Rating: 6/6
Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, Bourbon Barrel Aged by Garage Brewing Co is a 10.1% ABV Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy Aged in Bourbon Barrels
Description:
This well-balanced classic has been aged in bourbon barrels resulting in a dominant malt character and flavors of caramel, bourbon, and smoke.
Review
Super Dark fruit, oak, bourbon, smoked peat with a ton of complexity. Complex flavors and lots of love for this rare style and the many I have tried continues to be amazing!
Rating: 7/7
Chronology:24 – Wee Heavy by The Bruery is a 13.7% ABV Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy aged in bourbon barrels for 24 months.
Supreme wee heavy so much so to the point that this taste close to true scotch whiskey but with so much complexity it is not offensive
Past Beer in the series: https://animebeers.com/2016/12/20/2016-chronology18-wee-heavy-by-the-bruery/
Rating: 5/5
Speedway Stout by Alesmith is a 12% ABV World Class Imperial Stout brewed with coffee.
While I have reviewed this beer in the past, I wanted to bring the dark wheel Rim looking can which fits perfectly with the whole racing aspect. Check out my old review here.
https://animebeers.com/2013/04/19/speedway-stout-by-alesmith/
Rating: 5.25/6
Home Brewing Project #28 Essence Of The Cryonical Banshee by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 9% ABV Wee Heavy/ Scotch Ale.
Label:
Essence Of The Cryonical Banshee
In every culture of the world, there are tales about roaming spirits. One in particular is the story of a woman who keens over the loss of her loved one or loved ones. In Scottish and Irish lore, she goes by “The Banshee”. Mexico calls her, La Llorona”. Britain and Japan have spotted her and she goes by “The White Lady” and “Onryo” respectively. Her origin can even be traced in Greek Mythology as the “The Siren”
She survived the ages. A being of pure immortality, created in an Atlantical cryonics experiment in search of true immortality. History has shown that the majority of our technological advancements was due to the Atlantians. However, they were warned by higher dimensional beings about spreading their secrets to mankind. With the sinking of their city, their fate was sealed. Having been the only one of her kind, the banshee was forced to roam the earth. While most fear her, her story is of sadness, for she is still spreading the secrets in bottles of tears we call, “spirits”, that she leaves wherever she travels.
Ingredients: Water, Hops, Malt & Scottish Ale Yeast.
==Introduction==
Project #28 was inspired by my need to create a rare style that I only get a to try every now and again. That style is the Wee Heavy. Ever since I got the Sam Adam Wee Heavy, I realized how different of a beer it was. So much so, that I really loved it and wanted to try to find as many of these as I could. I have tried many great ones since like the Alesmith Wee Heavy, Founders Backwoods Bastard and even the Bruery’s Chronology Wee Heavy. With the experience I have gathered brewing several batches, I figured this would be easy. Although the ingredients shown really didn’t look like much. How could only a few grains and lots of malt really create that unique profile. I can understand how the style is manly malty in profile but there was a unique complexity which I see in the style. I have yet to have a bad Wee Heavy and it is one that I think I would be critical as I will compare to the other greats. With that being said, this creation that took me several months to have ready especially since it sat a long time, let’s see how it turned out. Cheers!
Aromas:
Dulce de leche caramel, burnt caramel, butterscotch, smoked peat, smokey chocolate, dark pepper notes, banana, dark fruit prunes, raisins, plums, dates, currants, dark chocolate, licorice, brown sugar, figgy pudding, vanilla, stone fruit peach, scotch and fruit cake.
Flavors:
Rich dark fruit prunes, raisins, plums, dates, currants, smoked peat, dark chocolate, smokey chocolate, Scotch notes, molasses, anise, dulce de leche caramel, burnt caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon, fruit cake, sweetened condensed milk, toffee, figgy pudding, vanilla, stone fruit peach, old mango, pecan pie, burnt marshmallow, coffee cake, brown sugar, licorice, honey, dark pepper, earthy notes, bananas and crème brulee hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich dark fruit prunes, burnt caramel, vanilla, Scotch, stone fruit hints, dark pepper, licorice, bananas and rich toffee. No alcohol in the taste. Crimson Brown Medium body. Smooth creamy, and mildly syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Into the exceptional territory. I honestly did not know what to expect in the beginning seeing as it was such a minimal grain recipe but the huge part being the yeast and the malt use. However, this blew my mind. It is smooth, no alcohol in the taste which is great and not offensive and it also has some Belgian dark notes to it although the European malty aspects in the tribute of Scotch ales, this is simply just that. A great wee heavy! I would definitely love to make this a Scotch barrel version next time to see how this comes out.
Anime Corner:
Kula Diamond from the SNK King of Fighters series was chosen in this homebrew pairing as I have chosen her with some of the best Wee Heavys I have tried in the past especially the Alesmith Barrel Aged Wee Heavy. The reason I chose her in this pairing as well was that she looks a lot like a Banshee with her cold stare looking into the void. Although, honestly she is well loved by her peers and really isn’t by herself in the KOF series but she sure made for a great character for the story of the Banshee. Many of the colors she has also work well with the flavors and the dark color of the beer. Since it is close to a winter warmer, it also fits as she is a user of the cold.
Sources:
http://r002.joyme.com/r002/image/2012/07/21/2C0AA3B6B1CE44FE408C0BA759C84D80.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/24/99/54/24995452ae629f5987c1a21cf39bbb33.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f1/46/be/f146befd893dfc793d381f240155a024.jpg
http://screenheaven.com/walls/anime-manga/king-of-fighters-kula-diamond-anime-79572-1920×1080.png
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/5f/b3/86/5fb386af159a3c8b41e627c1e857bb54.jpg
https://d.wattpad.com/story_parts/212296060/images/142c8d78b2719b79.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MzIfaOI.jpg
Rating: 7/7
Lizard of Koz by Founders brewing is a 10.5% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Blueberries, Chocolate and Vanilla aged in Bourbon Barrels.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
This one is near and dear to our hearts. Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki wanted to make the birthday of his little sister, Liz, a special one. So he did what he does best and brewed a stout using a few of her favorite ingredients: fresh Michigan blueberries, rich chocolate and vanilla aged in bourbon barrels to round out those beautiful flavors. Liz was floored and we think you will be too.
==Introduction==
Founders does not release many barrel aged brews but the ones they do release are bad ass! KBS and Backwoods Bastards are no exceptions to these rules as both are world class beers. This one comes towards us like bat out of hell or a Godzilla rising out of the water ready to start a fight with some bitch ass monsters. Oh wait, it is a lizard on the label. The name Lizard of Koz can have many meanings. Koz as in the 7th division head priest or according to the urban dictionary, a word you can use any way you want and it will still make sense. The only thing that makes sense right now is this brew review so let’s show the world what this blue berry radiation from Godzilla’s spines is all about, cheers!
Aromas:
Rich Blueberries, vanilla, bourbon, oak, caramel, anise, molasses, dulce de leche caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, coffee cake, Kahlua liqueur, dark fruit raisins, blueberries, currants, pomegranates, raspberries, blueberries cheese cake, blueberry marshmallow smores, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate and toasted coconut hints.
Flavors:
Rich dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, dark fruit raisins,blueberries, currants, pomegranates, raspberries, blueberries cheese cake, blueberry marshmallow smores, blueberry mint ice cream, anise, molasses, tobacco hints, bourbon, oak, pecan pie, bananas, coffee cake, Kahlua liqueur, fruit cake, licorice hints, maple syrup, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, cookie dough ice cream, Danish cream, steamed blueberry milk, blueberry yogurt, blueberry preserves on toasted rye bread, mocha, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee and toasted coconut.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich dark fruits, blueberry yogurt, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, bourbon, banana hints, marshmallows, Danish cream and brown sugar. No alcohol in the taste, dark full body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Another Barrel aged bucket lister hitting the list right next to BBA Smashed Blueberry by Shipyard and Birra Artigianale Draco by Birrificio Montegioco. This one definitely lets the blueberries, chocolate and vanilla drive the point forward long with a rich complexity provided by the base beer and the bourbon oak. They were for going for a damn decadent rich blueberry dessert and damn, the achieved gold! This literally hits you flat on your face with rich flavors. I highly recommend you get this one!
Anime Corner:
Leona Heidern from SNK’s King of Fighters/Metal Slug series was chosen not only because they relased a bad ass brew, but because sometimes you just need a bad ass character to make a bad ass representation. Leona gives the manliest of men blue balls not just by her looks but by kicking the shit out of her opponents and them saying thank you and coming back for more. Leona don’t take shit from no one and just like this beer is ridiculous, so is she. Can you really dominate this brew? Good fucking luck!!
Sources:
https://k61.kn3.net/taringa/2/7/8/2/1/0/95/zangetsuariel/8DB.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/bc/5f/59/bc5f59ab5c12b200f5caba427e38a594.jpg
https://cdnb3.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/003/013/155/large/mu-hyeon-seong-.jpg?1468492529
https://yt3.ggpht.com/-o9yX4hZJKRY/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAAA/Pimj5zsj1fg/s900-c-k-no-mo-rj-c0xffffff/photo.jpg
http://img0.reactor.cc/pics/post/king-of-fighters-Игры-leona-heidern-taroimo-(00120014)-3340752.png
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
Delicious IPA by Stone Brewing is a 7.7% ABV India Pale Ale brewed with Lemondrop and El Dorado hops.
Label: (Not from this picture but from the actual bottle)
From the beginning, Stone has been obsessed with the mission of providing people access to high-quality craft beer. After all, great beer is for everyone and anyone with the good taste to recognize it, not just a niche group like us uber beer geeks. So, when we developed this pleasantly bitter, deliciously citrusy, hop-driven IPA, we took it as an opportunity to go a step further and do something we’d spent over a year researching and perfecting: creating a beer that makes it possible for nearly everyone to experience our aggressive, no-holds-barred approach to craft brewing. It’s a flavorful, cutting-edge, modern-day IPA for everyone. Lemondrop and El Dorado hops provide plenty of fruit citrus character and a burst of hop zing that sings on the palate. We’re proud to present it to those who already know us for our IPA prowess and to those who, so far, have only heard legends.
==Introduction==
So this is one of those Stone beers that has been out for a while and while I have neglected to bring this one for a review as I overlooked it (it happens when you are busy homebrewing) I decided to get a growler of this beer and give a shot. The first time I tried this beer as at the Bruery Cooperversary and I can say it was a tasty brew. Now that I have a whole growler, I will take my time to analyze it and see what it has to offer. Come join me and see. This beer is readily available at many of the stores that sell Stone beers. Cheers!
Aromas:
Lemon drop candies, grapefruit, citrus, lemon peel, peppercorn, minty hints, Stone fruit peaches, mango hints, tangerines, lychee fruit hints, floral lavender hints, lemon verbana, Citrus, lemon, grapefruit, herbal, piney, grassy, floral and tropical hops, Oranges, tangerine, Tropical fruits like guava, passion fruit, dragon fruit, guava, prickly pear tuna, peppery notes and strawberries.
Flavors:
Citrus, lemon, grapefruit, herbal, piney, grassy, floral and tropical hops. There are many tropical but special herbally aspects to this one. Lots of lemon candy, Oranges, tangerine, guava, passion fruit, dragon fruit, guava, prickly pear tuna, peppery notes, strawberries, raspberries, toffee, caramel, vanilla hints, mint notes, sweetened condensed milk, Stone fruit peaches, mango hints, tangerines, lychee fruit hints, floral lavender hints, lemon verbana and blackberries.
Aftertaste:
Leaving some dank resonance of the herbal and tropical fruit notes while some other fruits like the strawberry, raspberry, lemon candy, starburst, sweetened condensed milk and dank hop dryness remains. No alcohol in the taste, clear golden body, rich, refreshing and crisp mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability
Overall:
Well, what can be said about this beer that isn’t already on the label. It is very good and delicious. Not to the extreme complexity of their Enjoy By but these new flavors you don’t find typically in some of their other IPAs makes this very good. I consider this one a more moderate palate IPA. Especially for those that may not typically like hoppy grassy IPAs, this one is more on the tropical side so it helps out for sure. A definite try for IPA lovers and Hop Heads alike.
Anime Corner:
Leona Heidern from the King of Fighters Series was used in this pairing mainly since I have not used Leona in a long time, I haven’t paired her with a Stone beer and yet, she belongs for many different reasons. The colors she wears complement the colors of the normal green label but the camo she wears represents the hidden alcohol and the rich tropical flavors are that of the tropical scenes and jungles she can fit in. Her Blue Ocean teal surge of hair represents the berries and extravagant other sweet flavors that come from this beer. A sweet yet still strong beer for sure.
Sources:
http://orig09.deviantart.net/6b91/f/2011/162/c/f/hb_to_my_cousin_by_gh18-d3incrz.jpg
Rating: 5.35/5
Wee Heavy by Alesmith is a 10% ABV Scoth Ale/Wee Heavy.
Label:
Great American Beer Festival 2008 “Small Brewing Company of the Year”
This Scottish-inspired deep mahogany colored ale showcases a rich, malty flavor profile of caramel and toffee offset by hints of roast and subtle smoke. The complex malty sweetness includes notes of dark fruit balanced by a subdued hop bitterness. Wee Heavy is incredible nuanced and in a class of its own in terms of balance and sophistication. It ages very well and will keep improving for years to come.
Wee Heavy’s complex malt profile lends itself very well to a host of roasted or grilled meat and vegetable dishes. Robust cheese, salty blues, and nutty farmhouse style cheeses also pair very well with this beer.
___
Been passing up this beer for ever and only really tried it when I have had it at the pubs or at restaurants. Hell, I did a review on the Barrel Aged version and had yet to review this one. So I definitely wanted to bring this one forward as Wee Heavy is a style I don’t often get chance to try and it really is a style I do love. You can find this one wherever they sell Alesmith and it is a year round release.
Aromas:
Lots of dark fruit currants, plums, prunes, boysenberries, black berries, grapes, rich caramel, smoked peat, licorice, anise, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, brown sugar, butterscotch, blueberry cheesecake hints and cinnamon.
Flavors:
Dark fruits like raisins, plums, boysenberries, black berries, currants, figs, anise, grapes, molasses, scotch, toffee, dark pepper, butterscotch, earthy notes, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, blueberry cheesecake, cinnamon, smoked peat, chocolate mousse, brown sugar, licorice, banana notes and honey.
Aftertaste:
Raisins, butterscotch, earthy notes, blueberry cheesecake hints, smoked peat, toffee, caramel and currants. It is a medium sipping beer with a smooth quality to it. No alcohol in the taste and medium mouth feel.
Overall:
Exceeding expectations just a bit reminding me a bit of what Apophatic from Monkish was except the style is not a quad and more toward the Scottish ale. There are few and far between Wee Heavies and this one is pretty common so if you definitely want to see what a great example of the style is, go try this one out. Many of the Alesmith beers are epic and really, you can’t go wrong here. I’ve had this beer before in restaurants and I am glad I was able to give you my thoughts on it now.
Anime Corner:
Kula Diamond from the King of Fighters Series was used in this pairing since I used her in the Bourbon Barrel Aged version of this beer long ago. While she is quietly sitting in the barrel in the BBA version, she is free to unleash in this version. Her colors pair greatly with the colors of the beer label but also the variety of the dark berry flavors this style presents. She is not a Banshee, nor is Banshee only part of Irish tradition but of Scottish Gaelic myth as well where they call her, bean sìth or bean-nighe. Hell, even Mexico has one called La Llorona. Anyways, she has blue hair and is cold as ice like the Banshee which ties back to Irish and Scottish tradition and hence forth, the Wee Heavy style. Like I said though, she looks like a Banshee, but she is not one. In fact, Kula enjoy lots and lots of sweets, so just like this beer is full of sugary goodness, so is Kula. She is 10% but don’t try to take her on all at once, she is a very powerful fighter and will freeze you where you stand.
Rating: 5/5
Speedway Stout by Alesmith is a 12%ABV Imperial Stout brewed with coffee. Considered a world class beer by many reviews
Label:
Speedway Stout’s Ominous, Pitch-Black appearance has become a hallmark of this modern-day classic. Chocolate Roasted malts dominate the flavor, supported by notes of dark fruit, toffee, and caramel. A healthy dose of locally-roasted coffee from Ryan Bros. Coffee, Inc. Added to each batch brings out the beer’s dark chocolate flavors and enhances its drinkability. Despite its intensity, speedway stout’s fine carbonation and creamy mouth feel make it very smooth and surprisingly easy to drink. This beer ages very well and will continue to mature for many years to come.
This beer’s great balance makes it a very food-friendly imperial stout. Pair its roasty flavors and robust mouthfeel with rich beef dishes and char-grilled foods. Both chocolate and vanilla desserts also pair well, as do salty blue cheeses like Stilton or hard nutty cheeses like aged Gouda and cloth-bound cheddars. Serve in a goblet at 50-55 degrees.
___
I have been meaning to try out the Barrel aged version as soon as I can find it. However, I figured I try it out before the new come. The aromas are very good. Very thick fragrances of bakers chocolate, brownies, coffee bread, hazelnut, mocha, french vanilla coffee beans, latte or esspresso, caramel, dark fruits like black currants, raisins and cherries, oak, and a nice chocolate cake breadiness. Definitely haven’t tried a coffee stout like this. The coffee used in this seems like a coffee enthusiast coffee. Like a Kopi Luwak almost. The flavors also are of very rich, milk, dark and baker chocolate, currants, black cherries, raisins, french vanilla cream, hazelnut cream, pecan nectar, coffee bread, mocha, espresso coffee, chocolate brownies dipped in caramel, and finally camp fire smores with the chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers and drinking a Starbucks coffee. The coffee in this is definitely high quality stuff. The coffee flavors are very different in this beer. The alcohol is nowhere to be found especially for 12% ABV. Remember, this is not barrel aged so a beer of this high ABV would find it hard to cover up such great alcohol with out aided complexity. The coffee does the job here in place of the bourbon or whatever else aging agent. This beer is simply amazing. I am sure the bourbon barrel one is probably going to be insane once I can find it, and the Kopi Luwak Bourbon one…..well.. let’s just hope I don’t go through the whole bottle in one sitting, it may just be that good.
Ever wonder what would happen if one were to somehow mesh wine and beer? Well together just like that might not taste so good. But what if could be done a certain and done right to where it is perfect. Noble Rot by Dogfish Head brings forth this magic mix up of wine/beer Saison. It stands at 9%ABV and is clear as day. This is by no means a light beer but it’s flavors go beyond what regular golden beer can do. This ale is brewed with botrytis-infected Viognier grape must. There is several step fermentation process that goes into this. First step is adding the unfermented juice of the Viognier grapes. The fungus will greatly reduce the water of grapes which release sweet and complex flavor. To avoid too much sourness, they add the second fermentation by adding more of these wine grapes to the mixture. The pils and wheat malts are added with Belgian yeast to ferment the rest of the beer. The result is this bready Belgian Saison/White wine Hybrid. VOILA!! C’est Magnifique!!. Here’s a video of the guy from Dogfish that composes this scientific project.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkbAI4adZgQ
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 