Chernyy Medved Collaboration by Valiant and Black Market Brewing

Rating: 5/5

Chernyy Medved Collaboration by Valiant and Black Market Brewing is a 13% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed with Cherries and Vanilla

Label:
A powerful and fearless Russian Imperial Stout brewed in collaboration with our comrades at Black Market Brewing in Temecula CA. Chernyy Medved was brewed in tribute to the OC Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival which takes place in December in Orange County CA. Brewed with smoked wood, pine, vanilla, cherries and coming in at 13% ABV this intense black beauty will warm you right up this winter or will cellar nicely to be enjoyed in the years to come.
==Introduction==

Cerny Medved or Black Bear was a beer my friend Neal provided me as a trade for some homebrews. Valiant Brewing was a brewery that recently closed in March 2017, essentially, last month. So some of these beers are so limited that you might not see them again. I had only recently got into their brews especially their Candy Sours series. It is unfortunate we will not have them again but let us look at how at this one and see what it was all about, Cheers!

Aromas:
Roasted coffee, molasses, anise, dark Chocolate, Milk chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Dark fruit raisins, currants, Cherries, Earthy and smokey oak notes, flan, vanilla, cherry crème brulee, strawberry, tootsie roll chocolate and pecan pie.

Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Milk chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, Dark fruit raisins, currants, Cherries, Earthy and smokey oak notes, earthy hop bitterness, burnt sugar, roasted coffee, molasses, anise, flan, vanilla, cherry crème brulee, strawberry and cherry cheese cake, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, brown sugar, tootsie roll chocolate, Cherry Chocolate milk, hazelnut nectar and cherry cake fudge chocolate.

Aftertaste:
Leaving with roasty chocolate, earthy and smoky notes, cherry notes, vanilla, caramel, toffee earthy hop bitterness and caramel. No alcohol in the taste despite the 13% ABV, smooth. Creamy and velvety mouthfeel, dark full body, with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
An awesome perfect stout. Very Roasty and flavorful like many of the Russian Imperial Stouts I have had before. The cherry flavors this one introduces pairs well with the roasty flavors and vanilla. While I do not think this is at the strongest in terms of the Choco Cherry Cordial beers, but it is a cherry cordial in its own sense. Not as sweet, but earthy and balanced. I would highly recommend checking this one if you can still find it.

Anime Corner:
Birdy Cephon Altera from Birdy The Mighty and Kneesocks Daemon from Panty and Stocking W/Garterbelt were used in this pairing as I wanted to mainly go with the colors of cherries and while I don’t think Birdy is Russian or a bear, I mainly paired for the colors and ingredients of the beer. Kneesocks on the other hand is much closer to the dark red cherry color so bringing her here works awesomely.

Sources:
http://cdn30.us1.fansshare.com/image/birdythemighty/birdy-the-mighty-512466661.jpg
http://cdn26.us1.fansshare.com/photo/birdythemightydecode/birdy-the-mighty-decode-shared-image-unknown-1334427343.jpg
http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/originals/2013/Anime_Birdy_the_Mighty_053034_.jpg
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/iamsukebe/imgs/5/3/53ff0cb2.jpg
http://static.zerochan.net/Birdy.Cephon.Altera.full.73854.jpg
http://static.zerochan.net/Birdy.Cephon.Altera.full.73861.jpg
http://i57.beon.ru/45/32/793245/79/64651079/14873385.jpeg

Sea Rose by Ballast Point

Rating: 2.95/5

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

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

==Introduction==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blood Junkie collaboration by Three Weav3rs brewing and Prosthetic Records

12605455_10103047257987530_7971686209130286781_o 12640298_10103047259604290_187288361768260289_oRating: 4.75/5

Blood Junkie collaboration by Three Weav3rs brewing and Prosthetic Records is an 8.7% ABV Imperial Red Ale.

Label:
From our ears to your glass, blood junkie is a ruby hued Imperial Red Ale, brewed in collaboration with our hop obsessed, heavy metal friends at prosthetic records in Inglewood, California. Big and malt driven, yet dry and balanced with a bright hop finish, blooded junkie will have you throwing horns!

==Introduction==

Fuck Yeah! As I was saying before, more bands and music group enjoy the craftbeer scene. Might as well collaborate. This time, Prosthetic Records, a record label specializing in heavy metal bands here in Los Angeles has contributed their expertise to help make a truly unique and rich heavy metal brew. I have tried this before back when I first visited Three Weav3rs last year on tap and I do remember how rich this was both hoppy and malty sides creating some kind of bloody like flavors. It could just be my mind is crazy but it must be the crazy ingredients that were good. Now that they brought it to the bottle form I can bring it to the site for you to see if you would like to try this. Cheers!

Aromas:
Citrus, Grapefruit, piney grassy, floral, herbal and earthy dank hops, toffee, caramel, tropical fruit mango, prickly pears, passion fruit, papaya, dragon fruit, guavas, pineapple, tangerine gummies, marshmallow hints, biscuit bread, toasted bread and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Metal like Iron… Maiden… or Blood, well just kidding, but the bitterness of the hops does make it similar. Citrus, Grapefruit, piney grassy, floral, herbal and earthy dank hops, rye bread with tangerine preserves, toffee, caramel, tropical fruit mango, passion fruit, papaya, dragon fruit, guavas, pineapple, prickly pears, honey dew melon,, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, chocolate notes, coconut hints, marshmallow hints, biscuit bread, toasted bread with guava membrillo, brown sugar hints, coriander spice, and tangerine gummies.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with Tropical fruits forward, dank piney, citrusy and earthy hops along with rich rye bread, caramel, toffee and dark fruit hints. No alcohol in the taste, super crimson medium body, silky, smooth and mildly creamy mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A very delicious brew. This one is more of a Red IPA than it is a Red Ale. Although the hops in this one vary to make it more like a slight bloody taste. Maybe it’s just in my mind. I think they may have gone with this with the whole metal aspect. The rest of the flavors are awesome though and complex. Definitely worth a try.

Anime Corner:
Scanty and Kneesocks from Panty and Stocking were used in this pairing for the very obvious reasons of using the Red, Blood and Devil aspect of the beer to pair. Sacnty being Three Weavers and the Kneesocks being Prosthetic Records. The colors like the Reds with the Greens of Scanty’s hair pairs well with the color of the hops that makes up this green and red bloody beer. This beer is such a deal and metal beer, I had to make it work with the awesome theme!

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/9WdGoAZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ap1iwiW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l3pk1qp.jpg

A Deal With The Devil by Anchorage Brewing

11077916_10102457589058790_4412396826361976038_o 11070962_10102457589378150_8490121710075599289_n 11041843_10102457589787330_4897504552242832002_o 11050787_10102457590071760_7595017652865168760_o 11075211_10102457590505890_3648482483795809857_oRating: 7/5

A Deal With The Devil by Anchorage Brewing is a 17.3% ABV World Class American Barleywine aged in Cognac Barrels

Label:
Batch#2
DEC/2014

Barleywine style ale brewed with Galaxy hops. A starting gravity of 37 Plato. Aged Eleven months in Cognac Barrels. The Devil is in the details…Enjoy.

Faustian pleasure has consequence, of this you must know
When you go down to the crossroads, expect more than a show
Robert Johnson paid dearly, for talent and fame
His deal with the devil, left only his name
Eternal damnation, no chance for retreat
Save only Mr. Daniels’, stunning cunning fiddle feat
This devil is in the details, diabolical pacts abound
Worldly riches and pleasures, but consequences come ’round
‘Twix barley and beer, there is liquid sublime’
But this devil is in the details, with consequence in time
Thirty-seven plato, a matter of some gravity
A Galaxy of hops, only adds to depravity
Eight months in wood, of Cognac in barrel
Mephistopheles you’re not, and the devil your peril
-Tom Dalidorf
Celebrator Beer News

Additional info:
1 hop, 1 malt, aged in giant freshly emptied Cognac Barrels.

==Introduction==

You can definitely say I was tempted so many times to try and find this to the point of madness. It wasn’t until I finally found it on mybeercollectibles.com with someone who was willing to make a “deal” on 2 of these demons. The bargain was set, and I finally received this crazy beer only to bring it to you and to see why this beer is such a great beer. According to this website here (http://www.anchoragepress.com/brew-review/20/devil’s-honey) this is all it took for me to just keep searching until I found it for a great price. Keep in mind, this was is going for a ridiculous price right now and me being of limited income but with a need to find something, there are ways to find these things, and you don’t have to sell yourself just to get it. So, with that being said, let’s see if the hype is true. Cheers!

Aromas:
Ridiculous amount of dulce de leche caramel, rye bread, oak, vanilla, rich honey, maple syrup, almond syrup, hazelnut nectar, cognac, dark fruit raisins, figs, dates, prunes, dark cherries, blackberries, toffee, bourbon, marshmallows, chocolate smores, plantain hints, banana notes, crème brulee, graham crackers, rich pecan pie, cocada and macaroon coconut candy, dragon fruit, passion fruit, rich chocolate almond joy, rich rocky road ice cream and molasses.

Flavors:
Super rich dulce de leche Caramel, super rich Honey, Wild flower honey, maple syrup, toffee, french vanilla ice cream, vanilla beans, tres leches cake, sweetened condensed milk, dulce de leche from the wooden container, wood oak, cognac, coconut, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, rye bread, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, dark fruit raisins, figs, dates, prunes, dark cherries, blackberries, toffee, bourbon, marshmallows, smores, graham crackers, coconut hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple hints, crème brulee, plantain, macadamia nuts, black cherry cheesecake, choco flan, almond joy chocolate, rocky road ice cream, cookie dough ice cream and more!

Aftertaste:
Rich residue lingers of rich honey, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, cognac, oak, coconut, toffee, rock candy, dark fruits, dark cherries, three milks/tres leches cake, sweetened condensed milk tropical notes, pecan pie, rye bread and minor earthy hop hint. How can there be no alcohol in the taste at this ABV, why?!?!?! HOW!?? It drinks like so damn smooth, silky, velvety, with honey syrup mouth feel, easy to drink, and crimson brown medium to full body. Simply the most ridiculous beer in like forever!

Overall:
People were not kidding. Seriously, WTF is this?! It is way too fucking rich on some many aspects. I wanna compare it to the greats of the Bruery, cigar city or Three Floyds but I honestly can’t as the sugar levels are something beyond what I have ever had. This is more literal syrup than that of the Weekday Bruery greats or the Dark Lord and yet despite it’s alcohol, still drinks smooth. I cannot put my finger on it but drinking this is like I decided to make a blend of honey, caramel, sweetened condensed milk and just put it together without curdling the beer. I hope one day this is released in more than just “limited” batches but for now, if you can find it or trade, it really is a different experience.

Anime Corner:
Astaroth, Asmoedeus and Mephistopheles from Shinrabansho along with Scanty and Kneesocks from Panty & Stocking were all used in this pairing because for being one of the most hyped beers in a long time, I wanted to bring forth my favorite anime devils in a fashion where they are trying to bargain, be seductive and over all just plain playful to strike a crazy deal. Everything that has to do with the beer strikes gold with these girls.

Sources:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/35088274/images/1411599946809.png
http://static.zerochan.net/Mephisto.%28Shinrabansho%29.full.1579033.jpg
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mddihfPzld1rrsokso1_1280.jpg
http://blog-imgs-63.fc2.com/j/i/n/jingaidaisuki/cc6ade8ca3d4_0A32BEDC_aohada014_R_thumb.jpg

Devil Dancer by Founders brewing

10530778_10101980389934660_6207596934153199105_nRating: 5.25/5

Devil Dancer by Founders brewing is a 12% ABV Triple India Pale Ale.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Founders most complex, most innovative, most feared and yet most revered ale produced. Massive in complexity the huge malt character balances the insane amount of alpha’s used to create this monster. More IBU’s than any brewery has documented, more than you would believe and dry-hopped for twenty-six days straight with a combination of 10 hop varieties. Dangerously drinkable and deliciously evil. We dare you to dance with the Devil. 112 IBUs.
___

There is no way we here at California can get Founders beers regularly as well as the central states in the U.S. They pop up very far few and between. Thanks to Aaron Mendiola at www.beermetaldude.com, we bring you a doozey of an IPA. This one from Founder brewing is probably their arsenal at the plinys and headys of the world. At a really heavy, 12% ABV, this is probably the strongest IPAs I have had right next to the 18% 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head. Well, without further ado, here is the review, cheers!

Aromas:
Dark cherries, grapefruit, piney, herbal and floral hops, caramel, toffee, dark fruit hints, some tropics such as passion fruit, dragon fruit, papaya, peach, biscuit bread, rye bread, vanilla, lemon zest, blood oranges, dank hop oils and maple syrup.

Flavors:
Dark Cherries, dark fruit raisins, figs, rye bread, grapefruit, floral and earthy hops, toffee, caramel, vanilla, biscuit bread, honey, blood oranges, old mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, papaya, peach hints, lemons, maple syrup and hop oils.

Aftertaste:
Caramel, dark cherries, citrus, honeygrapefruit, piney and earthy hops. No alcohol in the taste. Sipping drinkability but yet smooth and easy at the same time. Syrupy mouth feel, full body, crisp and refreshing.

Overall:
One of the strongest Triple IPAs I have ever tried for sure. This one is mainly on the malty and yet hoppy side showing a good amount of uncommon fruity complexities which make this one pretty unique. The potency of the beer makes it like you are drinking tropical hop and caramel oils. I really enjoyed this one and I do think this takes its place well up there with the plinys and Headys for sure. I definitely recommend this one for sure. Thanks Again Aaron.

Anime Corner:
Scanty from Panty & Stocking was used in this pairing because I wanted to pair with the colors and the devil dancer name. Scanty is a demon that fights with her sister Kneesocks against the angels Panty and Stocking. During their transformation sequence from formal attire, they pretty much strip like exotic dancers. Therefore, the name and the pairing stuck. Also, the fact that Scanty is obviously awesome.

Sources:
http://chitanime.3bb.ru/uploads/0000/0a/4a/33891-3-f.jpg

Hel & Verdoemenis (Hell & Damnation) by Brouwerij De Molen

10341899_10101807567287630_3071049936284309866_nRating: 5/5

Hel & Verdoemenis (Hell & Damnation) by Brouwerij De Molen is a 10% ABV Russian Imperial Stout

Label:
Brewed & Bottled in Bodegrave, the Netherlands. 
24 deg Plato www.brouwerijdemolen.nl EBC 297 102 EBU
Handcrafted. Unfiltered. Unpasturized.
Enjoy within 25 years. Keep cool and dark.
Recommended drinking temperature 10 degrees Celcius.

Ingredients: water, pale malt, brown malt, chocolate malt and cara barley malt, premiant and saaz (bittering hop), yeast (top fermenting).
___

Available at www.luekensliquor.com and the Rare Beer Club, this beer was part of their selection for April 2014 Rare Beer Club Members. While this is not as exclusive as I thought, there is a good chance you may be able to find this one. Good luck finding the 666 version of that beer as I am sure that is even rarer than this one. Also, this sucker will age up to 25 years!! Like you can literally wait until your kids are out of college and have them try it. That is crazy stuff. On to the review!

Aromas:
Dark roasted coffee grains, earthy hop notes, dark, bakers and milk chocolate, dark fruit raisins, plums, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toffee, leather, oak, smokey campfire, tobacco, molasses and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Dark, Milk, bakers and fudge chocolate, smokey oak campfire, earthy hop notes, roasted coffee beans, raisins, currants, toffee, subtle caramel, tobacco, leather, vanilla notes, brown sugar notes, anise, molasses, mocha, roasted coffee grains, graham crackers, black pepper, butterscotch and hints dark cherries.

Aftertaste:
Earthy notes, smokey oak, coffee grains, dark chocolate, caramel and very mild old raisin. No alcohol in the taste, a sipper and syrupy mouthfeel, liquid evil and no carbonation at all!

Overall:
Very good and delicious! This is reminiscent of the Lost Abbey’s Serpent Stout except with like a more smokey and roasted flavor but also has more coffee and chocolate hints. This bottle is in its prime. It is just a baby. Bottled January 22 2014 and still, makes me wonder what it would be like in the year 2039. Would definitely exceed expectations for sure. I really would like to know how it would compare to that Serpent’s Stout. It is not a clone, or is the Serpent a meer clone of the this demon. Either way, they are both liquid evil and both are highly recommended!!

Anime Corner:
Scanty and Kneesocks from Panty and Stocking as well as Panty (Knocked out on the right) and Stocking (Trying to get up on the left) were chosen for this pairing with nothing about the label but the name to show case Hell and Damnation. Just like Serpent’s stout, now this demonic dark liquid, the representation of hell and damnation can be seen in the defeat of the Angels, Panty and Stocking at the hand of the Demon Sisters. Kinda like the “Bad Ending” in a video game. Either way, if you drink this you can sure spend eternity trying to get both the Good and the bad endings. This devil’s water is sweet and bitter!

Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout (2013 Odd year Edition)

308686_10101156117637950_1119402415_n 21307_10101156118376470_1477266017_nRating: 5/5

Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout is an 11% ABV World Class Russian Imperial Stout brewed with espresso coffee beans

Label: 
Stone Imperial Russian Stout is so thick, rich and well, sinful, you might worry that you’ll be doomed to the fiery pits just for thinking about a sip. It almost seems evil. Rest assured, however, that even though this seemingly pernicious brew is indeed as black as sin, we guarantee that no actual sin was committed in it’s production…you’ll have to add that on your own. This Odd Year addition was brewed in the authentic, historical style of an imperial Russian stout, but with the addition of several hundred pounds of espresso beans from our friends at Ryan Bros. Coffee. Actually, this could be considered historically accurate, since the Russian nobility were as fond of earthy breakfast beverages as they were of hearty dark beers. Catherine the Great herself bolstered her finesse for ruling an empire by drinking five cups of black coffee every morning during her lengthy reign. While we couldn’t fit five cups coffee in every bottle of this darkly delicious libation, we assure you that the deep, rich espresso flavors are unmistakable and meld beautifully with the roasty bitterness of the dark malts. Catherine would have whole-heartedly approved.
___

Stone’s Imperial Russian stout has been considered by many to be one of the best Russian Imperial stouts in the world. This year they added some espresso. I have many awesome coffee beers before but I wanted to see what this one is about so I could bring forth to you why this one is so good. Immediately off the nose you get rich dark chocolate, espresso coffee aromas with notes of vanilla, caramel, brownies and some earthy hops . The flavors are of rich espresso coffee, caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, camp fire smores, marshmallows, Irish cream, molasses, rye chocolate brownies, milk chocolate, earthy hops and roasty notes. This beer reminds me of Black Xantus but expresses itself closer to a more earthy and roasty coffee bitterness side. Despite the roasty bitterness, it still manages to be very smooth and very drinkable going down. For some the roasty bitterness and the great balance it has with the sweetness is also what makes this world class. You can sense the booziness slightly but that take nothing from the beer itself which is very awesome. The Espresso adds some extra complexity and sweetness that brings out the RIS into a the “Stronger Coffee” zone which really awesome. I am sure this beer will age very nicely. A must try for sure 😛

Elysian Doom

734946_10100969364807120_1108964645_nRating: 4/5

This is a series from Elysian, The 12 Beers of the Apocalypse. “The End is Beer”
Beer#12 (December) Doom is a 6% ABV Golden Treacle Pale Ale brewed with oats and fermented with golden syrup and raisins. Doom is the End.
This is the final installment to the series depicting the End has come…

Doom is in reference to the final apocalyptic event of ultimate judgment. Whether it was the good deeds or bad that had set fate in motion or simply predetermined at birth, the final stage in which will result into the ultimate judgment of that fate will be sealed. We have already passed 12-21-2012 which was set as the Mayan Apocalypse to be the end of the world. Since it did not happen, does not mean that humanity itself is invulnerable to each individuals fate. We are mortals, we will face death one day and what comes after is the unknown. However, it is believed some type of fate or judgment will come after. Whether you are brought back as a speck of energy, a fly, another person, whether there is a heaven or hell OR whether your existence becomes another piece to the molded universe of this reality…nothing is certain. Things happen for a reason and all we can do is wait and see what happens. Till then, pass the time and drink some phenomenal beers 😛

This is it, the final beer in the series. Upon opening the beer, there was some tropical fragrances reminiscent of a double IPA or an Imperial Pale Ale. Aromas of mango, orange, papaya, pineapple, hop grass, grapefruit, treacle syrup, honey and caramel. There is no aromas of raisins in the fragrance though. The flavors are of orange, tangerines, mango, lemon, pine, grassy and grapefruit hops, honey, caramel, treacle syrup, matured bananas, raisins and a little bit of biscuit bread. The matured banana dryness and hoppy bitterness remains in the aftertaste along with the notes from the tropical fruits. It is pretty good ale and reminiscent of a more Tropical IPA but with lower ABV. Recommended to those that like tropical hoppy pale ales.