Rating: 7/7
2017 The Abyss Tequila by Deschutes Brewery is an 11.8% ABV
American Imperial Stout aged in Tequila barrels
Imperial stout brewed with black strap molasses, licorice with cherry bark and whole vanilla beans, 100% aged in tequila barrels for 10 months.
Barrel aged to hell and back.. This thing amazing… Some subtle cherry cordials and agave tequila… Love these types of beers
Rating 6/6
2017 Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 20% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.
The malty milkshake of Gods is only comprehensible to the ones that know the pure bliss…… This one brings all living creatures out to the yard….
Original Review: https://animebeers.com/2016/12/02/2016-grey-monday-by-the-bruery/
Rating: 6/6
Super Bashah (Black As Sin Hoppy As Hell) of the Stone Berlin Groundbreaking Collaboration Series #3 by Stone & Brew Dog is a 10% ABV Black Belgian Double India Pale Ale.
Label:
Series 3 of 14
Glorious mayhem always ensues when Stone Brewing and BrewDog team up to brew a beer. Mix a lifelong metalhead known for having an occasionally aggressive attitude toward the panel with self-professed punks notorious for brewing hardcore beers and pushing the boundaries at full-throttle pace…and this hopped-up headbanger was a no-brainer. Part imperial stout, part Belgian abbey ale and all IPA, this style-smashing hybrid is a supercharged version of the BrewDog / Stone bashah original from 2009. BASHAH: Black As Sin. Hoppy As Hell. This Berlin mash-up will no doubt suffice in satiating those who crave intensity and a pummeling of flavor. Any ringing in your ears from the cacophony should subside within a few days. Probably.
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS
Chocolate Malt & Belgian Yeast
Tasting Notes: Paradoxical in style, roasted malts dominate until the herculian hops and sweet Belgian yeast takes over.
Aroma: Funky dark fermented fruits muddled with citrus and some sweetness.
BBQ duck tacos, bacon-wrapped figs, shiitake mushroom risotto, baklava
Our dream to be the first American craft brewery to independently build, own and operate a brewery in Europe has become a reality. Located in a historic 1901 building, our state of the art brewhouse and destination restaurant in the Mariendorf neighborhood is a true thing of beauty! As promised, we invited some of our best friends in craft brewing to create an exceptional series of celebratory beers. We hope you enjoy the international camaraderie that went inot making these fourteen truly groundbreaking collaborations!
MIT STOLZ GEBRAUT IN BERLIN
==Introduction==
In 2014, Stone was raising money to open a brewery in Berlin, Germany. It would be the first time an American craft brewery would open up a business in Europe. For Germany who has Bavarian laws on the beer making process, craft beer would no coincide with their laws. However, Stone being some crazy arrogant bastards were able to make their way into the market and were successful to open up shop. At the time, I had donated money on promised collaborations with different breweries. Mainly some of the ones I like such as Brew Dog, Lost Abbey, The Bruery, Surly and even Devil’s Gate/Will Wheaton. So, with the donations I made in that year, I was wondering if I would ever see a return on my investment. Long behold, Stone contacted me to inform that they were going to release the beers and so today I bring Super Bashah.
Super Bashah was based on BASHAH which Stone did a collaboration with Brew Dog years ago and it was a memorable beer. That is why when I heard they were doing a collaboration again for the tribute of the new brewery I wanted to bring this one to the site, new and improved, super BASHAH. So thankfully, here it is. Now, these beers will be available at Stone Stores but I do not know if they will see distribution. That is why I suggest possibly visiting Stone or trade for one, as they will be sold to the public. Let’s have a look at Super BASHAH!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, smokey oak, roasted coffee, espresso roast, leather, tobacco, bananas, clove spice, anise, molasses, Citrus, grapefruit, piney, floral, herbal, dank garlicky hops, vanilla, biscuit bread, stone fruit peach, apricot, Belgian candy sugar, rock candy, burnt sugar, piloncillo sugar cone, funky farmhouse, Dulce de leche caramel and lots of dark fruit.
Flavors:
Citrus, grapefruit, piney, floral, herbal, dank garlicky hops, vanilla, biscuit bread, Tropical dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, guava, papaya, strawberry, Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, smokey oak, roasted coffee, espresso roast, coffee cake, charred malt, Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, currants, blackberries, raspberries, prunes, port wine, leather, tobacco, Dulce de leche caramel, bananas, clove spice, anise, molasses, flan, crème brulee, stone fruit peach, apricot, Belgian candy sugar, rock candy, burnt sugar, piloncillo sugar cone, mushrooms, funky farmhouse hay and phenolics.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with dark chocolate, tropical fruit, dark fruit, stone fruit, caramel, roasted barley, dank fruity and earthy hops. No alcohol in the taste, Pitch black, 5th dimensional dark abysmal body, super smooth, creamy, refreshing, crisp and velvety mouthfeel along with a very easy drinkability despite the ABV.
Overall:
Ridiculous! Bashah! How is this beer possible? Ridiculous smoothness, ridiculously easy to drink and super well done. I think the complexity and the Belgian Dark helps this one be hoppy but not super bitter. This was a very well made beer and worth my investment in the sponsorship of the Berlin Brewery. Of the new ones that have come from Berlin, I love them all so far but this one I love even more. Reminded me so much of Stillwater’s Folklore to another level. I definitely and highly recommend this one to those who love Black IPAs and Dark Belgians.
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach as a devil/succubus was originally used on the original beer of BASHAH so naturally, she would make a return for Super BASHAH. The original reason to use this version of Rukia was to go well with the gargoyle of Stone. Since that time, Rukia has gone through many epic changes in the series and has gotten stronger. So displaying many of her different changes including BANKAI and the Chinese Kunfu Martial artists, I felt worked great for this special occasion of a pairing.
Sources:
http://img13.deviantart.net/5462/i/2009/297/3/9/devil_rukia_by_gray_fullbuster.jpg
https://secure.static.tumblr.com/9f8bc91c0564907fa4475f421e00aaef/ixaiiuk/68ro4hkc6/tumblr_static_tumblr_static_3yucn8jlqa68gk8o8gggs0csc_640.jpg
http://img04.deviantart.net/12dd/i/2011/283/e/9/rukia_kuchiki_by_makiilu-d4cgr5y.png
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e6/56/83/e65683423c8c79d756a12284884c5efe.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV7-g3rUkAMD6Os.jpg
http://static4.fjcdn.com/comments/3092012+_ad09936c9f232b886c3cafbd768cc4ed.png
http://img15.deviantart.net/ef21/i/2013/011/9/8/halloween_rukia_by_escarter-d5r5ko4.png
http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/4213/249937769.13f/0_19c10e_768cd38_XL
Rating: 5/5
2016 La Parcela No.1 by Jolly Pumpkin is a 5.9% ABV American Wild /Sour Pumpkin Ale brewed with Pumpkin, Spices and Cacao.
Label:
Ok, so the joke was that “Jolly Pumpkin doesn’t brew a pumpkin beer.” Well, now we do. Packed with real pumpkins, hints of spice, and a gentle kiss of cocoa to liven the soul. An everyday easy way to fill your squashy quotient. Guess now folks will have to find something else to joke about…
==Introduction==
It’s been years since I have last tried this beer. The first and I think, still the best pumpkin sour for the longest time. Since they started releasing new labels for their beer, I wanted to bring some of them back to the website. This one caught my eyes especially due to the artwork. So naturally, I had to seek it out and bring this brew back to the website. Even if it is past Halloween, these beers are awesome anytime of the year. Which reminds me how I wish sometimes that they brew them all the year round. So let us see how one of the, if not, the best pumpkin sour beers in the world is since I last tried it. Cheers!
Aromas:
peppercorn, vanilla, caramel, Stone fruit peaches, apricot, pumpkin pie, brown sugar, cinnamon, chocolate notes, piloncillo sugar cone, nutmeg, passion fruit, mango, oak, citrus, wine grapes, hibiscus, sweet potato pie, bananas and clove spice.
Flavors:
Rich Stone fruit peaches, apricot, pumpkin pie, pumpkin flesh, cinnamon, Dark chocolate, white chocolate, sweet potatoes, sweet squash, flowers, hibiscus, honey, waffle cone, bananas, piloncillo sugar cone, clove spice notes, brown sugar, funky oak, cane sugar, citrus, tangerines, kumquats, wine grapes, white grapes, nutmeg, phenolic notes, peppercorn, vanilla, caramel, sour apples, mango notes and passion fruit.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich stone fruit peaches, funky sour white grape notes, pumpkin flesh, chocolate, lemon peel and flowers. No alcohol in the taste, Golden amber hazy body, smooth, crisp, and effervescent mouthfeel along with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Still the perfect pumpkin sour. With a name like Jolly Pumpkin for a brewery, you would definitely want to make a really delicious pumpkin beer and this is it. For the brewery that started my sour path in the beginning, this was one of the best ways to go. Since their focus is on sours, they can really get brews to taste very delicious and not strictly lactic sour. These funky tart beers are amazing and this one in particular is full of pumpkin goodness which really balances out the tartness overall. Highly recommended like other JP beers.
Anime Corner:
Naruto and Bleach characters for Halloween as well as Succubus/Devil Rukia Kutchiki were chosen for this review since the first review of this beer. So I wanted to bring them back to go with the new beer label. I think Rukia makes it better especially the one where she is inside the pumpkin and has the cat like and devil features that fit the label.
Sources:
http://orig06.deviantart.net/7716/f/2011/304/3/a/___happy_halloween_2011____by_arathar-d4em95e.jpg
http://img13.deviantart.net/5462/i/2009/297/3/9/devil_rukia_by_gray_fullbuster.jpg
2016 Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 19.8% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.
I had done a reviewed this one in the past so this year, I am leaving it to a previous review to take care of the recommendation. Each year it is more awesome and the ABV seems to climb higher and higher. Cheers!
https://animebeers.com/2015/06/25/2015-grey-monday-by-the-bruery/
Rating: 5.75/6
2015 Death By Coconut by Oskar Blues brewing is a 6.3% Irish Porter aged on desiccated coconut and dark chocolate.
Label:
Pass. Dash. Hit.
Coconut Chocolate Choconut
Pack It In. Pack it out.
==Introduction==
The previous incarnation of this beer was collaboration with Shamrock brewing. Oskar Blues has always released some really fine beers like the Dale’s Pale Ale, Ten Fidy, Mama Yella Pils and Old Chub. With the release of a coconut beer, people went ballistic. Luckily for the masses, Oskar Blues was able to provide enough for the crazy demand. So you too can enjoy this one as it is most likely sold where they sell Oskar Blues beers. Cheers!
Aromas:
Super Rich, Almond Joy, Coconut, Rocky road ice cream, pecan pie, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, toasted coconut macaroons, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, vanilla, flan, marshmallows, coconut milk, almond milk, Danish cream, anise, molasses, lactose, Irish cream, tootsie roll candies and chocolate cake.
Flavors:
Ridiculously toasted coconut, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, marshmallows, coconut milk, almond milk, Danish cream, Cocada Mexican Coconut candy, rocky road ice cream, pecan pie, rich almond joy chocolate, crème brulee hints, dark fruit cherries, marzipan, hazelnut nectar, coconut bread, rye bread, anise, molasses, lactose and chocolate coconut milk shake.
Aftertaste:
Rich toasted coconut candy remains, rich dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel, pecan pie, hazelnut and cherry hints. No alcohol in the taste, deep dark body, creamy, smooth, velvety and chewy mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Quite possibly, the best Coconut porter ever! So much chocolate coconut and coffee goodness that is very apparent all around from the rich aromas to the flavors. They really outshined themselves. It is no wonder why a lot of their beers seem to hit my exceptional meter often. They really do brew with magic. I highly recommend this one and it is a must try!
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach was used in this pairing as the show relates to death but also how Rukia is like an equivalent to the Soul Reaper White Princess. Colors of the coconut represent her and the dark chocolate is the darkness of death. So swift and luscious! Ichigo Kurosaki is in there too just cuz he’s a bad ass. Essentially, these are some of their ultimate forms and what a better way to pair with the ultimate coconut porter!
Rating: 6/5
2015 Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 18.6% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.
Label:
JUST ONE SHADE
Originally brewed for a molecular gastronomy dinner at Beachwood BBQ, this decadent version of Black Tuesday is brewed with Oregon grown, roasted hazelnuts.
Grey Monday is just the beer you need to kickstart your week and is meant for sharing with family and friends in your time of need. It will age gracefully for many decades of economic fluctuations. Best stored and cellared around 55°F (13°C) in a dark place. Ideal serving temperature is 55°F (13° C) Best enjoyed in a tulip or wine glass.
==Introduction==
Behold! One of the Bruery’s finest has returned making its way to the Bruery’s Reserve and Hoarder’s Societies as well as some public samplings on tap at the Bruery (if they still have some). I am sure this beer will see the preserve society soon enough like Chocolate Rain, Black Tuesday and White Chocolate but for now, the beer is a damn highly sought after item that is not sold in stores and can only be obtained by a friend of a friend and a trade with a loop and a grapevine. So seek it out as I don;t have to tell you twice about this one. While this may actually be my last review of this beer as to not to be repetitive with the coming years, just know this is prize way ahead of time. So go now and find it but for now, Cheers!
Aromas:
Super Chocolate Milk shake, nutella, Rich hazelnut nectar, Rich Chocolate cocoa powder wafer cookies, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolates, Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates, grilled bananas, french vanilla ice cream, toasted walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, crème brulee, dulce de leche caramel, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, toasted coconut, brown sugar, bourbon, whiskey notes, sweetend condensed milk, flan, pecan pie, prailines, maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate mousse, chocolate cheesecake, honey, toffee, rocky road ice cream, smores, marshmallows and the list goes on and on!
Flavors:
Super Chocolate Milk shake, Rich hazelnut nectar, Rich Chocolate cocoa powder wafer cookies, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolates, Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates, grilled bananas, flan, pecan pie, prailines, maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate mousse, chocolate cheesecake, honey, toffee, rocky road ice cream, smores, marshmallows, anise, bananas, plantains, cinnamon toast crunch, nutella, french vanilla ice cream, toasted walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, crème brulee, dulce de leche caramel, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, toasted coconut, brown sugar, bourbon, whiskey notes and sweetend condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Rich chocolate milkshake, hazelnut nectar, dark chocolate, dark fruit, vanilla, dulce de leche, sweeteneded condensed milk, crème brulee, nutella, macadamia nut and pecan pie. Boozy! Especially if you do not drink this at room temperature. Take your time, let it settle to mask that alcohol with the complex flavors. As before, this is very dangerous too as it is a very very smooth but sipping beer with a silky and syrupy mouthfeel oh yeah and lets not forget the inter-dimensional pitch dark color that cannot be perceived by regular eyes.
Overall:
This year’s version caught me way off guard. From the moment I took a wiff, I was like holy chocolate hazelnut milkshakes! LOL Rukia’s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard! By Rukia I mean the girl I used in this beer pairing from last year’s. I go further into detail below but for those who truly seek a wonderment above some of the regular beers out there, The Weekday Beer Series from the Bruery definitely takes a turn for the supreme and luciously and diabetical sweet “pour this on your next dessert” type of flavor side. I could ramble more about the greatness which is Grey Monday, but I think I have done enough and enough is enough when I say, put this beer on your bucket list NOW!!!
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach in her prestigious and beautiful Bankai form awaits the light of the new Monday, the Grey Monday. She is on the horizon displaying her new power and rightfully so as her character has gone through many many struggles. Throughout the entire series, she is second to the protagonist and while yes this may be a spoiler for many, she does make it. She achieves a form that takes her to new heights of existence. Rightfully so, as powerful in ABV as this beer is, it is also sweet, just like sweet little Rukia. Rukia, just like Grey Monday, evolve into great heights of where only few beers can take people. The sweet nectar of gods like this can only be bestowed on the few, like Rukia who trained with gods, literally, she now holds her own against the final threats of the series. As the series comes closer and closer to the end, this new form will unleash its fury of absolute 0 degrees Kelvin. Only the next day that comes can melt the ice and melt one’s heart as they try this beer.
Sources:
http://deohvi.deviantart.com/art/Bleach-570-Rukia-s-Bankai-436885263
http://th01.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/148/1/f/hakka_no_togame__rukia_by_rikamello-d7k391v.jpg
http://www.zerochan.net/full/1693368
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/037/8/3/bleach_567___rukia_ice_queen_by_hikarinogiri-d75avwk.png
Summer is officially over as the reaper walks out of the hallways of the NubisSanctum cellar and sets its course to take the lives… I mean, leaves from the trees and plants to ready the environment for the winter. This time, the reaper brought a friend… As I do this double review, I would like to point out that these beers have been waiting an entire year in my cellar waiting for the next fall and now I have brought them forth together to unleash double review for the fall. I have previously had the good gourd before and it was an awesome beer. When I heard of the release of the Good Gourd Almighty, I had to grab it before it was gone. This beer was released for what Cigar City calls its “El Catador” club back in late 2013. So those that joined had the Almighty to obtain. Unfortunately for me, I had to go out of my way to trade for this one. Even some of the online sites do not have it and it would be hard to get it. So if you can find the almighty version, awesome! Fortunately for many, Cigar City released the regular Good Gourd for the masses. So if you can get this in your state, Florida mainly or have it shipped to you via the online stores, I vouch for this beer for sure. Let us now see how the reaper tolls… Cheers!
Original Good Gourd Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/good-gourd-by-cigar-city/
Good Gourd 1 year aged Review:
Good Gourd by Cigar City brewing is an 8.5% ABV World Class Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices. This one has been sitting in the dark for a year.
Label:
Legend has it that when a pumpkin comes into the world it is possessed by either a good or an evil spirit. Ours got all the good baby! Bursting with real pumpkin flavor and yummy pumpkin spices including Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg, Good Gourd is a celebration of Fall and that spookiest of holidays, Halloween. Pair Good Gourd with pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie and costume parties.
This high Gravity gob of Gourd-y goodness incorporates pumpkin in the mashing process and then gets wicked with the spices including Ceylon Cinnamon, Jamaican All Spice, Zanzibar Cloves and nutmeg.
___
Aromas:
Pumpkin pie, brown sugar, pumpkin flesh, coffee cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove spice, dark fruit prunes, raisins, sweet potato, yams, piloncillo, ginger bread, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel hints, maple, marshmallows, graham crackers, banana bread, hazelnut, pecan pie, maple syrup, hazelnut nectar, dark candi sugar and flan hints.
Flavors:
Rich Dark fruits like raisins, prunes, figs, plums, dates, pumpkin flesh, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, sweet potato rich, yams, maple, piloncillo, milk pumpkin latte, flan, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger bread, rock candy, dark candi sugar, dulce de leche caramel, hazelnut nectar, vanilla, coffee cake, marshmallow, whipped cream, Danish cookies, milk sugar, ginger snaps, candy corn, clove spice, rum hints, banana hints and pumpkin seeds.
Aftertaste:
Pecan pie, hazelnut, pumpkin flesh, dark fruits, vanilla, caramel, gingerbread, earthy notes and spicy notes linger for a bit. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, syrupy and creamy mouthfeel, slight sipping drinkability and medium to full body.
Overall:
Damn! Age does make quite the difference. This one went several notches over perfect. I have not had a pumpkin beer like this in, well, ever. It seems that 1 year aging took it to a whole new level I did not expect. It really is not the same beer anymore, it became a Pumpkin God. If that is the case, The Good Gourd Almighty will probably be in some new dimension of pumpkin reality, some kind of (nth) dimension of pumpkin. We will will only know until we see it. So if you stuck around to read this, I would highly recommend this one without a doubt and make sure to get 2. One for now and one for a year or later.
Good Gourd Almighty 1 year aged Review
Good Gourd Almighty by Cigar City is a ??% ABV World Class Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices and aged in Rum Barrels. This one, just like Good Gourd has been sitting in the dark for a year.
Label:
(SAME AS THE REGULAR)
Legend has it that when a pumpkin comes into the world it is possessed by either a good or an evil spirit. Ours got all the good baby! Bursting with real pumpkin flavor and yummy pumpkin spices including Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg, Good Gourd is a celebration of Fall and that spookiest of holidays, Halloween. Pair Good Gourd with pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie and costume parties.
This high Gravity gob of Gourd-y goodness incorporates pumpkin in the mashing process and then gets wicked with the spices including Ceylon Cinnamon, Jamaican All Spice, Zanzibar Cloves and nutmeg.
___
Aromas:
Rum soaked pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, dark fruits, pineapple hints, leche nestle sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, candi sugar, rock candy sugars, crème brulee, candi sugars, toasted coconut, piña colada, capirotada raisin bread pudding, sweet cola, pumpkin flan, pumpkin cheesecake, clove spice, gingerbread, molasses, oak and chocolate marshmallow smores.
Flavors:
Banana and Coconut Rum soaked Pumpkin Flesh in piloncillo and cinnamon sticks, yams, Japanese purple sweet potatoes, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, dates, dark cherries, milk and dark chocolate notes, vanilla, tropical notes like hints of pineapple, stone fruit peaches, apricot hints, pumpkin seeds, marshmallow, hazelnut nectar, Leche nestle sweetened condensed milk, dulce de leche caramel, sweet Cola, flan, crème brulee, oak, graham cracker smores, almond joy chocolate, capirotada raisin bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, clove spice, ginger bread, molasses, piña colada, milk sugar, Danish cookies, candy corn and brown sugar.
Aftertaste:
Pumpkin pie, cinnamon, coffee cake, clove spice, bananas, tropical rum piña colada hints and earthy notes. Partial alcohol in the taste imparts flavors of nice sugary milk cream. This is a syrupy mouthfeel beer, with a sipping drinkability and full pitch dark brown body.
Overall:
Frankly, the best Pumpkin Beer, EVER!! This beer took what was awesome about the original and made it way better. Even after a year later, in comparison it shows how it moved along which is different from the original Good Gourd. This reminds me of Rumpkin from Avery but take to a new pumpkin extreme. The complexity and beer consistency is crazy up to the level of some of the greats like Chocolate Rain, Black Tuesday, Wineification and White Chocolate, some of the greats on the West Coast that are my favs This pumpkin beer is pretty ridiculous and I understand why it was so damn exclusive. I highly recommend it if you can trade or find this one online.
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki (Dark version) and Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach were used in the overall pairings you see hear. They are both Soul Reapers from Soul Society. I wanted to pair Evil Rukia in these pairing since I had used Rukia for the original review. The addition of overall heightened power and Ichigo were for Good Gourd Almighty which basically all the colors they represent are of the death of plants, coming of the fall, the pumpkin like Ichigo’s hair, the dark fruits and the purple yams of Rukia’s hair and over all strength and complexity from both the characters but mainly from Rukia. Evil Rukia is a bad ass, plain and simple even if her Bankai form is supreme, but that is a “Grey Monday” story all together.
Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Kuchiki.Rukia.full.663934.jpg
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/34500000/Dark-Rukia-hichigo-and-darukia-34581200-245-400.png
http://hdw.datawallpaper.com/anime/dark-rukia-318386.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Fade-to-Black-213542097
Rating: 5.5/5 *Good Gourd 1 year aged
Rating: 6/5 * Good Gourd Almighty 1 year aged
Rating: 6/5
2014 Grey Monday by the Bruery is an 18.5% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts.
Label:
JUST ONE SHADE
Originally brewed for a molecular gastronomy dinner at Beachwood BBQ, this decadent version of Black Tuesday is brewed with Oregon grown, roasted hazelnuts.
Grey Monday is just the beer you need to kickstart your week and is meant for sharing with family and friends in your time of need. It will age gracefully for many decades of economic fluctuations. Best stored and cellared around 55°F (13°C) in a dark place. Ideal serving temperature is 55°F (13° C) Best enjoyed in a tulip or wine glass.
___
So we meet again, the once lost Grey Monday which I had tried in 2012 and now I was able to get a Reserve bottle in 2014 from the Bruery. That is the only place you can get this unless you do a trade. Along the lines of Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain, White Chocolate, Wineification/Mardi Rouge, Mocha Wednesday, Melange 3 and many more, Grey Monday stands in one of the highest categories of beers that I have ever tried. It is very ridiculously delicious just like all the variants before it. Before I continue to review this great beer once again, I may be biased as I already know it is a great beer and definitely one that is highly recommended. Cheers!
Aromas:
Very Rich Milk Chocolate, dark chocolate, pralines, pecan pie, Rich Hazelnut nectar, Dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, flan, bourbon, maple syrup, honey, chocolate cheesecake, toffee, vanilla, oak, crème brulee, french vanilla ice cream, toasted walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashew, nutella, marshmallows, toasted coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon toast, bananas, anise, smores, rocky road ice cream and more.
Flavors:
Rich Hazelnut nectar and chocolate on grilled bananas with flan, pecan pie, pralines, maple syrup, honey, chocolate cheesecake, toffee, dark cherries, strawberry, peach, dark fruit raisins, plums, anise, currants, chocolate port wine notes, almond joy, crème brulee, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon, chocolate chip cookie dough, toasted coconut, marshmallow and graham cracker smores, cinnamon toast, anise, brown sugar, chocolate milk shake, fudge cake, and mocha, all with some scoops of french vanilla ice cream.
Aftertaste:
Rich hazelnut nectar, oak, vanilla, bourbon, chocolate, pecan pie, cherry, flan, maple and caramel just linger and linger infinitely. So Good that you will take your time with it or at least try to. The alcohol is quickly masked by the complex flavors that you don’t even taste it. This is very dangerous too as it is a very very smooth but sipping beer with a silky and syrupy mouthfeel.
Overall:
No surprise here, my expectations were met and the extra credit chart went through the roof. I knew this was gonna be just as good as when I first tried. I have no idea how the Bruery does it. They are crazy to make these beers so delicious. They surely defy and truly show just how far a beer can go. Were talking past the liquor and wine category, has evolved into what it was meant to be. I sincerely hope you can try this beer or any of the other Bruery beers like Black Tuesday.
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki from Bleach in her prestigious and beautiful Bankai form awaits the light of the new Monday, the Grey Monday. She is on the horizon displaying her new power and rightfully so as her character has gone through many many struggles. Throughout the entire series, she is second to the protagonist and while yes this may be a spoiler for many, she does make it. She achieves a form that takes her to new heights of existence. Rightfully so, as powerful in ABV as this beer is, it is also sweet, just like sweet little Rukia. Rukia, just like Grey Monday, evolve into great heights of where only few beers can take people. The sweet nectar of gods like this can only be bestowed on the few, like Rukia who trained with gods, literally, she now holds her own against the final threats of the series. As the series comes closer and closer to the end, this new form will unleash its fury of absolute 0 degrees Kelvin. Only the next day that comes can melt the ice and melt one’s heart as they try this beer.
Sources:
http://stingcunha.deviantart.com/art/Bleach-570-Rukia-s-Bankai-436885263
http://www.zerochan.net/1681342
Rating: 5.75/5
The Abyss 2013 Release by Deschutes Brewing is an 11% World Class Imperial Stout brewed with Black Strap molasses, Licorice with cherry bark and vanilla added with 6% aged in oak bourbon barrel, 11% aged in Oregon Oak Barrels, and 11% aged in oak Pinot Noir wine barrels.
Label:
It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s mysterious. Aged in French Oak and Bourbon barrels, this special brew has immeasurable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich, complex profile. The flavor of molasses and licorice draw you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey.
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I have previously reviews the 2009 version of this beer. I decided to give it another round as I may not often get around to reviewing this one again. Upon looking at this one, I saw it was made a bit differently than the 2009 version. I had to give it a shot.
Aromas:
Madrugada Obscura, basically sour stout notes, wine notes, roasted coffee, dark and milk chocolate, smokey oak, dark fruits, coconut, cherry notes, flan notes, espresso, molasses, licorice, clove spice, cinnamon and other complex notes.
Flavors:
Wine, Bourbon, Stout, Marugada Obscura, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cherries, dark fruits, raisins, figs, smokey quality, Port wine, vanilla, caramel, oak, roasted chocolate, coconut, flan, licorice, molasses, pinot noir and earthy hops. After letting it warm up it started to evolve in flavors again. Funny as the 2009 version evolved too. Now this thing is tasting a bit like banana notes, crème brulee, raisin bread pudding, overall bitter roasted coffee, Kahlua, mocha, barley wine caramel, toffee, butterscotch, almonds, pecan pie, cherry, plums, hazelnut and well, it seems to keep going. I will stop right here.
Aftertaste:
Finishes off very complex with the dark chocolate, dark fruit, dark oak, dark bourbon, dark flan, dark dark dark!! Good Luck finding the 11% ABV in the taste. She is pretty deadly seeing as it is asipping beer but with chances are you want to drink and drink. Evil!!
Overall:
Exceptionally World Class just like the 2009 version. However, the addition of the extra blending has definitely changed the flavors to even more complexities giving it that much earned extra credit. Like I said in my last review: (https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/the-abyss-2009-vintage-reserve-by-deschutes-brewing/ ) it keeps you on your toes trying to see what other complexities come up. Think of it as a Haunted house, you have no clue what the fuck is gonna pop up as you go along. Scary shit… Evil Beer…. Loveable experience. Much needed recommendations
Anime Corner:
Rukia Kuchiki (Hollified version) from Bleach was used in this pairing to show several things I had in mind when pairing this beer. In the series, the hollow form is what happens when after a soul passes and loses its tie to the body. If the soul reaper does not cleanse the soul, it will roam the earthy, become a monster and try to eat other souls. Rukia is a Soul reaper in the show but there are many characters such as humans and even soul reapers that have treaded into the hollow form and were able to come back to their original form. Rukia never becomes hollow but this only serves as a representation of what that form would look like. Most hollows are mindless and possibly evil. In some cases, she can be seen as sadistic with no remorse or pity for anyone. Aim for the kill, hunger for more flavors. Thus, this evil version of Rukia is paired with this beer to show how evil the beer is. That is why you have to be careful not to drink it all in one sitting. Since the hollow form is a form of evolution into possibly higher form of power, you can say the evolution of flavors as the beer warms up and the alcohol content represents this hollow form. Also, the Cero Blast that Rukia is charging up in her hand represents, The Abyss. The Cero is like an endless charge of energy concentrated and sucked up like a black hole. This infinite darkness is this beer, The Abyss.
Rating: 4.8/5
A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ by Lagunitas is a 7.5% ABV American Pale Wheat Ale
Label:
So, we’re all on collective disability. That’s cool. Let’s put some ice on it and keep ourselves elevated for a while. So, what’s on the tube..? Honey..? Get me a beer from the fridge… Will ya..? Sweetie..? Pleeease..?”
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I had this beer a couple of times in the past. Haven’t had a chance to review it until as I was able to snag some left over bottles from my friend’s house, he wanted me to keep them.
First aromas you get right off the bat are piney, grassy, herbal and grapefruit hops, honey, pineapple, biscuit bread, apricot, wheat, citrus and a touch of mango.
The flavors are of honey, grassy, herbal, floral, piney and grapefruit hops, caramel, pineapple, wheat, biscuit bread, orange juice, coriander spice, lemon, apricot, mango, candi sugars and some papaya notes.
This is not a very common style, however, with the flavors similar to an IPA but with a lot of tropics and moving into the realms of wheat beer, I say this has got a lot of good tropical stuff going on. It is a very nice beer with well hidden alcohol and great tropical flavor.
Rating: 4.6/5
Ichigo Highway Collaboration by The Bruery and Hangar 24 is a 5.5% ABV American Wild Red Ale aged in red wine barrels with strawberries.
Label:
The Bruery & Hangar 24 are divided by the 15 Highway, but brought together by a shared love of experimental brews. Ichigo, meaning both “strawberry” and the numbers 1 and 5 in Japanese, is a complex, sour red ale aged with strawberries picked from the fields next to Hangar 24’s brewery. Ichigo Highway is best enjoyed fresh due to the fleeting aroma and flavor of strawberries. Best stored and cellared around 55 degrees F (13 degrees C). Ideal serving temperature is 50 degress F (10 degrees C). Best served in a tulip or wine glass.
DESCRIPTION:
Ichigo Highway is a collaborative beer that we created with Hangar 24 Brewing from Redlands, CA. The base style is a sessionable sour red ale that we aged in oak barrels along with a whopping amount of strawberries, most of which were picked from the fields besides Hangar 24’s brewery. Aged for approximately 8 months, this beer has developed a pleasant funk and a delightful acidity that is balanced by the intensely sweet aroma and flavor of the strawberries as well as a unique dryness achieved by using a sake yeast along with our house strain along with souring bacteria. Available in November. 5.5% ABV, Best enjoyed fresh due to the fleeting aroma and flavor of the strawberries
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Being an anime fan and a big fan of the show “Bleach”, I anticipated this review for a long time ago since the beer released way back when. A very hard to find beer unless you are a member of the Reserve or Hoarders Society. I was able to trade for this brew in order to bring Ichigo, the shinigami here to the stage. One of the things to note about the fragrances about this beer, is that there is alof of strong ripe strawberry aromas but also the grape wine aromas are there too as well as this sugary scent of strawberry preserves. You can also sense the funkyness and citrus like many sour beers. Some grapefruit, apricots, apples and cinnamon as well. While still tart and sour to the smell, it is also very floral too. Like hibiscus and roses. The flavors are very much sour as expected. A ton of bitter ripe strawberries, apricot, apples, sour wine grapes, lemon, grapefruit, slight cinnamon spice, wine oak funkyness, and a bit of sake and tea like flavors . You will only like this beer if you enjoy sours, let’s put it that way. I happen to enjoy some sour beers like Jolly pumpkin for example. The sweeter flavors actually start to come out as the beer warms up. Yep, aside from the name being Ichigo, if you do not like sours even if your a fan of the “Bleach” show, you may not like this one. Which then I assume that only people that like sours will like this one. It is a very good sour. It happens to be a bonus for me as I enjoy craft beers, sours, anime and “Bleach” 8)
Rating: 5.55/5
The Abyss 2009 Vintage Reserve by Deschutes Brewing is an 11% Imperial Stout brewed with Licorice and Molases with 33% aged in French oak and Bourbon Barrels. This version has been cellared for at least 3 years and now it is time to unleash it’s fury…of flavor ofcourse…I assume that the ABV is probably higher as it has risen over time. Like a 12 or 13% maybe higher.
Label:
Crazy how one beer can do a lot in one. I have had several of the best beers in the world and to some that have exceeded my expectations usually fly because of their caramel or chocolate sweetness or just some crazy flavor that is so awesome and overwhelming. This one exceeds my expectations because you get a variety of many aspects of beer(bitter, sweet, sour, smokey, tangy, fruity and hoppy) and they are all balanced, delicious not too overwhelming. No wonder for people, this is once of the best Imperial stouts in the world and well, damn hard to find. It is definitely up there with the Founders KBS, Bourbon County Stout and others. Although Chocolate Rain is the major bad ass for me simply because it is pure chocolate in a bottle. But this definitely in great world class league and can still compete. As it warms ups it goes up to more chocolate covered raisins and vanilla flavors 😉
Rating: 5/5
Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Banana Ale Voodoo Doughnut by Rogue Brewing is a 5.3% Fruit Beer brewed with Chocolate, Peanut butter and Bananas. LOL Yeah this is different but awesome. A Homer Simpson type of beer I’m sure. This is the Variant of the original Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale and recent release from Rogue.
Label:
Initial smell was very enticing. Strong smell from the chocolate, peanut butter and bananas. Hints of vanilla and caramel are in the aromas as well. There is also a smell of like cherry glaze. Almost like walking into the Doughnut shop type of pastry smell. The Initial taste is somewhat smokey and grassy but all that dissipates as soon as the rest of the flavors take over. Milk Chocolate, peanut butter, banana bread, vanilla, caramel, maple, campfire graham cracker and marshmallow notes, brown sugar, raisin, cherry, definitely like this butterscotch after taste. They definitely worked hard to make this beer taste like a doughnut. The smokeyness is only there to balance out the sweetness. This beer has many notes but it is not overly sweet. The balance works very well towards its favor. It is not too much in alcohol and managed to hit a lot of pleasure notes in the taste buds. Got this one directly from Rogue so the distribution should be hitting Bevmo and other specialty liquor stores soon. Go and pick this up, its quite interesting and delicious…lol but don’t take my word for, judge for yourself.
Evil Evil beer…LOL my friend Nataly called it the blood of Christ, a very viscous but sweet stout….One of their strongest and a fav 😛
REVISIT: Another year has passed by and finding this beer on the shelves is hard as it is a seasonal ale. Luckily it is out while supplies last. This is the evil brew, Serpent’s Stout by The Lost Abbey brewing at a whopping 11.0%ABV. Story goes about the tree of life and how it is forbidden to eat the fruit of Knowledge. Long behold, the serpent with his cunningness convinced Eve to partake of this fruit of knowledge. She also was able to convince Adam to partake of the fruit. So it goes, original sin is born!! However according to the story, the serpent was not satisfied with his evil deeds. So he brought forth this dark liquid of temptation. Those who would try it would be mesmerized by evil. For those seeking cleansing, they would find nothing. Struggling between good and evil, or so is told by Lost Abbey. After trying this liquid, yeah its pretty evil, but it is so sweet and tasty. So let me explain what this is all about if you ever want to try it >:)….. It has hints of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, vanilla and caramel, some earthy and oak bourbon (possibly from the strength of the alcohol). The amazing thing too is that it does contain some hoppy bitterness and some minor yeasty bread flavor. Chocolate chip cookies anyone? There is some dark fruit like raisins which is big with The Lost abbey brewing. The aftertaste of chocolate and cookie cream linger after every sip. You will notice the alcohol in this one and it has to be taken with small sips at a time. If your doing something really bad like sinning by having this beer…at least enjoy it while you are at it :)…Also, moderation is very important.
Rating: 4/5
Bashah!!…Does not compute…It is a collaboration between Brewdog and Stone Brewing company. It is a 8.6% ABV Black Strong Belgian Dark fused with a Double India Pale. It is my response to the what ifs in terms of beer fusions. Mixing my favorite style a Belgian Dark Strong Ale with a Double IPA. My answer for an Imperial Stout and Belgian Dark Strong ale came with Sam Adams 13th hour Belgian stout long ago.
Bashah is the other end of the spectrum. What if you took the arrogant and hoppy bastard or the Ruination of stone and you added some dark Belgian bready yeast not to mentions BrewDogs influence with malts that add that chocolatey and coffee like flavors. Smooth and hoppy bitterness. Hard to find this beer is, hard to find meaning as stated in the label. There is no real meaning to any of this…Beer is here….Bashah…Bashah Bashah….literally it works…there is no reason for such combinations to work…sweet bitterness I should say….but they do ..and they work damn well. Aged for those added oaky and bourbon notes as well… Not to be mistaken though..those that are not worthy should probably leave this one for a more enlightened soul. Those who believe is that gut feeling shouldn’t let this beer pass by as it is a rarity as well…Delicious…fulfilling and complex. Just plain…doesn’t make sense…but its there :P…..Thanks dudes at Stone and Brewdog for this one B-)
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 
