9 Ladies Dancing by The Bruery

15304169_10103789080474320_7987439589458991028_oRating: 5.5/6

9 Ladies Dancing by The Bruery is an 11.3% ABV Belgian Strong Dark Ale brewed with cacao nibs, vanilla, coffee and lactose.

Label:
WÆS HÆIL!

The Ninth Verse of Our Twelve Beers of Christmas series dances with flavors inspired by tiramisu. Happy Holidays!

Here’s a pick me up for the latest verse in our Twelve Days of Christmas series. Inspired by flavors and ingredients found in tiramisu, including ladyfingers, 9 Ladies Dancing mimics the Italian dessert by whipping together flavor combinations and layers of its own. This includes notes of vanilla, chocolate and coffee – clearly the leading ladies in this rich, dessert-like beer.

==Introduction==
15391533_10103789080509250_489238945353425030_o
The Bruery has recently released their latest Christmas beer to the public and should be hitting many distribution areas publicly where they sell The Bruery beers. An Italian dessert inspired beer huh? I still can’t believe it has been so long and in four more years, the Christmas beer saga comes to a conclusion. Every year they release amazing beers. What I find intriguing though is that they use some of the ingredients that I used in my Sangri Leche beer. These are the Lactose, Coffee, Vanilla and Cocoa Nibs. Plus, it’s a Belgian Dark Strong so that makes me think about the flavors. But why wait, let’s see how it is, cheers!

Aromas:
Belgian candi sugar, rock candy, piloncillo sugar cone, sugar plums, capirotada raisin bread pudding, dark fruit prunes, raisins, dark cherries, coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, lactose, Bananas, clove spice, tiramisu, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, honey, maple syrup and fruit cake.

Flavors:
Rich Coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, lactose, Bananas, clove spice, Tiramisu pastry, flan, dark fruit prunes, raisins, dark cherries, Belgian candi sugar, rock candy, piloncillo sugar cone, sugar plums, capirotada raisin bread pudding, butterscotch, rye bread, toffee, Dulce de leche caramel, ginger bread man, Danish cream, Irish cream, crème brulee, Kahlua Liqueur, stone fruit peaches, peach cobbler, apricots, peanut butter, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, honey, maple syrup, biscuit bread, tobacco hints and sweetened condensed milk.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with coffee, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, dark fruit, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, bananas, stone fruit, pecan pie and toffee. No alcohol in the taste, dark crimson amber full body, smooth, creamy, velvety and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Very Exceptional brew! I can honestly say this did remind me of 2 creations I made. The Bubulubu Ghost In the White Choco Shell which was a Belgian Golden stout with the same ingredients as this one as well as the partial ingredients used in Sangrileche Belgian Stout. Using Coffee, Vanilla and Cocoa nibs does come through when used well and can make many beers even more decadent and complex. Which makes me believe that it may add the necessary complexity or in some cases dominate the flavors of the rest of the beers. In this instances, it balanced out made for one awesome complexity. Definitely get this holiday brew, cheers!
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Anime Corner:
Naruto Girls, Mahou Shojo girls and Overwatch girls were all chosen for this pairing to essentially be the 9 ladies dancing. Every year I try to find pairings that match the number of gifts from the Christmas song. It is does get difficult at times but other than going with the theme, there really isn’t anything else specific that matches the pairing unless you can infer some of the colors do match.

Sources:
http://65.media.tumblr.com/734581b30e3a75e6baa874e38f85afec/tumblr_njv7tlkmns1t5cwh1o5_1280.jpg
http://orig11.deviantart.net/4944/f/2016/246/5/c/ladies_of_overwatch_by_minacream-dagbj56.jpg
http://www.theanimegallery.com/gallery/image:185903/

Charlie Foxtrot by Texian Brewing

11018927_10102420230311020_2108022247327867696_nRating: 3.75/5

Charlie Foxtrot by Texian Brewing is a 7.5% ABV Imperial Berliner Weissebier.

Label:
The Texian army, at Bexar, was informed that a Mexican supply train loaded with silver, was approaching in order to fund the Mexican army. The Texians attacked and, after the Mexican army retreated, they found that the wagons only contained hay. History refers it as the “Grass Fight”. We call it a cluster… Charlie Foxtrot.

==Introduction==

What a Cluster Fuck… LMAO! Or atleast that is what I thought they were going with on this beer. Thanks to Aaron Mendiola from www.beermetaldude.com for donating this one the site. The Berliner Weisse style is pretty tart and refreshing. Each one has its own character profile ranging from sour to tart and sweet and in some cases spicy. I don’t see this style very often and while it is not my favorite of styles, it is still worth drinking.

Aromas:
Vanilla, honey, citrus honey blossom, oranges, wheat crackers, wet hay, cereal grains, coriander spice, wheat bread, sourdough bread, flowers, minor hints of tropical fruits, lemon candy and lemon peel.

Flavors:
Vanilla, lemon peel, tomato, vegetable hints, honey, lemon candy, oranges, banana hints, stone fruit apricot hints, old mango hints, crackers, sour white grapes, wet hay, cereal grains, oats, coriander spice, wheat bread, sourdough bread, oak hints, lavender and hibiscus.

Aftertaste:
Ends pretty dry with hints of lemon, vanilla, vegetable hints, tejuino, salt notes, sour apples and farmhouse hay. No alcohol in the taste, hazy honey colored body, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, and moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A pretty good beer. Tart mainly, sweet and spicy notes about but for the most part refreshing. While this does have a moderate drinkable feel, it borderlines the drink several on a hot summer day but also at a slow pace kind of beer. I would recommend this one if you like tart Berliner Weisse beers and if you can find it as it is only in Texas. The Texas pride in this one is very cool though.

Anime Corner:
Tomoe Mami from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica was used in this pairing since I wanted something that would pair with the label with the rifles but also with the fact that this is a German style of beer. Her clothing look similar to Oktoberfest attire so I thought this was an awesome fit.

Sources:
http://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/367286-1060×1500-mahou+shoujo+madoka+magica-shaft+%28studio%29-tomoe+mami-nostra-long+hair-single.jpg

Pretzel Stout by Martin House Brewing

10989132_10102400057916660_924436263391645756_nRating: 4.55/5

Pretzel Stout by Martin House Brewing is a 6.5% ABV American Stout brewed with sourdough pretzels.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Formerly known as Martin House There Will Be Stout
That’s right, The Original Pretzel Stout. This 6.5% abv stout is as black as West Texas Intermediate and is brewed with over six pounds of crushed sourdough pretzels per barrel. Guess what? There’s no style guideline for this one. The salty fingerprint of the pretzels works with the sweet and roasty flavors of the chocolate malted & roasted barley to give this beer a flavor that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

==Introduction==

Imagine that! A Pretzel Stout? Yes it was made! This is my first time trying Martin House Brewing from Texas. This beer was sent to me by my good friend, Aaron Mendiola from www.beermetaldude.com. Being from Texas and pretzel ale, I can only imagine how awesome it would be as I really never had a pretzel beer before. Today, many breweries are pushing the limits as to what is possible and make new styles and flavor profiles with beers that could not be imaginable in the past. For being a pretzel beer, I think this might be a really great treat. Let’s take a look at what this one involves. Cheers!

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, brown sugar, caramel, hazelnut spread, hints of salted pretzel bread, sourdough, Notes of Dark fruit raisins, plums, currants black berries, rye, flan, grapes, graham crackers, earthy notes, wine grape hints and toffee hints.

Flavors:
Pretzel bread, salted caramel, hazelnut spread, roasted coffee, Dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, black berries, peanut butter, toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha hints, earthy notes, graham crackers, sourdough bread, rye, nutella on toasted bread, flan, wine grape hints, funky mild hints, milk sugar hints and a slight mango dessert hint.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with caramel, sourdough pretzel notes, roasted coffee, milk sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate and dark fruit notes. No alcohol in the taste, creamy mouth feel, moderate drinkability and pitch black dark body.

Overall:
A very good stout with a variety of flavors. The flavors of the pretzel show up but overall this is a rich a robust Stout. The flavors lean more to a good stout flavor so if nice coffee stouts are your thing, I would recommend this one if you can find it.

Anime Corner:
Tomoe Mami from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica was used in this pairing to go with aspect of pretzels in the beers as well as to pair with the colors of the label. The candles in the background also pair with the lantern being used in the label as well.

Sources:
http://www.zerochan.net/full/489038