Rating: 5/5
Evening Vespers by Laughing Monk Brewing is a 7.1% ABV Belgian Dubbel
Description:
A classic Belgian style Dubbel with notes of dried fruits and chocolate emanate from the glass. Pleasant flavors of Plum, Dates, and Raisins hit the palate with an undertone of chocolate and bready notes. Lingering finish holds similar flavors to the palate, with a more accentuated bready note.
Damn, burnt candy sugar and Smokey notes, maple dark fruit, bananas clove spices and lots of awesomeness
Rating: 5.5/6
2016 Hoarders Cuvee by The Bruery Terreux is a 12% Sour Blonde ale aged in oak barrels with Honey, and Wheatwine ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Coconut, Hibiscus, Rose Hips and White Pepper
Label:
An invitation to join our Hoarders Society is the ultimate nod in how far you’ve come in your craft beer journey. Each year as a member, you get access to some of the most elusive and exclusive beers (such as this) and one-of-a-kind experiences, like going toe-to-toe with your peers in blending sessions exclusive to Hoarders.
This Cuvee is as dynamic as the members it competed against to gain top bragging rights in the Hoarders Cuvee blending tournament and be produced by Bruery Terreux in 2016. Designed by Hoarders Society members Kyle Landig, Paul Moore, Cory Townsend and Andy Williams, this Cuvee begins with one of the cornerstones of Bruery Terreux – our oak-aged sour blonde ale. We then premier a new ingredient in a packaged product for the first time in our company’s history: honey. Together with coconut, these two catapult the rich, barrel character found in our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine ale, which is the second beer in the blend. Hibiscus, rose hips and white pepper balance the oaky, sweet and sour profile, adding a degree of spice and herbal characteristics to the dynamic blend.
==Introduction==
I obtained this beer from the Bruery Reserve as they were having a sale and happened to allow a Hoarders beer to be purchased. While I did try the Bruery’s version of the Cuvee, now I bring forth the Terreux version of the 2016 Cuvee. Amazingly, the Cuvee from the Bruery was far up there as being a one of the best I have ever had. I hope I can say the same for this one. Let’s take a look and see if it is worth seeking out, cheers!
Aromas:
Floral notes of hibiscus, rose notes, lavender, honey, tropical fruit, stone fruit, mild toasted coconut, wine grapes, biscuit bread, vanilla, toasted coconut, chocolate hints and bourbon oak.
Flavors:
Rich oak, Lemon peel, hibiscus, roses, floral hops, lavender, honey, Bourbon, toasted coconut, stone fruit peach apricot, lychee, biscuit bread, vanilla, cocada Mexican coconut candy notes, sweetened condensed milk, strawberries, kiwi, cherries, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, cane sugar, sour apples, wine grapes, Chardonnay, raspberries, white chocolate notes, oranges, tangerine hints, super lactic funk and white wine.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with floral notes, coconut, lemon peel, vanilla, oak, honey, oranges, hibiscus, strawberries and biscuit bread. No Alcohol in the taste, clear rose and golden body, crisp, refreshing and effervecent mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
While it is exceptional and very delicious, I think the balance is the only thing that keeps it from being at the highest it could be. It is mainly tart and the sweetness is here and there but you can still tell there is a lot of complexity in this one. While I feel many who love sours will definitely enjoy this one, if you mainly love sours for its extreme sourness, then this one is an awesome one for you.
Anime Corner:
Aeris Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII was chosen in this beer since I have yet to review a beer with Aeris but mainly since her colors fit well with the colors and ingredients of the beer. This beer is full of flowers and Aeris is a flower girl so I figure it was the most perfect pairing especially a beer such as this one, the golden cuvee.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/Z7iVoXe.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/d5/a1/76d5a1334bf885972c8dec13d4511e32.jpg
http://img2.yiihuu.com/860X860/upimg/courses/2016/04/19/1-1461034043-529785.jpg?auto=h
http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/6/6c04/6c049fbc/100568/aerith-gainsborough.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/b9/b7/93b9b7af4b08eab0082ac228b2d2a8b2.jpg
Rating: 6/6
2015 Chocolate Salty BBLS by the Bruery is a 16.4% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Vanilla Beans, Cacao Nibs and Salt Added.
Label:
CHEF’S SURPRISE
A luxurious confection of sweet and savory.
Chocolate Salty BBLs is bold and salty and brown. Chocolate Salty BBLs gives you a savory , sweetmeat experience meant for sharing with friends.
==Introduction==
Two tables spoons of cinnamon…. and 2 or 3 egg whites …..a half a stick of butter…. mmm melted…. Stick it all in a bowl baby… Stir it with a wooden spoon…. mix in a cup of flour….. you’ll be in heaven soon… Say everybody have you seen this beer its big and salty and brown, if you ever need to pick… this one up… just go the Bruery NOW!! Ooohhh go get some Chocolate Salty BBLs… pour them in a glass and suck em!
LMAO!!!
Okay, but seriously though, pretty bold move from the Bruery on this one. It is an awesome feeling to have a South Park beer though. This one was released from the Bruery exclusively to Reserve and Hoarders members so unless you are willing to trade or out right buy, that will be the only way to get this one. This one seems like Chocolate Rain with salt and lower ABV but I guess I will have to see exactly what going down on these BBLs will be like. Wish me luck and cheers!
Aromas:
Rich dark and milk chocolate, bourbon, salted caramel, oak, vanilla, Whiskey, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, Kahlua Liqueur, mocha, chocolate mousse, dark fruit raisins, plum, figs, raspberries, roasted cashews, tootsie roll candy, fudge brownies, brown sugar, oreo cookie, chocolate chips, oatmeal, fudge brownies, flan, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, toasted coconut, port wine, cherry chocolate cordials, toffee, cinnamon, Cookie Dough Ice cream, choco flan and smores chocolate.
Flavors:
Salted caramel, Milk Chocolate, dark chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German Chocolate, Baker’s Chocolate, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toffee, Bourbon, Oak, Whiskey, Cookie Dough Ice cream, choco flan, Kahlua Liqueur, chocolate covered funnel cake, milk shake, black currants, roasted cashews, tootsie roll candy, fudge brownies, dark fruit raisins, plum, figs, raspberries, rocky road ice cream, mocha, coffee, brown sugar, oreo cookie, chocolate chips, oatmeal, fudge brownies, flan, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, toasted coconut, hazelnut, pecan pie, leather, tobacco, rye bread, cherry cordials and port wine hints.
Aftertaste:
Mild Salty aftertaste, caramel, chocolate, dark fruit, flan, oak, bourbon, brown sugar, white fudge, chocolate fudge and port wine. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. Pitch black with brown lacing full body, smooth, creamy, syrupy and rich mouthfeel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
No doubt, these Chocolate Salty balls are orgasmic! (No pun intended lol) There is no Brandy in this beer but bourbon is just a good a spirit to use to aged this brew. Essentially, this is a moderately light Chocolate Rain with salt. It may not seem like much but it does add an additional level of complexity and it is different overall as it is a lighter beer than Chocolate Rain. Overall, while the name may seem to make it a gimmicky beer, The Bruery really knows what they are doing and it does seem to be the beer it intends to be. The salty aspect is mild and is mainly in the after taste but it sure does make it a bit different than chocolate rain as there seems to be more of a lighter balance in flavors by only a slight and yet still so damn complex and potent. Highly damn recommended!!
By the way, if you wanna know where the name of the beer originated as well as the song, check this Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIl-6UnlGVs
Anime Corner:
Tifa Lockhart and the Final Fantasy VII cast as well as Chef himself from South Park were used in this pairing for many reasons. Right around the time South Park especially this song became famous, I was still in high school. Back in 1997, Final Fantasy VII was released. I got the game around Christmas and around that time I was heavily invested in wanting to get a Playstation to get this game. My friends Alfredo Gutierrez and Jose Almanza introduced me to the Chef Aid: South Park Album with the Chocolate Salty Balls song on it near the end of 1998. So the fact that these 2 things came out around my High School years, it was a good reason to bring them together with this beer pairing. A tribute to the South Park song and my RPG playing childhood. LOL Anime Chef Rules!!
Sources:
http://orig12.deviantart.net/ee4c/f/2015/101/d/6/d67cb3a90750227a1fdc49ec96f4b3b1-d8pcwho.jpg
http://orig01.deviantart.net/2491/f/2015/203/f/d/vii_by_benlo-d92fve0.jpg
http://t.wallpaperweb.org/wallpaper/games/1024×768/Final_fantasy_vii__tifa__anime_wallpaper_original.jpg
http://southparkstudios.mtvnimages.com/images/shows/south-park/clip-thumbnails/season-8/0801/south-park-s08e01c10-chefs-warning-16×9.jpg?
Rating: 4.5/5
La Folie 2013 by New Belgium is a 7% ABV Sour Brown Ale also known as Flanders Oud Bruin style
Label:
Seriously Sour. This Flanders-Style Reddish Brown Ale Was Fermented 1-3 Years In French Oak Barrels For Mouth Puckering Perfection
___
Strangely enough, this one was considered a very highly sought out beer. Even the reviews on the websites put it in world class status. Last time I saw something like that was with their abbey ale, which I swear, ultimately awesome. Still gotta get me one of those for the reviews here :P. Aromas are just like some of the Jolly Pumpkin beers I have had in the past, especially La Roja. Fragrances of sour dark cherries, wine grapes, currants, raisins, figs, some sweet caramel, strong oak barrel, tart cranberries and some hazelnut. The flavors are just like some of the sours I remember but with a little more sweet flavors. Tart apples, cherries, grapes, earthy caramel, mouth puckering cranberries, currants, raisins, sweet caramel, peaches, vanilla oak, strong beech wood, funky, acidic, biscuit and chocolate flavors reminiscent of the New Belgium ingredients like Fat Tire. Maybe if they were to take the Fat Tire amber and turn it into this sour, then you would have a winner known as La Folie. It takes a special liking to enjoy a beer like this. Sours are usually a moderate favorite of mine if made right. Jolly pumpkin makes a vast variety of sours that are unique as they took sours into newer realms. I can see why many believe this is a World Class beers. It truly is in the world of sour beers. It is like La Roja but more flavors. This would pair well with other things even foods I am sure. So if you are a sour beer fan, get this for sure, otherwise, it may not be your thing.
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 
