Almond Flour Stout by Clown Shoes

Rating: 5/5

Almond Flour Stout by Clown Shoes is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Almond Flour and Natural Flavors.

Moooooooo! Moooooooo! Moooooooo! The cow is jealous, because this stout was made with her nemesis, The Evilness Itself: Almond Flour! Yes, we did it, we made a concoction out of water and almond flour, then had Angel and Crasher taste test it for us. Wow! It was good. So we brewed this Stout with it for you, California. Lactose-free! Mooooooooooooooooo!

Lots of almonds, marzipan, milk shake, dulce de leche, mocha and chocolate yohoo flavors. Definitely one to get!

Juicebox Series: Golden Pumpkin Ale by The Dudes’ Brewing Company

 

Rating: 4.75/5

Juicebox Series: Golden Pumpkin Ale by The Dudes’ Brewing Company is a 6.6% ABV Pumpkin Ale.

Description:
Tastes just like pumpkin pie. Belgian Golden Ale with all the flavors of fall including cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Someone pass the whipped cream!

Review:
Delicious little brew showcasing lots of awesome clovey and pumpkin flavors as well as some banana and cinnamon flavors with dulce de leche caramel.

 

 

Saule (9th Anniversary Ale) by The Bruery

Rating: 6/6

Saule (9th Anniversary Ale) by The Bruery is a 16.1% ABV Old Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
This sturdy beer marks our ninth year, brewed as a testament to time with toots reaching back to our very beginning. May our supporters, our brewery and this beer grow in complexity and refinement over the years.

Our ninth anniversary ale, Saule, deeply rooted in the tradition of our anniversary releases before it – loosely based on an English-style old ale, fermented with our house yeast strain, aged in bourbon barrels and blended using the solera method for storied complexity as the years go by. Saule will not willow with age – it will age gracefully when cellared properly.

==Introduction==
Saule or “Willow” in French, in the traditional sense of the wedding anniversary gifts, refers to the 9th year in which Willow, Leather or Pottery are given. The beer was released in May 2017 and will be available to the public and many places where the Bruery beers are sold. Every year’s addition of the first ale to the new batch gives it another great layer of complexity as the original ale that is now 9 years old and the new young batch all together using the Solera method, as explained in the description, is that much more extraordinary. Every year since Fruet, their 4th Anniversary when I first tried their beers, I have anticipated each release anxiously. It is with great pleasure that I show you, the newest batch and the newest review of the Bruery’s Anniversary beer. Cheers!!

Aromas:
Belgian Candi sugars, dark fruit raisins, plums, cherries, raspberries, Dulce de leche caramel, Cadbury cream eggs, Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, marshmallows, Grilled Bananas, Tres Leches/Three Creams cake, toffee, butterscotch, nutmeg, clove spice, hazelnut nectar, Danish cream, rocky road ice cream, rye bread, chocolate cherry cordials, and stone fruit peaches.

Flavors:
Dulce de leche caramel, Cadbury cream eggs, Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, vanilla, oak bourbon, Belgian Candi sugars, dark fruit raisins, plums, cherries, raspberries, chocolate cake, waffle cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding , tiramasu, chocolate truffles, marshmallows, Grilled Bananas, Tres Leches/Three Creams cake, sweetened condensed milk, toffee, butterscotch, nutmeg, clove spice, hazelnut nectar, Danish cream cookies, plantains, rye bread, chocolate cherry cordials, wild flower honey, stone fruit peaches and cream, chocolate fruit cake, brown sugar, dark candi sugar, rock candy, campfire smores, rocky road ice cream and crème brulee.

Aftertaste:
Rich flavorful finish of dulce de leche caramel, raspberry liqueur tiramisu, fruit cake, dark fruits, Cadbury cream eggs, dark cherries, bourbon, marshmallows, flan, vanilla, milk chocolate, raisin bread pudding, flan and cola hints. Some alcohol in the aftertaste but not detracting from the rich flavors. Dark crimson brown medium to full body, silky, smooth and creamy mouthfeel and sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Every year it seems to get more and more phenomenal. While the overall is still the awesome and insane beer I tried so many years ago, I think the more the beer keeps aging and being added to the original batch, it brings out something more complex. I wonder if the palate can actually detect something that has never been tasted and I have yet to see this but I am curious just how this will evolve. Regardless, you can never go wrong with getting this year after year.

Anime Corner:
Hana Song (송하나) a.ka. D.VA from Overwatch was used in this pairing similarly to the way I have used special suit anime characters. While only few of the label colors pair with D. VA, her overall colors pair with the flavors of dark fruits. While she does not looks like a willow/saule, her colors are similar to that of Willow from the movie with the blues and reds.

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7f/8a/20/7f8a2021a01e7735f091426b06f29019.jpg
https://wallpapers.wallhaven.cc/wallpapers/full/wallhaven-454637.jpg
https://prettyuglylittleliar.net/uploads/monthly_2016_07/image.jpeg.5b480c95eccad414c657a57a86398a47.jpeg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DmvgmYvnPbY/maxresdefault.jpg
https://static.acg12.com/uploads/2017/03/61962b87a73d4c001c12703e3100eca9.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-cNkFcwJJEg/maxresdefault.jpg
http://orig12.deviantart.net/0ffb/f/2016/223/3/c/untitled_1_by_limdog-dadg2cz.png

2017 Befuddlement by The Bruery Terreux

15994840_10103915876678710_3588419316289635923_oRating: 6/6

2017 Befuddlement by The Bruery Terreux is a 9.9% American Wild Rye Ale with Boysenberries aged in oak and bourbon barrels.

Label:
None.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Befuddlement is a Hoarders Society exclusive blend of our Sour In The Rye and our bourbon barrel aged old-ale, Sucré, with the addition of an incredible number of boysenberries. This deep purple beer is textured with sweet notes of caramelized malts, spicy rye, oak, juicy berries and a pleasantly sour funk. It’s a rather befuddling meld of flavors with an outcome that we couldn’t enjoy more.

==Introduction==
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Released for Reserve and Hoarders societies only, this one was I never had chance to try. Based on the blending process it looks like they blended BBA Sucré with this one which is an awesome anniversary brew from a couple of years ago. It was the time when they started barrel aging in different spirits and have not stopped since. Special Barrel variants are awesome but the mix of that with other awesome beers creates something even more unique. Essentially, their mixed sour brews and Melangé series has been nothing but amazing. Each blend is unique while also some blends being more amazing than other blends. So let’s have a look at this one as it is a special sour blend with their anniversary. Cheers!

Aromas:
Cadbury Cream egg hints, marshmallows, graham crackers, brown sugar, banana hints, piloncillo sugar cone, dark cherry yogurt, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, strawberries, wine grapes, raspberry preserves on toasted rye bread, leather, boysenberry cobbler, boysenberry muffins, port wine, dulce de leche caramel, waffle cone, candy sugar, chocolate truffle notes and crème brulee hints.

Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, strawberries, wine grapes, vanilla, fruit cake, oak, Bourbon, chocolate, toffee, raspberry preserves on toasted rye bread, leather, boysenberry cobbler, boysenberry muffins, port wine, dulce de leche caramel, Cadbury Cream egg hints, marshmallows, graham crackers, brown sugar, banana hints, piloncillo sugar cone, dark cherry yogurt, waffle cone, candy sugar, chocolate truffle notes, crème brulee hints, raisin bread pudding, hibiscus, floral notes, toasted coconut hints and boysenberry cheese cake.

Aftertaste:
Finishes semi dry with lots of boysenberry flavor, dark fruits, tart boysenberry skins, boysenberry yogurt, oak, bourbon, vanilla, caramel, chocolate hints and floral notes. No alcohol in the taste. Crimson and Rose colored full body, crisp, effervescent, smooth and refreshing mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
This exceptionally awesome brew can be best described as a tart boysenberry cobbler. There was a ton of berries and BBA Sucré to guarantee the flavors came out similar especially close to a tart boysenberry cordial. So I feel like I have been missing out especially after having this one. In fact, many special blended sours have been coming out really exceptional and hope they bring out more like this one. It was definitely worth the freebie from the Reserve allocation. I highly recommend this sour.
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Anime Corner:
Widow Maker from Overwatch was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the colors of the label, beer color and ingredients of the beer which all seem to match with the deep purple, reds and blues of her. This and the fact that this is the first time I use her in a pairing for the Bruery, the timing seemed perfect really. In a way, since she is mixed with Sucré, she looks a lot like Mari Ilustrious which I used in that beer but without the glasses and blue skin.
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Sources:
https://cdn3.patreon.com/1/patreon.posts/I4whOtX72NxfDypPSY0bZelyW5XrEPw527qD7LPEZAagzs4bPu0b8ynnllKv1Rh.jpeg?w=1600&v=2-IjikrDIjBKJJXtrL4Lt6CxaOLlMtyhGtSlX_3qbJQ%3D
http://file2.instiz.net/data/file2/2016/07/29/f/9/8/f98ef897a8b4a370dcdaa5fd0d7c08b5.jpg
https://cdn3.patreon.com/1/patreon.posts/6933583458898303643.jpg?w=1600&v=3AQIGa3dXAxVvk3ENQ9w1fAj0-PlXL548-kdzROxSCA%3D
http://pic.chinaz.com/2016/0614/1465870307917.png

Gordon’s Finest Gold by John Martin SA in Belgium

15732443_10103862586637380_2574581960937580120_oRating: 4.85/5

Gordon’s Finest Gold by John Martin SA in Belgium is a 10% ABV Euro Strong Lager/Imperial Pils

Label:
Strong blond and mellow beer. Best served chilled.

==Introduction==
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I was given this special gift by my friend Brian and his wife who were able to get this beer for me from Belgium about a year ago. I have tried many Belgian beers over the years and would someday love to go. This one, however, I have never heard of. Also, a 10% ABV at that and a lager. So I decided to save it for a special occasion. It is almost reached is best before date of 1/3/2017 so I decided I would give this a shot for one of my final new year beers. Here’s to you Brian, I appreciate the humble gift and thanks for supporting my work, cheers!

Aromas:
Malty sweet, cane sugar, biscuit bread, honey, waffle cone, blonde candi sugar, marshmallows, stone fruits and citrus notes.

Flavors:
Rich malty notes, biscuit bread, pilsner grain, cane sugar, rich honey, banana hints, phenolic hints, piloncillo sugar cone, stone fruit peaches, apricots, plums, waffle cone, citrus, tangerine gummies, brown sugar, agave hints, Cadbury caramel cream eggs, Danish cream, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee hints, flan and marshmallows.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with bitter flavors and slightly malty sugar notes, pilsner grain and earthy hop notes. Slight alcohol in the taste. Clear Golden light body, crisp, smooth, clean, velvety and refreshing mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A very delicious beer. Reminding me of the Leffe Blond, if it was imperialized. This is definitely a strong version of a lager and is essentially, in my opinion, what some lagers should be. At least in terms of being more complex. It does remind me a lot of the awesome sweet strong beers like Belzebuth and Samichlaus. I really loved this one except for the finish which is dry and bitter. Not bad it is just that for a 10% ABV beer I would want this to linger. I wish they would sell this here in the states at higher volumes. I would drink this over basic lagers. Definitely worth searching for.
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Anime Corner:
Mercy from Overwatch was chosen in this beer pairing as I wanted to convey the fact that even though this is a lager, it is also a blond. The golden color, the name of the beer and even angelic as it is from Belgium. These are items that I figured would fit great with this beer. Angels are strong creatures as well so that definitely represents the ABV of the beer as well.

Sources:
https://ws2.sinaimg.cn/large/00641CkYjw1f5fhxp2h3gj31z41407wj.jpg
https://images2.alphacoders.com/666/thumb-1920-666091.png

Voodoo Doughnut Grape Guerrilla by Rogue brewing

15392760_10103803510286860_8170098372768732703_oRating: 3.75/5

Voodoo Doughnut Grape Guerrilla by Rogue brewing is a 7.2% ABV Fruit beer brewed with grapes

Label:
Dedicated to Tres & Cat Daddy, The Rogues of Voodoo Doughnut

16° Plato
16 IBU
78AA
10°L
Alc. 7.2% By Vol.

Description
A Collision of Crazies.

Food Pairing: Doughnuts, Desert

This ale was inspired by the Voodoo Doughnut Grape Ape doughnut, a creation that features vanilla frosting, grape dust and purple sprinkles.

==Introduction==
15385494_10103803510192050_2875397645449520353_o
Another pink bottle release by Rogue brewing. Now I know many beer snobs and elitists have given this series a bad rap ever since the release of the original maple bacon doughnut beer. Even the consecutive releases have been criticized harshly. I do agree, I find them to be in the range of good to very good and while I don’t condone the criticism, I think some of these can be very good. I just happen to have a pretty open palate for these kinds of beers regardless if they use “natural flavorings” or not. The point is, there are some very delicious ones like the raspberry and also the banana peanut butter one. Those I loved a lot. The lemon one was nice too and the mango was okay. So with that in mind, let’s be open minded about this one and see how it is, criticism aside. Cheers!

Aromas:
Lots of grape preserves, jolly ranchers, biscuit bread, butterscotch, caramel, vanilla hints, dark fruit berries, Danish cream and mild hop notes.

Flavors:
Rich grape jolly ranchers, grape kool aid, grape soda, grape syrup, biscuit bread, caramel notes, vanilla, herbal, floral and earthy hops, licorice, cane sugar, almond milk, dark fruit prunes, mild Danish cream and hints of boysenberry cobbler.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with lot of jolly rancher grape candies, biscuit bread and caramel. No alcohol in the taste. Amber honey colored clear body, crisp, refreshing and smooth mouthfeel along with an easy drinkability.

Overall:
A pretty good brew but definitely on the artificial side of things. While I do not think it’s bad, their intention of getting as close to grape flavors as possible was a definite success. Although not so naturally. While I did try to find its complexity, I ended up short as the overall flavor is definitely grapes. This is worth a try at least especially if you are nostalgic of grape soda like the one they made in Mexico for me. Definitely nice!
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Anime Corner:
Widow Maker from Overwatch was chosen for this review as I wanted to pair the colors of the grape ape with her purple colors. She is supposed to be a tough character in the game and by her name, it does seem like she can be deadly. This beer is not deadly and is actually sweet, like her appearance but the toughness is definitely part of the Gorilla.
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Sources:
http://pic.chinaz.com/2016/0614/1465870307917.png
http://img1.reactor.cc/pics/post/full/Overwatch-Blizzard-фэндомы-Widowmaker-3380513.jpeg
https://cdn3.patreon.com/1/patreon.posts/T86la2TKGpUFGQRoFQ0o6iNCJGCg6fvICSMNn6yvldejFNaUulwB1lyzznMUkTPX.jpeg?w=1600&v=ggy-1zIoSNHGb0-HvlDCxquvHuTZBwMQW699UqwzHVc%3D

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==
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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/

2016 Share This: Molé by The Bruery

15392894_10103789029780910_3409779641185004719_oRating: 6/6

2016 Share This: Molé by The Bruery is an 11.1% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Ancho Chilies, Chipotle peppers, Cinnamon, Vanilla Beans and Cacao Nibs

Label:
LEND A HAND
Share This beer and be part of bringing mobility to our friends in Mexico – the Source and inspiration of select ingredients in this beer. For every bottle we produce, Free Wheelchair Mission receives one dollar. #sharethisbeer

Share This is a series of beer that spotlights unique ingredients and important causes. This rich mole-inspired imperial stout collaboration with Chef Anne Conness supports the work of Free Wheelchair Mission in Mexico.

==Introduction==
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Released to the public as the second beer for charity from the “Share This” series. This time they obtained inspiration from Mexican cuisine, the awesome dish of Molé. The last time the Bruery made an awesome Molé beer was when they made the Smoking Wood variant which was a tap only release. It was definitely awesome and one I would love to review one day if it is re-released. This series is definitely awesome as it does donate a dollar for every bottle sold to the cause of the Free Wheelchair Mission. Yes, it is not much money but this is a microbrewery after all. It’s good to see breweries who do more not just for communities but for causes that really help people. Let’s see how this one is, cheers!

Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, prunes, cherries, raspberries, capirotada Mexican bread pudding, vanilla, flan, crème brulee, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Pan Dulce, chipotle, guajillo, ancho chiles, cinnamon, nutmeg, rich chocolate abuelita, Kahlua liquer notes, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Bakers chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German Chocolate, piloncillo sugar cone, grilled bananas, anise, coffee and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Super rich chocolate abuelita, Kahlua liquer notes, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Bakers chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, German Chocolate, piloncillo sugar cone, grilled bananas, chipotle, guajillo, ancho chiles, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, prunes, cherries, raspberries, capirotada Mexican bread pudding, vanilla, flan, crème brulee, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Pan Dulce, apple pie, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, Danish cream cookies, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, burnt candi sugar, waffle cone, molé spices, champurrado, molasses, anise, 3 leche/ 3 Milks cake, coffee cake, mocha, java, steamed milk and Mazapan.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich notes of chocolate abuelita, dark chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, peppery hints, dark fruits, marshmallows, flan, earthy notes and champurrado. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, dark body, creamy, velvety, silky, syrupy, chewy and viscous mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
An exceptional breaking brew. Easily, a new favorite Molé, or in this case, the best Molé beer I have ever had that was more about Molé, not Mexican chocolate, as that is another story best told in a previous review. For a Molé beer though, this is damn insane and delicious. Definitely a step above some of the other Molé beers I have tried in the past. The chocolate and spices are there but not overly spicy and sweetness is not overwhelming either. Everything just comes together very well and complex. Definitely a highly recommended brew.
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Anime Corner:
Sombra from Overwatch was used in this series not necessarily for the label colors but for the use of a Mexican anime/video game character. Sombra, or Shadow is a hacker who uses her skills to manipulate the corrupted systems of power for the greater good. While her colors and ethnicity go well with the flavors of the brew (like dark fruits) and the culture of the cuisine, the “doing something for a good cause” is what I liked about this pairing as this beer is all for a good cause.

Sources:
http://img0.reactor.cc/pics/post/full/Blizzard-фэндомы-Sombra-(Overwatch)-Overwatch-art-3415270.jpeg
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/fa99b-sombra.jpg
http://img1.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/full/Sombra-(Overwatch)-Blizzard-фэндомы-Overwatch-art-3471483.jpeg