Rating: 5/5
Gose Con Chapulines collaboration by Epic Brewing Co and Cerveza Cru Cru is a 4.3% Gose brewed with spices, Chapulines/Crickets and Agave Worm Salt
Despite it having agave worms and chapulines, the tart, lime and salt citrucy flavors is what shines here. Little earthy and grassy flavors as one would expect from eating crickets or worms. Lots of refreshing flavors.
Rating: 5/5
I did it all for the Cookies !! 😂😂😂
Rating: 7/7
Stone Berlin Groundbreaking Collaborations 07 Züper Magik w00tstout collaboration by Drew Curtis, Greg Koch and Wil Wheaton is a 10.1% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Hazelnuts, Pecans & Almonds and partially aged in Whiskey Barrels
Label:
Series 7 of 14
==Introduction==
In 2014, Stone was raising money to open a brewery in Berlin, Germany. It would be the first time an American craft brewery would open up a business in Europe. For Germany who has Bavarian laws on the beer making process, craft beer would no coincide with their laws. However, Stone being some crazy arrogant bastards were able to make their way into the market and were successful to open up shop. At the time, I had donated money on promised collaborations with different breweries. Mainly some of the ones I like such as Brew Dog, Lost Abbey, The Bruery, Surly and even Devil’s Gate/Will Wheaton. So, with the donations I made in that year, I was wondering if I would ever see a return on my investment. Long behold, Stone contacted me to inform that they were going to release the beers and so today I bring Züper Magik w00tstout.
The magic that is the same magic, bloodstream of the universe that flows and keeps existence afloat has granted me a chance to bring this beer here to the site. Ever since Stone wanted to make special batch of w00tstout, I was all in. W00stout, like many of my favorite stouts, has inspired me to make a blend using their original recipe with a Dark Lord and original twist giving way to Sangrileche 2 which was a special homebrewed batch of oak aged amazing beer. One that to this day seems to develop more and more. Heck, even the original Belgian Stout Sangri leche 2 still sits aging into newer heights. This special super magical space aliens and leprechauns riding unicorns of a beer was definitely something I didn’t expect to be released this year. The addition of all sorts of nuts to the original recipe definitely swings towards the infinity part of special collaborations that I don’t even think they have literature, comics or even elder scrolls on. Doesn’t matter though, we’re about to dive in and experience the magic first hand. Visit a local Stone Liberty Station or the main local brewery for a chance at this one, cheers!
Aromas:
Ddark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolate, oak, hazelnut necar, pecan pie, marzipan, almond joy coconut, rocky road ice cream notes, nutella, dark fruit cherries, raisins, currants, blue berries, raspberries, fruit cake, Khalua liquer, toffee, butterscotch, coconut, tiramasu, cherry corials, licorice, oreo cookies, flan, dark candi sugar, rock candy,blueberry muffins and ginger bread.
Flavors:
Super nutty chocolate bliss, nutter butter, Cocoa Krispies cereal, chocolate nutella, marzipan, mazapan, peanut butter, pecan pie, almond joy, cookie dough, chocolate chip cookies, hazelnut nectar, maple syrup, tiramasu, fancy coffee, banana split, dark fruit cherries, raisins, currants, blue berries, raspberries, raspberry Chambord, blue berry muffin, cherry cordials, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolate, chocolate mousse, bourbon and whiskey notes, chocolate smores, sangria notes, licorice, molasses, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, flan, crème brulee, three milks/3 leches cake, stone fruit peach, old mango hints, earthy notes, Khalua liquer, toffee, butterscotch, coconut, rocky road ice cream, cinnamon notes, dates, Pancho Pantera chocomil, rye bread, oatmeal raisin cookies, oreo cookies and cream, smokey oak notes and dark candy sugars.
|
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich notes of dark fruit, banana, super mixed nuts, almond butter, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, cashew milk, dark chocolate, oak hints, whiskey notes, earthy notes, roasted barley notes, wine notes and much more! No alcohol in the taste despite the 10% ABV, pitch black darkness supreme body, smooth, silky, creamy, velvity, chewy and syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Heilige Scheiße!!! This is crazy crazy crazy. It has the original in spirit for sure but the mixing of all sorts of nuts into the beer makes for one extremely nutty brew that is on that level of nutella and more. Maybe it is just the wait I had to go through but this beer sure seems to be casting spells not just on the current verse of existence but even the theoretical verse of the quantum, essentially, the veil above reality. Crazy nuts makes anyone nuts. But I’m sure it would be welcomed by the masses who love the original w00tstout.
Anime Corner:
Mari Illustrious, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Sohryu Langley/Shikinami from Neon Genesis Evangelion were used for this iteration of W00tstout just like I have used them before in the past. This time around though, I wanted to show some extravagant to complement not only some of the German side like when they dressed up in the green synonymous with Oktoberfest but also some superstitious art like with them on what appears to be a tarot cart. I have used them in man iterations of W00tstout but this time, some of these are a bit different and out there. Kind of what I wanted in terms of showing what is so Zuper and Magikal!
(Double Tasting)
Rating: 6/6 2017 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout 5.0
Rating: 6.35/7 2016 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout 4.0
2017 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout 5.0 (5th year release) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi) *geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels.
2016 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout 4.0 (4th year release) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi) *geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels.
When Trekkies and Starnerds unify, you got some borg assimilation of flavors that cab only be complete in the dark side. Just like the previous years, the flavors get way better with age bringing more dark fruit out in place of banana split flavors. Both cases, very Epic!
Past Review:
https://animebeers.com/2016/08/02/double-review-2016-stone-farking-wheaton-w00tstout-4-0-and-2015-farking-wheaton-w00tstout-3-0-1year-aged/
Rating: 6/6
Cookies and Dreams collaboration by The Bruery and Abnormal Beer Co is a 10.4% ABV Cookie Inspired Imperial Stout brewed with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.
==Introduction==
I had originally tried this one at the Bruery’s 9th anniversary event and was recently given the opportunity to bring this one to the site. This one is inspired by Cookies and Cream ice cream. Essentially, the Oreo cookies and cream or at least what I believe it to be. It doesn’t use Black Tuesday but an original stout recipe brewed in the collaboration for this beer. I have not tried anything from Abnormal before so this would count. Also, the fact that this is an oreo based beer is something that I really really wanted to share. So let’s have at it, cheers!
Aromas:
Banana split, cookies and cream, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, dark fruits, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, rocky road ice cream, coconut, anise, mocha ice cream, cherries, fruit cake, crème brulee, burnt sugar and sweetened condensed milk.
Flavors:
Chocolate chip cookies, Cookies and cream, oreos, vanilla, Danish cream, Irish cream, mocha coffee, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, cocoa powder, dark fruit raisins, currants, prunes, dark cherries, pomegranates, banana hints, anise, mint chocolate chip, white chocolate, cookie dough ice cream, rocky road ice cream, chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, dulce de leche caramel, licorice notes, jamoca ice cream, raspberry cordials, toffee, crème brulee, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, cherry marzipan and fruit cake
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich with chocolate cookie dough flavors, vanilla, dark fruits, dark chocolate, caramel, fruit cake, cookies and cream, oreos, banana and mint chocolate chips. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. Pitch black body, smooth, creamy, velvety and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
An amazing beer! Lot’s of chocolate, oreo cookie and cream flavors. It doesn’t stop there though, there are so many flavors all over making this an overall cookies and cream dessert. The name is damn appropriate too. I have no idea if they mashed actual cookies in this but it sure feels like it. They gotta release this in bottles! If you have a chance to try it at the Bruery, definitely get it!
Anime Corner:
Harley Quinn from DC comics’ Batman series was chosen to represent the beer in the sense that the colors and flavors are sweet and insane! Essentially, with the black and white colors of the original Harley Quinn along side with the complex flavors of the Suicide Squad Harley, it make sense. Especially since you have the 2 Harleys representing the 2 breweries. It was kind of a stretch but in general, since I haven’t done a pairing with Harley, I felt this would be the right one.
Sources:
https://s14.favim.com/610/160815/30-seconds-to-mars-fanart-harley-quinn-jared-leto-Favim.com-4637984.jpeg
https://c3.patreon.com/2/patreon-posts/sQZDpybBB2BYZlQh1xMkRJCsL6xec4T53MlluNchj2d9xl446mYH8ivIVXcwVFOf.jpeg?t=1497744000&w=1600&v=FjmpfL–LVhAlnemfMjEPYrJe0fEj7WuT0LkIm485aA%3D
https://wallpapers.wallhaven.cc/wallpapers/full/wallhaven-411508.jpg
Rating: 7/7
2017 ¡PINK SNOW! Collaboration by Funky Buddha and The Bruery is a 7.5% Imperial Cream Ale brewed with Lactose, Guava, Dragon Fruit, Coconut and Vanilla
Label:
NIEVE ROSA
This collaborative brew with our Floridian friends is a tropical treat, transporting us to a cooler mindset when temperatures start to warm on out respective coasts.
Since our collective exposure to the wet wintry elements is minimal, we at The Bruery® and Funky Buddha decided to create our own version of snow – something pink and tropical -that we can play in as temperatures start to arm. Championing the big, bold flavors our breweries are known for, we brewed an imperial cream ale, then added lactose and vanilla for sweetness, and guava, dragonfruit and coconut for a vibrant, tropical vibe.
==Introduction==
Released to all Bruery societies and the public. Another awesome back to back collaboration with Funky Buddha. This time, they upgraded the Guava Libre recipe adding coconut and dragon fruit. I cannot tell if the base beer is guava libre but regardless it seems like an awesome move. Also, the fact that this is dragon fruit based, I am very excited about this. The beers I have had with dragon fruit have all been awesome and I have even made a dragon fruit beer because I loved the exotic fruit. Who wouldn’t like a cactus fruit in the shape of a fireball. This is truly something very special indeed and the fact that the Bruery collaborated with essentially, East Coast Bruery/ Funky Buddha, it makes that much more sense that this beer would one of the most unique! Let’s have a go, cheers!
Aromas:
Rich guava pastry, coconut, Raspados/shaved ice, sweetened condensed milk, toasted coconut, flan, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, piloncillo sugar cone, candied apples, Danish cream, stone fruit peaches, mango, strawberries, raspberries and orange creamcicle.
Flavors:
Toasted coconut, vanilla, caramel, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, tropical dragon fruit, mango, kiwi, guava, pine apple, passion fruit, flan, crème brulee, strawberry, guava pastry, guava quince/membrillo paste, stone fruit peaches, apricots, grapes, raspberry, pomegranates, cranberry, shaved ice, guava bundt cake, cake frosting, whipped cream, dragon fruit cobbler, peach cobbler, Danish cream, cane sugar, honey dew melon, guava cheesecake, candied apples, guava maize atole, dragon fruit, piloncillo sugar cone, orange creamsicle, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, dragon fruit and guava yogurt, dragon fruit and guava smoothies.
Aftertaste:
Finshing with Guava Pastry, Dragon fruit cobbler, vanilla, crème brulee, sweetened condensed milk, tropical fruits, stone fruits, grapes, toasted coconut, piña colada and guava quince. No alcohol in the taste, Hazey Rosey Magenta full body, smooth, creamy, crisp, refreshing and velvety mouthfeel and a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Liquid Raspados! (Shaved Ice) but guava flavored! Essentially, they took Guava Libre and made it even more awesome and it really is. The addition of the coconut and the lactose really gets it much closer to the way raspados are and usually they add sweetened condensed milk to enhance the flavor and that is what this is. This collaboration really out did itself and if you can find Guava Libre or Pink Snow, make sure to get several bottles. Truly a bucket lister.
Anime Corner:
Birdy Cephon Altera from Birdy The Mighty was used in this pairing for the colors of the label, beer, ingredients and flavors. Since I have not used Birdy for a Bruery review, I brought her for the first time. Birdy is a very powerful character in the Anime series and as such for being an upgrade if Guava Libre, she wears similar out fit to a wrestler in a way. I think she was definitely the one to pair with this beer.
Sources:
https://images.alphacoders.com/596/596894.jpg
https://archive.nyafuu.org/foolfuuka/boards/w/image/1335/14/1335143440216.jpg
http://img15.deviantart.net/7ac1/i/2011/305/d/c/decode_by_devicomic-d4d7uf8.png
http://www.animextremist.com/revistas-anime/megami-septiembre-2008/megamiseptiembre200811.jpg
https://img.fireden.net/a/image/1445/73/1445730652392.jpg
https://nik.bot.nu/o719218.jpg
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: 7/7
Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break collaboration by Evil Twin Brewing and WestBrook brewing is a 10.5% ABV Imperial Stout with Coffee, Cinnamon, Almonds, Cocoa Nibs, Vanilla and Habanero peppers added.
Label:
None
==Introduction==
Now this is something I never knew would ever happen. You take 2 of some of the best beers out there and make a blend recipe. Now, I have seen the Cuvee that has done something similar to this like when Boulevard and Firestone did their Collaboration beer which used Velvet Merkin, Stickee Monkee, Imperial Stout Tart Cherry X and Bourbon Barrel Quad to create a very special Cuvee. This is a similar idea although while many of those beers are awesome, Mexican Cake has been one of those aftermarket second hand beers that sells for a damn markup and is hard to get. Essentially, taking an awesome coveted brew like that one and using one of Evil Twin’s finest, the Imperial Biscotti Break and making something special that many people can actually get. Although I would not be surprised if this one goes the way of the “hard to find” brews as it is Mexican Cake after all. I had tried their Tequila Barrel Aged Mexican Cake in the past which was awesome in it’s own rights. Now as we get a chance to see what this one is all about, I cannot wait and am excited for the anticipation. Vamonos! A provar esta Cerveza, Let’s go try this beer! Cheers!
Aromas:
Mexican Chocolate, Chocolate Abuelita, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, mild habanero peppers, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate smores, cinnamon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark fruit raisins, currants, cherries, bananas, Danish cream almond joy, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, champurrado, tobacco and molasses.
Flavors:
Champurrado, Maize Atole, Mole spices, Habanero, Mexican Chocolate, Chocolate Abuelita, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, coffee cake, roasted coffee, Kahlua liqueur, bananas, molasses, fruit cake, marzipan, mazapan, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, almond joy, macadamia nuts, oreo cookies, Danish cream, Irish cream coffee, mocha, jamocha, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate smores, dark fruit raisins, currants, cherries, sweetened condensed milk, flan, cinnamon, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, toffee, dulce de leche caramel and oak notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich in toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, dark fruits, dark cherries, earthy notes, molasses, bananas, spicy pepper notes, champurrado, almond joy and marzipan. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black dark full body, smooth, creamy, chewy, velvety and syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Unbelievable! The blending of the Imperial Biscotti with Mexican cake is definitely something completely different. I have had the Mexican Cake in Tequila form which was amazing as well as the Imperial Biscotti break in many variants. The fact that this one is a special blend is seriously amazing especially for the fact that both beers are in a league of their own. It’s like if The Bruery and Three Floyds blended Dark Lord and Black Tuesday. Anyways, the beer itself is a complex drink of both worlds blending some spicy heat from the habanero peppers and Mexican chocolate with the Marzipan like flavors of the Biscotti imparted by the coffee, vanilla and almonds. The outcome is something that works in a directions that is unfathomable. For the original Mexican Cake being so pricey, now you can enjoy something that is bigger than than into a Super Saiyan Fusion of beer. A huge recommendation for a bucket lister like this one.
Anime Corner:
Noembelu from Street Fighter, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Vocaloid Hatsune Miku were used in this pairing as I wanted to mainly do the Mexican characteristics of the beer. Noembelu is essentially from the indigenous tribe where T. Hawk is from in Mexico so she was a perfect pairing for this beer. Yoruichi I have used in a previous Mexican brew and Miku I used in in the Tequila barrel Mexican Cake. Funny thing about Miku is that she has sung concerts in Mexico in Spanish sporting Mexican attire. So definitely had to bring her for this pairing as well.
Sources:
https://k61.kn3.net/taringa/2/7/6/5/2/6/94/panthyhero-/83B.jpg
http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/qinchao1204/chuyin%2012/wwwafterschoolsyscom-938.jpg~original
Rating: 5.75/6
2016 Big Hugs by Half Acre brewing is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee
Description:
This beer is a thug. Big and chock full of tender embrace.
A specialty brew. Grab it when you see it. 10% ABV.
…Big Hugs has grappled with natural order and twisted the pillars of existence. While you hang in the balance, steal time to sit steady and spill this black rumble into your center. Big Hugs Imperial Stout is liquid char scraped from the bowels of eternity, soaked with the free spirit of an adolescent feline. Heed him and rejoice.
The time has come to release our annual homage to the accidentally violent, disastrous fly swatter we call Big Hugs. In its 8th year, Hugs has managed to break through the worm hole and find itself up against the real monsters – human kind.
==Introduction==
As a huge fan of this crazy Kaiju Cat, I feel it is my duty every year to bring forth news of the return of a monster. A giant cat that can only suit its feels with hugging and massively destroying to the human race. Of course, he is loved by many. Who wouldn’t? Which makes me wonder how he would fare against Godzilla. To be honest, they would just be the best of friends. Who knows, maybe Big Hugs is Godzilla’s cat and no one knew it. Regardless, this one is one that you have to embrace. Take it on like a quest of dragons…err… cats. Like previous years, I hope to bring the beer to the site. Even if it is just the basic one. I think they do something different every year. Also, since I bought this years Dark Matter Coffee with Pink Himalayan Salt, I wonder if it will actually have that. Although, there is a version like that already. Anyways, let’s take on this Catastrophe!, Cheers!
Aromas:
Chocolate milk shake, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, fudge chocolate, roasted coffee, mocha, fancy coffee, espresso, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, currants, dark cherries, blueberries, coconut hints, tobacco, molasses, anise, leather, toffee, pecan pie, mild peanut butter and banana hints.
Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Baker’s Chocolate, German Chocolate, salted dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut hints, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, currants, dark cherries, blueberries, roasted coffee, mocha, fancy coffee, espresso, vinous grape notes, Kahlua Liqueur, brownies, pecan pie, bananas, malted chocolate, chocolate mousse, oatmeal cookies, smokey notes, anise, port wine, earthy notes, cookie dough ice cream, pecan pie, toffee, rock candy, salted chocolate, tobacco, leather, brown sugar, fudge chocolate, hazelnut nectar and pralines.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich with caramel, sea salt, vanilla, dark chocolate, peanut butter, Fancy Coffee roast, spicy coffee complexity earthy notes and dark fruits. No alcohol in the taste, Dark like the abyss of nothingness dark body, Smooth, velvety and creamy mouthfeel and almost easy to drink despite the ABV.
Overall:
I find it very interesting that this version of Big Hugs, while very exceptional and delicious as always, it had some salty notes like that of the Salted Chocolate version of the beer. It is interesting because the actual coffee does have Pink Himalayan salt, yes, the little baggie in the pictures. Makes wonder if they did use the same coffee as they did in the past years or if this is a new blend. Needless to say, still one of my favorite beers and the salty notes surely does add some complexity to the beer. Now while I did love this one, I am sure the variants are even better ofcourse. This one should still be seeked though as it is the original. Here watch this Cat Video from them to find out why you need this beer in your life. LOL Cheers!
Big Hugs from Meredith Anderson on Vimeo.
Anime Corner:
Ark Angel MR or evil Mythra from Final Fantasy XI was used in this pairing as I used her in the last pairing. The original idea had to do with the whole Big Hugs. Since she is a gray cat lady with crimson eyes, it would have fit with the Mecha Hugs Label from back in the day. The fact that she is an Ark Angel, she fits even more perfect with the evil Big Hugs and the whole Big Hugs as she squeezes the orange Mythra representing the colors of the original Big Hugs cat.
I also included original character Kisha the furry cat (character created by Kisharra of DeviantArt.com) as her color represent Christmas. This beer is released for Christmas so I figure this would work out since I found a picture of her hugging another furry cat on Christmas. Also, with that sensual stare, who wouldn’t want to hug up against a warm cat. Ofcourse, just like Big Hugs, big cats in real life are dangerous, just like the ABV on this one.
Sources:
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/564b9-chp6jf56bks039cj.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OqDjeY-4Tco/VkYAtgys6-I/AAAAAAAAdq4/8PD6QB9JRlM/w1602-h895/furry-%2525D1%252584%2525D1%25258D%2525D0%2525BD%2525D0%2525B4%2525D0%2525BE%2525D0%2525BC%2525D1%25258B-furry-art-furry-feline-1828652.png
http://tbib.org/images/3267/1b28a1e0f2f2b5d828c92ed0744d0309599c850f.png
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_E5x9oEAUbI/WAyX6gKIN6I/AAAAAAAACyQ/KpGw1qUkCCg3qGdScYywQgg-VgZ2YTSWACJoC/w1044-h1980/AYvf2nGehqw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2qwyCtD.jpg
Rating: 5/5
Stone Give Me Stout or Give Me Death collaboration by Stone Brewing in Virginia is a 9.5% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Raspberries & Blackberries from the commonwealth of Virginia
Label:
Virginia Commemorative Collaboration
An Imperial Tribute to Richmond & the rise of craft beer independence.
Just as Patrick Henry once stood addressing the city of Richmond in 1775 to spur resistance against the tyrannical British Empire, 20 years ago we were stirred to join the cry for resistance against the tyrannical oppression of industrial beer. And now, the opening of our Richmond brewery is yet another shot in the salvo that has been fired on behalf of American brewing independence. If we wish to brew free, if we mean to retain our identity and preserve the privilege of access to independent craft beer, we must recognize it is a group effort. We do not stand alone. And so, on our new brewing grounds, we gathered with fellow craft breweries and “His Excellency,” Governor McAuliffe, to join together in force. A group cry of freedom & independence! Consider this aggressively hopped imperial stout, jam-packed with Virginia raspberries and blackberries, a testament to our passion and unwillingness to settle or sell out! We think Patrick Henry would be proud, and hope you will be too.
Our Collaborators
Ardent Craft Ales
Hardywood Park Brewery
His Excellency Terry McAuliffe, Virginia Governor.
==Introduction==
The first brew I get to try from Stone in Richmond Virginia. To commemorate their opening, they brewed this stout using local blackberries and raspberries. The fact that it was a fruit stout was we really got me to go find this and bring it to the site. Many stone outlets sold this one early and will be hitting national distribution. So expect to see this one near you. Stone stouts tend to be somewhat aggressive but very delicious. Which makes me wonder how this one will go since it is using fruit. Let’s have a sip, cheers!
Aromas:
Roasted Barley notes, coffee, earthy hop notes, tobacco hints, anise, dark fruit cherries, raspberries, blackberries, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, marshmallow smores, smokey notes, fruit cake, brown sugar and hazelnut hints.
Flavors:
Deep Dark Chocolate mixed berry cordials, dark fruit raisins, blackberries, plums, raspberries, cherries, marshmallow smores, smokey notes, grassy, piney and earthy hop notes, tobacco, anise, molasses, roasted barley, roasted coffee, mocha, pecan pie, crème brulee, flan, stone fruit peach hints, brown sugar, fruit cake, mild soy sauce, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, chocolate brownies, chocolate raspberry cake, hazelnut nectar, rye bread with boysenberry preserves, raspberry and blackberry yogurt hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with dark chocolate, earthy hop notes, dark fruit hints, mixed berries, vanilla, caramel, molasses, roasted barley and coffee notes. No alcohol in the taste. Dark full body. Smooth, creamy, velvety and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A perfect stout. This one was definitely more in terms of bring out the rich full stout flavors. While I did not increase the rating anymore as the berries are mainly there for support and balance out the flavors, on its own it is super damn amazing. Yes I do believe with more fruit forward and chocolate forward flavors I would have been moved to give it the higher grade but this is just enough to really say it is perfect enough. It is also very hoppy too but will probably release more chocolate and fruit with age. I will definitely need to try and get more of these bottles to cellar. I think they have an awesome winner here that I highly recommend!
Anime Corner:
Tenryuu from Kantai Collection (KanColle) was chosen for this pairing was chosen for this pairing as I wanted to match some of her colors with that of the label and the ingredients. Her attitude to perceiver I think works well with the name. Give Me Stout or Give Me Death is a strong statement that seems very demanding. Just like Tenryuu’s character. She doesn’t look like she gives a damn and will mess up anyone that gets in her way.
Sources:
https://k60.kn3.net/taringa/3/6/D/0/4/C/zDystopia/64C.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cp88CcAW8AECMas.jpg:large
http://img0.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/full/tenryuu-(kantai-collection)-Kantai-Collection-Anime-Опасные-Няшки-1985236.jpeg
http://img0.reactor.cc/pics/post/full/Anime-Kantai-Collection-Tenryuu-920580.jpeg
Rating: 4.5/5
À Tout Le Monde collaboration by Unibroue and MegaDeth is a 4.5% ABV Canadian Saison/ Farmhouse ale brewed with spices and Dry hopped.
Commercial Description:
A new beer from Unibroue born of the friendship between its Brewmaster Jerry Vietz and Dave Mustaine, legendary lead vocalist and founder of heavy metal group Megadeth, is officially launching today in the U.S. and Quebec. Named À TOUT LE MONDE as a nod to one of the band’s songs and one of their biggest hits in Quebec, this beer recalls the consonance of Unibroue’s flagship beer, La Fin du Monde.
Dave Mustaine became friends with Jerry Vietz during Megadeth tours in Quebec. During their time together, Dave and Jerry created À TOUT LE MONDE as a symbol of their friendship. “At Unibroue, we appreciate flavour – and we know Megadeth is anything but boring,” explains Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster at Unibroue. “To Megadeth’s delight and that of their fans and connoisseurs, we’re offering an uncompromising beer with rich hoppy aromas, created according to Dave’s personal tastes.”
“Our shared passion for excellence produced a one-of-a-kind saison beer,” added Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s lead vocalist and founder. “I’m thrilled to present this new beer to my fans, and everyone who loves good beers with character.”
À TOUT LE MONDE ale is a flavorful Belgian style dry hopped golden saison with hoppy and spicy notes. Topped by an unctuous head, this beer will give fans a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting to take another sip.
==Introduction==
À Tout Le Monde or “For all the world or everyone” is inspired by the actual song in MegaDeth’s 1994 album, Youthanasia. This is the first time MegaDeth joins the craft beer scene after several awesome bands like AC/DC, Iron Maiden and many others worked to release their own brews. This choice to release something light was chosen as it would appeal to the massed. Basically something you can drink a lot of and still enjoy. It seems like a great choice and now that the beer is here on the site, let’s see what this awesome stuff is about. Cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruit peaches, apricots, pepper corn, Herbal, Floral, spicy, earthy and tropical hops, coriander hints, lavender, farmhouse hay, biscuit bread and honey.
Flavors:
Herbal, Floral, spicy, earthy and tropical hops, peppercorn spice, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, mango, farmhouse hay, lavender, banana notes, honey, biscuit bread, wheat, vanilla, lemon zest, clove spices, sour apple notes, cane sugar hints, coriander notes and cranberry hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes semi dry rich with notes of Stone fruits, biscuit bread, herbal, floral and earthy hops. No alcohol in the taste, hazy pale yellow medium body, crisp, clean, refreshing and effervescent mouth feel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A very good saison that has many of the awesome flavors you would find from many of the great saisons out there. While I think it does not bring anything new that I haven’t had before, this one is still awesome and delicious. I would definitely say this one is a good gateway representative and definitely something many people will enjoy, especially since it is Megadeth after all. Find this one, especially if you are a fan.
Anime Corner:
Sakuya Izayoi from Touhou Project and Vic Rattlehead from Megadeath were used in this pairing as I was definitely trying to search for Megadeth and anime. Long behold, I found these to be tagged with Megadeth on them. First, since Vic is in the label and second, Sakuya relates to it as she has the guitar and she stands in front of the lyrics “Never Walk Alone” and “Call to Arms”.
Sources:
http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/155/816/00b6f66b4302028ff09a6b784c01bdcd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tjz9tjZ.jpg
http://i2.ruliweb.com/img/16/07/31/1563f74b4f646c91a.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pq8bV3I.jpg
Another year has come to the release of the awesome and ultimate Beer Geek Beer, the W00tstout. This beer has been a beer I always look forward to every year in which I compare the previous year to the current release. While I really love this one, I am not sure how long I will keep doing these double reviews but one thing is for sure, I will be doing a special review when I end up brewing the recipe myself. I actually got a hold of the recipe and may create my own version of W00stout. Anyways, I have last year’s version which is the 2.0 combined with the 1.0 recipe. This year’s version is a take back to the first recipe, the W00tstout 1.0 which is released as 4.0. These beers are readily available for a limited time. So let’s take a look at the newest release and see how it stands to the previous year. Cheers!
====2016 Farking Wheaton W00tStout
2016 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout 4.0 (4th year release) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi) *geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels.
Label:
Has it been three years since we introduced the world to w00tStout? about a dozen years ago, I had the pleasure of getting to know Wil Wheaton when he reached out as a fan of our beers. Over the years, we kept plotting to brew a beer, and it finally came together in 2013. We brought mutual friend Drew Curtis (founder of fark.com) aboard to round out a three-way collaboration. The imperial stout you’re holding contains wheat (Wil pretty much insisted and we paid tribute to Drew’s Kentucky roots by adding pecans to the mix and partially aging the beer in bourbon barrels. The result? Nothing short of serendipitous. This is release No. 4 of our decadent staple of Hop-Con, our annual July celebration of all things geeky, and goes back to the original recipe and process we started with in 2013.
We were honored to work with Amanda Conner, who lent her illustrative talents for the creation of this year’s w00tstout art in exchange for our donation to The Hero Initiative (heroinitiative.org), a charity organization that provides retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists. She’s worked on countless comics and characters over the years, including Gargoyles, Vampirella, Power Girl, Silk Spectre, and Harley Quinn. She’s also co-creator of Gatecrasher and had her art recently featured on The Big Bang Theory. We also had the honor of working with her husband, Jimmy Palmiotti, who helped with the creative process. He’s known for so many things that you either know him or or a quick web search will give you far more insight than could fit on this bottle.
Cheers! Greg
“This beer ages well. Cellar yours and in the smuggling compartment of a Corellian YT-1300 light freighter-or suitable cool and dark space in space. Pull it out to share on Life day with family or friends, either at the feast table or under the Tree of Life.
GREG KOCH, Stone Brewing CEO & Co Founder
“For When you absolutely, positively, must go to the Dark Side, this is a good stand-in”
DREW CURTIS, Fark.com Creator & Patent Troll Killer
“Hokey marketing and ancient fizzy beers are no match for a good w00tstout by your side”
WIL WHEATON, Actor & Web Celeb
===
Aromas:
Dark Chocolate, Bananas, clove spice, Hazelnut, Dark fruits like raisins, prunes, figs, dates, dark cherries, port wine, toasted coconut, pecan pie, milk chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, vanilla, rye bread, butterscotch, toffee, brown sugar, licorice, mint, molasses, chocolate oatmeal raisin cookies, cinnamon hints, coconut hints, almond joy, old mango, mild stone fruit peach, pears, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel and Banana Sundae.
Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, German Chocolate, dark fruits like raisins, plums, figs, dates, currants, dark cherries, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, bananas, clove spice, banana split ice cream, fig pudding, earthy notes, mint, toasted wheat bread, rye, old mango, mild stone fruit peach, pears, molasses, licorice, mocha, Kahlua liqueur, roasted coffee, vanilla, bourbon hints, dulce de leche caramel, butterscotch, chocolate oatmeal raisin cookies, cinnamon hints, coconut hints, almond joy, rocky road ice cream and mild sangria hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with chocolate, rye, vanilla, caramel, dark fruit, molasses, and toasted wheat with pecan and almond buttery hints. Mildly boozy taste but not detracting from the flavors, pitch black full body, syrupy, smooth, velvety and creamy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
The new edition is essentially the original. Supremely decadent and amazing as ever. While being mildly boozy, this one is one that is probably better aged but even as is, it never ceases to amaze me. With the rich dessert flavors of a Stout with quad notes and banana sundae goodness, it has inspired me to make it on my own. Not only for the ultimate beer geek and fan of Star Wars but for those that love strong dark stouts too. As every year, supremely and highly recommended.
======2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout
2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout (3rd year release but now 1 year aged as of 2016) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi) *geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels then blended with W00tstout 2.0 and all aged in bourbon barrels once again. W00t!
Label:
Wil Wheaton first called us in 2004 ask if it’d be OK for him to put the Arrogant Bastard logo on his blog’s website (back when people still asked permission to do such things), and I just so happened to answer the phone (back when I still answered the main line sometimes). Since he was so damn enthusiastic about our beers, I said ‘Sure, no problem,’ all the while thinking ‘Hmmm…this guy’s name sounds familiar.’
Months later, in a serendipitous turn of fate, I reached out to our 10,000th email newsletter subscriber…drumroll…Wil Wheaton. Since his gigs in the iconic Stand By Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wil has become quite the renaissance man, adding author, w00tstock innovator, and homebrewer to his resume. His enthusiasm for the fermentable arts and our beer was such that after many occasions of sharing grog over the years, we decided it was time to brew in collaboration.
It was a no-brainer for us to choose Drew Curtis—who many know as the twisted mind behind Fark.com—as our third cohort. Drew was an old friend of Wil’s that I had serendipitously met (when he saw me and told me, ‘Dude, I love your beer) and enjoyed many beers with at the famous TED conference three years in a row. The beer you hold before you is an imperial stout made with wheat (Wil pretty much insisted), and we also paid tribute to Drew’s Kentucky roots by adding rye and pecans to the mix and partially aging the beer in bourbon barrels. The result? Nothing short of serendipitous.”
In celebration of the third brewing of this annual offering, we added to the mix a version of last year’s vintage that we aged in bourbon barrels for a year. Consider it a superhero version of this sudsy staple of Hop-Con, our imaginary titled annual July W00tstout release event!
Brought in to put a personalized stamp on this year’s edition of w00tstout was famed comic-book cover artist Dave “The Reverend” Johnson. The Elsner Award winner, known for his work for DC Comics and Vertigo series “100 Bullets.” created the fine art for this bottle in exchange for out donation to The Hero Initiative (heroinitiative.org), a charity organization that provides retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists.
======
Aromas:
Dark fruits of raisins, plums, figs, dates, cherries, currants, blackberries, blueberries, prunes, dark candy sugar, dulce de leche caramel, crème brulee, bourbon, pecan pie, almond joy, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, bananas, clove spice, brown sugar, whipped cream, crème brulee, bourbon, tobacco, leathery notes, bourbon soaked fruit cake, walnut pie, marzipan, sangria, cinnamon, ginger bread, rocky road ice cream, praline ice cream and mint chocolate chips.
Flavors:
Super Dark fruits of raisins, plums, figs, dates, cherries, currants, blackberries, blueberries, prunes, boysenberries, rich banana split on a boysenberry cobbler, hazelnut nectar, clove spice, toasted wheat bread, rye bread, dark candy sugar, dulce de leche caramel, crème brulee, bourbon, pecan pie, almond joy, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, Jamoca Ice cream, Praline ice cream, licorice, molasses, earthy notes, mint chocolate chip ice cream, oatmeal cookies, sweetened condensed milk, flan, cinnamon, brown sugar, whipped cream, crème brulee, bourbon, tobacco, leathery notes, fruit cake, port wine, sangria and marzipan.
Aftertaste:
Rich Dark fruit raisins, prunes, figs, currants, cheeries, bananas, port wine, sangria, caramel, vanilla, rocky road and milk chocolate, hints of bourbon and oak. No alcohol in the taste, Full body with a pitch black body, Syrupy, velvety, creamy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkablity.
Overall:
Awesome Dark fruit sauce! The Cuvee of 2.0 and 1.0 make for one beer that is essentially more dark fruit forward that it was when I first had it. I expected no less from this one but damn, there was just so much deliciousness I was not ready for. Belgian stout/quad and chocolate notes to the umpteenth power. The fact that the booze dissipated too also gave way to a much greater complexity. Just like I have done several times, saving a couple of bottles for aging is definitely worth it and I recommend you do the same.
Anime Corner:
Mari Illustrious, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Sohryu Langley/Shikinami from Neon Genesis Evangelion were used in this year’s pairing of 2016 W00tstout and 2015 W00tstout. Just like the last several year, I wanted to represent the 3 collaborators Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis. Greg being Asuka from the original Mari being Wil and Drew is Rei. In this Star Wars version of the beer I wanted to pay tribute with some crossover Evangelion artwork where Shinji’ Ikari’s dad is the the Gargoyle. Yes the characters seem to be mixed around but they are still characters for the original brew pairings. It has been along time coming with these awesome Geek beers and hope more to come. Great Job and Cheers to all Sci-Fi, Anime and Beer fans out there!
Sources:
https://i.warosu.org/data/tg/img/0211/60/1350453426412.jpg
http://orig13.deviantart.net/11cf/f/2016/045/3/6/evangelion_wars_by_lord__opal-d9rr47t.jpg
https://k41.kn3.net/taringa/2/2/1/8/2/2/60/kairack/C41.jpg?6429
https://36.media.tumblr.com/44f806c1176f847e2742a37097620c30/tumblr_o05z4xmQUN1v39f3co1_1280.jpg
Rating: 6/6 2016 W00TSTOUT
Rating: 6.25/7 2015 W00TSTOUT
Rating: 7/7
2015 Quingenti Millitre Series Batch No. 07 Xocoveza Mocha Stout Charred Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is an 10% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg then aged in Bourbon Barrels.
Label:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)
Brewed August 17
The base beer is the recipe of 2014 Stone Homebrew Competition winner Chris Banker, an intensely flavorful milk stout brewed with coffee and spices to mimic the rich flavors of Mexican hot chocolate.
In The Mash
U.S. Pale, Maris Otter Pale, Crystal, Black Patent, Coffee Malt & Chocolate Malt
In The Boil
Challenger & East Kent Golding Hops.
Special Ingredients
Lactose, Flaked Oats, Coffee, Vanilla, Pasilla Peppers, Nutmeg, Cinnamon & Cocoa
Unfiltered and Aged 3 months in American Oak Kentucky Bourbon Barrels.
CELLAR NOTES: Time spent in bourbon barrels gave an already complex beer even more complexity and flavor intensity, layering additional caramel-like and vanilla flavors on top of those already present. Aromas of rich coffee and dark chocolate are followed by nutmeg and cinnamon; a lush, heavy mouthfeel laden with charred oak and toffee engulfs the palate on the first sip. Lingering pasilla pepper and soft oak flavors persist through an exceptionally long finish in this intensely rich and satisfying beer.
==Introduction==
I received this one as a gift by my new friend Joseph Taitano whom I was introduced by my friend Augie Escobedo, both of BeerBumz on Facebook. I had tried the Tequila variant but missed out on getting the Charred one. However, thanks to the wonderful donation, now I can share my thoughts on the beer. The reason I got it was as a special thanks as I had shared my homebrew on a beer tasting session. Every one of which who enjoyed my beers a whole lot. I even got a name, calling me “The Prodigy” of homebrewing. It is true, I have only been brewing beer for a year but the fact that I have been inspired by awesome beers that already exist make me take matters into my on hands and come up with recipes that mimic some of the best beers in the world. While I know I hope to one day make my own brewery, I still need years of experience as well to make it big. So to Augie, Joseph, My friend Will Carranza who introduced me to Augie and to all the BeerBumz as well as my fellow homebrewer Richard Avila, to my friend Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com from Texas and people reading my blogs, Cheers to all and a sincerest Thank You!!! Someday, I hope you get to try my brews.
Aromas:
Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce De leche cajeta/caramel, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, smokey oak, bourbon, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, marshmallow smores, butterscotch, rocky road ice cream, mocha, roasted coffee notes, cafe con leche, Mexican vanilla, coconut hints, cocada mexican coconut candy hints, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, grilled platanitos/bananas and Churros.
Flavors:
Charred smokey oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel/ cajeta, toffee, rye, Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, cookies and cream, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, grilled platanitos/bananas, Churros, marshmallows, campfire smores, graham crackers, honey comb, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile spices but no heat, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, butterscotch, cocada mexican coconut candy hints, mocha, roasted coffee notes, Jericalla Mexican custard, espresso, cafe con leche and Mexican vanilla.
Aftertaste:
Lots of smokey oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, bourbon notes, marshmallow, dark chocolate, campfire smores, piloncillo, chocolate abuelita, pumpkin notes,spicy chile notes, earthy notes, dulce de leche and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy, velvety and smooth mouthfeel, and pitch black body just like the original.
Overall:
Supremely above and beyond. I had no idea the Xocoveza could take it to another level of enjoyment. Granted, I enjoyed the Tequila version but this is also just as good in its own league. The bourbon and charred oak brings about more smokey caramel and marshmallow flavors forward that you would find in the regular Xocoveza or even the Tequila and Wine one. Complexity on its own terms essentially. With that being said, I would highly recommend this one as well. Heck, I would recommend all 3 brews, they were one of the biggest hits for Stone Brewing.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, art by trzaraki of Deviantart.com and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this pairing for different reasons. 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. Since the upgrade using the bourbon barrel aging, I wanted to pair with one of my favorite anime characters, Yoruichi, since I wanted to show case how this was a more powerful beer than the original. I found a pic where she is what looks to be indigenous attire but also the colors of both pictures represent the colors and flavors of the beer. Her becoming a Goddess of Thunder with the purple hair represents the increase in the complexity and strength of the brew bringing the beer to a new league of its own.
Sources:
http://trzaraki.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-12-01-583945424
http://s27.postimg.org/ht9xex4cj/bsb_copy.jpg
http://i99.beon.ru/s013.radikal.ru/i325/1410/46/59c868e49075.jpg
Rating: 6/6
2015 Caribbean Chocolate Cake collaboration by Siren Craft Brew and Cigar City is a 7.4% ABV Tropical Imperial stout with cocoa nibs, lactose and aged on Cypress Wood.
Label:
The return of an outrageous collaboration with Cigar City, this is a dense, rich and luxurious stout. Hand-roasted cacao nibs from the USA give hints of tamarind and soft lemon. The malt provides coffee and roast notes in abundance, while the experimental OCC hop variety offers orange, chocolate and coconut flavours. Ageing on Cypress Wood is the icing on the cake. Pure bottled indulgence.
==Introduction==
Got this brew from craftshack.com. At the time I was not too interested in it but they were having a sales and it was a good opportunity to get some of the other brews I wanted to buy so I included it in my purchase. Though it is a little bottle, a collaboration with Cigar City has yet to let me down. That and the ingredients being used in this brew made me want to try it even more. Ofcourse, this being such a small bottle, I will have to take all the time in the world for this. Enough of the babble, on to the beverage, Cheers!
Aromas:
Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut, Dark fruit raisins, cherries, plums, grapes, currants, blue berries, black berries, raspberries, Tropical hints of dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, honey dew melon, Stone fruit peaches, roasted coffee, mocha, hazelnut molasses, anise, piloncillo sugar cone, pecan pie and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, plums, grapes, currants, blue berries, black berries, raspberries, Milk chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Mexican Abuelita chocolate, caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut, Stone fruit peach notes, Tamarind, Tropical hints of dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee, mango, kiwi, honey dew melon, Kahlua liqueur, roasted coffee, mocha, coffee cake, oak, crème brulee, flan, cinnamon, ginger, fruit cake, chocolate cherry cake, sweetened condensed milk, chambord raspberry liqueur, molasses, anise, piloncillo sugar cone, pecan pie and hazelnut.
Aftertaste:
Leaving with some rich tropical and chocolate soaked dark fruits, coffee, caramel and vanilla. No alcohol in the tasted. Dark as night full body, smoth, rich, creamy and velvety mouthfeel and moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very exceptional little bottle. What can I say, the whole tropical chocolate fruits was definitely something very prominent to his brew. How this was done with the cypress wood? I have no idea. While I really wish they could have made this into a 22oz. bottle instead, I think for what it is, it is still a great buy even if it was around 8$. Sometimes it is not the price but what it is you are drinking that determines that is great. With that being said, now I want to brew something like this in the future. With the way my current homebrews have been going, Inspirations like this can make for truly godly creations.
Anime Corner:
Ignis from Jingai Makyou was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of the labels with the dark colors and the flowers. It also pairs well with the coffee, chocolate and tropical fruits this beer has. I still don’t know how the cypress wood combination of lactose and cocoa nibs got so much tropical notes out of the beer but I guess only the future will tell. Ignis sitting down relaxing reminds me of just relaxing, take a step back and have some tropical stout!
Rating: 5.75/6
2015 Big Hugs by Half Acre brewing is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee
Description:
This beer is a thug. Big and chock full of tender embrace.
A specialty brew. Grab it when you see it. 10% ABV.
==Introduction==
Another year, another installment of the great and mighty Big Hugs. Every year since I first had it I have tried to get a hold of this one. I have missed some installments in the past but each year is something different but similar to the previous beer. Big Hugs the Cat started off with hugging giant buildings but he moved on to hugging other things and having to fight other giant monsters. This time, a giant snake. Since they released the beer, Dark Matter also released a special Coffee as well which are the coffee beans that were aged in the same beer. Essentially, more ingredients for future beers. Anyway, let’s have a look at this, cheers!
Aromas:
Rich mocha, Fancy roasted coffee, espresso, Vanilla, Caramel, Milk Sugar, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, bakers chocolate, German Chocolate, brownies, peanut butter, pecan pie, rock candy, toffee, Bananas, clove spice, vinous grape notes, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, currants, coffee cake and pecan pie notes.
Flavors:
Rich Vanilla, Caramel, Milk Sugar, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, bakers chocolate, German Chocolate, Mocha, Fancy roasted coffee, espresso, vinous grape notes, java, Kahlua liqueur, Dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, currants, dark cherries, blueberries, brownies, peanut butter, pecan pie, rock candy, toffee, Bananas, clove spice, herbal notes, tobacco, leather, smokey notes, walnuts, pralines, cinnamon, earthy notes, oatmeal cookies, cookie dough ice cream, anise, port wine, vinous grape notes, chocolate fudge, cherry and coffee cake, chocolate mousse, malt chocolate and coffee milk shake.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich with vanilla, caramel, chocolate, peanut butter, Fancy Coffee roast, spicy coffee complexity earthy notes and dark fruits. No alcohol in the taste, Dark like the abyss of nothingness dark body, Smooth and creamy mouthfeel and almost easy to drink despite the ABV.
Overall:
What can I say about this beer that I have not mentioned before. There is a reason I get this beer every year and even implemented dark matter coffee into my homebrews. Their stuff is the stuff of craft beer legend. With the recipe using the Coffee, it elaborates so many deep dark complex, fruity yet chocolatey, caramely and other sweets of the sweets goodness. As every year I try this, I highly recommend it.
Anime Corner:
Ark Angel MR or evil Mythra as well as Dragoon Mithra from Final Fantasy XI was used in this pairing as I used her in the last pairing. The original idea had to do with the whole Big Hugs. Since she is a gray cat lady with crimson eyes, it would have fit with the Mecha Hugs Label from back in the day. The fact that she is an Ark Angel, she fits even more perfect with the evil Big Hugs and the whole Big Hugs as she squeezes the orange Mythra representing the colors of the original Big Hugs cat. This beer as you stare at the dark yet determined Dragoon Mithra which represents victorious version of Big hugs in the under label, she wears that Snake like it was a dragon armor… a victory well suited.
Sources:
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/564b9-chp6jf56bks039cj.jpg
http://cdn-images.9cloud.us/220/lusciousnet_247-mithra-sliver_647660714.jpg
http://76.72.168.19/images/2010-01-24-238064.jpeg
Rating: 4.5/5
Forth Meal collaboration by The Bruery and Maine Beer Company is a 6.9% ABV Belgian Pale Ale
Label:
DO WHAT’S RIGHT…AT 1AM.
The Bruery and Maine Beer Company got together and cooked up something special for you: fourthmeal. It isn’t brunch; it isn’t “linner.” It’s a hoppy Belgian-style ale that brings aspects of both breweries to the table: fruity, Belgian yeast esters, a crisp, bready backbone, citrus and piney hop characteristics, and a dry, hop-forward finish. There’s no one shouting “come n’ git it” when it’s time to dine – just mouth-watering, dry-hopped aromatics, signaling that it’s time for fourthmeal.
==Introduction==
This one was sold and released by the Bruery to the public. While it will have a limited run, this is another collaboration. This time, they paired with Maine Beer Company and created a fused beer with specialties from both breweries in one. Typically with beers like these, Pale Ales or Belgian Pale Ales, I try to find some new things from them. I like to see if it will be something unique or something I have had before and in some cases, something that might not be pleasant. Regardless, many of the Bruery beers are still awesome so I am sure this one will not fall short of the expectations.
Aromas:
Honey, Floral, piney, herbal, citrus and grassy hops, bananas, clove spice, phenolic notes, , biscuit bread, vanilla, caramel hints, peppercorns, phenolic hints, tropical fruit of pineapple, passion fruit hints, green grapes, stone fruit apricot, cane sugar, tangerine hints and waffle cone notes.
Flavors:
Citrus, herbal, floral, piney, garlicky and grassy hops, Peppercorns, mild Belgian candi sugar, lemons, hibiscus flowers, biscuit bread, stone fruit apricot, cane sugar, tangerine hints, waffle cone, coriander spice, mild toffee notes, vanilla, tropical fruit of pineapple, passion fruit hints, green grapes, phenolic notes and hints of banana.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with hoppy notes, biscuit bread, peppercorns, honey and mild stone fruit. No alcohol in the taste, light to medium straw gold body, crisp, smooth and refreshing mouthfeel. While it was very good, I feel like it may not be too different from some of the awesome servings that the Bruery has done before. I think if you are willing to search to try it simply since it is a collaboration of the Bruery, it is worth a try.
Overall:
A very good Belgian golden beer. The hops are definitely the predominant part of this beer while the sweetness is mildly complex but balances out with the hops very well.
Anime Corner:
Fubuki from One Punch Man and Ruby Rose from RWBY were used in this pairing to go with eating in general. The fact that they call this a meal was what prompted me to find something with eating or mainly having the munchies. What else will people eat late at night? How bout cookies? So when I found this really cute artwork, I was compelled to use it. It fits well with the label and the colors but also represents the breweries as collaboration and eating food.
Sources:
http://i2.pixiv.net/c/1200×1200/img-master/img/2015/12/05/16/53/38/53891605_p26_master1200.jpg
Rating: 6/6
2012 Provisions Collaboration Series: A Stein’s Throw by The Bruery and TAPS Fish House & Brewery is an 8.5% ABV Barleywine SteinBier brewed with Date Sugar & Granite.
Label:
STONE AGE
Located just 5 miles from The Bruery, TAPS is one of the country’s most awarded brew pubs. Known for their classic European beers (and delicious Sea Bass), we decided to brew something classic, yet complex by heating granite rocks to 900° F before adding them to the wort for an intense caramelization. A Stein’s throw is suitable for aging up to 2 years.
==Introduction==
It’s been more like close to 4 years since its release. I was able to snag a bottle from the Bruery through their holiday sales. I have always wanted to try this one ever since my friend Will Carranza tried it at the Bruery when he went there a couple years ago. At the time, I was not aware of the different awesome beers from them except the exclusive ones. So when I saw this rarity pop up, I had to bring it to the site. Especially since I have not had this style and the method they used with granite rocks is crazy! I would think at those high temps, would the sugars become caramelized for the yeast not to be able to ferment it? Well, maybe they have a way to blend the wort with more malt and I think that’s where the Barleywine aspect comes in. Let’s see what this is about, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, dates, figs, plums, sugar plums, currants, toasted biscuit bread, trail mix, berry granola bar, rich Caramel, dulce de leche caramel, Mexican Goat Milk Caramel (Cajeta), Toffee, Raspberry Marzipan, bananas and clove spice, burnt sugar, Stone fruit peach notes, orange preserve hints, honey, waffle cone, marshmallows, pecan pie, macadamia nuts, rock candy, figgy pudding and flan notes
Flavors:
Rich Caramel, Dulce de leche caramel, Mexican Goat Milk Caramel (Cajeta), Toffee, Dark fruit raisins, dates, figs, plums, sugar plums, currants, rich dark candi sugars, English cream, vanilla, grape notes, port wine, Stone fruit peach notes, orange preserve hints, honey, waffle cone, marshmallows, pecan pie, macadamia nuts, rock candy, figgy pudding, flan, crème brulee, malted barley, raspberries, pomegranate, toasted biscuit bread, trail mix, berry granola bar, strawberry shortcake, Mochi Sakura cakes, Raspberry Marzipan, bananas and clove spice and burnt sugars.
Aftertaste:
Lots of dark fruits, caramels, flan, dark candi sugars, bananas, honey, orange preserves toffee, fig pudding and flan. No alcohol in the taste, Rich dark honey colored full body, silky, smooth, creamy and rich mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Time has done this beer some amazing miracles. I was really blown away by how this beer was. I never tasted it back then to compare how it has age but what I have here is something that I would like to pour over some ice cream. Super damn complex and malty with come sugars that go in different directions of sweet. Not cloying but just in variety. Not sure if I can find this again but if I did, I would get several of these!
Anime Corner:
Seras Victoria and Sir Integral Wingates Hellsing from Hellsing were used in this beer pairing to pair with the burning hot granite which was used in the wort to super caramelize the beer and the collabotation. Essentially, the extreme temperatures are synonymous to the fires of hell. Also, as the wort becomes caramel and the color of the brew becomes blood red it looks like some of the colors of the artwork and the evil look of Seras as well. Seras would be like the Bruery and Taps is Integral. Combining both to come up with this masterpiece.
Sources:
https://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/456345-724×996-hellsing-alucard+%28hellsing%29-victoria+seras-integra+wingates+hellsing-walter+c.+dornez-junshi+%28junbox%29.jpg
https://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/415144-1530×2970-hellsing-victoria+seras-orika+nekoi-single-tall+image-short+hair.png
https://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/162945-1920×1200-hellsing-victoria+seras-single-highres-wide+image-blonde+hair.jpg
Rating: 5.75/6
Passionate Dragon collaboration by Bottle Logic and Arizona Wilderness brewing is an 8.8% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/Saison brewed with Passion fruit, Dragon Fruit, Centennial Kumquats and aged in Red&White Wine Barrels.
Label:
Level 1 Limited
Brewed in collaboration with our bearded brethren at Arizona Wilderness Brewing, Co. This Saison boasts 6 different locally sourced fruit varietals plus heritage Sonoran white wheat and local harvested Arizona bay leaves.
#Science + #Nature = #Passion! End Transmission.
==Introduction==
Dragonfruit has been one of those elusive and exotic fruits that really don’t get around much as like let’s say cherries or bananas. Neither does Passion fruit and usually is why the price of these fruits is higher than common fruits. So, since I like rarity, a beer with these 2 fruits is definitely something I would want to try. Heck, the use of these fruits has inspired me to make a beer using them. I like to take stuff a step beyond but only time will tell how it will be. Either way, this is a dragon and passion fruit beer that really intrigued me so the fact that I was able to bring it to the site is such an honor. I hear this one was well coveted and to get this one was not an easy feat. Let’s see if it stands to my expectations.
Aromas:
Rich Dragon Fruit, Passion fruit, Stone fruit tart apricot, mango, kiwi fruit, honey dew melon, prickly pears, lemon, farmhouse hay, white wine grapes, red wine grapes, musty oak, Apples, Kumquats, Crab Apples, Oranges, Cranberries, yerba buena, mint, peppercorn, bay leaf, basil, persimmon, cane sugars, tangerine preserves and peppercorn.
Flavors:
Rich Dragon Fruit, Passion fruit, white wine grapes, red wine grapes, musty oak, Apples, Kumquats, Crab Apples, Oranges, Cranberries, Stone fruit tart apricot, mango, kiwi fruit, honey dew melon dryness, lemon, farmhouse hay, Chardonnay, Raspberries, Blueberries, pine apple hints, biscuit bread, vanilla, herbal notes, yerba buena, mint, peppercorn, bay leaf, basil, lychee fruit, tangerine preserves, strawberries, persimmon and cane sugar.
Aftertaste:
Finishes tart dry with lingering oak, tropical fruits like that dragon fruit, raspberries, farmhouse hay, oak, vanilla and citrus. No alcohol in the taste. Gold and pink clear body, crisp, refreshing and mildly creamy mouthfeel and easy to drink despite the ABV.
Overall:
Damn exceptional! Probably one of the best saisons I have ever had. The exotic fruits really stand out on this beer and this brew being a template for the Dragon beer I’m making, I can come back to this one and see if the addition of the passion fruit and dragon fruit really makes a difference. I highly recommend this one. It’s the kind of beer you want to keep drinking all the time!
Anime Corner:
Leona Heidern from King of Fighters, Astaroth and Asmodeus from Shinra Bansho were used in this pairing to pair with the aspect of the Dragon in terms of the color of pink dragon fruits, passion fruit being the heart of Astaroth and the dragon like characteristics of both Asmodeus and Astaroth. Really, I just wanted to be able to pair the 2 demon girls with an awesome dragon beer. Leona was a Bonus with the nice dragon fruit colors. Oh and in that red haired mode, she unleashes a lot of rage, she is, the passionate dragon.
Sources:
https://k42.kn3.net/taringa/1/3/2/4/1/8/7/iruel/E41.jpg?4691
http://i.imgur.com/kLTVw1M.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNr13QnXAAAW0F1.jpg
Rating: 4.75/5
Sorry Not Sorry IPA collaboration by Stone brewing, 4 Hands brewing and Bale Breaker brewing is a 9.3% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with Peaches.
Label:
Unbashedly Unashamed of our obsession with hops
The idea for this bright and bitter beer was born during Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele’s annual hop-selection pilgrimage to Yakima, Washington. While touring Loftus Ranches (a farm owned and operated by the same family for generations which recently expanded to Include on-property craft brewery Bale Breaker Brewing Co.), Steele felt inspired…while power-huffing hops no doubt…to suggest a brewing collaboration with Stone and our good friends from St. Louis.4 Hands Brewing Co. A powerhouse within the midwest brewing sect, 4 Hands has been on our official “awesome brewers we gotta collaborate with” list for some time. When considering the direction they’d take, it was decided that since Loftus Ranches was the first hop farm to commercially grow beloved Simcoe variety, leading with that piney, stone fruit-like hop was a must. But collaborations are about uncharted territory. Thus, the trio decided that pureed peaches hold be added to ‘up’ the fruit factor, while experimental HBC 342 and HBC 344 hops were selected to introduce notes of berries, citrus, tropical fruit and grassiness to this IPA. Yes, we made another IPA. We’ll concede that it’s not surprising. Our love of hoppy beers runs like a deeply entrenched mutherlode (yes, we meant to spell it that way) of humulus lupulus coursing through our veins. Ditto 4 Hands and Bale Breaker. So for those who’d have preferred to see us craft a milk stout, ancient ale or barrel-aged offering, that’s okay…we’ve made all of those in the past few months too. But we are who we are: an unapologetic band of hopheads psyched to explore the ever-expanding network of nooks and crannies within the IPA universe. So happy to have you join us!
“This project has been an amazing experience and we are truly grateful. Both Stone and the Bale Breaker team share our passion for the hops as well as experimentation.”
Kevin Lemp// Founder & President, 4 hands brewing co.
“We are honored to collaborate with the extremely talented and creative brewers at Stone and 4 Hands. ¡Viva la IPA!”
Kevin Smith//Head Brewer & Co-Owner, Bale Breaker Brewing Co.
“We are thrilled to join with the of the most exciting new hop-loving breweries in the country to make this unique and delicious IPA.”
Mitch Steele//Brewmaster, Stone Brewing Co.
==Introduction==
Obtained this one at my local store. Yet another IPA from Stone which is not that surprising as IPAs are a favorite of mine but also Stone brewing’s staple style. With that being said, I need to see how different this beer is in comparison to the many, many, many, MANY IPAs I have tried in the past. So with another beer out there, let’s see if they truly did mean to release another IPA variety. Cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruit peaches, apricots, mango, lychee, kumquats, Floral, grassy, herbal, citrucy, oniony, dank grapefruit and earthy hop notes, Blue Basil, Italian herbs, oregano, weed, mint greens, yerba Buena, coriander spice, mint, tropical fruit notes of kiwi, papaya, pineapple, honey and biscuit bread.
Flavors:
Herbal, floral, citrus, grapefruit, garlicky, oniony, dank, earthy notes and a grassy hops, Rich Stone fruits like apricots, peaches, mango, lychee tart kumquats, orange peel, grapefruit peel, lemon peel, Blue Basil, Italian herbs, oregano, weed, mint greens, yerba buena, chamomile, coriander, tropical fruit pineapple, kiwi, dragon fruit, strawberry, honey, biscuit bread and gummy bears.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with a stone fruit sweetness, honey, with a variety herbal and spicy hop goodness. No alcohol in the taste, Golden honey clear color, crisp, refreshing and smooth mouth feel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very good IPA that focuses on the more herbal and dank side of hops rather than the tropical. It is still a massive hop bite and punch for those that are hop head purist. While the peaches are apparent more as the beer warms up, the hop varieties are certainly a bit different giving a more of a various type of complex herbal hop aspect and it is what really drives the beer.
Anime Corner:
Yang Xiao Long from RWBY was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of the beer but also the whole theme of not giving a damn about ones actions. A real thug. Essentially, this paired perfectly to me since in Episode 6 or RWBY Volume 3, she was attacked by her opponent after a match she had in a tournament. She ended up breaking the dude’s leg but in her defense it was self-defense. What the audience saw though was that she attacked the guy for no reason. So she was kicked out. The truth is it was all an illusion in her mind from the guy’s partner which manipulates the senses. Either way, while she may be sorry for what happened, she is not sorry since she knows the dude attacked her but the audience was manipulated to see her attacking for no reason. Bad Ass!
Sources:
http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/801/012/3ab.jpg
http://konachan.com/sample/7e7fe3cffc094920a21659e99b596762/Konachan.com%20-%20187341%20sample.jpg
Rating: 4.5/5
Salted Caramel Brownie collaboration by New Belgium + Ben&Jerry’s Ice Cream is a 6.25% ABV American Brown Ale.
Label:
When two B Corps come together, delicious ideas are created. Our mutual dedication to using business as a force for good means you get to enjoy this brown ale laden with chocolaty, salted-caramel, vanilla goodness while helping Protect Our Winters combat climate change. Dig in!
==Introduction==
Who was always there after those College drinking sessions back in the day when I needed something for the munchy cure, Ben&Jerry’s! Yes, as far back as I remember, Ben&Jerry’s Ice Cream has always made some very delicious flavors ice cream that are not typical. Almost as if, they were the craft ice cream makers of the ice cream industry. My favorite from them is the Chunky Munky which is one of my all-time favorites. So with this release, I really am intrigued to see how close to ice cream did they get.
Aromas:
Caramel, bananas, hazelnut nectar, rocky road ice cream, earthy notes, anise, mocha hints, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, walnuts and almond joy.
Flavors:
Chocolate Fudge brownies, Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, dulce de leche caramel, bananas, hazelnut nectar, rocky road ice cream, walnuts, almonds, marshmallow, cookie dough ice cream, rye bread, salted caramel, tres leches cake, pecan pie, earthy notes, anise, mocha hints, coconut hints, oatmeal cookies, brown sugar and dark fruit raisins.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with some dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, earthy notes, dark fruit and fudge brownie hints. No alcohol in the taste, dark brown and crimson clear body, smooth and creamy mouthfeel and very easy to drink.
Overall:
I have to say it. This is very delicious since it tastes just like ice cream. Whatever they were going for really hit the spot. Especially as the beer gets closer to room temperature, it becomes a very nice dessert in a bottle. Good thing they sell this one in a pack of 6 pack. While maybe not as rich and complex as the Neopolitan Bourbon Stout this one would pair great with some Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream I’m sure.
Anime Corner:
Original character Silveria Princess by Nicca ofDeviantart.com was used in this pairing as I mainly wanted to use a character with ice cream but could also pair with some of the colors of the label.
Sources:
http://img14.deviantart.net/f008/i/2014/221/5/8/silveria_princess_by_nicca-d7uig16.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: 5/5
The Remix Project Series, Rio De Sauvin collaboration by Stillwater Artisanal and Against The Grain is a 7.7% ABV Tropical Farmhouse Ale brewed with Mango and Passion fruit juices.
Label:
The boys at Against the Grain made a beer based on a fictional “sexy man” and uhh, his sheep friend.. So sticking with the theme and the fact that we have been spending some time in Brazil lately, we decided to amp up the sexy and host a tropical orgy of fruit flavors, hops, malt and yeast.. Umm Yeah.”
==Introduction==
Got this one at the little liquor store across the street near the Bruery. I haven’t had many Stillwater beers in a while so I figure I bring them since the beers they have are definitely some of the best farmhouse ales out there. This one, however, was very special since the ingredients caught my eye. I figured, this is exactly what I would like to see in a beer. Definitely something tropical. So here we have it, a tropical Farmhouse ale that uses actual tropical fruits. Cheers!
Aromas:
Tropical fruits like papaya, guavas, mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, strawberry notes, cranberry hints, chamomile, lavender, grapefruit, piney, floral and herbal hops, farmhouse hay, funky notes, vanilla, biscuit bread, phenolic notes, banana notes and clove spice.
Flavors:
Citrus, Oranges, Lemon, peppercorn, Tropical fruits like papaya, guavas, mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, strawberry notes, cranberry hints, Stone fruits like apricots, peaches, lychee, vanilla, biscuit bread, phenolic notes, banana notes, clove spice, flowers like rose petals, hibiscus, chamomile, lavender, grapefruit, piney, floral and herbal hops, farmhouse hay, funky notes, and cantaloupe candy.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with some left over farmhouse hay goodness, tropical fruit, stone fruit, vanilla and hints of lemon and flowers. No alcohol in the taste, clear golden light body, crisp, refreshing, clean and effervescent mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.
Overall:
A perfect Saison being one of the best tropical saisons I have ever had. Namely, some saisons lean toward specific things like flowers but this one really let loose with some tropical notes that while subtle, they were perfect allowing the beer to reach an awesome peek of flavor. I highly recommend it even if the summer is close to an end, the heat is still here and this one is definitely one that should be taken if found. I have not seen this one online but if you happen to find it, give it a whirl!
Anime Corner:
Nia Teppelin and Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan were used in this pairing since I wanted to show case the many colors of tropical fruits and flavors. To pair with a hot summer scene, Nia and Yoko represent both breweries respectively and the floral surroundings are a nod at the floral notes from a farmhouse ale. So this beer pairs with many of the beers components and colors including the label.
Rating: 4.85/5
Collaboration Series: Souren, a collaboration with The Bruery Terreux and 8 Wired brewing is a 9.9% ABV Sour Belgian Golden with Pinot Noir Grapes.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Souren is named for our pal Søren who runs the show down in the far-off land of New Zealand at 8 Wired Brewery. Taking the long way home after a trip to the States, Søren and his team stopped off in Placentia for a day of brewing, and we created a very California-style sour beer together. Starting with a Belgian-style golden ale base, Pinot Noir grapes were added and the beer was sent to rest in barrels at Bruery Terreux. Over the year, the complexities grew and this grapey, funky, spicy beer was born. Half Kiwi, half American, this one has a rather handsome accent.
==Introduction==
Released by the Bruery Terreux for the Reserve Society members in August 2015 after they opened their new Sour Facility. This beer is in collaboration with 8 wired which I have not tried their stuff yet but I might give them a shot now that I know of them. So this sour is supposed to cross into the realm of the wine level or so the pinot noir grapes indicate this. Sour have a special place when it comes to the wine world as some of the flavors might complimentary. It is just a thought but if not, lets just continue and give this one a shot, Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich wine grapes, funky musty grapes, Stone fruit, apricots, peaches, apples, mango hints, strawberries, dark fruit cherries, plums, prune hints, tart berries, black berry, dragon fruit, passion fruit, Tart pineapple, oak, hibiscus flowers, lavender, peppercorns and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Rich Concorde grapes, pinot grapes, wine grapes, white grapes, champagne, Stone fruit, apricots, apples, mango hints, strawberries, vanilla, toffee, lemon peel, orange peels, prickly pears, grapefruit peel, peppercorn, funky notes, farmhouse hay, dark fruit cherries, plums, prune hints, tart berries, black berry yogurt hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, Tart pineapple, oak, hibiscus flowers, lavender and white sage spice.
Aftertaste:
Tart grapes, Tart Apricots, Tart Strawberries, yogurt notes, lemon, citrus, earthy funk notes, hay hints and mild tropical fruit hints. No alcohol in the taste, Honey Golden clear light body, moderate mouthfeel, crisp, moderate drinkability,
Overall:
A very good sour! Seems like the Bruery has really been working to step up their sour expertise. I found this pleasantly wonderful with a great balance of tart fruits and sour funkiness. I am not sure how much the 9.9% ABV helps to keep stuff in check but it seems to be working because everything is pretty balanced. For those that do not like sour, this maybe a gate way into them as you will take a liking to its sweetness and then pulled in to the sour Nirvana. Highly recommended.
Anime Corner:
Nonon Jakuzure from Kill La Kill has made her way into her first appearance in a Bruery review. I chose her for this beer mainly due to her infamous Japanese phrase “Nani Sore!” Which you maybe able to tell it is close to the name of the beer. That and the fact that this beers balance is on the tart fruity and the sour funk. Nonon is the type of character that is sweet looking and hot on the outside like the sweet fruit flavors of the beer but damn, she can be rude, obnoxious and in some for rotten to the core which coincide with the sour funkiness. However, it is not to say she is a bad girl by any means as she is a supporting character to the protagonist’s sister (Ryuko’s sister Satsuki). So because the beer so delicious and balanced, she works out for this beer. Not to mention, her pink colors contrast that of the rich berries and grapes.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/gbCVK8O.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/30/10/0a/30100aa481834244b50227e9188bd5a2.jpg
Rating: 7/7
2015 Quingenti Millimitre Series Batch No. 2 Xocoveza Mocha Stout Extra Añejo Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is an 11.3% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg then aged in Red Wine & Tequila Barrels.
Label:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)
Brewed July 19 & November 11, 2014
The base beer is the recipe of 2014 Stone Homebrew Competition winner Chris Banker, an intensely flavorful milk stout brewed with coffee and spices to mimic the rich flavors of Mexican hot chocolate.
In The Mash
U.S. Pale, Maris Otter Pale, Crystal, Black Patent, Coffee Malt & Chocolate Malt
In The Boil
Challenger & East Kent Golding Hops.
Special Ingredients
Lactose, Flaked Oats, Coffee, Vanilla, Pasilla Peppers, Nutmeg, Cinnamon & Cocoa
AGED in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels that previously held Bordeaux Wine
CELLAR NOTES: We were so smitten with the initial batch aged in extra añejo tequila barrels that we brought in more barrels and brewed more beer specifically to fill them. The barrels smelled amazing, with aromas of vanilla crème brulée, dulce de leche and tequila. The result is both satisfyingly expected and surprising at the same time: Sweet caramel-like flavors, black pepper, vanilla and tequila notes meld seamlessly with the spice, roasted coffee and chocolate flavors of the base beer for a richly intense experience.
==Introduction==
Standing in line for 3 hours sucks and getting a chance to get only 1 bottle since the beer sold out within the hour sucks even more. I will tell you this thought, even if I did not know it was going to sell out so damn quickly, I am fortunate to be able to bring this beer to the website as the beer was way more coveted than it should have been. That and the fact that if you wanna get more of this, you will need to trade or look for it online. It is sad that they only made so few of this and the fact that the Bourbon Barrel version sold out quicker than the Tequila version (Although I personally wanted this one way more than the other one) so now I will have to look for the bourbon/charred version. Either way, let’s take a look and see if this beer is really all that is cracked up to be. I can only say the original blew mountains away so I’m kinda scared but excited to see what this one does. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich oak, Port wine, Agave syrup, Tequila notes, lechugilla agave juice hints, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, marshmallow smores, butterscotch, magey plant, mocha, roasted coffee notes, cafe con leche, Mexican vanilla, Wined Goat milk Caramel/Dulce De Leche de cabra Envinado, coconut hints, cocada mexican coconut candy hints, wine grapes, sangria vampiro, honey comb, Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce De leche cajeta/caramel, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, grilled platanitos/bananas and Churros
Flavors:
Tequila, oak, Wine grapes, port wine, sangria vampiro, honey comb, Rich Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce De leche cajeta/caramel, Kahlua Liqueur, Ancho chile, pasilla chile spices but no heat, Molé, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, grilled platanitos/bananas, Churros, agave necar, lechugilla agave juice hints, pan dulce, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, marshmallow smores, butterscotch, magey plant, mocha, roasted coffee notes, cafe con leche, Mexican vanilla, Wined Goat milk Caramel/Dulce De Leche de cabra Envinado, coconut hints and cocada mexican coconut candy hints.
Aftertaste:
Cinnamon, pumpkin notes, nutmeg, dark chocolate, chocolate abuelita, mezcal, tequila, oak, port wine hints, spicy chile notes, agave notes and earthy notes. No alcohol in the taste despite the richer ABV, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy, velvety and smooth mouthfeel, and pitch black body just like the original.
Overall:
It’s hard to get more Mexican than this beer unless you pair it with some actual Mexican cuisine. Holy shit, one of the Best Tequila beers I have ever had considering the original was one of the best chocolate abuelita beers. It is so damn complex that I really wonder if the charred one is even necessary. Bourbon really isn’t a “Mexican” Spirit, but maybe good though. I still think this one would win over the bourbon one. Either way, I am thankful I was able to at least snag a bottle while it was painful for me to see the line behind miss out so much would have given them the bottle. However, I feel the fact that I present my findings here on the site maybe more beneficial as it could make you wanna find it online/ trade for yourself. Well, I damn sure recommend it as a bucket list beer for sure y que Viva Mexico y Las Cervezas Artesanales de mi patria…. AHUEVO!!
Anime Corner:
An original Adelita character by Genzoman and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this beer to really bring out what made Xocoveza so damn special. Specifically, with the addition of Tequila along with the Mexican Hot chocolate flavors and Insurgente which were one of the 3 collaborators of this beer, I really wanted to show case an actual Mexican pairing with pride. Adelitas being women soldiers during Mexican revolution of 1910, along with the barrels behind her are like the Tequila barrels that were infused with the already awesome Xocoveza which I had brought May for that to show case the indigenous roots of the recipe as well. Solo lo mejor!
Sources:
http://genzoman.deviantart.com/art/Adelita-162831459
http://s27.postimg.org/ht9xex4cj/bsb_copy.jpg
It has been ages since I have done a double review. However, this type of review is no exception. This is actually a pretty damn special type of double review that gains the notoriety every year. Meaning, people and all beer geeks love W00tStout. It is just plain and simple. This year, I bring for the W00tstout 2.0 that was aged for 1 year and the 2015 W00stout which, to my surprise, was a blend of the W00tstout 2.0 with the original recipe. Talk about supreme epicness right there. So I decided to dissect both of these individually and come to terms as to which one I love the most. The newer one that is a blend of the old one or the older one. So let’s check these babies out, cheers!
2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout Review
2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout (3rd year release) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels then blended with W00tstout 2.0 and all aged in bourbon barrels once again. W00t!
Label:
Wil Wheaton first called us in 2004 ask if it’d be OK for him to put the Arrogant Bastard logo on his blog’s website (back when people still asked permission to do such things), and I just so happened to answer the phone (back when I still answered the main line sometimes). Since he was so damn enthusiastic about our beers, I said ‘Sure, no problem,’ all the while thinking ‘Hmmm…this guy’s name sounds familiar.’
Months later, in a serendipitous turn of fate, I reached out to our 10,000th email newsletter subscriber…drumroll…Wil Wheaton. Since his gigs in the iconic Stand By Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wil has become quite the renaissance man, adding author, w00tstock innovator, and homebrewer to his resume. His enthusiasm for the fermentable arts and our beer was such that after many occasions of sharing grog over the years, we decided it was time to brew in collaboration.
It was a no-brainer for us to choose Drew Curtis—who many know as the twisted mind behind Fark.com—as our third cohort. Drew was an old friend of Wil’s that I had serendipitously met (when he saw me and told me, ‘Dude, I love your beer) and enjoyed many beers with at the famous TED conference three years in a row. The beer you hold before you is an imperial stout made with wheat (Wil pretty much insisted), and we also paid tribute to Drew’s Kentucky roots by adding rye and pecans to the mix and partially aging the beer in bourbon barrels. The result? Nothing short of serendipitous.”
In celebration of the third brewing of this annual offering, we added to the mix a version of last year’s vintage that we aged in bourbon barrels for a year. Consider it a superhero version of this sudsy staple of Hop-Con, our imaginary titled annual July W00tstout release event!
Brought in to put a personalized stamp on this year’s edition of w00tstout was famed comic-book cover artist Dave “The Reverend” Johnson. The Elsner Award winner, known for his work for DC Comics and Vertigo series “100 Bullets.” created the fine art for this bottle in exchange for out donation to The Hero Initiative (heroinitiative.org), a charity organization that provides retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists.
—–
Aromas:
Rich chocolate, rich banana split, rich Dark fruit prunes, raisins, plums, figs, dates, sangria, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, pecan pie, dulce de leche caramel, flan, macaroons, toasted coconut, mocha coffee, vanilla, oak, bourbon, banana notes, hazelnut, rye bread, butterscotch, toffee, licorice, brown sugar, molasses, pear, dark cherry and port wine.
Flavors:
Danish cream, hazelnut nectar, sweetened condensed milk, Rich Banana Split, Kahlua, dark and milk chocolate, molasses, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruits like raisins, plums, figs, dates, mocha coffee, port wine, rye pie crust, bourbon, butterscotch, buttered praline ice cream, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, bananas, clove spice, fig pudding, raisin bread pudding, coriander spice, earthy notes, hints of mint, wheat toast, oatmeal cookies, flan cinnamon and whipped cream..
Aftertaste:
Rich Banana split, rocky road and milk chocolate, Dark fruit raisins, cherries, plums, prunes, hints of bourbon, port wine, oak, caramel and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, Syrup mouthfeel with a sipping drinkablity and pitch black appearance with not much head retention.
Overall:
I have no idea how crazy this year’s version would get. Somehow, with the Cuvee blend of the W00tStout 2, the beer became more of a chocolate banana split and pecan pie forward beer. This is actually a great thing. Save several bottles of this one as who knows what this will be like when comparing it to the Super W00t when they release it from Berlin. For now, just know this year takes the best of both the original and W00tstout 2.0 and takes it to another level! W000000tttt!!
W00tstout 2.0 (1year aged) Review
Stone W00stout 2.0 (1 year aged) collaboration by Drew Curtis, Aisha Tyler and Wil Wheaton brewed at Stone brewing is a 13.5% ABV World Class Imperial Stout brewed with flaked rye, wheat, pecans, hops, Stone-Ground Chocolate, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels.
Label:
In 2013, our CEO and Co-founder, Greg Koch, invited two respected fans of craft beer, brewing and all things Stone to develop an intense, inventive beer capable of not only delivering immense flavor, but also serving as a fitting, singular celebration of über-level enthusiasm. Self-proclaimed geeks in a number of arenas, the duo of thespian and renaissance man Wil Wheaton and Fark.com online news guru Drew Curtis proved up to the challenge, calling on their personal backgrounds to devise an imperial stout brewed with flaked rye, wheat and pecans that was partially aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. Shortly after being released, this creation—dubbed “w00tstout” in honor of w00tstock, Wil’s annual tribute festival to cross-genre geekdom—became an instant cult classic.
Despite the fact that Greg spent the first half of 2014 on an international walkabout-style sabbatical, Wil and Drew were invited back to Stone to put a new spin on this threesome-borne beauty. All they needed was a third conspirator, and for that, they called on friend and fellow geek, Aisha Tyler. An actress, talk show host, comedian and author with a flair for individuality, she brought an entire new dimension to the brew day, just as the stone-ground chocolate the trio added to the original w00tstout recipe added delicious depth to the beer.
A personalized stamp was put on this year’s edition of w00tstout by comic artist Dave Gibbons. The co-creator of the Watchmen series worked up the fine art for this bottle in exchange for a donation to The Hero Initiative (www.heroinitiative.org), a charity organization providing retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists.
He thought his super power to point out the obvious was the most useless “power” ever, until he realized many people don;t see that which is plain as day.
Drew Curtis is…Captain Obvious!
Limbs unwieldy and lank are her lithe tools of destruction. Years of Bradbury (and corrective lenses) gave her laser vision. Where once she stumbled into peril, now she springs toward it, headlong.
Aisha Tyler is…Lady Temerarious!
Flashes of his destiny occurred in his youth, but it wasn’t until he uploaded his consciousness to the digital realm, that his powers were revealed. Now, he brings hops and hope to a thirsty world.
Wil Wheaton is…The Mercene-ary!
___
Aromas:
Very dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, dates, Rich dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, Kahlua, Rich Bananas, toasted coconut, pecan pie, mocha coffee, molasses, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, port wine hints, rye bread, vanilla, oak, bourbon, butterscotch, hazelnut nectar, clove spice, earthy hop notes, mint, wheat toast, raisin bread pudding, rich chocolate banana split sundae, flan, sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Rich bananas, pecan pie, coconut, flan, sweetened condensed milk, dark, bakers, milk, Abuelita and Belgian Chocolates, Very Rich dark fruits like prunes, raisins, figs, dark cherries, black currants, grapes, almond joy chocolate, raisin bread pudding, Danish cream, Chocolate eclair, chocolate moose, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal, hot fudge sundae, mocha coffee, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, licorice, port wine hints, rye pie crust, bourbon, oak, hazelnut nectar, butterscotch, clove spice, vanilla, hazelnut nectar, whipped cream, crème brulee, brown sugar, wheat toast with nutella, mint and molasses.
Aftertaste:
Rich dark fruits, Banana split sunday, flan, dark cherries, milk and dark chocolates, pecan pie, whipped cream, bourbon, oak, caramel, earthy hops and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer, syrupy mouthfeel and pitch black appearance with hardly any head retention such as the previous.
Overall:
I can honestly say, time has done miracles for this version of the beer. Along with the rich dark chocolates that come about, the rich dark fruits are more forward along with an even bigger and richer banana split and nutty flavor. The richer combination of the dark fruits and chocolates reaches some of the Belgian Quad notes and Belgian Stout notes stronger than it did last year. I highly recommended bringing this one out of the cellar if you have it as trying them both side by side, I could tell I love this one even more for its chocolate and dark fruit forward goodness but yet, I love the other one for its Banana split goodness. W00t!!!
Anime Corner:
Mari Illustrious, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Sohryu Langley/Shikinami from Neon Genesis Evangelion were used in this years pairing of W00tstout and W00tstout 2.0. Just like last year, I wanted to represent the 3 collaborators Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis and the addition of Aisha Tyler which to Greg’s Place last year. Now that Greg’s back, we can use them interchangeably as you can see Greg being Asuka from the original and Mari being Asisha cheering on their hard work. Don’t worry, Drew is and Wil are there as well, kinda lol. Great Job and Cheers to all Sci-Fi, Anime and Beer fans out there!
Sources:
http://www.bankoboev.ru/…/Bankoboev.Ru_evangelion_3_devushk…
http://www.zerochan.net/full/661580
http://konachan.com/…/Konachan.com%20-%20154543%20sample.jpg
Rating: 6/6 2015 Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout (3rd Edition)
Rating: 6.2/7 W00tstout 2.0 (1 year aged)
Rating: 4.85/5
Árcáná collaboration by Stillwater Artisanal and Hof ten Dormaal is a 6.5% ABV Belgian Farmhouse Stout.
Label:
None!
==Introduction==
Stillwater Artisanal ales by gypsy brewer, Brian Stillwater, have been some of my favorite beers as they have been so cryptic yet very artfully crafty with their awesome design of labels that go beyond your basic generic label. I have brought many of the Stillwater beers to the site and today I bring one that is supposed to be what I would assume similar to Folkore yet more on the Farmhouse Ale style. They collaborated with Hof ten Dormaal of Belgium which technically this would be my first beer from them. Let’s check this one out and see how this one compares to some of the other Belgian stouts I have tried in the past.
Aromas:
Banana, clove spice, peppercorns, farmhouse hay hints, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, anise, licorice, Belgian candi sugar, light smoke notes, rye bread, tobacco, dark chocolate, Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dates, dark cherries, cherry yogurt, wine grapes, port wine hints, brown sugar and flowers.
Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dates, dark cherries, cherry yogurt, wine grapes, peppercorns, port wine, dulce de leche caramel, dark chocolate, Belgian chocolate, roasted coffee notes, coffee bread, molasses, anise, oatmeal cookies, bakers chocolate, banana notes, clove spice, phenolic notes, Belgian candi sugar, light smoke notes, rye bread, tobacco, Stone fruit apricot and peach notes, rock candy, brown sugar, vanilla and licorice.
Aftertaste:
Chocolate, wine grapes, Belgian candy sugar, dark fruit cherries, earthy notes, anise and caramel.No alcohol in the taste, true pitch black body, creamy and smooth mouthfeel and moderate drinkability
Overall:
This is a damn good beer reminding me of the awesome Folklore but with more of a peppery and earthy type of flavors. So while the spectrum of Folklore goes into the more dark fruit and candi sugar side this one, while still complex, also has more of an emphasis on being a spicy and floral farmhouse ale. While I think this is super awesome, I prefer the Folklore still over this one. However, this one has many merits to its name that can be enjoyed by Farmhouse and Stout lovers a like.
Anime Corner:
Alipheese “Alice” Fateburn XVI (Sixteenth) fro Monster Girl Quest was used in this pairing was I wanted to find something that would pair with the including the woman and the snake. Along with the mystical artwork, Alice was the one that best seems to work with this pairing as she is both the woman and the snake at the same time. Her colors shine of flowers representing the floral nature of the farmhouse style and the dark essence of dark fruits and stout flavors.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/BFJ3pub.jpg
http://sinceillust.deviantart.com/art/Alice-451286376
Rating: 5.5/5
2014 Big Hugs by Half Acre brewing is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee
Description:
This beer is a thug. Big and chock full of tender embrace.
A specialty brew. Grab it when you see it. 10% ABV.
==Introduction==
This is the second time I try this beer and this time it is at its freshest. Thanks to www.mybeercollectibles.com for helping me obtain this one as this one is nowhere to be found here in California. Although, from what I remember in the last time I reviewed this beer, it was awesome aged. This beer is still hard to find unless you live near Chicago or can trade for it. Either way, let us see how well the fresher one does here.
Label: https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/c74e2-bighugs2014_over-final.jpg
Aromas:
Fancy roasted coffee, espresso, Mocha, Java Kahlua, vinous grapes, dark fruits like raisins, prunes, plum hints, dark cherry, blackberry, currants, deep dark chocolate, hazelnut nectar, rock candy, Danish Cookies, oatmeal cookies, spices like ginger, herbal notes, brownies, peppercorns and tobacco.
Flavors:
Mocha, Fancy roasted coffee, espresso, vinous grape notes, java, Kahlua, caramel, vanilla, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, hazelnut nectar, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, molasses, walnuts, pecan pie, toffee, brownies, rock candy, peanut butter, Danish cookies, oatmeal cookies, peppercorn, tobacco, leather, smokey hints, brownies, spicy notes, herbal hints, complex coffee notes, earthy notes, dark cherry, black berries, and prailines.
Aftertaste:
Fancy Coffee roast, spicy coffee complexity earthy notes, caramel, dark chocolate and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, Smooth and creamy mouthfeel, almost easy to drink despite the ABV, Dark like the abyss of nothingness dark body.
Overall:
Damn, every time I try a different roasty variant from different companies such as Dark Matter or Portola Labs, they always have some really complex stuff. Like the fact that the coffee world is on its own level, just mixing it with some of these beers makes them that much more complex. Also the fact that this makes this one is just that much of an exceeding expectations kind of beer is just phenomenal. I really think the fresher the beer is better as you get more of the coffee complexity than what I did with the 2 year aged one. It is rather strange but I really feel like this was the case with this one.
Anime Corner:
Ark Angel MR or Evil Mythra from Final Fantasy XI was used in this pairing as I used her in the last pairing. The original idea had to do with the whole Big Hugs. Since she is a gray cat lady with crimson eyes, it would have fit with the Mecha Hugs Label. The fact that she is an Ark Angel, she fits even more perfect with the Cat Angel of Death and the whole Big Hugs as she squeezes the orange Mythra representing the colors of the original Big Hugs cat. This beer is evil, Feline Evil.
****Update****:
Just like the surprise toy in the cereal boxes or the special prizes they have on those McDonalds cups, Peel the original label to get so much Win in this awesome label behind the Original. Yeah I really didn’t catch this until later. YAY BigHugs!! See, Ark Angel MR and regular Mithra are great friends!
Sources:
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/564b9-chp6jf56bks039cj.jpg
http://oi62.tinypic.com/29zu35v.jpg
Rating: 5/5
Persimmon Ship collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Upland brewing is a 5% ABV American Wild Ale brewed with Persimmons and Dragon Fruit
Label:
Combining Indiana Persimmons and Dragon fruit from Thailand? Who would concoct such a divinely subtle concoction of joy and delight? Only the spookily twisted folks at Jolly Pumpkin and Upland Brewing, that’s who. From the rolling hills of Indiana, to the twisted wrought iron gates and graveyards of Dexter, comes this wonderful blending of oak aged sour ale.
Our First Collaborative Release of 2014!
==Introduction==
I obtained this bottle at Luekensliquor.com which sells many Florida beers. While I wanted more, 1 was all I can obtain. It makes me believe they will have more soon. The fact that this was a Jolly Pumpkin beer collaborating with Upland, I had to have it. The last time I had an Upland beer was their Double Dragonfly DIPA which they are so weird with this. It shows a weird combination of Humanoid Dragonflies in their mating season. A great beer, but certainly hard to come by and hopefully is something that we get to see here in California as we typically get these beers. So if you do find it, hopefully my review will help you, Cheers!
Aromas:
Pink dragon fruit, honey dew melon, persimmons, sourdough bread, white wine grapes, funky old oranges, farmhouse hay, vegetable notes, hints of vanilla and caramel, good amount of oak, brettanomyces, plums, passion fruit, tangerines, coriander spice, flowers and lavender.
Flavors:
Persimmons, Grapefruit, Dragon fruit, passion fruit, mango, Lemons, lemon peel, white wine grapes, tart apricots, funky old oranges, plums, peaches, coriander spice, peppercorns, farmhouse hay, sour dough bread, vanilla, oak, caramel, grapefruit peel, tangerine peel, honey, pineapple, lavender, flowers, lemon grass, sour apples, herbs and old banana hints.
Aftertaste:
Dry Persimmons, Dragon fruit sweet hints, apricots, peaches, grapefruit and mango peel finishing dry.
No alcohol in the taste, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, light to medium cloudy yellow body and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A perfect collaboration with a fair amount of fruit and sour complexity despite only being 5% ABV. There isn’t many beers using actual persimmons or dragon fruit this definitely was a winner. I have not seen this one anywhere in California and hope I can get this again but online is the best bet for this crazy beer. Jolly Pumpkin knows their sours and I would love to definitely try more Upland beers if I can find them. If you love tarts sours and Jolly Pumpkin sours, go find this lost pirates treasure!
Anime Corner:
Ruby Heart from Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 and Aircraft Carrier-hime from Kantai Collection were used to represent the label and its colors. Ruby Heart, the captain of the ship in search for treasure (Upland) and it’s Ghost matie first class (Jolly Pumpkin) set sail the briny sour deep of the taste buds. We can also see the similarities in Aircraft carrier-hime where she commands above a skull sending out a barrage of what look to be pumpkins in tribute to the Jolly Pumpkins. There is so much going on here that pairs well with the beer, you are just going to have to figure it out.
Sources:
http://blogs.c.yimg.jp/res/blog-6b-a3/nikujikun/folder/136358/42/39147142/img_0?1376727320
http://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/369961-1500×1250-kantai+collection-aircraft+carrier+hime-kouji+%28astral+reverie%29-single-light+erotic-looking+at+viewer.jpg
Rating: 5/5
Lips of Faith Series Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout collaboration by New Belgium and Perennial Artisan Ales is a 9% ABV Belgian Imperial Stout.
Label:
Dessert is best poured. And the brewers at Perennial agree. So for our next Lips of Faith release we dreamt up a beer that would bring together chocolate sweetness, Belgian yeast, deeply roasted malts and just the right shake of salt to pour a creamy stout worthy of a cherry on top.
___
It surely has been a while since I have done a Lips of Faith series beer. That and the fact that I have not seen many out and I recently just Gruit so you will most likely see a review of that one soon as well. This time New Belgium does a collaboration with Perennial which is something we do not often get here in the west coast so seeing them with NB making a Belgian Stout is simply amazing. I can only hope that what comes out of this is pure epicness. The Belgian Stout is a rare feat that I have only seen few do and do it great. The fact that we have Perennial involved, I can only hope for the best. The Lips of Faith series has been awesome for so many years hitting some great craft hits. I just hope this one is a hit too. Well, let us see, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherries, clove spice, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, milk chocolate, Belgian chocolate, biscuit bread, vanilla, caramel, banana hints, smokey notes, soy sauce, oak notes, earthy notes, anise, molasses, soy sauce and coriander.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Milk chocolate, Bakers chocolate, Oatmeal cookies Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherries, currants, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, mint chocolate chip, anise, licorice, molasses, bananas, clove spice, coriander spice, rye, oak notes, smokey notes, soy sauce hints, rye bread, BBQ hints, earthy notes, salt notes and leather hints.
Aftertaste:
Leaving with an anise, chocolate, raisins, earthy notes, salted plum sauce, caramel and hints of oak. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, creamy and smooth mouthfeel, moderate drinkability.
Overall:
This beer reminded me of the Ommegang Art of Darkness, Shiva’s Tears or a Smokey Dubbel. This was perfect mainly since I love Belgian Chocolate Stouts and the chocolate and mild smokey notes works wonders here. I have yet to try Perennial Artisan Ales but what they and New Belgium have brought forth is very amazing. If chocolate was truly made to have small bit of salt, it seems to work as it is more balanced the way it is. I would highly reach this one out if you like smokey hinted chocolate beers.
Anime Corner:
Original demon character was used in this pairing to pair with the aspect of sweet Belgian chocolate and monk beers which are typically holy that drive away evil. The fact that a devil/demon girl is eating the chocolate is like tainting or in this case salting the Belgian chocolate. It necessarily is not a bad thing as you can see she does look innocent and she does have some Angelic traits, it is just that salting or tainting a Belgian chocolate introduces some awesome pleasures to the palette that enjoys just a little more than the average sweet chocolate. Some people don’t like pure sweet and this goes to balance flavors out. So it seems to work. That and the fact that some of the colors she has do match with some of the colors from the the label.
Sources:
http://oi59.tinypic.com/2w556xy.jpg
Rating: 4.65/5
Ol’ Leghorn collaboration by Firestone Walker and Three Floyds brewing is a 10.5% Wheat/Blonde Barley Wine.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Ol’ Leghorn was initially brewed by Floyd and Brynildson during last year’s Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest. In a shout-out to Firestone Walker’s and Nick Floyd’s mutual English heritage, this blonde barleywine was brewed with traditional English ale malting varieties—Golden Promise and Optic base malts- with no specialty malt added.
The beer was then racked to a combination of retired bourbon barrels and new American oak wine barrels for aging at Firestone Walker Brewing Company. In fearless 3 Floyds fashion, another batch of dry-hopped Ol’ Leghorn was recently brewed for blending into the aged beer, to add a fresh, hoppy layer to the more intense spirits barrel and oaky character of the initial batch.
The result is a staggeringly hoppy blonde barleywine that will first be unveiled at the 2014 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest in Paso Robles on Saturday, May 31. Additionally, 22-ounce bottles will be available for purchase (six bottle limit per customer) at Firestone Walker’s Brewery Store on Sunday, June 1 starting at 10 a.m., with very limited market release later in the month. Ol’ Leghorn is meant to be consumed fresh in its youth, and vigilantly cold stored in the meantime.
___
This beer was made during the time that 3 Floyds was touring with other breweries this year to create collaboration brews. While hard to come by, I really wanted to bring this beer forth to the site as FW and 3F make some crazy world class beers. So I wanted to see if their collab could truly be remarkable. Well here it is and now we can find out for sure.
Aromas:
Vanilla, oak, honey, citrus, piney and grassy hops, orange preserves, caramel, toffee, butterscotch hints, rich mango, dragon fruit, peaches, apricots, white grapes, peppercorns, rye, coriander spice, clove spice hints, earthy hop notes, graham crackers and marshmallow.
Flavors:
Lots of honey, oak, citrus, vanilla, caramel, toffee, grassy, grapefruit and piney hops, tropical fruit like, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit honeydew melon, stone fruit like peaches, apricot, apples, lemon peel, orange peel, biscuit bread, coriander spice, orange preserves, rye bread, cinnamon, graham crackers, almonds, pecans, earthy hops, graham crackers, marshmallow hints, floral notes and peppercorn notes.
Aftertaste:
Citrus, tropical fruit, caramel, vanilla, piney and floral and earthy hops linger. No alcohol in the taste, syrupy yet smooth mouth feel but sipping drinkability and a light to medium body.
Overall:
A very good Blonde Barleywine / Wheat Wine. This beer seems more hoppy than some of the other barley or wheat wines I have tried for that matter. Then again , White Oak from the Bruery was pretty damn citrucy. They say this beer should be consumed fresh but I think it can withstand some time although the tropical aspects will fade with time and be more rich with sweetness. While this one is very good, I can only say that it is worth a try just once but if not, you are not missing out. There are other Wheat wines just as good if not better. Even if it does have 3F and FW on the label, I can at least say it was very good but don’t bet your hype on it.
Anime Corner:
Erza Scarlet and Mirajane Strauss from Fairy Tail were used in this pairing to represent Firestone Walker and Three Floyds in their collaboration of evil but also to represent the colors of the rooster with the reds and the whites. The power of these 2 collaborators to bring forth such an awesome collaboration is pretty much legendary. I can only state that the idea was awesome but was nothing momentous. So they pretty much represent that. The awesome idea.
Sources:
http://kurogane-raziel.deviantart.com/art/Erza-and-Mira-427735578
http://createapk.com/project/2014/09/kazulkira/mirajane-strauss-wallpaper/image/131282-mirajane-strauss-wallpaper.jpg
Rating: 6/5
Xocoveza Mocha Stout 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:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)
The impact of homebrewers on the American craft beer industry has been immense. The comfort level and lack of inhibitors provided by a domestic brewing environment fosters a near limitless brand of experimentation, allowing homebrewers to push te beer envelope to its breaking point. Many of the professional brewing world’s best recipes–from West Coast IPAs to imperial stouts and even sours–began as homespun standouts so spectacular they had to be unleashed on the world in order to improve it.
With this in mind, each year we hold an American Homebrewers Association sanctioned homebrewing competition, the champion of which gets their recipe brewed and distributed nationwide by Stone. This year’s winner, Chris Banker, helped keep us grounded to our homebrewing roots by introducing flavors consistent with our regional palate. His chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, chile pepper, and coffee-infused milk stout was built to mimic the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, a beloved specialty from our neighbors to the south, as our collaborators from Baja California, Cervezeria Insurgente, will attest. Layered with tiers of earthiness, spice, and roast, this creamy, semisweet blue ribbon beer confirms that the spirit of the American homebrewer is not only alive and kicking but thriving at an all-time high.
___
This fall, Stone’s home brew competition winner along with Insurgente from Mexico brew up a beer that could quite possibly be the next New Belgium’s Cocoa Molé beer. I have had many awesome Mexican Chocolate stouts like Chocolate Sombrero, Luchador en Fuego from Clown Shoes, el Molé Ocho from New Holland or even the almighty, Cigar City Hunahpu’s and Three Floyds Dark Lord de Muerte. Each one being exceptionally awesome in their own ways. Now Stone not only makes a beer but brings in cultural expertise to help make it awesome. This Mexican Independence Day, I drink this! Salud!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, fancy coffee, Ancho chile spices, Piloncillo sugar, Chocolate Abuelita, Flan, milk sugar, dark fruits like raisins, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Molé, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, champurrado, Kahlua hints, earthy notes, molasses, pan dulce and Nutella.
Flavors:
Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Ancho Chile spices are subtle but not heat, Molé, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, cinnamon, capirotada raisin bread pudding, roasted coffee, fancy coffee, Kahlua hints, piloncillo sugar cone, cinnamon, nutmeg, champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, banana notes and pan dulce.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Caramel, mocha, earthy notes and spicy chile hints linger. No alcohol in the taste, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy and slighly velvety mouthfeel, and pitch black body.
Overall:
Madre es Dios, que es esto? I meant that in like a mind blow type of way. This is a lot closer to a Mexican Hot Milk Chocolate beer than may that I have tried. All around, it really feels like you are drinking Chocolate Abuelita Hot Chocolate. All around, the fact that it is a milk stout, it makes it to where it is just well balanced, flavorful and smooth. There is no heat at all, but I really believe that is not the point. The point is to make this as approximate as Chocolate Abuelita as possible. I really think that maybe even the pre-craft beer drinker may actually find this one very appealing. It really is ridiculous and better the Cocoa Mole. The only bitterness is really from the chocolate and coffee roast. Highly recommend getting this one before it is gone for good! Going to go pick up a couple bottle now… Hasta La Proxima y Siganme Los Buenos!
Anime Corner:
May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 was chosen for this pairing because I wanted to do something in relation to my culture en Mexico. I used May once for Cocoa Molé so I wanted to bring her back for this round as well. I am glad I did too. She fits greatly with the beer label, the history of Mexican pride and the indigenous as well as the roots of Chocolate and possibly the name as it seems to be a derivative of Nahuatl and Spanish. The fact that is fall also brings forth not just the Independence Day of Mexico but also closer to the Months of the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration which this beer totally is best suited. Overall There was so much I could think of with this pairing but I would rather leave it to the reader to decide how to view this one.
**Update 2015 Version: As awesome as EVER!
Rating: 5/5
Atomic Kangarue collaboration by The Bruery and Smog City is a 9.5% ABV American Wild Ale dry hopped and brewed with grapes.
Label:
HOLY SMOGOLY!
This complex ale was brewed with 2 grape varieties, fermented with brett trois, blended with a sour ale, dry hopped with Amarillo hops & bottled just for you.
We’ve been friends with the folks at Smog City for many years and getting to brew a beer with them was a dream come true. Truly, only in the world of dreams could this remarkable beer have been manifested. A Belgian-style golden ale, brewed with Semillon and Viognier grapes plus three types of hops, fermented with Brettanomyces Trois as well as our house yeast strain, then blended with a sour blonde ale and finally dry-hopped with Amarillo hops. This beer couldn’t be more complex and we couldn’t be more proud of it.
___
This beer was a collaboration from Torrance local favorite, Smog City and The Bruery of Placentia. When I first heard they were doing a collaboration, I really wondered how it would turn out. As the Bruery is mainly experimental Belgian styles and Smog City IPA and variety styles. They bring forth a beer that actually uses Smog City’s best kept secret, the use of Amarillo hops which is what fan favorite, Amarilla Gorilla is based on. So since the Bruery rarely uses or plays with hops in their potent beers, a 9% doucey with hops I could only imagine how it would go. This beer was originally released to Reserve Society members and I believe will be hitting the public venues where the Bruery and Smog City beers are sold. Definitely can’t wait to try it, so let me break this caged beast for you, cheers!!
Aromas:
Oranges, citrus, lemon peel, peppercorn, vanilla, herbal, floral, piney and grassy hops, biscuit bread, honey, farmhouse hay, white grapes, white sage spice, coriander, basil, garlic notes, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, strawberries, papaya, stone fruit like apricots, peaches, mango, herbs and spices.
Flavors:
Oranges, tangerine, white sage spice, floral notes, flowers, white grapes, brettanomyces, stone fruits like apricots, peaches, vanilla, caramel, lemon peel, citrus, grapefruit, herbal, floral, piney and grassy hops, rich biscuit bread, honey, farmhouse hay, basil, garlic notes, onion hints, dragon fruit, honey dew melon, passion fruit, pineapple, strawberries, papaya, farmhouse hay, herbs, honey, white wine grapes, musty funky notes, stone fruit apricots, peaches, old mango, coriander spice, clove spice and hints of allspice.
Aftertaste:
Tangy Oranges, Tropical fruit notes, floral hops, vanilla, herbs and spices linger. No alcohol in the taste, easy to medium drinkability, light to moderate mouthfeel, medium to light body, very crisp and refreshing.
Overall:
A perfect collaboration! Drinking more along of the Belgian Strong Pale Ale or Golden Ale, this beer definitely takes its roots and reminds me a lot of the Eschatological Ale from Stillwater if it was more sweeter with grapes and a bit more tropical. This beer is not a complete sour at all. The balance with the bitter hops and the brettanomyces helps it blend to a sweet, bitter and sour/tart tri-force of flavors.
Anime Corner:
Android 18/Lazuli from Dragon Ball Z/GT was used in this pairing to pair with the Sour Blond aspect and the colors of the beer as well as several things. Lazuli was evil in her beginnings but it wasn’t until she was in danger and was cared for by the protagonist Krillin, in which she learned to care and love. She grew sweeter and softer which eventually showed her true powers. This is reflected in the beers tropical and sweet yet bitter and sour aspect. Hey just because 18/Lazuli is sweet and awesome she still has attitude. That ain’t going away. Her stance is that of like an animal style in Kung-Fu lore. I have no idea what it is but let us call that one “The Kanagarue” Style lol. While I added Trunks in the mix, I wanted to basically show that basically, the Bruery while all powerful, a brewery like Smog City, in this case Lazuli, can bring so much more to the table and together can take the world by storm. Awesome job guys!!
Sources:
http://cfile30.uf.tistory.com/image/2123114651D44B2806EEB0
http://www.zerochan.net/full/1561469
It has been a while since I have done a double review. Most of my double reviews involve one regular beer and one spirit aged beer. This time around I wanted to do something special for the w00tstout anniversary and the tribute of the w00tstock/HopCon which is today at Stone Brewing. Today I review a 1 year aged version of the w00tstout and the newest release, w00tstout 2.0 which the difference is that it has stone crushed chocolate. You can get this in many beer stores that sell specialty craft beers and specially Stone Beers. The price is a bit higher than the previous years but I believe the ingredients and the the way it differs from last years could actually be different. So I will find out today which one will be the better deal. A 1 year version of w00tstout or the latest release with added ingredients and stronger Alcohol by Volume. Let us go and check it out. Cheers!!!
Original Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/stone-farking-wheaton-w00tstout-collaboration/
Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout Review
Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout (1 year aged) collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels.
Label:
Wil Wheaton first called us in 2004 ask if it’d be OK for him to put the Arrogant Bastard logo on his blog’s website (back when people still asked permission to do such things), and I just so happened to answer the phone (back when I still answered the main line sometimes). Since he was so damn enthusiastic about our beers, I said ‘Sure, no problem,’ all the while thinking ‘Hmmm…this guy’s name sounds familiar.’
Months later, in a serendipitous turn of fate, I reached out to our 10,000th email newsletter subscriber…drumroll…Wil Wheaton. Since his gigs in the iconic Stand By Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wil has become quite the renaissance man, adding author, w00tstock innovator, and homebrewer to his resume. His enthusiasm for the fermentable arts and our beer was such that after many occasions of sharing grog over the years, we decided it was time to brew in collaboration.
It was a no-brainer for us to choose Drew Curtis—who many know as the twisted mind behind Fark.com—as our third cohort. Drew was an old friend of Wil’s that I had serendipitously met (when he saw me and told me, ‘Dude, I love your beer) and enjoyed many beers with at the famous TED conference three years in a row. The beer you hold before you is an imperial stout made with wheat (Wil pretty much insisted), and we also paid tribute to Drew’s Kentucky roots by adding rye and pecans to the mix and partially aging the beer in bourbon barrels. The result? Nothing short of serendipitous.”
Greg Koch @stonegreg CEO & Co-founder, Stone Brewing Co. & Beer Seek
“Being a geek isn’t about what you love; it’s about how you love it. I’m a sci-fi geek, a disruptive technology geek, and a tabletop game geek. I’ve been lucky to do lots of work in those fields, but this is the first time I got to be a professional beer geek, and it was awesome.”
Wil Wheaton | @wilw Actor, Homebrewer & Professional Seek
“Beer tastes like my website…all over the map, but I’ve never met a beer I didn’t like.”
Drew Curtis | @drewcurtis Founder, Fark.com & News Geek
_____
Aromas:
Very rich Dark fruit prunes, raisins, plums, figs, dates, sangria, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, pecan pie, dulce de leche caramel, flan, macaroons, toasted coconut, mocha coffee, vanilla, oak, bourbon, banana notes, hazelnut, rye bread, butterscotch, toffee, licorice, brown sugar, molasses, pear, dark cherry and port wine.
Flavors:
Very Rich dark fruits like raisins, plums, figs, dates, mocha coffee, Kahlua, dark and milk chocolate, molasses, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche coffee, port wine, rye pie crust, bourbon, butterscotch, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, bananas, clove spice, fig pudding, raisin bread pudding, coriander spice, earthy notes, hints of mint, wheat toast, old mango, pears and oatmeal cookies.
Aftertaste:
Dark raisins, old cherries, plums, prunes, hints of bourbon, port wine, oak, caramel and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, the booze is far more hidden. Syrup mouthfeel with a sipping drinkablity and pitch black appearance with not much head retention.
Overall:
The flavors have gotten better and develop a more dark fruit character than the previous w00tstout. The beer exceeds my expectations a little more than last years. The stronger Quad like flavors take over more of the Imperial Stout flavors. The only way to really find this one now is to trade for it.
Anime Corner:
Mari Illustrious, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Sohryu Langley/Shikinami from Neon Genesis Evangelion made a return in this version of the W00tstout from last year because I wanted to represent the 3 collaborators Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis and Greg Koch in this fine piece. While the beer is based on sci-fi, a great sci-fi anime and its characters was the perfect choice in my mind to pair with one of the geekiest beers ever seeing as Neon Genesis is a world renowned anime. So cheers to all sci-fi and anime fans alike and celebrate the communities…W00t!!
Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2013-07-15-592967.jpeg
W00tstout 2.0 Review
Stone W00stout 2.0 collaboration by Drew Curtis, Aisha Tyler and Wil Wheaton brewed at Stone brewing is a 13.5% ABV World Class Imperial Stout brewed with flaked rye, wheat, pecans, hops, Stone-Ground Chocolate, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in Kentuck bourbon barrels.
Label:
In 2013, our CEO and Co-founder, Greg Koch, invited two respected fans of craft beer, brewing and all things Stone to develop an intense, inventive beer capable of not only delivering immense flavor, but also serving as a fitting, singular celebration of über-level enthusiasm. Self-proclaimed geeks in a number of arenas, the duo of thespian and renaissance man Wil Wheaton and Fark.com online news guru Drew Curtis proved up to the challenge, calling on their personal backgrounds to devise an imperial stout brewed with flaked rye, wheat and pecans that was partially aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. Shortly after being released, this creation—dubbed “w00tstout” in honor of w00tstock, Wil’s annual tribute festival to cross-genre geekdom—became an instant cult classic.
Despite the fact that Greg spent the first half of 2014 on an international walkabout-style sabbatical, Wil and Drew were invited back to Stone to put a new spin on this threesome-borne beauty. All they needed was a third conspirator, and for that, they called on friend and fellow geek, Aisha Tyler. An actress, talk show host, comedian and author with a flair for individuality, she brought an entire new dimension to the brew day, just as the stone-ground chocolate the trio added to the original w00tstout recipe added delicious depth to the beer.
A personalized stamp was put on this year’s edition of w00tstout by comic artist Dave Gibbons. The co-creator of the Watchmen series worked up the fine art for this bottle in exchange for a donation to The Hero Initiative (www.heroinitiative.org), a charity organization providing retirement funds for golden-age comic book artists.
He thought his super power to point out the obvious was the most useless “power” ever, until he realized many people don;t see that which is plain as day.
Drew Curtis is…Captain Obvious!
Limbs unwieldy and lank are her lithe tools of destruction. Years of Bradbury (and corrective lenses) gave her laser vision. Where once she stumbled into peril, now she springs toward it, headlong.
Aisha Tyler is…Lady Temerarious!
Flashes of his destiny occurred in his youth, but it wasn’t until he uploaded his consciousness to the digital realm, that his powers were revealed. Now, he brings hops and hope to a thirsty world.
Wil Wheaton is…The Mercene-ary!
___
Aromas:
Rich Bananas, dark fruit raisins, figs plums, dates, toasted coconut, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, Kahlua, pecan pie, mocha coffee, molasses, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, port wine hints, rye bread, vanilla, oak, bourbon, butterscotch, hazelnut nectar, clove spice, earthy hop notes, mint, wheat toast, raisin bread pudding, banana split sundae, flan and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Rich bananas, pecan pie, coconut, dark, bakers, milk, Abuelita and Belgian Chocolates, dark fruits like prunes, raisins, figs, almond joy chocolate, raisin bread pudding, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal, hot fudge sundae, mocha coffee, licorice, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, licorice, port wine hints, rye pie crust, bourbon, oak, hazelnut nectar, butterscotch, clove spice, vanilla, hazelnut nectar, whipped cream, crème brulee, flan, brown sugar, wheat toast with nutella, mint and molasses.
Aftertaste:
Bananas, dark cherries, milk and dark chocolates, pecan pie, whipped cream, bourbon, oak, dark fruits, caramel, earthy hops and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer, syrupy mouthfeel and pitch black appearance with hardly any head retention.
Overall:
WOW! The addition of the chocolate somehow took the beer to the next level. Even at its freshest point here, its taste extremely amazing. It is almost like a Banana split beer. Somehow, the fusion of Imperial Stout and Quad seems very close to the Stickie Monkee from Firestone Walker. The balance of this beer is also pretty ridiculous. Less boozy tasting than the first w00t and not as dark fruit forward as the 1 year aged one I also reviewed today. Simply ridiculous and delicious making this one extremely exceptional. This beer is world class already. I Highly Highly Recommended!! Get several bottles and I will see you next year after I age one of these for a year. W00t!
Anime Corner:
Mari Illustrious, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Sohryu Langley/Shikinami from Neon Genesis Evangelion were used in this years pairing of W00tstout. Just like last year, I wanted to represent the 3 collaborators Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis and and this time the addition of Aisha Tyler. This time wanted to have Aisha take Greg’s place. As you can see from last year’s pairing, the colors are different but also, you can tell some of them have traded places with the anime characters. Along with scifi, Evangelion brings giant robot humanoids. This addition is synonymous with bringing the flavor balance that may have not been in the last beer. As you can see in one of the art pairings, one robot per character so everything is equal and just as bad ass as the last beer but still taking it to another level. Great Job and Cheers to all Sci-Fi, Anime and Beer fans out there!
Sources:
https://yande.re/sample/e87d0f51b9862ca10b223f546054ab9d/yande.re%20232423%20sample.jpg
http://33.media.tumblr.com/68b377c323245b4bfb0657c24de29291/tumblr_mydkomFyV81soko9to1_1280.jpg
Rating: 5.95/5 (Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout)
Rating: 6/5 (W00tstout 2.0)
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
___
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
Rating: 4.75/5
Collective Distortion IPA collaboration by Kyle Hollingsworth, Keri Kelli & Stone Brewing is a 9.3% ABV Double India Pale Ale brewed with Elderberries and Coriander.
Label:
In bringing together artisans from disparate aural planes, one might expect an offbeat, feedback-warped cacophony, shrill to the point of unlistenable. Yet, by inviting Kyle Hollingsworth, keyboardist for eclectic, jam-prone sextet, The String Cheese Incident, and Keri Kelli, wailing rock guitarist of Alice Cooper fame, we were able to make truly beautiful music. Turns out, these musicians have a great deal in common, both with each other and with Stone. We all enjoy turning things up to 11, and that is represented in this collaborative offering, an imperial India pale ale ably backed by Nugget, Comet and Calypso hops, and amplified care of a healthy dry-hopping with Vic’s Secret, a new Australian hop, adding citrus and tropical fruit oomph. To give this modern masterpiece some soulful, classic character, we traced the roots of brewing to the days when Old World herbs were used to spice beers, adding in coriander and, a first for us, elderberries. To stand up to that sumptuous spice and blaring bitterness, we added golden naked oats, which are lightly roasted and add body and enhanced mouthfeel to the brew like a steady, unbreakable backbeat to an incendiary jam solo. Sit back, crank the volume and get lost in this operatic incarnation of genres combined in the name of invention.
“Both in music and in brewing one has to take risks to reap great rewards, and with this beer w brought both worlds together to create a tour de force”
Kyle Hollingsworth // Keyboardist & Homebrewer
“When people try this beer, I want them to really get that hop hit and have it be something powerful for them.”
Keri Kelli // Lead Guitarist & Publican
“This beer rocks, just like Kyle and Keri. Great music and great beer-it doesn’t get any better than this!”
Mitch Steele // Rhythm Guitarist & Stone Brewmaster
___
Got this one at Total Wine in Redondo Beach. Following Suede, this is the next up in the list of many collaboration beers. I really did not plan to pick this one up but while I was at the store, I said to myself, oh well. Let us see what this brings forth. So I said fuck it, let’s get a review going. Let’s see how this one fairs. There is a lot of rock inspiration that went into this one for sure.
Aromas:
Grassy, Piney, grapefruit hops, along with grapes, citrus, elderberries, mango, pineapple, kiwi, lychee, apricot, dragon fruit, toffee, caramel, lemon zest, coriander spice, tangerine and biscuit bread.
Flavors:
Grapefruit, grassy, floral, herbal and citrus hops, dank garlic, onion notes, grape, elderberries, cranberries, caramel, biscuit bread, toffee, tangerine, coriander spice, cherries, flowers, pineapple, mango, kiwi, lychee, dragon fruit, honey, apricot, toasted rye bread, flowers and oatmeal notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with a berry, herbal and dank bitter aftertaste. No alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer with a medium mouth feel. Refreshing and crisp.
Overall:
This beer is very delicious. The IPA herbal hops shine at the colder temperatures while sweet berry nectar and tropical punch flavors come out as it warms up. Definitely a beer with great transition of flavors as it goes along. I like berry beers and IPAs. This balance of flavors works together well. If it was up to me, I would add more berries but that is just me and my sweet tooth beer talk lol!
Anime Corner:
Using the Hatsune Miku crew(vocaloids Rin Kagamine, Hatsune Miku, Len Kagamine and Megurine Luka) was definitely good to show case a musical collaborative between rock stars and home brewers and basically something that pairs well with the whole rock aspect. This beer is also fruity so I wanted to show some of the colors of the fruit flavors from the beer. This is what I got and plainly, it was awesome! What do you guys think of this one?
Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2013-10-04-610123.jpeg
Rating: 3.5/5
30th Anniversary Collaboration No. 1 Blacklight IPA by Widmer Brothers and Boneyard Brewing is a Session Black India Pale Ale
Label:
Blacklight IPA is a bold, hop-forward session style black ale from Oregon’s Boneyard Beer and Widmer Brothers Brewing.
Brewed with a heavy dose of five different hop varieties and stained black as night with cold-steeped dark malts, this beer hits huge hop flavor and aroma without the heave roast and harsh bitterness suggested by its color.
___
Picked this one up online from the bringonthebeer.com as a recommended by my friend, Aaron of www.beermetaldude.com, I got a bottle for myself to see what this one is about. One of the things this beer has going for it is that it says it brings forth great flavors even at a low ABV. This beer is number 1 out of 6 beers that will be collaborated this year with other Oregon breweries for Widmer’s 30th anniversary.
Aromas:
Grassy, Piney, grapefruit hops, tropical fruit notes like mango, roasted malts, molasses and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Grapefruit, piney, grassy and earthy hops, citrus, roasted malt notes, molasses hints, honey dew hints, tropical fruit notes, toffee and caramel.
Aftertaste:
Dry finish with some malt and earthy notes lingering. Easy to drink with no alcohol in the taste.
Overall:
This one is decently good. It has enough piney hop goodness in the aromas and flavors with hints of molasses to keep it interesting. At the same ABV, as say, oh I don’t know, bud light?! This one is pretty impressive. Give it shot and see what you think.
Anime Corner:
Original character by Pixiv Fantasia was used in this pairing since I wanted to use the owl from the label but as well pair some of the colors as well. The Blacklight aspect of the beer is also shown with the character unleashing the light of darkness, if that makes any sense. Either way, it looks pretty cool.
Rating: 4.15/5
Jurata Collaboration by Coronado and Cigar City Breweries is an 8% ABV Baltic Porter.
Label:
When naming this Baltic porter, a collaboration with Tampa’s famed Cigar City Brewing, we opted for Jurata as a nod to a mythological mermaid known to roam the depths of the Baltic Sea, just as energetic yeast used to brew this deep dark beer navigated our fermentation tanks. Dive in and enjoy Jurata’s true-to-style rich and complex flavors!
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Picked this one up at one of the local liquor store places near my house since I wanted to try this beer for a while. It was a super hyped one, but a collaboration with Cigar City would definitely make for one tasty treat. I figure, scratch this one off the review list and time for a presentation.
Aromas:
Dark Chocolate, molasses, anise, coffee, brownies, roasted barley, caramel, soy sauce, raisins, tobacco, earthy hops, hazelnut, pecans, licorice and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Roasted coffee notes, anise, dark chocolate, roasted barley notes, earthy hops, tobacco, leather, raisin hints, soy sauce notes, nutty pecans, hazelnuts, oatmeal, maple, mild smokey oak, smoked clams, oysters, brown sugar and vanilla hints.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate fading, tobacco, earthy hops, anise and hints of caramel. No alcohol in the taste, moderate to sipping drinkability with medium to full mouth feel.
Overall:
A very good beer that is enjoyable but nothing specifically too extraordinary. Drinks similar to a sweeter Black IPA. I enjoyed Coronado’s Barrel Aged beer better than this one. Although, the rarity of the style makes it interesting. Although one of the best Baltic Porters I had was the one from Uinta called Sea Legs. Although that one is aged in bourbon barrels, so yeah, maybe that is cheating. Nevertheless, this one is very good and worth a try if you are interested.
Anime Corner:
Visitor artwork by moni158 of deviantart.com and original mermaid artwork by houtengeki were used in this pairing to show the Jurata siren which lured men at sea in with their beauty to the their watery graves in the Baltic sea. The label and colors were perfect for the artwork but also the Coronado mermaid was even more perfect for the beer in comparing to the Baltic sea. Aside from the very obvious, is there any other things that can be said about these pairings?
Rating: 3.45/5
Lips of Faith Series Cigar City and New Belgium Collaboration is an 8.5% ABV Chile beer brewed with Anaheim and Marash Chiles aged in Spanish Cedar
Label:
We’re about to light up Florida with this Cigar City collaborative brew. Our Belgian yeast tangos with Anaheim and Marash peppers along with loads of citrusy hops to create an ale full of spice. Aged on Spanish cedar to salute our mutual love for wood!
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The beer with literally no name, other than the fact that it was collaborated with New Belgium and the awesome Cigar City. Lips of faith series is a good series and has been a hit or miss in some instances. The beers have ranged from Good to Very good and some even Great in the past years. I am not sure if there one I truly disliked or found average (Pluot lol) they came together to brew a beer made with chiles.
Aromas:
Sweet Honey dew melon, kiwi, apricot, mango hints, mild pepper notes, lemon, oranges, grapefruit and citrus hops, pear, hints of cedar, caramel and biscuit bread
Flavors:
Apricot, pepper notes but no heat, citrus, grapefruit hops,hone dew notes, orange peels, biscuit bread, lemon, grapefruit peel, mild spiciness, tangerine notes, butterscotch, pears, cedar wood and light plum hints
Aftertaste:
This beer finishes off with lots of grapefruit skins, citrus, grassy bitterness and a bit of pepper notes. No alcohol present in the taste with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A good beer but nothing super intensive. It is more on the hoppy, bitter and a bit fruitier side than anything. The least heat intensive chile beer I have ever tried. The balance to bitterness and what would like to be chili heat doesn’t seem to meld well. On a good note, the aromas are much better than the flavors. Could have been more but hey, at least is a good beer. I feel it is better than Pluot for sure.
Anime Corner:
Sakura Haruno and Kushina Uzumaki from the Naruto series are used in this pairing to represent a pairing of 2 hot heads unleashing the rage which is supposed to be the peppers used in this beer. While the beer may not be hot at all, the intent for the artwork and for what it was supposed to represent was at least done creatively. Sakura has a bad temper at times and has this crazy super strength that comes from her inner being. Kushina on the other hand, nicked named the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero, would become an actually deadly beast. Even before she had the 9 tailed fox embedded in here, she was still a demon in disguise. That crazy attitude, mother of Naruto, is most likely the where the guts to never give up comes from. Some of the colors of the artwork match the label a bit but the nick name and the tempers they have was the intent for a collaboration Chile beer, Sakura being New Belgium and Kushina Cigar city.
Rating: 6+/5 *My new second most favorite chocolate flavored beer ever. Why be limited 😦 ????
Life is Like… collaboration by Cigar City and Mikkeller is a 15% ABV Imperial Milk / Sweet Stout brewed with cherries & cacao nibs & aged in bourbon barrels
Label:
An imperial sweet stout brewed with cherries and cacao nibs, which is then aged in bourbon barrels. This beer is brewed in collaboration with Mikkeller our generous friend from Copenhagen, Denmark. What you have here is a modest attempt to emulate the experience of biting into a chocolate-covered cherry candy. We hope you enjoy it but you never know what you’re gonna get.
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Released exclusively at the Cigar City Brewing tap room, this one had become a quickly coveted beer. I was only able to grab a bottle by pure luck as now a days you either have to get them through trading or online sites that cater to rare beers. If you somehow stumble upon this treasure, the choice to drink now or save for later will be completely up to you. I have taken the brevity to do a review now but check several years later and see if the brew has completely changed into something, possibly extraordinary.
Aromas of this is exactly what I had expected and more!! Cordial Cherries, Chocolate covered cherry notes, vanilla dulce de leche caramel, milk chocolate, cherry rye bread, flan, bourbon, hazelnut, dark cherry notes, roasted coffee, Kahlua, mocha, banana, cloves and cake
The flavors are basically, Chocolate Rain brewed with cherries. The flavors are very awesome, on point and rich. Lots of rich cherries in the taste, Cordial Chocolate-covered cherries, raspberries, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Kahlua, bourbon, mocha, banana notes, hazel nut, vanilla, cherry flan, dulce de leche caramel, cherry rye bread, dark fruits like raisins, figs, blueberry and raspberry jam notes, cherry skin and rich cherry cake
The aftertaste leaves like a combination of chocolate, cherry and vanilla syrup with some very nice bourbon notes. The alcohol is mildly present and really almost hidden. A very syrupy sipper. Almost like drinking liquid gourmet Cordial Chocolate cherries. As the beer warms up, more cherries start to come out. Give it some time and enjoy
Overall, just plug it into my veins!! Freaking awesomely delicious Chocolate Rain, basically with real cherries. Cigar City is The Bruery of the east coast for me. Now you add the awesome gypsy Mikkeller into the mash and you have a beer that is so rich and sweet, it really does make me wonder if the meaning of Life is like… enjoying it and making the best of it. A symbolic representation of life is most likely represented in this bottle or anything you love. Either that or this is Diabetes in a bottle (Willford Brimly voice). And in several years, if you are alive to enjoy it, take it and share it with the lucky ones. You most important ones because they are what make life worth living. This is true to what they say it is. To me, this is actually better than the than the Cherry Rye Bourbon County in the chocolate and cherry department.
Rating: 4.5/5
Suede collaboration between 10 Barrel, Stone and Blue Jacket Breweries is a 9.6% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with Calendula Flowers, Jasmine and Honey
Label:
Due to our participation in at least a half a dozen collaborations each year, one might perceive Stone as the craft beer equivalent of a bee flitting indiscriminately from one brewery to the next, all the while drawing precious nectar-the expertise and creativity of those institution’ brewmasters. Another buzzy operation that gets the same rap is Bluejacket, a new, Washington, D.C.-based operation headed by industry veteran and constant collaborator Megan O’Leary Parisi. But make no mistake, Stone and Bluejacket are intensely selective about the contemporaries we invite into our brewhouses. We look for the same high level of passion and daringness to flip a beer style on its head that we employ on a baily basis. So, when Parisi and Stone brewmaster Mitch Steele decided to collaborate, it was essential that they tap a special individual to complete their triad of fermentation domination, and they found just that in Tonya Cornett, the brewmaster at Bend, Oregon’s 10 Barrel Brewing Company. Together, they decided on a sturdy yet velvety base of imperial porter and developed a plan to celebrate the bounty of the environs in which it was produced by harvesting avocado honey, jasmine and calendula flowers (some from our very own Stone Farms)and infusing them into the beer to create something complex and uniquely Southern Californian. Consider it craft cross-pollination at its finest.
“Suede evokes thoughts of richness, color and, most of all, a soft, seductive texture-everything we wanted for this beer.”
Tonya Cornett//Brewmaster, 10 Barrel Brewing Company
“There’s always something to learn from someone and vice versa. You can talk about brewing all the time, but it’s not until brewers put their heads together that they really learn how the other thinks.”
Megan O’Leary Parisi//Brewmaster, Bluejacket
“I normally don’t think of brewing imperial porters outside of the winter season, but the addition of local honey and jasmine will make this beer an all-season wonder.”
Mitch Steele//Brewmaster, Stone Brewing Co.
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Recently released and soon to hit all Stone Brewery markets, this is the latest collaboration beer release from Stone brewing. This years releases have beer some of the best. Coffee IPA and Wheaton Woot Stout being some of best ever. Let us check this one out and see how it goes. Looking at the ingredients, this one will probably be another porter, or something completely different.
Aromas are of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, black and blue berries, honey, vanilla, caramel, flowery notes, molasses, jasmine, perfume and anise
Flavors are of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, blueberries, blackberries, grape preserves, honey, flowers, raisins, plum notes, vanilla, molasses, earthy hops, espresso, marshmallows, mocha, caramel, chocolate cake with raisins and pecans
The aftertaste is of bitter espresso, dark chocolate, berries and and some earthy flowery notes. The mouthfeel is silky. Little alcohol presence but definitely a sipper
Overall it a very good beer. Lots of sweetness but also decent bitterness. Although the bitterness started to leave as the beer got warmer. This made the beer super pleasant. It was very enjoyable after I let it warm up. Definitely recommend this one and definitely take your time with it.
Rating: 4.6/5
Faster, Bigger, Better, Bolder (Gradually, Quietly, Steadily) Collaboration by The Bruery and Dogfish Head is an 8.25% ABV Japanese Herb/Spiced Beer brewed with Kumquats, spices and Sake yeast
Label:
We brewed this beer to honor our brethren in Japan who stood strong in face of adversity when faced with disaster. Created with traditional Japanese ingredients and sake yeast, this beer is best consumed fresh.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION (Ratebeer.com)
Two of the most out-of-the-box breweries around, The Bruery and Dogfish Head recently combined forces on a brew; the result is as intriguing as one might expect. Inspired by the strength of the Japanese people to remain sturdy during the recent earthquake that hit their small island nation, the beer’s depth of flavor comes from flavors steeped in tradition. The ale is brewed with a spin on the traditional shichimi togarashi, or Japanese seven spice blend. Ginger, cayenne, white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and nori were added to a base blonde ale that was created using two kinds of rice. Replacing the typical orange peel included in shichimi, whole kumquats were pulverized and added to the whirlpool, giving the spiced beer a kick of fresh citrus. A blend of sake yeast and The Bruery’s house yeast was used to ferment this beer into a dry and complex ale, different than anything you’ve likely had before. One dollar from every bottle sold will be going to help the brewers and beer drinkers of Japan in need of our support to fight back from disaster.
First in the Collaboration Series for the Bruery.
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I remember I had always wanted to get my hands on this beer but never got the chance. I found this one at the 38 degrees Grill in Alhambra California. It seems this beer was made in 2011 in commemoration of the March 11, 2011 Earthquake in Japan. It seems the beer was also named after that Daft Punk Song (Harder, Better, Faster Stronger). Regardless, the beer states best consumed fresh. Will this be past it’s prime or just at the perfect serving? Not too sure but keep reading to find out.
Aromas seem fresh still :). Citrus, peaches, apricot, kumquats, apples, mango, biscuit bread, caramel, wine grapes, coriander, wheat bread, herbs, flowers, hibiscus, lemon peel, green tea, funky notes and and slightly peppery
The flavors are of grapes, apples, citrus lemon peel, kumquats, peaches, honey, biscuit bread, coriander, rice sake, green tea, peppercorns, hints of caramel, peach cobbler, hints of mango, floral notes, herbs and spices
The aftertaste leaves pretty dry with only hints of the grapes, citrus, biscuit bread and sake notes. Still a refreshing beer amazingly and drinks smooth as well.
Overall the beer is surprisingly still awesome. Aged for 2 years and it is still awesome. So it makes me wonder how much fresher it was having it in 2011 and having it now. Regardless, still a pretty good beer. Biiru wa, totemo oishii desuyo!! Kanpai! ^_^b
Rating: 5.2/5
Big Hugs 2011 edition by Half Acre Brewing and Dark Matter Coffee Company is a 10%ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee
Description:
This beer is a thug. Big and chock full of tender embrace.
A specialty brew. Grab it when you see it. 10% ABV.
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Hard to find, but aged for 2 years, this is Big Hugs. Looks like a nice kitty that wants to give a loving Christmas embrace, but in reality, it’s intentions are difficult to tell. Many have lost and have fallen victims to it’s temptations (either willfully or by bloody force). Opening this beer, it definitely smelled way different than other stouts to begin with.
First thing I noticed in the aromas were that there was a good amount of dark fruits and molasses. The beer has developed nicely. Above it are the rich cola like aromas followed by super dark chocolate, fancy coffee, a peppery and spicy aroma, possibly nutmeg notes, vanilla, caramel, toffee, brownie and hazelnuts
The flavors are like a rich fancy coffee with spices, Kahlua notes, vanilla, hazelnut, bakers and dark chocolate, hazelnut, raisins, molasses, walnuts, toffee, brownies and spices but not heat wise, definitely something else (must be the fancy coffee)
The aftertaste is roasty, semi sweet dark chocolate, spicy and a touch boozy. ABV has probably increased to a 11% or 12%. The mouth-feel is moderately syrupy so this one is definitely a sipper.
Overall, age has done this one wonders. Either that or the beer has always tasted this nice. Regardless, it was definitely interesting, different and kinda creepy.
Rating: 3.8/5
Robert & Ryan / Rip Current / Stone R&R Coconut IPA Collaboration is a 7.7% ABV India Pale Ale brewed and flavored with coconut
Label:
This collaboration beer is a celebration of the homebrewing spirit and an example of counter-intuitive thoughts coalescing beautifully into something exceptional. Case in point is the seamless marrying of toasted coconut and a hop bill brimming with tropical fruit notes. Longtime homebrewers Robert Masterson and Ryan Reschan teamed up to enter this beer in our annual American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned brewing competition and, though it was the first beer they’d ever brewed together, they sailed past the competition like a tropical ocean breeze on a pleasure cruise bound for India. After winning, the duo reached out to their friend, highly decorated homebrewer and 2011 AHA Ninkasi Award winner Paul Sangster of the newly opened Rip Current Brewing Company, to assist in dialing in the recipe. Together with Sangster’s skilled partner Guy Shobe and Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele, Masterson and Reschan present fellow craft beer enthusiasts with a most delicious and original style of IPA. Open, enjoy, rest, relax and repeat as needed.
“On the nose, you get lots of tropical fruit—mango, passion fruit, pineapple—with some sweet orange and stone fruit from the hops along with toasty coconut sweetness.” Ryan Reschan /I Winning Homebrewer 1 love the tropical spin that Robert and Ryan added to an already great IPA recipe.” Mitch Steele II Brewmaster, Stone Brewing Co. “The true lest of a beer like this is the balance between the fruity hop and the coconut flavors and, with this one, you feel like you’re drinking a tropical drink on the beach.”
Paul Sangster // Co-Founder/Brewer, Rip Current Brewing Co.
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Aromas of this beer are a very nice mix tropical and hoppy. Mango, grapefruit, kiwi, dragonfruit, apricot, pineapple, grassy, floral and piney hops and some coconut notes
The flavors are very tropical and hoppy as well. The break down is more tropical than hoppy though. Leading in with some prickly pear, mango, citrus, pineapple, grapefruit, hints of toasted coconut, piney and floral hops.
The after taste leaves hoppy and tropical as well but instead of more tropical in the end, it fades out with citrus and grass hop goodness with minor coconut hints.
This beer is pretty good but it is somewhat fair in terms of finding the coconut. While it is hinted, I think I got more coconut as I drank more but the coconut is consumed by the hops. Not a bad thing at all as I really like tropical and hoppy IPAs but in terms of coconut it is only hinted slightly more than other IPAs. I remember watching the video about the collaboration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqPDASoFJDA) and they specified that this was like a piña colada in a bottle. The truth is that it is true, but only to a minor to moderate extent. This beer does not boast lots of coconut and piña colada flavors but the notes are definitely there. Do not get your hopes up and expect a head on piña colada tasting beer but do expect an IPA that does have hints here and there of the flavors and aromas.
Overall, the beer does a pretty good job and bringing some very nice tropics to the scene and some nice hints that would not be found in some other IPAs. Either way, it is a pretty good beer and should still be tried. Maybe you can find more flavors than I can’t 🙂
Rating: 5.6/5
Stone Farking Wheaton W00tstout collaboration is a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with rye, pecans, wheat, hops, awesome (beer + sci-fi)*geek ideologies with a 1/4 of it aged in bourbon barrels.
Label:
Wil Wheaton first called us in 2004 ask if it’d be OK for him to put the Arrogant Bastard logo on his blog’s website (back when people still asked permission to do such things), and I just so happened to answer the phone (back when I still answered the main line sometimes). Since he was so damn enthusiastic about our beers, I said ‘Sure, no problem,’ all the while thinking ‘Hmmm…this guy’s name sounds familiar.’
Months later, in a serendipitous turn of fate, I reached out to our 10,000th email newsletter subscriber…drumroll…Wil Wheaton. Since his gigs in the iconic Stand By Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wil has become quite the renaissance man, adding author, w00tstock innovator, and homebrewer to his resume. His enthusiasm for the fermentable arts and our beer was such that after many occasions of sharing grog over the years, we decided it was time to brew in collaboration.
It was a no-brainer for us to choose Drew Curtis—who many know as the twisted mind behind Fark.com—as our third cohort. Drew was an old friend of Wil’s that I had serendipitously met (when he saw me and told me, ‘Dude, I love your beer) and enjoyed many beers with at the famous TED conference three years in a row. The beer you hold before you is an imperial stout made with wheat (Wil pretty much insisted), and we also paid tribute to Drew’s Kentucky roots by adding rye and pecans to the mix and partially aging the beer in bourbon barrels. The result? Nothing short of serendipitous.”
Greg Koch @stonegreg CEO & Co-founder, Stone Brewing Co. & Beer Seek
“Being a geek isn’t about what you love; it’s about how you love it. I’m a sci-fi geek, a disruptive technology geek, and a tabletop game geek. I’ve been lucky to do lots of work in those fields, but this is the first time I got to be a professional beer geek, and it was awesome.”
Wil Wheaton | @wilw Actor, Homebrewer & Professional Seek
“Beer tastes like my website…all over the map, but I’ve never met a beer I didn’t like.”
Drew Curtis | @drewcurtis Founder, Fark.com & News Geek
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Phew!! (@_@;)
That was a lot of writing for a label of a beer that mixes a couple of geek hobbies and ideologies into one. Kinda like my blog
Aromas are of vanilla, mild Black Tuesday-ish aromas of milk and dark chocolate, pecan pie, caramel, bourbon, oak, hazelnuts, coconut, raisins, plums, rye bread, mild banana wheat, licorice, molasses and brown sugar
The Flavors are of milk and dark chocolate, mocha, dulce de leche caramel on pecan pie with rye pie crust, toffee, coffee notes, bourbon notes, vanilla, coconut, raisin bread pudding with pecans, almonds and hazelnuts, plums, dark cherries, bananas, slight wine grapes, earthy hops, mint, licorice, molasses, coriander, citrus, and butterscotch spread on wheat toast.
The beer is mildly boozy but the nice chocolate, vanilla rye and wheat make up for it. It is also sweet but not to overly sweet. Thanks to the hops to keep everything together.
Lot’s off dessert elements going on here. This beer reminds me of like a Quadruple and Imperial Stout fusion aged in bourbon barrels but just enough to give it some added character and not detract flavors which ofcourse this beers already has a good amount of . Damn, they got it fucking right. Really fucking right. It seems to work. Stuff is balanced out and the beer is great. Beer geeks will love this one and well hopefully non-beer geeks too. Now I see why they made it so people go out and get all 3. It’s not just the labels, but the beer is that good as well.
Here are the links to the pics I took with the third label:
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/1000730_10101293641828370_142432273_n.jpg?w=960
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/1070039_10101293641813400_1414027021_n.jpg?w=960
Or check out the Gallery
This is the third label original art:
http://socialpint.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Stone-w00stout_ComicLabel-WEB1.jpg
Rating: 4.6/5
Ichigo Highway Collaboration by The Bruery and Hangar 24 is a 5.5% ABV American Wild Red Ale aged in red wine barrels with strawberries.
Label:
The Bruery & Hangar 24 are divided by the 15 Highway, but brought together by a shared love of experimental brews. Ichigo, meaning both “strawberry” and the numbers 1 and 5 in Japanese, is a complex, sour red ale aged with strawberries picked from the fields next to Hangar 24’s brewery. Ichigo Highway is best enjoyed fresh due to the fleeting aroma and flavor of strawberries. Best stored and cellared around 55 degrees F (13 degrees C). Ideal serving temperature is 50 degress F (10 degrees C). Best served in a tulip or wine glass.
DESCRIPTION:
Ichigo Highway is a collaborative beer that we created with Hangar 24 Brewing from Redlands, CA. The base style is a sessionable sour red ale that we aged in oak barrels along with a whopping amount of strawberries, most of which were picked from the fields besides Hangar 24’s brewery. Aged for approximately 8 months, this beer has developed a pleasant funk and a delightful acidity that is balanced by the intensely sweet aroma and flavor of the strawberries as well as a unique dryness achieved by using a sake yeast along with our house strain along with souring bacteria. Available in November. 5.5% ABV, Best enjoyed fresh due to the fleeting aroma and flavor of the strawberries
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Being an anime fan and a big fan of the show “Bleach”, I anticipated this review for a long time ago since the beer released way back when. A very hard to find beer unless you are a member of the Reserve or Hoarders Society. I was able to trade for this brew in order to bring Ichigo, the shinigami here to the stage. One of the things to note about the fragrances about this beer, is that there is alof of strong ripe strawberry aromas but also the grape wine aromas are there too as well as this sugary scent of strawberry preserves. You can also sense the funkyness and citrus like many sour beers. Some grapefruit, apricots, apples and cinnamon as well. While still tart and sour to the smell, it is also very floral too. Like hibiscus and roses. The flavors are very much sour as expected. A ton of bitter ripe strawberries, apricot, apples, sour wine grapes, lemon, grapefruit, slight cinnamon spice, wine oak funkyness, and a bit of sake and tea like flavors . You will only like this beer if you enjoy sours, let’s put it that way. I happen to enjoy some sour beers like Jolly pumpkin for example. The sweeter flavors actually start to come out as the beer warms up. Yep, aside from the name being Ichigo, if you do not like sours even if your a fan of the “Bleach” show, you may not like this one. Which then I assume that only people that like sours will like this one. It is a very good sour. It happens to be a bonus for me as I enjoy craft beers, sours, anime and “Bleach” 8)
Rating: 4.9/5
Dayman Coffee IPA collaboration by Aleman, Two Brothers and Stone is a 8.7%ABV India Pale Ale brewed with roasted coffee beans
Label:
Jim Moorehouse, Nate Albrecht and Brad Zeller, three pals planning #to open a Chicago brewpub under the moniker of Aleman, won first place at last year’s Iron Brew homebrewing competition in the Windy City (judged by none other than Greg Koch, Jason Ebel of Two Brothers Brewing, and celebrated Chicago brewer, designer and author Randy Mosher). Their style-bending IPA artfully married the assertive tropical bite of Citra hops with amazing coffee flavor and aromatics #to create something truly unique and exceptional. Serendipitously, Two Brothers recently kicked off a new adventure roasting their own coffee beans, and provided just-in-time freshly roasted java for the brew. The result is an innovative IPA that’s well balanced and intensely flavored thanks to the felicitous blend of hops and fresh roasted coffee.
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This is an interesting combination. I never thought such a combination would be possible inviting the citrus and coffee to combine in such a way. The aromas are such that you get citrus, mango, grassy hops, but the coffee and java roast brings out some nice caramel and sugar notes. Strange, it is like smelling a porter but brought the level of citrus and hoppy IPA. Very unique indeed. The flavors are something else. They really got the balance correctly on this one. It invites rich flavors of piney grassy, orange citrus, grapefruit but also balances the extra bitterness with caramel, coffee, chocolate, mocha, pecans, walnuts, hazelnut nectar and vanilla. You can also get some mango, tangerines and papaya out this. I think this beer would be close to like a tropical latte almost. Of course you have to remember the hop bitterness adds some rich notes that will please IPA lovers. I honestly think this beer would probably be a gateway into the world of IPAs because it starts of with the sweetness of the coffee and slowly takes you in the hoppy and tropical realms of the IPA world. Yet another unique master piece. For something that probably would mix, like sweet and bitter, they really got a way with this one. Loving this one for sure.
Rating: 4/5
Life and Limb series Rhizing Bines collaboration by Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada is an 8%ABV Double India Pale Ale with Bravo and #644 hops.
Label:
Rhizing Bines is a collaborative IPA using the best of both coasts: Carolina-grown red fife wheat and Dogfish Head’s continual-hopping from the East and Sierra Nevada’s estate-grown caramel malt and Torpedo dry-hopping from the west.
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This is the second beer of the Life and Limb series I have the honor to try. The first collaboration I had was a dark ale. This one is an IPA. Upon opening this beers there was a nice honey rich and grassy hop fragrance. Some very slight breadiness, citrus, grapefruit, caramel and biscuit aromas. There are flavors of hop oil and honey. Reminds me of 120 min IPA but not as ABV strong or complex. Flavors of grapefruit, orange, coriander, lemon grass, grapes, caramel, maple, berries, slight flowers, some honey and toast bread flavor, somewhat of a barley wine note and butterscotch. Not the typical IPA. The flavor says it all. While still hoppy, it is not like a typical grassy IPA. It goes more along the lines of like an amber. There seems to be more malts in this. Not a bad thing in my opinion as I think this beer is delicious and refreshing. Just do not expect much of the bitterness or tropical flavors you would from an IPA or DIPA in this case. Still, worth getting as it is nice to taste those hops without the bitterness. Although bitterness is part of what hops are all about.
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