Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Apparent Entities-The Veil Brewing Company

Bought at the brewery

Credit-last of the “I needed traders” beers
Style-Belgian tripel style ale
Format-pint can
Freshness stuff-(smudge)GD ON (smudge)20/2023
Stemware-large Ommegang tulip
Appearance-slightly hazy bronze; generous offwhite head
Nose-orange liqueur
Mouthfeel-tingly
Tastes-orange liqueur, orange rind, Belgian candi sugar/syrup, hints of banana and clove, pinch of coriander
Adjuncts-candi sugar
Yeast-“distinct Belgian ale”
Malt-“Belgian”
Hops-“on the heavy side with varietals from all over the world”
(interlude; I just copy and paste sometimes )
IBU-N/A (shenanigans; I’d bet about 30)
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-first of the style I’ve ever had from Veil and it was fairly authentic
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; their IPAs/IIPAs/sours are better

[devildeac]

Every Song I’ve Ever Heard-Altered State Brewing

Less than 4 miles from our house.

Credit-trader from our older daughter; thanks!!
Style-IPA, pretty much New Zealand style
Format-above
Freshness info-not available
Stemware-above
Appearance-Every Picture Tells A Story
Nose-orange, pineapple, peach and nectarine
Mouthfeel-Southern Hemisphere juice
Tastes-mirrored the scents
Hops-Citra, Nectaron, Vic Secret, Pacifica
IBU-nobody’s telling but likely mid 30s
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-excellent product from a brewery less than a year old
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; not quite Burial or Veil but I’ll keep sipping brews from these folks

[devildeac]

Harpoon Summer Style-Harpoon Brewery

If ya think this one’s local, send me a PM about some swampland I’ve got for sale.

Credit-gifted by our former office part time nurse along with a delicious dinner 2 nights ago; thanks!
Style-New England blonde ale (no questions, please, that’s merely a label report)
Format-12 ounce bottle
Inkage-PKG 053W02/20/23 13:39
Stemware-shaker pint
Appearance-hazy yellow; generous head
Nose-floral
Mouthfeel-summery
Tastes-floral Euro hops
Hops-“dry hopped with a blend of modern German and traditional noble hops”
IBU-might be close to 40
ABV-5%
Overall impression-good pairing with some penne pasta, a copious amount of roasted veggies and a generous drizzle of an olive oil/marinara sauce
Ymm, Beer rating-upper cat 2; not a fan of hoppy blondes but this was refreshing

[devildeac]

Rübæus-Founders Brewing Company

LOL at local

Credit-gifted along with the Harpoon Summer Style from former part time nurse; thanks!
Style-fruited sour
Format-12 ounce bottle
Bottled on-04.12.22 1937 2
(yep, more than 13 months old )
Stemware-oversized Ommegang tulip
Appearance-raspberry soda with a moderate/fizzy light pink head; clean without chunks
Nose-raspberry soda
Mouthfeel-tingles
Tastes-old fashioned raspberry soda and simple sugar syrup with a hint of lemon
Adjuncts-raspberries (d’oh!)
IBU-15
ABV-5.7%
Overall impression-my favorite fruit beer until I discovered Raspberry Tart; this is still damned good
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; could sip several of these easily

[devildeac]

Birthday Sammich-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for a member of the RVA mule team

Credit-thanks @wbmcards88 for the Family Tree warehouse sale pickup!
Style-BBA and flavored barleywine and imperial milk stout blend
Format-stubbie!!
Stemware-2018 (?) GBS tumbler
Appearance-extremely dark and brown: moderate beige head
Nose-fluffernutter!!
Mouthfeel-smooth and creamy
Tastes-peanut butter (sorry OPK, no crunch here ), marshmallow, dark chocolate, wet leather and bourbon
Adjuncts-peanut butter, toasted marshmallows,
Lactose and Madagascar vanilla
IBU-probably low 50s
ABV-11.5%
Overall impression-quite a decadent birthday treat
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; maybe a bit overdone on the peanuts and a bit underdone on the bourbon but I’m picking nits here

[devildeac]

Peach Life-NoDa Brewing Company

Kinda local

Credit-looked/sounded good so I bought a 4 bagger on sale at Harris Teeter
Style-milkshake IPA
Format-pint can
Freshness stuff-CANNED 05/30/23 3:28 #1200
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-peach nectar with some meringue but a lotta chunk
Nose-peach jam (not the high school hoops kind)
Mouthfeel-miky
Tastes-peach jam, some orange and pith
Adjuncts-peach puree, vanilla and lactose
Hops-Centennial, Amarillo and Mosaic
IBU-20
ABV-7%
Overall impression-damn near as chunky as Salamander Slime, err, Slam; fairly pleasant after allowing the chunks to settle and the chunkiness at the end wasn’t that bad
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/upper cat 2 but NoDa can do better; I’ll pass final judgment after another can or two, hoping this may have been a “bad” can but, otherwise, filter your damned beer!!

[devildeac]

St. Benedict’s Breakfast-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Pretty damned local as we were in Hillsborough and the brewery is probably about 20 miles away

Credit-I was thirsty and needed something in addition to more H2O for rehydration purposes
Style-flavored Belgian style dubbel
Format-pint can
Drinking vessel-paper cup; all that was available as we were eating at Weaver Street Market
Appearance-dark brown with a cream latte head; unknown clarity
Nose-chocolate latte
Mouthfeel-smooooth
Tastes-top shelf milk chocolate, java and a huuuuge amount of date and fig flavors
Adjuncts-Joe Van Gogh, a local roaster, and cacao nibs
Guest grain-flaked oats
IBU-24
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-shoulda selected a "lighter’ beer on a warm, muggy NC afternoon but this was a fabulous pairing with a grilled chicken and goat cheese Greek wrap with a lot of fine greener/weeds, red onions and red peppers
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3 and a “steal” at $3.00 for a single can; highly recommended

[devildeac]

I Plead the Fife (draft)-Fife Street Brewery

I’m at the damn brewery, of course it’s local.

Credit-thirst, hunger, credit card
Style-westie DIPA
Format-freshly spigotted
Stemware-brewery tulip
Appearance-slightly cloudy bronze; good froth
Nose-pine, orange and grapefruit
Mouthfeel-noticeable bite
Tastes-splash of mango, orange zest, grapefruit juice and zest and a pine finish
IBU-65
ABV-8.8%
Overall impression-quality local stuff that paired well with a grilled cheese and Italian meat sandwich
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; doesn’t quite clear that cat 3 bar but still enjoyable on the patio on a warm summer eve with dinner

[devildeac]

Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine Ale 2018-Goose Island Beer Company

Local when bought.

Credit-gotta be a trader or gift from our younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-BBA wheatwine ale
Format-500 ml bottle divided unequally over 2 nights with about 1/3 last pm and the remainder in the glass you see
Stemware-mini snifter last pm; 2015 Bourbon County Stout snifter tonight
Appearance-last pm clear/clean dark amber, no head; tonight’s is a bit darker, less clear and with some 5 year old sediment, about as expected
Nose-wet leather, tobacco and dark caramel
Mouthfeel-warming
Tastes-pretty complex with wet leather, tobacco, Cointreau, bourbon, dark caramel, figs and dates
Barrels-Larceny bourbon
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-15.4% :face_with_spiral_eyes:
Overall impression-aged really, really well; a bit softer and more dark fruits than prior review likely a year ago, IIRC
Ymm, Beer rating- mid cat 3; oh, so smooth and oh, so dangerous

[devildeac]

Double Who Cooks for You (draft)-JackieO’s Brewery

At the new downtown Columbus location so it’s either hyper local or trucked up from Athens, Ohio.

Credit-our son has an outstanding trader tab; thanks!
Style-NEDIPA
Format-from the spigot
Stemware-large snifter; 8 oz serving
Appearance-hazy pineapple juice; small head
Nose-pineapples and mangoes
Mouthfeel-rather juicy
Tastes-pineapple, mango, OJ and a splash of peach
IBU-30s
ABV-9%
Overall impression-refreshingly juicy
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; falls tantalizingly short of Burial and Veil

[devildeac]

Cosmic Treasures (draft)-JackieO’s Brewing

Still at the brewery

Credit-he decreased his trader tab a bit more; thanks!
Style-NEDIPA
Format-different spigot
Stemware-different snifter
Appearance-more hazy pineapple juice
Nose-grapefruit and pineapple runnings
Mouthfeel-similar juiciness
Tastes-more grapefruit than pineapple, some cantaloupe and peach with a mildly dry white wine closing
Hops-Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic and Nelson
IBU-30 something
ABV-9%
Overall impression- subtly but distinctly different than More Who Cooks for You
Ymm, Beer rating-another low cat 3 but quenching on a warm summer afternoon

[devildeac]

Cosmic Treasures (draft)-JackieO’s Brewing

Still at the brewery

Credit-he decreased his trader tab a bit more; thanks!
Style-NEDIPA
Format-different spigot
Stemware-different snifter
Appearance-more hazy pineapple juice
Nose-grapefruit and pineapple runnings
Mouthfeel-similar juiciness
Tastes-more grapefruit than pineapple, some cantaloupe and peach with a mildly dry white wine closing
Hops-Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic and Nelson
IBU-30 something
ABV-9%
Overall impression- subtly but distinctly different than More Who Cooks for You
Ymm, Beer rating-another low cat 3 but quenching on a warm summer afternoon

[devildeac]

Closing beer, Saturday night:

Hecate-Cigar City Brewing Company

Local for the purchasing agent

Credit-trader from @TeacherTom; thanks!!
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Format-500 ml bottle, shared with son
Stemware-large Zaftig snifters
Appearance-5W20; no head
Nose-bourbon and maple syrup
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-dark chocolate/maple fudge, vanilla, bourbon, mélange of dark, dried fruits
Adjuncts-maple syrup and vanilla
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-15.5%
Overall impression-simply outstanding; similar but different from the CBS which has coffee an chocolate added and aged in maple syrup/bourbon barrels and Hecate has maple syrup and vanilla added and no chocolate or coffee
Ymm, Beer rating-oh, what the hell, this charges into the upper shelf of cat 3 without any nits to pick

[devildeac]

The Flannel-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the warehouse sale denizen.

Credit-another cash for beer W for @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-blend
Format-stubbie!! (shared)
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-cloudy amber; no head
Nose-rum infused apple pie
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-as rum laced, homemade apple pie, laced with orange zest
Beers and barrels- 1) base GBS from rum barrels, 2) imperial golden ale from rum barrels. 3) imperial golden ale from Laird’s Apple Brandy barrels and 4) a tripel from bourbon barrels
Adjuncts-allspice, orange peel and lactose
IBU-N/A but I’ll go with a high 30s SWAG
ABV-10.8% on label but 12.3% on Untappd
Overall impression-coulda been a mess but turned out to be a delightful sipper
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; never had a Flannel cocktail but after reading recipes, Brian does another fine job of imitation

[devildeac]

The Alexander-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Another warehouse find for the Family Tree guy

Credit-thanks again @wbmcards88 for this gem
Style-beer cocktail/blend
Format-(shared) stubbie
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-looked like a porter but with no head
Nose-cocoa and brandy
Mouthfeel-a bit thin but pretty much expected; soft
Tastes-cocoa, vanilla, brandy
Beers-golden ale, munichwine (more on this new beverage next post after a bit of research) and imperial milk stout (gotta be base GBS)
Barrels-grape brandy
Supporting cast-vanilla, cocoa nibs andnutmeg
IBU-N/A but probably high 30s
ABV-13.9%
Overall impression-except for the darker color, reminded me of some of the cocktails I mixed during/after my Duke days
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; another coulda been a mess with all the ingredients but I coulda had 3 of these :face_with_spiral_eyes:

[devildeac]

Bourbon Cherry Cordial Stout-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Warehouse sale type local.

Credit-many thanks again (and again) @wbmcards88 for heading to (very near) the front of the line for this brew
Style-BBA candy pastry (?) imperial stout
Format-shared stubbie!!
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-deep burgundy brown; three bubble head
Nose-dark chocolate covered cherry; bourbon
Mouthfeel-sweeeeeet
Tastes-like the name states, a dark chocolate covered cherry candy filled with bourbon; dark caramel, molasses, too
Adjuncts-probably some cherries and cacao nibs
IBU-18
ABV-13%
Overall impression-terrific liquid dessert
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; might be too sweet for some but I found 6 oz of this to be delightful

[devildeac]

Yabba Dabba Blender-Hopfly Brewing Company

Born in the Mount, brewed in Charlotte

Credit-older daughter’s contribution to Tuesday’s “dessert” (breakfast?) menu
Style-flavored sour ale
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways
Glassware-tulips
Appearance-hazy, orange yellow; smallish head
Nose-lemon, orange and cherry
Mouthfeel-slight pucker
Tastes-lemon, orange and cherry; cereal
Adjuncts-Fruity Pebbles, no, really, it’s on the label
IBU-N/A but likely low
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-quarter/half step down from their other blenders but damn if it didn’t taste like a bowl of Fruity Pebbles
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3, barely; creative and innovative and coulda been a mess but, like the neon green imperial Lucky Charms sour I tasted at Strangeways in Fredericksburg last month, it was pretty spot on

[devildeac]

Apple Crisp-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local again for one of the RVA mules

Credit-another warehouse sale gem from @wbmcards88 ; thanks!!
Style-liquid
Format-stubbie (shared)!!
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-cloudy, dark amber, no ice cream, err, head
Nose-“I know what you’re baking today, grandma!”
Mouthfeel-almost chewy
Tastes-bourbon bathed apple pie, hint of orange, dark brown sugar and s hint of nuttiness
Adjuncts-cinnamon, vanilla and brown sugar
Beers and barrels (no polkas )-1) barleywine aged in Laird’s apple brandy barrels and 2) imperial brown ale aged in A. Smith Bowman bourbon barrels
IBU-18
ABV-12.9%
Overall impression-I could eat 6 slices of this
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; really, really delicious

[devildeac]

Tardy review

Brian’s Barrel Blends 2022 No. 15-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

You betcha!

Credit-who else?
Style-blend, see below
Format-stubbie! (shared)
Stemware-snifters, of course
Appearance-brown ale; no head; cloudy
Nose-One Gin, One Bourbon and One Beer
Mouthfeel-sultry
Tastes-gin/juniper, orange peel, bourbon, dark carmel, wet leather, tobacco and a whiff of smoke
Beers-wheatwine and smoked German rauchbier
Barrels-Old Fitzgerald bourbon for the wheatwine and Caledonia Spirits Tom Cat gin barrels for the rauchbier
IBU-16
ABV-10.6%
Overall impression-remembered fondly from 2021 probably and sipped enjoyably again
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I really liked this combination even though I rarely drink any gin

[devildeac]

Bourbon Barrel Aged Accidents Hop’n-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for one of the RVA mules

Credit-another warehouse sale purchase from @wbmcards88; thanks!
Style-BBA blended ale, 3rd generation (see below)
Format-stubbie!! (not shared )
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark brown; small beige foam
Nose-java and bourbon
Mouthfeel-alluring
Tastes-bourbon and espresso, dark chocolate with a drizzle of coconut
Beers-Great Return (an old Hardywood IPA, not sure if still brewed) and Cassowary (their base imperial milk stout)
Adjuncts-coffee, coconut and lactose
IBU-N/A but gotta be 50something given those 2 beers
ABV-12.7%
Overall impression-another tasty twist of their original Accidents Hop’n from the two beers above, with the second in the series not being BBA and this one spending 13 months in booze barrels
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; slightly below other “blends” but still a very pleasant sipper