I *think* we sampled more goses in August than we did Septemberfests today.
The devildeacs rated our 3 tastings:
3. Franz
2. Oktoberfest
1. Munsterfest
There wasn't that big a difference among the 3 but the FFF entry had a bit more flavor and body than the other two. Again, my only regret is only being able to sample three. I do have two or three of each if anyone is willing to trade an extra of what they sampled today (Foothills? Clawhammer? Deep River? Southern Pines?) during a meet-up next week .
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
I *think* we sampled more goses in August than we did Septemberfests today.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Many thanks, Tripping William!
Septemberfest was a huge hit in our house.
DBR Virtual Pub - 9/21/2019 - Septemberfest
Oktoberfest - Foothills - 5.8 % ABV - 29 IBU
Dark amber with orange tint. Nice toasty malted aroma.
The full malt with caramel taste of this one is the best I've tasted all day. It's nicely balanced with some vanilla notes. Nice crisp bitter finish. Creamy mouthfeel. It's easily drinkable but has more flavor and depth than most of the others. Fuse Category 2.
Ranking mine:
1. Foothills
2. Clawhammer
3. Sierra Nevada
4. Narragansett
DNP - Coach's decision - Sam Adams
DBR Virtual Pub - Overtime - Septemberfest
Octoberfest - Sam Adams - 5.3 % ABV - 16 IBU
Fun pour. Orange clear brown with a thin white head that recedes fast. But when you tilt the glass, it leaves lacing behind that foreshadows an impressive mouthfeel.
Aroma is also great - I can smell cinnamon spices and light malt.
The mouthfeel was as advertised - medium, rich, with nice carbonation.
The taste for me was a bit of a letdown. But in fairness the last beer I had was the Foothills which was by far my favorite of the day. Tough act to follow. This starts lightly bitter, changes to bready malt (but average), with increasing bitterness. I thought the sweetness and faint spice were notes, and just not balanced as well as some of the others I tasted today.
Like I said above, lots to like about this beer and Fuse Category 2. I just enjoyed most of the others even more.
1. Foothills
2. Clawhammer
3. Sierra Nevada
4. Sam Adams
5. Narragansett
DNP Coaches decision - Bell's Octoberfest. No double overtime, but this will get a chance to challenge another Clawhammer another day.
I learned at dinner tonight that Clawhammer is a style of banjo playing using a downward motion of the thumb/fingers. Well done Asheville Highland.
Fun day!
What beer style awaits us in October accFan?
Oil of Aphrodite-Jackie O's Pub and Brewery
Drink local!
BBA imperial stout aged on locally sourced black walnuts.
Shared 375 ml bottle with son of devildeac Friday night. Thanks!
Poured into snifters. Color was almost black with a thin tan head. Nose of dark chocolate, bourbon and toasted nuts. Mouthfeel was oily/viscous and tastes of more dark chocolate, black strap molasses, hints of coffee (not added), roasted/candied walnuts with warming bourbon from start to finish. I'll guess IBUs about 50 based on the RIS style and the ABV was 11.5%. Paired with some bakery fresh chocolate chip cookies. I don't know what he paid for this but I greatly enjoyed it and understand even more now with my 2nd or 3rd Jackie O's product why accfanfrom 1970 reviews these so highly. Easily Fuse Cat 3.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
From last PM:
Black Mangrove-Wolf's Ridge Brewing Company
Drink local!
Packaged on-May/16/2019
Style-dark sour ale aged in red wine and bourbon barrels
Format-750 ml capped bottle (shared 3 ways in snifters)
Head-minimal
Appearance-dark brown with hints of ruby; cloudy
Nose-wet hay; dark fruits; red wine; funk
Mouthfeel-bubbly
Tastes-very complex; dark chocolate and caramel; raisins, dates and figs; wet blanket; quite vinous; minimal bourbon; wet oak; red berries
IBUs-who cares? ()
ABV-6.5%
Fermentation-Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus
Overall impression-an outstanding mixed sour/mixed barrel-aged beer and rather unexpected from this brewery, now above Zaftig as my favorite Columbus brewery
Ymm, Beer rating-Fuse Cat 3
I'd side-by-side this with any Brewery Bhavana sour I've had to date and would have great difficulty picking a winner. Should have put a couple in the cooler. Very high praise.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
From last PM:
The Shape of Things to Come-Wolf's Ridge Brewing
More local! Thanks to devildeac2 for his selection and treat!
Style-blended barrel-aged sour ale with blackberry, cranberry and Montmorency tart cherry
Format-750 ml bottle (shared 3 ways from snifters)
Appearance-cloudy; medium brown-red
Head-thin
Nose-berries and cherries, oh, my; apple brandy; mild vinegar
Mouthfeel-tingly; tart
Tastes-lots and lots of berries; brandy; lots and lots of cherries; Sour Patch Kids; wet wood;
IBUs-20 (?); again, who cares ()
ABV-9.6%
Overall impression-We all thought the Black Mangrove was outstanding. This was better.
Ymm, Beer rating-Fuse Cat 3, though I might contact killerleft and accfanfrom1970 and start a write-in campaign to fuse for a higher level rating
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
A day-trip to the Sandhills yesterday, with a terrific lunch at Pinehurst Brewing Company. Their Texas brisket was delicious! So were these beers (a taster flight of four, plus a pint of the last one):
(1) Golden Age: An American blonde ale. "Brewed with Amarillo hops, light and crushable with soft, pillow mouthfeel, crisp finish and slight bitterness." Ordered to appease Mrs. Tripping, who doesn't like IPAs and is so-so on saisons. 4.7% ABV. Cat 1.
(2) Helios Tears: An amber saison. "Nice blend of spicy phenols and sweet dark fruit." I thought this one was quite tasty. 5.2% ABV. Cat 2.
(3) Clean Grooves: An NEIPA that checks in at 6.8% ABV. Nice hazy yellow. "Brewed and dry hopped with simcoe, mosaic, and citra. Note overload with pungent berries and tropical fruit." Some nice dankness in the flavor profile on this one. High Cat 2.
(4) Cathartic Danger: A hazy DIPA, sporting 8.1% ABV. "Brewed with Nelson Sauvin & Hellertau Blanc. White wine grape like flavor derived from these two hop varietals." My favorite of the bunch. Packs a punch, and some bitterness, but the wine undertones balance it out really well. Cat 3 for me.
(5) Thistle Juice: Another NEIPA, at 6.7% ABV. "Brewed with Lemon Drop, Vic Secret, and Nelson Sauvin hops for a bouquet of white grape and lemon pith-like sweetness." Hazy like an NEIPA, but taste profile more like a standard pale ale. In other words, Mrs. Tripping didn't blanch at this one, and actually thought it was semi-drinkable. I like it quite a lot, but probably liked the Clean Grooves better. Solid Cat 2.
Well done, PBC!
"Amazing what a minute can do."
Winston Salem friends,
I'm looking for a decent bar to watch the football game this Friday. Any suggestions? I'm not too concerned with food, we will have dinner before the game. Mostly looking for a decent beer selection and a TV.
Cheers!
Some options (in no particular order but, candidly, from someone who tends to watch football at home):
(1) Either of the Foothills locations (pub downtown on Fourth Street or their tasting room off of Jonestown).
(2) Camel City BBQ
(3) Quiet Pint Tavern
(4) The other breweries (Wise Man, Fiddlin' Fish, Incendiary).
"Amazing what a minute can do."
ATTN: Tripping William, richardjackson199 and accfanfrom1970
The Richmond delivery is now complete. I believe it is now open season for tastings/reviews of all the libations.
A loud shout-out again to accfan for his tasting, err, taking several for the team and his delivery a couple weeks ago!
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.