Ymm, Beer!

[devildeac]

Honey Ginger and Barrel-Aged Honey Ginger-Ardent Craft Ales

We were there 30 days ago!

Credit-great idea by @wbmcards88; thanks!!
Style-“spiced beer”
Format-12 oz cans
Glasses-same
Appearance-medium brown/amber; small, tan topping
Nose-ginger for the first and a cocktail for the second
Mouthfeel-zing
Tastes-ginger, dark honey for both with a stiff shot of the hard stuff from can 2
Adjuncts-ginger and honey are highly likely
IBU-18
ABV-7.8% on the “plain” one and 10% on the supercharged one
Overall impression-both wonderful brews; @fuse might like the original better but I prefer the barrel aged version a bit more
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 OG; mid cat 3 on the BBA can; fight me

[devildeac]

Raspberry Sorbet Deluxe-RAR Brewing

Local but still out of the way if you’re headed south on I-95 from Maine to NC

Credit-many thanks @ meld, who appeared almost apologetic for offering this amongst the big boy products
Style-fruited American sour, aka “not beer”
Format-pint can
Carbon dating-not available
Glasses-all rinsed, again
Appearance-raspberry sorbet that has been out of the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes, really
Nose-raspberry sorbet, no, really
Mouthfeel-translate appearance onto your palate
Tastes-“it was a raspberry sorbet;” that is all
Adjuncts-“copious amounts of raspberries, raspberry sorbet, vanilla and lactose”
IBU-“it was a raspberry sorbet” and not beer
ABV-4% (no typo; and, we actually convinced @wbmcards88 to try a sip or two )
Overall impression-a truly wonderful palate cleanser and early dessert before embarking on another couple beer monsters and “the final pour”
Ymm, Beer rating-mid ct 3; I might sound a bit unappreciative with my comments above but this was terrific contribution; (almost) any beer that tastes amazingly like an ice cream (related) product is an absolute winner and this selection totally rocked!

[devildeac]

Bourbon County Brand Stout 2023-Goose Island Beer Company

Not local when bought but we’ve bought this local

Credit-many thanks @jwillfanspeech_balloon for pouring!!
Style-wrong answers only
Format-500 ml bottle, shared 7 ways
Drink By-09AUG28 GI 10:21
Glassware-more rinsing
Appearance-5W-30
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-rather sexy
Tastes-bourbon, semisweet chocolate morsels, burnt caramel and wood
IBU-I think this is 60
ABV-14.1% (now we’re back in bizness!! )
Overall impression-when “rare and voracious” were the criteria established for the June Beer Triangle, I think @jwillfanspeech_balloon had a bit of hesitation as this product is not “rare” anymore in NC; however, it 150% qualifies as voracious as this remains a world class beer and likely still one of the top 5 to 10 BBA stouts, even after 31 years in production
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3

Added bonus: the deebers in attendance serenaded me with the Happy Birthday song as my wife served a chocolate chip cookie cake to accompany the above brew; a wonderful pairing!

[devildeac]

Bourbon Barrel Cru-Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Local for he RVA guy/s

Credit-the esteemed @wbmcards88 received a round of applause for this delectable; thanks!!
Style-BBA quad
Format-stubbie can , shared 7 ways
Glassware-clean/rinsed again
Appearance-muddy brown; thin tan head
Nose-bourbon soaked, dried dark fruits
Mouthfeel-soft
Tastes-many pieces of raisins, dates and figs swimming in a bourbon bath
IBU-maybe 20
ABV-12%
Overall impression-simple, elegant and now apparently year round; what’s not to like!?
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; if I lived in RVA, I’d likely buy this by the case

[devildeac]

Wunderbar Strawberry Cheesecake-Altered State Brewing

Local when in town

Credit-treat from older daughter; thanks!
Style-fruited kettle milkshake pastry sour
Format-pint can, hoarded
Stemware-I guess technically a goblet
Appearance-melting strawberry ice cream and a pink, whipped topping
Nose-strawberry cheesecake
Mouthfeel-creamy
Tastes-strawberry cream cheese, graham crackers
Adjuncts-to no one’s surprise, strawberry puree, graham crackers and milk sugar
IBU-negligible
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-dessert in a glass
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; their other beers in the Wunderbar and Imperial series are better but not much

[devildeac]

Mango Passionfruit Cheesecake Blender-Hopfly Brewing Company

In-state local

Credit-older daughter share brew; thanks!!
Style-fruited pastry sour (not beer )
Format-pint can, shared two ways
Stemware-see photo and name glass yourself
Appearance-brilliant orange; lots of rapidly disappearing fizzies
Nose-mango
Mouthfeel-yep, can’t be beer
Tastes-really ripe mangoes, passionfruit (I guess), cream, graham crackers, lemons and limes
Adjuncts-mango, passionfruit, graham cracker and cheesecake flavors ()
IBU-5? 10?
ABV-6.5% (guess that makes it beer )
Overall impression-refreshing and delightful
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3 only because I prefer the berry blenders a bit more

[devildeac]

Taste the Blender-Hopfly Brewing Company

In-state local again

Credit-older daughter shared with me; thanks!!
Style-candy sour (yes, really, read the label )
Format-pint can; 8 oz a piece
Glassware-refer to photo
Appearance-murky pink lemonade; fizz quickly gone
Nose-sour candy
Mouthfeel-sweet and sour
Tastes-steal, err, grab a handful of assorted Skittles, chew and there you have it
Adjunct-Skittles (yes, really, that is the only one named)
IBU-less than 10
ABV-6.5% (remember, candy, not beer :woozy_face:)
Overall impression-better than anticipated; even Mrs. dd took 2 sips, said “pretty good,” heard the adjunct and immediately stated
Ymm, Beer rating-a surprising low cat 3; I’d share another if offered

[devildeac]

Communion Juice Blender-Hopfly Brewing Company

Founded in The Mount

Credit-older daughter offered to share; sure!!
Style-not beer
Format-pint can that I swear I poured equally
Stemware-please see above
Appearance-pinkish purple; lots of short lived fizz
Mouthfeel-fruity
Tastes-more grape and cranberry; faint apple; splash of lemon/limeade
Adjuncts-apples, cranberries and grapes, oh my!
IBU-
ABV-6.5% (fruit juice with a shot vodka?)
Overall impressions-pretty much “as advertised “
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; still like the berried blenders a bit better; reminded me of Serendipity

[devildeac]

Blue Steel-Barreled Souls

Local when bought

Credit-loud applause @Meld for this gem; thanks!!
Style-fruited gose
Format-pint can
Stemware-very large wine glass
Appearance-purplish pink; brief, pale pink fizzy stuff
Nose-berries!
Mouthfeel-thin and fruity
Tastes-raspberries, blueberries, pinch of salt and some mild sour stuff
Adjuncts-blueberries, raspberries and likely some sea salt
IBU-10 or less
ABV-4.9% (wait, that was beer? )
Overall impression-wonderful pairing with sautéed shrimp, wilted spinach and rice pilaf
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; this got an upgrade from low cat 3 cuz my wife took the obligatory 2 sips, did NOT make that bitter face AND grabbed the glass for another 2 sips as we dined

[devildeac]

(Original) Deadline-Taxman Brewing Company

Not local but we visited the brewery/taproom once.

Credit-mail order bride, err, beer trader from @Meld; thanks!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-3/4 pint, not shared
Released on-4.20.24 (IOW, it missed the Deadline :woozy_face:)
Stemware-small goblet
Appearance-rather dark brown; small beige topping
Nose-bourbon and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-a bit thin
Tastes-bourbon, dark caramel, semisweet morsels and wood
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-13.2% :face_with_spiral_eyes:
Overall impression-highly enjoyable sipper
Ymm, Beer rating-low cat 3; lacked a bit of viscosity but I’m quite grateful to sample a beer generally only available at this brewery on their annual release date for their Death and Taxes Indiana Beer Festival on April 15ish.

[devildeac]

Cherry Vanilla Deadline-Taxman Brewing Company

Not

Credit-trader from @Meld; thanks!!
Style-Belgian style barrel aged stout; flavored
Format-12 oz can
Released on-4.20.24
Stemware-Founders snifter
Appearance-dark brown, ruby edges, small tan head
Nose-dark chocolate, bourbon and dark cherries
Mouthfeel-slippery
Tastes-kirschwasser/cherry liqueur, bourbon, dark caramel and dark chocolate and the difficult to describe “funk” of a Belgian stout
Adjunct-guessing vanilla
Barrels-cherry brandy
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-12% (danger!)
Overall impression-a bit thin but I liked this better than the original Deadline from Sunday night as I really enjoy the combination of bourbon, dark chocolate and cherries
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; looking forward to tonight’s and tomorrow’s decadent comparisons

[devildeac]

Maple Vanilla Deadline-Taxman Brewing Company

About 700 miles away

Credit-trader from @Meld; thanks!!
Style-barrel aged and flavored Belgian style imperial stout
Format-12 oz can; with no one else around
Released on-4.20.24
Stemware-Founders snifter; hey, staying midwestern here :woozy_face:
Appearance-darkish brownish; small tan foam
Nose-maple syrup and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-not very viscous
Tastes-maple syrup, vanilla, wood, hint of black pepper
Adjunct-vanilla
IBU-maybe 30
ABV-13% :face_with_spiral_eyes:
Overall impression-surprisingly , no bourbon here but still delightful
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; a shade better than the OG Deadline but half a notch below the Cherry Vanilla variant

[devildeac]

Resistance Is Fruitile-Barreled Souls Brewing

Local for the recent Maine traveler

Credit-excellent selection again by @Meld; thanks!
Style-imperial fruited sour
Format-1/2 quart, barely shared
Stemware-yep, the same oversized wine glass
Appearance-purple pink; pink head
Nose-a berry bucket
Mouthfeel-puckery but some sweet
Tastes-palate says raspberries and blueberries, label says more; sour lemon/lime, too
Adjuncts-straw/blue/rasp/black, a berry all star team with a guest showing by currant
IBU-
ABV-8.3% (liars; tastes like an “ade “ )
Overall impression-some flavors got lost for me but it was delicious
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; tough picking a winner between the raspberry/blueberry gose

[devildeac]

Caramel Sea Salt Deadline-Taxman Brewing Company

Bargersville is not nearby

Credit-final trader (this go round ) from @Meld; thank you, thank you!
Style-flavored BBA Belgian style imperial stout
Format-can stubbie, 12 oz; no share with you!
Stemware-Midwest snifter
Appearance-dark mahogany; modest beige topping
Nose-bourbon and dark caramel
Mouthfeel-very attractive
Tastes-dark caramel, bourbon, wood, pinches of salt and black pepper (?)
Barrels-bourbon and caramel (WTH is a caramel barrel? :woozy_face:)
IBU-WAG of 30
ABV-12.4%; this was NOT yo’ gramma’s caramel candy chew :face_with_peeking_eye:
Overall impression-wonderful combination
Ymm, Beer rating-low/mid cat 3; Cherry Brandy>Caramel Sea Salt>Maple Vanilla>Original Deadlines but the (tax ) margins here were pretty small; great traders and themed, too; another tip of the snifter @Meld for the idea/plan/execution

[devildeac]

Mosh Pit-Surly Brewing Company

Partway cross town local

Credit-thirst
Style-IIPA
Format-12 oz can; solo first night, shared second night
Best by-08/09/24
Appearance-hazy, yellow/gold; nice foam
Nose-dank and juicy
Mouthfeel-pithy
Tastes-orange and grapefruit pith and seeds, OJ and grapefruit liquid, guava
Hops-Idaho 7™, Sultana, Amarillo, Citra, and Cascade
IBU-50’s ?
ABV-9%
Overall impression-had higher expectations based on brewery rep
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2, a bit disappointing

[devildeac]

Barrel Aged Coconut S’mores Pastry Stout-Untitled Art (collaboration with Angry Chair)

Regional (found this Wisconsin beer in Minneapolis last week)

Credit-thirst and the need to find a dessert beer to share
Style-see above; no cheapass sorry poptart trash here
Format-pint car; shared 3 ways (keep reading)
Glassware-assorted hotel vessels
Appearance-“extra deep golden” (learned at the Crayon Stor at Mall of America last week
Nose-dark chocolate and bourbon
Mouthfeel-viscous
Tastes-daughter said coconut first, her husband said toasted marshmallows and I agreed with them both and added my usual semisweet morsels and bourbon opinions
Adjuncts-“natural and artificial flavors”
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-17% :woozy_face::face_with_spiral_eyes:
Overall impression-an adult campfire creation
Ymm, Beer rating-mid cat 3; deeeelicious

[devildeac]

Barrel Aged German Chocolate Cake Pastry Stout-Untitled Art (collaboration with Xul Beer Company)

Credit-thirst and it was attached to the BBA Coconut S’mores beer
Style-IYKYK
Format-pint can; shared not quite equally 3 ways
Glassware-more hotel finery
Appearance-“extra deep almond” (more Crayon Store nomenclature
Nose-dark milk chocolate (?) and bourbon
Mouthfeel-gooey
Tastes-as expected, chocolates, bourbon, hi ts of pecans and coconut with a huge dollop of cake batter
Adjuncts-“natural and artificial flavors”
IBU-40ish ?
ABV-17%; yo, yo, yo
Overall impression-liquid pastry; as good or better than the Southern Pines version and was $9 for the pint can vs $18-20 for the sexy Southern Pines 500 ml bottle
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3

[Bob Green]

Happyum Imperial IPA courtesy AugustWest.

I actually took the extra effort to pour this one in a glass. It is a blonde and a bit cloudy to my eye. Bitterness was up there on the first sip but my palate adjusted quickly. A touch of citrus.

Enjoyable. I’d drink this one again.

[devildeac]

Happyum Imperial IPA courtesy AugustWest.

I actually took the extra effort to pour this one in a glass. It is a blonde and a bit cloudy to my eye. Bitterness was up there on the first sip but my palate adjusted quickly. A touch of citrus.

Enjoyable. I’d drink this one again.

Hmm, makes me wanna go pour mine in about 15 minutes...

[devildeac]

CBS-Founders Brewing Company

We visited once

Credit-couldn’t resist a “one more last time” release
Style-BBA flavored RIS
Format-different shape stubbie
Bottled on-10.17.23 0055 6
Stemware-my first snifter, Founders, of course
Appearance-exceptionally dark brown; surprising single finger, beige froth
Nose-booze and coffee
Mouthfeel-seductive
Tastes-strong coffee, dark chocolate, bourbon, maple, molasses and char
Adjuncts-cacao and java
Barrels-bourbon and maple syrup
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-11.7%, a “light” stout compared to last week’s 17% products
Overall impression-wonderful blend of flavors as it has been every “last time” they released this beer in 2009, 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2023 (dates are approximates)
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 3