bottomless thanks!!
Style-“we aged a selection of Parabola for one year in premium bourbon barrels, then blended it with a complement of Velvet Merlin milk stout”
Format-pint can, shared 4 ways
Stemware-mini snifters
Appearance-dark brown with not much topping
Nose-salted caramel bourbon fudge
Mouthfeel-a bit thin (observation, not criticism)
Tastes-salted caramel fudge, generously drenched with bourbon
Adjuncts-vanilla beans, cocoa nibs and sea salt
IBU-"no IBU: but likely about 50
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-not sure whether I liked this or Parabola better from 2-3 years ago; we’ll call it a draw
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3

[devildeac]

Beer #4 from 12/30:

Local for son of devildeac

Credit-trader from our son; thanks!!
Style-cheating here: “Our Anniversary beer is a unique blend each year. Beginning with a solera - we built this blend with 25% beer from last year’s 7th anniversary release. We then blend a range of imperial stout barrel types, ranging from Apple brandy, Armagnac, bourbon, and possibly others. We also added about 5% Ladies Who Brunch to the mix, and a couple barrels of Buffalo Trace aged Lord Maris barleywine and our Cognac barrel aged Quad. The blend was then conditioned on Madagascar vanilla”
Format-capped 750 ml bottle, shared 4 ways
Packaged on-September 2021
Stemware-mini snifters
Appearance-more dark brown stuff; no head
Nose-lots of booze and vanilla
Mouthfeel-luxurious
Tastes-reminded me of a sour imperial stout I had from Anchorage Brewing probably a decade ago; really complex with bourbon, cognac, dark chocolate, sour berries and wet leather
Adjuncts-vanilla beans
Barrels-see above
IBU-40
ABV-11.5%
Overall impression-Brian from Hardywood is likely the only other brewer/brewery that coulda put this one together
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; stunning blending

[devildeac]

Trying for another “patented” devildeac run here .

The fearless and handsome beer from 12/30:

Bourbon Country Brand Coffee Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Not nearby

Credit-son; thanks!!
Style-Mr. MOTO here
Format-500 ml bottle shared 4 ways
Drink By-07SEP24 GI 16:12
Stemware-mini snifters
Appearance-espresso brown; thin, tan head
Nose-espresso and bourbon
Mouthfeel-smooooth
Tastes-espresso, bourbon, char, dark caramel and molasses
Adjuncts-Intelligentsia Burundi Turihamwe coffee beans
IBU-60
ABV-13.2%
Overall impression-another really good variant I’m not sure I’ve had before
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 3 if it was $14ish like the original but only mid cat 3 if they charged $25 for this and several other variants; @Dr.Rosenrosen may have posted the price topic already

[devildeac]

From 8/13/13:

Redemption-Russian River Brewing

Now, on to my bottle supply. This was a corked and caged 12.68 ounce (aka 375 ml) bottle purchased at the brewery for $4. Poured a cloudy, fizzy, yellow-orange with nice lacing that lingered. Aromas of ripe bananas, lemon and sourdough bread with a hint of pepper on the palate with tastes of Granny Smith apples, bananas and mangoes. I'd guess the IBU about 20 as it was a blonde ale, or Belgian single, with an ABV of 5.15% and was way too easy to drink. Serve chilled in a goblet with a fruit and cheese plate for an appetizer or dessert. Would also accompany a light seafood entree nicely.

From NYE:

Dance juice New Year’s Eve:

Redemption-Russian River Brewing Company

Local for the cross country buying guy

Credit- for exchange with Teacher Tom; thanks!
Style-Belgian style blonde ale
Format-corked and caged 375 ml bottle
Bottled On-091922 11.52
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-good looking blonde to me : lots of thin bubbles
Nose-banana, clove and bubblegum
Mouthfeel-tickly
Tastes-matched the nose with maybe a bit of straw and flowers
IBU-“no IBU” but it’s likely in the mid 20s
ABV-5.15%
Overall impression-high quality stuff
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a marvelous sipper