Tag Archives: Rum Barrels

Homebrewing Project #23 La Manzarcangel Chapter 3: SangriTinieblas De La CazaVampiros by Nubis Sanctum Ales

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14567446_10103600135481600_7304399825454323003_oRating: 6/6

Homebrewing Project #23 B by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 10% ABV Belgian Trappist Apple Cider brewed with Burnt Dark Candy Sugar and Arizona Wild Flower Honey Oak Aged in Flor De Caña Gran Reserva 7 Rum.
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Label:
Sangritinieblas De La CazaVampiros
“The Vampire Slayer’s BleeDarkness”

My Name is Miriam and I am a 3rd generation Vampire Slayer from La Legión De Los ManzArcángeles or “The Legion Of The Applarcangels” This… is my story… I come from a holy land of pure sauce, Cideraven; sent on a mission from God to destroy the Malum, or demon apples from Eden.

The Malum spread its evil across this world after the unveiling of the Garden of Eden. Draining purity and morale from the souls of the living like vampires ravenous for blood. Having trained for years under my master Claire Farron, I have taken it upon myself to destroy all Malum since her disappearance fighting Malum Ex Machina, the snake and leader of the Malum.

After many agonizing battles, I was blessed to find my master at last. Unfortunately the Malum still persist. I leave you this liquid made from the cleansed Malum to protect and purify your soul. Til we meet again…

Chapter 3 Ends.

Ingredients: Water, Apples, Burnt Dark Candi Sugar, Wild Flower Honey, French Oak, Flor De Caña RumGran Reserva 7 & Trappist Yeast

==Introduction==
14543893_10103600135471620_2540072513832109733_o12525292_10103180656081680_4759683152053800969_o
Just in Time for HALLOWEEN!!!! Project #23 comes from an original recipe inspired by Crispin’s 15 Men Rum Aged Cider with Wild Flower honey and dark candi syrup. I reviewed the cider long ago and so loving that cider, I wanted to create my own. Coming up with a recipe which in the end, ended up being a partial mead/melomel and way darker than the one Crispin made got me thinking. If their cider came out clear and mines came out dark, did they really use Dark Candi sugar? It almost seems illogical to as I love Crispin’s ciders and that one was amazing. My recipe was first brewed in April 2016 and bottled in September 2016 after aging for 4 months. Although, the oak was sitting in Rum since February. I came to the conclusion today that what I actually had made was something very special and mines would be even more flavorful than that Crispin version I had tried. This I had to prove to myself so I had finally let it sit for about a month bottle conditioning now ready to present this beast I have created. Cheers!
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Aromas:
Rich vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, dulce leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, sweet wine grapes, cherries, marshmallows, waffle cone, honey comb, chocolate smores hints, rocky road ice cream hints, molasses, hazelnut nectar, walnuts, almond joy notes, pecan pie, fruit cake, brown sugar, apple pie, rum hints, ginger ale and rich sangria.

Flavors:
Rich Vanilla, flan, crème brulee, oak, dulce de leche caramel, marshmallows, sweet caramel and candied apples, chocolate, honey, port wine, sangria, sweet wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, black berries, cherries, currants, raspberries, Belgian dark candi sugar, coconut hints, Malibu rum hints, cinnamon, fruit cake, ginger ale, dark chocolate hints, milk chocolate hints, agave hints, peppery hints, coriander spice hints, bananas, clove spice hints, Concorde grape, Danish cream, Turkish delights, ambrosia, apple pie, rocky road ice cream hints, hazelnut nectar, brown sugar, walnuts, almond joy notes and pecan pie.

Aftertaste:
Finishes somewhat dry with the rich oak, rum, honey, dark fruits, chocolate, rock candy, fruit cake, cinnamon, port wine, flan, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, apple pie and rocky road hints. No alcohol in the taste, but that ABV sneaks up! Dark Crimson, blood red clear body, crisp, soft, smooth, velvety and syrupy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
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Overall:
Literally, the best cider I have ever made and to much of the ciders I have had, the best cider I have tried. I really think things start to kind of blend in with the wine and mead category but it blends so damn well into this dark oblivion and bringing in the rum and Belgian Candi Sugar just takes it to another level. The aging process changed this cider into something I would never have imagined. With a wine like appearance and taste that is so damn complex, especially for a cider, I really feel I made something really wonderful. Something that I think I will definitely try to make again.
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Anime Corner:
Miriam, from “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night” which is the new upcoming Kickstarter series by Koji Igarashi (Godfather of the Castlevania series). Based on the progress, artwork and tribute to the castlevania games, Miriam is literally a bad ass!! I know this game won’t be released until 2018 but I figured I wanted to pair her with this. She is damn perfect!! Just look at this cider. It is Rum aged and her outfit is similar to that of European royalty but also a captain of pirates. It is made with Flor de Caña or Cane Flower Rum. Essentially representing the roses that surround Miriam. The cider is dark crimson blood red so it fits the theme not only for a dark and bloody cider but also the Castlevania series and Koji’s vision of an awesome tribute game.
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Sources:
http://40.media.tumblr.com/0b13732a8486fe83ea1e0c17240659cc/tumblr_no751qv3xO1s2ut1zo6_1280.png
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CE1G2sxWEAABEKc.jpg:large
http://orig10.deviantart.net/b7fe/f/2015/141/3/c/bloodstain12_by_phamoz-d8u6ybd.jpg
https://cdn3.patreon.com/1/patreon.posts/3493771155782837701.jpg?v=TvlqMZT9g_j78u6zUBvoddAO_Kx-CsMn-2eaeEye8ts%3D

Crispin 15 men by Crispin Cider Company

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12038956_10102889103031330_5647808259732274757_o 12183721_10102889103839710_4367296928197495932_o 12188231_10102889104458470_6258601938385881335_oRating: 5/5* Cider Rating

Crispin 15 men by Crispin Cider Company is a 6.9% ABV Hard Cider brewed with Wild Flower Honey & Dark Candi syrup and then aged in Rum Casks

Label:
On a Dead Man’s Chest

Buccaneers & Buried treasure.
Mutiny & Murder. For the love of adventure and a barrel of rum. Drink and the devil had done for the rest.

An epic saga of Colfax classic apple wine matured in dark rum casks, then laced with wild wildflower honey and dark candi syrup.

15 Men rolls strong like a deep ocean swell with notes of burnt caramel and oak, gentle hints of ripe fall apples, vanilla, and exotic floral fruit carried on the trade winds.

Before pouring, give a solid bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse sediment evenly and experience the complex aroma and bouquet.

==Introduction==

It’s been a very long time since I brought a cider from Crispin for review. When I saw this one at Ramirez liquor, I wanted to give it a shot since I feel after creating a cider similar to the Saint, creating something like this maybe awesome. Basically, the inspiration to create a rum barrel/oaked cider will help me gauge how I can do more cider experiments. This one seems very delicious. I am still wondering why the cider is not dark as the dark candi sugars usually leave some liquids dark. Possibly a subtle amount was added as to not dilute the color into darkness! Cheers!

Aromas:
Tropical rum hints, oak, golden apples, marshmallow hints, wild flower honey, waffle cone, floral notes, white raisins, vanilla, cane sugar, candy sugar, dulce de leche caramel, plum hints, peach hints, pecan pie hints and sweetened condensed milk

Flavors:
Crisp Apples, vanilla, cane sugar, candy sugar, dulce de leche caramel, rum hints, oak hints, maple, marshmallow hints, wild flower honey, waffle cone, floral notes, white raisins, plum hints, golden apples, peach hints, pecan pie hints, hazelnut hints, cherries, strawberry hints, coconut hints, bubble gum, banana hints, sweetened condensed milk hints and Danish cream hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishing dry with a nice honey caramel and slight hints of oak and rum hints, candi sugar and white raisins. No alcohol in the taste, clear to medium golden apple body, crisp, clean and refreshing and super easy to drink despite the ABV. Even so, do take your time with it to enjoy its infinite subtleness.

Overall:
Damn delicious and complex little cider. The flavors are not super overwhelming but the hints are super complex which was kind of hard to find but became apparent as the cider became warmer. I think that is why I was able to find this one very delicious. The fact that something like this can be replicated makes me want to brew my own cider in accordance to Crispin’s ingredients. This is how I was able to make a similar yet stronger version of “The Saint”. Definitely give this one a shot if you love ciders.

Anime Corner:
Selvaria Bles from Valkyria Chronicles and the original character pirate girl were used in this pairing to pair with the pirate theme of this cider. The colors may correlate to the flavors of the beer as they do not correlate to the color of the cider or the label although some colors may do. The dark candi sugar, oak, rum and wildflower honey definitely goes with the colors of Selvaria and the pirate girl for sure though.

Sources:
http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/12/127673/1868893-230ae2915dd2a565897e25fb2deef206.jpeg
https://anime-pictures.net/pictures/get_image/414864-1000×1333-gang+road+joker-tob-long+hair-tall+image-black+hair-fringe.png

Santo Ron Diego by The Lost Abbey

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11057215_10102499720497050_5654941414074297582_n 11080818_10102499720951140_3847920897589398650_o 11070269_10102499721165710_5238222731638397278_oRating: 5.45/5

Santo Ron Diego by The Lost Abbey is a 12.5% ABV American Strong Ale brewed with ginger, orange peel cacao nibs and aged in Rum Barrels.

Label:
In name, he was Diego and no one knows exactly where he was from. Everything about Diego was speculation at best. A legend of Caribbean sailing lore, many whispered he was an agent of heaven sent to protect the “ron” produced on the hill. The monks trusted only Diego for the safe passage of their remarkable liquid.

For is ship was not the fastest on the sea, but the locals whispered that he only set sail on full moon nights, when the wind of a thousand angel’s wings helped him take flight. His vessel was never boarded by pirates, nor was a single drop of the precious cargo ever lost to the seas.

To most, he always looked more of a sinner than a saint, and in truth, Diego was a wildly unpredictable, almost crusty captain. Made a saint by the Vatican after he vanished at sea, the many mysteries of Santo Ron Diego live on with us today in this beer bearing his name.

==Introduction==

I got this beer at qualityliquorstore.com. Being a fan of the Lost Abbey I was intrigued when I heard about this beer as this is their first time they do a Ron (Rum in Spanish) Barrel aged offering. Unfortunately, unless you truly like the Lost Abbey, the beers can be pricey at times except for their year round servings. It is interesting as going to the brewery is less pricey (at about 1$ per taster). Regardless, let us see how worth the price this Rum Barrel aged beer is. Cheers!

Aromas:
Toasted coconut, rum soaked raisins, sangria, agave syrup, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, plums, figs, anise, molasses, plantains, bananas, pecan pie, stone fruit peaches, apricot, port wine notes, dark chocolate, brown sugar, oak, coriander, ginger bread, pineapple and coconut.

Flavors:
Rum, oak, vanilla, plantains, bananas, agave syrup, almond joy chocolate, dulce de leche caramel, port wine hints, ginger bread, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, pecan pie, stone fruit peaches, apricots, rye, pineapple, passion fruit hints, coriander spice, hints of pumpkin spice, toffee, toasted coconut, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, currants, sangria, hazelnut nectar, molasses, anise, licorice, Danish cream cookies, marshmallows, chocolate smores and dark cherries.

Aftertaste:
Rum lingers, plantains, dark fruits, caramel, vanilla, oak, grape, port wine notes and earthy notes. Slight boozyness in the taste, murky brown full body, sipping drinkability, creamy and moderate mouthfeel.

Overall:
An exceptional beer for sure but the reason it wasn’t supreme exceptional has to do with some of the sharp hints at time from the spices and rum. I really think it is probably too early to drink this but I am sure it will become mellower over time. Regardless, I really enjoyed this one and think it was exceptional. I really don’t know if it is worth the price as you are only getting 375ml bottle of this. Then again, it is meant to be taken in a sip at a time. I highly recommend it though if you are willing to buy it.

Anime Corner:
Terra Branford from Final Fantasy VI was used in this pairing to go with the colors of the label and the somewhat pirate aspect of using Rum barrels. In a way, Terra’s clothing has this look kinda like a pirate. That and the sword she has in the artwork kind of looks like that. In the first artwork, it displays what the beer is going through as it is infusing and evolving into something bigger through the rum. The angel wings are representative of Santo or the Saint in the name of the beer.

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/de/97/7a/de977a2d4221791158f6c983582a0cfb.jpg
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-07-19-422876.jpeg
http://i.imgur.com/TJcRk8A.jpg

Pirate Bomb by Prairie Artisan Ales

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11002702_10102420436173470_7187244045000552905_oRating: 6/5

Pirate Bomb by Prairie Artisan Ales is a 14% ABV World Class Imperial Stout aged in Rum Barrels with coffee,cacao nibs, vanilla beans and chilies added.

Label:
Made By People Who Truly Care From Oklahoma With Love.

==Introduction==

An awesome exclusive hard to get beer which was only possible thanks to Aaron Mendiola at www.beermetaldude.com . Prairie has come a long way to become many whale hunters’ favorite beers. They have been producing some magical bottles that we don’t see here much in California. Mainly since they are sold out quick but even at these tiny bottles, they are very coveted. I can only say I am thankful for my friend who has access to these living in Texas. So let’s see what the fuss is all about and walk the plank with this one.

Aromas:
Extremely fancy coffee, vanilla, mocha, dulce de leche caramel, Khalua Liqueur, sweetened condensed milk, Rum notes, bourbon notes, Crème brulee, marshmallows, graham crackers, oreo cookies and cream, banana notes, toasted coconut hints, ancho and guajillo chile spices, bakers chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate abuelita, brown sugar, Mexican Mole Spices, dark fruit raisins, cherries, and pineapple hints.

Flavors:
Rich flan, crème brulee, rich mocha, rich frappuccino, really fancy coffee, Khalua coffee liqueur, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, graham crackers, oreo cookies and cream, rum, bourbon notes, bananas, plantains, toasted coconut, ancho and guajillo chiles, cantaloupe hints, rocky road ice cream, chai tea, dragon fruit hints,old mango, hazelnut nectar, pumpkin spice hints, brown sugar, chocolate abuelita, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, chocolate truffles, dark fruit raisins, currants, figs, prunes, anise, mint chocolate, dark cherries, pineapple hints, Mexican mole sauce, rock candy and candi sugar.

Aftertaste:
Rich fancy coffee, mole sauce, dark fruit, vanilla, caramel, rum, tropical fruit notes, bananas, plantains, almond joy, flan and earthy notes. No alcohol in the taste despite the 14% ABV, Ridiculously smooth and creamy mouthfeel, Easy to drink despite the strong ABV and super pitch dark body.

Overall:
This is truly an awesome and super exceptional brew. There is a tremendous amount of complexity for such a little magic bottle. The label with the crystal ball just hinting at possible pirate Deep 7 seas magic. It surely looks like it came from the darks part of the sea. Also, this is not hot but the spiciness works well with this one. There is only enough to let you know its partially a chile beer. This is definitely outstanding and I highly recommend it if you can find this one.

Anime Corner:
Original Pirate girl character was used in this pairing to pair with the beer was the best choice as I wanted to show the colors of vanilla, chocolate, coffee, dark fruits and other flavors. She is also a pirate so it fit perfectly. The fact that this one is more of a guilty pleasure and smooth fits with how she stares into your soul! This beer goes into your soul too. It is damn good.

Sources:
http://i183.photobucket.com/…/Samur…/1548717967.jpg~original

2014 Rum Barrel Aged Black Tuesday by The Bruery

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13020_10102167531900660_5570626799443996580_nRating: 6.25/5

2014 Rum Barrel Aged Black Tuesday by The Bruery is an 18.9% ABV Imperial Stout Aged in Rum Barrels.

Label:
NEW DEAL

I cannot help but raise a dissenting voice to statements that we are living in a fool’s paradise, and that prosperity in this country must necessarily diminish and recede in the near future.” – E.H.H. Simmons, President, NYSE, January 1928

Black Tuesday 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
___

The rare allocation of this year’s Reserve Society release from the Bruery. Unfortunately, if you would like to try this variant you will need to try it at the Bruery directly before they run out as is very kimited or you may have to trade for this one. I have no idea when this version will read the public hands and the Bruery has released many many variations of their base beers through experimentation. I really would like to see variants be released, or even then, more allocations to the public and out-of-state too. Only few people get a chance to try Black Tuesday and only a few will get to try this one. I assure you, upon my many tastings, this goes beyond what is considered, a regular BEER! Now then, let us dive into the Alchemic arts which is this variant, Rum Barrel Aged Black Tuesday.

Aromas:
Lots of Rum oak, vanilla, tropical hints of pineapple, mango, toasted coconut, dragon fruit, melon sharpness, banana cream pie, Danish cookies, almond joy, mint chocolate chip hints, Chocolate Truffles, pecan pie, dulce de leche caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, dark fruits like raisins, figs, plums, cherries, currants, blackberries, port wine, Oreo cookies and cream, dark candi sugars, rock candy, burnt sugar, anise, molasses, cotton candy, sugar cane, pumpkin spice hints, tres leches came, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate cake, brownies, wine grapes, mocha and more complex aromas.

Flavors:
Rich Banana, Rum, oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark candi sugars, rock candy, brown sugars, agave hints, toasted coconut, dark, milk German, Belgian, Bakers and Truffle chocolate, dark fruit raisins, figs, plums, dark cherries, raspberries, currants, wine grapes, pine apple hints, candi sugars, oreo cookies and cream, almond joy, crème brulee, Irish cream, mocha coffee, java, Kahlua, molasses, anise, mint chocolate chip, flan, piña colada, tres leches cake, flan, subtle old mango, cantaloupe hints, dragon fruit hints, sugar cane hints, cotton candy, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, chocolate cake, flan, sweetened condensed milk, rocky road ice cream, graham cracker smores, marshmallow, subtle tobacco, leather hints, clove spice, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, toffee and port wine.

Aftertaste:
Banana, Rum, Oak, Bubblegum, coconut, pineapple hints, dulce de leche caramel, milk chocolate, hazelnut, dark cherries, marshmallow, almond joy, cantaloupe melon, mild Piña Colada, pecan pie, chocolate cake and tres leches flan. Boozy but super subtle with nothing detracting from the rich flavors. Mouthfeel is much smoother than the regular Black Tuesday but still silky smooth. Drinkability is still sipping but to a degree with a Pitch Black Hole body of upper dimensions. This one is way more drinkable than the original or at least it goes down smoother so much more danger here.

Overall:
Definitely a notch above the The Regular Black Tuesday. Even at the highest of expectations, it keeps pushing and pushing! This beer is much much more sweeter and a tad tropical. The original base beer takes over with its complexity already in tact but it generates another normally not provided by the Bourbon. This beer is just as dangerous if not a little more as the drinkability of pure sugar syrup is still insane here. Quite literally lingering in the tongue for a while which makes it more enjoyable so you don’t have to rush. I absolutely recommend this version if you are lucky enough to find this. However, even if you can get the regular Black Tuesday, do get it as if you will realize that this beer is the definitive that goes beyond the boundaries of what is considered beer and yet still is. A God amongst the Craft Beer world.

Anime Corner: tl;dr
KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, as shown in previous versions of Black Tuesday, was used this time in a more Tropical setting to go with the aspect of the rum barrels used in this pairing. The sweet tropical flavors provided from the Rum add a nice twist to the already insane Black Tuesday. More info on KOS-MOS below:

KOS-MOS or (Kosmos Obey Strategical Multiple Operation Systems), from the series Xenosaga is one of my Four most favorite characters in anime. She was chosen for this particular beer in 2012 to go along with some of my most favorite beers of all time. In terms of who she is is representative of how bad ass this beer is. To me, Black Tuesday is representative of a crash (the stock market) which brings about chaos. Polar to chaos is order or cosmos. While there is is a mess among chaos, there is always a glimmer of hope that will restore the balance to the universe, and that is order or KOS-MOS. In other reviews I have reviewed her character when it comes to the divine and holy (The Lost Abbey Judgement Day, Mayan Judgment, Angel Share, Sede Vacante and even Sam Adams Tetravis). In the game, SPOILER ALERT She is Mary Magdalene’s vessel for which Kaos (Another Xenosaga character) is Jesus Christ respectively. SPOILER ENDS. Yeah, the spoiler may not make sense but there are many websites ready to explain. Anyways, Black Tuesday label, although hard to see holds some shiny blue but also some shiny brown. The blue part represents KOS-MOS for me and the brown is the sweet chocolate. Once you find out how sweet and understanding this character is, it makes a world of a difference which is why Black Tuesday makes a world of a difference to me. Although the cold harsh reality of her initial computational robotical android form may seem a bit cold when the series first started. Not to mention the fact that she is a definitely over powered character, which may be the alcohol and the fact that this beer should not be consumed in one sitting. She should be enjoyed slowly. The artwork also represents Black Tuesday as the dark matter of space, the upper frontiers of awesomeness and good beer. Tuesday is just another cycle of the stars, y Kos-mos es otra chiquita mia, love ya!!

Sources:
http://i4.pixiv.net/img02/img/syunzone/13171923.jpg

(Double Review) Good Gourd & Good Gourd Almighty by Cigar City Brewing

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10653695_10102076646660410_4058892050325129670_n 10702075_10102076648042640_6782403729961338047_n 10386835_10102076649200320_8500370107269952928_n 10670106_10102076649759200_2382520294939542327_nSummer 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

Floyd D’ Rue Collaboration by The Bruery and Three Floyds

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10174993_10101791726482730_9039393417013231374_nRating: 6/5* Rating given at the time of tasting (4/28/2014)

Floyd D’ Rue Collaboration by The Bruery and Three Floyds is a 14.7% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with spices and aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
DARK TUESDAY

This collaboration brew was made in the spirit of experimentation…. and then condemned to barrels for one year. We hope you enjoy!

Floyd D’Rue is the complement to Rue D’ Floyd and was brewed with our good friends from 3 Floyds in Indiana. This invigoration ale will age gracefully if cellared properly, but the spice flavors will be the most prominent when consumed fresh.
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Obtained as part of the Bruery’s reserve society, this beer was made with high expectations as it was collaborated with 3 Floyds. The label on the beer advises “Drink by 6/30/14” and “May contain Lactobacillus”. The Bruery does advise this was not on purpose but the odds of such a great beer to be a ticking time bomb, basically consume it before it sours, is such a damn shame. If you can get this before the time runs out, definitely get it. This one is the Floyd’s attempt at the recipe with the Rum barrels with spices. So basically drinking both at the same time would probably be over kill. This one is called “Dark Tuesday” just like the other one was called “Black Lord”. A poke at both their awesome super beers, Black Tuesday and Dark Lord… in my previous review, this would be the offspring’s twin sis…oh!!?? wait…

Aromas:
Rich Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cake Rum, lots of cinnamon, dark fruit raisins, capirotada raisin bread pudding, hazelnut, dark, milk, bakers and chocolate, ginger bread, nutmeg, cookies and cream, holiday spices, fruit cake, rye bread, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, oak, marshmallow, cookie dough ice cream, citrus, earthy notes, hazelnut, pecan pie, peach cobbler, flan, crème brulee, Danish cream, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin flesh, pillocillo sugar cone, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, molasses, brown sugar, anise, mint notes and candy sugars.

Flavors:
Taste exactly like rich Rum pumpkin spiced coffee cake! Vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, capirotada raisin bread pudding, fruit cake, pumpkin flesh, honey, maple syrup, ginger bread, nutmeg, dark fruit raisins, Kahlua liqueur, coffee, molasses, pecan pie, hazelnut, peach cobbler, marshmallows, flan, waffle cone, Danish Cream, cheese cake, all spice, cinnamon, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, cookie dough ice cream, oak, holiday spices, earthy notes, citrus, apples, apricot hints, brown sugar, candy sugar, mint, anise, crème brulee, pilloncillo sugar cone, chai tea ice cream, sweet potato pie, sweet potato pudding, old mango, banana clove spice, banana bread, walnuts and nutella.

Aftertaste:
Rum, cinnamon, fruit cake, sweet potato, flan, chocolate, pumpkin and coffee cake linger. No alcohol in the taste and just like the other beer, dangerous and smooth. While moderate sipability, it goes down nice and warm with a syrupy consistency.

Overall:
What can I say about this one that I haven’t said about the other one. They are definitely exceeding great. One taste like chocolate coffee cherry cake and the other like rum pumpkin coffee cake to say the least. There is no denying it, they are both exquisite collaborations and both worth the merit. The Ultimate sadness is not being able to see the potential that this beer has as it’s existence is only as brief as the candle in the wind. If you can some how get this one or both or the other one, I suggest you get to it before they are gone. I really hope they brew this one again as it was really good. Combining both would probably be a insane!! Maybe I will save that type of fusion for another review.

Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel and Tōshirō Hitsugaya from Bleach were used in this pairing to represent another aspect of the Bruery’s and 3 Floyds collaboration, in terms of the label, flavors and greatness of the two. These 2 are in the highest caliber of awesomeness and the battle they had in the series was awesome. Reflecting on 3 Floyds and the Bruery’s reputation in terms of awesome shows the insanity of the two to have come together, hopefully not once in a life time, but to show case their insane abilities that both share. Tia Harribel, obviously with the 3 on her breast which was used in a previous review to show case the Zombie Dust. She was the perfect candidate for this pairing as she came forth like a beast and like death in the night show casing the awesomeness of the 3 Floyds. Hitsugaya was used in as the Floyds adding the aspect of Cold. Why cold you ask? Well, Cold in relation to his ice ability which relates to Winter in relation to the holiday spices that this beer is abundant with. Without these 2 in the game, such a beer would not come into fruition. The irony of 2 such great breweries is that the release of this beer in the spring is like the opposite which is the fall. Like if Rue D’Floyd and Floyd D’Rue were like the sun and the moon or the spring and fall, or summer (Tia) and the winter (Hitsugaya). Hence forth, just like the Summer approaches, so will the Sun (Lactobacillus/Tia Harribel) consume the beer, forever lost in the pits of hell where once the shining light of hope of pandora’s box once stood. Sour Sour, everything returns to Sour (NOTHING)!!……

Forgotten Island by Cigar City brewing

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1374901_10101457321912170_1203501524_nRating: 6/5

Forgotten Island by Cigar City brewing is a 15% ABV Belgian Quadruple aged in Jamaican Rum Barrels

Label: 
This dark complex style of ale originated in the Trappist monasteries of Belgium. It was sipped by monks during fasting and winter months. Forgotten Island adds a tropical twist via aging in Jamaican rum barrels. The barrel lends notes of vanilla, molasses, orange peel, cocoa, brown sugar, nutmeg, hazelnut, apricot and peach. This plethora of flavors and aromas from the rum barrel intermingles with banana, clove, cinnamon,fig, plum and brown sugar aromatics and flavors from the quadruple, creating a contemplative ale perfect for introspective moments far from the cares of the world beyond. 
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Released exclusively for the Cigar City Catador club. A hard to get beer unless you know some one who is in the club or can trade/buy from someone online. This is the first time I try a rum barrel aged quad. I have tried a good number of Bourbon barrel ones but never a rum one. Good luck in getting this one

Aromas are very sweet. Velvety dark fruits, currants, plums, raisins, chocolate notes, dulce de leche caramel, figs, raisin bread pudding, oak, rum, rich coconut, vanilla, pecans, bananas, cloves, cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, blackberry marmalade, brown sugar, cinnamon, hazelnut, oranges, apricot, peach, piña colada, tropical fruits like papaya, melon, dragon fruit and other fruit and spices

The flavors are freaking amazing! This would be a great response to the Bruery’s Cacaonut, except it is rum and quad and has more dark fruits than Cacaonut. Yet each is freaking amazing and I can tell you this beer has already exceeded my expectations once again. Rich plums, rich curtants, figs, cotton candy, raisin bread pudding, pecans, peaches and cream, apricot, boysenberry marmalade, toasted coconut, oranges, dragon fruit, melon, papaya, piña colada, nutmeg, hazelnut, brown sugar, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, blackberries, bananas, clove spice, cherries, molasses and other complex flavors. Diabetes in a bottle!

The aftertaste leaves with very nice caramel, dark fruit and tropical fruit flavors with oak rum and spices lingering. Good Luck finding the alcohol. Even at 15% ABV, it is one dangerously smooth and tempting Siren. Does not drink like a 15% ABV, holy crap. Take it easy with this one. Even if you want more, save some for later and share.

Overall, it is exceptionally wonderful and delicious. Think of a Quad that is tropical with rum flavors, coconut and piña colada. Let me put this in comparison with Cacaonut from the Bruery. Cacaonut from the Bruery is liquid Almond Joy with tropical fruits. This is a Dark Fruit Coconut Rum Piña Colada raisin bread pudding. Combining the fact that it is barrel aged, chocolate, quad and exotic is what make this one qualify for the top score which I give to either my best favorite beers or beers that have met the eligibility to be my favorites, even if rare. If I could, I would probably drink this everyday. That would be good, but would not be good for me, but would definitely be good. Cigar City is definitely the East Coast’s Bruery. As far as recommendation, HELL YES!! If you happen to find this parable paradise of an ale, set sail!! You will not regret this one.

Annual Barrel Series Batch No. 3 Rumpkin by Avery Brewing

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1395365_10101453179433730_175450723_nRating: 5.75/5 *New title for an exceeding expectations pumpkin ale

Annual Barrel Series Batch No. 3 Rumpkin by Avery Brewing is an 18.53% ABV Imperial Pumpkin Ale brewed with pumpkin and spices aged in Rum Barrels. The strongest ABV pumpkin ale I have tried.

Label: 
We wondered what would happen if a monstrous pumpkin ale, plump full of spicy gourdiness, were aged in fine fresh rum barrels to add suggestions of delicate oak and candied molasses. Rumpkin is what happened!
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A limited released that can be found online now or in some limited places. I found this at Ramirez Liquor in Boyle Heights California, but hell if I know if they have anymore. May or may not be the best pumpkin beer ever surpassing all the awesome barrel aged beers I have ever tried, all I know though is this one is Strong!! When beer starts to get into the 18% ABV or hell even past 13% ABV which is like the point of no return, then trying the beer alittle bit at a time to savor it is when it matters. This beer has no carbonation, nada!!

Aromas upon opening this one, there some very nice fragrances of pumpkin, ginger bread, bananas, cloves, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cinnamon, coconut notes, macaroons, rum, pumpkin seeds, nutmeg, sweet yams in maple, piloncillo sugar cone, waffle cone in coconut icecream, molasses, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, bourbon notes, brown sugar and some dark fruits. The aromas are rich as in I don’t have to look super hard to guess an aroma. This is very good.

Flavors are very rich like the aromas. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin flesh and yams in cinnamon and maple, pecan pie, rum, ginger bread, old bananas, cloves, cinnamon, coconut cream pie, flan, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, waffle cone, chocolate notes, raisins, plums, pineapple, cherries, coconut icecream, pumpkin pie ice cream and other spices

Aftertaste stays consistent with the pumpkin, caramel, brown sugar, banana, pecan pie and rum. The alcohol has a major presence here. Not detracting from the already super complex awesomeness but it definitely is meant to be sipped, and enjoyed a little at a time.

Overall, this is probably one of the best, if not, the best pumpkin beer I have ever had. It has pretty much everything all the best pumpkin beers I have ever had have. Everything from the nose to taste is very consistent. The only thing about this one though, it is a major kicker. It warms you up like no other. I have had many 18% ABV caliber beers and even some don’t manage to warm you up this good. Not at all in a harsh way, but in a very very pleasant way. This is the type of pumpkin beer you would best enjoy right at the end of the fall nearing the winter when it starts to get a lot colder. If you can still find it, I would recommend you get this but if you cannot get it, there are other super awesome pumpkin beers out there. All it takes is a look

John John Rum Aged Hazelnut by Rogue Brewing

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13151_10101058675787200_1682231222_nRating: 4/5

John John Rum Aged Hazelnut by Rogue Brewing is a 5.6% ABV Hazelnut Nectar Brown Ale aged in Hazelnut Spiced Rum Barrel

Label:
A nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale. Dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish.

12 Ingredients:
Great Western 2-Row Brown, Carastan 13/17, Crystal 70/80, Crystal 135/165, Beeston Pale Chocolate & Rogue Micro Barley Farm Dare™ malts; Rogue Micro Hopyard Independence & Revolution Hops;
Hazelnut Extract, Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast.

Specs: 
19º PLATO
33 IBU
73.6 AA
36º Lovibond
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I am a big fan of the Hazelnut Brown Nectar, so to find that they made a Rum aged version is simply awesome. The aroma of this version is of pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, dark fruits like a wine grapes, rum, almost like a coca cola, molasses, brown sugar, slight sour grapes, prunes, biscuit bread and caramel, cinnamon, oak and other spices. The taste is of sour grapes, prunes, rum, coconut, some hazelnut, cranberries, vanilla caramel, biscuit bread, pecans, cinnamon, oak, earthy hops, lemon and spices. The aftertaste is a mix of sweet and some sour flavors. At first it was mostly sour but then the beer got better as I went along adding more spicy and sweeter hazelnut and berry notes. An interesting beer for sure, but I still liked the original much better. This version takes it into interesting places of flavor but just not where I thought it would. The beer is not bad, in fact its very good but not sure if it was because of the low ABV but sometimes with Barrel Aging beer, it takes beers into planes of higher complexity. This did it but only into the “light” type of complexity. Still, if you like Hazelnut Nectar, you may like this one.