Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

From the label:

“Very Sappy is the ultimate rendition of our Chinook focused family of IPAs here at Tree House, featuring a base beer custom crafted to withstand an enormous application of hops in both the kettle and dry hop. The name could easily fool you until you dive into the glass and discover ripe and pungent notes of ruby red grapefruit, pulpy orange juice, and ripe papaya balanced by an oily and firm finish. In spite of its immensely potent flavor, it retains a soft appeal that might make it the easiest drinking, most juicy of the bunch. The Sap family is one of our most unique here at Tree House, utilizing old school hops to produce something decidedly new age and wonderful. We love it dearly and believe you will as well. Enjoy it with friends and family this holiday season!”

From the glass last PM:

Very Sappy-Tree House Brewing Company

Near Bah-ston ain’t local

Credit-thanks @nrrrrvous for trading (and sharing, too) several of his recent delivery!!
Style-American DIPA
Format-pint can
Can ink-“YOU’RE IN A LAUNDRY ROOM” 12/19/22 07:21:56
Stemware-usual large wine glass
Appearance-cloudy and creamy yellow; moderate topping
Nose-resin and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-some pith, some juice and some resin
Tastes-grapefruit juice and rind, some pith, less pine/resin than expected
Hops-Chinook
IBU-N/A IBU (really?); pick a number, let’s say 35
ABV-8.2%
Overall impression-I had my worries with Chinook hops but was pleasantly surprised with this product whic was really more of a hybrid westy/NEDIPA
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; the Julius and Juicelius @nrrrrvous shared were clearly better but my limited tastings of Tree House goodies make me think “no bad beers”

[devildeac]

The Diabolical Elements of Fundamental Decency-Burial Beer Company

Asheville brewed, Raleigh bought; you figure it out

Credit-needed traders and personal supply replacements
Style-TIPA
Format-pint can
Inkage-26 JAN smudges
Stemware-large wine glass
Good looks-pale white grapefruit juice, modest head
Nose-a tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-pithy and juicy
Tastes-pineapple, guava, mango, grapefruit and tangerine
Hops-DDH with Simcoe, Idaho 7 and Vic Secret and finished with Simcoe Cryo
IBU-30
ABV-10%
Overall impression-soooo fresh and juicy with ripe and unripe fruitiness
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; a bit more booze and a bit less sweetness than a typical hazy but really outstanding

[devildeac]

Morning Glow-Swamp Head Brewery

Local for our well-traveled beer mule

Credit-another thanks @TeacherTom
Style-flavored blonde ale (I like blondes!! )
Format-12 ounce can
Glassware-Dogfish Head nonic pint
Appearance-rather clear orange yellow; good foam
Nose-a light latte
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-vanilla, lightly roasted coffee, flowers
Adjuncts-Madagascar vanilla beans, localy roasted blonde coffee and lactose
IBU-18
ABV-5.3%
Overall impression-quite tasty and refreshing
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; would make a pleasant after dinner latte and/or dessert

[devildeac]

Evening Glow-Swamp Head Brewery

Intrastate commerce for that particular beer guy

Credit-another shout out @TeacherTom for this trader; thanks!
Style-another flavored blonde (I still like brunettes better )
Format-12 ounce can
Glassware-Dogfish Head nonic pint
Appearance-slightly cloudy blonde (D’oh!); modest fizziness
Nose-vanilla and coffee
Mouthfeel-alluring
Tastes-muted coffee, vanilla and chocolate
Adjuncts-lactose, vanilla, coffee and chocolate
IBU-N/A IBU but guessing about 20
ABV-5.3%
Overall impression-more ingredients than Morning Glow but less flavorful
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 2; the Morning Glow was better with only lactose, vanilla and coffee additions but this was still pleasant after an evening of dancing

[devildeac]

Local if you’re in the Peach State

Credit- trader from OPK! OPK! OPK! OPK!; thanks!!
Style-flavored imperial milk stout
Format-3/4 pint can
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-very dark brown, creamy latte head
Nose-chocolate chess pie
Mouthfeel-s bit thin but still seductive
Tastes-muted chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and graham crackers
Adjuncts-(from Untappd; not listed on can) honey, cinnamon, lactose and graham crackers
IBU-20
ABV-9%
Overall impression-delightful nightcap last pm watching the last 10 minutes of the Raleigh Hurricanes whip the Washington Capitals on the ice outdoors at Carter Finley Stadium
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; a bit less flavors than Down With The Thickness from Friday night but still quite enjoyable

[devildeac]

Because OPK inquired recently:

Down With The Thickness-Pontoon Brewing

Pretty local for him

Credit-wonderful choice for a trader @OldPhiKap; thanks!!
Style-imperial milk stout
Format-12 ounce can
Glassware-stemless teku
Appearance-dark, dark brown; small tan head
Nose-a nutty, milk chocolate shake
Mouthfeel-moderate viscosity
Tastes-cocoa, vanilla with a slightly nutty finish
Adjuncts-hazelnut, cacao nibs, vanilla and lactose
IBU-25
ABV-9%
Overall impression-what a sweet, chocolatey finish to the night yesterday!
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; coulda used a few more hazelnuts but that’s a minor quibble as this was a wonderful brew

[devildeac]

Flight of 5 ounce pours with dinner at Local 22 in Durham.

Pilsner (draft)-Ponysaurus Brewing

Of course it’s local

Credit-secret
Style-three guesses…
Format-dfresh pour
Glassware-mini pilsner taster
Appearance-clean, light straw; small head
Nose-corn and flowers
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-light corn syrup and floral hops
IBU-30 (guess)
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-solid pairing with a Greek salad and a Margharita flatbread
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; simple pleasures

[devildeac]

Second taster:

Rainbow Sherbet (draft)-Prairie Artisan Ales

“We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand
And when we say Ay yippy yi ki yea.
We’re only saying You’re doin’ fine Oklahoma
Oklahoma you’rer ok.”

IOW, not local

Credit-secret
Style-fruited sour
Format-fresh draw
Stemware-flute
Appearance-minimally hazy, pale pinkish yellow; no head
Nose-sherbet ( :face_with_peeking_eye:)
Mouthfeel-light pucker
Tastes-berries, pineapple and lemon
Adjuncts-raspberry, pineapple and orange
IBU-N/A IBU but common sense says <10
ABV-5.2%
Overall impression-another solid pairing with the Greek salad and a small slice of Margharita pizza
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; would be a good porch pounder, too

[devildeac]

Third:

Body Electric (draft)-WMB, not not that WMB, the brewery, dummy

Local

Credit-still not saying
Style-NEDIPA vs NEIPA (see below)
Format-fresh from the spigot
Glassware-mini IPA glass
Appearance-very hazy yellow and foamy
Nose-pineapples and oranges
Mouthfeel-almost pulpy
Tastes-pineapples, oranges, splash of mango
IBU-guessing 40 (not checked)
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-delighted to sip again after a couple years probably
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; Wise Man has kinda fallen off my list with soooo many others tasted in the last couple years

[devildeac]

Thunderstruck (draft)-Highlands Brewing

Close enough

Credit-nope, still not telling
Style-coffee porter
Format-from the tapline
Stemware-mini snifter
Appearance-dark mahogany; moderate tan head
Nose-java
Mouthfeel-roasty
Tastes-espresso, milk chocolate, burnt grain
Adjuncts-maybe some coffee
IBU-let’s say 40
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-great pairing with some shared desserts like carrot cake, spumoni chocolate cake and chocolate pecan cake
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2

[devildeac]

I Don’t Think You’re Ready for This Jelly-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the Family Tree guy

Credit-props @wbmcards88 for sharing one of these (maybe 2?) who then traded me one; or did he trade @nrrrrvous who then traded to me; I really don’t care the route to NC but was delighted to receive one; thanks to all in the mule train
Style-aged and blended (more 'splained below)
Format-12 ounce stubbie!!
Stemware-Hardywood 2020 (?) GBS teku
Appearance-yes, it really was murky, purple and muddy with a small head
Nose-grape jam
Mouthfeel-is this a jelly sandwich, Mom?
Tastes-lots of grape preserves without any chunks/fruit particles, raisins, dates, figs and brandy
Adjuncts-Virginia concord grapes, Madagascar vanilla beans and toasted coconut (which I didn’t taste)
Base beers-aged golden strong ale and plain golden strong ale
Barrels-grape brandy (whaaaaa?)
IBU-N/A IBU but you’re not fooling me so I’ll speculate mid 20s
ABV-11% (boozey jelly )
Overall impression-perhaps a few too many grapes but otherwise another solid blend from Brian
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; his other blends are better but this was very interesting and sippable and again, I was delighted to receive/sample

[devildeac]

“Upon this dead earth, I lay encased in a carcass of my past. And the bones beneath this blood-bustling decay exude the only shreds of my future realities. One of your favorites has arrived for its annual visit. Double dry-hopped this year with a dose of our 2021 hand-selected Mosaic and El Dorado hops and a final helping of kush-like Mosaic and Columbus Cryo.”

One of the more bizarre descriptions I’ve read.

Tearing of Flesh from Bone-Burial Beer Company

Brewed in Asheville, bought at their Raleigh taproom

Credit-needed to resupply and procure some traders, was 10 yards away and all 4 four packs were freshies
Style-NEDIPA
Format-pint can
Recency bias-23 JAN 2023 BRAINS!!! BRAINS!!! BRRRRAAAAIIIINNNNSSSS!!!
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-pineapple OJ
Nose-tropical fruit squeezings
Mouthfeel-juicy, chewy, pithy
Tastes-blenderized pineapples, oranges, mangoes, peaches and some guava for a bit of less sweet stuff
Hops-DDH Mosaic and El Dorado and a finaleof Mosaic and Columbus Cryo
IBU-50 (Burial and Untappd honesty!!)
ABV-8.2%
Overall impression-in the Treehouse, Trillium and Veil zip codes
Ymm, Beer ratinbg-mid cat 3; excited to have traded two @richardjackson199 and @nrrrrvous and have one remaining in the fridge.

[devildeac]

Daily Rind-Fall Line Brewing Company

Sorta local for the travelin’ man

Credit-many thanks for this edition of “Drink Shit from Bill”
Style-fruited wheat ale
Format-3/4 pint can
Base ink-11/21/22
Glassware-standard pint vessel
Appearance-cloudy orange; fizzy topping
Nose-mild banana, cloe and orange
Mouthfeel-wheaty
Tastes-hints of banana, bubble gum, clove and OJ
Adjuncts-(from Untappd) tangerine puree and orange rind, proving my taste buds are decent as I knew there was orange added in some manner but couldn’t find additives anywhere on the label
IBU-17
ABV-5%
Overall rating-meetingand exceeding the “beer that tastes like sunshine” claim on the label
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; good as a dinner beer and would be a wonderful spring/summer porch sipper

[devildeac]

Irreverent Observations of A Compromised World-Burial Beer Company

Asheville to Raleigh earns a local designation

Credit-another “I needed traders and some for myself” 2 weekends ago
Style-IPA
Format-half quart can
Freshie stuff-24 JAN 2023 DANDY DOESN’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Stemware-the magic large wine glass
Appearance-guava juice
Nose-a tropical fruit glass full of squeezings
Mouthfeel-juice
Tastes-some sweet pineapple but more papaya and guava and maybe a splash of peach
Hops-Incognito, DDH with Mosaic and Motueka and a “touch” of Grungeist
Adjunct-oats
IBU-35 which is pretty typical for Burial IPAs
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-not quite as delightful as Tearing Flesh from Bone but still excellent
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; happy to have one more, probably to still drink fresh this weekend

[devildeac]

Kennesaw Bourbon Ale-Dry County Brewing Company ( )

Cool stuff here on the label:

“KBA is a celebration of Dry County becoming GA’s first same-site brewery and distillery. KBA starts life as a strong amber ale and is then aged on American oak previously used in our Dry County Spirits operation, lending a delicious vanilla and oak character, while still maintaining a smooth malt base.”

Local for the Peach State mule train.

Credit-part of a mixed 6er of traders from @OPK; many thanks!!
Style-amber ale aged on American Oak from old bourbon barrels
Format-12 ounce can
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-medium/dark amber, a bit cloudy with a light tan head
Nose-caramel, vanilla and oak
Mouthfeel-smooooth
Tastes-caramel, wood, vanilla and hints of coconut and bourbon
IBU-N/A but realistically about 30
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-reminded me a lot of New Belgium’s Oakspire
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; starting to think about keeping a 750 ml bottle of Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve on “reserve” to add 1/2 ounce to beers like this in the future; not a complaint at all @OPK, simply and interesting twist that @Tripping.William has suggested; I really enjoyed this

[devildeac]

More bizarro can verbiage:

" The burden carried upon the backs of humanity. A flood of empty admiration shrouded in inadvertent applause. A veil of curious adoration birthed out of mortal necessity. A feasible concoction of lapsed consciousness for all to endure. Mashed with Pils, Pale, and Oats. Whirlpooled with Eclipse and Incognito. Double dry-hopped with Eclipse, Mosaic, Galaxy, Sabro, and a dash of Mosaic Cryo. Bouquets of mandarin cocktail, pineapple orange frappe, and mango coconut parfait."

All This Hollow Praise-Burial Beer Company

Asheville to Raleigh; local

Credit-part of my “I needed traders” shopping
Style-DIPA, more specifically, NEDIPA
Format-half quart can
Fresh info-06 FEB 2023 WE ANNOYED THE VOID"
Stemware-love that large wine glass
Appearance-cloudy yellow; moderate foam
Nose-orange pineapple juice
Mouthfeel-there’s a bit of pith among all those juices
Tastes-pineapple, orange, peach, mango and guava
Hops-see above
Grains-see above
Overall impression-stunning and unusual combo of hops
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; sometime we need to side by side some Trillium, Treehouse, New Anthem and Burial beers when the stars and travel plans are in alignment

[devildeac]

Mystic Midnight (draft)-Clouds Brewing

Three blocks from our closest Costco so it’s local

Credit-beer run/search and fill the tank credit; thanks to me!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-1/2 price growler fills on Thursdays from the taproom; divided over two nights
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-rather dark brown; good head (no 007 references, please ) first night and very thin second night
Nose-char and licorice
Mouthfeel-roasty but thin
Tastes-burnt cocoa, dark caramel, licorice, coffee and a hint of bourbonb
IBU-30
ABV-8%
Overall impression-poor man’s version of The Abyss?
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; a bit too much licorice and coffee flavors and not enough bourbon, but, at $6.50 for 32 ounces, it was worth the change/samnpling

[devildeac]

Cocoa Caliente-Wild Leap Craft Beer

Kinda local for the Peach State mule.

Credit-many thanks again @OPK for his recently curated/delivered mixed 6er!!
Style-Mexican style flavored imperial stout
Format-12 ounce can
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-almost gooey with a thin, tan head
Nose-“I think there might be some peppers in that cold latte!”
Mouthfeel-fudgey
Tastes-dark chocolate, cinnamon, dark caramel with some smokiness from the peppers and a bit of heat as the pour warmed to almost room temperature
Adjuncts-“real liquid cocoa,” cinnamon and a blend of Habanero and Serrano peppers (Scoville Heat Units not enumerated :face_with_peeking_eye:
IBU-20
ABV-11%
Overall impression-when I saw two pepper varieties named I began to worry but with the high gravity, cocoa and cinnamon, the heat was very well mitigated and quite pleasant to sip over an hour on a cool winter evening
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3, even without any bourbon/rum barrel aging; yea, no one stole my log in data for this review as I thought this was outstanding and personally communicated this @OPK already

[devildeac]

“Shrimp Night”-Hop Butcher for the World

Local!!

Credit-336ers discovering this Chicago brewery at Stella, a couple purchases last year and a plastic card
Style-DIPA
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways
Recency bias-PKG2/20/23 13:44:49 BREADED POPPLERS
Stemware-cocktail glasses; hey we’re OOT and these were their matching glasses
Appearance-foamy, white grapefruit juice
Mouthfeel-juicy!
Tastes-fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, peach, melon and a generous splash of ripe pineapple
Hops-Citra, Strata, Simcoe and Motueka (quite the interesting combination)
IBU-(SOS) N/A but common sense says <40
ABV-8%
Overall impression-wonderful find, especially at 9 days old!!
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; getting tougher to place more and more IPAs/DIPAs solidly in the mid cat 3 level

[devildeac]

King Cake-Pipeworks Brewing Company

Local!!

Credit-younger daughter bought a 4 pack to share and edjumacate me WRT what a King Cake is; thanks!
Style-King Cake inspired (amber) ale
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways
Bottom rim stampage-PKG 11/16/22
Glassware-rinsed cocktail glasses
Appearance-cloudy, light amber; modest off white head
Nose-cinnamon and spice and everything nice
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-cinnamon, nutmeg and moderate lemon juice and rind
Adjuncts-cinnamon, nutmeg, lactose and lemon
IBU-N/A but there had to be some hops in the brewing so I’ll guess 30
ABV-7.5% (booze cake!!)
Overall impression-fun concept beer; would be good with a slice of spice cake
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; this would be an interesting 4 pack to share/trade for other “cake” beers