Tag Archives: Pomegranates

Sea Rose by Ballast Point

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Rating: 2.95/5

Sea Rose by Ballast Point is a 4% ABV American Wheat Ale brewed with Tart Cherries and Pomegranates.

Commercial Description:
A crisp wheat ale with a tart cherry twist.
Our Sea Rose tart cherry wheat ale is a fresh take on fruit beers. Originally conceived during an employee-led R&D brew, it’s one of our most imaginative recipes yet. The American wheat style is light and clean, while fresh cherry juice adds a soft coral color and fruity nose that gives way to a dry, slightly tart finish. It’s approachable, yet unexpected—exactly what we love to brew.

==Introduction==

I first heard of this one while searching online for information for the Red Velvet on nitro from Ballast Point. So since it was a new fish to the list of fish added to the Ballast Point labels, I wanted to bring it to the site. It looked awesome so I chose it for that reason. Tart Cherry Wheat brews are something that I like since the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat and my own homebrew, Heff By Black Cherries. So based on my experience, they are typically awesome brews. So one made by Ballast Point has got to be awesome. Let’s take a look, cheers!

Aromas:
Wheat grain, cereal notes, cherry hints, biscuit bread, cane sugar and lemon notes.

Flavors:
Cereal grains, pilsner malt, pomegranate hints, tart cherry, cranberries, wheat bread, cane sugar, honey notes, lemon and seltzer notes.

Aftertaste:
Finishing very dry with tart cherry, cranberry and pomegranates along with biscuit and cereal hints. No alcohol in the taste, super clear amber to honey light body, crisp, clean, refreshing and smoooth mouthfeel and very easy to drink.

Overall:
Close to Average at best. While I feel this is super great for non craft beer drinkers and a great entrance for those that want to try other beers since it is so light and refreshing. Ultimately, it falls short on flavor with only notes of the mentioned fruit flavors. I personally would like more flavor but that is just me. I really feel for those that hardly drink craft beer and want something that is only hinted and still super light, this is an awesome beer for that. Worth a try if once but there is better out there.

Anime Corner:
Kneesocks Daemon from Panty & Stocking W/ Garterbelt was used in this pairing for the colors mainly of cherries and pomegranates. I also wanted to find something to pair with the red fish and that is where Kneesocks comes in. She is a red hot devil with a spiky hair looks frilly like the waves of the fish.

Sources:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfIw4QIUYAAPPcn.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh186/erik_zorninsson/eec23fdbf997b33890d54f7fcafe2911.jpg
http://i57.beon.ru/45/32/793245/79/64651079/14873385.jpeg
http://tbib.org/images/5142/1e5a290ff1744f9ee2feddaa40b7d6f5b3972834.png?5656721

Black Butte XXVII (27th Anniversary Reserve) by Deschutes Brewery

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12028861_10102848172092260_369226639024407434_oRating: 6/6

Black Butte XXVII (27th Anniversary Reserve) by Deschutes Brewery is 11.6% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with Rose water with 50% aged in bourbon barrels blended with ale with apricot puree, cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses and spices.

Label:
Our 27th Anniversary Imperial Porter was brewed with Theo Chocolate’s cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses and select spices, blended with apricot puree, and then aged in bourbon barrels. The result is a truly exquisite ale with bold chocolate character, inspired flavors of fruit, and just a pinch of spice. The perfect way for us to celebrate our golden birthday with you!.

==Introduction==

Each year they release this beer, they always use different ingredients. I have been fortunate enough to be able to try the beers since the 24th version all the way to 26th and now the 27th. Since I loved the previous years versions, I can only imagine this years version will be insane. Then again, is there any surprise. Actually yes, It is NOT the SAME BEER! I definitely forget to get 2 every time but this year I will want to get more! Since each year has different ingredients, you want to try them all as one amazing and every year getting better! Nuff said, Review, I coming!

Aromas:
Super dark chocolate goodness, milk chocolate goodness, almond joy, marshmallow, rich dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, currants, blackberries, cherries, marshmallows, chocolate and rye bread with strawberry and raspberry jam, almond butter, wrapped in tin foil over a campfire, brown sugar on top then being dipped in a chocolate mouse and then a sweetened condescended milk and flan cream.

Flavors:
Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, chocolate covered tart apricots, chocolate covered pomegranates, chocolate covered bananas, roasted malts, coffee, chocolate mousse, bourbon, oak, vanilla, caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherries, currants, blackberries, pecan pie, walnuts, clove spice, bubble gum hints, licorice, anise, molasses, tobacco, leather, rye bread, almond joy, marshmallows, smokey campfire hints, flan, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, chocolate cherry fudge cake, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lavender, sakura cake, rose hints, maple bar, brown sugar, piloncillo sugar cone, abuelita chocolate hints, strawberry preserves on rye bread and Danish cream.

Aftertaste:
Dark fruits, stone fruits, earthy notes, Dark chocolate, pecan pie, tobacco, oak, marshmallows, floral tartness, caramel, vanilla and tobacco hints. No alcohol in the taste, Pitch Black Midnight Full body, silky, velvety and smooth mouthfeel and a super easy drinkability which is dangerous. Just like each year, its smoothness will make you want to drink the whole bottle in one sitting.

Overall:
No surprise here, Exceptional to the max! Every year, this beer really surprises me. It gets better but in different aspects since they try different flavors and ingredients and it is never the same beer every year but an evolved version of the previous or something altogether different. There is no doubt, with the great amount of this beer for many to try, it should be a pick up for sure for many that love dark barrel aged beers.

Anime Corner:
Midna (Both Forms) from The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princes was chosen once again this year for the Black Butte release as well as the other releases. Just like last years,I had chosen her in the previous releases since I wanted to represent the mixing of 2 of the same ale together. One being the the bourbon barrel aged Rose Water (Twili Midna on the right) and the cocoa nibs, apricot puree (The dimensions of flavor in the background) and pomegranate molasses (Midna on the left). They are both the same person and both are kick ass but that was obvious from the fact that I use them for the same beer every year. The pomegranate and Rose color can be see by the crimson in their beautiful eyes, staring seductively at each other apparently but also nurturing mainly (like mother and child) (sweet and tart) and the land of pleasure is now a portal in the background to that dimension of flavor. Don’t be fooled though, take your time with this both versions of Midna. They can be misleading and evil but only if you let them be.

Sources:
http://img05.deviantart.net/f2f6/i/2014/177/d/3/midna_s_hug_by_yuqoi-d7o1hls.png

2015 The Stoic by Deschutes Brewing

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11142429_10102665592293640_5359375517951436326_oRating: 5.75/5

2015 The Stoic by Deschutes Brewing is a 10.9% ABV Belgian Quadrupel/Strong Dark Ale brewed with Pomegranates with 16.5% aged in oak wine barrels and 16.5% aged in Oak Rye Whiskey Barrels.

Label:
Four Nuanced Fermentations. Aged, Sequestered, in select wine casks. Ergo a stoically brewed quad, with the spell binding complexity of its medieval ancestors.

==Introduction==
Brewed every 4 years, there is a debate going on whether this is a Quadrupel or a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Despite the debate, many brewers know that the key to great Belgians is in the Belgian Candy sugars. What I believe makes a good Belgian Strong as a home brewer is basically experimentation. The fact is, experimentation is the biggest form to brew a strong complex beer. The fact that you are using a Belgian strain of yeast in your experiment is what set it aside from a quad. Put it this way. If you intended to brew a basic quad, a great deal of different grains and and lots of Belgian candi sugars would go in your brew. If you add extras, it may deviate into a Belgian Strong. Even, then, this is is still a Quadrupel. You know why? The base beer is the start enforcing “Belgian Candi sugar sweetness” throughout its entirety. If that is the case, then a Belgian Strong goes beyond this type of sweetness possibly incorporating something else. The confusing part is when a basic quad starts to taste similar to a Belgian Strong. For that instance, you may also have to look at its stronger roots whether it deviates away from the Belgian Candi or not. It is a complicated matter but even beer should not be complicated, so cheers.

Aromas:
Rich dark fruits, pomegranates, bananas, clove spice, dragon fruit, passion fruit. Mango hints, leather, molasses, flan, phenolic notes, stone fruit peaches, apricots, pear, brown sugar, Belgian Candi Sugar, Rock Candy, citrus, maple syrup, walnuts, almond milk, rye bread, leather notes, waffle cone and honey.

Flavors:
Rich Stone fruit peaches, apricots, pears, lychee fruit mango hints, Rich dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, blueberries, c figs, flan, port wine notes, Rich dragon fruit, passion fruit, pomegranates, pomegranates, marshmallows, coconut, almond joy, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, bananas, clove spice, oak, whiskey hints, flan, molasses, brown sugar, rich Belgian Candi Sugar, Rock Candy, citrus, maple syrup, walnuts, almond milk, rye bread, leather notes, waffle cone, honey, lavender, floral notes, peppercorn and sweetened condensed milk.

Aftertaste:
Lots of rich dark fruits, oak, wine, bourbon, some stone fruit and exotic fruits, Belgian Tripel and Dubbel notes, floral notes, and pomegranate tartness. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, Crimson Clear body, smooth, creamy and crisp mouth feel, easy to moderate drinkability despite the ABV. What’s going on here?? Danger for sure.

Overall:
All and all, to me this is a quad because it started out as quad. The fact that it added the whole barrel aging aspect is the extra part which goes into the Belgian Strong Dark Ale area. The fact is, if the beer was already “super complex to begin with leaning away from Belgian Candi sugars” then this is your Belgian Dark Strong Ale. Trois Pistoles, for example, is not a quad since it already had those port wine notes even before anything else would be added which was not.

Anime Corner:
Tenshi Hinanawi from the Touhou project series was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair something similar like I did with Flandre Scarlet in the aspect of overlooking the planet as total bad assery. While the Stoic (unlike NOT the Stoic) reserves its place as not tainted by evil but still holy and powerful showcasing every aspect of delicious complexity with every sip. The colors pair those flavors in terms of the colors of the ingredients.

Sources:
http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/9/9236/9236690e/398113/above-gensokyo.jpg

Black Butte XXVI (26th Anniversary Reserve) by Deschutes Brewery

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10452426_10101956060291460_441247262558784893_n 10501923_10101956067347320_3240858399671713884_nRating: 6/5

Black Butte XXVI (26th Anniversary Reserve) by Deschutes Brewery is 10.8% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with pomegranate molasses with 50% aged in bourbon barrels blended with ale with cocoa nibs and cranberry added.

Label:
Our 26th anniversary imperial porter was aged in bourbon barrels and dry spiced with theo chocolate’s cocoa nibs, revealing hints of vanilla and chocolate. Pomegranate molasses and Oregon cranberries complement the robust flavor with a hint of fruits and just enough tart to make you smile.
___

Each year they release this beer, they always use different ingredients. I have been fortunate enough to be able to try the 24th and 25th. Today I bring you their 26th. Since I loved the previous years versions, I can only imagine this years version will be insane. I picked this one up at Ramirez Liquors and Kegs in Boyle Heights near downtown Los Angeles. I wish I could of picked up 2 but due to the 1 bottle limit I was unfortunate. I can only hope they have more in stock or if I am lucky to get it again. These types of beers are definitely the ones you want to try regardless of your previous conviction. Each one amazing and every year getting better. So on to the review and cheers!!

25th Anniversary Review (https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/black-butte-xxv-25th-anniversary-reserve-by-deschutes-brewery/)

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, vanilla, oak, bourbon hints, rich pomegranate, raspberries, slight tart cranberries, dark fruit raisins, cherries, smoke hints, dulce de leche caramel, chocolate fudge cake, hazelnut, almond joy, coconut, banana, clove spice, brown sugar, pecan pie, chocolate abuelita, tobacco, molasses, and strawberry preserves on rye bread.

Flavors:
Chocolate covered tart pomegranates, raspberries, cranberries, smokey notes, marshmallows, coconut hints, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, figs, bananas, clove spice, marshmallow smores, vanilla, oak, bourbon, pecan pie, flan, almond joy, earthy bitterness, chocolate abuelita, strawberry preservers on rye bread, hazelnut nectar, walnuts, pecans, maple bar, molasses, brown sugar, anise hints, chocolate fudge cake, dragon fruit nectar, bubble gum hints and licorice hints.

Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, earthy notes, tart cranberries, pomegranate, strawberry, banana hints, caramel, vanilla, oak, smokey notes, tobacco, walnuts and pecans. No alcohol in the taste, silky and smooth mouthfeel even easy to drink surprisingly. Dark as the night appearance. Careful with this one as its smoothness will make you want to drink the whole bottle in one sitting.

Overall:
Even more exceptional than the last. Seems like every year they go all out with their release and each one is well up there in terms of flavors and deliciousness. By all means, this very exceptional and I definitely will be looking for this one again assuming I can find it again. I highly recommend this one because a dessert beer in a bottle, the rich flavors will linger and linger for quite a awhile on that palate making each sip just extraordinary delicious!!

Anime Corner:
Midna (Both Forms) from The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princes was chosen once again this year for the Black Butte release. I had chosen her in the previous releases since I wanted to represent the mixing of 2 of the same ale together. One being the the bourbon barrel aged (Twili Midna on the right) and the cocoa nibs and cranberry (Midna on the left). They are both the same person and both are kick ass. The pomegranate and cranberry colors can be see by the crimson in their beautiful eyes, staring seductively at your soul (sweet and tart) taking you to a land of pleasure…Or so this beer makes me feel in that sense. Don’t be fooled though, take your time with this one, she can be misleading and evil but only if you let her be.

Sources:
http://zeronis.deviantart.com/art/MIDNA-452543934

NOT the Stoic by Deschutes brewing

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10169241_10101820426093480_4885748839780131857_nRating: 5.95/5

NOT the Stoic by Deschutes brewing is a 12% Belgian Quad brewed with pomegranate molasses and aged 11 months in 15% Pinot Noir oak wine barrels and 15% Rye Whiskey Barrels.

Label:
A prized, Potent, Belgian-Styled Quad of Stirring depth & complexity.
A Virtuous return. Aged and sequestered in select oak casks. The result – A contemplatively brewed quad, created in homage to all those who doubted the original. This unrepentant rendition is definitely, NOT THE STOIC.

Malt: Pilsner, Special B, Crystal Rye
Hops: Czech Saaz
Other: Pomegranate Molasses
Barrel-Aging: 11 months in 15% Pinot Noir and 15% Rye Whiskey Barrels
___

Been waiting for this sucker for a very long time. I have never tried the original as I have never been lucky enough to find it before they stopped making it. With this release, I was not gonna miss this one up. Quadruples and Dark Belgian beers are some of my favorites and it really takes a lot to make a really bad quad, well, bad. This is highly coveted for its rarity and increasing popularity, although very limited. Get this one if you can.

Aromas:
Lots of dark fruits like dark cherries, figs, plums, cranberries, pomegranates, oak, port wine, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, marshmallows, smores, flan, pecan pie, hazelnut, walnuts, bananas, clove spice, burnt sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, molasses, chocolate notes, rye, lots of wine grapes, coconut hints, peaches and cream, apricots and apples.

Flavors:
Rich Dark cherries, dark fruits, raisins, plums, figs, currants, pomegranate, cranberry, wine grapes, oak, leather, port wine, rye bread, rye whiskey, coconut, dulce de leche caramel, burnt sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, molasses, flan, brown sugar, chocolate notes, hazelnut, pecan pie, walnut cream, bananas, clove spice, oak, peaches, apricots, apples, marshmallows, smores, molasses and cinnamon.

Aftertaste:
Lingering maple, wine grapes, pecan pie, caramel, vanilla, oak, dark fruits and molasses linger. A silky mouthfeel with no alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer still even it is pretty damn smooth. 

Overall:
One of the 5th strongest ABV quads I have ever had, Strongest being the Forgotten Island Quad (15%) and maybe Sede Vacante to some extent. A quad definitely exceeding a lot of my expectations! The blend of the whiskey barrel and wine oak barrels reminding me of what would happen scenario if we took St. Bernardus and Trois Pistoles and we aged them in Wine and Whiskey Barrels. That beer would be even crazier but for now, the possibility of such a thing is highly exemplified in NOT the Stoic. This is not your typical quadruple that is damn sure. I highly recommended!!

Anime Corner:
Flandre Scarlet from the Touhou series was used in this pairing to exemplify the craziness of the character as it relates to the beer. For fans of the character, yes, I do mean with the whole U.N. Owen was Her Name which is her theme in that crazy game. This beer is no longer the stoic. It has been tainted, corrupted and demented in darkness and complexity that it will never be the same. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s increase in complexity with its increase in ABV make it very dangerous as this drinks rather easily. That is the dangerous part. Just like Flandre Scarlet. Enjoy at your own damn risk, cuz trust me, you won’t want to finish her in one sitting!

Birra Etrusca Bronze collaboration with DogFish Head, Birra del Borgo, Baladin and Dr Patrick McGovern

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25975_10100990484083920_983623981_nRating: 4.75/5

Birra Etrusca Bronze collaboration with DogFish Head, Birra del Borgo, Baladin and Dr Patrick McGovern is an 8.5%ABV Traditional Spiced and Spiced Ale brewed with honey, hazelnut flour, heirloom wheat, myrrh, gentian root, raisins, pomegranate juice & Pomegranates

Label:
Dogfish Head worked with our Birreria Brother Brewers (Birra del Borgo and Baladin) and biomolecular archeologist Dr. Patrick Mcgovern to create this Ancient Ale. We made a research pilgrimage together to earl Etrusca warrior tombs in the hills and along the coast of Tuscany. The 8th c. B.C. Recipe is based on chemical and botanical evidence of tree resins; beeswax and honey; whole pomegranates; hazelnuts; grapes; and apples found inside ancient jars and drinking-bowls. It represents the prehistoric mixed beverage of Italy before the arrival of wine. Our version is fermented with bronze, a popular material brewing and cooking in the Etruscan era.
___

Dogfish Head has been known to come out with some really awesome ales. Especially those with a lot of history behind them and research. This one is one of their latest coming all the way from Rome
Upon opening the beer, there was a great amount of fragrance that reminded me of the Shati beer. Honey, biscuit, herbs, spices, Banana cloves, flowers, citrus, grapes, cherries, pomegranate, sweet bread, brown sugar, hazelnuts and almost like a corn or wheat tortilla smell. The flavors are kinda mixed and complex. Hazelnut and caramel biscuit bread, candi sugar, oranges, banana cloves, raisins, pear, grapes, pomegranate, herbs, spices and slight peppercorn. I almost feels like sugary and fruity wheat or corn tortilla in the after taste. Not a bad thing at all really. It is different in a good way. Some of the ingredients I have not tried so I can only guess as to how close the flavors are of the beers to something I can relate to. Another Delicious Ancient Masterpiece brought to life by Dogfish Head. Give it a try 😛