Rating: 6/6
(PCH) Pale Chocolate Heaven by Santa Monica Brew Works is a 6% American Porter
A modern interpretation that replaces traditional ingredients of a porter with generous portions of cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and milk sugar resulting in a complex memorable beer
Pancho pantera chocomil! This is amazing choco malty millshake
Rating: 6/6
2017 Beer Camp Across the World Raspberry Sundae Ale collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and The Bruery is an 8%ABV Golden Ale brewed with raspberries, cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and lactose.
Description:
Together we’re brewing a riff on the flavors of the classic raspberry ice cream sundae. This beer features raspberry, cocoa and vanilla, in addition to lactose (an unfermentable sugar) that adds a richness and a sweetness, helping to blend and meld the flavors of this ultra-complex beer together. It’s been a true pleasure to work with artists at The Bruery using ingredients and techniques outside of our normal wheelhouse.
Like the Hoarders Cuvee 2016 but light. Major raspberry cream, banana notes and white chocolate. Why is this only made once?!?! Make More!! Needless to say, there needs to be more of this for sure. Great awesome Red Velvet cream beer with Banana and chocolate making it a lot like a banana split.
Rating: 6.25/7
Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Insurgente Release) Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is a 8.1% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla cinnamon and nutmeg.
Label:
Se Un Insurgente, Toma Artesanal
Xocoveza Mocha Stout is the result of the homebrewing spirit and a cross-border collaboration. In 2014, Stone Brewing invited us to join them on this Mexican-Hot-Chocolate inspired creation. Based on Chris Banker’s winning recipe, we created this rich and decadent Imperial Milk Stout with traditional Mexican ingredients. In your hands you have Insurgente’s version of this for the first time on this side of the border. ¡Salud!
==Introduction==
Xocoveza has been an important staple in terms of what makes great Mexican Spice and Chocolate beers. It is one of my favorites and it was one that was done very well. The version I am bringing today is the one made in Tijuana Mexico, the one from Insurgente brewing. The purpose of this is to see how different it differed from Stone’s release. It is the same recipe but the process might be different. I did try this one sometime last year when I went to Tijuana for a brewery run with my friend Oscar. While I tried to remember, I could tell it was damn delicious. However, is there subtle differences from this one to the Stone one? Let’s see, Salud!
Aromas:
Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, , dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Molé and pan dulce.
Flavors:
Rich Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Cane sugar, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Peanut Butter, Reece’s Pieces, Molé, pan dulce, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, flan, sweetened condensed milk and peanut mazapan.
Aftertaste:
Finishing off with Dark Chocolate, Dulce de leche caramel, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Mocha, chile notes, earthy notes, vanilla and peanut butter hints. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, ridiculously smooth, very creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Damn! This one is different than the Stone release by a good amount. While I feel both beers overall are supreme World Class but this one emphasizes sweeter flavors while the Stone one balances out with earthy hops. This one shines more in the Mexican chocolate department big time! I love this version so much but I think I love both for the differences as well. This series of beers from both breweries are definitely some of the best Mexican Chocolate and Coffee beers ever. I highly recommend getting these!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this pairing as they were chosen in the previous iterations of Xocoveza. The original Xocoveza I used May as she represents the Mexican culture of where the recipe was inspired from especially the Mexican brewers that helped Stone with the creation. I used Yoruichi for the bourbon barrel aging version, but bringing one of my favorite anime characters into this to be the main focus is to showcase the roots of the ingredients in Mexico. Yoruichi is a Goddess of Thunder, like Quetzacoatl!
Sources:
http://orig05.deviantart.net/09b6/f/2015/018/7/3/bleach_yoruichi__head__in_skyrim_by_user619-d8eer4h.png
http://trzaraki.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-12-01-583945424
Rating: 6/6
Raging Passion Lactus Raspear Dragons by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 10% ABV Imperial Milk Stout brewed with Raspberries, Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit and Red Prickly Pear Tunas Oak aged in Dragon’s Milk Beer Barrel Bourbon.
Label:
Deep within the womb of time, a Dragoness thus be born and thus the tale is told. Upon an age old icy
crystal mountain, was home to the kind and magical dragoness who’s torment of being the last of her kind could not be comforted. The people feared her. The fanatics adored her, The kingdoms wished for her destruction. Until one day, something had happened.
The kingdoms faced demise from a natural disaster. A meteor crashed on the mountain causing a large
avalanche. While the Dragoness did manage to escape, she used her powers and melted the avalanche thus saving the kingdoms. The people had finally accepted her as one of their own and she became a legend. In honor of that day, the liquid water that trickled down the land from the melted ice, the milky fluid of the meteor mixed with her collection of exotic ingredients burnt by her flames during the
rescue, along with the burnt trees gave birth to this magic potion. In Honor of the new Dragoness Knight, All Hail the Dragoness, Her story will live on forever!
Ingredients: Water, Malts, Hops, Lactose Milk Sugar, Pureed Raspberries, Dragon Fruit, Passion Fruit, Red Prickly Pear Tunas, Oak Chips Aged “Dragon’s Milk Beer Barrel Bourbon” and Yeast.
==Introduction==
Project# 15 unleashes the dragons! This epitome of a beer is centered on dragons! Lots and lots of dragons. From the fruits, the milk, the bourbon and the alcohol. Dragons… Dragons everywhere! My inspiration for this brew came from the fact that I started really liking Raspberry stouts. Especially the Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries from New Holland. So when I had the idea, hmmm I should make a beer about dragons…. wait!!! That’s when it hit me, I will make one with some exotic Dragon fruit. I also wanted some passion fruit to go with it too and my friend Alex Bahamaca was able to inspire me since I remembered how good actual passion fruits were from his passion fruit tree. The Dragon fruit I was able to get from an Asian Market and thanks to my brother Martin and his wife Elly I knew what I had to do. Using the original bourbon I used from Sangri Leche, the Dragon’s Milk Bourbon which was New Holland’s Bourbon made from a barrel that used to age Dragons Milk Stout, it was only the perfect addon to my dragon’s milk themed beer. Aged one month in the fruit and a week in oak that was sitting for 2 months, now the beer is carbonated, it is time to see what my creation has spawned. Cheers!
Aromas:
Vanilla, oak, Rich Raspberries, Dragon Fruit, Passion fruit, Red prickly pear tunas, strawberries, , Milk sugar, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, fudge cake, raspberry Chambord, bourbon hints, port wine hints, toasted rye bread, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk hints, hazelnut nectar and dulce de leche caramel hints.
Flavors:
Super Rich punch of Raspberries, Tropical Fruit Rich Dragon fruit, Passion fruits, Rich Oak, Vanilla, Caramel, toffee, butterscotch hints, Milk sugar, Milk chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Raspberries, Fudge cake, Hints of bourbon, caramel, marshmallows, port wine notes, Raspberry Chambord, oranges, citrus, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, dark cherry cheesecake notes, wine grapes, strawberries, raspberry marmalade on rye toast, pomegranates, molasses, mint, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk hints, boysenberry cobbler and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich in raspberries and lots of oak, dark fruit, vanilla, caramel, dark cherries, dark chocolate, and wine notes. Deep Dark Bloody Crimson Full Body, very smooth, creamy, rich and velvety mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
An exceptional brew that packs a punch of fruitiness. While I know the oak was a bit much, the fact that I added Sooooo much fruit may have cut down a bit of the Stouty characteristics. Despite that, it is still a milk stout and I think the oakiness fades as the beer is warmers. I think people that like oaky and fruity stouts will love this one. The Bourbon did not come as strong as I had hoped it would but that is okay as the original Dragon’s Milk has only notes of it as well. I was supremely happy with this one. So much like the Sangri Leche that I figure was my best beer. This one being my second best. I really do surprise myself sometimes and I am glad friends and family love these beers. One day, I would love to make beers for the masses. Only time will tell…
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagan was used in this pairing as I was looking for a reason to make a beer with her as the theme. Her red hair paired so well with a raspberry, red tuna and dragon fruit beer that I had to add her. The only problem was, aside from her fiery hair and tank top and possibly the skull, there really wasn’t anything else I could add to the beer that would say dragon. That is until… I found the awesome artwork with Yoko in Dark Knight Dragon Armor. I was like, HOLY SHIT!!!! it was meant to be… I was meant to brew an awesome beer about dragons and using this artwork, all the hardwork would come to fruition. So it did! I still added the original Yoko and an awesome version of Yoko with the glasses and the little pet Pig-Mole Boota as a nice finishing touch. I am sure many will come to appreciate it.
Sources:
http://konachan.com/image/178498dce0d6358f8f136e9211c5e118/Konachan.com%20-%20183160%20ember_prime_(warframe)%20ember_(warframe)%20fire%20long_hair%20navel%20penett%20ponytail%20red_hair%20tengen_toppa_gurren_lagann%20warframe%20yoko_littner.png
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/playstationallstarsfanfictionroyale/images/4/4b/Yoko_Littner.png/revision/latest?cb=20150516090424
http://i.imgur.com/RhLI9mO.jpg
Rating: 4.5/5
Sasquatch by 903 Brewers is a 10.8% ABV Imperial Chocolate Milk Stout
Label:
Brewed with Chocolate malt and a heavy dose of roasted cocoa nibs our stout has a rich aroma. The addition of milk sugar lends a creamy body. One taste and you’ll see why Sasquatch is such a beast
==Introduction==
We make one more stop in the latest shipment from my good friend Aaron of beermetaldude.com who sent me this beer made by 903 brewers of Sherman Texas. Maybe the best for last but definitely not the least. Fine and awesome brews come in small batches made by local brewers who believe and love their community. A lot of passion and work goes into what they create so I believe even for trying beers from a new brewer such as is always an honor. I can already tell I am going to enjoy this one as milk stouts are always amazing! Cheers!
Aromas:
Coffee, dark chocolate, mocha hints, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, caramel, vanilla, milk sugar, dark fruit cherries, raisins, raspberries, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, cookie dough, oreo cookie hints, Danish cream and brown sugar.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, bakers chocolate, earthy notes, dark fruit raisins, cherries, raspberry notes, brown sugar, milk sugar, vanilla hints, caramel, toffee, mocha hints, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, cookie dough, oreo cookie hints, Danish cream and coffee cake hints.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, roasted malt, earthy notes, dark fruits, vanilla and caramel hints. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, creamy rich, silky and velvety mouthfeel, dark full body and moderate drinkability
Overall:
A very good and Very Rich chocolatey beer indeed! Lots of great flavors in this one that really remind me a lot of another certain Yeti beer lol. Either way, I really love the smoothness of this one and really can find myself just picking this up as an extra if I can’t find any other good beer. A recommend for sure and special thanks to my friend Aaron once again for sharing some more awesome Texas brews.
Anime Corner:
Aisha Clan-Clan from Outlaw Star was chosen in this beer pairing as I wanted to pair with an anime girl that sort of had some colors of the forest and the yeti. Yes, I may have looked to outer space for some answers but the fact that I chose Aisha also explains why I think she is the yeti in this one. She has supernatural powers that enhances all her senses and strength so she can devastate anything like a true beast! But yet she seems so damn cute and cuddly like she wouldn’t hurt a fly and that is where the easy going flavors of the beer come in.
Sources:
http://orig14.deviantart.net/de2d/f/2012/001/e/3/aisha_clan_clan_by_rtil-d4kx8ya.png
Rating: 6/5
Horchata Imperial Stout by Belching Beaver is a 9% ABV Imperial Milk Stout brewed with Horchata flavors.
Label:
Hecho En Vista , CA.
Made for our 2nd anniversary beer. Our Horchata Imperial Milk Stout is a salute to our over the border brothers who are making some fine craft beer. One of our brewers “Ivan the Terrible” lives in TJ and commutes to start his shift here at 2:00AM. He is also in charge of making our casks. When he made this Horchata with our own Milk Stout, we thought it was fantastic. Troy brewed it as an Imperial Stout and we just love it. Thought you might too. Notes of Coffee, Chocolate and Cinnamon.
-Tom
___
Belching Beaver has been making some crazy and delicious beers starting with the Peanut Butter Milk Stout. That beer is possibly one of the best Peanut butter beers ever. This time, they released an Horchata one and and to be honest, this just sounds way too good to be true. Even far fewer are there any Horchata beers out there and all the ones I have tried are very delicious. So let us see how this version does. Salud!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate abuelita, mocha, churros, milk sugar, rice pudding, dark fruit raisins, cherries, brown sugar, molasses, dulce de lecher caramel, toffee, ginger bread cookies, flan, pecan pie, almond milk, earthy notes, Kahlua, hazelnut, molasses, mint, anise and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate abuelita, Rich Horchata notes, chocolate churros, Dark fruit raisins, cherries, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, mocha, chocolate mousse, chocolate truffles, roasted coffee, flan, sweetened condensed milk lechera, capirotada raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, tapioca, Khalua, anise, molasses, chocolate cherries, toffee, milk sugar, ginger bread, almond milk, pecan pie, burnt sugar, hazelnut, brown sugar and rock candy.
Aftertaste:
Horchata, milk sugar, cinnamon, rice pudding, chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, mocha, roasty notes and earthy notes. No alcohol in the taste, smooth and creamy mouthfeel, should be a sipper but drinks way too easy, full black body.
Overall:
Damn… just simply damn… So much Horchata and chocolate flavors here and the crazy part is that it drinks very smooth too since it is still a milk stout. The crazy thing is that it is crafted as an imperial so you really cannot tell the alcohol even though it is heavy. Definitely exceeding my expectations and being one of the best close to Horchata beers just like the other great Horchata beers I have tried before.
Anime Corner:
Sai Hinoki from Betterman was used in this pairing since hair colors pair with the colors of the label and the Mexican flag. Also, there is a version out there of Horchata that is made in Oaxaca called Horchata con Tuna y Nuez and the colors make the Horchata have a pink layer and the nuez is the walnuts. Adding fruit makes it like an Horchata cocktail. So that fits the flavors of the beer somewhat and the hair color as well. The fact that she is next to some kind of ancient ruin holding some kind of gem represents the indigenous roots of the beverage in terms of the ancient civilization, the label’s animal on the flag and the fact that this dessert is a rich treasure just like that gem she holds.
Sources:
https://sites.google.com/site/aquahds/1182929665276.jpg
Rating: 6/5
Xocoveza Mocha Stout Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is a 8.1% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla cinnamon and nutmeg.
Label:
Pronuced (SHO-CO-VAY-ZA)
The impact of homebrewers on the American craft beer industry has been immense. The comfort level and lack of inhibitors provided by a domestic brewing environment fosters a near limitless brand of experimentation, allowing homebrewers to push te beer envelope to its breaking point. Many of the professional brewing world’s best recipes–from West Coast IPAs to imperial stouts and even sours–began as homespun standouts so spectacular they had to be unleashed on the world in order to improve it.
With this in mind, each year we hold an American Homebrewers Association sanctioned homebrewing competition, the champion of which gets their recipe brewed and distributed nationwide by Stone. This year’s winner, Chris Banker, helped keep us grounded to our homebrewing roots by introducing flavors consistent with our regional palate. His chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, chile pepper, and coffee-infused milk stout was built to mimic the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, a beloved specialty from our neighbors to the south, as our collaborators from Baja California, Cervezeria Insurgente, will attest. Layered with tiers of earthiness, spice, and roast, this creamy, semisweet blue ribbon beer confirms that the spirit of the American homebrewer is not only alive and kicking but thriving at an all-time high.
___
This fall, Stone’s home brew competition winner along with Insurgente from Mexico brew up a beer that could quite possibly be the next New Belgium’s Cocoa Molé beer. I have had many awesome Mexican Chocolate stouts like Chocolate Sombrero, Luchador en Fuego from Clown Shoes, el Molé Ocho from New Holland or even the almighty, Cigar City Hunahpu’s and Three Floyds Dark Lord de Muerte. Each one being exceptionally awesome in their own ways. Now Stone not only makes a beer but brings in cultural expertise to help make it awesome. This Mexican Independence Day, I drink this! Salud!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, fancy coffee, Ancho chile spices, Piloncillo sugar, Chocolate Abuelita, Flan, milk sugar, dark fruits like raisins, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Molé, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, champurrado, Kahlua hints, earthy notes, molasses, pan dulce and Nutella.
Flavors:
Chocolate Abuelita, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Ancho Chile spices are subtle but not heat, Molé, dark fruit raisins, dark cherry, Milk sugar, flan, cinnamon, capirotada raisin bread pudding, roasted coffee, fancy coffee, Kahlua hints, piloncillo sugar cone, cinnamon, nutmeg, champurrado, earthy notes, molasses, clove spice, banana notes and pan dulce.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Caramel, mocha, earthy notes and spicy chile hints linger. No alcohol in the taste, ridiculously smooth drinkability, very creamy and slighly velvety mouthfeel, and pitch black body.
Overall:
Madre es Dios, que es esto? I meant that in like a mind blow type of way. This is a lot closer to a Mexican Hot Milk Chocolate beer than may that I have tried. All around, it really feels like you are drinking Chocolate Abuelita Hot Chocolate. All around, the fact that it is a milk stout, it makes it to where it is just well balanced, flavorful and smooth. There is no heat at all, but I really believe that is not the point. The point is to make this as approximate as Chocolate Abuelita as possible. I really think that maybe even the pre-craft beer drinker may actually find this one very appealing. It really is ridiculous and better the Cocoa Mole. The only bitterness is really from the chocolate and coffee roast. Highly recommend getting this one before it is gone for good! Going to go pick up a couple bottle now… Hasta La Proxima y Siganme Los Buenos!
Anime Corner:
May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 was chosen for this pairing because I wanted to do something in relation to my culture en Mexico. I used May once for Cocoa Molé so I wanted to bring her back for this round as well. I am glad I did too. She fits greatly with the beer label, the history of Mexican pride and the indigenous as well as the roots of Chocolate and possibly the name as it seems to be a derivative of Nahuatl and Spanish. The fact that is fall also brings forth not just the Independence Day of Mexico but also closer to the Months of the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration which this beer totally is best suited. Overall There was so much I could think of with this pairing but I would rather leave it to the reader to decide how to view this one.
**Update 2015 Version: As awesome as EVER!
Rating: 4.25/5
Key Lime Pie by Short’s Brewing is a 5.75%ABV Fruit beer made with marshmallows and lactose with lime and graham crackers added.
Description:
Made with fresh limes, milk sugar, graham cracker, and marshmallow fluff, we were able to recreate this popular dessert into a heavenly drinkable version. The prominent flavors are immensely sweet, yet tart, with subtle hints of graham cracker coming through in the nose and remain on the back of the palate. A Gold Medal Winner at the 2010 GABF.
—
This is another one of those strange what if beers. It is essentially a beer with lime, marshmallow and graham cracker flavors. Upon opening the beer there was a rush of sweet Mike hard lime scent to the nose. There was also this caramel, sugary, cinnamon, graham cracker, citrus, mint, and vanilla. The flavors are of lemon and lime tart, lemon meringue, caramel , some pie crust , graham cracker, sour grape or boysenberry cobbler, almost like a muddy cookie, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and coffee bread notes, spicy marshmallow smores without the chocolate. This beer is like a pumpkin beer would bee if they used limes instead of pumpkins. While it is very tasty and delicious, it is a rather strange beer but also incredibly unique. Nothing I ever tasted was way different than this. Even El Murcielago which was a Tequila Barrel Aged beer which was very unique in its own way was nothing like this one. It is not a style that would probably be seen in many places and kind of hard to get. I actually was able to get a bottle of this online as it is very limited unless you live in Michigan possibly. Overall very unique and very delicious but very different, in a good way.
Rating: 5.45/5
Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout by Odell Brewing is an 8.5%ABV Milk Chocolate Stout
Label:
If you’ve ever been to our brewery, you’ve likely seen the old, beat-up truck that hauls away our spent grain. That truck belongs to Lugene, who’s been feeding his dairy cows the hearty malt for over a decade. Named in his honor, Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout is brewed with milk sugar and milk chocolate. The rich and creamy brew reminds us of a cold glass of chocolate milk and our hometown “Aggie” roots.
___
This beer started off really good right off of the bottle. It reminded me a lot of the Moohoo from Terrapin but this one seems to emphasize even more on chocolate. Fragrances are of Rich milk chocolate, vanilla, caramel crème, very small coffee notes and chocolate cake aroma. The flavors say a lot. I find more of a mocha flavor than a coffee flavor. There is rich flavors of milk chocolate, vanilla, caramel, vanilla crème, buttery chocolate, some dark fruits, some hazelnut and some minor chocolate bready flavors. The aftertaste lingers of chocolate and more chocolate. Carbonation is super low so it makes this one ridiculously drinkable for a 8.5% ABV. Well that and the delicious flavors. The review is a bit over my expectations as well… I am a chocolate lover and many of the beers that have past my expectations are in the realms of super chocolate or just my favorite styles like Barrel aged Belgian Quads and Stouts.
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 