Tag Archives: Panty and Stocking

Taking My Talents To: Anaheim, California collaboration by The Bruery and J. Wakefield Brewing

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Rating: 5/5

Taking My Talents To: Anaheim, California collaboration by The Bruery and J. Wakefield Brewing is a 7.4% ABV Imperial Berliner Weisse brewed with Dragon Fruit, Passion Fruit, Lime Juice and Minneola Tangerines

Label:
Tart – Tropical – Champion

==Introduction==

Released to Reserve and Hoarders society, this release bring the skills from JWB in Florida to California. One of the beers they once made was a pink dragon fruit beer, which I always wanted to try. Since I did not get the change, I feel I could make up with this one. I am not sure if this is the first time the Bruery makes a beer with Dragon fruit but dragon fruit beers are far few and in between. Since it is a favorite of mine due to being an exotic fruit and looking a lot like a fireball, it was one of the fruits I sued to make my own homebrew. So when I hear about these dragon fruit based beers, I highly wanna try them. So let’s take a look at this, cheers!

Aromas:
Tropical fruit passion fruit, dragon fruit, kiwi, Stone fruit Apricot, peaches, mango, sour apples, sweet limes, wine grapes, sangria notes, biscuit bread, flowers like lavender, hibiscus, rose hips, peppercorns, lychee, tangerines, honey, oak and vanilla.

Flavors:
Stone fruit Apricot, peaches, mango, Tropical fruit passion fruit, dragon fruit, kiwi, prickly pears, cranberries, raspberries, vanilla, oak, lime, lemon candy, grapes, oranges, lychee, tangerines, honey, cereal grains, sourdough bread, oats, wheat, coriander, peppercorn, tejuino maize, sea salt hints, flowers like lavender, hibiscus, rose hips, sour apples, sweet limes, wine grapes, sangria notes, pineapple hints, pomegranates and plums.

Aftertaste:
Finishing dry with the hinted tropical fruits, tart stone fruits, oak, vanilla, biscuit bread and wine grapes. No alcohol in the body, Magenta Rosey pink medium body, crisp, effervescent, refreshing and dry mouthfeel along with sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Definitely a perfect tart sour. While the sweetness is subtle, there is enough in the initial taste that balances out and finishing dry. Essentially, you will want to try more. The dragon fruit magenta colored body is definitely something very amazing as well and adds to the experience of it all. Especially since It makes me wonder if this was close to what they had made in Florida. Regardless, their collaboration does shine and I feel many that love Berliner Weisse tarts would highly enjoy this one.

Anime Corner:
Stocking Anarchy from Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt was used in this pairing for many reasons. This is to go with the colors of the beer and label and a pose that looks like she’s leaving to go kick ass somewhere, similar to the name of the beer and well, just a reason to use her in a Bruery beer as I have not use her before. Stocking’s main character traits are those of sweets and candy but since she became evil later on in the series, the sour flavors fit right in.

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/72/62/ef/7262efe58fc212af13e248c099efd91b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XuabIY5.jpg
http://archive-media-0.nyafuu.com/w/image/1444/86/1444868907939.jpg

Chernyy Medved Collaboration by Valiant and Black Market Brewing

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Rating: 5/5

Chernyy Medved Collaboration by Valiant and Black Market Brewing is a 13% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed with Cherries and Vanilla

Label:
A powerful and fearless Russian Imperial Stout brewed in collaboration with our comrades at Black Market Brewing in Temecula CA. Chernyy Medved was brewed in tribute to the OC Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival which takes place in December in Orange County CA. Brewed with smoked wood, pine, vanilla, cherries and coming in at 13% ABV this intense black beauty will warm you right up this winter or will cellar nicely to be enjoyed in the years to come.
==Introduction==

Cerny Medved or Black Bear was a beer my friend Neal provided me as a trade for some homebrews. Valiant Brewing was a brewery that recently closed in March 2017, essentially, last month. So some of these beers are so limited that you might not see them again. I had only recently got into their brews especially their Candy Sours series. It is unfortunate we will not have them again but let us look at how at this one and see what it was all about, Cheers!

Aromas:
Roasted coffee, molasses, anise, dark Chocolate, Milk chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Dark fruit raisins, currants, Cherries, Earthy and smokey oak notes, flan, vanilla, cherry crème brulee, strawberry, tootsie roll chocolate and pecan pie.

Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Milk chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, Dark fruit raisins, currants, Cherries, Earthy and smokey oak notes, earthy hop bitterness, burnt sugar, roasted coffee, molasses, anise, flan, vanilla, cherry crème brulee, strawberry and cherry cheese cake, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, brown sugar, tootsie roll chocolate, Cherry Chocolate milk, hazelnut nectar and cherry cake fudge chocolate.

Aftertaste:
Leaving with roasty chocolate, earthy and smoky notes, cherry notes, vanilla, caramel, toffee earthy hop bitterness and caramel. No alcohol in the taste despite the 13% ABV, smooth. Creamy and velvety mouthfeel, dark full body, with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
An awesome perfect stout. Very Roasty and flavorful like many of the Russian Imperial Stouts I have had before. The cherry flavors this one introduces pairs well with the roasty flavors and vanilla. While I do not think this is at the strongest in terms of the Choco Cherry Cordial beers, but it is a cherry cordial in its own sense. Not as sweet, but earthy and balanced. I would highly recommend checking this one if you can still find it.

Anime Corner:
Birdy Cephon Altera from Birdy The Mighty and Kneesocks Daemon from Panty and Stocking W/Garterbelt were used in this pairing as I wanted to mainly go with the colors of cherries and while I don’t think Birdy is Russian or a bear, I mainly paired for the colors and ingredients of the beer. Kneesocks on the other hand is much closer to the dark red cherry color so bringing her here works awesomely.

Sources:
http://cdn30.us1.fansshare.com/image/birdythemighty/birdy-the-mighty-512466661.jpg
http://cdn26.us1.fansshare.com/photo/birdythemightydecode/birdy-the-mighty-decode-shared-image-unknown-1334427343.jpg
http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/originals/2013/Anime_Birdy_the_Mighty_053034_.jpg
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/iamsukebe/imgs/5/3/53ff0cb2.jpg
http://static.zerochan.net/Birdy.Cephon.Altera.full.73854.jpg
http://static.zerochan.net/Birdy.Cephon.Altera.full.73861.jpg
http://i57.beon.ru/45/32/793245/79/64651079/14873385.jpeg

Victory! Victory! Victory! brewed by Angel City Brigade (Do-It-Yourself Brew)

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Rating: 4.95/5
17097690_10104048626576850_858228823925116913_o
Victory! Victory! Victory! brewed by Victory! Victory! Victory! is an American Porter brewed with Coffee and Vanilla beans.

==Introduction==

The cousin of my friend William Carranza, founder of El Borracho homebrewing, created this recipe while working with Zymurgy Brew Works and Angel City Brigade. Essentially, they opened up a “Do-It-Yourself” brewing experience where the public can brew a recipe for a fee. They would get assistance from the brewers there in making the recipe they would like to make and provide them the finish product upon completion of fermentation. William’s cousin brewed this beer and was gracious enough to allow me to do a review for it on the site. When I first tried it, I was pleasantly amazed at how good this was. Something definitely worth reviewing. While the recipe maybe a onetime deal, I’ll share it with you as a favor to my friend. Cheers!

Aromas:
Vanilla, dark fruit raisin hints, currants, cherry hints, mocha, roasted coffee, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, Irish cream, brown sugar, earthy hop notes, and mint chocolate chip hints.

Flavors:
Mocha, Roasted coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, Baker’s chocolate, caramel, anise, molasses, whipped cream, espresso, Irish cream coffee notes, mint chocolate chip, dark fruit raisin hints, currants, cherry hints, steamed milk, pecan pie hints, hazelnut nectar, earthy hops and lactose hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with a very nice fancy coffee and mocha roastiness, chocolate, vanilla, dark fruit and caramel. No alcohol in the taste. Dark full body, Smooth, creamy and velvety mouth feel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A very delicious porter. Definitely very well made having great body, smoothness, no off flavors and delicious. I loved how it had rich coffee and vanilla forward overall and some complex flavors of the dark fruits coming through. I am definitely glad I brought it here. Hopefully they can brew this one again.

Anime Corner:
Stocking Anarchy from PSG was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to show Victory as a Victory to a battle. With the name being more of a tribute and a victory pose like that of Final Fantasy VII’s cloud, I figure it would fit nicely. In addition, the beer is dark, like the artwork being used. This version of Stocking is evil.

Sources:
https://archive.nyafuu.org/foolfuuka/boards/w/image/1444/86/1444868907939.jpg

2016 White Mocha by The Bruery

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13307465_10103279138287550_6291594818918929177_n 13240585_10103279138636850_6355648886233025049_n 13247797_10103279138512100_1772785327298192205_o 13308234_10103279138801520_3949168034485202993_oRating: 6/6

2016 White Mocha by The Bruery is a 16.3% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Tierra Mia Coffee Beans.

Label:
RISE & SHINE
This bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine-style ale snuggled up with cacao nibs from TCHO and fresh coffee beans from TIERRA MIA COFFEE

White Mocha is our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine-style ale with cacao nibs and fresh coffee beans. Notes of coffee and chocolate are joined by warm flavors of coconut, honey and vanilla that rise & shine on the palate. If you’ve never fancied yourself a morning person, today might just be your day.

==Introduction==

Released to Reserve and Hoarders Society members of the Bruery, this beer is essentially White Chocolate with Coffee. While in the past, White Chocolate has been a rarity and guilty pleasure along with Black Tuesday and the variants. It was so much so, that they would hardly release enough even to Reserve members. Now in 2015 and 2016, there is a lot of White Chocolate and White Oak to go around which is I guess how they got to experiment with a new brew and so this one was born. Let’s see if this is worth the find, cheers!

Aromas:
Rich Flan, crème brulee, coffee cake, White Chocolate, Bourbon, Cookies and Cream, Cookie dough ice cream, Jamoca ice cream, Espresso coffee, Mocha Chocolate, Irish Cream, Danish Cookies, butterscotch, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, 3 leches (3 milks) Mexican cake, almond joy, honey, almond milk, tropical fruit like pineapple hints, pears, mango, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, rich hazelnut nectar and pecan pie.

Flavors:
White Chocolate, Espresso coffee, Mocha Chocolate, Jamoca Ice cream, Kopi Luwak fancy notes, coffee cake, bananas, clove spice, flan, crème brulee, sweetened condensed milk, bourbon, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, rich hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, marshmallows, stone fruit peach, apricot, toasted coconut, 3 leches (3 milks) Mexican cake, almond joy, honey, dark fruit cherries, plums, tropical fruit like pineapple hints, pears, mango, almond milk, chocolate mousse, chocolate coffee milk shake, Irish Cream, Danish Cookies, cookie dough ice cream, butterscotch, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, coriander spice, orange notes, wine grapes and choco flan.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with coffee cake on sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla, milk chocolate, bananas, clove spice, bourbon, mocha ice cream and almond cream. No alcohol in the taste but definitely feel the impact later. Honey Gold Amber medium body, silky, syrupy, velvety, and chewy mouthfeel with a dangerously easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Just like the original White Chocolate but in the Fancy supreme coffee direction. I’m a sucker for some of these beers, I admit it and definitely tend to lean my opinion sometimes but just know that this one, just like the White Chocolate, is vastly up there with some of the best beers in the world. In fact, many of the special variants from Black Tuesday and the Bruery process are insane. Made with their house strain, it really gives off some of the beers I like, like the Belgian strains. Anyway, I highly recommend this one. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Panty Anarchy from the Panty & Stocking series was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair mainly with the colors of the label and the WheatWine/BlondeBarley Wine aspect. With the addition of coffee to the White chocolate, the beer becomes very unique. Although white chocolate is not real chocolate but to think of a White Mocha? Well, that’s just a myth… like angels, or could it be true they live among us. Possibly, Panty Anarchy is an angel. A sexually driven one but the seduction of the idea of a white mocha and the complex flavors of the beer are very appealing.

Sources:
http://www.hkcgart.com/Public/static/kindeditor/attached/image/20150811/20150811083942_64879.jpg
http://holichii.deviantart.com/art/Anarchy-Panty-by-Hagiwara-Rin-314568375
http://www.zerochan.net/full/501682
http://static.zerochan.net/Anarchy.Panty.full.1500839.jpg

PranQster by North Coast Brewing

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12068818_10102849583713360_5124066634343540358_oRating: 4.5/5

PranQster by North Coast Brewing is a 7.6% ABV Belgian Golden Ale.

Label:
Belgian Ales represent the height of the brewers’ art. Sophisticated brewing techniques, yeast blends and unique flavoring elements have elevated the beers of Belgium to the status enjoyed by wine in other countries. PranQster follows in this tradition using a mixed culture of antique yeast strains that results in a floral nose, a full fruity flavor and a clean finish.

==Introduction==

First time I tried this beer was in 2012. Fastforward to 2015, and my friend Jose, aka Chino, gives me a bottles of beer as payment for fixing his wife’s computer and I was like, SOLD! I had tried many of the other ones including this one but to be honest, I never really had the chance to just sit down and review it. Many of North Coast brews like Old Rasputin and Grand Cru, which are some of my favorites I cheer on about. PranQster was a very delicious beer but I guess I just never brought it to the site, until now! So without further ado, lets take a look at PranQster.

Aromas:
Floral notes, honey, pineapple, grapefruit notes, banana esters, phenolic clove spice, Oranges, peppercorns, wafflecone, pears, bubblegum hints, lemon candy, rock candy, candy sugar, stone fruit peaches, mango, apricots, vanilla, kiwi hints, papaya, passion fruit, coriander spice and cane sugar.

Flavors:
Oranges, peppercorns, Floral notes, honey, pineapple, grapefruit notes, banana esters, phenolic clove spice, candy sugar, stone fruit peaches, mango, apricots, vanilla, kiwi hints, papaya, passion fruit, coriander spice, honey dew melon, wafflecone, pears, bubblegum hints, lemon candy, rock candy and flan hints.

Aftertaste:
Dry finish with peppercorn, stone fruits, phenolic and estery banana notes, Grapefruit hops and floral notes. No alcohol in the taste, Sipping drinkability, clear golden light body, crisp, clean, refreshing and moderate mouthfeel.

Overall:
A very good Golden ale representative of the delicious beers of Belgians, especially Belgian singles. Phenolic, Clovey and spicy like the many greats before it. Not in the Tripel category but pretty near it. A solid Golden for sure and one that is worth trying for sure but not one that I would consistently pick up. I guess my taste for Golden ales has expanded to something even higher. However, for those that are craft beer entry level, this is a good introduction to the delicious worlds of Belgians. Delicious and not overly punching.

Anime Corner:
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt and also Chuck! cosplaying as the Gorillaz were used in this pairing as they represent the gluttony of the dudes in the label. Mainly though, for the name, pranQster. They are up to no good playing by their own rules. They do what they want. This beer is refreshing and it does what it wants in your taste buds. At one time it will be lots of fruit and at another time it won’t. Learn to play a prank on this one if you will be one to succeed.

Sources:
http://wallpaperus.org/wallpapers/05/187/gillaz-stocking-1980×1080-wallpaper-947494.jpg

Abbey Normal by BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

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10365921_10102019956917110_1571724735164320888_nRating: 4.85/5

Abbey Normal by BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is a 6.6% ABV Belgian Dubbel.

Label:
BJ’s Abbey Normal is a light brown ale with a sweet malty profile. The style is what the Belgians call Abbey Ale, molded after the famous ales brewed by Trappist Monks. BJ’s Abbey Normal is full-bodied and rich tasting, with a complex bouquet of fruit and spice derived from fermentation with an authentic Trappist yeast. Subtle aromas and flavors emerge as the beer warms up – caramel, plums, raisins, currants and figs. BJ’s Abbey Normal may not be brewed in an abbey but it sure tastes heavenly.

This ale is bottle-conditioned and flavorful enough to age in the bottle for several years. Like a fine wine, the balance of flavors will change over time. For optional aging, we recommend that you store BJ’s Abbey Normal at between 55 and 65°F. Or enjoy it now!
___

Since 2010, when I first really started exploring beers, BJ’s brewhouse was a central theme to explore different beer styles as well as different beers. Abbey Normal was one of the first Belgian style beers and it was damn good back then. I never realized until a recent visit with my brother and my friend Alex that they started releasing these beers in bottles. I definitely had to bring one home for review as they ran out of the tap. So if you happen to visit BJ’s, this maybe something to try that is out of the ordinary there. Unless they have Westmalle which is more expensive but way more awesome. Either way, this is a very good Belgian dubbel even pre-review.

Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dates, phenolic banana notes, clove spice, stone fruit apricots, peaches, apples biscuit bread, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, honey, rock candy, pecan hint, ginger bread, chocolate hints, cinnamon and hints of brown sugar.

Flavors:
Phenolic notes of bananas, clove spice, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, trappist yeast hints, rock candy, candi sugar, pecan notes, hazelnut hints, dark cherries, ginger bread, cinnamon, chocolate hints, coffee, nutmeg, biscuit bread, bubble gum and toffee.

Aftertaste:
Biscuit bread, rye, dulce de leche caramel hints, dark fruit and phenolic hints fade into a dry finish. No alcohol in the taste, medium drinkability, amber medium to full body, light to medium mouthfeel.

Overall:
A very good Dubbel for sure despite this comes from restaurant & brewhouse chain. I love sweet Belgian beers so even at the ABV presented, this drinks like champ. It nice in terms of balance providing you a very nice rich complexity of flavors while still not being over powering. Wish I had this more often but now I realize why I loved this one so much back then. This one I would definitely recommend if you are able to get it at BJ’s on tap or snag a bottle from them to take home and relax.

Anime Corner:
Stocking Anarchy from Panty & Stocking with Ganterbelt was used in this pairing in relation to how awesome this beer was back in the day. At my youth of craft beers, this presented me with something very distinct that I had never had on tap and really drove me to try out more beers. Now, how it relates to the Abbeys, the monks and heaven, well guess what, Stocking, along with her sister Panty are angels fighting for humanity vanquishing ghosts. She is lover of sweets to the point where she should be diabetic but she is not. The colors of the label fit her perfectly and in respects to heaven, she is just that. The flavors of dark fruits and dark sweet flavors are basically her whole embodiment. She is a sweet dark Gothic angel with a lot of heart and power.

Sources:
http://oi61.tinypic.com/2cgf23k.jpg

Brothers’ Reserve series Vanilla Brrrbon ’13 by Widmer Brothers

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1477901_10101564935348980_1481477607_n 1506872_10101564936771130_356420254_nRating: 4.5/5

Brothers’ Reserve series Vanilla Brrrbon ’13 by Widmer Brothers is a 10.7% ABV Winter Warmer brewed 90% with vanilla beans and aged in bourbon barrels with the last 10% being regular winter warmer ale. 

Label:
Our brewers added fresh whole vanilla beans to a few select barrels of our Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ’13, an imperial version of our Brrr Seasonal Ale aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels, for this limited edition brew. The addition of vanilla beans heightens the vanilla character imparted by the barrels, and adds a delicious layer of complexity to the beer’s oak and caramel character, making for a smooth warmer perfect for the season. 

MALTS: Pale, Caramel, Carapils, Dark Chocolate
HOPS: Alchemy, Simcoe, Cascade
___

Definitely wanted to try this beer as soon as I saw it. I have not tried the Brrrbon series but with vanilla beans? This I had to get it. I have only tried a few Widmer beers and have enjoyed some of them. Lets see how this one turns out

Aromas:
Vanilla, slight bourbon character, figgy, earthy and piney hops, caramel, hint of dark fruits, cinnamon and ginger bread. Not big on the aromas but that is okay

Flavors:
Flavors are of bourbon, coriander spice, citrus, grapefruit hops, vanilla, oak, rye bread, caramel, orange creamsicle, ginger bread, barleywine notes, tropical fruit hints, oak, some dark fruits and cinnamon

Aftertaste:
Citrus, caramel, vanilla, earthy hops and a bit of ginger bread. Alcohol is partially present in the taste but nothing detracting too much. A sipper at that though

Overall:
A very good beer but a different beer for sure. I am not sure because I was expecting a very caramel and vanilla beer but it is actually that and some notes that seems like IPA notes. Very peculiar but definitely not a bad beer by any means. It was inviting at that but it is interesting how the vanilla plays with the bourbon and the citrus. More like a barley wine than anything

Anime Corner:
Panty Anarchy from the Panty and Stocking series I used in this one to pair the beer label colors and vanilla flavors. Panty can be crude many times and is often getting into a lot of trouble (representing the hoppy barleywine like aspect). She is strong fighter but also loves to be very flirtatious (Strong ABV and Vanilla)

Lips of Faith series Pluot by New Belgium

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1236441_10101360004751540_459170060_n 1236103_10101360003818410_696789262_nRating: 3.8/5

Lips of Faith series Pluot by New Belgium is a 10% ABV Belgian Tripel brewed with Pluot juice

Label: 
Cross pollinate your tastebuds with Belgian imagination and you’ll be sipping this ale while visions of pluots dance in your head. Pluots? A hybrid of apricots and plums that impart a subtle sweetness. Ferment that with a wild Belgian yeast strain and you have a fruity yet spicy nature with a body reminiscent of red wine. Delicious.
___

Along with Paardebloem, I picked up the second summer Lips of Faith ale, Pluot. I figured why not as I am trying this years releases so far. By the way, so far, Cascara has been the winner in the tastings. I actually had to get several of those. Love me some quads 😛 . Well, anyways, time to check this one out. Although by what I am seeing, an apricot/plum fusion does sounds good.

Aromas are of light plums, peaches, biscuit malt, light caramel and honey. Very limited in fragrance.

Flavors are of peach, plum juice, light caramel, biscuit bread, citrus, slight tart but possibly not to the wine level just notes of it. It also tastes like grapes, toffee, apples, sugar cookies and light rye bread.

The aftertaste is mildly sweet but hard to believe it is 10 percent. Especially in the taste. It finishes pretty dry. Seems easy to drink, way too easy lol. Kind of scary but awesome.

Overall it is a still pretty good beer for sure with nice flavors, but I guess I expected more. Still a killer clear body beer. I’d get this this often if I wanted to just get hammered. The notes of Belgian character is still present. If you pick this up, just to try it, go for it but do not expect lots of magic. Just a nice decently good beer, that will probably get you wasted as you cannot tell the ABV in the taste.

Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout (2013 Odd year Edition)

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308686_10101156117637950_1119402415_n 21307_10101156118376470_1477266017_nRating: 5/5

Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout is an 11% ABV World Class Russian Imperial Stout brewed with espresso coffee beans

Label: 
Stone Imperial Russian Stout is so thick, rich and well, sinful, you might worry that you’ll be doomed to the fiery pits just for thinking about a sip. It almost seems evil. Rest assured, however, that even though this seemingly pernicious brew is indeed as black as sin, we guarantee that no actual sin was committed in it’s production…you’ll have to add that on your own. This Odd Year addition was brewed in the authentic, historical style of an imperial Russian stout, but with the addition of several hundred pounds of espresso beans from our friends at Ryan Bros. Coffee. Actually, this could be considered historically accurate, since the Russian nobility were as fond of earthy breakfast beverages as they were of hearty dark beers. Catherine the Great herself bolstered her finesse for ruling an empire by drinking five cups of black coffee every morning during her lengthy reign. While we couldn’t fit five cups coffee in every bottle of this darkly delicious libation, we assure you that the deep, rich espresso flavors are unmistakable and meld beautifully with the roasty bitterness of the dark malts. Catherine would have whole-heartedly approved.
___

Stone’s Imperial Russian stout has been considered by many to be one of the best Russian Imperial stouts in the world. This year they added some espresso. I have many awesome coffee beers before but I wanted to see what this one is about so I could bring forth to you why this one is so good. Immediately off the nose you get rich dark chocolate, espresso coffee aromas with notes of vanilla, caramel, brownies and some earthy hops . The flavors are of rich espresso coffee, caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, camp fire smores, marshmallows, Irish cream, molasses, rye chocolate brownies, milk chocolate, earthy hops and roasty notes. This beer reminds me of Black Xantus but expresses itself closer to a more earthy and roasty coffee bitterness side. Despite the roasty bitterness, it still manages to be very smooth and very drinkable going down. For some the roasty bitterness and the great balance it has with the sweetness is also what makes this world class. You can sense the booziness slightly but that take nothing from the beer itself which is very awesome. The Espresso adds some extra complexity and sweetness that brings out the RIS into a the “Stronger Coffee” zone which really awesome. I am sure this beer will age very nicely. A must try for sure 😛

Elysian Doom

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734946_10100969364807120_1108964645_nRating: 4/5

This is a series from Elysian, The 12 Beers of the Apocalypse. “The End is Beer”
Beer#12 (December) Doom is a 6% ABV Golden Treacle Pale Ale brewed with oats and fermented with golden syrup and raisins. Doom is the End.
This is the final installment to the series depicting the End has come…

Doom is in reference to the final apocalyptic event of ultimate judgment. Whether it was the good deeds or bad that had set fate in motion or simply predetermined at birth, the final stage in which will result into the ultimate judgment of that fate will be sealed. We have already passed 12-21-2012 which was set as the Mayan Apocalypse to be the end of the world. Since it did not happen, does not mean that humanity itself is invulnerable to each individuals fate. We are mortals, we will face death one day and what comes after is the unknown. However, it is believed some type of fate or judgment will come after. Whether you are brought back as a speck of energy, a fly, another person, whether there is a heaven or hell OR whether your existence becomes another piece to the molded universe of this reality…nothing is certain. Things happen for a reason and all we can do is wait and see what happens. Till then, pass the time and drink some phenomenal beers 😛
—

This is it, the final beer in the series. Upon opening the beer, there was some tropical fragrances reminiscent of a double IPA or an Imperial Pale Ale. Aromas of mango, orange, papaya, pineapple, hop grass, grapefruit, treacle syrup, honey and caramel. There is no aromas of raisins in the fragrance though. The flavors are of orange, tangerines, mango, lemon, pine, grassy and grapefruit hops, honey, caramel, treacle syrup, matured bananas, raisins and a little bit of biscuit bread. The matured banana dryness and hoppy bitterness remains in the aftertaste along with the notes from the tropical fruits. It is pretty good ale and reminiscent of a more Tropical IPA but with lower ABV. Recommended to those that like tropical hoppy pale ales.