Rating 6/6
Dig My Earth by Brouwerij West is an 8% ABV Vermont style Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with Mecca Grade Barley and Raw Wheat. Heavily hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe, and Centennial.
New England style, no easier to get than standing in line overnight camping for beer…. super orange juicy tropics…. yessssss!!
Rating: 6/6
Four Legs Good by Sante Adairius Rustic Ales is a 9.9% Belgian Blonde Quadrupel aged in Oak Barrels.
Label:
What do a three-legged dog, a made-up beer style and a giant oak cask have to do with each other? One great beer. Four Legs Good, our Blond Quad, belies its sweet nature with a dry, full finish and sneaky strength. Fermented first in puncheons with extensive aging in oak foudres, Four Legs Good doesn’t care what you call it as long as she is along for the ride. Four Legs Good, three legs better. Sante!
==Introduction==
Been eyeing this one from the time I saw it. In fact, I kept passing it up even though it was a quadruple and I am a sucker for quadruples. The price was telling me not too but at some point I said, screw it, let’s see how it is. This is the first time I had a beer from Sante Adairius which focuses on Rustic Ales. Seeing as they called this one a Blonde quad, it does see, like it could be something different like the way the make Golden Stouts. But will this really be like a quadruple? I think that is the part that makes this one really exciting for me. So let’s have a go, cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruit peaches, plums, apricots, sour apples, brettanomyces, peppercorns, tropical fruit passion fruit, mango, honey dew melon, honey, bananas, clove spice, Belgian candi sugars, musty funk, figs, pecan pie, lavender, grassy notes and biscuit bread.
Flavors:
Dates, White raisins, plums, figs, dulce de leche caramel, farmhouse funk, farmhouse hay, chardonnay, oak, vanilla, marshmallows, stone fruit peaches, apricots, sour apples, brettanomyces, peppercorns, Belgian candi sugar, cloves, banana hints, cane sugar, wild flower honey, citrus, lemon peel, grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, honey dew melon, cherry yogurt, pomegranates, strawberry notes, hibiscus, lavender, grassy notes, biscuit bread, piloncillo hints, lychee fruit and rye bread.
Aftertaste:
Finishing dry with some stone fruits, peppercorn, vanilla, oak, honey, white raisins, dulce de leche caramel and banana notes. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, Blonde and clear to hazy body, smooth, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel along with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A very exceptional brew! While this is more of a sour quad and closer to a farmhouse ale, there are many stone fruit flavors which you can find in a Belgian Quad and Tripel. It was very nice and enjoyable and while I think it was damn exceptional, the price is a bit up there. So yes I highly recommend it but maybe not at the price they sell it of $20+.
Anime Corner:
Krystal Fox from Star Fox and Colleen from Road Roavers we used in this pairing to represent the Fox and Hound in the label respectively. Yes, Colleen is not a hound and Krystal is not a red fox but they are both canines and represent the species in the label
Sources:
http://orig09.deviantart.net/a072/f/2015/246/a/3/krystal_pinup_by_sallyhot-d9873qx.jpg
http://img00.deviantart.net/85c0/i/2012/248/4/a/road_rovers_colleen_by_facreamytea-d5dqn7r.png
http://rainbowdash.net/file/noirbatch-20121104T074630-kbgcvhl.png
http://img09.deviantart.net/f5ec/i/2017/020/6/9/assault_suit_by_doomxwolf-daw3noh.png
http://2static.fjcdn.com/large/pictures/50/fd/50fd22_5818702.jpg
Rating: 6/6
Stone Barrel Aged Milk Chocolate Porter by Stone brewing is a 9.6% ABV Imperial Sweet/Milk Porter brewed with lactose and chocolate aged in Bourbon, Reposado Tequila and Red Wine Barrels.
Description:
Tasting Notes: Malty nose, with lots of chocolate and red wine barrel coming through strong on the aroma. First sip is big red wine barrel again, along with soft malt sweetness, milk chocolate, and tons of vanilla from the bourbon barrel. The tequila barrel comes through mid-palate and on the aftertaste, along with flavors reminiscent of a chocolate covered tart cherry. This is a full bodied, flavorful dessert beer, great for beer lovers who also love chocolate and red wine together!
==Introduction==
Sold only on draft/crowler at this time from the brewery or Stone Stores. I obtained this one when I went to pick up the Stone and Lost Abbey collaboration they did in Berlin from the Stone Pasadena store. While I found this interesting by name, it wasn’t until I found out more about it and tried it that I was sold to get a whole crowler and bring information on what this beer is all about. The fact that it is a triple barrel aged milk porter was definitely something I wanted for sure. The best part sometimes is that Stone doesn’t limit what they have to offer (Not Including the Quingenti Series) when it comes to one offs that are on tap and are typically an awesome treasure that may not hit the public. Few are so lucky but for those I do find, I will try to bring them to the site. Now, let’s have a look, cheers!
Aromas:
Wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, prunes, cranberries, pomegranates, dark cherries, tobacco, leather, rocky road ice cream, almond joy chocolate, pecan pie, Port wine, oak, bourbon, vanilla, toasted coconut, Marshmallow smore, Tequila, Agave, Mezcal, Vampiro, Sangria, piloncillo sugar cone, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian chocolate, burnt chocolate, coffee, mocha and Kahlua coffee liqueur.
Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian chocolate, burnt chocolate, coffee, mocha, Kahlua coffee liqueur, sour funk, wine grapes, toasted coconut, Marshmallow smores, smokey oak, bourbon, vanilla, dulce de leche chocolate, toffee, BBQ notes, Tequila, Agave, Mezcal, Vampiro, Sangria, piloncillo sugar cone, Port wine, Dark fruit raisins, prunes, cranberries, pomegranates, dark cherries, licorice, anise, molasses, banana, clove spice, burnt sugar, rock candy, tobacco, leather, rocky road ice cream, almond joy chocolate, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar and flan notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with lots of oak, smokey and funky, rich earthy chocolate, bourbon, tequila, caramel, dark fruits, wine and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Super complex and supremely exceptional beer showcasing notes from all the different barrels that I love beer aged with. The wine oak barrel provides it an overall tartness but works so damn well with the other complex flavors and barrels. It is a mix of sweet and tart with mild smoke and oaky goodness. I hope they release this to the public but for now, I highly recommend this one if you can get it on tap at Stone or one of their Stone Stores.
Anime Corner:
Krystal Fox from Star Fox was used in this pairing mainly for the colors or dark fruits and the dark smoothness. There really wasn’t too much else other that I really wanted to pair such an awesome rare beer with my favorite Star Fox vixen. Like the Sangrileche beer I made in the past, this beer is as dark as space!
Sources:
http://cs8.pikabu.ru/post_img/big/2017/01/21/11/1485027491260964489.png
http://orig09.deviantart.net/a072/f/2015/246/a/3/krystal_pinup_by_sallyhot-d9873qx.jpg
https://img.fireden.net/v/image/1445/66/1445667801724.png
http://68.media.tumblr.com/3ac1ef6ef81e753e1fb77afaf10fe9dd/tumblr_olvxv6EotA1s2m89po2_1280.jpg
Coconut Jones Dog by Pipeworks brewing is an 8.5% ABV Sweet/Milk Stout brewed with Coconut, Cocoa Nibs and Vanilla Beans.
Label:
Stout with cacao, vanilla bean, natural flavors added
Jones Dog is a pup who knows what’s up. The addition of coconut to our milk stout with cacao nib and vanilla, makes this brew a real treat. No man’s best friend is an island, but this brew might make you feel like cold chillin’ on one. If you fetch a bottle, lap it up!
==Introduction==
Obtained this one from thebottleshop.net. This beer label intrigued me and being a coconut stout and from Pipeworks, I definitely wanted to get it. They make great beer and I haven’t had anything yet that I did not find very delicious and exceptional from them. Since Death By Coconut by Oskar Blues, Mash & Coconut and Cacaonut from the Bruery, there hasn’t been a coconut beer that has really exceeded my expectations on the coconut beer category. So another coconut stout is definitely something I want to take a shot at. Let’s take a look at this one. Cheers!
Aromas:
Toasted coconut, macaroons, vanilla, caramel, toffee, Mexican Cocada candy, Danish cream, Jamoca ice cream, rocky road ice cream, Bailey’s Irish cream, Khalua liqueur notes, coffee cake, marshmallows, smores chocolate, dark fruits like raisins, currants, boysenberries, dark cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, rich almond joy chocolate, cookie dough and pecan pie.
Flavors:
Rich toasted coconut, Mexican cocada coconut candy, coconut macaroons, vanilla, caramel, toffee, coffee cake, marshmallows, smores chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, dark fruits like raisins, currants, boysenberries, dark cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, rich almond joy chocolate, cookie dough, Danish cream, Jamoca ice cream, rocky road ice cream, Bailey’s Irish cream, Khalua liqueur notes, Cherry cordial chocolates, Tropical fruit notes of Piña Colada, dragon fruit, passion fruit, bananas, pecan pie, hazelnuts, chocolate mousse, coconut flan and 3 leches chocolate cake.
Aftertaste:
Rich Coffee cake, Toasted coconut, vanilla, Hazelnut, dark fruits especially the dark cherry and raspberries, rocky road ice cream, mocha, cookie dough and tropical hints linger. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black darkness of inner coconut space body, velvety, silky, smooth and chewy mouthfeel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Trying to compare some of the best coconut beers I have ever had, this one is definitely higher on the dark fruit and cherry list. The complexity in comparison to some of the other coconut beers I have had is definitely different and while I love each one for their different, I love this one for the fruitiness. I would definitely like to try this one again and would recommend those that can get this one should definitely try it.
Anime Corner:
Krystal Fox from Nintendo’s StarFox, Lavenda by Tofu93 and original art by priincessu were used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the dog at the beach. While these characters are K-9s, although different than the normal pooch, I think the colors along with the dog help accentuate the scene of tropical beer here.
Sources:
http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/577873252885734997/FD9C470C32A1A77DC4AD5E7AD408C67F5B2770E4/
https://pfimg.playfire.com/_proxy/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic1.e926.net%2Fdata%2Fsample%2F5f%2F7a%2F5f7ac370d4c365866bd5bc2eb1d3f34d.jpg&hmac=4e09e7b3b577b6429be59c6cbe5e0ff8
https://static1.e621.net/data/b1/54/b154690d2490f6745f772756840d2100.jpg
Rating: 6/6 
Rating: 5.5/5* Taste like Coca Cola!
2015 Preservation Series: L’Deracola by The Bruery is a 7.1% ABV American Brown Ale brewed with Spices and natural flavors.
Label:
‘Punchisized’
Whether you’re looking for a L’deracola or a Large Farva, you better pull over right meow because you’re in for a real treat. This dark ale was brewed with an assortment of spices meant to mimic the flavors of an ice cold cola. Best enjoyed right meow for peal flavor. Please store in a cool, dry, place. The ideal service temperatrue is 45°F (7°C). Best served in a tulip or Wine glass. Meow
Commercial Description:
L’deracola is a beer inspired by another favorite drink of ours that probably shouldn’t be such a favorite… cola! To create this unique beer we had to dive through the overwhelming layer of saccharine that dominates the flavor of most colas and discover the subtle flavors that create the world’s most popular soft drink. Around a dozen different spices were added to a dark malt base and it was finished off with a twist of lime for good measure. The resulting beer has all of the flavors of an ice cold cola, without the overwhelming sweetness. Delightfully refreshing on it’s own, but also ideal for a modern take on a classic style cocktail.
==Introduction==
The Cat’s Meow is out of the bag. Or in this case, the fox! I will tell you why later. This is the 2015 L’deracola presented to members of the Bruery’s societies especially the Preservation and Reserve as well as Hoarders. This has seen public release in bottles and even have growler fills of this at the brewery to the public, limited time only. So in their crazy experimentation, never would I have imagined that they would come up with beer that is so close to the flavors of Cola that it truly is one of the most unique beers I have ever seen. With great excitement, and a pleasure, it is with great craze that I bring forth, the “Cola Beer” here to the site and the first of its kind. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich molasses, cola flavor, caramel, molasses, brown sugar, lime, caramel, toffee, biscuit bread, rye bread, dark fruit hints like cherries, raisin, peppercorn spice, molasses, mint, pecan pie hints, roasted malt, coffee notes, anise, margarita hints, flan hints, vanilla hints, cinnamon hints, rye coriander, oranges and other spices.
Flavors:
Unsweetened rich cola flavor, Brown sugar, lime, caramel, toffee, biscuit bread, rye bread, coriander spice, orange peel, dark fruit hints like cherries, raisin, peppercorn spice, molasses, mint, pecan pie hints, roasted malt, coffee notes, anise, margarita hints, flan hints, vanilla hints, cinnamon hints and hazelnut hints.
Aftertaste:
Dry coca-cola aftertaste, vanilla, caramel, citrus, lime, molasses, earthy notes, coriander, peppercorn and toffee. No alcohol in the taste, crisp, smooth and refreshing mouth feel, easy to drink despite the ABV and also a dark crimson brown body.
Overall:
A true testament to what they set out to do, make a beer taste like cola. Yes the sweetness is subdued but all the right spices that make cola are in this beer which is really crazy! The hardest part about reviewing this beer is trying to find all the intricacies of it. It really is not the most complex but just the fact that they got it right, a true Coca Cola beer, that is enough for perfection in my book. Many like this one, others might not like the spices used in this but yea if you are a cola fanatic, you have to try this one! Cheers!
Anime Corner:
Krystal Fox from Star Fox was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair her with a great Bruery beer and the colors were a perfect complement for this one. The whole cats meow is in reference to the excellence of it but also the cat’s pijamas. Not sure how to compare that to the beer and Krystal but she certainly does look cuddly and cute like those pin up girls they used to advertise with coca cola. Even though the colors seem more like RC Cola or even Pepsi Cola. Either way, This beer will make you feel like you are a cat and drinking a bottle of pure catnip. Cheers!
Sources:
https://41.media.tumblr.com/07892147fd31b195cfd9702471ae4b8d/tumblr_nnuw31YZyf1slf9f5o1_500.jpg
Rating: 6/5
Black Hole Sun by Black Market brewing is a 15% ABV Russian Imperial Stout.
Label:
Because of the gravitational pull of Black Hole Sun, no light can escape. This super high gravity Russian Imperial Stout is brewed with 100% barley and zero added sugar. Black Hole Sun will make a fine evening companion. Let it warm a bit to enjoy its entire magnitude of flavor complexities.
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Black Hole Sun, just like the Sound Garden song. This beer is something I have been meaning to try for a very very long time and never had a chance to get it. I have to give a special thanks to my friend Julio for hooking me up with this special beer. Many of the Black Market beers I have tried have been pretty epic but just the 15% ABV is enough to realize, this ain’t a muddaF’ing game. This is serious business. Funny part, I did not even check the ABV until I started this review which I realized was very intense from the aromas. This was certainly starting to remind me of a “Dark” beer I had long ago that was also a Russian Imperial Stout… So let us check this one out and see what it is about.
Aromas:
Rich Dark fruit, dark cherries, cherry cordial, soy sauce, plum sauce, yogurt like notes, oak, Kahlua, apples, molasses, chocolate cake, currants, raspberry notes, rye bread, brown sugar, pecan pie, flan hints, maple syrup, salted caramel, dulce de leche caramel, walnuts, hazelnut nectar, dark chocolate cake, pecan pie, spicy roasted coffee, smokey notes, graham cracker and marshmallow smores.
Flavors:
An intense explosion of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cherry cordial, dark fruit plums, raspberries, currants, blackberries, molasses, pilloncillo sugar cone, maple syrup, molasses, plum sauce, soy sauce, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, salted caramel, hazelnut nectar, Kahlua hints, pecan pie, rye caramel, spicy roasted coffee, vanilla, oak, flan, cinnamon, graham cracker and marshmallow smores, bourbon notes, anise, tobacco, leather notes and Danish cream.
Aftertaste:
Dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, earthy notes, tobacco, dark cherries, molasses, dark and milk chocolate. The alcohol is very subtle despite the ABV, Pitch Black Body to a darkness that does not even exist, sipping drinkability and a thick and syrupy mouthfeel.
Overall:
Extremely Epic and definitely up close next to the Dark Lord Imperial Stout but not as sugary or fancy coffee epicness from the Unicorn’s Blood Coffee. It is almost like the base Dark Lord with no coffee and not as sugary but still very complex it is crazy. This beer plays off like if it was barrel aged with like flavor intensity but it is still just a Russian Imperial Stout. I think in mind and after reviewing this intense and awesome beer, I realized how close it was to Dark Lord RIS. Ofcourse, Dark Lord RIS is on another level, but this can still compete on the playing field as this is California’s own Black Market Brewing bringing this. I highly recommend getting this one or two. You definitely want to age this massive intensity.
Anime Corner:
Krystal Fox from Star Fox was the perfect cadet for this interplanetary mission to the Black Hole Sun. She has survived the suns of Immelmann (Hangar 24 reference) so even something like this should be a piece of cake. She pairs extremely well with the label colors, complex dark fruit flavors and space travel. The sweetness is represented in her cuteness but the fact that Krystal is a warrior of land and space just speaks of strength. Star Fox has seen some Black Hole travels in the past so exploring a beer like this and trying to figure out its complexity is just the beginning of that dark space in a glass.
Rating: 5.75/5
5th Anniversary Barrel Aged Smoked Wee Heavy by Joseph James Brewing is a 14% ABV Wee Heavy/ Scotch Ale with a 1/3 of the grist aged and smoked in bourbon barrel oak staves and then the overall beer aged in bourbon barrels.
Label:
In 2008, Joseph James Brewing Company was founded on the belief that there is a beer for every palate and beer should be shared and enjoyed. In celebration of our 5th anniversary, we have brewed a unique Scottish-style Wee Heavy beer that starts with 1/3 of the grist smoked over Bourbon barrel oak staves from our last barrel release. With two mashes and a 10 hour boil this beer is complex in flavor and has a strong alcohol finish. To complete the circle, this beer it was aged in Bourbon barrels for 6 months, providing the beer with an oaky bourbon finish.
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As advised, by Uncle Henry’s Deli in Downey California, thanks to Omar and Cameron, this Wee Heavy is off the charts. They advised it throws the other wee heavys out the window. Even Better than Alesmith’s. This I definitely had to try for my self. What does the Fox say? Well, we will sure find out in this review.
Aromas:
Oak, Rich Milk and Dark chocolate, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, bourbon, vanilla, flan, marshmallows, toasted coconut, dark fruits, scotch whiskey notes, campfire notes, brown sugar and currants.
Flavors:
Rich milk and dark chocolate covered raisins, dulce de leche caramel, marshmallow smores, scotch whiskey, mild anise, oak, vanilla, flan, mild campfire smoke, currants, cherry notes, mocha and fudge brownies.
Aftertaste:
Smokey oak, dark fruits, milk chocolate, scotch, marshmallow smores, earthy notes and vanilla. Alcohol is present but not subtle in the taste. A sipping beer best meant to be enjoyed, yet it has some great smooth qualities, so yeah, careful with this one.
Overall:
Exceeding expectations. Once again, a beer that was able to get past the perfect score. Wee Heavy is a style that I don’t often try but the many I have tried have always been exceptional. It was the chocolate bourbon that did this one. As it warmed up, all I could taste was dark fruits and chocolate. So this one definitely got the extra credit thanks to the chocolate and bourbon character. The smoke lingers but very subtly later on.
Anime Corner:
Krystal Fox from the Star Fox is the awesome vixen that pilots one of the arwings in the series. Many Furries can relate to this vixen as the vixen that makes normals turn furry for. The reason I chose her in this pairing had mainly to do with the fact that the label had a fox. It may be a small reason, but just as Krystal is very sweet and awesome, This beer is just like that. What did the fox say? Delicious!
Rating: 4.5/5
Bone Warmer by Grand Teton Brewing is an 8.2% ABV Imperial Amber/Red Ale
Sleeve Description:
2013 marks the 25th anniversary of Grand Teton Brewing. In celebration, we’re bringing back three of our favorite styles for this year’s Cellar Reserves. Bonewarmer Imperial Amber was first brewed in 2006 and sold out faster than any other beer we’ve made. Bone Warmer, brewed in the “strong ale” tradition, is a beer of great character, with exceptional malt flavor and warming alcohol content.
Historically, brewers often drew three different runs from the same barley mash. The first, used for strong ale or “best beer,” had the most flavor, color and fermentable sugars, and produced beer with the most alcohol. The second was used for a less strong “table beer,” and the third, a lighter and cheaper “small beer.”
Our Bone Warmer is brewed the same way, using only the first runnings from an extraordinarily thick, strong mash of Idaho 2-Row Metcalfe and Harrington barley malt, along with dark German Munich and caramel malts. We subtly spiced it with Idaho Chinook hops, fermented it at cool temperatures and cold-conditioned it for smoothness and drinkability.
The resulting ale is the color of roasting chestnuts. It is voluptuously malty and only slightly sweet- with a hint of toffee and a warming dry finish. It’s an ideal accompaniment to rich meaty stews, wild game, roasted fowl or root vegetables, and aged cheddars.
___
This beer peeked my interest a couple of times at the store but I never got around to grabbing it until I saw it a second time. I love winter warmers and holiday beers so I figured, what the hell, why not. I haven’t tried Grand Teton stuff in a long time so I figure I was over due to come back and try some of this brewery’s great beers. I have yet to have a bad experience from any of the beers I have tried form them so far. Hell, they are the ones to made Black Cauldron Stout, one of my favorites.
Aromas:
Lots of toffee, caramel, nuts, plums, raisins, subtle earthy hops, fruit cake, apple notes, apricot nints, cantaloupe, biscuit bread, maple syrup, toasted rye bread notes, brown sugar, honey and mild berry notes
Flavors:
Caramel, toffee, fruit cake, dark fruits like raisins and plums, hazelnut, apples, walnuts, earthy notes, toasted rye bread with blackberry preserve notes, biscuit bread, ginger bread, pecan pie notes, nutmeg, oak notes, maple, marshmallows and spices
Aftertaste:
Finishing off with rich caramel notes, fruit cake, ginger bread, dark fruit and spices, this beer is quite in the holiday spirit.
Overall:
A very good amber that generally is peeking into the Winter warmer direction. The fact that there is a lot of holiday spices is definitely what makes I closer to the winter warmer category. While it may not be the end all be all of winter warmers or amber ales for that matter, it is definitely a very delicious brew and one that should be obtained for the holidays if you are still able to find it.
Anime Corner:
Samus Aran and Krystal from Nintendo are used in this pairing along with Coco from Crash Bandicoot. While it is not obvious as to why I chose them, I will explain. For the label aspect, the color of the dog and the blue rug and chimney compliment Krystal, Samus and Coco’s suit. While Samus is not a dog, she has some colors that fit the blond color of the dog as so does Coco. The winter warmer or bone warmer aspect might be an innuendo really. With a warm and sunset evening, if Samus and Krystal had a kid, could it look like Coco? Well, in a weird way, that is essentially what I was going for. You can also say that when love is in the air or when the winter comes, one wants to keep warm and stay close.
Rating: 5.75/5
2013 Barrel Roll No. 1 Immelmann by Hangar 24 is a 11.4% ABV Imperial Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels
Label:
IMMELMANN: An ascending half loop followed by a half roll resulting in level flight in the opposite direction at a higher altitude
Just as it takes consummate skill to perform the Immelmann maneuver in the air, it takes the choicest ingredients, patience and consummate skill to bring you our IMMELMANN, a Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter. This hand crafted beer is brewed with 2-Row, Munich, Cara-Munich, Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Malts, Oats and Cocoa Nibs, along with whole Vanilla Beans. Aged in Bourbon Barrels for six months and blended with twenty percent fresh Porter to produce enticing aromas of chocolate, coffee, tobacco, bourbon and sweet malt along with a complex pallet of dark roast chocolate, oak and maple followed by a subtle vanilla finish. This is an intense, yet refined flavor experience to be savored today or aged to be enjoyed at your leisure.
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Do a Barrel Roll!! This was the first beer in Hangar 24’s Barrel Aged “Barrel Roll” program which was first released back in 2010. They released it again in 2013 and have decided to keep it California limited. I was lucky to barely get a bottle of this one to review. This one I got at Ramirez Liquor in Boyle Heights, one of the best rare treasure beer shops in Los Angeles since I first started looking for rare beers. It sold out within the first couple of hours of it being posted on the internet. If you are lucky to find this one and enjoy the barrel roll series, definitely pick this on up.
Aromas are of milk chocolate, hazelnut nectar, pecans, rocky road ice cream, dulce de leche caramel, coconut, bourbon, oak, vanilla, molasses, mocha, coffee, flan, brown sugar, campfire smoke hints, tobacco and almond joy
The flavors are of bourbon, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, pecan pie, caramel flan, dulce de leche, toasted coconut, vanilla, oak, mocha, molasses, brown sugar, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, tobacco, almond joy chocolate, cherry notes and some smokey notes
The aftertaste is of rich chocolate, hazelnut, almonds, caramel and bourbon. This is a sipper and meant to be enjoyed. The alcohol is barely noticeable and does not interfere with the rich flavors.
Overall it exceeds expectations, mainly due to the rich chocolate, caramel, mocha and bourbon flavors. This does not seems like a porter but more like a stout or strong ale yet the porter flavors are there in some aspect as it is pretty freaking sweet (Both is flavor and awesomeness of course) It is close to Pugachev’s cobra but still missing some more richer flavors. Yet, still flies the beer treasure skies of space and beyond. Definitely do this barrel roll!!
Rating: 5.8/5* Aged for 2 years, so the ABV is probably higher but the complexity is what gives it the high score.
2011 Barrel Roll No. 3 Pugachev’s Cobra by Hangar 24 is a 16.5%ABV Russian Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels
Label:
PUGACHEV’S COBRA: The brainchild of Victor Pugachev — not for the faint of heart. Pilot suddenly raises the aircraft nose to near vertical before dropping back to attack mode. Get ready for an assault on your senses with PUGACHEV’S COBRA, an intense Russian Imperial Stout. This rich, black beauty with a thick caramel head is bursting with aromas of chocolate, vanilla, oak, bourbon, licorice and dark fruits, while flavors of chocolate-covered plum, sweet malt, bourbon, and roasted coffee explode on your pallet. Three different dark roasted malts and rich maple syrup are combined in a truly unique brewing process to create complexity and depth. Once fermented, it’s then aged for eight months in freshly emptied bourbon barrels. This powerful concoction is designed to be enjoyed now with friends or cellared to perfection and savored in the years to come.
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As recommended by my friend Julio who once had it on tap about a year ago. Been looking high and low for this piece of treasure to finally be able to do a review. Time to suit up and lift off into the heights of amazing flavors. How will it do with the other great imperial stouts out there?
Upon opening the bottle, the aromas are very good. Definitely on par with some of the greats, maybe even better! Rich bourbon, vanilla, oak, sweet milk and dark chocolate, brownie batter, coconut, banana, hazelnuts, dulce de leche, crème brulee, coffee, mocha, maple, hints of dark fruits like raisins, apples and smokey wood. The flavors are very amazing. Heat of Bourbon flavor but low booziness, vanilla, bananas, coconut, dulce de leche caramel, raisins, Kahlua coffee, rum and very rich chocolate almost to the side of Black Tuesday but more focus on bourbon than chocolate yet still very strong with the chocolate. There are also flavors of flan, licorice, molasses, chocolate cake, chocolate syrup and whiskey. This one is very very good. The flavors are very rich and the bourbon flavor is amazing. Not the booziness but the actual oakyness and vanilla of it. No Joke, this beer was definitely near the top. A must get if you somehow are lucky to find it. I had to look online for this one unfortunately. Now next time it is one tap, that I will have to see. But you also have to realize, this has been aging FOR 2 YEARS!! so the much fresher version may not provide the strength and complexity. So get one now and save the other for later. Go get this beer!!
Rating: 4.75/5
Fillmore Fusion by Lagunitas Brewing is a 5%ABV American Pale Ale
Description:
Brewed to honor the 100th Anniversary of the building housing the historic Fillmore Theater in San Francisco. The resulting 5% ABV beer utilizes a new, experimental hop called ADHA 483.
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Upon opening this beer, I knew something was quite different about this beer. This was in a good way of course. The hoppy fragrance is quite different adding like an exotic fruit character like a lychee, kumquat, dragon fruit or persimmon like aroma. Some of the grassy and pine notes are subtle and give way through some more tropical fruit flavors such as the grapefruit, mango, oranges, tangerines, caramel, cherries, and like a gummy bear sweetness. The Flavors are awesome. Starts off with typical west coast California grassy, piney and grapefruit hops followed by those exotic fruits like a persimmon, dragon fruit, lychee or kumquat. We also come a nice tangerine, orange, lemon, mango, papaya, pear, slight cherry, apple, herbs and spices. A very crisp and sweet Pale Ale. Refreshing as well. Definitely a summer type of beer with some very interesting flavors. A must try.
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 
