Monthly Archives: July 2015

Hop Squeezed Tropic Hunter by Nubis Sanctum Ales

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11209405_10102705674518540_6521462536723157215_n 11701078_10102705675566440_2156771401235513723_n 11705364_10102705676769030_5161456622611351380_nRating: 4.95/5

Hop Squeezed Tropic Hunter by Nubis Sanctum Ales is an 11% ABV Double (Triple) India Pale Ale brewed with Mango Puree, Arizona Wild Flower Honey, Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo and Simcoe.

Label:
The Last Mango is in Captivity. The Galaxy Hops, are at peace… as they were not harmed in the making of this beer…

Tropic Hunter S.A.M.U.S (Savor Analyze Monitor Unite & Save)
Log OG:1.100 FG:1.020…
Login METROIPA…Accepted…
Transmitting Data—->
“My name is SAMUS. I first encountered the Mango-troid colony on their home Planet Citra Zest. It was there that I was introduced to the rich delicious Nectar these creatures produced. These creatures though harmless had offered me something I’ve never seen in all my visits through the Galaxy of Barley way. The Mango-troids, after pollination which would involve squeezing sugars from fruits and hops, would then leave behind a secret bitter sweet liquid that was gold in color and aromatic like the tropical fruits of the Planet 4U2EAT. My mission… To collect a sample of this ambrosia and present it to the lab for analysis. Here is what this liquid is composed of:

Ingredients: Water, Malts, Amarillo, Simcoe, Mosaic & Citra Hops, Freshly made Mango Puree, Arizona Wild Flower Honey, Candi Sugar and San Diego Super Yeast.

As I completed my mission, a Mango-troid followed me back to my ship. I think it is a baby. So it seems I was able to produce enough of the ambrosia with the help of the Mango-ling that I am providing some for your research as well!

SAMUS Over And Out… Cheers and see you next mission!”
End Transmission…

==Introduction==
11226214_10102578385147460_5955177454859176997_o

Project#9 is my attempt at brewing a tropical double IPA and an inspiration from El Segundo’s Power Plant as well as the Sure Bet Double IPA from Pipeworks is this beer right here. While studying a good recipe for a couple months and buying ingredients bit by bit, I finally was able to create my first ever IPA in the similar recipe to tribute to some of my favorite tropical/leche nestle Triple IPAs out there. I have no idea if my beer can even top the Pliny the Younger but I hope it can beat the elder atleast. Either way, it was a lot of work, a great learning experience and one damn great beer I was very proud to make. Cheers!

Aromas:
Mango hints, Wild flower hints, rich citrus, rich pine needle, herbal, floral, grassy and grapefruit hops, tropical fruits like guava, prickly pears, papaya, passion fruit, dragon fruit, lychee, pineapples, apricots, stawberrries, raspberries, cherries, tangerines, tuna fruit, stone fruit peaches, creamy vanilla, caramel, agave notes, sweetened condensed milk, tangerine gummy bears, citrus peels, grapefruit peels, coconut hints, marshmallow and tres leches/3 milks cream hints.

Flavors:
Rich Mango, Wild flower honey, agave notes, tropical fruit like dragon fruit, papaya, kiwi, honey dew melon, strawberries, passion fruit, prickly pear, papaya, guava, piney, grassy, grapefruit hops, citrus, tangerine oranges, orange peel, grapefruit peel, sweetened condensed milk, caramel, toffee, vanilla, stone fruit apricots, banana hints, raspberries and cream hints, orange gummy bears, mild coconut hints, tres leches/3 milks cream hints, almonds and macadamia nut hints.

Aftertaste:
Lots of Orange peel, Grapefruit peel, Mango hints, Wild Flower honey hints, caramel, gummy bears, tangerines, tropical fruit hints, and stone fruit hint with left over piney hop goodness that pops for a bit. Slight alcohol in the taste, Golden Amber Honey full body, silky, syrupy, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel and a moderate drinkability

Overall:
While I give it 5 stars for the rich flavors I still was disappointed slightly that my carbonation was definitely not on par. There is a slight amount of head but not a lot of carbonation. Call it beginners foil but also a great learning lesson. Don’t get me wrong, I really love this beer it is damn scrumptious but with the carbonation it would have been way better. Either way, I know for next time and surely, next time I make an IPA and do secondary, definitely pitching some extra yeast to compensate for the high ABV but also the yeast viability after those several weeks after fermentation finished. A perfect yet “semi flat” yet super tropically delicious masterpiece.

Anime Corner:
Samus Aran from Metroid was used in this pairing as I wanted to give representation of the whole tropical colors and flavors as shown in the label by the metroids being the mangos and Samus squeezing them extracting this very IPA. The idea was solid and I lived it. I give more details in the label description but the shine of the beer in its strength, love, passion and dedication to making one of the best tropical IPAs I could. The lil’ metroid baby sure loves to help out Samus(Squeeze)! But I digress. Maybe the condensed milk like hints were… nah it couldn’t be 😉 …

Sources:
http://genzoman.deviantart.com/art/Metroid-259341497
http://planetgameboy.de/images/db/58621.jpg
http://orig09.deviantart.net/4d4e/f/2015/045/d/1/metroid___samus_be_my_valentine_by_genzoman-d8i0z23.jpg

(Double Review) 2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout and Stone W00tstout 2.0 (1year aged)

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It has been ages since I have done a double review. However, this type of review is no exception. This is actually a pretty damn special type of double review that gains the notoriety every year. Meaning, people and all beer geeks love W00tStout. It is just plain and simple. This year, I bring for the W00tstout 2.0 that was aged for 1 year and the 2015 W00stout which, to my surprise, was a blend of the W00tstout 2.0 with the original recipe. Talk about supreme epicness right there. So I decided to dissect both of these individually and come to terms as to which one I love the most. The newer one that is a blend of the old one or the older one. So let’s check these babies out, cheers!

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2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout Review
2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout (3rd year release) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels then blended with W00tstout 2.0 and all aged in bourbon barrels once again. W00t!

Label:
Wil Wheaton first called us in 2004 ask if it’d be OK for him to put the Arrogant Bastard logo on his blog’s website (back when people still asked permission to do such things), and I just so happened to answer the phone (back when I still answered the main line sometimes). Since he was so damn enthusiastic about our beers, I said ‘Sure, no problem,’ all the while thinking ‘Hmmm…this guy’s name sounds familiar.’

Months later, in a serendipitous turn of fate, I reached out to our 10,000th email newsletter subscriber…drumroll…Wil Wheaton. Since his gigs in the iconic Stand By Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wil has become quite the renaissance man, adding author, w00tstock innovator, and homebrewer to his resume. His enthusiasm for the fermentable arts and our beer was such that after many occasions of sharing grog over the years, we decided it was time to brew in collaboration.

It was a no-brainer for us to choose Drew Curtis—who many know as the twisted mind behind Fark.com—as our third cohort. Drew was an old friend of Wil’s that I had serendipitously met (when he saw me and told me, ‘Dude, I love your beer) and enjoyed many beers with at the famous TED conference three years in a row. The beer you hold before you is an imperial stout made with wheat (Wil pretty much insisted), and we also paid tribute to Drew’s Kentucky roots by adding rye and pecans to the mix and partially aging the beer in bourbon barrels. The result? Nothing short of serendipitous.”

In celebration of the third brewing of this annual offering, we added to the mix a version of last year’s vintage that we aged in bourbon barrels for a year. Consider it a superhero version of this sudsy staple of Hop-Con, our imaginary titled annual July W00tstout release event!

Brought in to put a personalized stamp on this year’s edition of w00tstout was famed comic-book cover artist Dave “The Reverend” Johnson. The Elsner Award winner, known for his work for DC Comics and Vertigo series “100 Bullets.” created the fine art for this bottle in exchange for out donation to The Hero Initiative (heroinitiative.org), a charity organization that provides retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists.
—–

Aromas:
Rich chocolate, rich banana split, rich Dark fruit prunes, raisins, plums, figs, dates, sangria, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, pecan pie, dulce de leche caramel, flan, macaroons, toasted coconut, mocha coffee, vanilla, oak, bourbon, banana notes, hazelnut, rye bread, butterscotch, toffee, licorice, brown sugar, molasses, pear, dark cherry and port wine.

Flavors:
Danish cream, hazelnut nectar, sweetened condensed milk, Rich Banana Split, Kahlua, dark and milk chocolate, molasses, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruits like raisins, plums, figs, dates, mocha coffee, port wine, rye pie crust, bourbon, butterscotch, buttered praline ice cream, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, bananas, clove spice, fig pudding, raisin bread pudding, coriander spice, earthy notes, hints of mint, wheat toast, oatmeal cookies, flan cinnamon and whipped cream..

Aftertaste:
Rich Banana split, rocky road and milk chocolate, Dark fruit raisins, cherries, plums, prunes, hints of bourbon, port wine, oak, caramel and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, Syrup mouthfeel with a sipping drinkablity and pitch black appearance with not much head retention.

Overall:
I have no idea how crazy this year’s version would get. Somehow, with the Cuvee blend of the W00tStout 2, the beer became more of a chocolate banana split and pecan pie forward beer. This is actually a great thing. Save several bottles of this one as who knows what this will be like when comparing it to the Super W00t when they release it from Berlin. For now, just know this year takes the best of both the original and W00tstout 2.0 and takes it to another level! W000000tttt!!

11717401_10102703904181310_1970483217043855954_o

W00tstout 2.0 (1year aged) Review
Stone W00stout 2.0 (1 year aged) collaboration by Drew Curtis, Aisha Tyler and Wil Wheaton brewed at Stone brewing is a 13.5% ABV World Class Imperial Stout brewed with flaked rye, wheat, pecans, hops, Stone-Ground Chocolate, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels.

Label:
In 2013, our CEO and Co-founder, Greg Koch, invited two respected fans of craft beer, brewing and all things Stone to develop an intense, inventive beer capable of not only delivering immense flavor, but also serving as a fitting, singular celebration of über-level enthusiasm. Self-proclaimed geeks in a number of arenas, the duo of thespian and renaissance man Wil Wheaton and Fark.com online news guru Drew Curtis proved up to the challenge, calling on their personal backgrounds to devise an imperial stout brewed with flaked rye, wheat and pecans that was partially aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. Shortly after being released, this creation—dubbed “w00tstout” in honor of w00tstock, Wil’s annual tribute festival to cross-genre geekdom—became an instant cult classic.

Despite the fact that Greg spent the first half of 2014 on an international walkabout-style sabbatical, Wil and Drew were invited back to Stone to put a new spin on this threesome-borne beauty. All they needed was a third conspirator, and for that, they called on friend and fellow geek, Aisha Tyler. An actress, talk show host, comedian and author with a flair for individuality, she brought an entire new dimension to the brew day, just as the stone-ground chocolate the trio added to the original w00tstout recipe added delicious depth to the beer.

A personalized stamp was put on this year’s edition of w00tstout by comic artist Dave Gibbons. The co-creator of the Watchmen series worked up the fine art for this bottle in exchange for a donation to The Hero Initiative (www.heroinitiative.org), a charity organization providing retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists.

He thought his super power to point out the obvious was the most useless “power” ever, until he realized many people don;t see that which is plain as day.
Drew Curtis is…Captain Obvious!

Limbs unwieldy and lank are her lithe tools of destruction. Years of Bradbury (and corrective lenses) gave her laser vision. Where once she stumbled into peril, now she springs toward it, headlong.
Aisha Tyler is…Lady Temerarious!

Flashes of his destiny occurred in his youth, but it wasn’t until he uploaded his consciousness to the digital realm, that his powers were revealed. Now, he brings hops and hope to a thirsty world.
Wil Wheaton is…The Mercene-ary!
___

Aromas:
Very dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, dates, Rich dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, Kahlua, Rich Bananas, toasted coconut, pecan pie, mocha coffee, molasses, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, port wine hints, rye bread, vanilla, oak, bourbon, butterscotch, hazelnut nectar, clove spice, earthy hop notes, mint, wheat toast, raisin bread pudding, rich chocolate banana split sundae, flan, sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Rich bananas, pecan pie, coconut, flan, sweetened condensed milk, dark, bakers, milk, Abuelita and Belgian Chocolates, Very Rich dark fruits like prunes, raisins, figs, dark cherries, black currants, grapes, almond joy chocolate, raisin bread pudding, Danish cream, Chocolate eclair, chocolate moose, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal, hot fudge sundae, mocha coffee, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, licorice, port wine hints, rye pie crust, bourbon, oak, hazelnut nectar, butterscotch, clove spice, vanilla, hazelnut nectar, whipped cream, crème brulee, brown sugar, wheat toast with nutella, mint and molasses.

Aftertaste:
Rich dark fruits, Banana split sunday, flan, dark cherries, milk and dark chocolates, pecan pie, whipped cream, bourbon, oak, caramel, earthy hops and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer, syrupy mouthfeel and pitch black appearance with hardly any head retention such as the previous.

Overall:
I can honestly say, time has done miracles for this version of the beer. Along with the rich dark chocolates that come about, the rich dark fruits are more forward along with an even bigger and richer banana split and nutty flavor. The richer combination of the dark fruits and chocolates reaches some of the Belgian Quad notes and Belgian Stout notes stronger than it did last year. I highly recommended bringing this one out of the cellar if you have it as trying them both side by side, I could tell I love this one even more for its chocolate and dark fruit forward goodness but yet, I love the other one for its Banana split goodness. W00t!!!

Anime Corner:
Mari Illustrious, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Sohryu Langley/Shikinami from Neon Genesis Evangelion were used in this years pairing of W00tstout and W00tstout 2.0. Just like last year, I wanted to represent the 3 collaborators Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis and the addition of Aisha Tyler which to Greg’s Place last year. Now that Greg’s back, we can use them interchangeably as you can see Greg being Asuka from the original and Mari being Asisha cheering on their hard work. Don’t worry, Drew is and Wil are there as well, kinda lol. Great Job and Cheers to all Sci-Fi, Anime and Beer fans out there!

Sources:
http://www.bankoboev.ru/…/Bankoboev.Ru_evangelion_3_devushk…
http://www.zerochan.net/full/661580
http://konachan.com/…/Konachan.com%20-%20154543%20sample.jpg

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Rating: 6/6 2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout (3rd Edition)
Rating: 6.2/7 W00tstout 2.0 (1 year aged)

La Roja Du Kriek by Jolly Pumpkin

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11247600_10102703716123180_3315299841569025793_n 11709980_10102703716961500_5883716446789125443_oRating: 5.25/5

La Roja Du Kriek by Jolly Pumpkin is a 7.5% ABV Sour Amber Ale brewed with Cherry Juice and aged and oak barrels.

Label:
3,100 gallons of 2013 La Roja meets 50 gallons of Michigan tart cherry juice to combine in a melliflous melody of sour and tart Joie De Vivre! Sip, Savor, Enjoy!

==Introduction==

The Tale of Puss N’ Boots returns! From the original La Roja and La Roja reserve which I tried oh so many years ago. The Puss has come back to bestow some honor to the original showing what it truly means to be the bearer of the cherry goodness. It is hard to explain exactly how this works but I am here to bring this forth and see how the cherry juice and aging the beer again can really change it into something more of a true honorable warrior. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich pungent and funky cherries, lavender, hibiscus, rose petals, Sakura cake, cherry ice cream, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, rye bread, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, Oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Black Cherry yogurt, Cherry cobbler, Tart Raspberries, chocolate hints, Cherry cordials, wine grapes, Strawberry Danish, Rye bread with cherry preserves, biscuit bread, and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Tart Cherries, Cherry ice cream, Lemon peel, lemon juice, Oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Black Cherry yogurt, Cherry cobbler, Tart Raspberries, chocolate hints, Cherry cordials, wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, rye bread, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, coriander spice, lavender, hibiscus flowers, rose petals, Sakura cake, oatmeal cookies, Irish cream, Strawberry Danish, Rye bread with cherry preserves, biscuit bread, raspberry Chambord liqueur and Belgian Candi Sugar.

Aftertaste:
Tart cherry yogurt, wine grapes, dark fruits, stone fruits, oak, cherry and strawberry cream, vanilla, caramel, lemon peel and hazelnut. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, creamy, Crimson Amber medium body and a moderate drinkability. It is meant to be enjoyed.

Overall:
Wow, the whole Kriek aspect with La Roja elevates the original so much. A sweet fruit and wine tart combines and explores into realms that I have not seen with this one before. Realms that the Flanders beers of Belgium and even Kriek fusions into that cherry balance that some do better than others. I love the sweeter aspects but some of the sour aspects too of those Belgian beers. This one has learned to gracefully land on it’s feet of balance and carry both the sweet and tart while still showcasing so much. A must try for sour beer, flanders and kriek lovers alike!

Anime Corner:
Pururun/Polly Esther from Samurai Pizza Cats was used in this pairing since I wanted to pair with the noble return of the great Red Cat Puss N’ Boots. Polly being Red and an awesome and powerful character at that was the best to show case this beer and pair. The best part was the awesome Japanese art that so closely fits with the style of the Jolly Pumpkin art that I was blown away and had to take a step back at such a melding masterpiece. You would think that there was nothing Japanese about the label as the Cat has a general coat in like a French setting and yet you look at the pink leaves floating around. Pink Leaves? More like Sakura leaves… Puss N Boots is an honorable french knight, musketeer and samurai. An honorable beer for an honorable cat just like Polly!

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/71/35/9b/71359bf3498a09dc5124e4f972f8672d.jpg
http://livedoor.4.blogimg.jp/jin115/imgs/1/6/161f18e2.jpg

Side Project #25 Liquid Lunch by Terrapin

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11411993_10102703714052330_8116484710827524144_o 11401299_10102703714476480_8323011253459609890_o 11696510_10102703715264900_5514597036224155369_oRating: 6/6

Side Project #25 Liquid Lunch by Terrapin is a 7.7% ABV American Imperial Peanut Butter and Jelly Porter brewed with Cocoa Nibs, Peanut Butter and Raspberries.

Label:
Side Project #25. Cut off the crust and unwrap the flavor of this fruit centric beer. Hand crafted using real raspberries, “Liquid Lunch” Peanut Butter Jelly Porter combines all the elements of a familiar lunch time snack.
==Introduction==

Peanut butter Jelly Time Remix! Baseball bats is where its at and break it down!

This is the second time I get to try a peanut butter and jelly beer. The firs one I tried was the John Paul Jones Peanut Butter & Raspberry Jelly Imperial Stout by Brew Rebellion which was awesome. Funny thing though, is that I was actually looking for this one way before that one came out. So now that I have a bit of taste experiences in the PBJ Sandwich beer department, I want to see how this one compares to the other one. This one being a porter should indeed be different from the stout but let us see just how different. I am glad I was able to find this beer along with Maggie’s Blackberry Cobbler. Wish we could get more Terrapin beers in the west coast. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich peanut butter, butterscotch, Reese’s peanut butter cup cereal, nutter butter cookies, roasted peanuts, candi sugar, brown sugar, mocha, lactose milk, molasses, anise, hazelnut, butter pecan ice cream, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, black berries, blue berries, black cherries, currants, plums, cherry cheesecake, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, banana notes, rocky road ice cream, rock candy and rye toast.

Flavors:
Tart raspberries, rich smooth peanut butter, butter pecan ice cream, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, black berries, blue berries, black cherries, currants, plums, cherry cheesecake, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, banana notes, wine grape hints, choco flan, cocoa crispies, oatmeal cookies, coffee cake, Reese’s peanut butter cup cereal, nutter butter cookies, roasted peanuts, candi sugar, brown sugar, mocha, lactose milk, molasses, anise, hazelnut, toasted rye bread, marshmallows, vanilla and raspberry ice cream.

Aftertaste:
Leaving with good hints of peanut butter, dark fruit and tart raspberries, dark chocolate, marshmallows, vanilla, caramel and cookies. No alcohol in the tasted, smooth, creamy, silky and velvet mouthfeel, easy to drink and a pitch black full body with crimson head.

Overall:
Just as exquisitely exceptional as the Joseph James Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jelly Stout but with this one focusing more on the dark fruits and tart raspberries where as the other one is more chocolate goodness but both still head forth with that rich peanut butter and raspberry jelly flavors forward. I really don’t mind the so called natural flavors and such and for many who don’t try craft beer, this would be pure gold. Pick it up, this is a very rich magic potion. Where You at? It’s peanut butter Jelly time!

Anime Corner:
Hell Knight Ingrid from Taimanin Asagi was used in this pairing as she represents so much of the colors in the peanut butter and jelly as well as the complex flavors and sweetness of strength delivered in the beer as mentioned in my description. The pinks for the raspberries, the dark skin of chocolate and peanut butter, the purples and blues for the complex dark fruits and essentially since it is a dessert beer like liquid bliss, her sexiness empowers the beers just that much more!

Sources:
https://archive.loveisover.me/foolfuuka/boards/e/image/1405/71/1405711452465.png
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/81/84/c2/8184c27449c8cc9473efce178655fb18.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eqfHlTr.jpg

 

2015 Reserve Series Maggie’s Blackberry Cobbler by Terrapin

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11745689_10102703712789860_6279677971160889754_nRating: 6/5

2015 Reserve Series Maggie’s Blackberry Cobbler by Terrapin is a 8.55% ABV Imperial farmhouse Ale/Saison brewed with Graham crackers and Blackberry.

Label:
Maggie’s Blackberry Cobbler Imperial Farmhouse Ale is made with fresh blackberries and graham crackers for a taste you won’t soon forget. Reminiscent of the smell in Granny’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon, this beer is liquid dessert for any home-cooked meal.

Cheers!
Spike & John

==Introduction==

While picking up the Liquid Lunch beer, I saw this one and I got nostalgic about Terrapin’s White Chocolate Moohoo. I remember how it blew my mind away similar to White Chocolate from the Bruery. The other thing too is that Terrapin makes some damn extraordinary beers that we don’t see here except for maybe Ramirez Liquor like the Moohoo milk. I want to see the Liquid bliss here which was my very first peanut butter stout. Sure, many make peanut butter stouts now a days but that one was my first. So yes, lot’s of love for Terrapin. The fact that they managed to make a beer so damn special it was like a Blackberry Cobbler, this I had to see for myself. Let’s slice up this pie and see what each spoonful of good dessert this is like. Cheers!

Aromas:
Dark fruit Rasins, plums, figs, Rich blackberries, cherries, currants, brown sugar, cinnamon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, rich bananas, clove spice, pecan pie, graham crackers, marshmallow smores, Blackberry Ice cream on banana pecan pie, orange gummy bear hints, Irish cream, cookie dough ice cream, hints of hazelnut nectar, blackberry bread pudding and blackberry cheesecake, stone fruit apricot hints, sweet peaches, cinnamon apples, cherry cobbler hints, coriander spice, citrus and lavender.

Flavors:
Rich bananas, clove spice, dark fruits like cherries, Rich blackberries, currants, black cherries, plums, figs, graham crackers, marshmallow smores, Blackberry Ice cream on banana pecan pie, prailines, dulce de leche hints, peppercorns, hay hints, concorde grape tart skin hints, flan, brown sugar, vanilla, pumpkin hints, molasses, stone fruit apricot hints, sweet peaches, cinnamon apples, cherry cobbler hints, coriander spice, citrus, rich floral lavender, orange gummy bear hints, Irish cream, cookie dough ice cream, hints of hazelnut nectar, blackberry bread pudding and blackberry cheesecake.

Aftertaste:
Lots of Blackberries notes, tart cherry skins, rich banana covered caramel, coriander and clove spice, cinnamon notes, stone fruit and dark fruit,earthy notes and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, crimson amber medium body, creamy, silky, smooth mouthfeel and a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Love me some dessert beers! This one was quite the exceptional one tasting damn close to a banana cream and rich blackberry pie. It was very reminiscent of a German Dunkel, a Doppelbock or a Belgian dubbel but with the rich notes of the graham crackers and the blackberries this one skyrockets a lot of what I believed these great beers possessed to that sweet berry tooth level. Using graham crackers huh? Makes me think about some fall brew ideas lol. Either way, get this one right away before it is long gone. I really loved this one.

Anime Corner:
Roxie from the Pokemon was used in this pairing as I wanted to get the complex colors of Blackberries and the aspect granny with the whole white hair although she is young. The Black aspect is the Heavy Metal and the guitar. The colors she pushes forward is the passion and complexity that exist with this beer as well as the flavors of the complexity. Lot’s or love for this beer and lots of dessert flavors abound.

Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2012-04-19-493109.jpeg

 

 

Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout by Nantahala Brewing

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11745757_10102703711512420_8574157376451281074_n 11249557_10102703711866710_6255795391123713077_nRating: 4.75/5

Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout by Nantahala Brewing is an 8% ABV American Stout brewed with cherries and cocoa nibs.

Label:
DAM RELEASE SEASONAL

Hide your Chocolate… Hide your Cherries…
Jack Frost’s out to get them in out annual brewed sweet, tart liquid version of a holiday classic. A complex stout brewed with a wintery mix of roasted and chocolate malts and Willamette Valley cherries, then aged to salivating perfection with cocoa nibs. Our Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout will knock your woolly socks off…and possibly melt away the doldrums of winter.

==Introduction==
Obtained this one while tying to purchase some good beer. I loved the label and the style as well as what it had to offer. You can’t go wrong with Cherries and Chocolate right? Well, as I have tried many beers in the past with cherries and chocolate, it is only fitting that I bring another one here to the site and see how it goes with this one. This is my first time trying Nantahala Brewing I thank you folks for making this one. Cheers!

Aromas:
Roasted coffee hints, tart dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, chocolate cherry cake, Dark Chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, caramel, vanilla, toffee, molasses, anise, rye bread, Irish cream hints, brown sugar, lactose milk sugar and hazelnut nectar.

Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, dark fruits like cherries, raisins, tart cherry skins, caramel, vanilla, roasted coffee notes, chocolate cherry cake, Irish cream hints, almond joy hints, rye bread, molasses, anise, toffee, chocolate cherry cake, brown sugar, hazelnuts, tootsie roll candies and lactose sugar.

Aftertaste:
Leaving with roasty chocolate, cherry notes, vanilla, caramel, toffee earthy hop bitterness and caramel. No alcohol in the taste, smooth. Creamy and velvety mouthfeel, dark full body, with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A very delicious and almost perfect chocolate cherry stout. I really love this one and would recommend it if you are not into overwhelming chocolate and chocolate beers but enjoy and semi sweet chocolate and tart cherry experience. If you are looking for a full force cherry and chocolate onslaught, then Life is Like… is beer that will do that for you. I can honestly say I have had better choco cherry stouts before but this one is still very close to a perfect Cherry chocolate stout and definitely worth the find if you can find it ofcourse. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Asagi Igawa (purple) and Oboro (Pink) from Taimanin Asagi were used in this pairing to show case the struggle of Cherries and Chocolate. I would like to think that Asagi is the Cherries trying to fight off the onslaught of Oboro or in this case, the chocolates. If you know much about this series, you could see where I was going with this pairing in terms of a whole bunch of chocolates trying to pop the cherries if you know what I mean. Also, the whole thing with Asagi and Oboro laying on each other is the whole aspect of chocolate covered cherries if you know what I mean. Yes this one is a bit dirty but who didn’t say chocolate and cherries could be orgasmic foods.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/bPlV3IY.jpg
http://lump.co/lilith-asagi/pic?http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.animevice.com%2Fuploads%2F0%2F697%2F221266-ups15.jpg

Passion Fruit Prussia by 4 Hands brewing

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11741057_10102703710259930_1924246947810867767_oRating: 3.5/5

Passion Fruit Prussia by 4 Hands brewing is a 4% ABV Berliner Weisse brewed with Passion fruit

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
The name Prussia originates from Frederick the Great. Frederick was trained to brew this very delicate style of beer and later became the King of Prussia. Our interpretation of the Berliner Weisse style is very traditional. *New Release with Passion Fruit

The Passion Fruit Prussia is our non-traditional look at the classic Berliner Weisse style. Brewed with a generous amount of passion fruit, this beer pours golden in color with a nice tart finish. A perfect compliment to the summer heat.

==Introduction==

I got this one as an extra along with some of the other beers I ordered. You don’t often see passion fruit beers and I have never tried 4 Hands brewing beers before. Love the art work but I am definitely exited to try this passion fruit sour. Passion fruit fresh is an awesome and exotic fruit. Hope this comes out great, cheers!

Aromas:
Passion fruit, sour peppercorns, lemon peel, lime, strawberry, dragon fruit hints, tart pineapple, papaya, citrus, coriander spice, tomatoes, citrus honey blossom, sourdough bread, whet bread, floral notes and lemon candy and honey comb.

Flavors:
Lemon peel, Passion fruit, pineapple, sour peppercorns, dragon fruit, strawberries, Tuna, Tomato, lemon, wheat bread, white grapes, banana hints, oranges, honey, old mango hints, crackers, wet hay, floral notes, cereal grains, stone fruit apricots, lemon candy, sourdough bread, oak hints, lavender, hibiscus, coriander spices, cereal grain, honey comb and citrus honey blossoms.

Aftertaste:
Finishes tart and dry with minor hints of passion fruit and honey. No alcohol in the taste, clear gold light body, crisp, smooth, watery but refreshing mouthfeel and an easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A decent Berliner Weisse pairing great with seafood as stated on the can. I can see that already especially since the hints of spices with the tropical fruit and vegetable notes will complement those seafood dishes. I would only recommend this if you love sour beers and would appreciate a nice passion fruit sour beer.

Anime Corner:
Vocaloid Megurine Luka with her Octopus/Squidy self were used in this paring since I wanted to portray the colors of the passion fruit in this beer as well as the fact that the squidy version of her reminded me a lot of those Venus fly traps with their vines being like the tentacles. I have used Luka in a previous Berliner Weisse before so I figured she is fitting to represent that tart fruit color and tropical complexity of this beer.

Sources:
https://hdwallpapers.cat/wallpaper/megurine_luka_taco_girl_anime_hd-wallpaper-987635.jpg

Philly Taco collaboration by Perennial Artisan Ales and Cigar City

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11741222_10102702401218260_335119000852031248_o 11760163_10102702401512670_6351712286714849013_n 11709935_10102702402435820_4565757349796078411_o 11009979_10102702401996700_8504143778359797296_nRating: 3.85/5

Philly Taco collaboration by Perennial Artisan Ales and Cigar City is a 7% ABV Belgian Brown Ale conditioned Brettanomyces.

Label:
The idea for Philly Taco arose from some ravenous late night hunger after our breweries teamed up for an event during Philly Beer Week in 2014. There is only one suggested food pairing for this beer. Go to Lorenzo’s, get a slice, and walk down to Jim’s on South St. Order a cheesesteak, preferably whiz wit, and roll that baby up.
Enjoy.

==Introduction==

One of the most prestigious and sought after breweries create a collaboration that is well, a midnight munchy liquid fest. I have no words for this but my wallet and mind acted on their own and now we have here is a beer that was brewed in the style of some crazy munchy inspiration. An party party late night beer whose recipe came to be during an after hour, graveyard shift hunger inspired session of brainstorming. Lots of Tacos, Pizza and Philly cheese steaks were consumed that night I’m sure!

Aromas:
Strong brett notes, peppercorn, funky cheese notes, earthy and herbal hops, basil, hazelnut nectar, brown sugar, Italian herbs, chocolate, rich biscuit bread, rye bread, caramel, cola hints, black IPA dark roast, coffee hints, tropical fruits of old mango, apricots, dark fruit figs, raisins, prune hints, rich clove spice, smoked oak notes, black IPA dark roast and coffee hints.

Flavors:
Italian herbs, chocolate, rich biscuit bread, rye bread, caramel, funky cheese notes, earthy and herbal hops, basil, hazelnut nectar, brown sugar, cola hints, black IPA dark roast, coffee hints, tropical fruits of old mango, citrus, dark fruit figs, raisins, prune hints, rich clove spice, smoked oak notes, rich rye bread, rich clove spice, peppercorn spice and pecan pie.

Aftertaste:
Leaving with a funky, herbal, earthy and malty dryness. Super thick dark brown full body, thick, creamy, smooth and syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A very decent beer on the really weird side. The oddest thing about this beer is wanting to pair with some pizza, Philly cheese steak and other junk foods. Just like the overall theme of this beer represents, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the crazy flavors and ingredients used to make this beer seem to scream Philly cheese and pizza and to some degree, tacos in general. One of the oddest beers I have tried and one that I would recommend a try at least once to understand its weirdness. Not bad, but you better have something to pair with this fast!

Anime Corner:
Washu from Tenchi Muyo, Callen and C.C. from Code Geasse were used in this pairing to pair with the whole range of foody aspects starting with Washu and what looks to be tacos although it could be some other delicious dish. Callen and C.C. eating pizza combining themselves together is similar to the way the philly cheesesteak and the pizza are rolled into a taco. Taco Glory and pink tacos… I will leave that to the imagination. CC and the pizza and the taco… ummm..ok… that is enough!! Also, the liquid is from a juicebox, well, Don’t get any taco saucy ideas now. Carl’s Jr. used to have a quote saying: If it doesn’t get all over the place, it doesn’t belong in your face. We were young when that commercial aired, thanks Carl’s Jr for ruining our childhood! LMAO!!

Sources:
http://www.angelfire.com/wa/twizzlestix/images/washu9.jpg
http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/951/794/c26.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hbodx0O.jpg
http://cfs11.blog.daum.net/image/1/blog/2008/10/02/00/42/48e39a553ffb9&filename=1001(43).jpg

Forgotten Tales of the Last Gypsy Blender Series 1 Volume 1 collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Celina Tio

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11223939_10102702400120460_3510146687231718804_oRating: 4.85/5

Forgotten Tales of the Last Gypsy Blender Series 1 Volume 1 collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Celina Tio is a 5.7% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/ Saison brewed with mango and tamarind and a touch of rye aged in oak barrels.

Label:
A JP collaboration with Celina Tio, Chef/Owner of Julian and the Belfry in Kansas City, MO.

Chef Tio and I designed this beer together through a running series of texts while planning a beer dinner . We would hold at her place in Kansas city.

Wandering Conversations detailing layers of flavors flew fast and jumbled through the ethersphere

I think we will become great friends – I wrote. And We did. She came to Dexter ad we brewed this beer together.

Laurie Jokes and now insists Celina and I must be long lost brother and sister.

Enjoy This Beer!
Ron Jeffries
Founder and Chief Squeegee operator.

==Introduction==

A new beer from Jolly Pumpkin! Their sours are the best and what really got me into trying sours back when I first started trying different beers. Since JP focuses on sours and saisons, they have perfected their craft better than other breweries have at least from what I can tell. Now a days, there are other awesome dedicated sour/saison breweries but back then, this was and I still think is king. This beer I bring here is made with mangoes and tamarind. First time I had tried a beer with tamarind and I can already see how delicious this could potentially be with the even Tajin seasoning. Let’s check it out, cheers!

Aromas:
wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, Rich Mango, Tamarind hints, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, peppercorn spice, sage, farmhouse hay, white wine grape hints, tart cherry notes, lemon peel, tart lemon zest, lemon, wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, honey, waffle cone and honeysuckle flowers.

Flavors:
Rich Mango, Tamarind hints, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, peppercorn spice, sage, farmhouse hay, white wine grape hints, tart cherry notes, hints of cherry cobbler, lemon peel, tart lemon zest, honey, waffle cone, honeysuckle, wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, oak, biscuit bread, vanilla, wheat bread, lemon dipped tangerine and rye bread.

Aftertaste:
Stone fruit with mango, biscuit bread, oak, tart cherry notes, and white grapes finishing dry. No alcohol in the taste, Hazy Golden Body, Crisp, refreshing smooth and bubbly mouthfeel with a easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
I loved this one! A very good sour with lots of fruity notes especially those from the mango and tamarind which I have not seen in a sour before. They really managed to pull it off very well with this beer and is very enjoyable sour that is not only in the sour presence but also in the rich fruit presence. Definitely worth a try!

Anime Corner:
Ruby from RWBY was used in this pairing to be the cloaked girl in the pic under the moonlight. The colors, flavors and presentation overall is awesome! I figured it was the great pic to represent the tamarind and fruit presence of the sour. Ruby is just the girl to bring some of that fruity tartness here.

Sources:
http://wallpapershacker.com/wallpaper/boots_snow_cross_scythe_redheads_moon_hd-wallpaper-3031955.jpg

Beret by The Bruery Terreux

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11709941_10102702368773280_5948373791367305199_o 11728797_10102702371722370_3964263262154013240_oRating: 5.35/6

Beret by The Bruery Terreux is a 9% ABV Imperial Sour Wit Ale brewed with spices and aged in oak barrels with raspberries.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Beret is as artistic as those who wear its namesake cap. Our brewers developed a silky, full-bodied wheat ale which we began fermenting with our house yeast strain. To finish the fermentation, we added our collection of barnyard bacteria, intended to slowly sour the ale, bringing out a slight funk and refreshing piquancy. Finally, a small dose of pureed raspberries were added for just a hint of fruity tannins, putting the berry in Beret.

==Introduction==

This is the first time I bring forth a beer from the Bruery Terreux and it is a pleasure as well as this beer is new to their line of sours. In the past, few of the Bruery’s beers have had issues with souring where there should have been none. Due to this issue, the Bruery has decided to keep their brewing processes in two facilities. It’s bound to happen as they love to experiment and some of those experiments create beers that the world has probably never seen and are indeed world class. One facility for their regular non sour stuff and the other dedicated to sours. So here is the first brew I was able to get from the souring line. Let’s see how this one goes. Cheers!

Aromas:
Raspberries, Strawberries, cranberries, currants, Concorde grapes, Stone fruit peaches, tart apricots, white tart grape skins, orange peel, Floral notes like roses, coriander, peppercorn, banana hints, wheat bread, honey, toffee, vanilla, caramel, chardonnay, oak, marshmallows, waffle cone, brettanomyces, funky fruit, old mango, tart mandarins, lemon peel, lemon zest, biscuit bread and musty grapes.

Flavors:
Raspberries, Strawberries, cranberries, currants, Concorde grapes, Floral notes like roses, coriander, peppercorn, banana hints, Stone fruit peaches, tart apricots, white tart grape skins, orange peel, sweetened condensed milk, wheat bread, honey, toffee, vanilla, caramel, chardonnay, oak, marshmallows, waffle cone, brettanomyces, funky fruit, old mango, tart mandarins, lemon peel, lemon zest, biscuit bread, farmhouse hay hints, mushroom hints, rich sour apples, musty grapes and clove spice.

Aftertaste:
Wheat bread, stone fruits, raspberries, tart sour fruits, coriander spice leading into an oaky wine dryness. No alcohol in the taste, hazy gold clear to medium body, crisp, refreshing, mild creamy and smooth mouthfeel along with moderate drinkability.

Overall:
The abundance of tart, sour yet sweet with the really nice imperial wheat notes was a perfect combination going over that perfection mark as the beer is amplified into that full body sweetness with left over notes and not really dry. Love the strawberries in this and I really think doing more beers like this would allow people that typically don’t enjoy sours find them more appealing. This one is not overwhelmingly sour like others I have tried in the past. I would highly recommend this one.

Anime Corner:
Cammy White from the Street Fighter series was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the name of the beer and the label colors. Basically her wearing a Beret but also with the style beer closer to being in the European (Belgian Sour) style and her originally from Britain. It is kind of a stretch yes but it was a good excuse to use Cammy for the first time on a Bruery pairing.

Sources:
http://orig05.deviantart.net/75d8/f/2013/074/a/7/cammy_dcwj_new_by_dcwj-d5y3cgl.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Cammy-White-Lineart-by-Lchrno-342690411

Pierre Ferrand Billionare by Clown Shoes

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11412089_10102702367730370_3527950086934754145_oRating: 6/6

Pierre Ferrand Billionare by Clown Shoes is a 12% ABV World Class English Style Barleywine aged in Cognac Barrels.

Label:
What could be more distinguished than our Director of Operations, Matt Smith, gracing a billion dollar bill with a smirk and a neck beard? You! With this rich beer in your belly. The Billionaire is an English Style Barleywine Ale aged for sic months in 30 year old Cognac barrels we got from friends at Pierre Ferrand. Here’s to rare beer wishes and caviar dreams!

==Introduction==

I have never tried the original Billionaire beer but when I heard it would be available around my area and with Cognac barrel aging, I said, Sign me up!! Clown Shoes has made some pretty damn epic and phenomenal beers creating lots of various barrel aged gold and available in many areas. So without further a do, let’s check this one out shall we? Cheers!

Aromas:
Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruit raisins, figs, dark cherries, currants, stone fruit apricots, peaches, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple hints, Bananas, clove spice, Cognac, Wine grapes, Sangria, crème brulee, plantain, macadamia nuts, cookie dough ice cream, hazelnut nectar, leather, tobacco, rye bread, figgy pudding , butterscotch, marshmallows, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream hints, toffee, caramelized sugars, brown sugars, flan, sweetened condensed milk and stone fruits.

Flavors:
Bananas, clove spice, Cognac, Wine grapes, Sangria, Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruit raisins, figs, dark cherries, currants, leather, tobacco, rye bread, figgy pudding, butterscotch, marshmallows, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream hints, toffee, caramelized sugars, brown sugars, flan, sweetened condensed milk, earthy hop hints, almond marzipan, pecan pie, molasses, anise, stone fruit apricots, peaches, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple hints, crème brulee, plantain, macadamia nuts, cookie dough ice cream, hazelnut nectar and coconut hints.

Aftertaste:
Lots of caramel, cognac, dark fruit, figgy pudding, hazelnut nectar, vanilla, port wine and leather. Slight alcohol in the taste but not detracting from the flavor. Syrupy, silky, creamy and slightly smooth mouthfeel, Orange Caramel medium body and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Hot Diggity! Drinking this is really rich. Not monetary but flavor wise super duper rich. A whole lot of complex worlds are abound with this one. So much complex sweet and alcohol goodies everywhere. Cognac as well as many other barrel aged beers does wonders to barleywines and other high gravity beers. I would definitely get this one again! I highly recommend it as it will make you feel like a billionaire, at least flavor wise.

Anime Corner:
This original character was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair something that represents the many things money can buy in terms of the briefcase and the unlimited amount of goodies that flow from it. This character is green haired which represents the money and being a billionaire. The is very attractive and like many people would quote, “like a million bucks” or in this case, “a billion”. Her seduction and beauty yet complexity shines in this beer as the money represented by power and the ABV strength shines but it gets you lots of good feels and gets you pretty buzzed if not careful. Surely, she is worth the try.

Sources:
http://img0.reactor.cc/pics/post/full/Anime-rockman-South-Park-butters-stotch-2118647.jpeg

Espiritu Obscuro by Mill Valley Beerworks

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11754511_10102702346353210_6199801891950033876_oRating: 6/5

Espiritu Obscuro by Mill Valley Beerworks is a 9.2% Belgian Dark Strong Ale brewed with spices and aged in Four Roses Casks.

Label:
Dark Belgian-style ale brewed with spices aged in Four Roses bourbon casks.

==Introduction==

Espiritu Oscuro or Dark Spirit is definitely what this was the carbonation started to have a mind of its own and really come alive. The beer was literally going insane even after I carefully poured it from the glass as you can see from the picture, it started to rise out of the glass making me think the foam was literally going to overflow. Ice cream Float Dark Belgian almost. The aroma was super complex which I will explain in more detail. I have never tried anything from Mill Valley but looking visually as to what I have experienced so far, I am pretty damn impressed. Now lets take a Dive into the dark soul of the beer shall we?

Aromas:
Supreme Dark fruit super chocolate explosion!! Dark fruit raisins, black cherry, figs, plums, prunes, dark cherries, boysenberries, blackberries, pomegranate, dark chocolate, Bakers chocolate, Milk chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate abuelita, rocky road ice cream hints, cinnamon dulce de leche caramel, flan and 3 leches/ 3 milks cake, Coffee, Mocha, black cherry yogurt, tobacco, leather, rye bread, molasses, rock candi, dark Belgian candi sugar, beet sugar, flan, pecan pie, clove spice, bananas, plantains, bourbon, marshmallows, vanilla and molasses.

Flavors:
Rich dark chocolate, Bakers chocolate, Milk chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate abuelita, Dark fruit raisins, black cherry, figs, plums, prunes, dark cherries, boysenberries, blackberries, pomegranate, Coffee, Mocha, black cherry yogurt, tobacco, leather, rye bread, molasses, rock candi, dark Belgian candi sugar, beet sugar, flan, pecan pie, clove spice, bananas, plantains, bourbon, marshmallows, chocolate smores, rose petals, oak wood, whiskey, rock candy, Belgian sweet bread, pilloncillo, vanilla, rocky road ice cream hints, cinnamon dulce de leche caramel, flan and 3 leches/ 3 milks cake.

Aftertaste:
Rich dark fruits like cherries, prunes, figs, rich coffee and mocha notes, cinnamon, chocolate abuelita, tobacco, bourbon, caramel, dark chocolate, cherry yogurt and marshmallows. No alcohol in the taste, dark like the antimatter of a black hole in space full body, sweet, creamy, silky, syrupy, velvety and very smooth mouthfeel and damn easy to drink for some unholy reason.

Overall:
WOW, this beer reminded me so much of Black Damnation III Black Mes it wasn’t even funny. For a pint bottle, I really want to get several of these now. For being my first beer from Mill Valley Beerworks, this is so damn amazing. They really have created a really unique beer that I am really not sure I could recreate but damn as well I will try. With super rich complexities at such the low 9.2% ABV, I have to figure it out. For the mean time you better make DAMN SURE that you get this beer as it is a killer and damn loveable and tremendous.

Anime Corner:
Kiryūin Satsuki from Kill La Kill was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to show something that looked like the fizz I got from the beer along with the dark fruit colors. The funny part about Satsuki which is Ryuko Matoi’s sister is that she has everyone kneeling before her might! An aura of light always shines upon her and is cast over the on lookers who dare defy her. Yet, if you were to take the opposite and stab the darkness of this beer with the light, you will still find Satsuki there as shown in this artwork, She shines supreme among the darkness to uncover the complexities of this beer and bring them to your unworthy tastebuds!

Sources:
http://img11.deviantart.net/57c3/i/2014/313/9/e/clear_cut__kill_la_kill___by_hatsoff_designs-d84ibb3.jpg

Great Lei by Belching Beaver

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11754360_10102702345225470_6559022880061832533_oRating: 4.95/5

Great Lei by Belching Beaver is a 6.6% ABV Pineapple Colada India Pale Ale

Label:

Ivan made a cask called Pineapple Colada IPA. I could not believe how great it was. So Troy came up with a commercial recipe and brewed it . I thought, “Wow!” Lets call this the “Aloha Beaver” and we came up with this cool Hawaiian label. Well Thomas didn’t like that name so I had to change it. (Brewers can be a real pain) Mark had put a really cool lei on the beaver and I thought, “That’s a Great Lei!”. We’re not that imaginative so “Great Lei IPA!” it is. Thomas wanted “Good Lei” but he is not allowed to name beer anymore.

Cheers,
Tom

Ingredients: Water, Malt Natural Flavors Hops and Yeast

==Introduction==

I first had this one when visiting Belching Beaver while visiting San Diego. Having first enjoyed the peanut butter milk stout, I was sold on them to try much much more. They had the Horchata on tap as well as the Coconut Milk stout and the awesome Me So Honey beer. When trying the Great Lei, it seemed pretty good on tap but I did not really analyze it as I was most likely drunk and sold from the other beers there. Now that they released it to the market, all bets are off and it is time to review this and see just how this beer stands when I take my time with it. An honor to bring their beers to the table here at animebeers.com Cheers!

Aromas:
Good amount of tropics like Pineapple, toasted coconut, rum hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee, citrus, mango, guava, papaya, honey dew melon, mandarin oranges, vanilla, grapefruit, piney, grassy and citrus hops, tangerine gummi bears, prickly pears, Sweetened condensed milk, toffee, flan, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, Strawberries, cherries, raspberries and biscuit bread.

Flavors:
Rich Pineapple, Malibu rum hints, toasted coconut, Sweetened condensed milk, toffee, flan, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, Strawberries, cherries, raspberries, exotic dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee, citrus, mango, guava, papaya, honey dew melon, mandarin oranges, tangerine gummi bears, prickly pears, vanilla, grapefruit, piney, grassy and citrus hops, biscuit bread, sangria and blue curacao hints.

Aftertaste:
Pineapple, grapefruit, grassy hops, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, exotic fruits and toffee. No alcohol in the taste, Gold light to medium body, creamy, crisp, refreshing and chewy mouthfeel and easy to drink.

Overall:
The best beer of the summer! Or at least way better than I have ever had if from the tap. That begs the question, is it better because I took my time to analyze it or was I just too buzzed at the brewery to realize its greatness? Either way, a second time or even third times a charm. This beer is definitely worth having many many times and is an extremely well made IPA. I need to find this again!

Anime Corner:
Vocaloid Hatsune Miku was used in this pairing as I liked her tropical design in this with the whole pineapple and being at the beach. The colors paired nice and the fruit cocktail on a summer vacation getaway was definitely what triggered the feels in this pairing. Such a great pairing for such a refreshing and tropical IPA.

Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2010-09-16-324704.jpeg

Mélange 12 by Bruery

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

11696493_10102689869342240_7627504715667227181_o 11728865_10102689869871180_5075090971899538828_o 11728869_10102689870445030_3508370894570958427_o 11696552_10102689871118680_8493687759881446870_oRating: 7/5

Mélange 12 by Bruery is a 16.8% ABV American Strong Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Vanilla Beans, Cacao Nibs and Hazelnuts.

Label:
NUTSO!

A curious amalgam of barrel-aged beer seeping with notes of burnt marshmallows and toasty nuts.

Mélange No 12 is best enjoyed fresh for peak flavor, but may develop pleasantly if cellared properly. Best stored and cellared around 55°F (13°C) in a dark place. Ideal serving temperature is 50°F (10°C). Best enjoyed with friends and served in a tulip glass.

Mélange #12 is a uniquely debonair blend of some of our favorite strong ales that have been allowed to age gently in bourbon barrels for an average of nearly 22 months. Once these barrels were carefully selected to blend, we chose to enhance the beer and barrel flavors with three of our favorite ingredients: cacao nibs, vanilla beans and hazelnuts.

==Introduction==

Melange #12 released to Reserve Society and Hoarders society alike is a blend of several different beers that are undesclosed but based on the previous melange versions, they include, Black Tuesday, the Anniversary beers, White Oak and others I am sure as this is what Melange 3 composed of and the sequential Melange ones expanded from this other blends. I made a careful decisions as this beer comprises of many of the components that make up the Weekday brews such as Chocolate Rain, White Grey Monday, possibly Wineification, Cacaonut and Chocolate Rain. So I had no doubt that this would disappoint in any way. A Cuvee ambrosia of heavenly delight? Perhaps, let’s check this one out, cheers!

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, chocolate milk shake, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate smores, graham crackers, White Chocolate, mocha chocolate, Flan and Mexican sweetened condensed milk,Rich Hazelnuts, pecan pie, almond milk, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, walnuts, prailines, oak, bourbon, marshmallows, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream, butterscotch, toasted coconut, almond joys, cocada Mexican coconut candy, piloncillo sugar cone, banana split ice cream with cherries, port wine, rum notes, stone fruit mango hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, buttery nutella and so much more!

Flavors:
Pure Flan and Mexican sweetened condensed milk,Rich Hazelnuts, pecan pie, almond milk, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, walnuts, prailines, oak, bourbon, marshmallows, Dark chocolate, chocolate milk shake, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate smores, graham crackers, White Chocolate, mocha chocolate, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream, butterscotch, toasted coconut, almond joys, cocada Mexican coconut candy, piloncillo sugar cone, banana split ice cream with cherries, port wine, rum notes, stone fruit mango hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, buttery nutella, Mexican Duvalin candy, chocolate chip cookie dough, Danish cream, Bear claw doughnut, mousse chocolate, marzipan and more.

Aftertaste:
Super rich nutella, toasted coconut, white chocolate, port wine, Belgian chocolate, bourbon, oak, hazelnut nectar, tropical dragon fruit hints and passion fruit amongst other heavenly sweets. No alcohol in the taste, Dark yet Crimson Medium to Full body, sipping drinkabaility and Silky, creamy, syrupy, smooth, velvety mouthfeel.

Overall:
The best of the best and exclusive of elusive beers with no way of getting another unless they make this once again or you trade. It was definitely a special occasion as I tried this one. If they ever release as much of Melange 12 as they do of Melange 3, I am buying every single one!! This beer is like you took the alittle bit from each of the Bruery’s best beers and made a Cuvee. Basically, there is notes of Chocolate Rain, Grey Monday, Melange 3, Cacaonut, White Chocolate, Black Tuesday, Wineification and their anniversary beers and combined it to make this liquid Gold! Aging for 22 months is ridiculous but it is surely something that is truly unique and amazing. If you have the opportunity to get this one, do it!!!

Anime Corner:
Temari Sabakuno from Naruto, Kos-Mos from Xenosaga, Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach as being my favorite anime characters always get the best pairings in some of the beers I truly feel are deserving of that ‘Heavenly and Godly Ambrosia’ Liquid status as with many of the beers I have tried, this one to me captures what I feel is the best of the Bruery which are many of the Weekday beers into one. I once did a pairing with them doing Melange 3 except at the time, it was jusr Kos-Mos, Temari and Yoruichi. Ryuko from Kill la Kill had not come out and it wasn’t until later that I really loved her character in the series as she was a major bad ass. So I was glad I was able to pair them with this heavenly bliss of a beer. Melange 3 multiplied by 4 is Melange 12 so it makes the perfect pairing!

Blue BBLS by The Bruery

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11539161_10102689867775380_4459820175359433840_o 11013619_10102689868369190_7373646105113154523_oRating: 6/5

Blue BBLS by The Bruery is a 15.9% ABV World Class Imperial Sour Stout blend (Tart of Darkness and Black Tuesday) aged in Bourbon Barrels with Blueberries.

Label:
IT’S SWELL

A sweet, sour, and fruity ale. Extended oak aging and an addition of blueberries results in a delightful vinous quality.

In brewing, BBL is the notation for “barrel,” a unit of a measurement equal to 31 gallons. This is not to be confused with an oak barrel, which typically holds nearly two BBLs of beer. Still with us? Great. Blue BBLs is best enjoyed fresh for peak fruit flavor, but may develop pleasently with time if cellared properly. Best stored and cellared around 55°F (13°C(. Best enjoyed in a tulip or wine glass.

==Introduction==

Released to the Hoarders society members in 2014, this elusive beer caught my eye a while back when I heard what this one was all about. The mere covetedness and the the fact that I got a small sip of this one last year left me wanting more so I was left with Blue Balls, umm I mean Blue BBLs. Either way, I was able to find someone that had it but was in Canada. So basically, this beer took a long trip from California to Canada and back here to California and will forever live in the infamy of the interwebs as an awesome anime review. So while being a Reserve Society member, Hoarders beers tend to be a slight step above what we get but sometimes I could care less bu in the case of this one, I was no stranger to a new Black Tuesday variant blended with Tart of Darkness and then aged again in bourbon with Blueberries. Quite the damn conundrum. If this is anything like Smoking wood or better, the we might have ourselves a gracious winner here.

Aromas:
Chocolate Blueberries, Blueberry flan, Blue berry cheese cake, blueberry preserves, blueberry muffins, hazelnut nectar, dark fruits like raisins, currants, blackberries, wine grapes, concored grape skins, raspberries, figs, dark cherries, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, piloncillo sugar cone, crème brulee, sweetened condensed milk, maple syrup, milk chocolate, Irish cream, Danish cream, pecan pie, blueberry fudge cake, coffee cake, port wine and rocky road ice cream.

Flavors:
Blueberry cheese cake, Blueberry chocolate truffles, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, piloncillo sugar cone, crème brulee, sweetened condensed milk, maple syrup, milk chocolate, blueberry preserves, blueberry muffins, hazelnut nectar, dark fruits like raisins, currants, blackberries, wine grapes, concored grape skins, raspberries, figs, dark cherries, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon, marshmallow smores, burnt sugar, banana notes, blueberry flan, cinnamon, Irish cream, Danish cream, pecan pie, blueberry fudge cake, coffee cake, port wine, rocky road ice cream, double chocolate mousse and vinous grapes.

Aftertaste:
Rich Blueberry lingers for infinity along with the gracious bourbon, deep dark chocolate, port wine notes, dulce de leche caramel, oak, dark fruits to the max, molasses and toffee. Sweetness covers up a lot of the alcohol so only slight in taste but mainly sweet. Silky, creamy, syrupy, smooth, velvety mouthfeel, Dark and Pitch black of the 5th and 6th dimensions full body and a sipping drinkability although it seems easy to drink at times like many of the dangerous yet “plug it into my veins” beers go.

Overall:
The epitome of blueberry heaven!. This beer should be in the Weekday Serries on the fact that combining Black Tueday and aging it in bourbon barrels again with the Tart of Darkness and blueberries is a supreme beer. The sour aspects are lowered down but still traceable tart goodness here and there. A beer orgasmic enough to satisfy even though the name would imply that you would be left feeling tempted to have more but the truth is, the name is name really implies that you really wanna try it but you can’t unless you find it through trades.

Anime Corner:
Shampoo from Ranma ½ was my girl for this beer. In the show, the main character Ranma hardly paid any attention to her even though she was the hottest girl in the show giving any man there including real men/women a boner. She was a huge representative of Amazonian women as she was huge but also very skilled kung fu master as well as a waitress. Her passion to fight for Ranma would be the kind that would destroy mountains and that is why even to this day she is one of my favorite characters of anime from back in the 90s. When I thought of Blue BBLs it not only reminded me of her being that representative of giving blue balls to others that liked her but mainly her Chinese style of hair with the little buns that looks like two blue balls. Shampoo’s strength and sweetheart of a personality but vicious for her passion is representative of the beers alcoholic strength and sweet super complextity.

Sources:
http://asha47110.deviantart.com/art/Shampoo-Ranma-FANART-D-509416937
http://orig14.deviantart.net/da6a/f/2015/142/1/a/shampoo__palette_challenge__by_animusubi-d8uapeg.png