Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Lemme see how chronologically/accurately I can knock out these tailgate beer reviews:

Oktoberfest (draft)-Salty Turtle Beer Company

Local at the moment but “in-state tuition” when @AugustWest purchased a mini-growler but only paid the pint price as the keg kicked when his vessel was 3/4ish full

Credit-thanks @AugustWest
Style-YOYO
Format-
Glass-Duke shaker pint
Appearance-clean, light amber
Nose-lightly toasted grain
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-light carmel, wheat toast, light earthy hops
IBU-maybe 25
ABV-5%ish
Overall impression-good starter/palate cleanser beer and pairing with pizza bites and Costcos
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2

[devildeac]

You’re A Fine Munichwine-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the RVA mule in attendance

Credit-lovingly hand carried by @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-triple barrel aged Munichwine
Format-stubbie!!
Glass-Duke shaker pint, rinsed and repeated
Appearance-medium brown murkiness; no head
Nose-caramel liqueur if there is such a thang
Mouthfeel-potent
Tastes-dark caramel, bourbon, wet leather, drop or two of port
Grains-100% Munich malt
Aging-“50% of this blend aged in port barrels used to finish the Isaac Bowman’s Strait Bourbon Whiskey from A. Smith Bowman and 50% in old Heaven Hill bourbon barrels”
IBU-
\ABV-14%; no
Overall impression-terrific sipper
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3

[devildeac]

KBS Blueberry-Founders Brewing Company

Celebrating the 20th KBS anniversary. Not local

Credit-another winner poured by @AugustWest; thanks!!
Style-if ya know, ya know
Format-12 oz bottle, shared amongst 4 or 5 folks
Bottled on: 07.10.23 1458 6
Appearance-North Sea crude
Nose-bourbon, dark chocolate and blueberry pie
Mouthfeel-viscous
Tastes-dark chocolate, blueberry jam/puree/homemade pie filling, bourbon, molasses
Adjuncts-the usual KBS stuff of vanilla, chocolate and coffee along with Michigan blueberries
IBU-N/A ( ) but likely mid/high 50s
ABV-11.2%
Overall impression-outstanding
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; I liked this ever so slightly better than the Munichwine

[devildeac]

Gordgeous-NoDa Brewing Company

Close enough

Credit-they never stop from @AugustWest; thanks!!
Style-pumpkin ale
Format-pint can, poured in 4 or 5 or more glasses
Appearance-pumpkin juice
Nose-light brown sugar and pumpkin puree
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-pumpkin juice with light spicing
Adjuncts-pumpkin (d’oh!); no additional recall from the can
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-forgot to check so will guess 6%
Overall impression-fond memories recalled upon tasting from past pumpkin beers
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2

[devildeac]

Melting Pot 2023 Reunion Ale-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local from the warehouse sale

Credit-another dinger from @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-3 beer blend; keep reading
Format-nothing but a stubbie will do; shared 5 or 6 ways
Glass-yep, same shaker pint
Appearance-medium brown, no head
Nose-dark dried fruits and bourbon
Mouthfeel-sexy
Tastes-dark dried fruits, bourbon, dark caramel, hint of orange liqueur
Star pupils-Belgian style quad, golden strong ale and wheatwine
Booze contribution-Elijah Craig rye whiskey barrels
IBU-maybe high 30s
ABV-13.4% :face_with_spiral_eyes:
Overall impression-Brian hits another long ball
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; edges out the Munichwine slightly

[devildeac]

Might as well roll early with a review or two.

Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier-Paulaner Brauerei

Nicht lokal.

Credit-a surprise contribution from Ozzie4Duke that he got at Costco for $9 and a large mug/stein was included in his package; thanks!!!
Style-not gonna insult you here
Format-1L can, aka an oil can; shared many ways
Glass-yes
Appearance-light amber; modest head
Nose-light brown sugar syrup and wheat toast
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-light honey on wheat toast, mild earthy hops
IBU-maybe 25
ABV-about 6%
Overall impression-an excellent example of the style
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; not a sexy style but this paired wonderfully with our tailgate surf and turf, especially the smoked brisket and grilled salmon

[devildeac]

Tefnut Creamsicle Berry Swirl-The Veil Brewing collaboration with Omnipollo

Credit-a very humble but loud thanks @nrrrrvous for sending via his delivery mule
@wbmcards88
Style-imperial gose ale, aka beer smoothie
Format-pint can shared 4, maybe 5 ways
Glass-yep but coulda used a spoon or straw
Appearance-pinkish purple smoothie; moderate pink, creamy head
Nose-bowls of dark berries
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-blackberry, raspberry, vanilla, OJ and a pinch of salt
Adjuncts-blackberries, raspberries, orange, non dairy vanilla ice cream ( ), Madagascar vanilla and vanilla salt
IBU-less than 10
ABV-10%
Overall impression-mighta been better than the original Tefnut he shared/muled several years ago
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; I’d buy a case of this if ever brewed again and I’m aware of its release

[devildeac]

Next to last…

Silent Night Reserve 2020-Mother Earth Brewing

Not too far away.

Credit-the patience and kindness of @fuse; thanks!!
Style-BBA (12 months, likely in their own bourbon barrels) coffee’d imperial stout
Format-caged and corked 750 ml bottle
Glass-absolutely
Appearance-onyx; thin, tan head
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-dark chocolate, bourbon, java, molasses, wood
Adjunct-Counter Culture coffee
IBU-probably 60ish
ABV-9% but punched a higher weight class
Overall impression-teriffic
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; there’s simply not enough room on the top shelf for this to fit, mainly because its “older” brother, that will be the next review, nudged it down to the middle shelf…

[devildeac]

Last one standing:

Silent Night Grand Reserve 2020-Mother Earth Brewing

Same location

Credit-another humble bucket of thanks @fuse for sharing this gem
Style-BBA (24 months, again, likely their own spirit barrels) coffee’d imperial stout
Format-caged and corked 750 ml bottle shared with a lot of people
Glass-rinsed again
Appearance-onyx; essentially no head
Mouthfeel-even sexier than The Reserve version above
Tastes-all the same except this was even softer/smoother than The Reserve
Adjunct-same coffee joint
IBU-same
ABV-smae but this is really difficult to believe after 2 years of aging an no accounting for the “Angel’s Share” typical in many barrel aged goodies and spirits; this really sipped like 12% or more
Overall impression-terrific and then some
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3, just like it was when we sampled side by side on the @fuse porch in 2020 shortly after its release; the Reserve was above excellent but, another year resting in bourbon barrels was readily discernible on the nose and palate and reminded me of the Mexican Cake vs Abraxas we sampled at the Clemson tailgate with the Mexican Cake being low cat 3 due to a bit too much heat (different peppers) and the Abraxas being superb with less heat and slightly better flavorings

The Grand Reserve may be on my short list for the Best Beer of 2023 when @fuse starts that thread in early December

[devildeac]

Over and Over and Over-Orpheus Brewing (but also “contract” brewed but I recycled the can and can’t recall the company name :face_with_peeking_eye:)

Local for the Peach State mule

Credit-thanks @OldPhiKap for trading!!
Style-imperial fruited sour
Format-pint can
Stemware-see photo
Appearance-as pictured
Nose-pineapple sour
Mouthfeel-sexy brother trucker
Tastes-lemon/lime, vanilla and pineapple
Adjuncts-pineapple and vanilla
IBU-under 10
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-hit all the sour spots with a nice vanilla soda flavor but coulda used another pineapple or two
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2, losing a point or two as some extra fruitiness woulda easily made this a cat 3 beer; still a very enjoyable beverage

[devildeac]

Blueper Reel-Edit Beer Company

Four miles down the road

Credit-needed traders
Style-fruited imperial wheat beer
Format-see photo
Appearance-a rather pretty beer and head
Nose-grape soda ()
Mouthfeel-fruity
Tastes-alternating flavors of grape soda and blueberry jam/pie filling
Adjunct-blueberry purée
IBU-maybe mid 20s
ABV-7.5%
Overall impresssion-quite a palate tickler
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; tough to pull this off I’d think but this was an intriguing 2 oz draft sample before splurging on the 4 pack

Hoping @OldPhiKap liked this one

[devildeac]

The Green Room-Edit Beer Company

Four miles away but a different brewery.

Credit-needed traders
Style-fruited imperial sour
Format-pint can
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-it was really neon green
Nose-pineapple, lemon/lime and coconut
Mouthfeel-pucker
Tasted-green pineapple from a fruitcake, coconut, lemon and lime juice with zest
Adjuncts-pineapple and coconut; inspired by the Blue Hawaiian cocktail
IBU-high single digits
ABV-8%
Overall impression-intriguing beverage; a bit more pineapple and coconut would’ve helped
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3

Haven’t heard from @OldPhiKap about his tasting…

[devildeac]

Citizen Pils-Altered State Brewing

Four miles from home

Credit-needed traders
Style-Czech style pils
Format-pint can
Glassware-Goose Island nonic pint
Appearance-light straw, clear, modest head
Nose-floral
Mouthfeel-slight bit
Tastes-floral/garden hops, light corn syrum\p
IBU-maybe mid 30s
ABV-4.5%
Overall impression-solid
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; would be nice to side by side with an @mattman91 pils

[devildeac]

Silent Night C*rolina Rye Reserve-Mother Earth Brewing

Kinston is local

Credit- @fuse for sharing; thanks!
Style-BBA and flavored imperial stout
Format-corked and caged 750 ml bottle, shared many ways
Bottled year-2021?
Stemware-usual tailgate Duke pint glass
Appearance-midnight; small tan head
Nostril ticklers-dark chocolate, coffee and bourbon
Mouthfeel-seductive
Palate pleasing sensations-matched the aromas with a slight hint of rye
Barrels-Mother Earth rye whiskey
Adjunct-coffee
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-9% but sipped like 12%
Overall impression-outstanding
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3

[devildeac]

Second:

Silent Night Single Mat Reserve-Mother Earth Brewing

Ya already know

Credit- @fuse again; thanks!!
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Format-usual corked and caged 750 ml botte, again shared many ways
Bottled-2021?
Stemware-rinsed Duke shaker pint
Appearance-one minute after midnight; smallish tan head
Olfactory sensations-dark chocolate, java and whiskey
Mouthfeel-as seductive as the prior one
Tongue ticklers-whiskey, coffee and dark chocolate
Barrels-Mother Earth American whiskey
Adjunct-coffee
IBU-likely 50ish
ABV-9%, again sipped like 12%
Overall impression-ever so slightly “better” than the rye version
Ymm, Beer rating-not quite high cat 3 so another mid cat 3

[devildeac]

Batting in the power spot (copied/pasted from crazietalk 3/6/23):

Bourbon County Brand Biscotti Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Chicago was local last week.

Credit-younger son in law found some leftover BCS and variants on sale last week.
Style-if ya know, ya know
Format-500 ml bottle, shared 3 ways
Drink by-19AUG24 GI08:11
Stemware-mini snifters
Appearance-5W20
Nose-dark chocolate, bourbon and black licorice
Mouthfeel-GTHc, GTH
Tastes-dark chocolate, bourbon, anise, burnt caramel, almonds; IOW, biscotti!!
Adjuncts-“cocoa nibs, toasted almonds, anise seeds and natural flavors”
IBU-N/A (LOL) but likely low 50s
ABV-14.3%
Overall impression-a terrific liquid rendition of the Italian pastry
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; woulda been high cat 3 but the anise is a slight turnoff for me

Last night’s version:

Nah, not repeating; read the above except to thank @AugustWest profusely for sharing



I’ll stand by my mid cat 3 rating but I thing the anise/licorice may have been muted a bit by the additional 7 months in storage.

[devildeac]

Clean up hitter:

Hardy Barrel Blend-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for the RVA mule

Credit-many thanks @wbmcards88 for this gem
Style-another blend of Brian’s faves
Format-750 ml capped bottle, again shared many ways
Birth year-2021
Stemware-rinse and repeat
Appearance-medium/dark brown; small beige head
Aromas-heavenly
Mouthfeel-obviously thinner than a stout (see below) but still seductive
Flavors-complex but included raisins, dates, figs, dark chocolate, hint of smoke, apples and bourbon
Cast of characters-quadruple, wheatwine, barleywine and imperial mild stout
Wooden aging vessels-Old Fitzgerald bourbon, Laird’s Apple Brandy, Heaven Hill Bourbon and Laphroaig scotch
Adjunct-lactose
IBU-who gives a flying sheep?
ABV-13%
Overall impression-coulda been a mess but was absolutely delightful
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3

We. Are. Spoiled.

[devildeac]

I’m losing track here; correct me here @AugustWest if this was not poured:

Day’s End-Allagash Brewing

Portland ain’t local

Credit-thanks @AugustWest for sharing!
Style-BBA and flavored amber?
Format-12 ounce bottle shared several ways
Glass-yes
Appearance-medium brown, no head
Nose-bourbon, orange and light red wine
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-bourbon, rose wine, orange zest and a hint of caramel
Adjuncts-Lambrusco grape must, angelica root, and orange peel
Barrels-bourbon for 2 months (shoulda been longer)
IBU-Maybe 30
ABV-9.5%
Overall impression-quite a concoction, based on a cocktail called a Boulevardier (?)
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3

[devildeac]

Straight Talk VII-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for you know who.

Credit-another winner from @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-not your usual BBA quad
Format-above
Glassware-usual Duke shaker pint
Appearance-muddy; no head
Nose-bourbon and a huge portion of dark, dried fruits
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-bourbon, raisins, dates, figs, brown sugar/caramel, even more bourbon
Barrels-Buffalo Trace for 62 months
IBU-I. Don’t. Care
ABV-15.8%
Overall impression-best of show
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3

[devildeac]

Vacanza Peach Pie Imperial Gose-Wild Leap Craft Beer

Local from one of @OldPhiKap’s NCSU passenger buddies

Credit-above; thanks!!
Style-^^^^
Format-12 ounce can shared several ways
Glass-yes
Appearance-above
Nose-peach pie
Mouthfeel-sweet and jammy with a pinch of salt
Tastes-yes, it really tasted like a slice of grandma’s summer pie
Adjuncts-peach purée, brown sugar, cinnamon, sea salt and “bakery flavorings”
IBU-less than 10
ABV-8% (I didn’t know granny had that in her pantry)
Overall impression-liquid
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; delighted to have been poured a late dessert by @OldPhiKap’s buddy