Vic Case Swap Xmas In July 2010 Tasting Thread

[manticle]

Siborg: You know when you get a good head on a beer but it disappears a little with a bit of time?

Some thin to nothing but others leave a bit of white 'lace' whcih clings to the side of the glass. Buy yourself a duvel, pout into a clean glass, drink half then leave for 10 minutes and you should see.

Cocko - glad you enjoyed. Funny about the aroma - siborg said the same thing. Was dry hopped with EKG and target so I'm wondering if it's the target (usually a bittering hop). The commercial version smells beautiful to me - like christmas cake.

 

[Cocko]

Cocko - glad you enjoyed. Funny about the aroma - siborg said the same thing. Was dry hopped with EKG and target so I'm wondering if it's the target (usually a bittering hop). The commercial version smells beautiful to me - like christmas cake.

Mate, my nose aint what it use to be..

Great beer mate. Be proud, I would if it was mine!

 

[Cocko]

OK,

Closing off the night with:

3. Fourstar - CA.. SNCA! as far as I know!

I get flown to the states each year for work, well used to for the last 8 years, and drink SNPA like its the last chance I have to, it is such a different beer when fresh... as opposed to the $8 bottles of stale shizen we think is great here....... anyway..

Last year I bought the SNCA, and was more than happy I did! I even snuck 8 bottles home in my snowboard bag! I will find "Whats in the glass 'commercial' pics... BEAUTIFUL beautiful beer...

4*, Lets be clear, I am not blowing smoke here, this is possibly the BEST beer I have ever had...

Pours a little cloudy and head is stable.

The flavour is hoppy and caramel in perfect balance for me.... and 4* if you are chasing a SNCA clone you have gotten pretty damn close!

I have already tried to look up the recipe but am confused about what recipe made this beer and NEED to know! Please let me know.

Ok, palette spent. weekend gone......

Out.

Cocko.

:kooi:

 

[Supra-Jim]

9 Kleiny - Rogue Dead Guy Clone

Not familiar with Maibocks, so I wasn't really sure what i should or shouldn't be tasting here. Possibly a bit over carbed, but it wasn't a big drama. Good malt flavour and a really nice bitterness that lingered a little bit. i really enjoyed this beer, well done Kliney

Cheers SJ

 

[Siborg]

You know when you get a good head on a beer but it disappears a little with a bit of time?

Some thin to nothing but others leave a bit of white 'lace' whcih clings to the side of the glass. Buy yourself a duvel, pout into a clean glass, drink half then leave for 10 minutes and you should see.

Cocko - glad you enjoyed. Funny about the aroma - siborg said the same thing. Was dry hopped with EKG and target so I'm wondering if it's the target (usually a bittering hop). The commercial version smells beautiful to me - like christmas cake.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking it was, just wasn't sure. Shimple's APA had a fair bit of that. I just didn't want to say that, if it meant something else.

In regards to the aroma of your beer, it was the first thing that hit me, but I wasn't completely bad. I'd call it different. My brother was the one who really didn't like the smell (from accross the room, mind you). Like I said in my initial review, though. Smell aside, it was a damn nice beer. I haven't had anything like it before but it was damn tasty - and it went down well with some salt and vinegar chips.

 

[Fourstar]

The flavour is hoppy and caramel in perfect balance for me.... and 4* if you are chasing a SNCA clone you have gotten pretty damn close!
I have already tried to look up the recipe but am confused about what recipe made this beer and NEED to know! Please let me know.

Thanks for the Kudos Mate. Glad you enjoyed. sorry if ive given you a hangover @ 7% Looks like you where having a session yesterday! :icon_chickcheers:

It is the SNCA Recipe, not the HG wheat recipe also listed in the recipe thread. :icon_cheers:

This is the one you are looking for.
http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum//ind...st&p=656254

 

[brendo]

Well I finally got around to clearing some fridge space to house the swap beers - have had a cold, so not in a rush.

It would seem that I missed out on Wakatoo's entry... sorry mate, I am sure it is a cracker of a beer and look forward to hearing about what I am missing out on.

On the upside, the double up I scored was Manticle's which is getting some good reports, so not too upset.

I should get to start tasting some of the spoils later this week (can't really smell much at the moment), gotta say I am looking forward to it from early reports!!

Cheers,

Brendo

 

[Siborg]

I know your pain, Brendo. I was off beer for all of last week due to a cold. Only got back into it on Sat. I don't know if it was the fever or the withdrawal symptoms that were worse.

 

[brettprevans]

3. Fourstar - CA.. SNCA! as far as I know!

................ possibly the BEST beer I have ever had...

4* I hope you have a couple bottles of this left so we can swap our versions for comparison. mine's hitting the keg tonight.

 

[WarmBeer]

4* I hope you have a couple bottles of this left so we can swap our versions for comparison. mine's hitting the keg tonight.

He better not. A couple of us ended up with a different beer altogether, as he was a couple of bottles short for the case swap.

Every cloud has a silver lining, and I'm sure his "4* Wheat" will be a tasty beer indeed.

PS. Thanks for the grain.

 

[Fourstar]

4* I hope you have a couple bottles of this left so we can swap our versions for comparison. mine's hitting the keg tonight.

cant say i do mate, the one i reserved for myself in the swap is to goto paleale mania. only question is: "is it hoppy enough for a showcased IPA?!" only time will tell.

 

[Wardhog]

#9 - Moonshine - Oatmeal Liquorice Molasses Stout

I love the liquorice in this when it gets warmer. However, something else stands out a bit when it gets warmer, too. It seems like there might be a bit of DMS in this beer, I got some cooked vegetable taste towards the end.

 

[Hutch]

18. mcook - American Pale Ale

Well, the lad can tell stories, and he can also brew - Bloody excellent beer mcook!
I can't really add much more feedback than what's already been said.
Colour, Clarity, malt and hop aroma, body, carbonation, head, etc.
It's all in wonderful balance, and leaves many/most commercial (read "micro") APA's for dead.
You should be exceedingly proud making beers like this mate. SWMBO also agreed that it was exceptional.
The Cascade/centennial is a great combo, and I'll certainly be giving this recipe a guernsy for my next APA.

Cheers!
Hutch.

 

[Hutch]

... I hate it when the glass runs dry on such a good beer.
...and I can't go out to the fridge and poor another one...

 

[Fents]

nice beer zebba, first cab of the rank for me, nose is not much chop at the moment as i had the flu for the last few days.

poured great, little overcarbonated for me, good colour and good taste, maybe a tad thin in the body. cheers its a good drop.

 

[Wardhog]

14 - seemax - Cascadian Steam Ale

Maybe the carbonation wasn't quite right, struggled to raise a head on it when pouring. Only thing letting down a really good beer.

Good hop bitterness, flavour and aroma offset nicely by what strikes me as a good proportion of malt. A very tasty drop, if a little undercarbed.

 

[seemax]

14 - seemax - Cascadian Steam Ale

Maybe the carbonation wasn't quite right, struggled to raise a head on it when pouring. Only thing letting down a really good beer.

Good hop bitterness, flavour and aroma offset nicely by what strikes me as a good proportion of malt. A very tasty drop, if a little undercarbed.

It was the first time I used carb drops (2 per bottle), oddly I sampled a bottle a few days back and it was well carbed. It's been in the bottle for over 3 weeks now, but mostly at 13C or less. Perhaps they just need a little warmth.

 

[Fents]

22 wardyz esb. Funny I should randomly grab this after zebbas esb. Similar beers wards a touch sweeter and a bit hoppier. Nice beer mate!

 

[manticle]

Brendo: Black Riggwelter:

Pours deep dark brown which shows up beatiful dark copper with a light shone through it. Off white head, dissipates, some lacing.

Aroma of coffee and treacle. Lovely aroma. No hop aroma.

Carbonation just where it should be. Flavour is magnificent - reminds me a bit of Screwy's choc treacle stout I had recently. You can almost chew this. Nice balance of sweet sugar and burnt bitter sugar. Keep thinking I can smell espresso but then it disappears. There seems to be a teeny hint of warm alc note in there which surprised me at 5.7% but it's subtle and definitely not out of place. Quite a ballsy beer - wasn't sure if it was meant to be a clone of black sheep ale but seems like a much bigger, darker beer. Definitely seems bigger than it is - if I'd read 8% I would not have been surprised.

Really nice mate. Good for a cold winter's night like this one. No idea how to style it is for a northeast brown - don't much care.

To add - as I drink a little more I get a weird kind of saltiness but it seems to work with the burnt treacle/molasses I'm describing. It's quite a rich beer and I'm not sure you could have a session on it - in some ways it's like a really rich sauce (as in delicious but don't douse your beef too strongly). Hope that makes sense.

To add further - just read the recipe and I'm quite surprised at some of the treacle type flavours I'm getting. Also did a quick search and found out about the beer it's based on. Anyway really interesting beer, slightly confounding, definitely delicious. Cheers.

 

[Cocko]

White Cap - Fents Citra PA

If there is a listing for Citra fans - sign me up!

I dry hopped my entry with it and it has taken over the beer, it is powerful, so lucky its nice...

FENTS: Very nice beer mate, even though citra is powerful and possibly over powering hop, you have found an awesome balance to display it!

Loved it!

Want more.

 

[Wonderwoman]

I finally started on the swap beers last night.

Manticle ESB
appearance - poured with good head, clear and lovely amber colour
aroma - overpowering malt, caramel and maybe it's just me but I thought I got a tiny hint of sourness
taste - malt driven, again I got a tiny hint of sourness. I'm not sure about the style guidlines for ESB (and have only had a couple of aussie commerial ESBs), but I expected more bitterness? For my personal taste, this was a bit sweet.


Warmbeer - American Porter
I didn't take and specific notes, because I simply thought it was DELICIOUS!!!
The only comment I have, is that with the prefix "american" I wasn't sure whether to expect some hop aroma/flavour (probably not from Brett ). Personally I was glad that it didn't have any, I really enjoyed it as it was. :icon_cheers:
ps - Adam was concerned with the historical accuracy of your label

 

[WarmBeer]

Warmbeer - American Porter
I didn't take and specific notes, because I simply thought it was DELICIOUS!!!
The only comment I have, is that with the prefix "american" I wasn't sure whether to expect some hop aroma/flavour (probably not from Brett ). Personally I was glad that it didn't have any, I really enjoyed it as it was. :icon_cheers:
ps - Adam was concerned with the historical accuracy of your label

Glad you liked it, it has definitely opened up with a couple of weeks in the bottle.

The "American" prefix was added due to the use of corn adjunct (polenta), and all US hopping (although I found out after the fact that Magnum is actually a German hop, I just assumed it was named for Dirty Harry, who woulda thunk it?)

And don't worry, one of these days I promise I'll add discernible hops to my beer

 

[seemax]

And don't worry, one of these days I promise I'll add discernible hops to my beer

Sure, sure... next you'll fermenting below 18C ... and faking it doesn't count

 

[Fourstar]

and all US hopping (although I found out after the fact that Magnum is actually a German hop, I just assumed it was named for Dirty Harry, who woulda thunk it?)

You can get US magnum.. i know, ive got 1lb of it in my freezer! :beerbang:

 

[WarmBeer]

... I wasn't sure whether to expect some hop aroma/flavour (probably not from Brett )...

Sure, sure... next you'll fermenting below 18C ... and faking it doesn't count

I've heard some brewers will over-compensate with hops to cover up for other deficiencies in their brewing processes...

Just sayin

 

[Wonderwoman]

I've heard some brewers will over-compensate with hops to cover up for other deficiencies in their brewing processes...

Just sayin

ha ha ha!!! it works for me!

 

[Fents]

# 5 Big Bad Supra Jimmy's American Amber...

absolutley nailed it! (imo) looks great smells grouse and the taste? spot on for me, malty, toffee and then a smack of hops. i love it when i burp hops!

9 burbs outta 10 SJ! :drinks:

 

[manticle]

Lucas: Smoked chocolate porter.


Um.... Are you sure? Maybe I got a different bottle - mine is cloudy orange (not brown or deep mahogany), pours with a good head that laces but has no hint of smoke and little, if any chocolate.

The aroma is hoppy but not overpowering. Having said all that - whatever beer this actually is, it's delicious. I'd be happy with loads more - great carb, nice caramel, hops subtle but present, slight citrus and maybe a tiny hint of choc in the finish. Any idea if I might have been subbed a different bottle and if so - what and what's the recipe?

@wonderwoman - I wish I had more to try so I could compare to the notes I've received as they've all been a bit varied. Very much hoping the sourness was your perception or just that bottle - would hate a latent infection to show up in anyone's/everyone's beer as I've done my utmost to check what I was giving to people before swapping. Cheers for the feedback anyway.

 

[WarmBeer]

11. Fents - all citra apa

Pours a cloudy, dark orange. Head is small but persistant.

Smells of tangerines and malty sweetness, you got the Citra part of it right!

At first I thought this was a little bit one-dimensional, but now it's warmed up a little, the up-front maltiness is really well balanced by the lingering bitterness.

Taste, smell, appearance, it's all there. A real good beer, thanks Fents.

B+

 

[manticle]

Wakkatoo: Schwarzbier

Pours black into a glass. Very difficult to see but ruby highlights when held to the light suggest it's clear not murky. Fluffy head which quickly dissipates. Small amount of lacing.

Aroma of apples.

Carbonation moderate - moderately low. Flavour is malt, smooth burnt sugar (if there is such a thing) and granny smith. The granny is fairly subtle and I',m questioning myself because I tasted it in someone else's beer last night. Tasting is so subjective (strike one for captain obvious) but it's a flavour I keep coming back to.

If I had never heard of acetylaldehyde and been told it's a beer fault I might just wonder what that crisp apple taste was and find it an interesting phenomenon. Therefore I'm going to do that here because it's not overpowering and apple and burnt sugar go quite well together. Everything else about the beer is nicely balanced - in favour of the malt generally, carbonation works with it, not overly roasty, definitely no harshness for such a dark beer, flavours integrated well. Slight carob/choc finish.

You analyse these beers hoping to do them justice and not just write 'good beer mate' but sometimes you can overthink and I'm not sure if I apply as much analysis to my own beers. I'm still super (even hyper) critical of my own but it's less Nancy and more Paddy.