Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Taste the Blender-Hopfly Brewing Company

They’re still brewing in Charlotte.

Credit-shared by older daughter; thanks
Style-candy sour ale
Format-pint can
Glassware-cute little 5 oz sampler vessel
Appearance-orange/pimeape fruit punch; no head
Nose-liquid candy
Mouthfeel-sweet and sour
Tastes-Sour Patch kids and Skittles in liquid form
Adjunct-Skittles
IBU-maybe 7
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-another “coulda been a mess” brew that was a fun taste
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; once you overcome anticipatory , this was pretty tasty

[devildeac]

Wunderbar Blackberry and Black Currant-Altered State Brewing

A mere 4 miles away

Note @fuse-stop reading here; spoiler alert

Credit-needed traders
Style-fruited kettle sour
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways
Stemware-yep
Appearance-a berry smoothie with a generous pinky purpley head
Nose-blackberries
Mouthfeel-smooooth
Tastes-blackberries, currants, lemons and limes
Adjuncts-blackberries and black currants
IBU-low, real low
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-top 5 for the 3 tasters yesterday considering all their releases since summer, 2022
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; yea, it was that luscious

Hope the @fuse family enjoy theirs as much as our family enjoyed this one

[devildeac]

Dragons with Matches 2022-Incendiary Brewing Company

Local when bought

Credit-happy retirement to me; I’ll give @richardjackson199 props when I drink his trader/gift next month, err, year
Style-double barrel aged dark Belgian strong ale, aka a quad
Format-heavily waxed capped 500 ml bottle
Bottle date-11/2/22 (not sure, label torn here)
Stemware-Stella snifters
Appearance-fantastically dark brown; small beige foam
Nose-dried fruits and bourbon
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-raisins, dates, figs, plums, dark brown Belgian candi syrup and a helluva dose of bourbon
Barrels-Buffalo Trace (15 months) and Weller (27 months)
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-12% but sipped about 14% or more
Overall impression-fantastic
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3, even at $20-25/bottle; the Hardywood BBA Quad at $7-8/stubbie is a great comparison

[devildeac]

Everybody Wants Some-Hoof Hearted Brewing

Local for the delivery guy

Credit-son shared this one; thanks!!
Style-TDH NETIPA
Format-pint can shared 3 ways
Canned On-12/18/2023 (fresh!)
Stemware-5 oz Pilsner sampler glasses
Appearance-yellow, juicy, foamy
Nose-fresh squeezed pineapple grapefruit juice
Mouthfeel-tropical
Tastes-quite a change from the aromas with ripe papaya, mango and peach on the palate with the pineapples and grapefruits in the background
Hops-Citra
IBU-perhaps mid/upper 30s
ABV-9.2%
Overall impression-fresh and juicy can’t be beat
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; another Hoof Hearted gem

[devildeac]

Anniversary party beer #1:

Cobia Kolsch (draft)-Wrightsville Beach Brewery

At the brewery

Credit-son and 2 daughters of former neighbors celebrating 50 years of marital bliss
Style-easy one
Format-spigotted
Drinking vessel-6 oz plastic cup
Appearance-clear, pale straw; modest fizzy head
Nose-apples and pears
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-apples, pears and light, floral hops
IBU-probably 20
ABV-5% (est)
Overall impression-fine appetizer
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2

[devildeac]

Party beer #2:

Airilie Amber (draft)-Wrightsville Beach Brewery

Still at the brewery

Credit-same family, same anniversary
Style-easy one, again
Format-freshly drawn
Appearance-light amber; thin, offwhite head
Nose-light brown sugar syrup
Mouthfeel-gentle
Tastes-light, earthy hops, light brown sugar/caramel, cereal
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-5% (est)
Overall impression-nice dinner pairing with shrimp and grits, chicken Mornay and short ribs
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2

[devildeac]

Nightcap yesterday:

CBS-Founders Brewing Company

Nope

Credit-treated myself to a couple 4 packs last month
Style-BBA and flavored imperial stout
Format-12 oz bottle shared with no one
Stemware-Founders snifter
Appearance-exceptionally dark brown; thin, tan head
Nose-coffee, bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-oh, you sexy thing
Tastes-dark chocolate, coffee, bourbon, maple syrup, wood and vanilla
Adjuncts-coffee and chocoalte
Barrels-bourbon and maple syrup or would that be maple syrup and bourbon?
IBU-thinking mid 50s
ABV-11.7%
Overall impression-world classic
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3, even with its “one more last time” release for the 5th or 6th time

Note @richardjackson199-this was NOT the bottle you sent for the Pitt tailgate; as promised, that will appear at a tailgate sometime next season

[devildeac]

Unchronological reviews, starting last PM and working backwards:

Flash Mob Tiramisu Imperial Stout-Incendiary Brewing Company

Local for a certain contingent.

Credit-trader; many thanks @richardjackson199 !!
Style-no hints
Format-pint can, shared with no one
Not fake Twitter/X data-11/09/2023 540:50
Glassware with no stem-Incendiary tumbler/teku
Appearance-very dark brown; thin, tan head
Nose-coffee and chocolate
Mouthfeel-silky
Taste-espresso, dark chocolate, vanilla but no sponge cake
Adjuncts-black and white “The Future” and “Esteban Zamora” whole bean coffee, Cooks Island vanilla beans and cocoa nibs
IBU-maybe high 40s?
ABV-8.5%
Overall impression-delightful dessert sipper; not too sweet
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a fun concoction

[devildeac]

Side by side from a few days ago; first up:

The Long Dark Night-Southern Pines Brewing Company

Local for the guy who bought it.

Credit-a cash for beer transaction engineered by @Tripping.William last year; thanks!!
Style-rum barrel aged Baltic Porter
Format-heavily wax capped shapely 500 ml bottle, shared 3 ways
Stemware-5 oz mini snifters
Appearance-a dark night, what else?
Nose-rum and wood char
Mouthfeel-softer than imagined
Tastes-carmelized brown sugar, orange and grapefruit sliced dipped in unsweetened dark chocolate, hints of vanilla and molasses; no licorice
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-11.3%
Overall impression-typical flavors and aromas of a plain Baltic Porter covered nicely by the rum barrel aging
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; the Drunken Vigils was superior and I anticipate the German Chocolate Cake to be enjoyed tonight or tomorrow likely to be better, too.

[devildeac]

Second porter:

Baltic Porter with Raspberry and Vanilla-Incendiary Brewing Company

Another local from another Ymm, Beer dude.

Credit-many thanks @richardjackson199 for this selection/comparator
Style-double barrel aged and flavored Baltic Porter
Format-pint can, shared 3 ways
Stemware-5 oz mini pilsner tasting glasses
Appearance-exceedingly dark brown with ruby edges; no head
Nose-raspberries and bourbon
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-jellied raspberry truffles, bourbon, vanilla
Adjuncts-might be some raspberries and vanilla
Barrels-Buffalo trace bourbon and Heaven Hill wheated bourbon
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-13.6% :face_with_spiral_eyes:
Overall impression-teriffic
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; yea, really, it was that tasty and more imperial stouty than Baltic Portery

[devildeac]

Nightcap yeaterday:

Creeper-Columbus Brewing Company

Local for the delivery guy

Credit-son left in fridge when he/they departed 1/1/24; thanks!
Style-westie DIPA
Format-12 oz can
Bottom of can info-PKG 10/30/23; still pretty fresh
Stemware-oversized wine glass
Appearance-light bronze; generous head
Nose-grapefruits and rind
Mouthfeel-nice bite
Tastes-recently squeezed grapefruit juice, zest, hints of resin and pine
IBU-gotta be about 60
ABV-10%; could make a case for a TIPA here
Overall impressions-really good for the style
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; a top 50ish beeradvocate brew in years past, maybe top 30; happy to taste again after several years absence from my fridge

[devildeac]

Call Sign: Citra Sunshine-Forgotten Road Ales

Credit-child care gift from older daughter; thanks!
Style-NEIPA
Format-pint can, not shared
Stemware-large wine glass
Appearance-hazy tangerine peach nectar; moderate head
Nose-tangerine and peach
Mouthfeel-juicy
Tastes-cantaloupe, peaches, tangerine and OJ
Hops-El Dorado, Mosaic and double Citra
IBU-mid 30s?
ABV-6.5%
Overall impression-fresh, juicy, local with a great hop bill
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3

[devildeac]

From some night between 1/1 and 1/6.

Bourbon County Brand Bananas Foster Stout-Goose Island Beer Company

Not local for the purchasing/muleing agent

Credit-from @richardjackson199’s back seat beer dispensary; thanks!!!
Style-IYKYK
Format-500 ml bottle, shared 2 ways in a side by side with the Incendiary version (review to follow)
Drink By-27AUG28 GI 08:46
Stemware-one 2015 BCBS and one Founders snifters
Appearance-really, really dark brown; rare bubbles
Nose-bourbon, almonds, bananananas and cinnamon
Mouthfeel-lubricious
Tastes-followed the nose along with some burnt caramel, molasses and dark chocolate
Adjuncts-bananas, almonds, cassia bark and natural flavors
IBU-maybe high 50s
ABV-13.9%
Overall impression-wonderful dessert and BCBS variant
Ymm. Beer rating-mid cat 3; see next post/review

[devildeac]

Road to Ruin Bananas Foster-Incendiary Brewing Company

Local for the buying/muleing guy

Credit-another back seat beer buy from @richardjackson199; thanks!!!
Style-IYKYK
Format-pint can, shared 2 ways
Time stamp-11/20/23 540.5606
Stemware-two Stella Brew snifters
Appearance-almost onyx; no head
Nose-bourbon, bananas and coffee
Mouthfeel-“Can you stay the night?”
Tastes-bananas, espresso, bourbon, burnt caramel, vanilla and dark chocolate
Adjuncts-Wild Thai bananas, Black and White “The Future” whole bean coffee, stroopwafels
coconut and vanilla
Barrels-Buffalo Trace, Four Roses and Bookers bourbon barrels
IBU-I. Didn’t. Care.
ABV-13.8%
Overall impression-fantastic
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; younger son in law liked the BCBS version better as it was a bit more bourbon forward and this was a bit sweet for him;
I liked this better from the first sip; at about $20-25 for the BCBS and $9-10 for this, the choice was easy for me; I’d get a 4 pack late this year if brewed again

[devildeac]

BBA Sexual Chocolate-Foothills Brewing

Local for the buying/trading/delivery guy

Credit-that’d be many thanks @richardjackson199 for findingbuying/selling from his back seat
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared 2 ways
Stampage on bottle neck-110623 BASC 00040983 1532
Stemware-5 oz mini snifters
Appearance-through the glass darkly; small, tan head
Nose-cocoa and bourbon
Mouthfeel-a bit thin
Tastes-cocoa, bourbon, dark caramel, drop or two of espresso
Adjuncts-cocoa
IBU-75, IIRC from prior years
ABV-9.6%, not sure this has ever changed
Overall impression-dependably good year after year
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; early in its history, it was likely a mid cat 3 but this has become a very crowded field and there are many better on the market now but I also like old standards

[devildeac]

From last Thursday:

Barrel Aged Doppelbock-Incendiary Brewing Company in collaboration with Epiphany Craft Malt

336=L(O)C@L

Credit-another sale from @richardjackson199’s back seat beer dispensary; thanks!!
Style-go figure
Format-pint can, shared 2 ways
Stemware-Stella snifters
Appearance-darker than amber, lighter than brown; small, beige head
Nose-toasted wheat bread and bourbon
Mouthfeel-gentle but warming
Tastes-dark caramel, bourbon, toast, raisins and dates and more bourbon
Barrels-Blanton’s
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-13.8% :face_in_clouds:
Overall impression-terriffic
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/high cat 3; never had Ardent’s Defenestrator or Jackie O’s BBA Doppelbock so no comparison for me; I should bought another from @richardjackson199

[devildeac]

Friday night beer #1:

Road to Ruin-Incendiary Brewing Company

336ers will recognize this product

Credit-another trunk, err, back seat brew from @richardjackson199; thanks!!
Style-double BBA imperial stout
Format-16 oz liquid filled aluminum cylinder, shared 2 ways
Stemware-Stella snifters!!
Appearance-exceedingly dark; no head
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-bourbon, dark chocolate, char, hint of must/rye, molasses
Barrels-Four Roses and Sazarac rye bourbon barrels
IBU-ask me if I care
ABV-13.8% :dotted_line_face:
Overall impression-this, in combination with the other Incendiary brews @richardjackson199 selected for resale, might convince me this is the best NC brewery
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; shoulda bought another from the back seat sale

[devildeac]

Beer #2, Friday night:

Brian’s Barrel Blends 2022 No. 17-Hardywood Park Craft Ales

You know this location

Credit-another warehouse sale exclusive from the line leader, @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-YOYO for this guess
Format-stubbie share 2 ways
Stemware-those mini snifter sure are cute
Appearance-dark brown; no head
Nose-dried dark fruit juice and booze
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-raisins, dates, figs, plums, bourbon, cherries, wood
Beers-imperial milk stout and Belgian style quad
Barrels-bourbon for 36 months :face_with_spiral_eyes:
IBU-maybe mid 30s
ABV-14.4% OMG
Overall impression-Brian is an artist
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; I could stock my fridge/cellar/garage with these

[devildeac]

Nearing the end of the queue for delinquent reviews. More from the Camel City:

Ass over Tea Kettle-Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company

Camel City is local

Credit-another back seat special closeout sale item from @richardjackson199; thanks!!
Style-spiced ale
Format-16 oz, selfishly consumed
Glassware-shaker pint
Appearance-murky orange/brown; modest offwhite head
Nose-Russian tea
Mouthfeel-sugar and spice and everything nice
Tastes-cinnamon, clove and orange
Adjuncts-cinnamon, clove, dark Belgian candi sugar, lemon peel and blood orange
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-9.3% (this ain’t your grandma’s cup of holiday cheer!)
Overall impression-nailed it
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; might be my favorite “spiced” ale/winter warmer

[devildeac]

Last night’s liquid dessert:

Dulce Muerte-Incendiary Brewing Company

More Camel City shenanigans

Credit-the beer backseat was almost limitless; many thanks again @richardjackson199 !!
Style-spiced and “heated” imperial stout
Format-pint can
Glassware-Incendiary tumbler/stemless teku
Appearance-dark, but not too dark brown; 1 mm tan head
Nose-Mexican hot (well, maybe cold) chocolate
Mouthfeel- a bit thin with some faint, early heat
Tastes-cocoa, cinnamon, a few Scoville units which increased mildly after sipping/warming for an hour or so
Adjuncts-cocoa nibs, Madagascar vanilla, habanero peppers and cinnamon
IBU-probably less than 40
ABV-11.3%
Overall impression-woulda been an intriguing tasting session with Mexican Cake, Abraxas and Xocoveza and/or other spiced and peppered beers
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; nice blend of Scoville units, spices and flavorings; not too hot