#262: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » Yonder Bock (Cigar City Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada / Cigar City » Yonder Bock (Tropical Maibock)
ABV: 7.7% | IBUs: 45 | Rating: 9.2

Continuing down the Beer Camp rabid hole, I took my birthday day-off lunch down at Ithaca Ale House, which to my pleasant surprise had both Yonder Bock and Chico King (coming soon...) on draft. This Maibock takes a tropical nod with the use of aromatic and highly sought after, Equinox aka 366 hops.

Served up in a 10 oz., Yonder Bock hits the stage with a huge malt nose of sweet ripe red apple, pineapple and other tropical fruit notes.

This one is on, so incredibly tasty with a big,wet malt start, drying finish and flip of spice in the tail. A wonderfully balanced brew yielding a dry mouthcoat of pleasant spice and silky mouthfeel.

Flavor notes of guava, passion fruit, and ripe apple are countered by that touch of hop bitterness & spice that Cigar City does so well.

The can spells a bit different story. Yonder Bock pours out a deep, bubbly amber with a fluffy, lacy off-white head. Bright tropical aromas are immediately apparent followed by flavors of smooth, bitter hops and slight booze notes in the finish. Silky, but dry once again in the mouth, but the flavor is a bit tipped on the minneral / hop-forward realm comparied to draft.

Overall, on draft is far preferred, bringing out much more malt beauty, but a solid collaboration regardless.

#020: He'Brew Rejewvenator (Dubbel Doppel)

This year's Rejewvenator is brewed with all-natural dates & figs...

The Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company (Brooklyn, NY)
The Brew: He'Brew Rejewvenator 2013 (Dates & Figs)
Availability: Draft and bottles (limited)
ABV: 8%
Rating: 8/10
Location: Home

The Story? He'Brew's annual springtime release, which features a sacred fruit each year - fig, date, Concord Grape - is back with a blend of Fig and Date. And won't break the bank, which can't be said for all once-a-year release varieties.

The Beer? Rooty, fruity nose. A nice head bubbles up on first pour, but fades soon. Nice root-beer coloring.

An unexpected brew. Hardy flavor with a delicate mouthfeel. Medium bitter, root taste with hints of the sweet fig and dates in the background. Aspects of the Belgian Dubbel and the Doppelbock are present, though overall it leans a much more towards the latter.

Quite a wonderfully unique ale. I've always enjoyed He'Brew's limited offerings and this one is no exception. Was hoping for a bit more "Wow" factor, but a sturdy brew all around.