Ymm, Beer

[devildeac]

Not sure what selections August West and buddy are bringing but mine has already fallen into The Abyss...

[fuse]

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articl...he-decade.html

Beers of the decade? I’ve had very few on this list.

[fuse]

Stillwater Artisanal and Hoof Hearted Brewing Collab

Fruit ( and hops) on the bottom

“A rotationally hopped sour IPA with strawberry, banana, milk sugar, yogurt, and vanilla extract”.

If I had to guess, Mosaic hops, smells very fruity.


If you grew up enjoying Dannon strawberry banana yogurt, this might be a beer you want to find.

Tastes a bit like a sour banana strawberry smoothie.

Would have expected it to be cloudy/hazy, not at all. Quite clear.

A generous gift from a friend.
Always fun to try something new. 🍻

[Tripping William]

Boy, you’d better like rye (and I mean *really* like rye) to dig this beer. I do, but even for me it was borderline overpowering in the flavor profile of this one. It get to almost a black strap molasses flavor. A very good beer, but I can see it being jarring to some. Come prepared. Solid Cat 2.

[devildeac]

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articl...he-decade.html

Beers of the decade? I’ve had very few on this list.

4/25 for me but I'll add the Allagash Resurgam (thanks, fuse!) over the holidays, to be shared with family.

[devildeac]

Boy, you’d better like rye (and I mean *really* like rye) to dig this beer. I do, but even for me it was borderline overpowering in the flavor profile of this one. It get to almost a black strap molasses flavor. A very good beer, but I can see it being jarring to some. Come prepared. Solid Cat 2.

Hmm, I might have to let this one sit for 3-6 months.

[Tripping William]

Hmm, I might have to let this one sit for 3-6 months.

Probably wouldn’t hurt, and might well mellow it some.

[devildeac]

Solid line-up at tailgate today. We went six deep...

[devildeac]

The gang of six; first up:

Silent Night 2019-Mother Earth Brewing

Damn right it's local!

Credit-August West; many, many thanks!!
Format-750 ml corked and caged bottle
Style-BBA Coffee Imperial Stout
Appearance-Quaker State, probably about 10W30
Nose-bourbon, espresso and dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-maybe 20W50, not 10W30
Tastes-java, dark chocolate, bourbon, molasses, fudge
IBU-55
ABV-9%
Overall impression-helluva way to start the session today; amazing creation; could sip one every day
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3; but, wait'll you see #5 & 6 from the line-up

[devildeac]

Batting second:

Wetherburn's Tavern Bristol Ale-Alewerks Brewing Company (Williamsburg, VA)

Credit-buddy; thanks!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-English strong ale
Appearance-light gold amber; small, light tan head
Nose-earthy; herbal; toasted bread
Mouthfeel-mildly bitter
Tastes-toffee, herbal bitterness, toast
Grains-brown and pale malts
Hops-East Kent Golding
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-7%
Overall impression-more of an ESB than a true strong ale; nice palate cleanser
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 2

[devildeac]

#3:

Thunderstruck Coffee Porter-Highland Brewing Company

Close to local!

Credit-dpslaw; nice choice!
Format-12 ounce bottle
Appearance-dark brown; modest tan head
Scents-maybe some coffee here
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-java, medium roast; cocoa; earthy bitterness
IBU-28
ABV-5.8%
Overall impression-well done for the style; comparable to Fullsteam's Coffee is for Closers
Ymm, Beer rating-middle to top shelf cat 2; would be a nice after dinner drink with a slice of chocolate cake, pecan pie or bread pudding

[fuse]

Boy, you’d better like rye (and I mean *really* like rye) to dig this beer. I do, but even for me it was borderline overpowering in the flavor profile of this one. It get to almost a black strap molasses flavor. A very good beer, but I can see it being jarring to some. Come prepared. Solid Cat 2.

So noted...😬

[devildeac]

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Rye (Bottled January 16, 2017)-Ardent Craft Ales

From their Black Paper Series

A 750 ml trader from accfanfrom 1970. Many thanks!!

Celebratory beverage divided over two nights. Pour was a viscous, dark, dark brown int a Founder's snifter each night. There was a thin, tan head on night #1 and next to no head tonight, despite careful corking last PM. Seductive aromas of dark chocolate, a whiff of java, dark fruits and some bourbon. Flavors are reproduced on the palate and are accompanied by some plum, molasses, dark caramel, a hint of mustiness and heavily roasted grains. IBUs are 41, about as expected for the style (its base is an imperial stout), and the ABV is 11.9% (so not quite the 118-84 proof I was searching for ) but this punches at a much higher weight class as 375 ml of this last PM and tonight left me a bit stunned. A superb concoction as expected from Ardent Craft Ales.

Boy, you’d better like rye (and I mean *really* like rye) to dig this beer. I do, but even for me it was borderline overpowering in the flavor profile of this one. It get to almost a black strap molasses flavor. A very good beer, but I can see it being jarring to some. Come prepared. Solid Cat 2.

So noted...😬

Oops. Not the same beer I *thought* I had a year ago which was a BBA brew and the 4 pack we divided this month is *not* the BBA version.

[devildeac]

In the clean-up spot:

A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'-Lagunitas (Heineken International) Brewing Company

Nowhere near local!

Credit-dpslaw; thanks!
Style-"A hoppy pale wheat ale that is great for IPA fans but so smooth that the hefeweizen fans dig it too."
Appearance-clear; light yellow gold; modest head
Nose-orange juice and rind; pine
Mouthfeel-mild/moderate bitterness
Tastes-orange rind; a bit of resin; caramely; grapefruity
IBU-64.2
ABV-7.5%
Overall impression-an imperial wheat ale that drinks like an IPA; well done
Ymm, Beer rating-upper shelf cat 2; delighted to have tasted again after a few year absence from my palate

[devildeac]

Question for the beer commentariat: Are we allowed to discuss this beer any more? They were one of the first craft breweries to sell out to the man, so I was not sure if they fall into the "breweries who shall not be named" category. On a related note, I picked up four bottles yesterday - two regular, the mon cheri, and the cafe de olla. Have not cracked any yet, but will report back if it's allowed...

Your post inspired me. Our son just called and will be buying several of the 2018 and 2019 Wheat Wine versions, several of the 2019 originals and the last couple on the shelf of the Mon Cheri and the Cafe de Olla, both of which sound amazing.

We'll be anxiously awaiting your reviews.

[devildeac]

Bringing out the heavyweights to finish the tailgate:

Bourbon County Stout-Goose Island (InBev) Beer Company

The Original

Credit-August West; 7 thank yous and/or exclamation points are not sufficient
Style-BBA imperial stout
Appearance-Texas crude, oil, that is; thin, tan head
Nose-dark chocolate fudge swirled with bourbon
Mouthfeel-straight 30W; chewy
Tastes-fudge, bourbon, molasses, more dark chocolate, more bourbon, warmth, hints of coffee (not added to The Original)
IBU-you're kidding, right? (I'll guess about 60)
ABV-14.7% (yes, 14.7%)
Overall impression-despite my disdain for big beer, the buy-out now allows this legendary world class beverage to make it outside the greater Chicago area
Ymm, Beer rating-treading near cat 4 territory; worth the $13 for The Original; will report back over the holidays and next year about the variants

[devildeac]

The grand finale:

CBS-Founders (Mahou San Miguel) Brewing Company

"Never to be brewed again" (famously quoted since about 2009 )

Still out of state

Credit-August West, again; six thank yous and exclamation points
Style-Breakfast Stout->Imperial Stout->KBS->CBS
Appearance-more motor oil
Nose-booze, coffee, dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-it's still on my palate
Tastes-coffee bean/dark chocolate fudge; bourbon; warm; Vermont Grade A sap from a tree; even more fudge and bourbon
IBU-60?
ABV-a paltry 11.3%
Overall impression-world class; yeah, I've bought the hype and have a second 4 pack of this
Ymm, Beer rating-top shelf cat 3 and eyeing another rating zone

[Tripping William]

One for the road at Fishy Fishy in Southport. Nice bright yellow pour. Minimal head. An easy-drinker at 4.7% ABV. Well-balanced between the hint of citrus and the hops. A good beer,
but not a memorable one in a crowded field. Easily Cat 2.

[richardjackson199]

Boy, you’d better like rye (and I mean *really* like rye) to dig this beer. I do, but even for me it was borderline overpowering in the flavor profile of this one. It get to almost a black strap molasses flavor. A very good beer, but I can see it being jarring to some. Come prepared. Solid Cat 2.

Dark Rye - Ardent - 9.8% - 45 IBU

I must really like Rye. I loved this beer, and I don't think mine needed any more aging (though I admit I don't appreciate at all what that would do.). But this is probably my favorite beer tried so far from Ardent.

There is a lot going on with the flavor. But I think it's quite well-balanced.

It's a black pour with almost no-head. I probably drink these beers too cold right out of my fridge to smell as much as I should. I do smell dark chocolate, and it's good.

The taste is outstanding. I think I just got a different bottle contents than Tripping William. The Rye was not overpowering at all in mine. It was good! I taste light roasted malts, delicious dark chocolate, raisins, figs, and delicious Rye coming through with a bitter, but outstanding finish. This beer went down fast and was easy to drink.

Outstanding imperial stout. High Category 2 for me. I'd love to hear what others think. I have had lots of Rye's in traditional Manhattans, and for me Rye can often be pretty harsh. This beer wasn't harsh at all for me. I think you'll love it if your bottle tastes like mine. Thanks Devildeac!

[beergoddess]

Serendipity - New Glarus

Candy. Like yummy cherry, apple Jolly Ranchers. Except easier to sip

Thanks, DevilDeac!