Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Slippery When Wet-Hoof Hearted Brewing

Right outside the city limits

Credit-Father’s Day trader/gift from our son; thanks!!
Style-fruited DIPA
Format-pint can shared equally
Stemware-love those Zaftig snifters
Appearance-OJ with a head
Nose-tangerine grapefruit juice
Mouthfeel-healthy
Tastes-tangerine, grapefruit, pith and oranges
Adjuncts-tangerine purée
Hops-El Dorado and Simcoe
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-9%; not possible
Overall-delightful pairing with a salmon bowl, rice, cucumber, avocado, edamame, yum yum and Sriracha sauces
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; this brewery likely makes the best IPAs/IIPAs/TIPAs in Ohio

[devildeac]

And That’s When I Knew-Hoof Hearted Brewing

Somewhere in Ohio

Credit-Father’s Day/birthday gift from our son; thanks!!
Style-NETIPA
Format-half quart can
Recency Bias-CANNED ON 05/29/2024
Stemware-large Zaftig snifters
Appearance-tropical fruit juice; modest off white head
Nose-tropical fruit juice
Mouthfeel-a bit pithy
Tastes-pineapple, OJ, guava, grapefruit, white whine, nectarine
Hops-Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin and Montueka
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-10.7%
Overall impression-delectable hop combination; typical TIPA “booziness”
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; nothing to sway me from still claiming best IPA brewer in Ohio

[devildeac]

Big Bad Baptist S’mores-Epic Brewing Company

Mighta been local for @nrrrrvous recently

Credit-trader from @Meld a couple weeks ago; thanks!
Style-BBA campfire treat, err, imperial stout
Format-pint can, shared two ways
Stemware-cocktail glasses
Appearance-liquid dark chocolate; tan head
Nose-chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-bourbon, slightly burnt milk chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows
Adjuncts-marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate
IBU-objection, your honor
ABV-12% (dessert booze)
Overall impression-a tasty treat
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; wonderful share beer that woulda been a bit too sweet as a solo

[devildeac]

Barrel Aged Me Love To Eat Cream Filled Cookies-Hubbard’s Cave (brewed at Une Annee Brewery LLC, Niles IL

In-state local now but not when traded

Credit-trader in Durham from @Meld but consumed in Cook (no, not cookie) County, IL; thanks!!
Style-BBA flavored RIS
Format-half quart can, shared 2 ways
Chronology-PK1
Glassware-cocktail glasses
Appearance-onyx; small tan head
Nose-bourbon soaked cookies
Mouthfeel-sweet and thick
Tastes-many, many Oreos, generous amount of bourbon and vanilla
Adjuncts-chocolate cream filled chocolate cookies, vanilla beans and lactose
Carbs-waaaay too many to count
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-13% (bourbon soaked cookies gotta be illegal, right? )
Overall impression-one of the sweeter beers I’ve ever tasted, I think, and a wonderful dessert creation that begged to be shared
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; almost bought another Hubbard’s Cave brew to trade @Meld but bought some other goodies instead

[devildeac]

Bourbon County Brand 30th Anniversary Stout 2022-Goose Island Beer Company

Somewhere in the city limits

Credit-great sale on a world class beer; celebration time
Style-multiple BBA blend of their original recipe
Format-500 ml bottle, shared two ways
Drink by-28Jul27 GI 07:22
Glassware-cocktail glasses
Appearance-Texas crude; microscopic head
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-“Take Me Home Tonight”
Tastes-bourbon (d’oh!), dark chocolate morsels, wood char, burnt dark caramel and molasses
Barrels-Booker’s 38%
Knob Creek 33%
Basil Hayden 17%
Baker’s 14%
(Yea, yea, math not quite right :face_with_peeking_eye:)
IBU-60 (from memory)
ABV-14.4%
Overall impression-top 2 beer from 2022 and gonna be a top beer again when @fuse starts the Best Beer of 2024 thread
Ymm, Beer rating-hasta be cat 4; one of my favorite beers in the last 30ish years

Note: original price was $40 and I had about 3 oz the family saved for me on NYE, 2022. This was $15 a couple days ago and inventory disappearing fast from Binny’s.

[devildeac]

Kaleidoscope Cuvée-Goose Island Beer Company

Somewhere around here

Credit-a keen eye, a curious spirit, thirst and the need for traders
Style-a buncha styles from a buncha barrels
Format-12 ounce bottle, shared two ways
Drink by-27FEB29 GI 12:55
Stemware-cocktail glasses
Appearance-really dark brown; wispy tan head
Nose-bourbon, rum, dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-really complex with a bourbon forefront and a lotta supporting rum, carmelized brown sugar, a ton of raisins, dates and figs and some dark berries
Beers and barrels-from beeradvocate and the cardboard carrier:
Imperial Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Rye Stout and Barleywine Aged 18-36 months in:

• 41% Bourbon barrels
• 30% Rum barrels
• 11% Port wine barrels
• 7% Maple syrup barrels
• 11% Cognac barrels

IBU-“you’re out of order”
ABV-14.7%
Overall impression-And I thought only Hardywood’s Brian the Blender could pull off something like this; it was outstanding
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; may be an entry on the Best of 2024 thread when @fuse starts it later this year

[devildeac]

Dapper Rye-Goose Island Beer Company

Yep, still in Cook County

Credit-needed traders and this intrigued me
Style-double BBA rye stout
Format-12 ounce bottle, two equal portions
Drink by-21APR29GI 07:11
Glasses-yep, cocktail crystal
Appearance-dark brown Karo; 3 or 4 bubbles :woozy_face:
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-syrupy
Tastes-exceptionally dark chocolate, bourbon, wood, burnt molasses, hint of rye/must
Barrels-not revealed
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-16.5% and tasted every percentage point of it
Overall impression-a chocolatey booze bomb
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; what’s not to like?

[devildeac]

Cushy Berry-Old Irving Brewing Company

A few miles away

Credit-thirst; needed traders and vitamin C
Style-fruited sour ale
Format-16 oz can, shared two ways
Glassware-rinsed cocktail glasses
Appearance-raspberry (and strawberry) beret; pretty pale pink head
Nose-berries!
Mouthfeel-fruity and puckery
Tastes-matched the adjuncts with a squirt of lemon
Adjuncts-strawberries and raspberries
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-6% (palate cleanser )
Overall impression-strawberry sweet and raspberry tart (no, not that raspberry tart )
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; a pleasant summer sipper

[devildeac]

Mobula-Hop Butcher for the World

Nearby

Credit-finishing out the trader shopping; maybe
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-1/8 gallon can, shared two ways and darn near equally
When-5/21/24 09:09:55 Devil Ray Seems Harsh
Appearance-rather dark brown; 4 bubble head
Nose-fine milk chocolate, nuts
Mouthfeel-drippy candy bar
Tastes-a liquid Almond Joy; what other info could you possibly require?
Adjuncts-chocolate, coconut and almonds
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-certainly 10.5%
Overall impression-somewhat sweet, therefore a very good share beer
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3

[devildeac]

Cuppa Breakfast-Maplewood Brewing Company

Within a 5-10 mile radius, I think.

Credit-almost finished assembling traders
Style-pick me up, no, dessert, no, flavored RIS
Format-pint can, shared two ways and pretty darn equally I must say
Carbon dating-didn’t check
Sipping vessels-cocktail glasses
Appearance-Karo dark, well, maybe a bit less viscous
Nose-espresso and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-almost gooey
Tastes-lots of maple syrup, espresso, semisweet morsels and vanilla
Adjuncts-“natural maple flavor, Hexe coffee, vanilla beans and cacao nibs “
IBU-40s
ABV-11%
Overall impression-more maple flavor than coffee which was a nice feature
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; wonderful “share” beer

[devildeac]

Bourbon County Stout Brand Two Year Cask Finish-Goose Island Brewing Company

Still located in Chicago land

Credit-special treat from younger son in law; thanks!!
Style-double barrel aged original BCS
Format-500 ml bottle, poured into precisely equal aliquots via the highly valued eye test
Drink by-10SEP28 GI 17:36
Sipping vessels-cocktail glasses
Appearance-exceptionally dark brown, deep ruby glimmer and 3 bubbles
Nose-bourbon, port and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-silky
Tastes-matched the nose perfectly
Barrels-Angel’s Envy and ruby port (producer not ID’d) for a year each
IBU-probably the usual BCS 60
ABV-15.5% (“goodness, gracious, great balls of fire”)
Overall impression-fantastic blending
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; a bit shy of their 2022 30th Anniversary offering but still amazing)

[devildeac]

Husky Pants-Maplewood Brewing Company

Local, and that is NOT my picture likeness on the label

Credit-couldn’t resist buying a 4 pack to remind me of shopping for clothes when I was a fat, nerdy elementary school kid
Style-NEDIPA
Format-pint can
Glasses-yes, they were Coke bottle lenses and thick black frames :face_with_peeking_eye:
Appearance-tropical squeezings
Nose-tropical fruit salad
Mouthfeel-pithy
Tastes-guava, rind, pith, grapefruit and a splash of OJ
Hops-Citra, Idaho 7, Sultana and Columbus (unusual combo)
IBU-63
ABV-9%
Overall impression-more bitter than I thought
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; will have my next can about 10 degrees colder and maybe in my usual large wine glass

[devildeac]

You’re a Fine Munichwine-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Yep

Credit-first in line award thank you @wbmcards88
Style-blended/double barrel aged Munichwine
Format-stubbie, 12 oz, not shared
Stemware-Hardywood teku
Appearance-slightly muddy, dark brown, no head
Nose-bourbon and caramel
Mouthfeel-deeeelicious
Tastes-dark caramel, bourbon, hints of dark (not dead ) berries, port (no ice cream), wet oak/wood
Base beer-Munichwine (basically an English style barleywine brewed with 100% Munich malt)
Aging duration-15 months
Barrels-“50% port barrels used to finish A. Smith Bowman’s Isaac Bowman’s Strait Bourbon Whiskey” and 50% Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels
IBU-don’t even bother
ABV 14%
Overall impression-another round tripper for Brian
Ymm, Beer rating-mid/high cat 3; amazing concoction

[devildeac]

Rosette 2024-Brewery Bhavana

Downtown

Credit-last can from an assortment @fuse and @Loveninja gifted to me a few weeks ago; many thanks!!
Style-fruited, blended, barreled Rose type imperial sour
Format-pint can, not shared
Carbon dating-“BETTER WITH AGE” (no, really, this was on the bottom of the can but coulda been on my recent birthday cards, but my wife might beg to differ )
Appearance-a gorgeous pinkish reddish; modest pink bead disappeared quickly
Nose-a sour Rose wine
Mouthfeel-moderate pucker
Tastes-subtle raspberries and cherries, candied grapefruit and generous splashes of lemons and limes (not added)
Adjuncts-“tart cherries, grapefruit zest and raspberries,” hibiscus and rose hips
Aging/blending-yes but vessels not specified and they claim “just a touch” of their house sour
IBU-WAG of 5
ABV-12.1%
Overall impression-a big, delicate and complex ale
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3 evoking fond memories of their early offerings

[devildeac]

Birthday Sammich 2022-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

One of Brian’s 2022 creations, brought back by the popular request of Family Tree members; first time since 2019

Credit-“almost first in line again” thanks @wbmcards88 !!
Style-flavored, blended BBA concoction
Format-stubbie, sipped solo
Appearance-murky, dark brown; no head
Nose-peanuts and bourbon
Mouthfeel-luscious
Tastes-a bourbon soaked Fluffer Nutter
Adjuncts-peanut butter, toasted marshmallows and Madagascar vanilla beans; lactose
Beers-barleywine and imperial milk stout
Barrels-bourbon
IBU-maybe 25
ABV-11.5%
Overall impression-strong peanut flavor balanced by other adjuncts and the BBA
Ymm, beer rating-low/mid cat 3; fun beer but don’t serve to younger children :face_with_peeking_eye:

[devildeac]

Cellar Door 16-Brewery Bhavana

Downtown

Credit-a gift to @richardjackson199 and me 2 years ago for enrolling in their third Cellar Door series only to have BB cancel the promotion; I picked this up at the restaurant and have held it for a year or more, waiting for a gathering like this with apologies @richardjackson199 fir not being able to include him in the sharing
Style-technically, a 5 year Solera originally bottled in 2020 and laid to rest for another couple years and a blend of their house and Brett cultured sours
Format-jeroboam, shared 7 ways
Glassware-assorted @devildeac tasting glasses
Appearance-cloudy, light tan, no head
Nose-sour and funk
Mouthfeel-tart
Tastes-wet hay/straw, funk/barnyard, lemon/lime,
apple and pear
Barrels-not named
IBU-maybe 10
ABV-6.2%
Overall impression-well worth the wait to share; everyone must’ve liked it as I saw several second helpings
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; from the golden years of BB

[devildeac]

3 fonteinen-Brouwerij 3 Fonteinin

Honestly, I’m not sure of the bier name or brewery

Belgium is not local :woozy_face:

Credit-exceedingly grateful @fuse and @Loveninja for this gem
Style-imperial lambic; one doesn’t find many of those
Format-750 ml caged and corked green bottle, shared 7 ways
Bottling date-18 SEP 19 (yep, that’s rare)
Best before-26 OCT 39 (no typo )
Glassware-rinsed @devildeac tasting glasses
Appearance-cloudy, pale pink; fleeting Belgian lacing
Nose-subtly sour fruit
Mouthfeel-tingling
Tastes-raspberry and cherry juice blended with lemon and lime ades fall far short of adequate
Adjuncts-from Untappd again: “ 3 Fonteinen Hommage is the result of macerating hand-picked whole sour cherries and raspberries on young lambic for at least four months, in a proportion of 760 to 800 grams of raspberries and 200 to 240 grams of sour cherries per litre of lambic. This fruit lambic is then blended again with more lambic to obtain a minimum intensity of 35% fruit. Hommage is a bodied raspberry lambic beer, with an intense deep red forest fruit bouquet. This unfiltered and unpasteurised lambic is all-natural with no artificial juices, syrups, or sugars added.”
IBU-I seriously do not care but it was low
ABV-8.8% (liars)
Overall impression-reminded me of what DeuS might be like if a fruit syrup blend was added; that his very high praise
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3; what a couple “starter” beers!

[devildeac]

Eighth Anniversary Ale-Ardent Craft Alrs

Local for the traveling, beer-muling merry
minstrels from the RVA

Credit-many thanks @wbmcards88 for finding this at the back of his beer cave, err, fridge and sharing!
Style-barrel aged and flavored French saison ale
Format-voluptuous 500 ml bottle, shared 7 ways
Glassware-same as above and to follow
Appearance-slighly cloudy, very pale straw with basically no head
Nose-Sauvignon Blanc
Mouthfeel-winey with a hint of bitter
Tastes-white grapes/skins/must, white wine
Adjuncts-Sauvignon Blanc grape must
Barrels-Sauvignon Blanc wine
IBU-30
ABV-5.5%
Overall impression-delightful merger of a very light bodied beer and wine
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; wonderful sampling even if it was 1/2 of @wbmcards88’s ABV standard

[devildeac]

Batchelors Delight 2020-Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery

Local for a certain RVA mule

Credit-many thanks @nrrrrvous for ferreting this out from the back of his beer fridge!
Style-unfiltered rum barrel aged Belgian style quad
Format-750 ml bottle, shared 7 ways
Glassware-same as above, rinsed
Appearance-mud; minimal pale beige head
Nose-Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of dark, dried fruits
Mouthfeel-alluring
Tastes-carmelized brown sugar, Bacardi 151 Dark, raisins, dates, figs, plums and dried cherries
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-12% (into the @wbmcards88 approved realm of beer sampling now )
Overall impression-no need for a substitute beer for this 4 year old bad boy as it was terrific
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; very well cellared/preserved for a 4 year old brew!

[devildeac]

Poterie 2016-The Bruery

Placentia, CA ain’t around here :face_with_peeking_eye:

Credit-bombers of gratitude @fuse and @Loveninja for sharing
Style-this might be 8 years of solera blending for their 8th anniversary ale with a base English old ale
Format-capped 750 ml bottle, shared 7 ways
Glasses-aforementioned, assorted tasters, rinsed
Appearance-murky, dark brown; thin tan head
Nose-dark caramel and bourbon
Mouthfeel-salacious
Tastes-bourbon, dark caramel, raisins, dates, figs, plums, cherries and wood
IBU-doesn’t matter
ABV-16.8% (label: CONTAINS ALCOHOL)
Overall impression-one of the more complex brews I’ve ever sipped; magnificent
Ymm, Beer rating-borderline cat 4; will be on the Best Beer of 2024 thread; rivals the 2009 North Coast BBA Stock Ale, a top 5-10 all time beer of mine