Tag Archives: English Barley Wine

Breakfast Beast by Clown Shoes

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Rating: 6/6

Breakfast Beast by Clown Shoes is a 10% ABV American Imperial Stout aged with Barrington Coffee Roasting and aged in bourbon barrels.

The beer is Breakfast Beast, a blend of Blaecorn Unidragon Russian imperial stout (12.5 percent ABV), Undead Party Crasher imperial stout (10 percent ABV) and an “experimental new stout” that was aged in bourbon barrels. In addition, cold brewed coffee sourced from Barrington Coffee Roasting Co. in Lee, Mass. was added to the beer before being bottled.

That type of beer you gotta wake up in the morning to. So damn good!! But the beast has always been awesome

Mash & Spumoni by The Bruery

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Rating: 7/7

Mash & Spumoni by The Bruery is a 12.8% ABV English Barleywine brewed with cherries, vanilla and pistachios aged in bourbon barrels

==Introduction==…

The ancestor pastry of Neapolitan, this incarnation of Mash from the Bruery takes a page from the Italian version of Neapolitan, a layered ice cream with Chocolate or Vanilla, Pistachios, Cherries and whipped cream (where as Neapolitan is Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla). A trifecta/quadrafecta of pure bliss. The Bruery recently had this on tap and I skipped trying it since I didn’t know about it but when I heard how great it was, I had to get whatever few bit of it they had and bring it to the website. Surely an almost missed treasure of bucket listing proportions. I definitely thought that as I had a pour of it from the tap. I sure don’t know if they will still have this as I write this but it is is true, this should definitely be bottled. Now, let’s have a look at this amazing beer, cheers!

Aromas:
Rich pistachios, cherries, vanilla, chocolate, dulce de leche, bourbon, dark fruit raisins,currants, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, fruit cake, walnuts, almond joy chocolate, hazelnut cream, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, German Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, crème brulee, flan, sweetened condensed milk, honey, rocky road ice cream, waffle cone, Danish cream, Irish cream, Raspberry Chambord, banan sundae, butterscotch, chocolate brownies and reed velvet cake.

Flavors:
Super rich Spumoni and Neapolitan ice cream, Spumoni pie, dark cherry yogurt, pecan pie, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon, marshmallow smores, toasted coconut, pistachios, walnuts, almond joy chocolate, hazelnut cream, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, German Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, crème brulee, flan, sweetened condensed milk, honey, rocky road ice cream, dark fruit raisins,currants, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, waffle cone, Danish cream, Irish cream, Raspberry Chambord, Mexican Alfajor Coconut pastry, madamia nuts, Macaroons, Chocolate brownies, butterscotch, graham crackers, pistachio ice cream, cookie dough ice cream and mint chocolate chip, red velvet cake, banana sundae.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich rich super ice cream flavors right off the scoop and cone of pistachios, cherries, vanilla, chocolate, dark fruit, fruit cake, almond joy, toasted, banana sundae, flan, waffle cone and marshmallows. No alcohol in the taste, smooth and creamy mouthfeel, should be a sipper but drinks way too easy, full black body.

Overall:
The Seed of Life from Monkish was a tincture of something that truly was supreme, but when you take that and make a #barleywineislife recipe and add the cherries, you just entered something that can only be described as inter-dimensional taste of experience. Like the episode 5 of Rick and Morty Season when Rick, Jerry and Risotto Groupon amalgamate their experiences over 1,000 life times of space and time to come to some existential enlightenment, then this is what this beer is like. Funny how the three of them were fused together kind of like the 3 layered fusion of this dessert beer. With a deeper understanding of what Barleywines are supposed to be, even the greats cannot judge something this vast. Most likely since they are drunk but regardless, this is something that is must to find if you can get it! Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Sai Hinoki from Betterman was used in this pairing as I wanted to promote the primary ingredients of cherries, pistachios, chocolate and vanilla. Essentially, you can easily see how her hair streaks of these colors would make for such a perfect pairing. Even though there is hardly any artwork of her as Better such an old series, the appreciation of bringing her into this pairing is what I really needed to do in my quest to pair one of each character of anime/video games that I am fond of to beer.

 

(AnimeBeers On The Road) 2017 Bourbon O.E. (Olde English) by Smog City Brewing

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Rating: 6/6

2017 Bourbon O.E. (Olde English) by Smog City Brewing is a 13.1% ABV English Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels

When I first tried this beer a while back, it was one of the best beers I have had at Smog City’s taproom. Since that time, I knew they had bottle it recently and while I had not really brought the bottle to the site, I figure it was about time. So when I visited the brewery with some of my coworkers, I decided to get a bottle and share it at the brewery. That’s when I realized I never had it on the site so I decided better now than later. I love bourbon barrel aged beers and this barleywine is one of the best. Showcasing some very nice dulce de leche caramel, oak, vanilla, dark fruits and pecan pie goodness. A beer that I would highly recommend if you can find it. Cheers!

 

 

2016 Mash & Coconut by The Bruery

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15271865_538639712998802_6685030592850345833_oRating: 7/7

2016 Mash & Coconut by The Bruery is a 13.1 % ABV World Class English Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels with coconut.

Label:
Bear The Palm

This Rendition of our classic bourbon barrel-aged barleywine ale amplifies the coconut character natively derived from extensive bourbon-barrel-aging.

This is our classic bourbon barrel-aged barleywine ale, Mash, stretching to new levels. Mash & Coconut has coconut added – nearly 1 lb. Per gallon, which ratchets up the complex coconut character and complements the oaky and vanilla notes that are imparted to the beer as part of its extensive maturation in oak bourbon barrels.

==Introduction==
15252677_538639666332140_2834696412721063666_o
After 2 years, the Bruery has finally re-released the one of their most awesome beers, the Mash and Coconut. I remember this one distinctively since the first time they released it, it was not up to their standards. Essentially, they had issues with the beer that could only be served at their tap room and not be bottled. Fast forward to now, and they not only released a tap room of it, but also in bottle form. I bring this one back as I remember it being a supreme coconut joy. Now since it has been released to all societies, let’s take a look at it from a bottle perspective, cheers!

Aromas:
Lots of toasted coconut, vanilla, caramel dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, chocolate brownies, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows smores, butterscotch, dark fruit prunes, currants, dark cherries, plums, stone fruit peaches and cream, peach cobbler, rye toast with coconut burnt sugar, Mexican Alfajor Coconut pastry, madamia nuts, Macaroons, flan, brown sugar and bananas.

Flavors:
Supreme coconut cream and pecan pie nectar, hazelnut, Dark chocolate, Milk chocolate, German Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, dark fruit prunes, currants, dark cherries, plums, fruit cake, marshmallows, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, smoked peat, toffee, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, stone fruit peaches and cream, peach cobbler, rye toast with coconut burnt sugar, Mexican Alfajor Coconut pastry, madamia nuts, Macaroons, flan, coconut custard, capirotada raisin bread pudding, maple, oatmeal raisins cookies, plantains, Danish cream, chocolate brownies, rocky road ice cream, butterscotch, marshmallow smores and graham crackers.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with Rich Almond joy chocolate, dark fruits, bourbon notes, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, flan, bananas, Mexican coconut candy, hazelnut nectar, vanilla and cheesecake. No alcohol despite the ABV. Dark brown full body, smooth creamy, chewy and velvety mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A bucket lister that finally was released in bottles. With the separation of Sour and regular brews, a much more controlled environment was what made this possible for the Bruery. Thankfully it was finally released and this time, Preservation Society would see this one coming. So if you signed up for Quarter 4 2016, you will get this one along with Black Tuesday and another brew. This is a must get and if you can get several, do cellar them. This is insane, I highly recommend this one!
15259677_538639662998807_3267183794057221693_o
Anime Corner:
Ramona Flowers and Knives Chau from Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World were used in this pairing as the original since I wanted to compare them to the name MASH & COCONUT. Ramona always has a hammer ready to MASH up her opponents and Knives is a smooth ninja representing the coconut flavors and the overall smoothness of the beer. This is way too easy to drink. They are both hot but super damn deadly. Some of the colors of the label also pair with the artwork. Scott is there for the other complex flavors of the beer as well as the other characters from the series.
15289313_538639669665473_4808701372095119454_o
Sources:
http://www.zerochan.net/full/1250828
http://data.whicdn.com/images/102897436/large.jpg
http://data.whicdn.com/images/89284118/large.png

 

2015 Lips of Faith Series Blackberry Barleywine by New Belgium

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12661882_10103054811570090_2549919693215159642_nRating: 5/5

2015 Lips of Faith Series Blackberry Barleywine by New Belgium is a 10% ABV English style Barleywine brewed with blackberries.

Label:
Smooth as the silk ascot you should be wearing while sipping this barley wine ale brewed with fresh blackberries. A trip under your nose reveals aromas of toasted oak, caramel toffee and burgundy. Sip with purpose.

==Introduction==

I obtained this one at my local brew shop, Ramirez Liquors in Boyle Heights California. This was the last beer in the Lips of Faith Series for 2015. While I haven’t tried the Lips of faith in a while due to the rerelease of previous year ones, this one was one that I really wanted to bring forth to the site. The reason it took a long time was due to the aging process. Barleywines have to age on Secondary fermentation for the alcohol to mellow out. Once it was ready and I was able to find it, I took no time to wait and try it out to bring it to the site. Cheers!

Aromas:
Strong cherry and blackberries, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, currants, pomegranate, banana notes, stone fruit apricot notes, brown sugar, rye bread, tart grape, grape wine notes, port wine hints, biscuit bread, toffee and hazelnut hints.

Flavors:
Rich dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, blackberries, currants, pomegranate, dark cherries, banana notes, rye bread, tart grape, grape wine notes, port wine hints, biscuit bread, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, leathery notes, orange and peach preserves, hazelnut nectar, coriander spice, pecan pie, maple syrup hints, fruit cake, stone fruit apricot notes, brown sugar, caramel cherry cake, and butterscotch.

Aftertaste:
Lots of rich dark fruit, toffee, caramel, rye and vanilla lingers. No alcohol in the taste, crimson light body, smooth, silky and creamy mouthfeel with a dangerously easy drinkability.

Overall:
Damn perfect malty Barleywine. Just the way I like them. The fruit and the already malty and dark fruit flavors expand so much that I almost finished the brew in one sitting really quick. For a 10% ABV, this is dangerous but it certainly is something that many people will like. Yes it is from New Belgium but their Lips Faith series has always been a hit or miss and this one is one major hit out the park!

Anime Corner:
Anna from Frozen was used in this pairing as I was looking for something to pair with the label of the beer which also has colors of Blackberries. Long behold, I found this one and while I hardly do Disney characters, this was a nice far artwork that seemed to just work so well with this one. Lots of the colors stand out with the flavors and ingredients of the overall brew.

Sources:
http://img0.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/full/KR0NPR1NZ-Frozen-Anna-Frozen-(фильм)-фильмы-2620938.jpeg

Rick’s Wrecka Barleywine by Avila Ales

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12642588_10103052861922200_959383025666913489_n 12650809_10103052862640760_5928505456712956685_nRating: 5/5

Rick’s Wrecka Barleywine by Avila Ales is a ~10% ABV English Barley Wine

==Introduction==

My friend Richard Avila created this beer back in May 2015 and let it aged for 6 months in a secondary fermentation vessel. I helped my friend that day to create my beer which was the Honey Bee Waggling Hop Bats Belgian IPA and this awesome Barleywine. Quite the task and an awesome Homebrew day in the hot summer in may it was. Fast forward several months into the holidays and we now have what I agree with my friend, his best beer yet. This awesome brew really blew me away and it definitely was all the worth the wait. Today I bring to the website, courtesy of my friend Richard, an awesome Barleywine! Cheers!

Aromas:
Dark fruit plum, prunes, raisins, cherry notes, dulce de leche Caramel, vanilla, toffee, sweetened condensed milk, biscuit bread with orange and peach preserves, Stone fruit peach hints, brown sugar, hazelnut nectar, figgy pudding and pecan pie.

Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, sugar plum, dark cherries, raspberry notes, grape notes, port wine hints, Stone fruit peach hints, dulce de leche Caramel, vanilla, toffee, sweetened condensed milk, Toasted biscuit bread with orange and peach preserves, honey, waffle cone, marshmallows, earthy and citrus hop notes, pecan pie, macadamia nuts, hazelnut nectar, figgy pudding and flan hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with flavors of caramel, dark fruit, port wine hint, earthy notes, waffle cone, honey, vanilla and fig pudding. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, Crimson light to medium body, silky, smooth and creamy mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability which for a 10% is pretty dangerous but it really is a well drunk beer.

Overall:
A perfect example and well made English Barleywine. From the different types of Barleywines I have had in the past, this reminded me of some of the better ones. This is really why I enjoyed this one. There is much malty complex goodness with a balance of mild hoppy citrus to balance things out. To date, I think this really is my friend Richard’s best brew and hope it makes an awesome return!

Anime Corner:
Rick Hunter, Dr. Jean Grant and the other characters from the Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles were used in this pairing to go along with the name of the brew. In the series, Rick would use his transforming Veritech mecha to battle. Its destructive force on enemies was massive. You can almost say this Barleywine is synonymous to the destructive force of the Veritech. It’s a wrecking machine!

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c8/ee/05/c8ee05a0da16f663e6f74ded120cddd0.jpg

Flight Of The Angry Beast by Clown Shoes

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12525224_10103028521590420_3691132951949207996_o 12622023_10103028522563470_7450857629756014706_oRating: 6/6

Flight Of The Angry Beast by Clown Shoes is a 10.75% ABV American Strong Ale consisting of an Smoked Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water aged in bourbon barrels, a Scotch Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout and an English Style Barley Wine aged in Scotch. Another Cuvee of dreams!

Label:
For the fourth installment in our “Beast” series, Sir Walter Scott has finally tamed the creature, who was about to attack a group of innocent unicorns. To celebrate, we blended 1/3 Undead Party Crasher aged in bourbon barrels, 1/3 Blaecorn Unidragon aged in scotch barrels and 1/3 Billionaire aged in scotch barrels. Hooray!

==Introduction==

Another year, another incarnation of the Unidragon beast. This time, they combined the Imperial and Russian stouts with their English Style Barley wine. Each time I try these beast beers, there is always something different and unique about them. Some brews have been made specifically for certain states and are variants of the Unidragon. While I have had the opportunity to try these one offs, I am glad some really complex beasts still come about every now and again. The flight of the Angry Beast seems so cool so without further ado, let’s see what this one is about. Cheers!

Aromas:
Smoked Peat, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, earthy notes, butterscotch, Scotch bourbon, whiskey bourbon, oak, Bananas, clove spice, sweetened condensed milk, toffee, figgy pudding, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, bakers chocolate, molasses, anise, mint, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconuts, macadamia nuts, pecan pie, doughnuts, oreo cookies and smokey notes.

Flavors:
Scotch bourbon, whiskey bourbon, oak, Bananas, clove spice, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German Chocolate, bakers chocolate, oreo cookies, smokey notes, almond joy chocolate, smoked peat, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, earthy notes, butterscotch, molasses, mint, anise, rye bread, caramelized sugars, waffle cone, marshmallows, chocolate smores, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconuts, macadamia nuts, pecan pie, doughnuts, cookie dough ice cream, hazel nut nectar, sweetened condensed milk, toffee, figgy pudding, tobacco, leather, tres leche cake, fudge chocolate cake and crème brulee.

Aftertaste:
Good mix of Scotch and Bourbon oak in the finish along with some lingering flavors of banana, dark fruit, chocolate notes, smokey notes, marshmallow, vanilla and caramel. Slight alcohol in the taste but this does not take away from the rich complexity. Dark pitch black body, smooth, velvety and creamy mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
No surprise how every year, the Cuvee of different beers really brings about the really extreme and special of what Clown Shoes has to offer. The velvety flavors and spirits collide with a complex array of deliciousness. There is much that can be said when spirits get together like this and create an exceptional beer that, for me, tends to break the rating scale. Highly Recommended.

Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach have always represented some aspect of the clown shoes beers in my past reviews. Tia is the Undead Party Crasher/Vampire Slayer. Nelliel has always been the original Unidragon and Yoruichi would be added for good measures since the Porcine Unidragon came out. The blend of each beer together and the unleash of the Extremely Angry beast can be best represented when all three together are looking like bad asses powering up to team up against great foes. The strength and complexity has come together very epically that I could not think of any other pairing artwork that would be the best representative of this beer.

Sources:
http://img01.deviantart.net/2276/i/2010/054/8/1/hot_battle___commission_by_toppera_tpr.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5FJtEATaK3M/VTAYgyGwShI/AAAAAAAABOk/qVd6HEd1Nts/w850-h703/Yoruichi%25252C%252520Halibel%252520%252526%252520Nel.jpg

Pierre Ferrand Billionare by Clown Shoes

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11412089_10102702367730370_3527950086934754145_oRating: 6/6

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

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

==Introduction==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mash & Grind by the Bruery

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10365814_10102242084566520_3966754426991846494_n 10869828_10102242084960730_6678622636617135545_oRating: 6/5

Mash & Grind by the Bruery is a 13.7% ABV English Barley Wine aged in Bourbon Barrels with Portola Lab’s Lucio Delgado (Columbia) Coffee beans.

Label:
TO HAVE

An English-style classic with rich flavors from time spent aging in bourbon barrels, plus fresh roasted coffee from Portola Coffee Lab.

Mash & Grind is best enjoyed fresh for bold coffee notes, but may develop pleasantly with time if cellared properly.

==Introduction==

After reviewing the other MASH variations, I am unsure how the Coffee variant could top the coconut, but we definitely have to focus on this one now. This was also released to Reserve Society members only and you may have to trade to get this variant. MASH by the Bruery is in itself an insanely rich and delicious beer that really shoots up to the top of the best Barleywines in the world in my opinion especially of the English style. This coffee variant is something I have been meaning to try and is one that I passed off a taster as I was too exited to the coconut and the fact that I was willing to wait to focus on this one. So let’s dive and see how this one differs from the regular MASH. By the way, Portola labs is one of the best I have seen for brewing some of the best coffee beers out there. Well, except for the rarities of Kopi Luwak, Intelligentsia, Jamaican Blue, Jobella and Dark Matter and their variants such as Unicorn’s Blood, but I digress. Check out my other reviews on those if you want. As for this one, let’s take close look shall we? Cheers!!

Aromas:
Rich milk chocolate coffee, rich roasted coffee grounds, java coffee, espresso, frappuccino cream, coffee cake, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, bourbon, oak, banana split, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, banana clove spices, rich mocha, coconut hints, marshmallow, chocolate smores, custard, sweetened condensed milk (Leche Nestle), rocky road icecream, pecan pie, tobacco, brownies, chocolate bread, toffee, butterscotch, raisin bread pudding and maple.

Flavors:
Rich mocha coffee, Java, espresso, Khalua, dark chocolate abuelita, roasted coffee notes, coffee grounds, dulce de leche caramel, frappuccino, mocha latte, flan, plantain hints, almond joy, dark chocolate pecan pie, danish cookies, cinnamon, bananas, hazelnut, tocacco, rocky road icecream, bourbon, toasted coconut hints, butterscotch, macadamia nuts, dark fruit, plums raisins, dark cherry, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pudding, custard, chocolate cake, coffee cake, crème brulee and maple.

Aftertaste:
Roasted coffee, vanilla, caramel, crème brulee, rye bread, marshmallows, coconut hints, almonds and frappuccino cream lingers. No alcohol in the taste, moderate drinkability, creamy mouthfeel and a dark brown full body.

Overall:
Hot Damn, if you love coffee, this one is like Coffee Central! The coffee is strong in this one. The colder the sharper coffee strength. You get more coffee roast as it is cold, but when it warms up, that is when you get the best out the beer. I definitely suggest trying it a variant temperatures as it will vary as the temperature gets warmer. Aging this will let more coffee and other flavors go through but as it is right now as it warms up is definitely pure coffee beer Nirvana. I do think this reaches the heights of best coffee beers in the world and the best coffee Barleywine ever and I highly recommend if you can get some bottles to age too.

Anime Corner:
Aqua from Kingdom Hearts makes a triumphant return in the beer scene with this pairing. The last couple of times I used her were in pairings such as 1556 Ale from New Belgium, Rochefort 10 and Jamaican Blue Coffee Speedway Stout from Alesmith. She relates to this beer in the sense of the deep and by that I mean deep darkness. Darkness which is presented by the rich coffee roast but mainly because even with the strongest of the Dark, she can battle it with light as she is a Key Blade Master which are very few from the series. You see, Mash & Grind is not a dark beer. It retains its barleywine caramel colors, super strength and complexity and yet presents the darkness. Aqua has been locked in the darkness for a long time but her light is always brimming never to extinguish!

Sources:
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/002/1/d/dark_aqua_by_annria2002-d4l2k63.jpg

Mash & Coconut by The Bruery

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10379732_10102242082226210_4337238402157701393_oRating: 6.2/5

Mash & Coconut by The Bruery is a 12.8% ABV World Class English Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels with coconut.

Label (Proposed):
TO HAVE…

An English-style classic with rich flavors added by aging in bourbon barrels with tropical coconut.

==Introduction==

So this beer was supposed to be released for the Reserve Society but due to time restraints and quality control, this one was not released in bottles this year. Hopefully next year will be different. Same thing happened with So Happens It’s Tuesday as well. So when I found out they had this on tap and for growler fill, it didn’t take long for me to bring one home. When I went for a taster set, I had several greats from the Bruery but this one just blew everything away. That’s when I realized, I gotta get a growler. The original MASH was phenomenal, but this certainly took the cake and I had to review it so people can go try this at the Bruery before it is gone but also in hopes that a future release will be available for everyone. This is on tap for the public too, no membership needed so that works out great! Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich macaroon and cocada coconut candy forward, rich toasted coconut, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, banana split ice cream, hazelnuts, almonds, almond joy candy, pecan pie, milk chocolate, sweetened condensed milk (Leche Nestle), custard, rocky road ice cream, macadamia nuts, flan, coconut cream pie, capirotada raisin bread pudding, cinnamon, brownies, rye bread, plantains, mocha, clove spice and toffee.

Flavors:
Rich Macaroon and Almond joy chocolate flavors forward, rich toasted coconut, milk chocolate, rich bananas, flan, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, custard, cinnamon, rocky road ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, banana split, brownies, chocolate cake, rye bread, mocha, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, crème brulee, clove spice, marshmallow smores, oak, bourbon, maple, butterscotch, plantains, toffee, brown sugar, Danish cream and oatmeal raisin cookies.

Aftertaste:
Toasted Coconut, bananas, almond joy, milkchocolate, marshmallow, dark fruit, butterscotch and macaroons linger. No alcohol in the taste, way too easy to drink, silky and creamy mouthfeel and a dark brown full body.

Overall:
Possibly the best toasted coconut/banana nut/almond joy beer ever! This is liquid coconut macaroon heaven. This beer is super toasted coconut forward. The only sad part was that I do not think this will be coming out in bottles anytime soon but if you are ever at the Bruery this month, see if you can have a reserve society member get you a growler fill. They really need to bottle this one as this one was the one that stood out when I tasted it the other day. This beer is way too good for it’s own good. At the height of the 12.8-13%ABV, it is way too drinkable that you would be in big trouble finishing a growler in one sitting. Savor this if you can find it as it won’t last…

Anime Corner:
Ramona Flowers and Knives Chau from Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World were used in this pairing since I wanted to compare them to the name MASH & COCONUT. Ramona always has a hammer ready to MASH up her opponents and Knives is a smooth ninja representing the coconut flavors and the over all smoothness of the beer. This is way too easy to drink. They are both hot but super damn deadly. Some of the colors of the label also pair with the artwork. Scott is there for the other complex flavors of the beer as well as the other characters from the series.

Sources:
http://www.zerochan.net/full/1250828

2014 MASH by the Bruery

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10507124_10102061173623500_2930308288137729552_oRating: 5.95/5

2014 MASH by the Bruery is a 12.4% ABV English Barley Wine aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
TO HAVE NOT

An English-style classic with rich flavors from time spent aging in bourbon barrels.

Mas is delicately rich and malty ale, best enjoyed fresh , but may evolve pleasentyly over time if cellared properly.
___

This beer was released by the Bruery in 2013 and re-released for 2014 to the Reserve society. This beer was something I was always curious about but mainly let it slide because I was not a member at the time and something I through I could get better for. As it turned out, now I finally had a chance and I wanted to see if this beer was really worth it. A barrel Aged Barleywine. I could only start to think of Bourbon County Barleywine. At 750ml, I had to get it for sure. So here you go, the MASH review from the Bruery!

Aromas:
Dark fruits like raisins, plums, dulce de leche caramel, old bananas, clove spice, toffee, plantains, macaroons, toasted coconut, hazelnuts, almonds, pecan pie, chocolate, toffee, macamadamia nuts, rocky road ice cream, custard, brownies, chocolate cake, rye bread, maple, mocha, capirotada raisin bread pudding, cinnamon, and condensed sweetened milk.

Flavors:
Rich toffee, dulce de leche caramel, toasted coconut, macaroons, marshmallows, rich bananas, clove spice, crème brulee, flan, plantain, almonds, pecan pie, chocolate, hazelnut nectar, toffee, macamadamia nuts, rocky road ice cream, custard, brownies, chocolate cake, rye bread, mocha, dark fruit raisins, plums, capirotada raisin bread pudding, cinnamon, condensed sweetened milk and maple.

Aftertaste:
Bananas, caramel, dark fruits, butterscotch, rye bread, chocolate hints, almonds and toasted coconut macaroons linger. No alcohol in the taste, medium to full bodied, a sipping beer and syrupy mouth feel yet smooth.

Overall:
Undoubtedly exceeding my expectations. The Bruery making a fucking Barley wine that can actually compete with even the world class ones and yet not recognized due to its availability!? Unheard of!! This should definitely be world class as it definitely proves what the true English Barleywine can truly be like. As I look at the EBWs from before this one is definitely one of the top ones! Highly recommended!

Anime Corner:
Senkanseiki from the Kantai Collection was used in this pairing to pair with the colors of the label and the evil that the beer represents. Evil in the sense that it is very good, it is too damn good making you want to drink the whole bottle. However, despite its richness and deliciousness, this one must be taken lightly and savored a sip at a time. The colors of the artwork resonate with the awesome flavor complexity of the beer ranging from the dark cherry, coconut, dark fruits and so forth. The strength of Senkanseiki can also compliment the strength of this beer’s ABV. So much can be said about this delicious treasure but the best part of this is leaving it to you, the reader to make of it what you will!

Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2014-06-12-654736.jpeg