Month: November 2022

Sloop Brewing Co. Juicier Bomb – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$8.55 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 2-May-2022, acquired 1-Nov-2022, reviewed 13-Nov-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one fat finger of fine white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, pine, bready malt, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, medium duration lightly warming finish. (4/5)

Y’know what they say about being careful what you ask for? Well, I tried Juice Bomb and said I wanted more – and, well, this is more. And I mean, it’s too old, sure – but I’m shocked at how much… I dunno, heavier? Dimmer? Not as bright as the single version is. To be honest, I’d rather have two singles than this. (15/20)

This will be my 5,424th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sloop Brewing Co. Juice Bomb – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$5.85 at Collective, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Nov-2022, reviewed 13-Nov-2022)

Appearance: hazy deep gold with one fat finger of fine white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy citrus, tropical fruit, cereal grains, light pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)

Nice example of the NEIPA style: juicy without being overly sweet, hoppy without being bitter, soft carbonation and an off-dry finish. I don’t really have any criticisms here, except to say that I’d like a little more brightness. This is one of those beers that I suspect would be much better fresh on tap – so, next time I’m in Hopewell Junction, NY I’ll re-review it… (16/20)

This will be my 5,423rd unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dageraad Brewing New Slang 2 – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$4.90 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 15-Aug-2022, acquired 6-Oct-2022, reviewed 10-Nov-2022)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one finger of fine white head, excellent retention and spotty soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: lemon zest, hints of sour rye, light herbal funk. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, drying short duration finish. (4/5)

The can says this is hopped with Cascade and Cashmere, in addition to a lemon peel adjunct. It’s pretty much completely dominated by that lemon peel, so the comparison to furniture polish is almost unavoidable. The light, fairly attenuated body and dry finish make this drink very easily for the higher ABV, making it a little sneaky. (16/20)

This will be my 5,422nd unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Thin Man Brewery Sci-Fi Hamster Wheel – American IPA at 6.6% ABV (C$7.85 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 8-Jul-2022, acquired 6-Oct-2022, reviewed 10-Nov-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky off-white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy citrus, tropical fruit, mild dank pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration mild finish. (4/5)

Nice example of the style: juicy and fruity but with restrained sweetness and mild bitterness, mild dank adding some pleasant complexity, particularly as it warms. (16/20)

This will be my 5,421st unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Indie Alehouse Brewing Co. Double Instigator – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.5% ABV (C$7.35 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Nov-2022, reviewed 9-Nov-2022)

Appearance: slightly hazy particulate laden pale amber with one finger of fine pale ivory head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, pine, caramel, floral, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, sticky lingering bitter mildly warming finish. (3/5)

The label claims “big pine and grapefruit”, which to my thinking means the pine should dominate, but I can’t say that it does. It’s also not what I would call a “very dry” finish – in fact, it’s downright sticky. And while we’re piling on, what’s with the chunky particulate? It would be nice to know how long this has been in the can, but there’s no date code of any sort. Ultimately, it’s not bad – and don’t get me wrong: I finished the pint – but it doesn’t really distinguish itself in a crowded field. (14/20)

This will be my 5,420th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Deschutes Brewery Hazetron – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$6.48 at Collective, 568 ml, packaged on 5-Oct-2022, acquired 1-Nov-2022, reviewed 8-Nov-2022) (C$7.00 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 7-Sep-2022, acquired 6-Oct-2022, reviewed 6-Nov-2022)

Appearance: hazy medium gold with two fingers of loose fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and heavy soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy citrus, tropical fruit, cereal grains, stone fruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, sticky slightly astringent moderate bitter mildly warming finish. (3/5)

Hopped with Simcoe Cryo, 630 Experimental, and Cascade. Smells and tastes pretty good on the front end, with a nice juicy fruit character and a clean cereal grain malt. However, in the finish it ends slightly astringent despite its sweet stickiness. On the other hand, it’s an emphatic DIPA in a decently-sized pint, so it’s got that going on. (15/20)

This will be my 5,419th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Collective Arts Brewing / Dugges Bryggeri Origin of Darkness Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Raspberry, Chocolate & Mint – American Double / Imperial IPA at 11.6% ABV (C$7.00 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 7-Sep-2022, acquired 6-Oct-2022, reviewed 6-Nov-2022)

Appearance: nearly solid black with a short, short-lived fizzy brown head diminishing rapidly to nothing, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mint, bourbon, raspberry, oak, roast malt & chocolate. (7/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, soft carbonation, sticky warming lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

I said the last one of this series was different, but in a “different is good” kind of way. This one… this is is different in a “that boy ain’t right” kind of way. Specifically, the mint is just bizarre, and more than a little reminiscent of someone rinsing their toothbrush in my beer. It overwhelms almost everything else, though there is a little raspberry eventually lingering in the finish. Not entirely a success for me, but not without its charms.  (14/20)

This will be my 5,418th unique Untappd check-in.

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Collective Arts Brewing / Cloudwater Brew Co. Origin of Darkness Port Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Vidal Icewine – Imperial Stout at 10.8% ABV (C$7.00 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 25-Aug-2022, acquired 6-Oct-2022, reviewed 3-Nov-2022)

Appearance: nearly solid black with one finger of fine brown head diminishing gradually to a thin cap & ring, minimal lacing. (4/5) Aroma: sweet white grapes, vanilla, port wine, oak, roast malt & chocolate, hint of cinnamon. (8/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, soft carbonation, sticky warming lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

A very different interpretation of the BA Imperial Stout style, mostly because it’s dominated on the front end by brightly sweet white grapes – to the point where, eyes closed, one might be convinced it’s an ice wine. Different, but in a “different is good” kind of way. I like it. (16/20)

This will be my 5,417th unique Untappd check-in.

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Great Lakes Brewery / Brux House Noon Is Good – American IPA at 5.4% ABV | 25 IBU (C$4.68 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 22-Sep-2022, acquired 1-Nov-2022, reviewed 3-Nov-2022)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and heavy well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus zest, cereal grains, faint pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, slightly sticky medium duration slightly astringent finish. (4/5)

I’m not quite sure whether they’re saying noon is good for breakfast, noon is good for beer, or beer is good for breakfast… guess I’ll go with all three. It’s probably a bit sweeter than “moderate”, given the slightly sticky finish, but the citrus zest astringency and hop bitterness work together to keep that under control. It’s certainly dominated by the citrus zest adjuncts, making it slightly one-dimensional, but generally I quite like it. (15/20)

This will be my 5,416th unique Untappd check-in.

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Village Brewery Comfort Food – Session IPA at 3% ABV (C$4.36 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 14-Oct-2022, acquired 1-Nov-2022, reviewed 1-Nov-2022)

Appearance: dirty hazy pale straw with one fat finger of fluffy white head, good retention and minimal spotty lacing. (2/5) Aroma: mild, melon, grass, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, low bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, moderate-lively carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (4/5)

I like the idea of a hyperlocal brew made from local malt and hopped from local gardens. I just wish there were more hops. And, well, more of everything. Except for the truly unfortunate appearance, it’s not unpleasant, but there’s just not much there. I’d like to like it more than I do – but I don’t. (13/20)

This will be my 5,415th unique Untappd check-in.

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com