Rating: 7/7
2017 The Abyss Tequila by Deschutes Brewery is an 11.8% ABV
American Imperial Stout aged in Tequila barrels
Imperial stout brewed with black strap molasses, licorice with cherry bark and whole vanilla beans, 100% aged in tequila barrels for 10 months.
Barrel aged to hell and back.. This thing amazing… Some subtle cherry cordials and agave tequila… Love these types of beers
Rating: 6/6
Breakfast Beast by Clown Shoes is a 10% ABV American Imperial Stout aged with Barrington Coffee Roasting and aged in bourbon barrels.
The beer is Breakfast Beast, a blend of Blaecorn Unidragon Russian imperial stout (12.5 percent ABV), Undead Party Crasher imperial stout (10 percent ABV) and an “experimental new stout” that was aged in bourbon barrels. In addition, cold brewed coffee sourced from Barrington Coffee Roasting Co. in Lee, Mass. was added to the beer before being bottled.
That type of beer you gotta wake up in the morning to. So damn good!! But the beast has always been awesome
Rating: 4.5/5
Gnoel De Abbey by The Lost Abbey is an 8.5% Belgian Holiday Dubbel
Rating: 7/7
2016 Eclipse – Elijah Craig 12 by FiftyFifty Brewing Co. is an 11% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Honey aged in Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon.
Matte purple wax
Rating: 7/7
2017 Serpent’s by The Lost Abbey is a 13.7% ABV Belgian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels
Label:
Serpent’s Stout aged in Bourbon barrels
==Introduction==
Finally, the in between beer between the original Serpent’s Stout and Track 10 as well as the half portion of Deliverance finally in its own installment. Something I have not tried on its own in the past and was definitely one I needed in the books all the way spanning since 2010 when I first had Serpent’s stout. The Lost Abbey recently sold this one into the world online and those that got a chance to get it are most likely the only ones that have it. So if you have a chance for a trade you may want to look at this one depending on how this review goes. I have had the Track 10 which adds vanilla and cacao beans adding that extra level of awesomeness but this one being at that perfect in between spot might be onto something very different and we will only get a chance to see. The original evil evil beer now has escalated into another depth of hell so come with me as we journey into some crazy shit here, cheers!
Aromas:
Bubulubu chocolate, capirotada raisins bread pudding, Rich bananas, Flan, tres leches cake, vanilla, crème brulee, grilled plantains, platano burro, brown sugar, dark cherries, prunes, plums, currants, raisins, blackberries, vinous Caramel, dulce de leche caramel, rye whiskey, bourbon, marshmallows,oak, vanilla, Danish cream, Khalua coffee, mocha, leather, tobacco, pecan pie, Gansito Chocolate berry pastry, honey, graham crackers, waffle cone, stone fruit peaches, chocolate mangos, mature mangos and hazelnut nectar.
Flavors:
Rich oak, marshmallow smores, bourbon, rye whiskey, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, vinous caramel, toffee, mocha, roasted barley, fancy coffee, espresso, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, banana sundae, grilled plantains, platano burro, leather, tobacco, toasted coconut, pairotada raisin bread pudding, dark fruit prunes, dark cherries, raisins, currants, plums, Belgian dark candi sugar, , brown sugar, fruit cake, oreo cookies, port wine, Danish cream, Irish cream, chocolate mousse, Khalua coffee, liquer, raspberries, rocky road ice cream, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, prailines, rye bread, phenolic notes, almond joy chocolate, mint, anise, licorice notes, burnt candi sugar, Mexican pan dulce, flan, crème brulee, stone fruit mango, tres leches cake, honey, graham crackers, honey, waffle cone and Gansito cake.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with lots of complex chocolates, Gansito, mousse, Belgian, Dark, German, Milk, Mexican, Baker’s, cherries, raspberries, caramels, banana sundae, dark fruit, vanilla, oak, and dark candi sugar. No alcohol in the taste despite the 13.7%ABV, insane!! Pitch black dark abyss full body. Creamy, Smooth, velvety and chewy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Of the many many bourbon barrel aged brews I have had before, especially from commons to whalez, this one is a huge slice in the toe to toe versus cake of competition and a bucket lister to me. So damn complex while still employing the great Belgian notes that I loved of the style but amped by a thousand. It’s crazy how these beers are the equivalent of next level evolution of the originals making them into something damn amazing. Surely, if you can get this one, get it!!!
Anime Corner:
Ichigo Kurosaki and Fade to Black Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach as well as many iterations of Rukia, Bankai, Devil, Hollow, Mugetsu and others were all used in the emphasis of showing evolution from the original beer that I love so much over to this new iteration that is super duper insane. The Adam and Eve theme of the beer is taken to an alternate dimension roles are reversed and Satan was the one that created the the world and it was God trying to tempt Adam and Eve into what is good. It’s a crazy beer.
Rating: 6/6
2017 Bourbon O.E. (Olde English) by Smog City Brewing is a 13.1% ABV English Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels
When I first tried this beer a while back, it was one of the best beers I have had at Smog City’s taproom. Since that time, I knew they had bottle it recently and while I had not really brought the bottle to the site, I figure it was about time. So when I visited the brewery with some of my coworkers, I decided to get a bottle and share it at the brewery. That’s when I realized I never had it on the site so I decided better now than later. I love bourbon barrel aged beers and this barleywine is one of the best. Showcasing some very nice dulce de leche caramel, oak, vanilla, dark fruits and pecan pie goodness. A beer that I would highly recommend if you can find it. Cheers!
Rating: 7/7
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/
Rating: 6/6
2017 The Three Philosophers by Ommegang is a 9.8%ABV Belgian Quadrupple ale blended with 2% Belgian Kriek (Cherry Belgian Ale)
One of my top 3 best common beers in the world. True love for the Belgian Quads!
Original Review https://animebeers.com/2013/02/27/the-three-philosophers-by-ommegang-new-label/
Rating 6/6
Rating: 6.25/7
Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Insurgente Release) Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is a 8.1% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla cinnamon and nutmeg.
Label:
Se Un Insurgente, Toma Artesanal
Xocoveza Mocha Stout is the result of the homebrewing spirit and a cross-border collaboration. In 2014, Stone Brewing invited us to join them on this Mexican-Hot-Chocolate inspired creation. Based on Chris Banker’s winning recipe, we created this rich and decadent Imperial Milk Stout with traditional Mexican ingredients. In your hands you have Insurgente’s version of this for the first time on this side of the border. ¡Salud!
==Introduction==
Xocoveza has been an important staple in terms of what makes great Mexican Spice and Chocolate beers. It is one of my favorites and it was one that was done very well. The version I am bringing today is the one made in Tijuana Mexico, the one from Insurgente brewing. The purpose of this is to see how different it differed from Stone’s release. It is the same recipe but the process might be different. I did try this one sometime last year when I went to Tijuana for a brewery run with my friend Oscar. While I tried to remember, I could tell it was damn delicious. However, is there subtle differences from this one to the Stone one? Let’s see, Salud!
Aromas:
Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, , dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Molé and pan dulce.
Flavors:
Rich Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Cane sugar, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Peanut Butter, Reece’s Pieces, Molé, pan dulce, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, flan, sweetened condensed milk and peanut mazapan.
Aftertaste:
Finishing off with Dark Chocolate, Dulce de leche caramel, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Mocha, chile notes, earthy notes, vanilla and peanut butter hints. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, ridiculously smooth, very creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Damn! This one is different than the Stone release by a good amount. While I feel both beers overall are supreme World Class but this one emphasizes sweeter flavors while the Stone one balances out with earthy hops. This one shines more in the Mexican chocolate department big time! I love this version so much but I think I love both for the differences as well. This series of beers from both breweries are definitely some of the best Mexican Chocolate and Coffee beers ever. I highly recommend getting these!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this pairing as they were chosen in the previous iterations of Xocoveza. The original Xocoveza I used May as she represents the Mexican culture of where the recipe was inspired from especially the Mexican brewers that helped Stone with the creation. I used Yoruichi for the bourbon barrel aging version, but bringing one of my favorite anime characters into this to be the main focus is to showcase the roots of the ingredients in Mexico. Yoruichi is a Goddess of Thunder, like Quetzacoatl!
Sources:
http://orig05.deviantart.net/09b6/f/2015/018/7/3/bleach_yoruichi__head__in_skyrim_by_user619-d8eer4h.png
http://trzaraki.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-12-01-583945424
Rating: 6/6
2017 Serpent’s Stout by The Lost Abbey is an 11% ABV World Class Belgian Imperial Stout.
Label:
From the beginning of time, it was so decreed, “From the this Tree of Knowledge, you shall not eat this fruit”. Soon enough, the Serpent slithered through the Garden convincing Eve to taste the nectar from this forbidden fruit. Once bitten and shamed, she then tempted Adam. Together, their actions brought Original Sin upon our world.
Discontent to rest on his laurels the Serpent continued his cunning ways bringing forth more temptations. Ultimately, he foisted upon the world his own Serpent Stout – a liquid so dark and viscous that all who tasted soon fell victim to this evil incarnate. Some turned to false prophets seeking advice. None of it mattered. Each struggle revealed the battle between Good and Evil. And now that you are holding a bottle of this liquid, it is certain he has tempted even you… So, welcome to our Darker Side of Life – home of the Serpent Stout’s Original Sin and the tastiest beers known to man.
==Introduction==
It has been years since I last did a review on this beer. Being one of my top favorite brews of all time, I wanted to bring it back as it is sporting an awesome label design with some of my favorite colors. Therefore, I definitely took the opportunity to show that beer some love. One of the strongest stouts I had when I first started trying different beers and once that stuck to me, I was hooked on trying more. An evil looking brew with a pitch-black darkness that would seem malevolent but regardless is still very good. Even with the release of so many special stouts that would try to rival this one, to me, this can still go toe to toe despite others being barrel aged. Heck, Box Set Track #10 (Bat Out Of Hell) is the answer to that as it is the bourbon barrel version of this with coffee and chocolate. Anyways, tribute to the roots is always something I love doing, let us see what this is like after many years, cheers!
Aromas:
Roasted coffee, espresso, Khalua coffee liqueur, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate,marshmallow chocolate smores, toasted coconut hints, rocky road ice cream notes, Oak, tobacco, leather, dark candi sugar, anise, molasses, brown sugar, toffee, earthy hops, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, figs, bananas, Danish cream and capirotada raisin bread pudding hints.
Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Oak, tobacco, leather, dark candi sugar, anise, molasses, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, figs, bananas, mild phenolics, marshmallow chocolate smores, toasted coconut hints, rocky road ice cream notes, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, brown sugar, toffee, earthy hops, roasted coffee, espresso, Khalua coffee liqueur, raspberry notes, port wine hints, sweetened condensed milk hints, flan, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Danish cream, Irish cream coffee and chocolate mousse.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with lots of earthy notes, dark chocolate, dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, oak, banana and dark candi sugar. No alcohol in the taste despite the 11%ABV. Pitch black dark abyss full body. Creamy, Smooth, velvety and chewy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A truly exceptional brew that is surely lasting the years. The flavors are just as complex, if not better, from what I remember. I may not remember every detail, but still an awesome beer. Lots of roasty notes, dark chocolate, dark fruits and flavors of Belgian dark stout and oak. It is not barrel aged but it has that aged oak feel to it. I highly recommend this one as it is definitely still one of my favorites out there.
Anime Corner:
Ichigo Kurosaki and Fade to Black Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach were the perfect pairing back then when I did a review for this beer still continuing the tradition are used to pair the Adam and Eve label. The aspect of Adam and Eve relate to Rukia and Ichigo since Rukia was possessed by evil twins and Ichigo tries to fight Rukia to try to save her from the possession. As you can see in the picture where Rukia attacks Ichigo, it is synonymous with Eve trying to lure Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. Crazy idea I had back then but damn it works. Hell, Serpent’s Stout is pitch black like the “Fade to Black” version of Evil Rukia. Definitely one of the best pairings I have for one of the original beers that started me into craft beer. Cheers!!
Sources:
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/polls/1133000/1133279_1350862708265_full.jpg?v=1350863217
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w1280/8bhxW4w4wQdPdIWEkPIsXeRZcPU.jpg
https://images3.alphacoders.com/827/82715.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/39/4a/df/394adfd598e65b1debc3a17f03ceda18.jpg
Rating: 5/5
2016 La Parcela No.1 by Jolly Pumpkin is a 5.9% ABV American Wild /Sour Pumpkin Ale brewed with Pumpkin, Spices and Cacao.
Label:
Ok, so the joke was that “Jolly Pumpkin doesn’t brew a pumpkin beer.” Well, now we do. Packed with real pumpkins, hints of spice, and a gentle kiss of cocoa to liven the soul. An everyday easy way to fill your squashy quotient. Guess now folks will have to find something else to joke about…
==Introduction==
It’s been years since I have last tried this beer. The first and I think, still the best pumpkin sour for the longest time. Since they started releasing new labels for their beer, I wanted to bring some of them back to the website. This one caught my eyes especially due to the artwork. So naturally, I had to seek it out and bring this brew back to the website. Even if it is past Halloween, these beers are awesome anytime of the year. Which reminds me how I wish sometimes that they brew them all the year round. So let us see how one of the, if not, the best pumpkin sour beers in the world is since I last tried it. Cheers!
Aromas:
peppercorn, vanilla, caramel, Stone fruit peaches, apricot, pumpkin pie, brown sugar, cinnamon, chocolate notes, piloncillo sugar cone, nutmeg, passion fruit, mango, oak, citrus, wine grapes, hibiscus, sweet potato pie, bananas and clove spice.
Flavors:
Rich Stone fruit peaches, apricot, pumpkin pie, pumpkin flesh, cinnamon, Dark chocolate, white chocolate, sweet potatoes, sweet squash, flowers, hibiscus, honey, waffle cone, bananas, piloncillo sugar cone, clove spice notes, brown sugar, funky oak, cane sugar, citrus, tangerines, kumquats, wine grapes, white grapes, nutmeg, phenolic notes, peppercorn, vanilla, caramel, sour apples, mango notes and passion fruit.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich stone fruit peaches, funky sour white grape notes, pumpkin flesh, chocolate, lemon peel and flowers. No alcohol in the taste, Golden amber hazy body, smooth, crisp, and effervescent mouthfeel along with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Still the perfect pumpkin sour. With a name like Jolly Pumpkin for a brewery, you would definitely want to make a really delicious pumpkin beer and this is it. For the brewery that started my sour path in the beginning, this was one of the best ways to go. Since their focus is on sours, they can really get brews to taste very delicious and not strictly lactic sour. These funky tart beers are amazing and this one in particular is full of pumpkin goodness which really balances out the tartness overall. Highly recommended like other JP beers.
Anime Corner:
Naruto and Bleach characters for Halloween as well as Succubus/Devil Rukia Kutchiki were chosen for this review since the first review of this beer. So I wanted to bring them back to go with the new beer label. I think Rukia makes it better especially the one where she is inside the pumpkin and has the cat like and devil features that fit the label.
Sources:
http://orig06.deviantart.net/7716/f/2011/304/3/a/___happy_halloween_2011____by_arathar-d4em95e.jpg
http://img13.deviantart.net/5462/i/2009/297/3/9/devil_rukia_by_gray_fullbuster.jpg
Rating: 7/7
Collaboration No. 6 Barrel-Aged Blend Collaboration by Boulevard Brewing and Firestone Walker is a 12.5% ABV American Strong Ale Cuvee of Barrel Aged Stouts and Belgian Quads.
Label:
Imperial Stout “X” Tart Cherry
Bourbon Barrel Quad
Stickee Monkee
and Velvet Merkin
For this sixth edition of our Collaboration Series, we invited Matt Brynildson, brew-master of our sister brewery Firestone Walker, to join Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels in our barrel-aging cave. Armed only with their palates, some graduated cylinders, and a bunch of tulip glasses, they arrived at the perfect balance of two barrel aged beers from each brewery. The blend celebrates the individual characteristics of each of the four while creating something entirely new and unique.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
The Collaboration series is our way to bring shared beer ideas to life with some of our favorite brewery friends from around the world. This year, we bring you a specially blended, barrel-aged beer with the help of our sister brewery in California, Firestone Walker. With Collaboration No. 6, Brewmasters Steven Pauwels and Matt Brynildson have created a big, bold flavor combination by blending two Boulevard beers and two Firestone Walker Beers in the following percentages:
Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad – 45%
Based loosely on the Smokestack Series’ The Sixth Glass, this abbey-style quadrupel is separated into a number of oak bourbon barrels where it ages for varying lengths of time, some for up to three years. Cherries are added to make up for the “angel’s share” of beer lost during barrel aging. Selected barrels are then blended for optimum flavor. The resulting beer retains only very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore.
ABV – 11.8, IBU – 19
Firestone Walker Stickee Monkee – 35%
Brewed with Belgian candi sugar and aged in a selection of fine bourbon barrels, Stickee Monkee trailblazes its own category as a “Central Coast Quad.” The name Stickee Monkee is a nod to the Central Coast’s native Sticky Monkey flower, as well as a shout¬‐out to the Belgian monks who pioneered the Quad style. The Belgian candi sugar imparts a signature molasses sweetness to the beer. Meanwhile, maturation in bourbon casks brings ample barrel expression with notes of toasted oak, coconut, leather and cigar tobacco.
ABV – 13, IBU – 45
Imperial Stout X – Tart Cherry (Whiskey Barrel-aged) – 10%
Our special treat for lovers of big, complex stouts, the Imperial Stout “X” series offers a year-long roster of limited releases, each with a significant variation. This riff spotlights the addition of tart cherries to fermentation as well as a lactic souring on the brewhouse. The result is a perfect marriage of robust, smoky maltiness and bracing tartness. Unlike the release version of Imperial Stout X – Tart Cherry, this portion was briefly aged in previously used whiskey barrels.
ABV – 11, IBU – 64
Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin – 10% Velvet Merkin is the beer that almost wasn’t…Indeed, this vintage oatmeal stout’s comical (or is it scandalous?) name went off the grid for several years, but now it’s back due to popular demand. Velvet Merkin is aged for a full year in retired spirits barrels from Heaven Hill, Woodford Reserve and others, yet manages to offer mind-¬boggling balance and restraint. You will wig out when you taste Velvet Merkin’s rich milk chocolate, bourbon and espresso flavors, preceded by aromas of vanilla, coconut, toasted oak and mocha. ABV – 8.5, IBU – 33
==Introduction==
Just when I thought I’d never see something like this, I was really amazed. At first I saw it as a Boulevard and Firestone Walker collab but when I realized that it was a Cuvee of some of both breweries best beers, I realized that this was a must get. I have reviewed each of these beers in the past, except for the Tart Cherry Stout X but the other ones were definitely at that World Class tier beers. So being that Firestone Walker was involved, I knew this would of came up to possibly be one of the best and unique Cuvees. Now, we can only hope that this is the case, let’s have a sip, cheers!
Aromas:
Grilled Bananas, Banana Sunday, clove spice, fruit cake, wine grapes, cinnamon, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, Rich Dark Cherries, Dark fruit, prunes, plums, figs, raspberries, currants, Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, tobacco hints, molasses, stone fruits, Oatmeal Cookies, Oreo Cookies and Cream, graham cracker, Marshmallow smores and mocha.
Flavors:
Rich Dark Cherries, Dark fruit, prunes, plums, figs, raspberries, currants, bourbon, whiskey, brandy, oak, Belgian Candi sugar, rock candy, piloncillo sugar cone, maple syrup, waffle cones, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Grilled Bananas, Banana Sunday, clove spice, fruit cake, wine grapes, cinnamon, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, rye bread with mixed berry preserves, Oatmeal Cookies, Oreo Cookies and Cream, graham cracker, Marshmallow smores, mocha, Flan, Sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate cake, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, Cherry Chocolate cake, walnut pie, toasted coconut, Stone fruit peaches, leather and tobacco hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dark cherries, vanilla, dulce de leche, oatmeal cookies, dark fruits, stone fruits, dark chocolate, Belgian candi sugar, marshmallows, tobacco hints and rye. No alcohol in the taste. Dark Crimson Amber full body, smooth, creamy, velvety, chewy and syrupy mouthfeel and sipping drinkability.
Overall:
The Quad aspect takes over more than the stout blend but even that being the case, it does not change this from being a definite bucket lister in my mind. Having Firestone Walker who are experts at barrel aging and cuvee blending, this is no surprise that this came out the way it did. The complexity of the 2 Belgian Quads and the 2 Stouts collide into a super decadent dessert that really has taken things to another level. I highly recommend this one for those that are fans of these breweries, beers and styles! This is one for the masses!
Anime Corner:
Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill, Kos-mos from Xenosaga, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Temari Sabakuno from Naruto were chosen as I wanted to represent the 4 awesome beers blended in this special cuvee to 4 awesome characters. What a better way to pair than to pair with the most epic forms for my favorite 4 girls from anime. In this instance I used Ryuko as the Tart Cherry X Stout as the colors of cherry pair, KOS-MOS is the BBQuad since quads are holy ambrosia of gods and she is angelic, Yoruichi is the Velvet Merkin as she is deep, magical and mysterious and finally, Temari is the Stickee Monkee as she represents the colors of the actual flower that grows along the central coast.
Rating: 7/7
Hammer of The Beast by Clown Shoes is an 11.75% ABV American Strong Ale Cuvee consisting of a Smoked Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water, a Russian Imperial Stout and an English Style Barley Wine all aged in 40 year old Jamaican Rum Barrels. An even more ultimate, Cuvee of dreams!
Label:
How do you amplify a beast that is half unicorn and half dragon and who has already escalated from angry, to very angry, to extremely angry? Give it a hammer! The fifth installment in The Beast series blends equal part Undead Party Crasher, Billionaire, and Blaecorn Unidragon, all aged in rum barrels. We’ll respect you if you run, but respect you even more if you can tackle The Hammer Of The Beast
==Introduction==
Every year, the Blaecorn Unidragon gets armored up more and more as the variety of barrel aging spirits are added. Similar to the way one chooses variants of equipment in video games, it seems each year they just get better and better. This year they combined 3 beers and aged them in rum barrels in the style of the Hammer of the Holy. Essentially, I am not sure how much more powerful they can make the Unidragon but damn, I will sure try and cover each awesome installment in the series as I go along. Let’s take on this beast! Cheers!
Aromas:
Rocky road ice cream, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, crème brulee, honey, butterscotch, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, figgy pudding, tobacco, tres leches cake, Oak, Bananas, plantains, clove spice, rum, pecan pie, smokey oak, marshmallow smores, toasted coconut, almond joy coconut and hazelnut nectar.
Flavors:
Oak, Bananas, plantains, clove spice, dulce de leche caramel, smokey oak, marshmallow smores, toasted coconut, almond joy coconut, rocky road ice cream, crème brulee, tobacco, rums, piña colada, tropical fruit dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychees, honey, butterscotch, rum, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, figgy pudding, tobacco, tres leches cake, stone fruit mango, peach, leather, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, triple chocolate cherry cake, hazelnut nectar, macadamia, pecan pie, walnut pie, cashew milk, nutter butter peanut butter cookies, cookie dough ice cream, Raspberry jelly doughnuts, mint, anise and molasses.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich chocolate, rum, oak, bananas, dark chocolate, rocky road ice cream, molasses, earthy notes, pecan pie, tropical fruit, stone fruit, fig pudding and mixed nuts. Slight alcohol in the taste but this does not take away from the rich complexity. Dark pitch black body, smooth, velvety and creamy mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Another exceptionally awesome release from Clown Shoes and definitely a bucket lister. Each year unique and ever adding more or varying the aging of spirits and beers but this was very damn amazing. Tropical flavors and chocolate flavors work very well. Complexity is definitely through the roof as goes with many of the beers I enjoy and especially if you been a fan of the series, do yourself a favor and get this one. I highly recommend you find this one. Clown Shoes killing it every time!
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Yoruichi Shihouin and Matsumoto Rangiku from Bleach have always represented some aspect of the clown shoes beers in my past reviews. Tia is the Undead Party Crasher/Vampire Slayer. Nelliel has always been the original Unidragon and Yoruichi would be added for good measures since the Porcine Unidragon came out. This time she represents the Barleywine. The blend of each beer together and the unleash of the Extremely Angry beast can be best represented when all three together are looking like bad asses powering up to team up against great foes. The other thing though is since Tia also represented the Hammer of Holy, in this instance she unleashes pure fury so all three battle it out in this bottle. It really kicks ass. The strength and complexity has come together very epically that I could not think of any other pairing artwork that would be the best representative of this beer. Also I included Matsumoto Rangiku as an extra to be Rum.
Sources:
http://wallpapersinhq.online/images/big/bleach_battle-890883.jpg
Rating: 4.75/5
Mint Coffee Milk Stout by Stone brewing is a 5% ABV Milk/ Sweet Stout brewed with Coffee, peppermint and chocolate mint.
Label:
A SEASONAL BLEND OF FRESH MINT & SLOW-ROASTED COFFEE
This beer is a limited -availability riff on our seasonal Stout Coffee Milk Stout. We use two varieties of mint – chocolate mint and peppermint – to get the nuanced, layered result you have before you.
Coffee remains the lead aromatic and flavor component of this smooth, mellow beer. Add in the body and roundness from a deft touch of milk sugar, back it up with overtones of mint and chocolate and the only thing that could improve upon it is you. And friends. Or a comfy with that couch. What are we suggesting? That’s for you to decide, not us. We’re just providing the tasty beer.
==Introduction==
Exclusive to California, unless you buy it online, this was being a variant of the Stone Coffee Milk stout which I had tried in the past. The last time I have tried a Mint Chocolate Stout from Stone was when they had collaborated with Iron Fist and Ken Schmidt. Since that time, I really wanted them to release it again as it was definitely one of their best beers. Today, we have a released that is not as strong as the one they did in the past but I am hoping for it to be awesome still. Let’s have a look, cheers.
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, coffee, dark fruits, pepper mint, Mint chocolate chip ice cream, molasses, anise, tobacco notes, caramel, Irish Mint Coffee cream, coffee cake, pecan hint, brown sugar, smokey notes, marshmallows and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Pepper Mint, Mint chocolate chip ice cream, oreo cookies and cream, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, dark fruit hints, caramel, hints of mocha, smokey notes, marshmallows, chocolate smores, vanilla, earthy hops, graham crackers, pillow mints, brown sugar, molasses, anise, tobacco notes, fudge cake, sweetened condensed milk hints, Irish Mint Coffee cream, coffee cake, hazelnut and pecan hints.
Aftertaste:
Rich chocolate, dark fruits, mocha, roasted coffee, mint chocolate ice cream, earthy notes, anise, vanilla, caramel, Irish cream and marshmallows. No alcohol in the taste, dark full body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
This one ended up being very delicious. For being 5% ABV, it still had enough flavors that really stood. While the original stronger collaboration version was way better, this one still holds strong on its own. The mint is not overpowering and it balances out very well with the chocolate and coffee flavors. I recommend this one if you can find it.
Anime Corner:
Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck from Bleach was chosen in this pairing as she goes well with the colors of mint and her overall sweet personality. Her colors pair well with the label and the sweet flavors are definitely complimentary of her caring attitude. Sometimes I like to pair with similar colors but also beers that are very flavorful.
Sources:
https://wallpapers.wallhaven.cc/wallpapers/full/wallhaven-411499.jpg
http://orig04.deviantart.net/6b29/f/2015/001/c/b/neliel_tu_oderschvank_by_lilyzou-d8b8w29.jpg
https://cdn3.patreon.com/1/patreon.posts/k1M0nUbmgakIdyIqaS0EUcCBtQImekLOsnmz0K8QqoISWi8oQY24xIn9F2UqEN0t.jpeg?w=1600&v=EYIMoa_BOv1wHvcVgBmJsJZjQqCdYXL8zflV1d5LJhU%3D
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/
Rating: 6/6
Home brewing Project#18 La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 12% ABV Belgian Trappist Quadrupel brewed with Holy Water and Oak aged in Herradura Añejo Tequila.
Label:
Holy Trappist Belgian Quadruple brewed with Holy Water and Oak aged in Herradura Añejo Tequila.
A prophecy, only once told by the highest of religious leaders, has predicted The Four Nuns or Las
Quatro Monjas will return. Ancient manuscripts indicated that the Abbey Nun, The Buddhist Nun, The Shaolin Nun and the Celestial Space Nun will each bring the nectar of God as given to man once before.
This time, however, the nuns infuse the elements of Wind, Water, Fire and Earth to create a celestial nectar. Meanwhile, various religious leaders forbid that mankind ever lay their lips on the very oracle left by the nuns. Lucky for you, the nuns happen to enjoy visiting Nubis Sanctum Ales.
La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad, or The SancTequilified Quadrinity is stored in this very bottle.
Ingredients: Holy Water, Malts, Hops, Dark Belgian Candi Sugar, Turbinado Cane Sugar, French Oak, Herradura Añejo Tequila & Trappist Yeast.
==Introduction==
Project #18 came from the need to surpass my previous skills of the brewing arts. After successfully creating project #2, I wanted to create a barrel aged version of that special quadrupel that I held very close to my heart. So what did I do? I adjusted the recipe to add a bit more ingredients than before including one of them being a small sample of Holy land water. Yes, some people may think this is blasphemous, but in order to make a brew that was truly worthy of monks in Belgium and praise to the almighty God (depending on your beliefs) I added the vial to the brew at flame out. I am no priest but I did say a prayer for the brew to bring forth good fortune to those that drink it. LOL I just hope the beer doesn’t make my friend Aaron Mediola from BeerMetalDude.com catch fire (Just Kidding brother!). So the liquor I decided to use in this project was a Tequila. Why Tequila? Well, two reasons. First, tequila barrel aged brews rule and are to come by and second, after The Lost Abbey made Agave Maria which was their Tequila Barrel aged brew, I decided it was perfect. The beer was going to be about nuns and their worship to God. It was also a crazy idea I really wanted to do. Why is it Project# 18? Well, I had made this brew back in February 2016 and after a month, I put it on the Tequila oak for 6 months. The Tequila was sitting in oak since January 2016 so 2+6, that’s 8 months! Essentially, the 12% ABV was something unexpected but my working with Turbinado and Candi sugars probably had a lot to do with it. Regardless, I bottled it last month and now October 6, 2016 I bring it forth for a review. Yes, the brew will be published at a later date on my site but for perspective purposes and logging this masterpiece I want to get it right. So, for being a quadrupel aged in tequila, I hope is nothing short of amazing and knowing that I can definitely make an awesome brew, I will be pursuing more projects soon like this. Stay tuned, but for now, let’s take a look at this celestial nectar. Cheers!
Aromas:
Tequila notes, oak, Dark fruits of plums, raisins, figs, cherries, bubble gum notes, clove spice, raspberry Chambord hints, Stone fruits, Bananas, Brown sugar, Belgian Candi sugar, Chocolate, Sangria, rice pudding, tamarind, marshmallows, chocolate smores, lechugilla agave nectar, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, Danish cream, port wine, fruit cake, leathery hints, apples and butterscotch.
Flavors:
Rich Dulce De Leche Caramel, Grilled Bananas, Deep Dark fruits, plums, raisins, figs, dark cherries, dates, clove spice, Belgian Candi sugar, bubble gum notes, capirotada Mexican raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, sweetened condensed milk, tamarind,Vanilla, Oak, Marshmallows, Tequila, Mezcal, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Sangria Wine grapes, Mexican pan dulce, Danish cream, rock candy, port wine, leather notes, rye bread, pecan pie, hazelnut hints, pecan ice cream, brown sugar, dragon fruit notes, raspberry Chambord hints, Stone fruit peaches, golden apples, flan, funnel cake, waffle cone, mango notes and butterscotch.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with a Tequila and vanilla oak flavors with so much complexity lingering of the rich dark fruits, caramel, pecan pie, flan, sweetened condensed milk, sangria, agave, stone fruit, funnel cake and mild Danish cream. Slightly boozy in the aftertaste but diminishes as the beer gets warmer and does not detract from the flavors. Full bodied Honey Crimson Colored, Smooth, velvety, creamy, chewy and syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability
Overall:
Nothing short of a miracle. I am very proud of these results. The Tequila takes this brew to another level. I do not give this one a 7/7 since it is not a beer you could find, but trust me when I say you could drink some of my brews. To me, it is my own personal bucket lister in the sense that I really feel I have achieved so much just from trying different beers and now trying to make my own different beers. This one is probably the best one I have ever made along with the Sangrileche Stout, Frontier Tropics and Diablita De Leche Banana Weizenbock. This beer screams some godly ambrosia. Some nectar that even I don’t understand. I can definitely feel proud that if those dudes at Westvleteren or St. Bernardus tried my beer, they would definitely find it indistinguishable from some of their greats!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, Temari Sabakuno from Naruto and Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill make a return in this brew. Since I used them in my Project# 2, Las Quadtro Monjas, it was only fair to get them in the somewhat right attire for nuns they represent. They represent my passion for the work that I do. Reviewing and Brewing. These girls have been my favorite characters from the different anime series that I love for the longest time going way back to the year 2002. Being a big anime fan and the shows I like, complementing the beers I love with different characters doesn’t have the same effect as the way I complement using my top favorites. AS I mentioned in the last review of the original base beer, the name Las Quad-tro is a play on the Belgian word for Quadrupel and Cuatro which is 4. La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad is a play on the words for La Santisima Trinidad or The Holy Trinity. I had worked for a couple weeks not only finding the right combinations of artwork in photo-shop but the right backgrounds. Of course, all the artwork belongs to the perspective owner as I do not claim any art. As I mentioned before too, the 4 girls are the best and the ones I use as my mascots for my whole passion of anime and the best beers in this whole lost treasures of taste and experience. Cheers!
Rating: 6/6
Blackwater Series Choklat Oranj by Southern Tier is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Chocolate, Orange Peel and Natural Flavor.
Label:
Color: BLACK Body: HEAVY. Bitterness: MODERATE. Pair: roasted or smoked foods, chocolate desserts. Store: Dark upright, <48°F | Serve: Snifter
The Blackwater Series first made waves when we introduced Choklat in 2007. Through experimentation and willingness to venture into the unknown, our quest to brew the perfect stout has continued ever since.
Our love for dessert-like beers has led us down interesting paths – from the classic fusion of coffee and chocolate in Mokah to the rich vanilla and lactose sugar Creme Brulee – and now here to Choklat Oranj.
ORANGE YOU GLAD?
The flavors of oranges and chocolate have been a sweet treat for millenia, it’s fitting that these kindred spirits should meet in this way.
Enjoy Choklat Oranj in a snifter on its own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a float. Cheers!
25° plato; 2-row malt; caramel malt; debittered blackmalt; chocolate malt; orange peels; bittersweet Belgian Chocolate; columbus hops; natural flavor.
42° F
==Introduction==
Just when I finished with a Southern Tier Blackwater series beer, Salted Caramel, I was graced with this one. Chokolat Oranj? Like Chocolate and Orange beer? There have been plenty of chocolate orange sweets I have tried before but an actual chocolate orange beer, I think I have not. This is a great idea for a beer and as always, the Blackwater series being more desserts than beer, it surely is great. Let’s take a look and see if this one can hold its own, Cheers!
Aromas:
Citrus, Tangerine preserves, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, orange chocolate shake, cocoa powder, cinnamon, coriander spice, peppercorn spice, mocha, coffee cake, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, flan, Fruity Pebbles note, creamsikle, Rocky road ice cream, Jericalla Mexican Custard, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pudding, anise, molasses, Baileys Chocolate and Orange Irish Cream.
Flavors:
Super Rich Chocolate covered orange dessert, Fruity Pebbles, creamsikle, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, flan, Citrus, Tangerine preserves, rye bread, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, orange chocolate shake, cocoa powder, cinnamon, coriander spice, peppercorn spice, mocha, coffee cake, Danish cream, orange tang, chocolate mango, marshmallows, chocolate smores, graham crackers, earthy hops, Rocky road ice cream, Jericalla Mexican Custard, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pudding, anise, molasses, Baileys Chocolate and Orange Irish Cream, Danish cream pastries, hazelnuts, peach cobbler and Tres Leches/3 Milks cake.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with lots or orange citrus, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, marshmallow smores, hazelnut nectar and earthy hop notes. No alcohol in the taste, super dark pitch black body, smooth, creamy, velvety and syrupy mouthfeel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Another awesome exceptional and supremely delicious beer. Like those Chocolate Orange balls, this is that special dessert but in liquid form. Sometimes I wish Southern Tier had released some stuff out here in the West Coast. Although I have seen a few of their beers like Crème Brulee and Mokah in one specialty store, I would like to see more in many stores. These beers are like what Belching Beaver and Brew Rebellion is to us here in the west. There is a world of flavor fusions that they can come up with. I highly recommend this one.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was chosen in this pairing because she is one of my favorite anime characters but I also chose her mainly to pair with the label and ingredient colors of the beer. In which case, the orange and black it well with her attire and the chocolate dark fruit aspects as well. Her unleashing using her God of Thunder II version is how I felt that this beer experience was. This beer unleashed so much awesome stuff. I also like how in one of the pics, the God of Thunder lightning is orange like the oranges used in the beer as well.
Sources:
http://img01.deviantart.net/0a39/i/2015/059/6/3/bleach_fan_art____yoruichi_shihoin_by_djinay-d8jw01y.jpg
http://rocky-ace.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-615735590?q=gallery%3ARocky-Ace%2F26324613&qo=7
http://img12.deviantart.net/7e0a/i/2016/043/2/4/shihoin_yoruichi_by_guilhermessj-d9rhb4u.png
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-429536105
http://charaero.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shihouin_yoruichi-bleach-004.jpg
http://img08.deviantart.net/1daa/i/2016/055/1/3/bleach_663___shunryuu_kokubyou_senki_yoruichi_by_arteemis-d9sz5cp.png
Rating: 5/5
Decadence 2016 Anniversary Ale by Alesmith is a 9.5% ABV Imperial California Common Ale.
Label:
AleSmith Decadence Anniversary Ale was originally brewed in 2005 to celebrate our first decade in business. Eleven years into this series, we proudly present our latest anniversary ale, an imperial California Common inspired by the historic “steam beers” originating from the northern-coastal expanses of our home state. This high-gravity take on a Golden State classic is fermented using lager yeast kept at temperatures typically utilized in ale-brewing, resulting in a crisp yet substantial ale-lager hybrid packed with wood-like accents reminiscent of NorCal pine trees thanks to the addition of Northern Brewer hops. Savor it now or age and enjoy later, on its own or along with other vintages of Decadence Anniversary Ale.
==Introduction==
Another year for Alesmith has come. Since the beginning, starting with the Horny Devil Belgian Pale Ale, I have loved their many releases. Even until the day I finally got a chance to visit the brewery itself, I have been a major fan. Alesmith seems to take common beers and take them to another level of delicious. Some being full flavored and high ABV while other brews even more complex. I have yet to have a bad Alesmith brew and now that they have reached their 21st year in business, I hope they keep going and make more great beers. Let’s take a look at this one, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, blueberry hints, cherries, vanilla, oak, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, banana hints, clove spice sweetened condensed milk, stone fruit peach, mild apricot, pears, toasted barley, rye bread, citrus, old mango, dragon fruit, hazelnut, peanut brittle, brown sugar, fruit cake, waffle cone, Danish cream, toasted bread with blueberry preserves, orange preserves, butterscotch and tangerine notes.
Flavors:
Super rich toffee, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, English figgy pudding, dark fruit raisins, blueberry hints, cherries, trail mix, honey, Danish cream, toasted bread with blueberry preserves, orange preserves, butterscotch, tangerine notes, Stone fruit peach, mild apricot, pears, toasted barley, rye bread, citrus, old mango, dragon fruit, hazelnut, peanut brittle, brown sugar, fruit cake, waffle cone, macadamia nuts, flan notes, pecan pie, banana hints, clove spice sweetened condensed milk and grape notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with flavors of caramel, dark fruit, port wine hint, earthy notes, waffle cone, honey, vanilla and fig pudding. No alcohol in the taste, copper and crimson light body, creamy, smooth, crisp and refreshing mouth feel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A perfect California Common and one that I think is the best. This brew definitely borderlines a barleywine as the richness and alcohol content give it the similar flavors with the difference being this is brewed with a lager yeast. I have not had an imperial California Common but just like the other beers in the Decadence series, each one is unique and very delicious in its own way. If you love barleywines and California commons, I would highly recommend this one.
Anime Corner:
Inoue Orihime from Bleach was used in this pairing to go with the amber color of the California Common but also the West Coast. This is represented by her being in a bikini in the different pictures and in the water on the beach. The different aspects of what people think when it comes to California.
Sources:
https://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/189471-2800×2006-bleach-studio+pierrot-inoue+orihime-persona92+%28orichie%29-single-highres.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Inoue-s-day-135597383
http://orichie.deviantart.com/art/Orihime-470623586?q=gallery%3Aorichie%2F50441087&qo=2
Rating: 6/6
Rating: 4.25/5
2016 Saixon by The Bruery Terreux is a 6.7% ABV Belgo-German Saison/Farmhouse ale brewed with Hallertau, Opal and Mandarina Bavarian Hops and Brettanomyces
Label:
Crisp – Spicy – Worldly
Saixon is a saison – not a typo. But it’s different. The saison style traces its origin back to Wallonia, the predominantly French-speaking (and bordering) region of Belgium. We asked ourselves what the style would be like if the pendulum swung East and took root closer to the German border of Belgium. And then we brewed it. Presupposition meets new inspiration in this Belgo-German hybrid. In addition to the dry, crisp and funky notes you’d associate with the classic saison style – and the wildly traditional use of Brettanomyces, Saixon also features three generations of German hops: old school (Hallertau Mittlefruh), second wave (Opal), and new school (Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertau Blanc). Santé? Prost? Cheers!
==Introduction==
Released to all societies including some to the public at the Bruery’s online store (the bruerystore.com), this is the bruery’s attempt at a Farmhouse Ale/ Saison but using German hops. It is a different take on the rustic style that many including myself enjoy very well. German beers have a very special place for me and to have a German inspired saison is a great way to take stuff into a new realm for both countries to complement. With that being said, let’s see how this one is, cheers.
Aromas:
Peppercorn, stone fruit apricot, plum, mango notes, funky farmhouse notes, mild tropical notes, vanilla, waffle cone, banana hints, citrusy, grassy and herbal hops, floral notes and mild clove spice.
Flavors:
Funky farmhouse hay, banana, clove spice, farmhouse hay, peppercorn, sea salt, floral hibiscus, chamomile, waffle cone, biscuit bread, lemon peel, stone fruit apricot, plum, mango notes, oranges, citrusy, grassy and herbal hops, white grapes, vanilla, honey, mint, coriander spice, basil, tropical fruit hints of pineapple, passion fruit and dragon fruit.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with stone fruit notes, lemon peel, spicy, herbally, hoppy and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, golden hazy medium body, crisp, refreshing and effervescent mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very good saison show casing a lot of the crisp and clean tasting flavors of the German hops with the rustic Belgian inspired flavors of the saison. Something that is not super complex or super funky but right down the middle of the road and yet very different. Definitely worth a try.
Anime Corner:
Matsumoto Rangiku from Bleach was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of both Belgium and Germany. The Orange and yellow from her hair and the black of her Hakama. It was a simple choice as the beer is Belgian and German inspired and since I haven’t used Matsumoto in a beer pairing in a long time, I figure it was about time then.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/ZW20MtI.jpg
http://76.72.168.19/images/2015-04-12-726521.jpeg
http://static.zerochan.net/full/19/33/19169.jpg
Rating: 7/7
Mexican Speedway Stout by Alesmith brewing is a 12% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Mexican Coffee, Chocolate and Cinnamon aged in Tequila Barrels.
Label:
==Introduction==
Alesmith has been releasing many great beers over the years and many great variants of their speedway stout ranging from Kopi Luwak coffee, Jamaican Coffee, special spirits and even collaborations. This year, they released something that immediately hit me. The Mexican Speedway Stout aged with the uncommon liquor for aging, Tequila. Tequila barrel aged beers are pretty uncommon unlike Bourbon. The inspiration of that aging process is what inspired me to make my Belgian Quadrupel aged in Oak Tequila. So basically, whenever I hear of great beers made Tequila, I go out of my way to try and get them even if I have to trade. The firs Tequila barrel aged beer was a Barley wine made from Cucapa brewing in Mexicali, Mexico. Since then I have not found that one beer again and definitely made it a form of a mission to try and find those brews that are Tequila aged. I never would of thought Alesmith would release one especially one done similarly to the Xocoveza from Stone. Let’s see how this one goes, cheers!
Aromas:
Cafe Con Leche, Roasted coffee notes, dark cherries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, Jaliscan Jerricalla, burnt sugar, pilloncillo sugar cone, Tequila, Mezcal, agave lechugilla nectar, oak, flan, crème brulee, 3 leche/ 3 Milks cake, coffee cake, mocha, java, steamed milk, milk sugar, marshmallows, toasted coconut, rocky road ice crea, dulce de leche, dulce de cabra envinada/ goat milk caramel, cajeta caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate mousse, bakers chocolate, chocolate abuelita, German Chocolate, Belgian Cholate, mole, almonds, Marzipan, Danish cream and bananas.
Flavors:
Cafe Con Leche, fancy coffee, roasted coffee notes, mocha, java, steamed milk, milk sugar, marshmallows, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate mousse, bakers chocolate, chocolate abuelita, German Chocolate, Belgian Cholate, mole, cinnamon, cajeta caramel, dulce de leche, dulce de cabra envinada/ goat milk caramel in wine hints, flan, crème brulee, 3 leche/ 3 Milks cake, Jaliscan Jerricalla, burnt sugar, pilloncillo sugar cone, Tequila, Mezcal, agave lechugilla nectar, oak, Kahlua liqueur, dark fruit raisins, figs, prunes, dark cherries, raspberries, currants, molasses, anise, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, campfire smokey hints, Danish cream, Irish cream, Marzipan, fruit cake, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Champurrado, bananas, clove spice, churros, ginger bread and Lechera sweetened condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich notes of chocolate abuelita, Kahlua liquer, cinnamon, tequila oak, agave, dark fruit, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, flan, toasted coconut, earthy notes and hazelnut. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, pitch black abyss body, creamy, velvety, silky, syrupy, chewy and viscous mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
No doubt, a bucket lister. It’s like they took Xocoveza, Mole Ocho and Tequila Sombrero to a whole new level. The influence of the might that is Speedway Stout just works with it providing a diversly rich array of coffee, chocolate and sweet Mexican Tequila flavor. You kind of just lose yourself in its greatness. Speedway Stout has come out in so many great variants that this on sits right up there with Alesmith’s best. It sure is a beer that is a must get for fans of the Mexican Stouts and especially, Tequila Barrel aged beers.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing because she is one of my 4 favorite girls and I had remembered I did a special edit to a picture of hers for the World Cup back in 2006. What a surprise that 10 years later, it would make the perfect for this new beer to go with the Mexican Flag. Aside from the Jersey pairing well, Yoruichi has obtained 2 new powerful forms in the manga and now that I present her in a beer pairing, especially one of this caliber, I wanted to pair with those super forms. The Goddess of Thunder Yoruichi, though you be a cat, how you complement the Aztec Goddess Tlaloc who is Quetzalcoatl’s part ally in the skies almost resembling a dragon as well. Yup, Yoruichi is one bad ass character.
Sources:
http://arteemis.deviantart.com/art/God-Of-Thunder-590320394
http://img1.reactor.cc/pics/post/Shihouin-Yoruichi-Bleach-Anime-nanao-(mahaya)-3070867.jpeg
Rating: 6/6
A Fistful Of Unidragon by Clown Shoes is a 14% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed with mesquite smoked malt from Texas’ Blacklands Malt and aged in Bourbon Barrels.
Label:
A West Texas town terrorized by depraved outlaws, hired The Artist and his Smitty – Forged Unidragron Hand Cannon. The Artists, while emp and a bit sensitive, gets rough with bad guys, so he went ahead and incarcerated them. This beer, made with mesquite smoked malt from Blackland Malt Company, is a bourbon barrel aged version of The Good, The Bad and The Unidragon.
==Introduction==
I obtained this brew thanks to my friend Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com. This brew is based on Clown Shoes The Good, The Bad and The Unidragon which I had reviewed some time back same thanks to my friend Aaron. Thanks to him, we were able to bring forth the collection from Texas provided by Clown Shoes. In return, I was able to send him the California Clown Shoes beers. I remember the brew was very good and now that it comes in a bourbon barrel aged form, let’s see if we can compare. Cheers.
Aromas:
campfire smokey oak, bacon notes, dark coffee roasted grounds, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, Irish cream, fudge cake, sweet toffee, earthy notes, molasses, anise, toasted coconut, tobaccco, leather, flan, sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, currants, marshmallow smores, pecan pie, crème brulee and rocky road ice cream.
Flavors:
Rich rocky road ice cream, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, campfire Smokey oak, bacon notes, dark coffee roasted grounds, roasted barley, mocha, java, vanilla, bourbon, oak, Kahlua liquer, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, currants, marshmallow smores, pecan pie, Irish cream, fudge cake, sweet toffee, earthy notes, molasses, anise, toasted coconut, tobaccco, leather, flan, sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, rye whiskey, earthy notes and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with touch of smokey, whiskey, bourbony notes and complexity like dark fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla, coconut, rocky road ice cream, vanilla and caramel. Slight alcohol in the taste but despite the ABV, does not detract from the flavors. Pitch black abyss body, smooth, velvety, creamy and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Hot Diggity, this is better than the original. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to have a good friend that shares common interest and has been able to send me the beers. It is all possible with the help from my friend Aaron. I think this beer is definitely worth the find especially if you are out in Texas or can trade for it online. The fact that Clown Shoes works with the local craft community at Texas shows a lot of love and effort goes into making these collaborations. So definitely get a bottle if you can.
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Yoruichi Shihouin, & Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck from Bleach represent the good, the bad and the unidragon from the original beer. I brought them back in this pairing as well but this time with different attire to fit the beer’s label a little better. Especially with the old west scene with Yoruichi and more fashionable for all 3 of them and looking bad ass too.
Sources:
http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/daraunon/d6579bc08371d50fbd4fe9e3b8d5f876_zps62ad63eb.jpg
http://www.less-real.com/imagevault/uploaded/images/part1/1145.jpg
http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/0/9/3/1/1/2/_-Kirito-_/6E5.jpg
Rating: 5.5/6
Ninja VS. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing is an 8% ABV Double India Pale Ale.
CommercialDescription:
Ninja vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle between two of the biggest hop-heads of lore. Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover. Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja vs. Unicorn. Bottle Art by Jason Burke ink & lead Designs.
___
Introduction:
================
It has been a long time since I have reviewed this one. I got this one at thebottleshop.net. I last had this one back in 2014 and this one was bottled 4/12/2016 and my review was made 5/1/2016 so hopefully accuracy of the review does it justice to the freshies and hop heads. This is nowhere in California but is a common in Chicago. What they say about this beer is true, it is damn delicious and the artwork is amazing. This time it is different than the last time I tried it but yeah, it should be the same beer. Let’s see how it is at its freshest, Cheers!
Aromas:
Every damn tropical fruit I love from IPAs, Grapefruit, citrus, oranges, tangerines, lychees, dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwis, strawberry, mango, passion fruit, papaya, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, floral, grassy, herbal, piney and garlicky hops, caramel, toffee, biscuit bread, mild rye, pine resin and lemon peel.
Flavors:
Rich tropical fruit overlaps the hoppy dankness just like it did in the previous iteration but being fresh, damn, this is just wonderful. Hops ranging from floral, grapefruit, herbal, piney, grassy and garlicky dankness, But the forward flavors come from the tropical fruits such as dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, lychee, strawberries, prickly pear, guava, coconut, papaya, apples, orange marmalade, tangerine gummies, rye bread, toffee, honey, sweetened condensed milk, flan, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, tangerines, lemon peel and toffee.
Aftertaste:
Lots of tropical fruits linger, caramel, dank garlicky, oniony flavors and grapefruit. No alcohol in the taste. While being an IPA, something is very smooth about this beer even while it seems like it has moderate to sipping drinkability. Moderately clear but has a crisp and refreshing medium mouth feel.
Overall:
The Gods smile as always. I think my previous explanation did it justice. The canned version and that being even fresher do wonders. A Tropical gold standard just like power plant triple IPA from El Segundo, one of my favorite IPAs. In fact, all the IPAs from Pipeworks brewings have definitely been above and beyond the typical IPAs and I would definitely love to see them around California. You got it good Chicago, keep making great beers!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Rainbow Dash from MLP were used in the previous beer pairing. I made a good description in my past review so here is a rehash:
It was mainly because I wanted to do something that related to the whole Ninja Vs. Unicorn aspect. Being as the colors of the label best represent Rainbow Dash, it was quite fitting since many of the bronies make her seem like a bad ass. So here is a tribute to you bronies and pegasisters. I am mainly an Anime Otaku dude, but can appreciate a great pairing despite where it comes from. Yoruichi is the of the baddest Flash step ninjas ever and Dash can hit Mach speeds, so I figured even more rightfully so this pairing would work. Also the, rainbow in the aspect of flavor best pairs because of the variety of fruit tropics that this beer seems to unleash making it, well, damn epic. I am surprised this beer is not world class and not at the level of the Pliny the Younger or the Heady Topper.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/4QX5PC4.jpg
Rating: 4.75/5
High Five by Smog City is a 7% ABV American Amber/Red Ale brewed with 5 different types of honey.
==Introduction==
Got a growler fill at Smog City during the Infinite Wishes event. I was not intrigued at first since I didn’t know what this was made up but when I did the research on spot and verifying that it is made with 5 different kinds of honey, I had to bring it to the site. Definitely very unique as I have not seen a beer that uses variants of an ingredient. It would be like making a beer using different vanilla beans, which would make for a very delicious brew ofcourse. But even so, a 5 honey variant seems even more unique as I have not heard of over 5 different types of honey. Let’s see what this one is about, cheers!
Aromas:
Biscuit bread, vanilla, caramel, rye bread, floral, citrus and piney hops, wild flower honey, banana hints, coriander spice, grape hints, trail mix hints, dark fruit raisins, raspberries, cranberries, pomegranates, blackberries and brown sugar hints.
Flavors:
Wild Flower Honey, Orange Blossom honey, Eucalyptus, Agave nectar, Mezcal hints, biscuit bread, vanilla, caramel, rye bread, floral, citrus and piney hops, dark fruit raisins, raspberries, cranberries, pomegranates, blackberries, figs, dates, grapes, trail mix, granola bars, maple syrup, leathery notes, chardonnay, mead, coriander spice, banana hints, grape jam on biscuit bread, green tea hints and honey dew melon.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with dark fruit flavors raspberries, honey, agave nectar, rye bread, caramel, toffee and brown sugar. No alcohol in the taste. Clear Dark Crimson light body, smooth, crisp, refreshing and creamy mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.
Overall:
A very good and delicious Amber. There is something very different about this brew since you can sense the honey but it is so complex. I have tried like 2 or 3 different types of honey before but never 5 and some of the honeys used actually do give way to other flavors that were not part of the beer as the ingredients. With the blend, it gives birth to these crazy fruit and flowery flavors. A must try for sure!
Anime Corner:
Original bee girls and Suzumebachi from Bleach were used in this pairing to kind of give the sense of different bees produce different kinds of honey which is true. But also, different kinds of flowers produce different honey variants too. With the brew around the whole honey bee theme, I figured it worked very well especially since the colors of the artworks also show some of the colors of the fruits and flavors that this beer has.
Sources:
http://blog-imgs-42.fc2.com/o/t/a/otakunanikki3/moe2019127620sample.jpg
http://rule34-data-009.paheal.net/_images/124e02ff31983a36be6818776db47153/988561%20-%20Bleach%20Suzumebachi.jpg
Rating: 6/6
2015 Barrel Aged Series Yeti Imperial Stout by Great Divide is a 12.5 % ABV Imperial Stout aged in Whiskey Barrels.
Label:
This unique version of Yeti Imperial Stout is aged for at least twelve months in Whiskey barrels. The spirited aging process produces a hugely complex but mellowed Yeti, with its signature roasted flavors, hints of vanilla, oak and a whiskeyed finish. Who says you can’t tame a beast?
Suggested Food Pairings:
Grilled Porterhouse Steak, Valdeon Blue, Vanilla Cheesecake, brownies
==Introduction==
The Yeti is back! This time in a Whiskey Barrel aged form. I have enjoyed the many variants of the Yeti to date. Ever since the released of the Chocolate Oak Yeti, it was a no brainer to seek them out all the time. The original yeti was such a well-made stout that it reminded me of the many silky smooth stouts I have had in the past. Therefore, getting this special release to the site was a must. This should be distributed wherever they sell Great Divide beers but you can also get this one online. Now, before the sighting of the yeti disappears, let’s see what this is about. Cheers!
Aromas:
Bourbon, whiskey, rye bread, dark fruit raisins, plums, black currants, cherries, Bakers Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Fudge chocolate, Soy sauce notes, plum sauce notes, oak, molasses, hazelnut nectar, Irish cream coffee, cinnamon, anise, maple, marshmallows, graham cracker chocolate smores smokey hints, vanilla, toffee, pecan pie, brownie batter, bacon hints, Mexican Custard/Jericalla and rocky road ice cream
Flavors:
Rich Bakers Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Fudge chocolate, Molasses, Soy sauce notes, plum sauce notes, oak, bourbon, whiskey, rye bread, dark fruit raisins, plums, black currants, cherries, flan, dulce de leche caramel, campfire roasted marshmallows, graham cracker chocolate smores smokey hints, vanilla, toffee, pecan pie, brownie batter, chocolate cherry cake, rocky road ice cream, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, bacon hints, Mexican Custard/Jericalla, beachwood oak, hazelnut nectar, Irish cream coffee, cinnamon, anise and maple syrup.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with roasty notes, molassses, whiskey, oak, vanilla, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, earthy notes, fudge and dark fruit hints. Slight alcohol in the taste but not detracting from the flavor, pitch black body, smooth, creamy, velvety and syrupy body with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Supreme Yeti of Yetis! This was one of the best opportunities to see how a perfect Imperial Stout can go beyond its original base of flavors into something more complex. A boss mode if you will. With so much going on, even if the whiskey is noticeable a bit, I think this can be enjoyed now but will get way way better over time. So get one for now and save another one for later. Highly recommended!
Anime Corner:
Chimpett/Saru and Hebi which compose Zanpakutou Zabimaru from Bleach were used in this beer to represent the Yeti. I really liked how well it pairs especially the silhouette one as well and the label.
Sources:
http://img01.deviantart.net/ea4b/i/2010/168/9/4/something_diffrent____very____by_tiiara.jpg
http://img13.deviantart.net/4760/i/2015/233/1/7/saru_and_hebi_by_findmytaco-d96mljk.jpg
http://orig02.deviantart.net/9705/f/2010/167/8/1/guess_who_i_am_10_____by_tiiara.jpg
Rating: 6/6
Flight Of The Angry Beast by Clown Shoes is a 10.75% ABV American Strong Ale consisting of an Smoked Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water aged in bourbon barrels, a Scotch Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout and an English Style Barley Wine aged in Scotch. Another Cuvee of dreams!
Label:
For the fourth installment in our “Beast” series, Sir Walter Scott has finally tamed the creature, who was about to attack a group of innocent unicorns. To celebrate, we blended 1/3 Undead Party Crasher aged in bourbon barrels, 1/3 Blaecorn Unidragon aged in scotch barrels and 1/3 Billionaire aged in scotch barrels. Hooray!
==Introduction==
Another year, another incarnation of the Unidragon beast. This time, they combined the Imperial and Russian stouts with their English Style Barley wine. Each time I try these beast beers, there is always something different and unique about them. Some brews have been made specifically for certain states and are variants of the Unidragon. While I have had the opportunity to try these one offs, I am glad some really complex beasts still come about every now and again. The flight of the Angry Beast seems so cool so without further ado, let’s see what this one is about. Cheers!
Aromas:
Smoked Peat, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, earthy notes, butterscotch, Scotch bourbon, whiskey bourbon, oak, Bananas, clove spice, sweetened condensed milk, toffee, figgy pudding, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, bakers chocolate, molasses, anise, mint, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconuts, macadamia nuts, pecan pie, doughnuts, oreo cookies and smokey notes.
Flavors:
Scotch bourbon, whiskey bourbon, oak, Bananas, clove spice, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, bakers chocolate, oreo cookies, smokey notes, almond joy chocolate, smoked peat, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, earthy notes, butterscotch, molasses, mint, anise, rye bread, caramelized sugars, waffle cone, marshmallows, chocolate smores, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconuts, macadamia nuts, pecan pie, doughnuts, cookie dough ice cream, hazel nut nectar, sweetened condensed milk, toffee, figgy pudding, tobacco, leather, tres leche cake, fudge chocolate cake and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Good mix of Scotch and Bourbon oak in the finish along with some lingering flavors of banana, dark fruit, chocolate notes, smokey notes, marshmallow, vanilla and caramel. Slight alcohol in the taste but this does not take away from the rich complexity. Dark pitch black body, smooth, velvety and creamy mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
No surprise how every year, the Cuvee of different beers really brings about the really extreme and special of what Clown Shoes has to offer. The velvety flavors and spirits collide with a complex array of deliciousness. There is much that can be said when spirits get together like this and create an exceptional beer that, for me, tends to break the rating scale. Highly Recommended.
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach have always represented some aspect of the clown shoes beers in my past reviews. Tia is the Undead Party Crasher/Vampire Slayer. Nelliel has always been the original Unidragon and Yoruichi would be added for good measures since the Porcine Unidragon came out. The blend of each beer together and the unleash of the Extremely Angry beast can be best represented when all three together are looking like bad asses powering up to team up against great foes. The strength and complexity has come together very epically that I could not think of any other pairing artwork that would be the best representative of this beer.
Sources:
http://img01.deviantart.net/2276/i/2010/054/8/1/hot_battle___commission_by_toppera_tpr.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5FJtEATaK3M/VTAYgyGwShI/AAAAAAAABOk/qVd6HEd1Nts/w850-h703/Yoruichi%25252C%252520Halibel%252520%252526%252520Nel.jpg
Rating: 5.25/6
Twin Pines Mall by Pipeworks with Emporium The Collaboration is an 8% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with Spruce Tips and Honey.
Label:
Get your DeLorean up to 88 MPH because Pipeworks and Emporium are taking you Back To The Brew-ture. For Twin Pines Mall we furled the Flux Capacitor with 1.21 Jigawatts of spruce tips and wild flower honey. The future is now so drink up before you’re OutaTime. Great Scott!
==Introduction==
Right on time for October 21st 2015 which was supposed to be the time Marty, Doc and Jennifer travelled to the future in Back to The Future II the movie. While the time has been long past, I have been fairly busy with life stuff and have not even had a chance to update the website so I can get the reviews on here. Well, now that it is closer to the end of the year and stuff has slowed down, I have more time! This beer from Pipeworks looks very promising as it is not your typical IPA. Using actual Spruce tips seems very intriguing as that come from Christmas Trees. Knowing almost everything I have had form Pipeworks has been ridiculously awesome, I hope this is as much hyped as the movie was. Cheers!
Aromas:
Lots of Spruce Christmas tree fragrance, stone fruit lychee, apricot, peaches, Starburst candy, lemon candy, lemon peel, lemon zest, tropical fruits like kiwi, guava, papaya, dragon fruit, passion fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, agave nectar, mangos, coconut hints, marshmallow, sweetened condensed milk, orange preserves, Wild flower honey and hibiscus hints.
Flavors:
Rich Christmas tree spruce, pine cones, piney, grape fruit, dank, oniony, floral, grassy and herbal hops, Wild flower honey, hibiscus hints, tropical fruits like kiwi, guava, papaya, dragon fruit, passion fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, agave nectar, mangos, stone fruit lychee, apricot, peaches, Starburst candy, lemon candy, lemon peel, lemon zest, tangerine gummy bears, tres leches cake, mango flan, caramel hints, blue basil, coconut hints, marshmallow, sweetened condensed milk and orange preserves.
Aftertaste:
Rich Honey, Christmas Trees, rich tropical fruits, fruit juice, dank hops and sweet vanilla lingers. No alcohol in the taste, mildly hazy golden body, crisp, rich and refreshing mouthfeel with a very easy to drink.
Overall:
Woah, this is heavy! And excellently exceptional. This is a unique IPA in so many ways using a lot of what Pipeworks does best to make exceptional beers. However, with the addition of the Spruce Tips to give off the Christmas tree flavors, the beer is taken to another level that I honestly haven’t tried something like this before. Literal Pine Christmas flavors. A great beer that will definitely meet the needs of a Back to Future and IPA fan alike.
Anime Corner:
Several Anime shows and Characters with all referencing to Back to The Future in this one. I tried to find as many that would definitely fit with the label and the cover of the movies. Definitely glad I found some.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/biaB89K.jpg
http://i-7.vcimg.com/58bf373ea663d469c8177a57c184a173296263(600x)/thumb.jpg
http://41.media.tumblr.com/7fd4d44451bdd8d753bef15844adad98/tumblr_mk38c6T6Xj1qkqgkeo1_1280.jpg
http://storge.pic2.me/cm/1680×1050/670/55228a317cab7.jpg
Rating: 5.75/6
2015 Death By Coconut by Oskar Blues brewing is a 6.3% Irish Porter aged on desiccated coconut and dark chocolate.
Label:
Pass. Dash. Hit.
Coconut Chocolate Choconut
Pack It In. Pack it out.
==Introduction==
The previous incarnation of this beer was collaboration with Shamrock brewing. Oskar Blues has always released some really fine beers like the Dale’s Pale Ale, Ten Fidy, Mama Yella Pils and Old Chub. With the release of a coconut beer, people went ballistic. Luckily for the masses, Oskar Blues was able to provide enough for the crazy demand. So you too can enjoy this one as it is most likely sold where they sell Oskar Blues beers. Cheers!
Aromas:
Super Rich, Almond Joy, Coconut, Rocky road ice cream, pecan pie, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, toasted coconut macaroons, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, vanilla, flan, marshmallows, coconut milk, almond milk, Danish cream, anise, molasses, lactose, Irish cream, tootsie roll candies and chocolate cake.
Flavors:
Ridiculously toasted coconut, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, marshmallows, coconut milk, almond milk, Danish cream, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, rocky road ice cream, pecan pie, rich almond joy chocolate, crème brulee hints, dark fruit cherries, marzipan, hazelnut nectar, coconut bread, rye bread, anise, molasses, lactose and chocolate coconut milk shake.
Aftertaste:
Rich toasted coconut candy remains, rich dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel, pecan pie, hazelnut and cherry hints. No alcohol in the taste, deep dark body, creamy, smooth, velvety and chewy mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Quite possibly, the best Coconut porter ever! So much chocolate coconut and coffee goodness that is very apparent all around from the rich aromas to the flavors. They really outshined themselves. It is no wonder why a lot of their beers seem to hit my exceptional meter often. They really do brew with magic. I highly recommend this one and it is a must try!
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach was used in this pairing as the show relates to death but also how Rukia is like an equivalent to the Soul Reaper White Princess. Colors of the coconut represent her and the dark chocolate is the darkness of death. So swift and luscious! Ichigo Kurosaki is in there too just cuz he’s a bad ass. Essentially, these are some of their ultimate forms and what a better way to pair with the ultimate coconut porter!
Rating: 4.85/5
Chimera by Birrificio Del Ducato of Italy is an 8% ABV Belgian Dark Strong Ale.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
This is a top fermented beer which undergoes a secondary fermentation in bottle. It draws inspiration from the great Belgian Abbey beers. With the color of a friar’s robe, it has aromas of caramel and alcohol preserved fruit (pear, plum and morel) with light roasts. The mouth is warm and complex with an unexpected dry finish that makes drinking easier.
“To all those who still hold dreams and will never cease to search for the happiness they deserve”.
Perfecting this beer was certainly challenging. Countless variations were jettisoned before arriving at the refined version we are proud to brew today. The current Chimera is most easily compared to a Belgian Dark Strong Ale. I traveled frequently in Belgium as a young man and I always enjoyed very much its beers. Today’s Chimera resembles those beers that awakened a lifelong fascination with the creation of this wonderful drink.
“It is like following an illusion we fell in love with a long time ago leaving us with the realization that when we pursue our dreams the immortality of spirit is found”.
18°
==Introduction==
Obtained this one from my friend Steve in Iowa who was able to send me this and other brews we found while I was in Ames Iowa. This one caught my eye mainly because it was from Italy and I really loved the design. Many of the Italian beers I have tried in the past like Draco and Demon Hunter were some of the best beers I have ever had. So needless to say, this was a rarity as I have never seen it before. The colors of the label also intrigued me. That and the fact that this was Belgian style, it was definitely going to go back with me somehow. Now that I got it, let’s bring it to the site and see what it is about.
Aromas:
Rich dark fruit, raisins, prunes, plums, figs, dates, black currants, blue berries, dark cherry, candi sugar, beat sugar, rock candy, toffee, brown sugar, bananas, clove spice, leather, tobacco, dulce de leche cramel, vanilla, blue berry cobbler, stone fruit peach, apricot, chocolate notes and rum hints.
Flavors:
Rich dark fruit, raisins, prunes, plums, figs, dates, black currants, blue berries, dark cherry, candi sugar, leather, tobacco, dulce de leche cramel, vanilla, blue berry cobbler, stone fruit peach, apricot, chocolate notes, beat sugar, rock candy, toffee, brown sugar, bananas, clove spice hints, port wine hints, red wine hints, oak hints, pepper corns, rum hints, citrus notes and fruit cake.
Aftertaste:
Dark fruits, vanilla, caramel, wine notes, floral notes, and stone fruit. No alcohol in the taste, dark chestnut brown body, smooth, creamy and watery mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very good Italian beer made in the Belgian Dark arts. There were so much berries and malty flavors to pick out. It was definitely vinous at some points and definitely reminded me of some of the other Italian favorites but mainly unique to this brewery. A small little bottle but definitely worth the try and worth the pick up.
Anime Corner:
Franceska Mila Rose, Cyan Sung Sun, Emilou Apacci and Tia Harribel from Bleach were used in this pairing since they become a Quimera Parca so naturally, the name of the beer and the label just seemed to fit so well with them and the colors just stand out as well. Granted, Tia Harribel was not part of Quimera Parca but she is their leader and one of my favorite anime characters from Bleach so ofcourse I would include her.
Sources:
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/dcdf3-19.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/92/b6/d5/92b6d58a3a82a592a853736f30771d01.jpg
Rating: 5/5
CebadAgua NocturnFresca by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 8% ABV Belgian Dark Barleywine dry hopped with Jarrylo Hops.
==Introduction==
Partial base wort was brewed using brewing equipment at Monkish for the “Monster Home brew Event” back in June 2015. The idea was to create a base pale wort using the equipment at Monkish brewing. Each person would get 5 gallons (or 10 or more depending on how much you would pay) from this concoction you would take it home add to the wort to change the style completely to more than 10 different styles of beer. I purchased 10 gallons and for the second of my home brew concoction I decided to go with a heavier beer adding extra LME and some new especial hops that would give some interesting flavors. Since the idea behind this beer was something dark like the night, the name “CebadAgua NocturnFresca” is a play at the words Agua de Cebada (Barley Drink) and Nocturna Fresca (Of The Fresh Night). Essentially, It is supposed to mean “Fresh Barley Drink of The Night”. A summer’s night type of beer. A fresh, “Barleywine” with a lighter gravity to be enjoyable and full of flavors. So this is what came out of it. Let’s take a look at my final creation of the summer, cheers!
Aromas:
Cola hints, Stone fruit peaches, mango hints, apricot, apple notes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla , tamarind, hibiscus, floral notes, dark fruit cherry, plums, rich prunes, raisins, figs, dates, candi sugar, currants, raspberries, blue berries, tart black berries, tropical fruit notes, prickly pear, lychee fruit, dragon fruit, passion fruit, spicy notes, licorice hints, anise, rock candy molasses, and anise.
Flavors:
Hibiscus flower drink, Cola hints, molasses, dark fruit cherry, plums, rich prunes, raisins, figs, dates, candi sugar, currants, raspberries, blue berries, tart black berries, Stone fruit peaches, mango hints, apricot, apple notes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla , tamarind, hibiscus, floral notes, peppercorn hints, mint, chocolate hints, spicy notes, clove spice, bananas, pears, tangerine, tropical fruit notes, prickly pear, lychee fruit, dragon fruit, passion fruit, spicy notes, licorice hints, anise, rock candy and fruit cake.
Aftertaste:
Rich dark fruit, molasses, tamarind, spicy fruit cake, cola notes, earthy notes, pears, vanilla and other tropical fruit notes. No alcohol in the taste, crimson/bloody moon dark brown full body, creamy, smooth, refreshing, crisp and moderate mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Such a crazy beer border lining a Belgian dark strong with some character of a light Barleywine that I was able to get thanks to special hop notes I added. It is crazy to think that when I brewed this beer, it was meant as a joke and pun to the name Jarrylo as being the Mexican Soda Jarritos. Who knew this beer would turn out to be like an agua fresca/ Fruit-ade type of beer with some flavors of soda but spicy fruit galore. Writing everything I do every step of the way, trying to replicate this beer will be a challenge as it was made using large brewing equipment and grains. So I will see how it goes. For now, this is a high recommend.
Anime Corner:
Neliel Tu Oderschvank from Bleach was chosen in this beer pairing as she is the second in the whole monster brew theme. The pairing includes darkness but the colors represent the strong hop (yet not hoppy but very fruity and spicy) presence of the Jarrylo hops. These hops are not really for IPA or Pale Ale use but can be as thy give a spice characteristic. Nel, while semi-clothed but looking like a bad ass indicates the flavors of “spiciness” and the “sweetness” that the beer brings respectively. As she is an Arrancar, just like Harribel, both monster brews were definitely very enticing in their own way and I hope I can come up with the recipe again to brew them again.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/1j9znin.jpg
Rating: 4.85/5
Bubulubu Ghost In the White Choco Shell by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 7% ABV Imperial Belgian Golden Stout brewed with cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, lactose, candi sugar and Unicorn Blood Coffee.
==Introduction==
Partial base wort was brewed using brewing equipment at Monkish for the “Monster Home brew Event” back in June 2015. The idea was to create a base pale wort using the equipment at Monkish brewing. Each person would get 5 gallons (or 10 or more depending on how much you would pay) from this concoction you would take it home add to the wort to change the style completely to more than 10 different styles of beer. I purchased 10 gallons and for the first 5 decided to go with a style that is super rare but super delicious and that was the Gold Stout. However, adding my own spin to things and creating a Belgian Golden Milk stout was definitely the key. With all the sweetness in play and complex ingredients, I was sure to maybe get something like a Golden Stout or Ghost Stout as I like to call it because looks can be very deceiving to the taste. So here is my take at the first White Chocolate Stout beer, cheers!
Aromas:
Coffee notes, caramel, peanut butter hints, Milk chocolate,white chocolate notes, vanilla, flan hints, honey, honey dew melon, pecan pie notes, white grape notes, banana notes, clove spice, maple syrup, toffee, butterscotch hints, candy sugar, agave syrup hints, marshmallow, stone fruit peaches, apricot, apple notes, herbal tea hints, milk sugar and slight coconut.
Flavors:
Vanilla, Irish Cream, Coffee notes, caramel, peanut butter hints, Milk chocolate,white chocolate notes, flan hints, honey, coconut hints, marshmallow, stone fruit peaches, apricot, apple notes, herbal tea hints, milk sugar, honey dew melon, pecan pie notes, white grape notes, banana notes, clove spice, maple syrup, toffee, butterscotch hints, candy sugar, agave syrup hints, biscuit bread and raspberry notes.
Aftertaste:
Belgian bready notes, vanilla, stone fruit hints, chocolate, caramel, milk sugar, earthy notes and slight berry notes. No alcohol in the taste, Clear Golden body, creamy, smooth, silky, velvety and mellow mouthfeel with a easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very delicious first attempt at a clear Golden Stout seems to be a great success. It is clear, it is easy to drink, not too overwhelming or strong and a variety of delicious flavors. My only complaint would be that the carbonation was not where I wanted it to be, the flavors are more toward a Golden ale and minorly a Golden Stout. Either way, that is most likely nit picky but a great learning experience.
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel from Bleach was used in this pairing to be the firs in the Monster Brew Theme. The monster I went with is a Ghost and in a Shell at that. She is not Motoko Kusanagi but let me explain. You see, under here beautiful exterior of golden locks and soft dark skin which represents the color of the beer and flavors, underneath, she is all bones. Meaning her skin is like a shell of chocolate. The name Bubulubu derives from the Mexican candy with the same name. A marshmallow chocolate and raspberry treat but it also means Ghost. Like Boo!! Boo!! Lubu! Essentially. So Tia was the closest I can come up with. Why use the name of gold like the locks of her hair? Easy, as I explained earlier about Golden Stouts defying perception because the true identity is in the flavor, it is easy to see why her outer exterior is as deceiving as the true flavor which is the ghost or skeleton in side her white chocolate exterior is what truly hides the purpose. That and the fact that I used Unicorns Blood Coffee so that just adds to the whole creepy aspect of Ghosts and beers!
Sources:
http://img.manga-sanctuary.com/big/bleach-serietv-coffret-54-limitee-78620.jpg
http://orig08.deviantart.net/9faa/f/2009/317/3/3/halibel_by_sketchtastrophe.jpg
Rating: 4.75/5
Esa Negra Linda by El Borracho Homebrewing is a 6.7% ABV Black IPA brewed with extra Magnum Cenntenial and Chinook hops.
==Introduction==
Esa Negra Linda or “That Black Beauty” was the name given by my friend Will Carranza to his first ever, Black IPA. This one was made with extra Magnum for bittering and the centennial and Chinook hops were for aroma.. I gladly assisted will on brewing day as brother help each other out when it comes to the home brew stuff like my other brother and homebrewer Richard of Avila Ales. While the original recipe and ideas were all Will’s you can almost say this was a collaboration in terms of me helping him out. So I bring forth, another awesome home brew and possibly the last for summer 2015 (what can we say, it’s too damn hot to make beer on a budget!) Hell, I still gotta review my 2 other homebrews I barely finished before the temperatures skyrocketed and we could no longer brew. Anyways, it is always a pleasure when Will donates to the site his awesome creations and always loving each as it comes by. Cheers!!
Aromas:
Rich citrus, pineapple, lychee, honey dew melon, grapefruit, floral, piney, grassy, herbal and earthy hops, minty notes, anise, coffee hints possibly from the roasted malt, licorice hints, anise and caramel.
Flavors:
Citrus, piney, grassy, herbal, grapefruit, earthy, and floral hops, pine apple hints, honey dew melon, lychee, Caramel, dark chocolate hints, anise, licorice, roasted malts, molasses, dark fruit prune hints, mango hints, brown sugar, clove spice, kumquat hints, coffee notes, lemon and mint.
Aftertaste:
Earthy hop notes, coffee, anise, tropical notes, citrus, dark chocolate hints and lots of nice bitter hops linger for a little bit. No alcohol in the taste, dark as the ether of space full body, smooth, creamy and crisp mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A deliciously good Black IPA. This IPA is on that level where the hops shine through to let you know you really are drinking an IPA, it just a dark IPA at that and the maltiness adds enough character to make it interesting. The balance is decent and for hop heads this means that the best flavors from Black IPA are delivered here. I hope my friend makes this one again or a variant using different hops as it was very delicious and would love to get some more. Cheers!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing to represent the name and the feel of the beer. Esa Negra Linda represented by the beautiful Yoruichi who is a ninja fits this beer perfectly. Like the night she strikes without warning. She is the fastest being in the world of Bleach and like this beer, it goes down very smooth and quick. It flows right through like the way a ninja attacks swift and firm for the kill and no ones the wiser. Her strength is in the complex flavors the extra hops provide but combine with the dark beer to make it shine like a light in a dark room. An elegant lady, a beauty, but deadly… If looks could kill well, fortunately, this will be the only time you see her before she strikes!
Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Shihouin.Yoruichi.full.1878848.jpg
Rating: 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!
Rating: 7/5 * A bucket list beer, just saying 😛
St. Bernardus Abt 12 Oak Aged by Brouwerij St. Bernardus is an 11% ABV Belgian Quadrupel Aged in Oak Calvados (Apple Brandy) Barrels
Label:
Brewery St. Bernardus was founded in 1946 in Watou, Province of West Flanders in Belgium.
St. Bernardus Abt 12 is Brewery St. Bernardus’ flagship and is considered as one the best beers in the world. The Abt 12 is brewed following the original recipe from 1946.
This St. Bernardus Abt 12 Oak Aged is brewed using the same recipe and then matured for 6 months in oak Calvados barrels before it is bottle coditioned. This maturation in oak kegs gives the beer a deeper and richer taste, leaving the palate remarkbly satisfied and thirsty for more.
“Bringing Heavenly nectar within reach”
Serve this noble and wonderfully balanced brown ale at 53-56° F in a goblet glass to best enjoy its delicate bouquet.
==Introduction==
Never did I ever think that St. Bernardus would step up their game and release a barrel aged version of their Quad. Not just any barrel either, but the Calvados Apple Brandy barrel. Beers that usually are aged in these barrel jump 100 times the price of the original beer. Good thing this one just doubled the price. By that I mean it is still pricey as hell ranging anywhere from 25-30$ for a 750ml bottle. I didn’t care. I just just didn’t care as unlike any beer from the past, the St. Bernardus is a beer that always held a special place in my heart as it was my favorite when I first started trying different beers as early as 2010 and to this day I can always go back and say it is still my favorite despite the fact that there are others like the Weekday Bruery beers that are levels above it, it still don’t matter. Even after trying the Heady Toppers, the Dark Lords, even the Westvleteren 12… still didn’t matter… Abt 12 was my beer along with Trois Pistoles and Three Philosophers and others… So you can see the fact that this exist must be testament to my resolve not only as a reviewer but for myself and what I truly love and even to my first quadruple that I personally made… Cheers from this is like Cheers of the Heavens!
Aromas:
Rich Dulce de leche caramel Apple pie, Brandy oak, vanilla, Goat milk caramel, marshmallows, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, raspberry chambord, tamarind, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peach cobbler, mango, pie crust, Dark Candi sugars, Belgian Bread, Danish cream, Rock Candy, figgy pudding, piloncillo sugar cone,Bananas, plantains, clove spice, bubble gum notes, raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, cinnamon, flan, Mexican sweetened condensed milk, Red Apples, Golden Apples, Caramel apples, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, cherry pie and burnt brown sugar.
Flavors:
Dulce de leche caramel, Goat milk Caramel, piloncillo sugar cone, vanilla, oak, marshmallows, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, raspberry chambord, tamarind, Bananas, plantains, clove spice, bubble gum notes, raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, cinnamon, flan, Mexican sweetened condensed milk, Red Apples, Golden Apples, Caramel apples, Brandy, Port wine, chardonay, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peach cobbler, pie crust, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, cherry pie, dragon fruit, passion fruit, old mangoes, honey dew melon, butterscotch, chocolate notes, tangerine preserves, tobacco, leather, anise, grilled funnel caramel cake, Dark Candi sugars, Belgian Bread, Danish cream, Rock Candy, figgy pudding, Rich caramel Apple Pie goodness with vanilla cake and more.
Aftertaste:
Lingering Apple Pie, dark fruits, stone fruits, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, sweetened condensed milk, Apple brandy, port wine, Danish cream, leather, rye and mild chocolate lingers. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, silky, syrupy and creamy mouthfeel, Dark Golden Brown medium body and a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
No surprise why this version of one of my favorite (commonly available) beers in the world is simply another one I needed to add to my bucket list of beers. The original St. Bernardus was my inspiration for making the original quad I made a couple of months back as it was one of my favorites in the world while started trying different craft beers along with Trois Pistoles, Three Philosphers and many delicious others. This version is something that really took it above the heaven into that “Ambrosia of the Gods” status. I really didn’t care about the price, I really wanted to bring this one for a review ever since its announcement and I finally did it! I think the whole Calvados/Apple Brandy aspect is what really did it here taking this liquid caramel into an Apple Pie beer goodness. Who knows what will happen to this in … 15 years!
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, I have used them in the previous St. Bernardus Abt 12 review except with the introduction of my recent favorite girl, Ryuko Matoi. Like I said before, the original version of this beer was my world favorite, my desire, my love and passion that became my favorite style of beer and today, the fruit of my labor with my homebrew ‘Las Quad-tro Monjas’. Yes indeed, I don’t have to explain much about this and long time readers can already infer why I choose them. The greatest of the greats.
Rating: 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
Rating: 6/5
John Paul Jones Peanut Butter & Raspberry Jelly by Brew Rebellion is a 10.2% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Raspberries and Peanut Butter.
Label:
Everyone Enjoys a rebellious spirit now and again.
==Introduction==
It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time, Peanut Butter Jelly Time! Where you at? Where You at? Now there you go, There you go! Peanut butter Jelly, peanut butter Jelly and a baseball bat!
Holy shit! I went to pick up my local order of Bruery beers and stopped by the shop near by. This took me by surprise as it was hidden away in a box but caught my eye as I saw the different colored wax on the beer. I thought to myself, well, this must be something special cuz it is probably going to be expensive. I saw what it was, a peanut butter and raspberry jelly beer and I did not hesitate to buy it. At 1 per customer, I was like damn it!! I needed to get another one or two but I figured, well I will come back. Apparently they released this in very small quantities to limited places. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Now I have tried many great and awesome peanut butter chocolate milk stouts but never one that was a peanut butter and jelly mix. I can only hope this is as awesome as my crazy mind thought it would be. Let’s check this out and cheers to all!
Aromas:
Super Rich peanut butter and Raspberry Jelly aromas, lactose milk sugar, molasses, dark fruit raisins, black berries, blue berries, black cherries, currants, plums, cherry cheesecake, choco flan, bananas, vanilla, caramel, roasted peanuts with shells, nutter butter cookies, toffee, coffee cake, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, earthy notes, Reese’s peanut butter puffs cereal, coconut hints, marshmallows, graham cracker smores and rocky road ice cream hints.
Flavors:
Rich peanut butter, Rich Raspberry Jelly, toasted rye bread, bananas, vanilla, caramel, roasted peanuts with shells, nutter butter cookies, toffee, coffee cake, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, earthy notes, Reese’s peanut butter puffs cereal, lactose milk sugar, molasses, dark fruit raisins, black berries, blue berries, black cherries, currants, plums, cherry cheesecake, choco flan, whipped cream, Irish cream hints, coconut hints, marshmallows, graham cracker smores, rocky road ice cream hints, dark chocolate, cocoa crispies, brown sugar, candi sugar, rock candy, oatmeal cookies, mocha hints and hazelnut nectar.
Aftertaste:
Rich peanut butter and dark fruit raspberry and other berry mixed lingers along with caramel, vanilla, hazlnut, earthy hints, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and flan hints. No alcohol in the taste, super easy to drink despite the ABV, smooth, creamy, velvet and silky mouthfeel with a pitch black and crimson surface (under the light) full body.
Overall:
WOW, Simply put, they were not joking when they were trying to get the exact! Flavors of peanut butter and Jelly. Although, this is way more than just that. There is so much rich complexity of flavors going on but none of it is intimidating and at the rate of being dangerously drinkable, it is pretty damn crazy. I will need to find more bottles of this and definitely think I will try to mimic the recipe somehow. I highly recommend this one!
Anime Corner:
Temari Sabakuno and Yoruichi Shihouin from Naruto and Bleach respectively were used in this pairing since I wanted to pair them with the colors of the peanut butter and jelly. They are 2 of my favorite anime characters and so using them in this pairing was awesome for me. Their colors also represent other flavors of the beer such as the chocolate, vanilla, waffle cone, coconut, flan, dark fruits and other sweet flavors colonthree emoticon
Sources:
http://76.72.168.19/images/2013-10-11-611327.png
http://gallery.minitokyo.net/download/421717
My Beer Homebrew Project #2 Review. Cheers!
Rating: 5/5
Las Quadtro Monjas by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 10% ABV Belgian Trappist Quadrupel.
Label:
Kept in the dark for many years, the Four Nuns or Las Quatro Monjas appear each presenting an unforeseen treasure that was hidden from ancient time itself. Legend has it that these treasures were ingredients that were bestowed by the almighty God himself. The ingredients were thrown into a brew kettle by the nuns and made into a holy nectar. A recipe practiced by holy monks today. Folklore has it that some of the original nectar has passed the test of time, passed on through the ages and has seeped into this very bottle…
Las Quad-tro Monjas is a Belgian Trappist Quadruple Ale made in the style like the monks do in the Belgian Monastaries. They devote their lives to good faith and making good holy beers. This homebrew project started as a dream that became reality with a lot of devotion, patience, care and love. Conditioning for 1 month after fermentation, this beer will cellar for several years if kept in a dark and cool location. A beer that is strong in alcohol yet sweet and complex.
Ingredients: Water, malts, hops, Belgian Candi sugar, cane sugar and trappist yeast .
==Introduction==
The time has come… My dream of creating a Belgian Quadruple is finally here. First brewed in January 24th 2015, Racked in Secondary Februrary 14th 2015 and Bottled March 14th 2015 the brew is finally ready for the test. To this date, as I mentioned in the label description, it was my dream to someday make this style of beer and after so long, I finally did it. It does give a surreal and proud feeling knowing that something you always wished you could do, and with hard work, it can actually come to fruition. I always wanted to make this type of beer style, the Belgian Quadruple, ever since I started trying different beers. With a lot of patience, love and care, Now it is finally here! The best part is that this will mature for years well like a fine wine. For being my most complex beer to date, I have to analyze it as best as possible and hopefully the recipe will improve or I will make again next time. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich bananas, clove spice, Rich dark fruit plums, raisins, figs, dates, black cherries, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark black cherries, peaches, pears, vanilla, toffee, anise hints, molasses, port wine hints, pecan pie, flan hints, brown sugar, rock candy and Belgian dark candi sugar.
Flavors:
Dulce de leche caramel, dark fruits like black cherries, raisins, plums, figs, dates, leather hints, cinnamon hints, flan hints, peaches, pears, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, chocolate notes, pecan pie, buttery Mexican pan dulce, Danish cream, rock candy, Belgian candi sugar, port wine, raspberry chambord, apples, rye bread, anise, molasses, blackberry preserves, dragon fruit hints, brown sugar and butter pecan ice cream.
Aftertaste:
Rich dark fruits and dulce de leche caramel linger with a slight sweet port wine and earthyness. Very small and slight hints of booze but are covered up by the sugary Belgian notes and dark fruit sweetness. Dark crimson body, moderate to sipping drinkability, velvety,syrupy and bold mouthfeel with a very rich and smoothness.
Overall:
As the beer warms up, the flavors evolve into some very rich and even more complex flavors giving way to the velvety notes I mentioned earlier. I really don’t know what to say. So many people really loved this beer to where many thought I added actual plums, peaches and bananas to it. Others thought it was so subtle like a gentle wine. I myself taking my time with it, the only thing was that it was low carbonated but even then this beer was something so amazing entirely I was stunned to make such a perfection that I kind of teared up a little bit. I was so damn paranoid working so closely to my experimental recipe, making sure the beer was always watched always worrying about it like it was my baby and here it is. My first attempt at a quad to mimic some of the best Belgian strong darks and quads out there and it was just… perfect….not overpowering, enough sweet and complexity to make even the lightest palates enjoy. I think based on the results, I will definitely make it again in the near future. Now I know what the monks feel when being so damn dedicated. Definitely feel proud of how far I have made it with this.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, Temari Sabakuno from Naruto and Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill were used in this pairing as well as the label to represent the beer but also my passion for the work that I do. These girls have been my favorite characters from the different anime series that I love for the longest time going way back to the year 2002. Being a big anime fan and the shows I like, complementing the beers I love with different characters doesn’t have the same effect as the way I complement using my top favorites. But why the Belgian Quad and why them you ask? Well, it works so perfectly. The name Las Quad-tro is a play on the Belgian word for Quadrupel and Cuatro which is 4. I already have 4 of my favorite girls and an artwork I had done back in 2007 with colors of the Belgian Abbeys and monasteries, it was only a matter of time before I made the label with them four as my first Quadruple ale. They are the best and the ones I use as my mascots for my whole passion of anime and the best beers in this whole lost treasures of taste and experience. Cheers!
Rating: 6/5
2015 Chocolate Rain by the Bruery is an 18.4% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.
Label:
MAKE IT RAIN
This decadent version of Black Tuesday is proudly brewed with TCHO cacao nibs.
Chocolate Rain began as a single cask of beer at our very first release event for Black Tuesday back in 2009 and now has a storied history of its own. This ale will age gracefully if cellared properly but will be the most prominent when consumed fresh.
==Introduction==
2015 Chocolate Rain is finally out for preservation society as well as the other societies. If you have not read my last years review of the beer, well, after analyzing this one, I found it to be just as awesome and rich. This beer along with Black Tuesday, White Chocolate, Wineification, Mocha Wednesday and Grey Monday are some of the best beers I have ever had. Cheers!
Aromas:
All the fragrances of the chocolate rainbow, dark, white, Belgian, German, sweet, bitter, milk, fudge and baker’s. I may have missed a couple others. Bourbon, Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut, choco flan, crème brulee, hazel nuts, pecan pie, dark fruits, raisins, figs, plums, raspberries, cherries, almond joy, rocky road, leche nestle sweetened condenced milk, fudge cake, coffee, mocha, Rocky road Ice cream, oreo and chocolate chip cookies, molasses, oak, earthy notes and brown sugar.
Flavors:
The utter definition of CHOCOLATE! Sweet, Belgian, dark, white, German, milk, fudge, bakers, bourbon whiskey, oak, vanilla, choco flan, dulce de leche caramel, crème brulee, toasted coconut, chocolate covered cherries, dark fruits, raisins, figs, plums, raspberries, almond joy, hazelnuts, pecan pie, tobacco, leather, fudge brownies, raisins, rocky road ice cream, mocha, coffee, brown sugar, oreo cookie, chocolate chips, oatmeal, Kahlua, chocolate covered funnel cake, milk shake, black currants, roasted cashews, tootsie roll candy, “Willy Wonka ain’t got nothing on this Chocolate Rain” flavors!…I ran out of things to describe this epicness…
Aftertaste:
Lingering chocolate, vanilla, caramel, dark fruits, brown sugar, bourbon, white fudge, chocolate fudge and more and more sugar! The alcohol is very little in the taste, but for all its worth, it doesn’t detract from any of the flavors at all and since it is 19-20% alcohol, It is in no way harsh. Sure it is a sipping beer, a dangerously sipping beer because it also has elements of smoothness. It does feel warm going down too. JEEZUUZ YES!!!. Very syrupy mouth feel, like I had mentioned in my previous review of this, boozy chocolate syrup.
Overall:
One of the top best sugary boozy chocolate syrups, I mean beers. Ever! Like I said before, there is nothing I can say about this beer but utter heaven! It could be overkill if placed in ice cream but hey, if you want Dat Dia-bee-tus! Watch out now. No joke, it is pretty sugary and utter bliss. DO NOT DRINK THIS BOTTLE IN ONE SITTING!!, if you enjoy beers, even if it is the only one you will drink for the rest of the night, don’t do yourself the dissatisfaction. This is really a great beer and should be enjoyed a few sips at a time. Chocolate Rain!! Some stay sober, while other feel the bliss….
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing, even from the last time I tried Chocolate Rain for many reasons, aside from the fact that she is one of my favorite anime characters of all time. For starters, in the original Chocolate Rain pictures for my last review, I wanted to describe that Yoruichi as the bringer of the rain since was given a Native American outfit and she was doing a dance to make it rain, rain chocolate!! Her attitude is very caring for her friends but at the same time feisty and very seductive (Lucius Chocolate Rainbow and Vanilla added). She is one of the fastest and strongest characters in Bleach (alcohol due to Bourbon). She is a Princess but was aldo the leader of Onmitsukidō, the Secret Mobile Unit/Corps, Special Forces or Covert Ops. In other words, bad ass ninja! (Alcohol undetected, hidden, hits ya hard later on). In fact, she is so bad ass she took down several ninjas in a matter of seconds. She also has Flash speed (Shunpo) and Shunko or Flash cry (Lightning based attacks)! Which describes Chocolate Rain’s aspect of smooth drinking and you can’t have Rain without lightning. Her sexy and seductive properties can all be described above in the aromas and overall flavors of the beer. Even her outfit and being show the dark fruit flavors, the chocolate, the vanilla, the caramel, the nutty, way more. There is so much more I can go on and on about Yoruichi being the perfect pairing for this beer it ain’t even funny…
Sources:
http://img1.goodfon.su/original/1680×1050/2/b0/art-foton-ike-devushka.jpg
Rating: 5/5
2015 Preservation Series Freckle by The Bruery is a 10.8% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Cacao Nibs and spices.
Label:
“HOLY MOLÉ”
Freckle is a robust stout that has been infused with the essence of an elegant Mexican molé. Freckle is best enjoyed fresh for peak spice character.
==Introduction==
This time, the Bruery has released their own take at a Molé beer. Unlike some of the other mole beers I have had, this one does not use actual chiles but spices. Will that take away from the beer? Maybe. Yet, I have not had a bad Bruery beer yet, well actually I have a while back but that is very rarely since the Bruery makes some super damn world class experimental treasures. This beer will be released to the preservation society and reserve societies this month so if you signed up, most likely you will get this one. You can also go to the tasting room and try this one. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate abuelita, champurrado, pipian mole sauce hints, chile hints, pepper hints, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, cinnamon, apple pie, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, plums, black berries, cherry notes, coffee notes, Khalua notes, capirotada raisin bread pudding, banana hints, flan hints, molasses hazelnut nectar and piloncillo sugar cone.
Flavors:
Chocolate abuelita, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cinnamon, champurrado, pipian mole sauce, chile hints, peppery hints, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, apple pie, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, cola notes, molasses, anise, mint ice cream, candi sugar, piloncillo sugar cone, flan hints, banana notes, dark fruit raisins, plums, black berries, cherry notes, coffee notes, Khalua notes and capirotada raisin bread pudding.
Aftertaste:
Rich chocolate abuelita lingers, cinnamon, clove spice, nutmeg, earthy notes, vanilla, caramel, molasses, spices and minty hints. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, rich and creamy mouthfeel, easy to moderate drinkability, and dark full body.
Overall:
This is pretty damn perfect for an overall delicious molé stout. One thing my friend told me about this beer though, that if you don’t like spices in beers, you may not like this one. For me its like, bring em on. It is not hot like a chile beer but it is spicy and very very damn chocolatey. I think the cocoa nibs are what really account for the major chocolate push into the perfect stout category. I am rather fond of that part. So yeah, I highly recommend this one as you will like the chocolatey flavors of this molé beer.
Anime Corner:
Hiyori Sarugaki from Bleach was chosen in this pairing since she is the only character I know that has freckles and is a bad ass. More importantly, her vaizard form with the skeletal skull is a representative of dia de los muertos aspects which many of the beers I have tried that are Mexican molé related are also sometimes related to dia de los muertos. Good Game Bruery, Good Game on this this to make a beer that fits an anime pairing perfectly.
As a small addition to my usual reviews of beer tastings, I will now and again try to incorporate some food parings for some beers. Seeing as this is the start of the new year, I figured I write something small about a beer and dessert pairing. Not many people do this and some have way more experience than I do. However, with my knowledge of beer tasting I will try to figure out how the dynamics of adding foods to beers change the experience. Brewerianimelogs food pairings will only be a short segment though. Cheers!
Food Pairing:
Bringing in the new year, I had some cheese cake left over in the fridge and I thought to myself, how awesome would chocolate rain fit with a cheese cake. The results were very nice and surprising. The Chocolate Rain (2014 Release) by the Bruery is an 18.5% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans and was aged for about a year. Upon trying the Chocolate Marble Cheesecake, the strong bourbon characters become subtle allowing the rest of the complex flavors of the chocolate and vanilla to meld with the Chocolate and Cheesecake. The experience is much better than the beer alone and in some cases, it seems the age has made beer much stronger and cutting away some of the excess sweetness. So trying it with the cheese cake balances out the alcohol but provides some depth to the cheese cake and the beer that otherwise would not have been taken by themselves. It is pretty damn amazing and almost milk shake, flan, dulce de leche and tres leches rich but not super sweet. This beer definitely fits the category of dessert enhancer and would pair great with just about any dessert. January 1st also marks a special day for Yoruichi Shihouin, which is my mascot for this beer as shown in the original review below. Hope you enjoyed this small review, cheers!
Anime and Beer Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/chocolate-rain-2014-release-by-the-bruery/
Rating: 6/5
Extremely Angry Beast by Clown shoes brewing is a 12% ABV Imperial Stout blend of Bourbon Barrel Aged Smoked American Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water, a Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout and a 40 year old Jamaican Rum Barrel Aged Smoked American Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water….. Now that’s a Cuvee!
Label:
How do you create an Extremely Angry Beast? Mix one part bourbon barrel aged Blaecorn Unidragon, one part bourbon barrel aged Undead Party Crasher, one part Hammer of the Holy, then add a massive dose of incendiary rage.
==Introduction==
Essentially a Cuvee of different barrel aged beers. The Unidragon series has one of the ultimate series out there or Russian and Imperial Stouts by Clown Shoes brewing. While they are trying to release special variants to individual states only, the original Unidragon keeps evolving more and more and more. Now with this year’s addition of Hammer of the Holy, this brings this beer to yet another level of crazyness. It really depends if one can take on this even more advanced version of this beast. I don’t think I am worthy, but Let us give it a try.
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, bakers chocolate, spiced chocolate, tootsie rolls, chocolate milk shake, roasted coffee notes, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, oak, smokey campfire notes, graham cracker smores, marshmallows, hints of tropical fruit, rum, bananas, brown sugar, rye bread, coconut, dark fruit raisins, plums, cherries, rocky road ice cream, almond joy, flan, mocha, toffee, pecan pie, chocolate cake, butter scotch, tres leches cake and sweetened condensed milk (Leche Nestle).
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, bakers chocolate, spiced chocolate, tootsie rolls, Dulce de leche caramel, oak, vanilla,Dr. Pepper Cherry notes, earthy notes, roasted coffee, smokey campfire, rum, bourbon, oreo cookies and cream, tropical fruit hints of pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, fudge brownies, leather, tobacco, smoked campfire notes, chocolate graham cracker smores, BBQ meat, marshmallows, coconut, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherries, black berries, oatmeal cookies, flan, hazelnut nectar, mocha, rye bread, brown sugar, almond joy, rocky road icecream, chocolate chip cookies, butterscotch, flan, crème brulee, pecan pie, anise, mint chocolate chip, piña colada hints, tres leches cake and sweetened condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Caramel, dark fruit, chocolate, smokey notes, hints of tropics, hints or bourbon rum and brown sugar linger. Slight alcohol in the taste but nothing detracting too much from the rich flavors. Silky yet smooth mouthfeel, sipping drinkability and pitch black dark body.
Overall:
Damn epic!. The bourbon and rum blend very well. This reminds me of the Bruery Smoking Wood if it was mixed with Rum Black Tuesday. The flavors are so rich in all the spectrums that there is a lot that can be said about this Cuvee of Barrel aged goodness. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough more I can say about its complexity as it keeps going and evolving ever so stronger as it warms up. What I will say is that you should really consider taking o this beast. Come one, bring it on! It will be fun.
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach have always represented some aspect of the clown shoes beers in my past reviews. Tia is the Undead Party Crasher/Vampire Slayer. Nelliel has always been the original Unidragon and Yoruichi would be added for good measures since the Porcine Unidragon came out. The blend of each beer together and the unleash of the Extremely Angry beast can be best represented when all three together are looking like bad asses powering up to team up against great foes. The strength and complexity has come together very epically that I could not think of any other pairing artwork that would be the best representative of this beer.
Sources:
http://s15.postimg.org/i37agkebt/harribel_nelliel_yoruichi_copy.jpg
http://wallpapersinhq.com/images/big/harribel-1403215.jpg
http://quantumotaku.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/223167.jpg
http://www.rubberslug.com/user/0233baa15b054e8c988441e924824aeb/765947-3953101-bleachyoruichibig.jpg
Other Unidragon and Vampire Slayer/Undead Party Crasher Reviews:
Blaecorn Unidragon Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/blaecorn-unidragon-russian-imperial-stout-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
Vampire Slayer/Undead Party Crasher Review:https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/vampire-slayer-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
Angry Beast Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/angry-beast-by-clown-shoes/
Porcine Unidragon Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/porcine-unidragon-by-clown-shoes/
Very Angry Beast Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/very-angry-beast-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
Hammer of The Holy:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/hammer-of-the-holy-by-clown-shoes/
Itasca Loonidragon Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/15/itasca-loonidragon-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
The Good, The Bad, The Unidragon:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/the-good-the-bad-the-unidragon-by-clown-shoes/
Rating: 5.45/5
The Good, The Bad & The Unidragon by Clown Shoes is a 14% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed with Texas Dark Malts.
Label:
We brewed this special version of Blaecorn Unidragon using dark malts sourced from Texas, attitude sourced from the burning pit of a bad tempered spirit, and righteous fury from the hand cannons of The Good. As you sit down to a glass, remember, there are two types of people: those who drink unidragons and those whose ashes drift in the breeze.
___
Clown Shoes has been on the move brewing beers specifically for certain states to have taking advantage of the awesome Russian Imperial Stout known as the Blaecorn Unidragon and creating super variants. This is the Texas Only version and there would have been no way I could of obtain this beer if it wasn’t for my friend Aaron and his wife from www.beermetaldude.com. California will get their version soon, but since I am a fan of the Unidragons, I was very exited to bring this one over to the site for a review. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, burnt caramel, rocky road ice cream, vanilla, mild smokey notes, smokey notes, tobacco, marshmallow smore hints, pecan pie flan, brown sugar, fudge cake and milk sugar.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, rich roasted coffee grounds, bakers chocolate, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, mocha, Khalua, milk sugar, java, flan, rocky road icecream, mocha, brown sugar, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, Irish cream, fudge cake, sweet toffee, earthy notes, oak hints, molasses, anise, marshmallow smores, coconut hints, smokey notes and tobacco.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, roasted coffee, earthy notes, tobacco, caramel, vanilla and caramel hints. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. It is hidden so damn well. Creamy, silky and smooth mouthfeel, for some reason this has an easy to medium drinkability which really does not make sense despite the ABV. What can be said about the body other than pitch black as the darkest soul of the night and yet an extremely dangerous beer due to the ABV and the drinkability.
Overall:
This beer is insane and way too drinkable for its own ‘good’, which makes it ‘bad’ since it will get you drunk but its a ‘unidragon’ so drink drink drink! The other thing about this beer is that it is very balanced. I was very surprised about how well I could drink this one to the point where I had to stop myself from drinking the whole bottle in one sitting. Yeah it was that good. If you live in any other state, find a way to trade for this but if you live in Texas, you have to get this one for sure!!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin, Tia Harribel & Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck from Bleach represent the good, the bad and the unidragon. Yoruichi is made to look like the bad guy in the label or the wolf man, although she can turn into a cat at will but it fits. She is good and kind hearted though. Harribel is the Bad in the sense that she was bad in the beginning of the series but now is good and she was the vampire slayer beer so for the purposes of the cowboy in the middle, she is good but in the name of the label is the bad. Neliele was always good and neutral and the unidragon of the original pairings so yeah she is awesome. I made this custom screen to fit the need of the scenery and story telling yet you can find the sources below. Can you find any other way of how this beer pairs?
Sources:
http://kriscynical.deviantart.com/art/BLEACH-Yoruichi-by-Washu-M-107334912
http://bleach.ucoz.net/_ph/2/255749857.jpg
http://tremblax.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-Tu-Oderschvank-327882456
Rating: 6/5
Four Seasons of Mother Earth Series – Zingaro Autumn Ale by Mother Earth Brewing is an 11.7% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels.
Label:
We have many names. Nomad, roamer, stray, deviant. Ostracized for free thinking. Asked to conform to conventions. Well, defiance breeds change. That’s why we stuck this imperial stout in oak barrels… Not because it should happen…because it shouldn’t.
Intense flavors of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and brown sugar meld beautifully with toffee and vanilla notes from wet oak bourbon barrels.
We have been told beer shouldn’t taste this… rEvolutionary. But we embrace a change in the seasons of life. They call us Bohemians. Then this must be the rhapsody, because not all who wander are lost. We are Zingaro.
___
Obtained this sucker from Craftshack.com as I was intrigued by the fact that Mother Earth brewing has a Bourbon Barrel aged Imperial Stout. I have only have had some of their beers which have been good to amazing but this time, I take on their version of the bourbon barrel imperial stout.
Aromas:
Rich toasted coconut, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, rocky road ice cream, almond joy, banana notes, dark fruit raisins, figs, licorice, coffee hints, Irish cream earthy notes oak, vanilla, bourbon, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple and pumpkin spice hints.
Flavors:
Rich milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, oak, flan, rich toasted coconut, hazelnut nectar, rocky road ice cream, pecan pie, anise, molasses, pumpkin spice hints, maple, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, dulce de leche caramel, licorice, molasses, dark fruit raisins, figs, currants, earthy notes, Irish cream, coffee notes, almond joy, Kahlua coffee, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, dark cherry chocolate cake and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Leaving with a complex of goods of toasted coconut, oak, bourbon, caramel, vanilla, milk and dark chocolate, pecan pie and earthy notes. No alcohol in the taste, velvety and creamy mouthfeel, sipping yet smooth and somewhat easy to drink and a full pitch black body.
Overall:
Surprisingly, I was ridiculously impressed by this one. The rich complex coconut, chocolate, bourbon and dark fruit take the lead here adding some subtle hints of spicy notes like that of the pumpkin but very subtle. I highly recommend this one if you can find it for sure, you won’t be let down especially if you love bourbon barrel aged Imperial stouts.
Anime Corner:
Inoue Orihime from Bleach was used in this pairing mainly when I saw the label as the character of autumn, is pretty much Orihime right down to the pendant on her hair and the colors. Orihime herself has been added to some damn epic beers like Uinta Oaked Jacked which pairs with the fall colors and she has many abilities bringing me back to some of those epic beers. In fact, her mainly ability of healing is to bring back a living organism back to a state of time when they were not hurt before. Just like the seasons, dying trees come back to life in spring time bloom synonymous with that Orihime power. So the pairing just seem way to perfect in my mind and mother earth had the right idea. Orihime is mother earthy nurturing the world back to a state where it was healed. Inoue Orihime is rather, heavenly as much to say as mother earth or heaven hills bourbon have to say.
Sources:
http://orichie.deviantart.com/art/Orihime-470623586
http://static.zerochan.net/Inoue.Orihime.full.40536.jpg
Summer is officially over as the reaper walks out of the hallways of the NubisSanctum cellar and sets its course to take the lives… I mean, leaves from the trees and plants to ready the environment for the winter. This time, the reaper brought a friend… As I do this double review, I would like to point out that these beers have been waiting an entire year in my cellar waiting for the next fall and now I have brought them forth together to unleash double review for the fall. I have previously had the good gourd before and it was an awesome beer. When I heard of the release of the Good Gourd Almighty, I had to grab it before it was gone. This beer was released for what Cigar City calls its “El Catador” club back in late 2013. So those that joined had the Almighty to obtain. Unfortunately for me, I had to go out of my way to trade for this one. Even some of the online sites do not have it and it would be hard to get it. So if you can find the almighty version, awesome! Fortunately for many, Cigar City released the regular Good Gourd for the masses. So if you can get this in your state, Florida mainly or have it shipped to you via the online stores, I vouch for this beer for sure. Let us now see how the reaper tolls… Cheers!
Original Good Gourd Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/good-gourd-by-cigar-city/
Good Gourd 1 year aged Review:
Good Gourd by Cigar City brewing is an 8.5% ABV World Class Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices. This one has been sitting in the dark for a year.
Label:
Legend has it that when a pumpkin comes into the world it is possessed by either a good or an evil spirit. Ours got all the good baby! Bursting with real pumpkin flavor and yummy pumpkin spices including Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg, Good Gourd is a celebration of Fall and that spookiest of holidays, Halloween. Pair Good Gourd with pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie and costume parties.
This high Gravity gob of Gourd-y goodness incorporates pumpkin in the mashing process and then gets wicked with the spices including Ceylon Cinnamon, Jamaican All Spice, Zanzibar Cloves and nutmeg.
___
Aromas:
Pumpkin pie, brown sugar, pumpkin flesh, coffee cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove spice, dark fruit prunes, raisins, sweet potato, yams, piloncillo, ginger bread, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel hints, maple, marshmallows, graham crackers, banana bread, hazelnut, pecan pie, maple syrup, hazelnut nectar, dark candi sugar and flan hints.
Flavors:
Rich Dark fruits like raisins, prunes, figs, plums, dates, pumpkin flesh, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, sweet potato rich, yams, maple, piloncillo, milk pumpkin latte, flan, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger bread, rock candy, dark candi sugar, dulce de leche caramel, hazelnut nectar, vanilla, coffee cake, marshmallow, whipped cream, Danish cookies, milk sugar, ginger snaps, candy corn, clove spice, rum hints, banana hints and pumpkin seeds.
Aftertaste:
Pecan pie, hazelnut, pumpkin flesh, dark fruits, vanilla, caramel, gingerbread, earthy notes and spicy notes linger for a bit. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, syrupy and creamy mouthfeel, slight sipping drinkability and medium to full body.
Overall:
Damn! Age does make quite the difference. This one went several notches over perfect. I have not had a pumpkin beer like this in, well, ever. It seems that 1 year aging took it to a whole new level I did not expect. It really is not the same beer anymore, it became a Pumpkin God. If that is the case, The Good Gourd Almighty will probably be in some new dimension of pumpkin reality, some kind of (nth) dimension of pumpkin. We will will only know until we see it. So if you stuck around to read this, I would highly recommend this one without a doubt and make sure to get 2. One for now and one for a year or later.
Good Gourd Almighty 1 year aged Review
Good Gourd Almighty by Cigar City is a ??% ABV World Class Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices and aged in Rum Barrels. This one, just like Good Gourd has been sitting in the dark for a year.
Label:
(SAME AS THE REGULAR)
Legend has it that when a pumpkin comes into the world it is possessed by either a good or an evil spirit. Ours got all the good baby! Bursting with real pumpkin flavor and yummy pumpkin spices including Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg, Good Gourd is a celebration of Fall and that spookiest of holidays, Halloween. Pair Good Gourd with pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie and costume parties.
This high Gravity gob of Gourd-y goodness incorporates pumpkin in the mashing process and then gets wicked with the spices including Ceylon Cinnamon, Jamaican All Spice, Zanzibar Cloves and nutmeg.
___
Aromas:
Rum soaked pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, dark fruits, pineapple hints, leche nestle sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, candi sugar, rock candy sugars, crème brulee, candi sugars, toasted coconut, piña colada, capirotada raisin bread pudding, sweet cola, pumpkin flan, pumpkin cheesecake, clove spice, gingerbread, molasses, oak and chocolate marshmallow smores.
Flavors:
Banana and Coconut Rum soaked Pumpkin Flesh in piloncillo and cinnamon sticks, yams, Japanese purple sweet potatoes, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dates, dark cherries, milk and dark chocolate notes, vanilla, tropical notes like hints of pineapple, stone fruit peaches, apricot hints, pumpkin seeds, marshmallow, hazelnut nectar, Leche nestle sweetened condensed milk, dulce de leche caramel, sweet Cola, flan, crème brulee, oak, graham cracker smores, almond joy chocolate, capirotada raisin bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, clove spice, ginger bread, molasses, piña colada, milk sugar, Danish cookies, candy corn and brown sugar.
Aftertaste:
Pumpkin pie, cinnamon, coffee cake, clove spice, bananas, tropical rum piña colada hints and earthy notes. Partial alcohol in the taste imparts flavors of nice sugary milk cream. This is a syrupy mouthfeel beer, with a sipping drinkability and full pitch dark brown body.
Overall:
Frankly, the best Pumpkin Beer, EVER!! This beer took what was awesome about the original and made it way better. Even after a year later, in comparison it shows how it moved along which is different from the original Good Gourd. This reminds me of Rumpkin from Avery but take to a new pumpkin extreme. The complexity and beer consistency is crazy up to the level of some of the greats like Chocolate Rain, Black Tuesday, Wineification and White Chocolate, some of the greats on the West Coast that are my favs This pumpkin beer is pretty ridiculous and I understand why it was so damn exclusive. I highly recommend it if you can trade or find this one online.
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki (Dark version) and Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach were used in the overall pairings you see hear. They are both Soul Reapers from Soul Society. I wanted to pair Evil Rukia in these pairing since I had used Rukia for the original review. The addition of overall heightened power and Ichigo were for Good Gourd Almighty which basically all the colors they represent are of the death of plants, coming of the fall, the pumpkin like Ichigo’s hair, the dark fruits and the purple yams of Rukia’s hair and over all strength and complexity from both the characters but mainly from Rukia. Evil Rukia is a bad ass, plain and simple even if her Bankai form is supreme, but that is a “Grey Monday” story all together.
Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Kuchiki.Rukia.full.663934.jpg
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/34500000/Dark-Rukia-hichigo-and-darukia-34581200-245-400.png
http://hdw.datawallpaper.com/anime/dark-rukia-318386.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Fade-to-Black-213542097
Rating: 5.5/5 *Good Gourd 1 year aged
Rating: 6/5 * Good Gourd Almighty 1 year aged
Rating: 5.35/5
So Happens It’s Tuesday Cacao & Raisin by The Bruery is an 11.3% ABV American Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Raisins
The “Sessioned” version of the almighty ~20% ABV Black Tuesday will be released soon. Essentially, this is a lower alcohol content of their already awesome beer. This is the second variant to the So Happens It’s Tuesday with Cacao Nibs and Raisins. Not sure how long they will have this up so it is best to give it a try before it is gone. So this Sunday, I had a chance to stop by with my friends Richard and Megan to try these beers out. While I tried the Cherry and Vanilla one, I wanted to review this one too. So here we go with the next, Brewerianimelogs On The Road review, Cheers!
Aromas:
Milk and Dark Chocolate covered raisins, vanilla, Dulce de leche caramel, flan hints, brown sugar, dark fruit plums, raisins, rock sugar, raspberry hints, coconut hints, earthy notes, crème brulee hints and bourbon hints.
Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, Dark Chocolate, cherry hints, oak, bourbon, vanilla, caramel, marshmallow, flan, rock candy, coconut hints, pecan pie, brown sugar, raisin bread pudding, hints of banana, hazelnut hints, lots earthy notes, graham crackers, molasses and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, Dark fruits, caramel, dark fruit hints, cherry and slight bourbon. No alcohol in the taste, a smooth mouthfeel beer, sipping drinkability and pitch black body.
Overall:
Similarly as awesome to the Cherry and Vanilla one. Just like the other one, smoother than less syrupy in your face Black Tuesday. Much sweeter than the other one was well in terms of the dark fruit and earthy. This beer being a sessioned Black Tuesday is kind of amazing to say the least. When I think of session I think light but what if taking something that is extreme, making it light and it is still in the heavy are, that is what I call unique! While these variants were sold to the public at the tasting room, hopefully the regular bottles of these will be sold publicly too!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach which was the original girl I used for Chocolate Rain was chosen in this simply because I wanted to pair with the colors and flavors of the raisins, chocolate, bananas, dark fruit, hazelnut and bread pudding. While using her in the Chocolate Rain I feel shows her true potential, I couldn’t think of anyone else who I liked so much to use at the time of the review.
Rating: 6/5
2014 Grey Monday by the Bruery is an 18.5% 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.
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So we meet again, the once lost Grey Monday which I had tried in 2012 and now I was able to get a Reserve bottle in 2014 from the Bruery. That is the only place you can get this unless you do a trade. Along the lines of Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain, White Chocolate, Wineification/Mardi Rouge, Mocha Wednesday, Melange 3 and many more, Grey Monday stands in one of the highest categories of beers that I have ever tried. It is very ridiculously delicious just like all the variants before it. Before I continue to review this great beer once again, I may be biased as I already know it is a great beer and definitely one that is highly recommended. Cheers!
Aromas:
Very Rich Milk Chocolate, dark chocolate, pralines, pecan pie, Rich Hazelnut nectar, Dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, flan, bourbon, maple syrup, honey, chocolate cheesecake, toffee, vanilla, oak, crème brulee, french vanilla ice cream, toasted walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashew, nutella, marshmallows, toasted coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon toast, bananas, anise, smores, rocky road ice cream and more.
Flavors:
Rich Hazelnut nectar and chocolate on grilled bananas with flan, pecan pie, pralines, maple syrup, honey, chocolate cheesecake, toffee, dark cherries, strawberry, peach, dark fruit raisins, plums, anise, currants, chocolate port wine notes, almond joy, crème brulee, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon, chocolate chip cookie dough, toasted coconut, marshmallow and graham cracker smores, cinnamon toast, anise, brown sugar, chocolate milk shake, fudge cake, and mocha, all with some scoops of french vanilla ice cream.
Aftertaste:
Rich hazelnut nectar, oak, vanilla, bourbon, chocolate, pecan pie, cherry, flan, maple and caramel just linger and linger infinitely. So Good that you will take your time with it or at least try to. The alcohol is quickly masked by the complex flavors that you don’t even taste it. This is very dangerous too as it is a very very smooth but sipping beer with a silky and syrupy mouthfeel.
Overall:
No surprise here, my expectations were met and the extra credit chart went through the roof. I knew this was gonna be just as good as when I first tried. I have no idea how the Bruery does it. They are crazy to make these beers so delicious. They surely defy and truly show just how far a beer can go. Were talking past the liquor and wine category, has evolved into what it was meant to be. I sincerely hope you can try this beer or any of the other Bruery beers like Black Tuesday.
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://stingcunha.deviantart.com/art/Bleach-570-Rukia-s-Bankai-436885263
http://www.zerochan.net/1681342
Rating: 4.8/5
Calabaza Boreal collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage Brewing is a 7.2% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed with grapefruit peel, grapefruit juice and peppercorns all while aged in Oak Barrels.
Label:
He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you. -Nietzsche.
When introspection fails, it’s time to look outward for inspiration, perhaps Northward! One of the people who inspired me this past year is my friend Gabe Fletcher, of Anchorage Brewing Co, We brewed this beer together. I hope it inspires you Northward!
Warm Regards,
RON
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Ahh sweet sweet Sour Jolly Pumpkin beers. I haven’t had one of these in a while, except for the recent Los Vivos y Los Muertos. Yet, to think that they would do a collaboration with Alaska’s finest in Sour beers, was an awesome treat. This beer is Jolly Pumpkin’s version. Anchorage also released or will release theirs soon. So let’s check this out to see if it is awesome.
Aromas:
Funky citrus, old oranges, grapefruit, flowers, hibiscus, brettanomyces, tangerines, stone fruit like peaches, plums, apricots, sour notes, wine grapes, lemon peel, peppercorns, honey, caramel, oak, vanilla, sour dough bread, brown sugar, waffle cone and mushrooms.
Flavors:
Definitely grapefruit juices and peels, stone fruits like peaches, apricot, plums, sour funk, wine grapes, peppercorns, coriander spice, citrus, sour dough bread, vanilla, oak, caramel, flowers, lavender, lemon peels, hibiscus, waffle cone, honey, pineapple, sage, mango and farmhouse wet hay.
Aftertaste:
Sweet and Tangy with sour mainly coming grapefruit and some of the brettanomyces. Lemon, oak, vanilla, coriander, peach and grapefruit linger. No alcohol in the taste. A sipping beer but actually refreshing and crisp at some points. Full mouth feel too.
Overall:
Very good saison with lots of sour aspects coming from the fruits and spices used in the beer. I am not sure if Brettanomyces was used in this but it feels like some may have been used. Either that with the fermentation of the oak barrel adding a bit of sourness it. It is strange as this is not a sour beer in the sense of what makes a sour beer sour, but a fruit tangy sour. This is why Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage are perfect in their craft, especially JP since that is all the types of beers they brew. Sours and Saisons with lots of Calabaza Magia! Highly recommended for sure!
Anime Corner:
Neliel Tu Oderschvank from Bleach was chosen for this beer pairing because I wanted to show case not only the colors of the beer with her bu also the label and the anthropomorphic being with the antlers. While Nel is more like a goat, it falls along with the whole monster hybrid they were going for. Although, Nel is not a monster, but an Arrancar and a sweet innocent yet powerful Arrancar. She cares very much for her friends and Ichigo, the orange haired protagonist of the series. Gee look at that, there is an orange pumpkin there. LOL nice touch to the pairing for sure.
Sources:
http://chibisofa.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-206842148
http://khima.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-Tu-Oderschvank-108436195
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-10-06-442998.png
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 
