Six Suits A-Hangin’ by Karl Strauss

12524215_10103044320314650_7808385092854136145_nRating: 5.25/6

Six Suits A-Hangin’ by Karl Strauss is an 8.5% ABV Imperial Belgian Brown aged on French Oak.

Label:
Winter in San Diego means surfers break out their fullsuits. And while you may not find many stockings hung by the chimney with care, you’re sure to see those wetsuits hung out to dry on plenty of balconies across the county. Six Suits A-Hangin’ is the 6th installment in our “Twelve Days” holiday series. This Imperial Belgian-style brown ale is brewed with caramel and brown malts for rich flavors of graham crackers, roasted nuts, and peppery Belgian spice. Aging on French oak adds a hint of vanilla. As for the finish? It’ll warm you from your head to your frozen toes.

==Introduction==

The 6th release if the 12 Christmas beers of San Diego is now available in time for the Holidays. Similar to the Bruery, the 12 Christmas beers of San Diego is Karl Strauss take on the song but with gifts in relation to San Diego. This one was released for a limited time for the holidays and may go quick. While I have tried a good amount of them, I have yet to try the 2nd (Two Tortugas) one which is the quad and one of my favorite styles. This year, they bring a Belgian Brown. It has been a while since I tried the Belgian brown style, not in sour form ofcourse. So seeing as this is Karl Strauss first (I’m assuming) Belgian Brown, let’s see what it has to offer.

Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, sugar plums, figgy pudding, fruit cake, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peppercorn, bananas, clove spice, pecan pie, apple pie, caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, milk chocolate, Tamarind, Candi Sugar, Rock Candy, Oak, crème brulee, flan, Danish cream cookies, brown sugar, ginger bread cookies and capirotada raisins bread.

Flavors:
Rich Caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, milk chocolate, Tamarind, Candi Sugar, Rock Candy, Oak, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, sugar plums, figgy pudding, fruit cake, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peppercorn, bananas, clove spice, pecan pie, apple pie, piloncillo sugar cone, brown sugar, ginger bread cookies, capirotada raisins bread, port wine notes, cinnamon toast crunch rye bread, crème brulee, flan notes, strawberry jam on shortbread cookies, Danish cream cookies and sweet potato hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with lots of dark fruit, caramel, candy sugar, fruit cake, vanilla, stone fruits, chocolate hints and spicy Christmas notes like cookies. No alcohol in the taste. Honey dark brown clear to hazy body. Creamy, smooth, slightly syrupy mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Exceptionally delicious. This one came from left field but at the same time, I was well pleased with this one. A Belgian brown ale that is super complex and fits right in with the while “Christmas Ale” theme. I am trying to figure out how a brown relates to suits but that does not matter. What you should really know is, this one is worth the take. I would say, take a couple!

Anime Corner:
Jigoku no Fubuki from One Punch Man was used in this pairing as I was trying to get a picture of people with suits but also a leader representing the overall theme. Jigoku seemed to fit the bill here. While I do not know much about Jigoku yet as she has not made much of an appearance in the anime, I am sure she will have something to do with Saitama, the main protagonist. Either way, this was a nice pairing a I felt.

Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/One.Punch.Man.full.1683518.jpg

Philly Taco collaboration by Perennial Artisan Ales and Cigar City

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

Bourbon Barrel Aged Autumn Maple by the Bruery

1463694_10101525485122550_811900833_nRating: 5.45/5 

Bourbon Barrel Aged Autumn Maple by the Bruery is a 13% ABV Belgian Brown Ale Brewed with Yams, Spices and Maple Syrup then aged in Bourbon Barrels

Label: 
TRICK OR TREAT

We don’t need pumpkins in out beer! Bog, bold, spicy and oh so yammy.

This decadent, barrel aged version of our spiced brown ale is suitable for aging up to five years when cellared properly.
___

Available from the Bruery store directly. I have reviewed the original Autumn maple last year and I loved it!. Now in Bourbon? Well, I could easily give this one more credit as it was a perfect beer. 

Previous Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/autumn-maple-by-the-bruery/ 

Aromas:
Maple Syrup, bananas, Belgian yeast, cloves spice, toast bread, rye, dark fruits, coconut, bourbon, yams, sweet potato pie, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, vanilla, graham crackers, marshmallows and oak 

Flavors:
Rich Bananas, clove spice, Belgian yeast, Yams, sweet, buttery caramel popcorn, candy corn, toffee, maple syrup, pancakes, bourbon, toasted light coconut, marshmallows, graham crackers, vanilla, butterscotch, Nutella on toasted rye bread notes, dark fruits, raisins, fig notes, Mexican whole cane sugar cone, milk and cooked sugary pumpkin

Aftertaste:
Finishing with maple syrup, yam, milk, banana, bourbon and dark fruit notes. A sipper with the bourbon not detracting too much from the flavor and not being harsh. Heavy, yet drinkable and delicious

Overall:
Exceptionally awesome! While some bourbon barrel aged beers may take away a little bit from the flavor or may be too harsh, this one play very well with all the delicious flavors. If you loved the original Autumn Maple, this one will most likely blow you away. Perhaps, the second best pumpkin like offering this year with no doubt. Awesome!

Anime Corner:
Risty from the Queen’s Blade series is a busty and buff looking strong woman with a heart of Gold. She is Bandit like Robin Hood, stealing money from the Rich and using it to provide food and shelter for poor and starving war orphans. Like the last Autumn maple, I used Risty as her colors best represent the Fall and the beer label. If you notice the old review, she is very joyous and in this version, she looks like a war bad ass. I did this represent her true strength that sweetness that is released from those Bourbon Barrels. Even if she seems vicious, as in the strength of this beer but, just like the original, she is still kindhearted with a heart of gold. You can also associate yams and maple to her colors as well. Even dark fruit colors peek from the tips of her hair.