2017 Grey Monday by The Bruery

 

Rating 6/6

2017 Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 20% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.

The malty milkshake of Gods is only comprehensible to the ones that know the pure bliss…… This one brings all living creatures out to the yard….

Original Review: https://animebeers.com/2016/12/02/2016-grey-monday-by-the-bruery/

 

2016 Grey Monday by The Bruery


15272309_10103763009780200_5758860318685175452_oRating: 6/6

2016 Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 19.8% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.

I had done a reviewed this one in the past so this year, I am leaving it to a previous review to take care of the recommendation. Each year it is more awesome and the ABV seems to climb higher and higher. Cheers!

https://animebeers.com/2015/06/25/2015-grey-monday-by-the-bruery/

15235831_10103763009760240_5269068407850065694_o 15288599_10103763009740280_8944227456824648904_o 15288590_10103763009670420_3544679863968736250_o 15252650_10103763009655450_6945818106924835068_o 15272286_10103763009650460_3818348388178680282_o

Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad Brouwerij Castle Van Honsebrouck of Belgium

12186306_10102889105431520_5596441557478703255_o 12182488_10102889106065250_6785100510249778524_oRating: 6/6

Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad Brouwerij Castle Van Honsebrouck of Belgium is a 11% ABV Belgian Quadrupel brewed with Belgian Chocolate and Coffee.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Kasteel Winter (Now known as Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad) is a unique departure from the standard Christmas ales known for their potpourri of cinnamon and clove. In fact, it stands alone as one of the most decadent and elegant Quadruples of Belgium in its own right. This 11% ABV beer pours a Chestnut brown with an off-white head. The nose is rich, with a warming scent of Coffee, Toffee, and Dried Fruits. The mouthfeel is rich and sweet like that of melted candy. The key ingredients to this delicacy is Belgian Chocolate and Coffee…noteworthy phrases in any brewers handbook. All of these elements come together to provide an after taste reminiscent of a tootsie roll.

==Introduction==

Ramirez Liquor of Boyle Heights definitely has some esoteric brews. It was there that I once found quad straight from a small town in Belgium. I’m referring to the Straffe Hendrik’s bourbon barrel quad which came in a magic crate as the legend told. Well, maybe not so much a legend but the story the dude that works there told me it was definitely pretty enticing. So here is another magical beer, this time from Castle Brewery of Van Honsenbrouck in Belgium. A chocolate quadruple that is actually made with real Belgian Chocolate and Coffee. Such a unique specimen cannot be passed up and it is one that I was glad they still had when I went to pick it up at Ramirez. So let us check this one out and see what it has to offer. Cheers!

Aromas:
Dark Chocolate, Mocha Coffee, tootsie roll chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted coffee, appuccino, steamed milk Butterscotch, Coffee Candy, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, figs, rock candy, candi sugar, hazelnut nectar, stone fruit peaches, fruit cake, bananas, bubblegum, ginger bread, toffee, clove spice and pecan pie.

Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted coffee, chocolate mocha coffee, cappuccino, steamed milk Butterscotch, Coffee Candy, Dulce de Leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, figs, rock candy, candi sugar, vanilla, pecan pie, rich tootsie roll chocolate, brown sugar, fruit cake notes, bubble gum, cinnamon, ginger bread, toffee, stone fruit peaches, apricots, earthy hop notes, rye bread, orange hints, banana notes, clove spice, coriander, hazelnut nectar, toasted chestnuts and flan hints.

Aftertaste:
Coffee, mocha, tootsie roll chocolate, earthy bitterness, caramel and dark fruits linger. No alcohol in the taste, Deep dark crimson medium body, silky smooth, velvety, creamy and syrupy mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A supreme and exceptional quad. A quadruple that is basically perfected by Belgians and also perfected with the sweet Belgian Chocolate and Coffee that really comes through and through with every sip. I couldn’t help it but this beer tasted so damn good. The fact that it had chocolate and it was my favorite style just added more and more depth. Ofcourse, with a change in temperature comes a change in the flavors as they evolve into much richer and creamier complexities. If you love Belgian Quads, do yourself a favor and go get this tootsie, coffee, berry delight!

Anime Corner:
Ryuuko Matoi from Kill La Kill and original character abbey art were used in this pairing for different reasons. To start, this Quad was way too exceptional to pass up especially using the Ryuuko artwork where she is eating some chocolate. Her colors for the quad and label and the chocolate combine together to execute a pairing that is pretty damn exquisite! As for the original medieval/ abbey characters represent a tribute to the monks of Belgium but also a tribute to the medieval days of beer. Also since the beer is made in a castle, it fits ever more perfect. Since this was a special quadruple, I figured it fits just right. Also, that character represents different flavors especially cherries!

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/f6AWK42.jpg
https://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/441325-1120×680-original-pixiv+fantasia-pixiv+fantasia+t-iceojin-long+hair-looking+at+viewer.jpg

2015 Grey Monday by The Bruery

11313046_10102665598027150_2389036948439566682_o 11416313_10102665599020160_8505627051018040642_o 10704313_10102665602233720_1096528202190933823_o 11425491_10102665602503180_2046765671928843383_o 10012703_10102665603141900_5189743419209352020_oRating: 6/5

2015 Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 18.6% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.

Label:
JUST ONE SHADE
Originally brewed for a molecular gastronomy dinner at Beachwood BBQ, this decadent version of Black Tuesday is brewed with Oregon grown, roasted hazelnuts.

Grey Monday is just the beer you need to kickstart your week and is meant for sharing with family and friends in your time of need. It will age gracefully for many decades of economic fluctuations. Best stored and cellared around 55°F (13°C) in a dark place. Ideal serving temperature is 55°F (13° C) Best enjoyed in a tulip or wine glass.

==Introduction==
Behold! One of the Bruery’s finest has returned making its way to the Bruery’s Reserve and Hoarder’s Societies as well as some public samplings on tap at the Bruery (if they still have some). I am sure this beer will see the preserve society soon enough like Chocolate Rain, Black Tuesday and White Chocolate but for now, the beer is a damn highly sought after item that is not sold in stores and can only be obtained by a friend of a friend and a trade with a loop and a grapevine. So seek it out as I don;t have to tell you twice about this one. While this may actually be my last review of this beer as to not to be repetitive with the coming years, just know this is prize way ahead of time. So go now and find it but for now, Cheers!

Aromas:
Super Chocolate Milk shake, nutella, Rich hazelnut nectar, Rich Chocolate cocoa powder wafer cookies, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolates, Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates, grilled bananas, french vanilla ice cream, toasted walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, crème brulee, dulce de leche caramel, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, toasted coconut, brown sugar, bourbon, whiskey notes, sweetend condensed milk, flan, pecan pie, prailines, maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate mousse, chocolate cheesecake, honey, toffee, rocky road ice cream, smores, marshmallows and the list goes on and on!

Flavors:
Super Chocolate Milk shake, Rich hazelnut nectar, Rich Chocolate cocoa powder wafer cookies, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolates, Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates, grilled bananas, flan, pecan pie, prailines, maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate mousse, chocolate cheesecake, honey, toffee, rocky road ice cream, smores, marshmallows, anise, bananas, plantains, cinnamon toast crunch, nutella, french vanilla ice cream, toasted walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, crème brulee, dulce de leche caramel, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, toasted coconut, brown sugar, bourbon, whiskey notes and sweetend condensed milk.

Aftertaste:
Rich chocolate milkshake, hazelnut nectar, dark chocolate, dark fruit, vanilla, dulce de leche, sweeteneded condensed milk, crème brulee, nutella, macadamia nut and pecan pie. Boozy! Especially if you do not drink this at room temperature. Take your time, let it settle to mask that alcohol with the complex flavors. As before, this is very dangerous too as it is a very very smooth but sipping beer with a silky and syrupy mouthfeel oh yeah and lets not forget the inter-dimensional pitch dark color that cannot be perceived by regular eyes.

Overall:
This year’s version caught me way off guard. From the moment I took a wiff, I was like holy chocolate hazelnut milkshakes! LOL Rukia’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard! By Rukia I mean the girl I used in this beer pairing from last year’s. I go further into detail below but for those who truly seek a wonderment above some of the regular beers out there, The Weekday Beer Series from the Bruery definitely takes a turn for the supreme and luciously and diabetical sweet “pour this on your next dessert” type of flavor side. I could ramble more about the greatness which is Grey Monday, but I think I have done enough and enough is enough when I say, put this beer on your bucket list NOW!!!

Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach in her prestigious and beautiful Bankai form awaits the light of the new Monday, the Grey Monday. She is on the horizon displaying her new power and rightfully so as her character has gone through many many struggles. Throughout the entire series, she is second to the protagonist and while yes this may be a spoiler for many, she does make it. She achieves a form that takes her to new heights of existence. Rightfully so, as powerful in ABV as this beer is, it is also sweet, just like sweet little Rukia. Rukia, just like Grey Monday, evolve into great heights of where only few beers can take people. The sweet nectar of gods like this can only be bestowed on the few, like Rukia who trained with gods, literally, she now holds her own against the final threats of the series. As the series comes closer and closer to the end, this new form will unleash its fury of absolute 0 degrees Kelvin. Only the next day that comes can melt the ice and melt one’s heart as they try this beer.

Sources:
http://deohvi.deviantart.com/art/Bleach-570-Rukia-s-Bankai-436885263
http://th01.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/148/1/f/hakka_no_togame__rukia_by_rikamello-d7k391v.jpg
http://www.zerochan.net/full/1693368
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/037/8/3/bleach_567___rukia_ice_queen_by_hikarinogiri-d75avwk.png

Couverteur by the Bruery

10371987_10101867880514440_2404305962623761860_n 10393841_10101867880888690_6381496531178042283_nRating: 5.25/5*
*NOTE: Please be advised that this beer was removed from production due to lactobasillicus found in the beer. This review rating was set at the time beer was fresh!

Couverteur by the Bruery is an 8% ABV Belgian Dubbel brewed with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.

Label:
Couverteur is a Belgian-style dubbel that has been fermented with cacao nibs and vanilla beans adding a layer of chocolatey complexity to the malt rich ale. Couverteur is best enjoyed fresh. Please store in a cool, dry place. The ideal serving temperature is 50° F (7° C). Best served in a tulip or wine glass.
___

The name I believe is in reference to Belgian Chocolates, a type of Belgian Chocolate brand or something that is Coveted. I could not find much information on the name but this information I found definitely seems to find the description. As part of the preserve or reserve society too, this beer can be obtained from the Bruery’s online store. This would the be time to sign up if you want to try out this beer. A Belgian Dubbel with cacao nibs and vanilla? Starting to remind me of Seme De La Vita Tripel, except that one has pistachio and vanilla beans. Either way, let us see just how sweet this beer can be.

Aromas:
Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate Yoohoo, Milk chocolate powder, dark fruits like raisins and prunes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, cherries, candi sugars, toffee, pecan pie, tootsie rolls, bananas, clove spice, biscuit bread, peanut butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Flavors:
Milk shake Chocolate, dark cherry, dark fruit raisins, prunes, vanilla, rocky road ice cream, marshmallow, cinnamon, peanut butter hints, dulce de leche caramel, candi sugar, pecan pie, toffee, tootsie rolls, bananas, clove spice, biscuit bread, brown sugar, nutmeg, all spice and wafflecone.

Aftertaste:
Chocolate Vanilla, caramel, dark fruit hints and biscuit bread with a somewhat dry finish. Easy to moderate drinkability, no alcohol in the taste and medium mouthfeel.

Overall:
Simply amazing!! Definitely getting that extra credit with the whole tasting closer to chocolate aspect as it goes. The Dubbel is there but the chocolate and vanilla does lend the extra hand to remind you that yes, this is a chocolate dubbel. The beer is very good and I have to say I like it because of the chocolate. If you do not like chocolate or at least more natural chocolate flavors, then this beer may not be the one for you and you want to try a different dubbel. For those that love chocolate and dubbels, this is a real treat!!

Anime Corner:
Etna from Disgaea makes a return into the beer pairings because I wanted to do something for her in terms of pairing her with a Bruery beer and also to the fact that she fits the bill in terms of the label and the overall sweetness of chocolate and vanilla that the beer has to offer. While the ABV is not over the top or super duper complex, it is still very rich for what it is and as the picture shows, Etna, quite like Couverteur explodes with rich flavors.

Sources:
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/characters/11/33671.jpg
http://s3-ak.bebo.com/image/4234498863a12957633498l.jpg