Aurora Hoppyalis IPA by Karl Strauss brewing

October 6, 2016 by cloudx30 tagged amarillo, Aurora Hoppyalis, Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Citra Hops, india pale ale, IPA, Karl Strauss, Kill-LA-Kill, Ragyo Kyurin, Ragyō Kiryūin, San Diego, Simcoe | Leave a comment

Rating: 5/5

Aurora Hoppyalis IPA by Karl Strauss brewing is a 7% ABV San Diego Style India Pale Ale.

Label:
Okay fine, we admit it, you can’t see the Northern Lights this far south. But San Diego has its own version of Aurora Borealis, and ours has cast a hoppy spell over this city. What the rest of the world calls an IPA, San Diego locals consider pale in comparison. Aurora Hoppyalis is our San Diego-style IPA brewed with Simcoe, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Citra hops. Robust flavors and aromas of tropical fruit, pine, and tangerine linger through a dry, crisp finish. Tonight’s forecast: clear hoppy skies.

==Introduction==

Released year-round, this is the first time Karl Strauss takes a shot at an east coast style beer with a west coast blend. Or at least it seems like it as this one is a hazy IPA. It has also been a while since I brought a Karl Strauss brew to the website as well. Karl Strauss has been in the business for craft beer since 1989 and as the times have changed, so have they to adjust for certain beer trends. While the West Coast hoppy beers have been the craze for years, it seems the arrival of the East Coast style is definitely having an effect on masses. So as a response they brought this. I have heard great things about this one so when my local shop started to carry it, I was damned if I didn’t bring this one to the site. Let’s take a look, cheers!

Aromas:
Tropical fruit, mango, pineapple, guava, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee, strawberry, biscuit bread, green tea ice cream, pears, sweetened condensed milk hints, stone fruit peach, honey, Citrus blossom honey, orange peel, grapefruit, piney, garlicky, oniony, herbal, dank and grassy hops, lemon starbursts, basil, Eucalyptus honey, lemon grass and agave hints.

Flavors:
Honey, Citrus blossom honey, orange peel, grapefruit, piney, garlicky, oniony, herbal, dank and grassy hops, lemon starbursts, basil, Eucalyptus honey, lemon grass, tropical fruit pine apple, dragon fruit, passion fruit, guava, lychee, strawberry, mango hints, tangerine gummies, biscuit bread vanilla hints, agave hints, mint, green tea ice cream, pears, sweetened condensed milk hints, stone fruit peach and apricot.

Aftertaste:
Finishing dry with honey, green tea, grassy, citrus and tropical hops. No alcohol in the taste, pale golden clear to hazy body, crisp, clean and refreshing mouthfeel along with an easy drinkability.

Overall:
A perfect IPA resembling an east coast style with the massive tropics but still giving it the old heave-ho garlicky dankness found in the west coast style. They somehow got all the flavors to meld well and then this honey and citrus taste that’s very unique. It does seem a lot like an East Coast in some aspects especially with the haze. While I haven’t had some good Karl Strauss beers in a while, this one was super damn impressive. Definitely another pickup from me and I recommend you pick this one up online or local.

Anime Corner:
Ragyō Kiryūin from Kill LA Kill is the antagonist of the series. I won’t spoil who she really is if you have not seen the show but the reason I chose her for this beer pairing is because I wanted to pair the play on the name of the bear. Aurora Hoppyalis is a play on Aurora Borealis or the Northern lights. The lights they are created by sun’s particles that collide with the Earth’s atmosphere in the north creating these very beautiful and colorful lights. Since Ragyō’s hair is a rainbow of colors and she is always surrounded by immense light, it makes sense to use her in a beer that centers around the colorful variety and complex flavors that come from the hops which mimic the different fruits, citrus, sweets and herbs. She maybe evil in term of who she is but her light is as casting as that of a god!

Sources:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GKVD8sSuCD0/maxresdefault.jpg
http://img1.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/Anime-Kill-la-Kill-Kiryuuin-Ragyou-yand-1181849.jpeg

Beer Geek Breakfast Stout by Mikkeller Brewing San Diego

October 5, 2016 by cloudx30 tagged Beer Geek Breakfast Stout, Beer Geek Dessert, beer geeks, Dark Horse Coffee, Mikkeller, MLP, Nintendo, Oatmeal Stou, Queen Chrysalis, San Diego, Wii Fit Trainer | Leave a comment

Rating: 5/5

Beer Geek Breakfast Stout by Mikkeller Brewing San Diego is a 7.5% ABV Oatmeal Stout brewed with Dark Horse Coffee.

Label:
None!

==Introduction==

Mikkeller has finally opened up closer to the states. Their new division’s home is San Diego. With the establishment of a new brewery, comes a new set of beers exclusive to San Diego and well, those who can purchase them online. The first beer I wanted to bring from them is this one. The Beer Geek Breakfast Stout. Mikkeller beers have always been sold in 12 ounce bottles with occasional 750ml releases. This is the first time I ever see a 22-ounce bottle from them. Knowing how expensive but world class the beers from the original brewery can be, I am here to see how the quality of the new beers are in comparison to their other beers of a similar style. The last time I had a had a Beer Geek Breakfast beer from them was Kopi Luwak Coffee brew. That one was aged in Cognac so the comparison is not fair. This one uses Dark Horse Coffee which sounds interesting. So let’s take a look and see how this one is.

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted coffee, brown sugar, Irish cream coffee, marshmallows, smores, smoked oak hints, hazelnut nectar, peanut butter cup hints, Nutella chocolate hints, lactose milk sugar, caramel, vanilla, toffee, tobacco, leather, molasses and rye bread.

Flavors:
Roasted coffee, Khalua notes, espresso, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, lactose milk sugar, caramel, vanilla, toffee, tobacco, leather, molasses, rye bread, dark fruit raisins, prunes, dark cherries, currants, molasses, toasted coconut flavors, marshmallows, smores, smoked oak hints, hazelnut nectar, peanut butter cup hints, Nutella chocolate hints, nutter butter hints, Danish cream, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, cookie dough, oreo cookies and cream, brown sugar, Irish cream coffee and pecan pie.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich roasty coffee, mocha, vanilla, earthy notes, marshmallows and dark chocolate. No alcohol in the taste, dark medium to full body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A perfect coffee stout giving delicious flavors of coffee and chocolate. While it is not like the other beer geek breakfast beers (mainly since the others are barrel aged of the ones I tried), this one is amazing in its own right. The coffee flavors are pretty fancy and really bring about the best of what this beer can be. This one is definitely worth a pick up especially the base of the beer is in the essence of the “Beer Geek” series. Give this one a shot!

Anime Corner:
Wii Fit Trainer from Nintendo and Queen Chrysalis from MLP were used in this pairing to go with the aspects of breakfast. As in, you have a well-balanced breakfast and you work out, you will go far. Drinking beer is not necessarily healthy but it can be when done in moderation and a single small serving. Anything above that and you have work cut out for you. Also, since the beer gives off complex flavors, it would be like a punch to the face. Queen Chrysalis was used to pair with the Dark Horse Coffee used in the beer. Yes, she is from MLP but I think she fits with that aspect.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/GuyA1GY.jpg
http://img1.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/full/Женские-мускулы-разное-Wii-Fit-Trainer-под-катом-еще-одна-1982567.jpeg
http://orig09.deviantart.net/bd68/f/2015/070/b/2/queen_chrysalis_by_ispincharles-d8lcna0.png

(Brewerianimelogs On The Road) Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Speedway Stout by Alesmith

September 30, 2014 by cloudx30 tagged alesmith brewing, American Imperial Stout, Aqua, Brewerianimelogs On The Road, Coffee Beans, Coffee Stout, Imperial Stout, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Beans, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Speedway Stout, Kingdom Hearts, Mostra Coffee, San Diego, Speedway Stout, world class beers | Leave a comment

Rating: 5.9/5

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Speedway Stout by Alesmith is a 12% ABV World Class Imperial Stout brewed with Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Beans.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
AleSmith Brewing Company and Mostra Coffee are excited to announce our collaboration for AleSmith’s next single varietal Speedway Stout. Local coffee roaster, Mostra Coffee, has carefully roasted and cold brewed Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee beans to complement our award winning Speedway Stout. Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee beans are grown in the fertile soil of some of the highest Caribbean peaks, making it one of the most prized gourmet coffees in the world. This rare coffee uses lightly roasted Arabica beans to create a subtle acidity and well-balanced chocolaty finish. Thanks to Mosta’s diligent work, these 100% Blue Mountain beans were sourced from the renowned Mavis Bank Coffee Factory in Jamaica.
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On my trip down to San Diego with my good friends, we dropped by Alesmith Brewery and long behold they had a this crazy beer on tap. I could not bring this home in a growler, so I had to try a couple of taster of and realized, this is is going up on the site. Next to the Kopi Luwak Barrel Aged, this Coffee Stout was even more fancy than the last. It was not barrel aged but the difference in use of specialized coffee beans changed the whole beer all together. So as best as my notes allow, here is another entry in to the segment of, Brewerianimelogs On The Road! Cheers!

Aromas:
Extremely fancy coffee, mocha, java, Kahlua, peanut butter, hazelnut, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, brownies, French vanilla, Irish Coffee cream, Danish cookies, dark fruits like black currants, raisins, cherries, oak, latte, espresso, chocolate cake, pecan pie, almond joy,rocky road ice cream, floral notes, marshmallows, maple syrup, molasses, clove spice, plantain, rye bread, cinnamon, milk sugar, banana hints and tropical notes.

Flavors:
Lots of rich mocha, coffee, tropical hints, plantain bananas, pecan pie, dark, bakers and milk chocolate, almonds, hazelnut, floral notes, dark fruit currants, blackberries, raisins, rye bread, Irish Coffee, Danish cookies, cookies and cream, chocolate cake, oak, espresso, latte, mocha, roasted coffee, Kahlua, peanut butter hints, vanilla, caramel, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, maple syrup, clove spice, cinnamon hints, milk sugar, cantaloupe melon and honey.

Aftertaste:
Fancy roasted coffee, caramel, floral hints, vanilla, dark fruit, chocolate and earthy notes linger. No alcohol in the taste, smooth and silky mouthfeel, sipping drinkability and pitch black body.

Overall:
It sure was damn up there with some of the best coffee beers ever! Speedway on its own was different, but this was even more different. Somehow, a lot of these special coffee collaborations are creating some of the best beers in the world just like when Dark Matter was included with Dark Lord Imperial Stout. I would highly recommend getting this one. It comes in bottles if you can find it too. Damn delicious. I always said, you can never go wrong with Alesmith goodies!

Anime Corner:
Aqua from Kingdom Hearts was chosen in this pairing since it goes with my last Speedway Stout review. I used Leona Heidern, the blue haired fighter from SNK and to go with the whole aspect of blue hair, Jamaica Blue Coffee and overall bad assery, I brought Aqua in this pairing. Her agility and magic pair with the smoothness and culturally diverse blend of ingredients found in this beer. Her strength is defined in the ABV as well. In the original bottle, the colors are white black and blue which also go with her as well. Can you find any other art characteristics that make this pairing work?

Sources:
http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/35600000/Aqua-3-kingdom-hearts-aqua-35640217-600-800.jpg

Double IPA by Hangar 24

September 13, 2014 by cloudx30 tagged Double India Pale Ale, Double IPA, Final Fantasy VI, Hangar 24, Imperial India Pale Ale, San Diego, Terra Brandford, West Coast IPAs | Leave a comment

Rating: 5/5

Double IPA by Hangar 24 is a 9% ABV Double/Imperial India Pale Ale.

Label:
Assertive and drinkable. Double IPA is California’s gift to beer lovers. Ours is brewed with four distinctly American hops: Centennial, Citra, Columbus and Simcoe, all beautifully balanced by five malts and generous additions of local orange blossom honey. An intense sensory experience — the fresh aroma of citrus, pine and grapefruit with the bold taste of hops and sweet honey.
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This is the second time I review this beer but possibly the 10th or more times I have had this beer since 2011. A favorite IPA among some of San Diego’s best beers by one of their best breweries. This Double IPA introduced me to a difference in herbal, caramel and tropical DIPAs. Back then, telling the difference between hoppy flavors was pretty much for the beginners tongue. After trying so many different IPAs, each IPA has a certain dominance. For this one I will try to do a better job of breaking it down than what I did with my first review post on Facebook long long ago (In terms of brewerianime logs, essentially it was one I uploaded in 2012 but was a Facebook post in 2011.)

Aromas:
Floral, piney, grapefruit, citrus, grassy and herbal hops, honey, biscuit bread, toffee hints, tropical fruits like mango, honey dew melon, pineapple hints, lemon peel, oranges, tangerines, orange peel, coriander spice, white grapes and rye bread.

Flavors:
Orange, citrus, grapefruit, piney, grassy and floral hops, mango, strawberry notes, grapes, biscuit bread, toffee, honey, white grapes, caramel hints, honey dew melon, dragon fruit, prickly pears, apricots, pineapple, lemon peel, coriander spice hints, fresh orange peel, orange preserves on rye bread, lychee fruit and papaya notes.

Aftertaste:
Grapefruits, rye bread, grape, tropical notes, floral, pine. No alcohol in the taste, smooth drinkability despite the ABV, medium body, light to medium mouth feel, crisp and refreshing.

Overall:
Another perfect example of the westcoast style integrating the 3 aspects of malty, tropical and grassy/herbal IPAs into a balance that most may find appealing. Just the fact that it is also very drinkable, to the point where some may consider this a session DIPA, was probably the reason I got to try this on tap at even Buffalo Wild Wings. I would definitely recommend this one as this was one of my favorites DIPAs while starting my journey into craft beer connoisseuring.

Anime Corner:
Terra/Tina Brandford as well as her Esper Form (Pink) from Final Fantasy III(US)/VI(JP) was used in this pairing since the first time I reviewed the beer long ago. I wanted to drive home the aspect of Double in Double IPA. Some of the colors pair with her but also the fact that in her esper form, Terra is very powerful but can also fly in the sky to where ever she wants. Kind of depicting the epicness of the plane on the label.

Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-03-26-387307.jpeg

Four Scowling Owls by Karl Strauss

December 30, 2013 by cloudx30 tagged Belgian Tripel, Holiday Tripel, Karl Strauss, Owls, San Diego, Tripel | Leave a comment

Rating: 4.5/5

Four Scowling Owls by Karl Strauss is a 9% ABV Belgian Tripel

Label:
Don’t upset these angry birds: share a bottle of this year’s Holiday Tripel. Four Scowling Owls – the next release from our “Twelve Days” holiday series – is a robust Belgian style strong ale with orange citrus flavors and a spicy aroma. Amarillo and Mount Rainier hops balance out the Vienna malt character. The finish is dry and warm, perfect for those “chilly” San Diego winters. Birds of a feather drink together.
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The 4th release of the 12 Christmas beers of San Diego has been released this year for the winter. I wanted to get this beer up and tried to go along with the other 2 beers I have tried from them, which were the Mouette Trois and the Parrot in a Palm Tree. Total Wine and More has recently released this one in Redondo Beach but I am sure it will hit many stores very soon.

Aromas:
Apricots, peppercorn, citrus, floral hops, orange juice, mango, pineapple, honey, biscuit bread, caramel, pears, peaches, coriander spice, stone fruit, golden raisins, bananas, clove spice and apples.

Flavors:
Bananas, peppercorns, clove and coriander spice, golden raisins, stone fruits like peaches and apricots, caramel, biscuit bread, pineapple hints, floral hop notes, citrus, orange peel, honey and toffee

Aftertaste:
Stone fruit and peppery spices linger with a touch of caramel and flowery hop bitterness. No alcohol in the taste but moderate to sipping drinkability.

Overall:
It is a very good Tripel, but not something that is super mind blowing or something too new. It reminds me of some of the great Tripels out there. So if you like Tripels, you have probably had this one or one that is way better. On its own it still very delicious

Anime Corner:
Choosing anime pairings was simple but difficult at the same time. I wanted to get 4 girls to continue the number aspect of the beer. The only problem was trying to pair them as 4 scowling girls or even pair them as with the label colors or beer flavors. So the only thing I could find was 4 matching girls and 4 girls looking bad ass. They may not be scowling per say, but they sure as hell ain’t smiling, at least the first artwork piece with Fate/Stay night girls are not smiling.

Parrot in a Palm Tree by Karl Strauss

November 11, 2013 by cloudx30 tagged Baltic Porter, Dizzy, Guilty Gear, Hatsune Miku, Holiday Baltic Porter, Imperial Porter, Karl Strauss, Parrot in a Palm Tree, Port Wine, Port wine aged, San Diego, San Diego beers, Twelve Beers of San Diego Christmas, vocaloid | Leave a comment

Rating: 5.45/5

Parrot in a Palm Tree by Karl Strauss is an 8.5% ABV Holiday Baltic Porter aged in Port Wine Barrels

Label:
In San Diego, we’re not known for our partridges or pears but we can all relate to those noisy parrots and their relentless “caroling”. Parrot in a Palm Tree is a robust Baltic Porter brewed especially for the Holidays. Aged two months in San Pasqual Tawny Port barrels, the resulting brew isn’t for the birds. This winter warmer boasts a complex bouquet of dark fruits, espresso and chocolate, with hints of oak in its warming finish. Raise a glass to 2010 or save a bottle as this limited release will age with the best of them.
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A rare beer that I was only able to find online. This beer is the first in the Twelve Days of San Diego Christmas beers. Aged 3 years so far as the beer came out in 2010. Just the fact that it is aged in port wine gives me that reminiscence of Troise Pistoles. I have been looking for the previous versions of the Karl Strauss Christmas beers. Last year I had the third installment, Mouette à Trois (Three Seagulls) which I reviewed and though the world of that beer. The fact that it aged since 2010 and in Port Wine? I can only think the world of this beer.

Aromas:
Just like the Bruery’s Partridge in a Pear tree, very rich dark fruit raisins, figs, plukms, dark cherries, raspberries, sweet port wine, grapes, chocolate, pecan pie, brown sugar, fruit cake, light coffee, caramel, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, strawberry marmalade and raisin bread pudding

Flavors:
Good amount of rich port wine but nothing that burns, pleasant raisins, chocolate, mocha, coffee, java, hazelnut, pecan pie, fruit cake, molasses, Blackberries, currant marmalade, vanilla, dulce de leche, raisin bread pudding, rich figs, coconut, and brownies.

Aftertaste:
The aftertaste leaves off rich as well, with nice figs, raisins, port wine, chocolate, coffee and fruit cake breadiness. Hard to detect the alcohol in the taste, but if anything it brings a great splash of flavors. Easy to moderate drinkability with hardly any harshness. Kinda smooth really

Overall:
Freaking great and very delicious. Exceeding expectation but expected from a beer that is aged in port wine barrels and tasting like Trios pistoles, but also close to the initial flavors of the Bruery’s Partridge in a Pear Tree (except the pear). That and I love parrots. Sue me, I just do. Each flavor I had mentioned earlier is not only notes, but actual nice rich flavors coming through Highly recommended if you can find it. It is aging very well and hopefully by the 12th Christmas of San Diego release will be just at peak.

Anime Corner:
Dizzy is one of the characters from the Guilty Gear series. In the Art work, it matches the beer label as she is with the parrots. The colors are representative of the label as well. In terms of the complex flavors, it brings forth one of her ultimate features, which is complexity of power and emotions. The sweetness of this beer and complexity only shows you part of her true potential. If this beer is mean to age until the 12th release of the Christmas of San Diego beers, her true potential will reach its peak.

Vocaloid Hatsune Miku in the second picture represents the same color as the parrot thus complimenting the label. That is about it for my visual comparison. She is also sweet like this beer.