Rating: 7/7
Rating:5/5
No Ka Òï collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage is a 6.3% ABV American Farm House ale brewed Michigan hops, raspberry puree and lime peel.
Label:
A birthday is just another today.
Today will be just like yesterday, tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be the same as today, just completely different.
I brewed this special beer for my friend Gabe’s 40th birthday on the suggestion of his wife Jacenda. Two finer people the likes of which I have never known.
Òhana
==Introduction==
No Ka Òï, in reference to Anchorage, means “is the best!” In this case, Anchorage is the best! I obtained this beer at Mr. K’s Liquor store in Placentia California. It has been a long time since I had a Jolly Pumpkin beer but since I saw this one, the label artwork really stood out to me with the crazy cat skeleton carrying the pumpkin and the animals that follow. The other thing that really caught my eye was the use of raspberries and lime peel and this was so damn unique I wanted to bring it to the site. So let’s have a look at this one, cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruit mango, peach, tart apricot, sour apple, flowers, hibiscus, roses, Raspberries, Lime peel, Lime zest, funky oak notes, wine grapes, tropical fruit dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, strawberry, honey dew melon, brettanomyces, grapefruit, honey, herbal, grapefruit and grassy hop notes.
Flavors:
Rich flowers, hibiscus, roses, Raspberries, Lime peel, Lime zest, Lime juice, biscuit bread, stone fruit mango, peach, tart apricot, sour apple, tropical fruit dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, strawberry, honey dew melon, funky grapes, mushrooms, farmhouse hay, banana hints, citrus, orange peel, grassy, piney and earthy hops, white wine notes, tomato hints, pink peppercorns, wild flower honey, brettanomyces and grapefruit juice.
Aftertaste:
Finishing dry with stone fruit, tropical fruit notes, lemon, lime, floral notes, peppercorns, funky notes, farmhouse hay and rich raspberries. No alcohol in the taste, hazy pale medium body. Crisp, refreshing, effervescent and smooth mouthfeel along with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Jolly Pumpkin always makes some of the best and flavorful sours and this one is damn perfect. That and I am a sucker for raspberry beers. While it is tarter than anything, the fruit sweetness is minimal but still balances well with the overall brew. I think my favorite thing over all is the ingredients like the hops though as they actually come through in the beer where as some sours this typically is easier said than done. You can definitely do no wrong with this one. Highly recommended
Anime Corner:
Aile from Megaman ZX was used in this pairing as I found a really nice art piece that shows Aile with pumpkins and the colors fit so well with the colors of the label and the ingredients as well. The pinks, reds and oranges are the ones that stood out so overall it was the colors that won the pairing for me.
Sources:
http://orig10.deviantart.net/dea9/f/2009/347/0/4/trick_or_treat_by_just_spectator.jpg
http://img02.deviantart.net/7090/i/2013/137/f/8/blue_summer_by_tomycase-d65kfp6.png
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f4/b0/a7/f4b0a79f475569a659c628bac84f6aa2.jpg
Rating: 7/7
2009 Fort (aged 7 years) by Dogfish Head is an 18% ABV American Strong Fruit Ale brewed with Raspberry Puree.
Label:
Flavored ale fermented with over a ton of fresh, pureed raspberries. This flavored ale was made to age with the best of ’em.
==Introduction==
I purchased 2 of these beauty back in 2011. I had set one aside and drank that one back then. In accordance with the recommended aging for this one or 7 years, I had finally decided to drink it but drink it as close to the end of the year as possible. We are approaching 2017 and I had set the bottle date for 2016. It is now time to unleash what nature has done best for this amazing epitome of raspberries. Since 2009, I do not think they have released a 750ml 18% brew. Heck even the 120 minute IPAs and World Stouts were all in 12 ounce bottle. Of all the beers that Dogfish has ever made, this was one that was very damn close to my heart. So damn close that even to this day, I could not believe that they would release an 18% ABV of this size. No brewery at the time and aside from the Bruery, would ever release such a size for huge high gravity beer. Today I pay tribute to all the raspberry beers I have ever tried starting from this one, The Lost Coast Raspberry brown, The Dragon’s Milk Raspberry from New Holland, The Imperial Biscotti Break Umami from Evil Twin, Hoarders Cuvee from the Bruery and even my very own Raging Passio Lactus Raspear Dragons brew which was one of my top tier homebrew due to my love of this fruit. To many more Raspberry brews I have tried over the years and loved and even raspberry ciders. This goes to all, cheers and a happy 2017!
Aromas:
Supreme Raspberries, dark fruit raisins, caramel, honey, White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, dark chocolate, Raspberry Cadbury Chocolate and Caramel cream eggs, bananas, clove spice, stone fruit apricot hints, peaches, apples, honey, Chambord Raspberry liqueur, Red Velvet cake, Mexican Jericalla Custard, rum soaked raspberries, dark candi sugar, rock candy, Raspberry chocolate cordials, Raspberry Cheesecake, Sakura cake, sweetened condensed milk, tropical fruits like, lychee, guava, kiwi, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pomegranates, fruit cake, cane sugar and raspberry yogurt.
Flavors:
Rich Raspberries bliss, dulce de leche caramel, rich honey, dark fruit currants, blackberries, blueberries, slight cranberries, pomegranates, tropical passion fruit, dragon fruit, kiwi, strawberries, guava nectar, lychee fruit, tangerine hints, stone fruit, peaches, apricots, apples, Mexican Jericalla Custard, Raspberry Cadbury Chocolate and Caramel cream eggs, bananas, clove spice, Raspberry yogurt, raspberry preserves on rye bread, leather hints, Chambord Raspberry liqueur on Red Velvet cake, Raspberry cheesecake, Raspberries and Danish cream, berries and cream, rum soaked raspberries, dark candi sugar, rock candy, bubblegum, raspberry cream pie, wine grapes, Sakura cake, raspberry maple syrup, raspberry membrillo, flan, milk chocolate, Raspberry chocolate cordials, coffee cake, raspberry mocha ice cream, White Chocolate Raspberry and Raspberry sweetened condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with everlasting Raspberry creamy bliss, honey, Chambord Raspberry liqueur, raspberry cobbler, leather note, rye bread, dark fruits, stone fruits, vanilla, caramel, biscuit bread, and hazelnut nectar. No alcohol in the taste. Years has mellowed the alcohol strength. Crimson Honey full body, silky creamy, smooth, velvety and chewy mouthfeel and easy drinkability which is extremely dangerous. The process of aging has made this one so damn easy to drink, I could finish the whole bottle in one sitting. That will not be done thought. Maybe….
Overall:
Heaven knows what cellar aging has done for this beer. This beer was in no shape or form offensive. It doesn’t even feel like an 18% ABV beer anymore. It drinks like pure heaven. Hell, I’ll be damned if I drink the whole thing. Who knows, it has probably gone up to 20% ABV over the years. All I know, is that if there ever was a true treasure in the books of taste and experience for the very concept of raspberries, this here is that very treasure. It is killer, like the forbidden fruit or Pandora’s box unleashed, this hits with a ton a bricks. Seductive and Sensual but if you finish the whole bottle in one sitting, as they say in Death Battle… K.O.!!!!!!!!!!!! This beer is definitely one of my top ten beers regardless and I would suggest when you buy the 12 ounce (and the 750ml if they ever sell those again) do yourself a favor and age it for the 7 years.
Anime Corner:
Sakura Haruno from Naruto was used in this pairing as I used her for the original Fort and the 2015 Fort. Her hair and over all colors match that of the colors, flavors and the label itself with the green colors representing the eyes of the girl in the label. Sakura is not weak by any means. She has ridiculous super human strength and her punches represent that pure raspberry punch I was mentioning earlier. The alcohol is her strength and the sweetness is her desires. Since this is the 7 year, which according to Dogfish Head is the peak of aging for this one, a laid back and Sexy Sakura was in damn order. She finally woke up after her 7-year slumber as is ready to kick some ass again, just gently first.
Sources:
https://skategb.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/595882.jpg
http://www.chuing.net/zboard/revol_getimg.php?id=mfa&no=48179&num=0&fc=d920683bfdb39f570ee673b6580a4334
http://i43.tinypic.com/25d2r.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/80/c3/59/80c3596181ba95dd57c5cfee856de93f.jpg
http://aws-cf.ados.fr/prod/photos/6/6/1/7855661/2691782/big-26917823d5.jpg?v=5
Rating: 6/6
Imperial Biscotti Break Raspberry Umami by Evil Twin Brewing is an 11.5% Imperial Stout aged in Oak Barrels with Coffee Beans and Raspberry
Label:
None!
==Introduction==
Obtained this one on my way to the Bruery when I visited Mr. K’s liquor. It literally is in front of the Bruery and they do have a lot of awesome stuff. When I saw this, I definitely had to pick it up. 2 reasons, one is because their Doughnut Break was one of the most awesome beers I have ever had. Even the “Imperial Biscotti Break Natale – Pretty Please With A Cherry On Top” was one of the best as well. So surely, the raspberry coffee one was definitely one I wanted to bring to the site. Now, with that in mind, let’s have a look shall we? Cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, boysen berries, cranberries, dark cherries, Rich Raspberries, Raspberry cordials, port wine, wine grapes, butterscotch, dulce de leche caramel, fruit cake, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, coffee cake, molasses, anise, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, Irish cream, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconut hints and pomegranates.
Flavors:
Rich Raspberries, port wine, wine grapes, butterscotch, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, coffee cake, dragon fruit, passion fruit, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, boysen berries, cranberries, dark cherry cheesecake, pomegranates, sea salt, oak, vanilla, toasted rye bread with raspberry preserves, molasses, anise, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, Irish cream, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconut hints, marshmallow smores, brown sugar, fruit cake, dulce de leche caramel, fudge and raspberry cake, walnuts, chocolate truffles, raspberry cordials and jelly doughnuts.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich raspberries, oak, dark fruit, vanilla, mocha, anise, caramel, dark chocolate, and wine notes. No alcohol in the tasted, Dark Crimson Full Body, very smooth, creamy, rich and velvety mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Ridiculously delicious. This came to me as a surprise. This beer actually reminded me so much of the beer I made, which was the Raging Passion Lactus Raspear Dragons which was aged in oak with raspberries but other fruits and lactose other than coffee. The flavors were very similar but my brew was fruitier. The fact that I was able to pick up the punch of chocolate raspberries made me realize that the brew I had made was definitely worthy to be commercial like this one. Regardless, this one is definitely worthy of praise and should sought out, I highly recommend this one.
Anime Corner:
Pyrrha Nikos from RWBY was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to bring her into the site for the longest time. Her colors represent the raspberries but also the strength and kindness goes well with the ABV and the complex flavors of the beer which are generally sweet.
Sources:
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yakuza-mob-roleplay/images/b/bc/1YMRPBio.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150817231753
https://i.redditmedia.com/AzMrFtjvoe9rT4DCKQFUsn7LBXtZt9XPX0cumhrq0Os.jpg?w=400&s=9529acd0c6185460df4823133cd923d6
http://i.imgur.com/xooKCtJ.jpg
http://76.72.168.19/images/2016-02-24-813002.jpeg
Rating: 6/6
2015 Fort by Dogfish Head is an 18% ABV American Strong fruit Ale brewed with Raspberry Puree.
Commercial Description:
An ale brewed with a ridiculous amount of pureed raspberries (over a ton of ’em!). Fort has a Belgian-style base, then we follow a similar fermentation process to the one we use on our other super-high ABV beers, 120 Minute IPA and World Wide Stout.
==Introduction==
The return of one of my favorite Raspberry beers ever! Dogfish Head released this beer back in 2007 and 2009. I don’t think I had seen it since the last time it came out but back then it was one of the strongest beers I have ever had at the time. They released it as a 750ML so basically it would be hard to consume alone. I didn’t give a jack! So rich and juicy this was. Now on 2015, they released it once again in 12 ounce bottles. The original 750ml bottle was pricey so does not surprised me why they only sell one at a time. For 18% ABV, that’s pretty ridiculous though. Anyway, I do plan to review this beer again as I have one I bought back in 2007 and sometime this year or the next it will be at its height of aging. Let’s see how it will fair. So now, on to the review!
Aromas:
Rich dark fruits like raisins, raspberries, figs, plums, dark cherries, cranberries, pomegranates, stone fruit apricot hints, peaches, apples, honey, caramel, vanilla, cane sugar, bananas, clove spice, Chambord raspberry liquor, tropical fruits like, lychee, guava, kiwi, dragon fruit, passion fruit, honey dew melon, candy sugar, rock candy, cream pie, bubble gum, port wine notes, Sakura cake, raspberry maple syrup, raspberry cheese cake and sweetenend condensed milk.
Flavors:
Rich Raspberries, rich honey, caramel, vanilla, cane sugar, burnt caramel, toffee, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, dark cherries, cranberries, pomegranates, tropical fruits like, lychee, guava, kiwi, dragon fruit, passion fruit, honey dew melon, stone fruit apricot hints, peaches, apples, Sakura cake, raspberry maple syrup, raspberry cheese cake, sweetenend condensed milk, wine grapes, rich Chambord raspberry liquor, leather notes, rye bread, port wine notes, raspberry soaked in rum, bananas, clove spice, candy sugar, rock candy, cream pie and bubble gum.
Aftertaste:
Rich raspberry, honey, caramel, vanilla, biscuit bread, dark fruits, stone fruits, raspberry cobbler, leather notes, rye bread and lingering Chambord Raspberry liqueur. Slight alcohol in the taste but not detracting from the flavors. Crimson Honey clear body, silky, creamy and syrupy mouthfeel and sipping drinkability.
Overall:
The glorious punch of pure raspberry power! To this day, this is the best Raspberry beer ever. I don’t down play any others since Raspberry beers rule but this… this is on some god level shit… Dogfish Head made a real winner here that I wish to see again and again. So after 9 years since I got the 750ml bottle, I think the time to bring it to the site will be soon. For the meantime, go find this!!
Anime Corner:
Sakura Haruno from Naruto was used in this pairing as I used her for the original Fort. Her hair and over all colors match that of the colors, flavors and the label itself with the green colors representing the eyes of the girl in the label. Sakura is not weak by any means. She has ridiculous super human strength and her punches represent that pure raspberry punch I was mentioning earlier. The alcohol is her strength and the sweetness is her desires.
Sources:
http://wallpaperfullscreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Haruno-Sakura-Wallpaper-HD.jpg
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/kuronekoplus/imgs/9/a/9a1b2c4c.jpg
http://orig12.deviantart.net/7ac6/f/2011/295/b/8/sakura_haruno_by_serathus-d2ol72w.jpg
Rating: 5.5/5
John Paul Jones Stout White Chocolate And Raspberry by Brew Rebellion is a 10.9% ABV Imperial Stout with White Chocolate and Raspberry flavors.
Descrition:
None
==Introduction==
This beer came as a surprise. I have never seen a white chocolate and raspberry stout before. The closest I have had to white chocolate were the White Chocolate from The Bruery and White Chocolate Moo-Hoo. This is the first time I try a beer from Brew Rebellion and the fact that they had it all nice and waxed, well, let’s just say it appealed to me a lot. So let us check this one out and see how it goes. Cheers!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, mocha, roasted , raspberry cheesecake, dark cherries, blue raspberry jolly ranchers, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, currants, blue berries, molasses, grape jelly on toasted bread, flan hints, crème brulee and marshmallows.
Flavors:
Rich raspberry, Dark Chocolate, Milk chocolate, White chocolate, vanilla, caramel, raspberry cream, coffee, mocha, rye bread, dark fruit raisins, currants, blue berries, grape jelly on toasted bread, dark cherries, raspberry cheesecake, blue raspberry jolly ranchers, cinnamon, molasses, flan, cherry cola notes, blue raspberry jolly ranchers, dragon fruit, toasted coconut, marshmallows, brown sugar, hazelnut, toffee, crème brulee hints and earthy notes.
Aftertaste:
Raspberry, white and dark chocolate hints, caramel, vanilla, mild Earthy notes and mainly dry finish.
No Alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, light yet creamy mouthfeel, Way too easy to drink that it is dangerous.
Overall:
I agree it to be a perfect stout. I really wish it had more body and complexity to it, but just as is, the flavors it does have are full frontal. Meaning that you do get a very direct raspberry and dark chocolate flavor with some white chocolate suggested. While the white chocolate is in there but kind of hidden at first, let the beer warm up to released it better. Afterward, that is what I base my rating on. This beer could be drunk all day which is dangerous as it is way too easy to drink. I highly recommend trying this one, This beer definitely fits as the “Chocolate Gift” category and might be good for a valentines gift too.
Anime Corner:
Kirin and Amy Rose from Monster Hunter and the Sonic Franchise were used in this pairing because I wanted to bring about the aspect of how the colors relate to the flavors of White Chocolate and Raspberry creating like pink milky color. While the beer itself is dark, like the dark chocolate, this is only one of the flavors. Since it is easy to drink, and a sweet dessert, it is just like giving chocolate as a gift for valentines. I liked the idea for sure.
Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-11-24-454433.jpeg
http://www.zerochan.net/1366995
http://yukisisren.deviantart.com/art/Lollipop-459452933
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 