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Cyniclone Offline
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Post: #241
RE: Official Beer Tread
(06-01-2018 09:31 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  I haven't had a proper stein of marzen in years. Maybe this fall I will correct that if I can find a good Oktoberfest celebration to attend. Perception of pumpkin flavors is something that I need to scrutinize in my tasting method this fall as well. Maybe it was just that odd batch of Saranac's pumpkin ale I had a few years ago (pumpkin seemed artificial to the point of being perfume-y) but I have had trouble establishing a baseline for what pumpkin beer should taste like. If we could make August "give Cameraman beer recommendations" month that would be great.

My first pumpkin was Southern Tier Pumking which set a high bar but also colored my perception of pumpkin beers. As in, I only liked them if they tasted like pie. A less sweet pumpkin I'd drink but not buy again.

Actually, Pumking was my introduction to craft brews. A co-worker who knew his **** about beer (he wrote a beer column for our newspaper and eventually got a job with Sierra Nevada) recommended it highly; I went to a bar one night where it was on tap and I fell in love. To that point I had dabbled in what were then microbrews every once in a long while, but generally my beer tastes went no more exotic than Newcastle, Purple Haze, Red Stripe and pre-Katrina Blackened Voodoo. Now I'm sipping on a Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout (nice and boozy with a sharp coffee and chocolate kick to keep the bourbon from dominating) and looking to see if Bourbon Biggie S'mores is out yet.

I suspect that enjoyment of Oktoberfest beers is informed in part by the context of the drinking. You're in a German bier hall or an Oktoberfest celebration, you're going to enjoy them a lot more.
06-01-2018 10:05 PM
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bit_9 Offline
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Post: #242
RE: Official Beer Tread
Southern tier makes outstanding beers. Pumpking is no exception. My wife really likes https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/205/643/ and she said it was the best pumpkin beer she has had. Not great ratings there but that makes sense based on the beers she likes but one review said the spice and vanilla was spot on and that is all she would care about in the beer.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.
(This post was last modified: 06-02-2018 07:50 AM by bit_9.)
06-02-2018 07:49 AM
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Cyniclone Offline
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Post: #243
RE: Official Beer Tread
(06-02-2018 07:49 AM)bit_9 Wrote:  Southern tier makes outstanding beers. Pumpking is no exception. My wife really likes https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/205/643/ and she said it was the best pumpkin beer she has had. Not great ratings there but that makes sense based on the beers she likes but one review said the spice and vanilla was spot on and that is all she would care about in the beer.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.

Southern Tier definitely veers sweeter with their Blackwater Series, which hits my proverbial and literal sweet spot. I've got a bottle of Samoa This (chocolate/caramel/coconut/sea salt imperial stout) that I might tuck into tonight.
06-02-2018 01:22 PM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #244
RE: Official Beer Tread
The last time I had Southern Tier's Blackwater series I think I invested a little heavy in the sweet stuff. I remember revisiting the Choklat last year after having really enjoyed the previous year's edition. Seemed way sweeter second time, in a bit of an off-putting way for me. Then I had Choklat Orange and I didn't enjoy that one at all.

One thing I have been able to do lately is play connoisseur with two different vintages of Ommegang Three Philosophers. I managed to get a case of the 2013 in decent condition (had been hiding in a backstock area at that Harris Teeter apparently) a while ago and just recently acquired a few pint bottles of the 2015. Quite enjoyable stuff. I haven't had 3Phil fresh in a long time so I don't have that to judge against, but I find each of the vintages I have tried to be very nuanced and elegant. That tiny fraction of Liefmans Kriek they blended in does something special for the beer I must say. I need to go out of my way to try Liefmans Kriek by itself sometime.
06-08-2018 07:23 PM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #245
RE: Official Beer Tread
Had an interesting experience with a traditional Polish beer style: Piwo z Grodziska by Browar Grodzisk. Purchased a kinda grungy looking bottle that in retrospect was not stored at the proper temperature. Being an unpasteurized wheat ale already known for high carbonation, and re-fermented in the bottle as part of the process, it predictably geysered on me when I attempted to open it at room temperature. Once I got past that though, I had 3/4 of a bottle of interesting beer.

At 3.1%, certainly the lightest beer I have had this year. But it possesses something that I have never had in a beer that light: smoked wheat. Kinda like a really light and sessionable rauchbier.

Interesting history behind the beer style on Wikipedia. Shame that the original yeast strains for the recipe were lost a long time ago. I will have to seek out a US replication of this beer to compare.

**Just realized that this beer was once called "Polish Champagne" and now I get it
(This post was last modified: 06-16-2018 06:59 PM by CameramanJ.)
06-16-2018 06:58 PM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #246
RE: Official Beer Tread
Revisited Brothers Daylight Cravings yesterday and quite thoroughly enjoyed it. Coffee, maple, roasted malt, and brewed strong. This one had a bit more of a subtle smoky note than the last two times, although it might have seemed more pronounced the first time given my then-inexperience with breakfast stouts. I don't get their stuff as often as I used to but I happily revisit whenever the opportunity arises. I've been mulling over an IPA/DIPA comparison series for VA craft breweries and I am thinking about including Brothers Hoptimization and Admiral.

Oh, and I finally had Benchtop's Chelsea Tidewater Grisette too. Perfect summer beer. Light, just a touch sweet, and a bit of tartness for refreshment.
(This post was last modified: 06-30-2018 10:09 AM by CameramanJ.)
06-30-2018 10:07 AM
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bit_9 Offline
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Post: #247
RE: Official Beer Tread
The new brooklyn brewery Bel Air Sour was pretty darn good. I'm not a big fan of the new craze in sour mashes but this one wasn't too tart and had a really great after taste. Especially good for a refreshing summer beer.
07-03-2018 07:37 AM
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AimHigher Offline
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Post: #248
RE: Official Beer Tread
Big Ugly in Chesapeake had their last brew last week, closing down July 22 to make the move to their new location.
07-03-2018 09:58 AM
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bit_9 Offline
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Post: #249
RE: Official Beer Tread
Nice. I've been holding a gift card there in my wallet waiting for the big move. If it opens in time and we can get a capacity we might be having our 20 year reunion.

My guess is it'll be at oconners tho.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.
07-03-2018 07:59 PM
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Monarchist13 Offline
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Post: #250
RE: Official Beer Tread
(07-03-2018 09:58 AM)AimHigh Wrote:  Big Ugly in Chesapeake had their last brew last week, closing down July 22 to make the move to their new location.

Have they said when the new spot will open?
07-06-2018 09:11 AM
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ODUCoach Offline
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Post: #251
RE: Official Beer Tread
(07-06-2018 09:11 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  
(07-03-2018 09:58 AM)AimHigh Wrote:  Big Ugly in Chesapeake had their last brew last week, closing down July 22 to make the move to their new location.

Have they said when the new spot will open?

Quote:Big Ugly Brewing will be closing the doors at our current location on July 22 at 4pm.
We plan to reopen on Saturday August 4 at noon.
(This post was last modified: 07-06-2018 03:22 PM by ODUCoach.)
07-06-2018 03:21 PM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #252
RE: Official Beer Tread
I had the Benchtop Mermaid's Scorn Gose (the one they won an award for at Great American last year, I think) and I was impressed. Brewed with oysters and lemon. Quite refreshing with an interesting x-factor to think about while sipping.
07-06-2018 08:41 PM
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bit_9 Offline
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Post: #253
RE: Official Beer Tread
I've been holding a gift card in my back pocket waiting for new location to open. Looking forward to checking it out.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.
07-09-2018 04:27 PM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #254
RE: Official Beer Tread
Saw an ad for New Realm in the VA craft beer mag and I am excited to see what they get up to with the old Green Flash facility in VA Beach. I've never had their "Hoplandia" IPA but they seem to be pushing it. Might give it that and their dank IPA the ol' 1-2 if I can get back to town sometime after they open.

Changing gears completely, what is the general opinion here on real ale (of CAMRA fame)? I've never had it, and I recognize the difficulty in acquiring it without hopping across the pond, but I was curious if anyone here can provide insight. I like the idea of something with that authenticity and history behind it.
07-13-2018 08:36 PM
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bit_9 Offline
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Post: #255
RE: Official Beer Tread
Had an outstanding stout down in Wilmington. Wilmington Brew Company has a breakfast stout that was criminal good. If you ever see it I highly suggest.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.
07-15-2018 10:33 AM
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Monarchist13 Offline
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Post: #256
RE: Official Beer Tread
07-27-2018 11:37 AM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #257
RE: Official Beer Tread
[Image: ls.jpg]

I finally got out to Burley Oak in Berlin, MD the other week. Really impressed with their setup and beer. Had a sampler flight consisting of:

Grape Squish - A sour made with chardonnay grapes
Gucci Flip flops - A triple-dry-hopped session IPA
Rude Boy - A strong red ale
Bunker C - A robust porter with strong baking chocolate notes
Homegrown - A single-hop Citra session IPA (dankest I've ever had)
Coconut Fuzzy Wuzzy Slippers - one of the best dessert beer imp stouts I have ever had

Definitely worth a stop if you are ever travelling through the area. Best session of that trip, notable because that trip also included Evo, Tall Tales, and Backshore.
08-02-2018 05:18 PM
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Monarchist13 Offline
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Post: #258
RE: Official Beer Tread
Anyone else see The Veil hinting at opening up in the old Norfolk Chop House on Colonial Ave? It would be amazing. Hope it happens.
08-16-2018 10:11 AM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #259
RE: Official Beer Tread
I actually saw a bottle/canister/godly copper vessel of Sam Adams Utopias the other day. Was expecting it to be bigger, especially for that price tag. I don't think I have the palate or wallet for it right now. I have heard that it is up there with port in terms of notes, so that is a valid excuse to get into port for the next 6-8 months while I build up the cash reserves for such a purchase. If I want any sort of vertical tasting I will have to build a large cash reserve and/or a large group of associates to purchase individual years. Properly stored and aged vintages are going to cost a fortune so I figure looking forward is the only option. Five is a good number so I will shoot for five. I guess that will be my birthday present to my future self going forward. Here's to Cameraman's eventual Glorious Samuel Adams Utopias Vertical Tasting!! Rhombus be praised!

As far as the present, I had the collaboration of Baltimore's Oliver Brewing and hard rock band Mos Generator. It was a DIPA. Floral hops with a sweetness to it. Pale-ish malt that bled through in the finish. Phenomenal artwork, but then again I am one for the dark artwork. 9% so time to savor sober and believe buzzed. Would post a link but have been experiencing adware on this site and don't want to risk anyone else. If you like something floral, sweet, and strong, this is your DIPA. Enough said.

Also got some of the Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout (2018 vintage). Roasted malt, some maple, some sweet malt, a touch of smoke, and perhaps a touch of coffee. I will try to get my hands on some of their Quad this year and age it well into next year if I can keep my hands off it.
09-09-2018 07:08 PM
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CameramanJ Offline
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Post: #260
RE: Official Beer Tread
Just had the Left Hand Belgian Dubbel Nitro and quite liked it. I hadn't consumed a nitro version of a Belgian style before so this one was a fun experience. Really thinking about seeking out some interesting nitro options now. Kinda wish I had committed to going after the Founders Nitro Rubaeus when I could. Had a chance to sample the nitro version of Burley Oak's Fuzzy Wuzzy Slippers Imp Stout when I was out there, but passed on it and went with the normal version. Left Hand makes some pretty delicious nitro beers (my favorite being the Wake Up Dead Nitro) so I will keep an eye out for their offerings more vigilantly. Smooth, dark, strong, and with just enough creaminess. That is a good stormy night beer.
09-17-2018 08:07 PM
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