NT, What Beer Do You Drink?

RE: the hefe and orange slices....This is the same place that had a lager-margarita flavored/infused beer. They also do a cask fest, and have won some big time awards. I have just never caught hints of orange out of a hefe. Banana, bubble gum, clove usually. Maybe a white ale/witbier has more of that orange aspect. Then again, its served on the top of the glass, so maybe its more of a garnish. Color me confused. I have just never had a "craft" hefe come with an orange. I've been to many breweries all around.

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Dessert beer for this evening

Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin (10/03/13 bottled date):
5.5% ABV Oatmeal Stout

The smell is probably the best part. A nice blend of roasted malts, chocolate, and it seems like a touch of coffee.. Absolutely no lacing on the pour or head.. Highly carbonated (reminds me of BCBS brand of beers). I may need to let my other bottles sit out longer and "flatten". The oatmeal does add a nice touch of smoothness to the taste. I don't catch much roastedness in the taste, which can be a good thing... I want to say this is comparable to a local product (Marble Oatmeal Stout, which i've reviewed before). With these types of stouts, I always feel like they are watered down or something. Like I need them to be stronger. It may be that desire for them to be a RIS. Sometimes that chocolate malt flavor just isn't enough with the lower ABV beers.. That's what FBS is for..

Quite spectacular considering its 7 months age. I don't know if that hindered or helped this beer. 90 BA score seems low, but that may be on par with other oatmeal stouts.... Great drinkable stuff right here.

I almost want to call many of these oatmeal stouts "diet stouts". The RIS versions add so much complexity. This reminds me of a lesser Stone IRS in some ways. One advantage is sessionability. You get a hint of flavor but not all of it. I can appreciate this style for sure. (look for me to get some marble oatmeal stout and doing a blind side by side... maybe even some ipswitch oatmeal stout which is even better).

Cheers

WallyHopp said:

RE: the hefe and orange slices....This is the same place that had a lager-margarita flavored/infused beer. They also do a cask fest, and have won some big time awards. I have just never caught hints of orange out of a hefe. Banana, bubble gum, clove usually. Maybe a white ale/witbier has more of that orange aspect. Then again, its served on the top of the glass, so maybe its more of a garnish. Color me confused. I have just never had a "craft" hefe come with an orange. I've been to many breweries all around.

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Wally, I think people are just confused about hefe's and witbier/white ale's.
They are two very distinct styles. Hefe's and witbier's taste nothing alike.

People drink a Blue Moon and think they are drinking a hefe. They aren't.

You want a hefe? Drink a Franziskaner.
You want a witbier? Drink an Allagash White.

Damn I need Allagash bad. Is it that good?

This just went down.

Damn.

More info on the photo/tasting.

My father, who is 90% a non IPA/heavy stout fan was down to try these IPA/DIPAs... To me at the end of the day he didnt gag or hate what he tried. That's a true sign of a winning IPA/DIPA.

We went from right to left, tasting blindly. 4/19 Project Dank, 4/27 Elevated, and 4/17 Father Nelson.

I could distinguish elevated with its fruity tropical hop smell. The other two I mis guessed once again. They have my head in a whirlwind.

Once we pinpointed Father Nelson and Project Dank, my dad seemed to like dank the most. I felt that had a sense of more onion and pronounced "out there" flavors. For myself, father nelson may feel a touch heavier in mouthfeel, but it carried an amazing drinkability aspect. White grape/wine type tastes come out with no true bitterness backbone.. My dad may have caught the alcohol of father nelson and was turned off a touch. Meanwhile the 7.5% (near elevated ipa levels) beer carried a unique flavor that he liked. Elevated may fall off just slightly but for the price and accessibility, I hope it doesn't lose its review luster.. It's some GREAT stuff in its own right.

Regarding hefes & orange slices, who cares. People have preferences. It's usually blue moon or widmer or some other cheapie beer anyway.

Regarding hefes vs. witbiers, people like to lump like with like when it comes to categorization. Both are wheat beers, and hefeweizen is somehow the more popular name of the two, so now all wheat beers are hefes.

tee eye ehm said:

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Never tried it, but a BBA quad doesn't sound very good to me. Quad is probably my favorite style if that matters.

^very true.. I don't carry grudges as I drink beers at my favorite places. Or take more than a couple minutes asking myself why. The internet's a great place to ask these random questions though. I personally enjoyed my IPA as the others had a orange sliced 'hefe'. I am seeing some breweries bring in some trends of the larger macro breweries to try and get new customers. Some call it gimmicks. I guess if its good, why hate it? My judgement is reserved for now.

Aren't most quads just very sweet and dark fruit flavored? Bourbon could potentially X out any sort of subtle fruit flavors.. I trust a FW with this. But then again, everyone seems to be trying something new. Some will stick that new genre. Others will fail

Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break
Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout
Maine Beer Co. Lunch
Evil Twin Molotov Cocktail x2
Evil Twin Lil' B x2
Evil Twin Falco
Victory Dirt Wolf x2
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
Sixpoint Hi-Res x2
Cigar City Jai Alai x2

First successful beer trade via thebeerexchange.io

Gonna be a good few days.....

Based Mod said:

Never tried it, but a BBA quad doesn't sound very good to me. Quad is probably my favorite style if that matters.

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I've had it on tap. It's an awesome beer.

Drinking this right now.
Nice peanut butter cup flavor, but it's just a bit too sweet. I'm struggling to finish the bomber.



-J-

Lemme know how you like Dirt Wolf. Been meaning to try since Victory is local.

i need to try that peanut butter milk stout.

The warmer weather beers are always my favorite. Can't really get down with stouts and such during the winter. I go ham with the pumpkin beers in the fall and just straight winter lagers all winter. IPAs all summer man, I can't wait. Too damn refreshing

That peanutbutter milk stout was a tasty treat. Got a bottle just to try it. Went back and it was sold out. Having this for my friends birthday. Going to the ren faire. Weird to me but they are all into cosplay and what not. Ps I'm drunk

WallyHopp said:

This just went down.

Damn.

More info on the photo/tasting.

My father, who is 90% a non IPA/heavy stout fan was down to try these IPA/DIPAs... To me at the end of the day he didnt gag or hate what he tried. That's a true sign of a winning IPA/DIPA.

We went from right to left, tasting blindly. 4/19 Project Dank, 4/27 Elevated, and 4/17 Father Nelson.

I could distinguish elevated with its fruity tropical hop smell. The other two I mis guessed once again. They have my head in a whirlwind.

Once we pinpointed Father Nelson and Project Dank, my dad seemed to like dank the most. I felt that had a sense of more onion and pronounced "out there" flavors. For myself, father nelson may feel a touch heavier in mouthfeel, but it carried an amazing drinkability aspect. White grape/wine type tastes come out with no true bitterness backbone.. My dad may have caught the alcohol of father nelson and was turned off a touch. Meanwhile the 7.5% (near elevated ipa levels) beer carried a unique flavor that he liked. Elevated may fall off just slightly but for the price and accessibility, I hope it doesn't lose its review luster.. It's some GREAT stuff in its own right.

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Wish I can get my pops to like IPA's. He's more of a lager guy. Meanwhile, I cracked open the other cans of Elevated yesterday and they were both "normal" haha. Really enjoyed them.

tee eye ehm said:

Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break
Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout
Maine Beer Co. Lunch
Evil Twin Molotov Cocktail x2
Evil Twin Lil' B x2
Evil Twin Falco
Victory Dirt Wolf x2
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
Sixpoint Hi-Res x2
Cigar City Jai Alai x2

First successful beer trade via thebeerexchange.io

Gonna be a good few days.....

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Nice haul! I have a trade lined up through The Beer Exchange as well but I'm holding off til later. I have too many beers to consume right now

Can anyone still get their hands on Bourbon County Backyard Rye?  I've been fiending so hard for another bottle/(s).

Neosole, "like" is a stretch. He's willing to try new things though. I think it's a credit to la cumbre that they can turn normal joes into Ipa drinkers. Some beers though, as I'll talk about in a minute are turnoffs for sure.

I took him to total wine today (I realize tomorrow is mothers day, not father, but she has something in store as well). Can you guess the six/four packs he chose? Hint he picked three of the five.



I'm prepping for a big IPA/DIPA tasting in a couple days, so I decided to give some larger macro 'favorites' their day in court.

Mixed six pack

I had to get some more dank and vitus, along with some IPA/DIPAs I am tasting this evening/ tonight.

FIrst up in a straight tasting (no sampling or comparison. Just one of those pick up a beer and drink to see if you like it tastings.
New Belgium Ranger IPA.. Best by August 17th (so looking at under a month old)

BA score is 85. I had it once and remember more of a resiny pine flavor. Not so much here. I got some hints of what I like out of Pliny with this one oddly enough. I smelt more of a fruity citrus. Well balanced. Seemed more like a APA.

Odell IPA, Best by July 2nd.. So over 2 months old

This one had that weird hop aroma that reminds me of something moldy or rotten... Very malt forward. Hops tended to stay neutral.. Not sure if the age had anything to do with them or the fact I bought singles from the unrefridgerated shelves of a total wine.. In any event, I caught a touch more pine with this beer.. So far the two above are above solid.

SN Hoptimum.. Bottled March 25th.

I smell faint piney hops and a alcohol booziness.. The taste is nearly the same and almost overpowering. I cant believe this scores a 93 BA. The mouthfeel and malt sweetness reminds me of Goose Islands Illinois. Although I prefer that one over this one easily. This is nearly the worst IPA/DIPA I have ever tasted.. Very odd stuff with this one. I gotta investigate why.

WIth Odell a 95 BA, SN's a 93, and NB's a 85, so far I like NB's the best.. I have a Double Mycenary left to wow me before I end the night with a new project dank that is sure to wash away some of this crap I've had today.

Last of the night
Mycenary by Odell. best by 7/18/14..

Smell very similar to Odell's other IPA. Kind of a soapy non floral non hop like smell. It's a weird one. This is the second time Myrcenary has been like this for me. Nothing truly aromatic about it.. Mouthfeel and lack of a booziness was great. It's weird but I like it. The hop bitterness does creep in there, unlike the normal IPA.

I'd probably rate them the following (untappd stars)
Tied for 1st.. 4 stars. Odell Myrcenary and NB Ranger IPA
3. Odell IPA 3.5 stars
4. Hoptimum. My lowest ranking yet, 3 stars.

BA score wise.
Myrcenary around a 90. Ranger IPA 90
Odell IPA 87
Hoptimum 82

Myrcenary sits at a 96 ba score, but it doesnt wow me. None of these do. Maybe my biases stand too far up there with a preference for the tropical fruit forward IPAs. But I really feel I need to bathe in a tub of elevated IPA after having some of these.. I should have yielded to the silent advice of the others at TW who were picking up Dale's Pale Ale by the second. I saw 5 people seek that out with ease. I do love that stuff. This separate tasting has turned me off a bit for what was supposed to be an EPIC event in a few days time. Im sure Ill come around again.

The renaissance fair was a success. Thought I would have to settle with guiness or a new castle but they had some tasty craft brews. Fresh squeezed on tap and tried this blood orange brew by the dudes out of LA. Love seeing support for craft beer in unexpected places

Wally, in my (humble) experiences, the 21st Amendment "Live Free or Die" has been a very accessible IPA. Very very fruity back bone. 

Comparison Ford said:

Can anyone still get their hands on Bourbon County Backyard Rye?  I've been fiending so hard for another bottle/(s).

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Haven't seen any in my area for a while. I'll let you know if I can get my hands on anymore. Should check The Beer Exchange.

Received this as an extra from a trade. With Jai Alai being one of my favorite IPA's I was really excited to try this. Aroma had hints of tropical fruits and citrus which was very promising. Taste was where it all went downhill. All I got was bitterness and not much else. Maybe a slight bit of caramel. Did not like this one very much.

NeoSole89 said:

Haven't seen any in my area for a while. I'll let you know if I can get my hands on anymore. Should check The Beer Exchange.

Received this as an extra from a trade. With Jai Alai being one of my favorite IPA's I was really excited to try this. Aroma had hints of tropical fruits and citrus which was very promising. Taste was where it all went downhill. All I got was bitterness and not much else. Maybe a slight bit of caramel. Did not like this one very much.

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I cracked one shortly after I sent you it and felt the same. I've had the kotaku hopped one which was worse IMO so maybe it's just the malt profile that they use that doesn't do it for me. Gonna be hard for me to buy another sixer of any regardless of hops

af1 1982 said:

Wally, in my (humble) experiences, the 21st Amendment "Live Free or Die" has been a very accessible IPA. Very very fruity back bone. 

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I gotta seek out these CA NTers for a chance at that. That's definitely on my radar for the future. Not one of the four I had yesterday had that true HOP aroma of when you pick up a hop flower and smell it. Some great IPAs have that floral aroma of gods. Maybe it was the age of the bottles or how they were stored. In a very unscientific method where I just picked what a store had to offer, this is what I got.

Unless I can get them super fresh, I would probably be best to stay local. The thanks I got from trying 4 different IPAs I hadnt had in awhile? Huge headache today. 8 beers in a 4-5 hour span is a solid session I will admit. But it felt like I had 40 beers. I knew something was up with them. Shouldve drain poured a few. On my good days, 4 elevateds do nothing to me.

its weird neosole.. All I got out of my beers was mostly malt. Almost no crazy bitterness or aromas. Is TW where hops go to die? For those that have had elevated, what else compares out there?

Today its back to elevated and project dank for some mothers day dinner. Experimentation days are over :x .

I gotta say out of the bigger breweries out there, OskarBlues has Dales Pale ale on lock, Lagunitas, and Stone are solid. I'm gonna avoid NB and Odell for awhile.

salazaro44 said:

The renaissance fair was a success. Thought I would have to settle with guiness or a new castle but they had some tasty craft brews. Fresh squeezed on tap and tried this blood orange brew by the dudes out of LA. Love seeing support for craft beer in unexpected places

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Speaking of The Dudes. They just got their tasting room approval last week. Late June/early July is what I heard about the opening. They come into Smog City quite a bit and talk up the customers.
When The Dudes open, we'll have 3 top notch breweries all within about a mile of each other in Torrance- Smog City, Monkish and The Dudes.
Their calling it "The Drunken Triangle"

Cracked open the vault to celebrate the Rangers winning.