668 Neighbor Of The Beast - New England Brewing Co.

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

2.8/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Thanks to drez77 for the extra.

16oz can to oversized wine glass. Clever name, fun label.

A: Pours with an ivory white head, 2 fingers high. The head starts out fizzy and foamy and looks like it will disappear quickly, but multiple streamers keep it around for quite some time, eventually transforming the head into a dense, compact foamy cap. The body is hazy, but clear enough too see an endless amount of bubbles rushing by in a somewhat roundabout way. The color is between gold and goldenrod and has medium saturation. The entire glass is left coated with one continuous sheet of lace.

S: Toasted Pilsner malts mixed in with a light grain and straw component. Heavily yeasty. Big hop concentration, starting out with big pine notes plus the peel of lemon and orange but, at warmer temperatures, becoming cleaner-like. Scorching alcohol on the nose.

T & M: Aromas come through to the palate with some additional flavors of banana and pear and sweet candied sugar flavors. Thankfully, the alcohol is easier on the palate than it was on the nose. Full body with a creamy texture and a surprisingly passive, low level of effervescence. Soft and semi prickly but needs to be much livelier. Below average flavor duration.

D: Hot, kind of messy and not very easy to drink.

NOTE: This beer MAY not have traveled well since, even though it was safely packaged, it arrived with a huge bulge on the top of the can. Also, my experience was nothing like what I've read from other reviewers.

Serving type: can

10-09-2010 12:43:02 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

NODAK

Tennessee

3.03/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Aroma has a good mix of sweet, fruity esters and tart citrus, along with a note of clove and a definite yeast presence as well. Pretty complex, and inviting. What I like about Belgian styles.

Pours bright golden and hazy in the glass with a nice sized head that unfortunately disapates rather quickly.

Quite sweet and thick right upfront with lots of fruity esters. A note of more citric fruit is also noticed there as well. Very small clove presence. Through to the finish, there's a yeastiness that comes through along with quite a strong booziness. There's also a noticeable bitterness for style to finish the beer off somewhat dry with some sweet esters remaining.

The hotness of the booze here does detract from the enjoyment of the beer. Fairly average for style, perhaps not even average, due to the lack of spiciness and the booze.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 01:10:30 | More by NODAK

jpmclaug

South Carolina

3.05/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Poured from the can into a snifter. I got one of these as an extra from portia99 but also grabbed a couple cans of this the last time I was in Boston. Thanks to an awesome trader, portia99 either way!

A - Golden body with a with a nice white head on top. Nice clear brew.

S - Spicy is the first thing that pops up. Belgian yeast, banana, breadyness and a bit of alcohol. Sweet

T - Follows the nose a lot with banana, belgian yeast, some sweet fruit notes and a bit of spiciness. Lots of that typical Belgian flavor that I'm not too fond of.

M - medium bodied, not too much carbonation.

D - Definitely not my favorite style but seems pretty solid and in line with other's of this style. I'm glad I got to try this but I won't be in a rush to try it again.

Serving type: can

10-24-2010 19:54:44 | More by jpmclaug

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.15/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks to hopstoopid120 for this one. Poured from a 16oz. can into a Darkness snifter

A: Standard pour yields a .5 finger foamy white head that dissipates quickly into a thin white ring hugging the side of the glass. Beer is a slightly cloudy flourescent peach-orange. Lacing is stringy and spotty with little stick. Not heady enough for the style and deducted points for lacing.

S: Nose is citrus, cane sugar, Belgian yeast, and sweet, floral soap. Some clove also. Fruit is prominent in this one, providing a nice covering effect for the spices.

T: Opens spicy Belgian yeast. Citrus, cane sugar, sweet peaches. More robust malt backbone in the middle with some floral notes and clove. End is sweet and a bit soapy with a cane sugar and vanilla oil in the finish. More Belgian spiciness in the aftertaste. Very sweet with only the Belgian yeast serving to make it style appropriate.

M: Light to medium bodied and well carbonated. Lively and crisp in the mouth and goes down bubbly and abrasive. Finish is messy with a filmy, lingering aftertaste. Pretty good.

O: At 9% abv., this beer is highly drinkable. Goes down very easy, crisp, and refreshing. Not too complex as is expected from the style but it serves its purpose and is solid enough to try again.

Serving type: can

06-06-2011 21:57:45 | More by SpeedwayJim

oline73

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a can into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours avery cloudy orangish golden with two fingers of fluffy white head. Decent retention and some nice lacing.

Smell: Sweet light malt and quite fruity. I'm picking up hints of apple and banana. This one is also a bit yeasty.

Taste: Quite sweet with a strong Belgian spice presence. Fruity notes from the smell are there along with the light malt. The finish is really bitter from some hops and alcohol.

Mouthfeel: The body is on the thick side of medium with tingly carbonation and a somewhat dry finish.

Overall: I thought this beer was a bit too sweet, and then the alcohol in the finish was a bit much. I enjoyed my can, but I don't think I would have another.

Serving type: can

10-16-2011 20:45:57 | More by oline73

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

3.3/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

16 oz. can courtesy of Jason during one of our many solid trades. Ridiculous looking, and therefore much appreciated, graphics and name on this beer. Oh the stories we could tell if we were, indeed, neighbors of the Cloven Master of the Underworld. Can you imagine the parties?

Into a tulip, Neighbor pours yellow - orange with a short lived head that remains only as a light white ring. Streams of bubbles rise in multiple columns. Glass repels any lethargic attempt at cling.

Smells of yeast laden apple juice with a hint at tinned peaches

Spicy yeast leads to some chewy malty sourdough, apple and pears, and clove. Yeast and juice mingle at the finish with a touch of heat.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and well carbonated: crisp and dish soapy with a snappy bite at the finish.

Overall, this beer carries its abv quite well, but I don’t see myself aspiring to drink more of this. Good for what it is, but not something I would seek out again.

Serving type: can

06-22-2011 23:29:58 | More by BarrytheBear

surprenant1138

Connecticut

3.38/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16oz can into snifter. Appearance is of a hazy dark orange with about 3/4in slowly fading light tan head. Excellent thick lacing. Aroma is of yeast, some pine and light citrus. Mouthfeel is light, with a slightly stining carbonation. Taste is very yeasty, of orange peels, some nuttiness? and more bread/yeast. I am not a fan of belgian style beers, but this is not bad. It is slightly refreshing anyway.

Serving type: can

04-27-2011 17:43:02 | More by surprenant1138

rwinzing

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Have been cleaning out the beer fridge this is an extra from a trade. Thanks to who ever gave it to me

A - nice golden color with white head and decent lacing

S - Sweet smell

T - Very nice fruity note with tang of bitterness

M - smooth and rich

O - nice can of beer

Serving type: can

07-28-2011 21:45:57 | More by rwinzing

n2185

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear golden yellow with two fingers of white head that fades into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: Spices with sweet candy sugar and light fruits like pears and white grapes up front. Faint bread notes toward the finish.

T: Spices here as well with candy sugar, bubblegum, fruits, and a hearty yeast and bread finish that is lightly bitter with some alcohol presence.

M: Medium-light body with lowish carbonation, this beer avoids being too thick and sticky, but is still undercarbonated.

O: A solid BSPA overall. It's a little lacking in depth and needs to be more carbonated, but still is enjoyable.

Serving type: can

08-18-2012 04:28:58 | More by n2185

camil1mj

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Received as an extra in a trade thanks to Knifestyles!

Poured at a moderately cold temperature into my Founder's snifter.

A: Pours a very nice orange. 2 finger, white foamy head that recedes to leave intermediate lacing.

S: Citrusy hopes with a slight sour twang.

T: Immediate acidic fruitiness followed up by a slight hoppiness.

M: Light and refreshing. Slightly more than medium carbonation.

O: Good beer for a nice warm day. Would not turn down if I was presented the chance to drink this again. The name and label art are great!

Serving type: can

06-29-2011 23:45:07 | More by camil1mj

abrand

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce can poured into tulip

Pours an orangish color with a nice cloudy head that never leaves. Aromas of grains, spices, and subtle hops hit the nose. Not a very strong smelling beer but nice. Somewhat sweet on the nose. Taste is full of sugar with plenty of fruits. Bread doughs and hop backbone round out the palate. Mouthfeel is somewhat dry but thin. Overall this is a sessionable brew. Nothing outstanding but nice.

Serving type: can

03-31-2012 16:13:15 | More by abrand

erosier

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

L: Pours a yellow orange color with a large and thick off white colored head that fades slowly and laces the glass a lot on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet roasted malts, then big strong alcohol, slight citrus, yeast aromas, and then a touch of hops at the end of it.
T: Tastes of sweet roasted malts, then a big complex yeast flavor blend that is slightly fruity (mainly citrus flavors) with a touch of hops at the end. There is a lot of alcohol present in this one.
M: Hot feeling, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: OK drinkability - it has a lot of alcohol and you can taste and feel lit which lowers its score, but being at 9% is pretty high and it's an interesting beer with a funny label.

Serving type: can

07-28-2010 10:33:27 | More by erosier

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Got this as an extra (let me know who sent this so I can thank you).

Love the label on this can!

Poured into Town Hall chalice.

Pours 1/2 finger of bright white head that fades down to a very thin layer fast. Color is a bright golden orange. Can't see through this one.

Aroma: Grassy hops with some herbal notes and spices. Bananas and cloves are up front with this beer. A bit of burnt sugar flavors in the background. Has a very sweet aroma to it.

Taste: A fairly large beer. Big cloves and spice flavors. Bananas is the only fruit I really get out of this beer because of all the alcohol showing. It has grassy hops with a pale/biscuity malt profile.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and boozy. A ton of alcohol shows from this beer, granted it is 9%. A rather large body with a medium to high amount of carbonation. Ends rather dry.

Overall, I just wasn't feeling this beer. It was too strong and too much of the alcohol showed. I really don't know the intentions of this beer but it just turned out too big. Not overly drinkbale.

Serving type: can

08-25-2010 00:24:55 | More by mothman

Arenbeer

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz can into a tulip glass

Latest release at fridge temp

A- Pours a hazy bright yellow with a thin 1 finger white head that leaves little retention but nice legs. A really nice looking beer overall and perfect for summer.

S- Bread and doughy notes with hints of banana and fruit from the yeast. Definitely some hops present in there as well. Alcohol also comes through quite a bit.

T- Bitter earth and grass like hops up front clash hard with the Belgian yeast characters. The fruit, banana, bubblegum, flavors that come through don't mix well with the overall hop flavor and the bread like qualities get lost as well. Almost as though they brewed Ghandi Bot with Belgian yeast.

M- Medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a brutal bitter finish that drys the mouth right out.

Overall I am normally a NEBCO fan and an even bigger hop head but something about this beer on my palate does not taste right. Maybe it's to fresh and needs time to let the hops fade but right now its not what I was hoping for and nothing like what I tasted at Extreme Beer Fest.

SkÅL!

Serving type: can

07-09-2011 00:11:51 | More by Arenbeer

scottfrie

California

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thank you for the growler, Michael and friends.

A: Pours a slightly hazy dark golden amber with a couple fingers of bright white head. Good head retention that faded into a thick collar that left sheets of sticky lacing down the glass.
S: Belgian yeast dominates with doughy and spicy notes, and I also get a hint of lemon and citrus as well.
T: Follows the nose with flavors of yeast, dough, citrus and a slight bitterness. There are also some spices but this beer isn’t super spicy, maybe a touch of clove. I get citrus and a bit of alcohol in the finish.
M: Medium body, slick and slightly dry mouthfeel with good soft carbonation that is just barely on the low side.
O: Solid saison, easy to drink. Not my favorite, but I wouldn’t turn this down.

Serving type: growler

02-10-2012 03:59:11 | More by scottfrie

sukwonee

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Cloudy Golden Body with 2 finger head, good retention and lacing.

S: Clove, Banana, wheat, yeast, some spice (slight)

T: ughhh... this beer smells much better than it tastes... I really didn't enjoy the unexpected hoppy bitterness that kicks towards the end. It also tastes spicier than in the nose...

M: Lots of carbonation. Medium thickness.

O: I really love the name of the beer, as well as how it looks, smells, and feels, but I didn't like the taste of it.

Serving type: can

07-16-2012 06:12:19 | More by sukwonee

azdback

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Spaten tumbler. Cloudy and straw colored. Head is merely a large collar of off white head and leaving a nice ring pattern of lace that turns into a nice raining leopard pattern.

Smell is as the style would expect. Dank, musty smells. Overripe fruit (without the fruit flies) earth, grass. Sweet smells and some yeast.

Taste is like most Belgian's I have tried. Musty, dank, sweet banana, and soggy bread. This is a bit more on the alcohol side.

Mouth is medium with a nice body. Carbonation is on the spritzy side and the finish is long and wet with some alcohol burn.

Overall I must judge on the style but I hate this style. I received this as a poker payout, so I can't complain for free beer but this is just like every other shitty dank, musty and milldew tasting Belgian. I really want to thank Poorpatz for the chance. I enjoyed the chance but wont seek this out again.

Serving type: can

10-09-2012 05:14:28 | More by azdback

Blanco

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

beer pours a very cloudy golden orange color with a smallish white head that barely holds. Smells of Belgian yeasts, slight hefe-like with banana and clove. muted as well. taste is similar, like a weak hefe or witbier only drier. Medium-bodied, hides the alcohol well. overall, decent beer, but not typical of the style and somewhat weak in the spices/taste. I think there are better takes on this style out there.

Serving type: can

05-05-2011 00:19:22 | More by Blanco

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out with a nice orange body, the head was foamy and white. The head settles and leave a tiny amount of lacing on the glass. The smell of the beer has a nice yeasty fruit aroma mixed with a subtle amount of spices. The taste had some citrus flavors and some other light soft fruit flavors. There is a slight hoppiness in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel was well carbonated and lighter bodied for good drinkablity. Overall, I loved the name of this beer and that's why I bought it. I would drink this one again to see if my thoughts have changed at all. Pretty good brew though.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 18:51:29 | More by Knapp85

MCain04

Illinois

3.56/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Gifted by BostonRyan, 12 oz can poured into a HF stemware.

A: hazy orange amber. 1 finger off white head of average retention and lacing.

S: Belgian malts, tangerine, and citrus.

t: odd tasting. malty but a little skunky. a little citrus tasting but not the greatest. hides the alcohol well though.

M: smooth and medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: Average Belgian, nothing too special, nice to see the style in a can though

Serving type: can

04-05-2013 01:35:26 | More by MCain04

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz Tall Boy. Pours a murky burnt orange with a very thin head. Aroma is of yeast, banana, slight citrus and spices. Flavor is bitter spices upfront followed by some yeast and orange peel. Small flavor of hops as well. Almost has an apricot taste to this beer. Definitely has that typical Belgian taste to it. Boozey taste to this one but drinks fairly easily. Overall, I'm not a big Belgian fan but this is a pretty good beer. Worth grabbing again.

Serving type: can

04-27-2011 04:29:24 | More by PicoPapa

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to both woosterbill and HikerCT for cans of this. Served in a tulip.

Pours a clear golden color with a good white head that sticks around for quite a bit before falling and leaving behind a good amount of lacing. The nose carries some light malt along with a good dose of spicing and some mild citrus character. The flavor hits more of the spice notes and has a bit of alcohol. Pretty crisp with a moderate citrus presence. Dry and crisp with a light to medium body and a bit of booze in the finish. Nice take on the style.

Serving type: can

05-31-2011 11:03:08 | More by Thorpe429

robhunta

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a hazy orange with a very thin lacing of head.

S - sweet, fruity and yeasty, doughy

T - Starts with a a nice belgian style flavors malt and yeast and finished with a strong hops flavor. I taste some complexity at the beginning but it is quickly washed away by the bitterness, so I can't quite put my finger on the flavors.

M - medium bodied, with a crisp feeling due to the carbonation and bitterness.

O - overall a decent beer, but not one of my favorites.

Serving type: can

07-08-2011 22:17:57 | More by robhunta

HopNuggets

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured 16oz can into Piraat tulip.

A - Poured a bright golden orange color with a solid, slightly off white, 2 finger head that lingers around for quite a while that settles down to a 1 finger head that dissipates to a white ring around the top of the brew. When head fades it is really easy to stir up a 1 finger head with a little swirling of the glass. Not much in the way of lacing a few clumps of white head stick around in spots on the glass but not sufficient.

S - Slight citrus (orange with lemon being the most prominent) up front with definite belgian yeast to follow with some clove and a little bready at the end with maybe some banana kicking around in there.

T - Definite belgian yeast flavor with some clove notes. If you keep it on the palate for a while you get a hit of booze that sticks around. The aftertaste is where the 9% is shared with a little alcohol hotness and flavor.

M - Refreshing off the bat, but a little over the top at the finish with some bitterness that seems overwhelming and kind of throws it off balance with a solid amount alcohol heat.

D - This is what got me to buy this beer people saying that you could mow your lawn with it. It's drinkable for 9% but not as refreshing as it has been brought out to be with all the BA hype. I plan on having this paired at the lobster bake in a couple weeks and it should do good pairing with the fattyness of lobster.

Serving type: can

07-05-2010 21:03:19 | More by HopNuggets

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Sloeber tulip glass.

Thanks to GoGriz for this can!

I love how closely this guy resembles Carl Brutananadilewski, though without the effect of decades of disappointment crashing down on his shoulders. The beer pours a hazy amber straw topped by a steadfast finger of white suds. The nose comprises banana, clove, Belgian-yeast spiciness, orange zest, cinnamon, and coriander. The taste is heavy on the citrus aspects, pumping that coriander and orange peel to an overt level. The cloves are joined by some peppercorns, and behind all of this citrus and spice looms a mass of honey and light caramel. The body is a solid medium, with a light medium carbonation and a fairly smooth feel. Overall, a solid brew, a bit hard to drink heavily, but a decent Belgian-style sipper.

Serving type: can

08-19-2010 01:09:23 | More by TMoney2591