Westmalle and Wicked Weed.
W breweries (more commonly known ones, anyway ):
Warsteiner and Weihenstephaner
(there are more; not to worry...)
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Westmalle and Wicked Weed.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Weeping Radish and Wolf's Ridge.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Yard work is done, so lets get these doors officially open.
Many thanks to the early arriving golf fans who made sure everything was in working order!
First letter on tap (or should I say "in can"): E
Wicket Awesome
Eureka Heights - Houston, TX
Style: ESB
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 30
Grains: Marris Otter, Crystal, Special Roast
Hops: East Kent Golding, Challenger
Awards: Gold Medal GABF - ESB
"This English Style Pale Ale is mighty special. Brewed with traditional U.K. ingredients that give this beer an aroma of biscuits with hints of dark fruits. Drink some of this and you might start reciting Shakespeare or even Chaucer."
It's been awhile since I've had an ESB, but found this one very enjoyable.
I'm on call today so won't be posting "live" beer tastings but will recycle some from during the week and see y'all about 430 EST on Zoom with a lemonade in my hand.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Ain't many Z breweries but Zaftig is readily available in Columbus, OH (not sure about the remainder of the state) and I was fortunate to have one cellared from 2019 just for this event. Lemme search the last few days and then I'll post it.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Next up: B
Van Dayum!
Blue Owl Brewing - Austin, TX
Sour Red Ale
ABV: 5.7%
IBU: 32
"Balanced red ale. Malty, with biscuit, caramel, and dark fruit character and a moderate sour finish. Our dry-hopped red ale showcases how rich malt balances piney American hop flavors along with our unique souring process."
I'm still kind of new to sours. Wasn't sure on the first sip, but ended up liking it by the end.
I'm not sure who's keeping track but I started last night with D
Since Dogtown Brewery closes at 5!, I ended up with Dogfish Head's - Super Eight -
Brewed with "prickly pear, mango, boysenberry, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, kiwi juices, toasted quinoa and an ample addition of red Hawaiian sea salt!"
Definitely a fruit-punch kinda vibe to it. A little bit like a bite of salted watermelon. I could see that.
At 5.3, pretty light to get started with.
In an extremely crowded Gose field, I would put it somewhere Cat 2 range. I think I still prefer their Seaquench but this was nice.
"That young man has an extra step on his ladder the rest of us just don't have."
V
Veil - Never Never Forever Forever...my beer with breafast, a Nate's smoked salmon bagel sandwich.
5.1% ABV
"Never Never Forever Forever is our Gose with double passion fruit! Impressions of passion fruit, mango, tropical fruit muskiness, tropical sweet tarts, citrus, and guava."
Hazy golden yellow topped with a small white head. Deep passion fruit aroma along with a grainy wheat note - fresh and fruity. Sweet juicy, fresh, seedy passion fruit, yogurt tartness, and a light salinity. Dry, medium-light feel with a dry sour pucker. Good stuff...if you like passion fruit. Typical well made high end Veil gose.
From November 8 as WMB is good enough for me:
Tropical Shirts-Wise Man Brewing
Because it was about 75 degrees today and this "attire" was comfortable.
In the 336? Close enough for me!
Credit-three were traded and the 4th was mine!
Style-fruited Berliner Weisse
Format-half quart can
Stemware-boring pint glass
Appearance-reddish purple; rapidly disappearing, fizzy head
Nose-berries
Mouthfeel-a bit sweet and a bit tart; hmm, time for more candy talk?
Tastes-raspberry, blackberry and lemon; a mixed berry SweeTart?
Adjuncts-blackberry and raspberry
IBU-7
ABV-4.2%
Overall impression-high quality product here; paired nicely with a strange dinner combo of stuffed salmon, leftover stir fry veggies and roasted potatoes
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3, lower tier; Mrs. dd even took a couple sips and didn't make bitter/sour beer face
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
From November 10 because it's a working weekend for me:
Mulling Spices Port Barrel Magellan-Wolf's Ridge Brewing
Local for the purchasing agent.
Credit-our son traded this very limited, brewery only release pre-COVID; thanks!!
Style-very fancy imperial stout
Format-8 ounce bottle (no, really, it's a half pint glass container); wasn't cheap at about $9/bottle
Packaged on-01/31/20
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-dark, dark brown with hints of burgundy; small, tan head
Mouthfeel-velvety
Tastes-sooooo complex with port to start then, dark caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate (not added) and vanilla
Adjuncts-maple syrup, Vietnamese cinnamon, Madagascar vanilla, (hint of), allspice, orange peel (didn't taste this) and nutmeg
IBU-probably 50
ABV-13% (oughtta be illegal )
Overall impression-an amazingly complex beer without an overpowering element; almost a different taste every sip over the 60 minute consumption time
Ymm, Beer rating-upper tier cat 3; my second bottle *might* make it to a 2021 tailgate but might be shared with family before then
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
H
Coconut Jack - Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Stout - Imperial / Double Milk
12.7% ABV
"Hoist the mast and set sail with Coconut Jack. We commandeered a Caribbean rum barrel with 7 month aged imperial milk stout to be blended with a barrel of Trickery and mellowed on toasted coconut. It's a pirates island dream, savvy!" Trickery is their imperial milk stout aged in apple brandy barrels for 8 months.
This was not a family tree offering, but a one-off - only at the brewery purchase. 750mL brown bottle $30 so not cheap.
It pours pitch black. Strong, musty flavor of raw coconut, brown sugar, vanilla and damp wood on the nose. You get a dark molasses sweetness at first followed by coconut and a slight peppery spiciness. It finishes with a very dark chocolate flavor. It's thick, rich and oily but goes down easily at 12.7%.. An awesome cat 3 beer with a lot of complexity and an interesting flavor profile.