Rating: 5/5
Gose Con Chapulines collaboration by Epic Brewing Co and Cerveza Cru Cru is a 4.3% Gose brewed with spices, Chapulines/Crickets and Agave Worm Salt
Despite it having agave worms and chapulines, the tart, lime and salt citrucy flavors is what shines here. Little earthy and grassy flavors as one would expect from eating crickets or worms. Lots of refreshing flavors.
Rating: 6/6
Marzipandemonium by The Bruery is a 16% ABV Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels with vanilla and flavored with Almonds and Natural Almond Extract.
#LETSPARTY
Some people sculpt marzipan into flowers and animal shapes. We went nuts and recreated it as a beer. This limited release brings the party to your palate, showcasing the flavors of marzipan while kneading it into our favorite day of the week. We took our Tuesday-inspired imperial stouts, already roaring with flavors of vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate and bourbon barrel-aged bliss, and folded in almond character and extra vanilla to mimic the sweet, nutty notes found in marzipan. It’s unbridled enthusiasm in a bottle, just waiting to be unleashed amongst friends.
Such an amazing Marzipan liquid brew. There is so much nutty and chocolate complexities that just keep going endlessly!
Rating: 6.5/7
Cherry Top Belgian Stout by Garage Brewing is a 9.2% ABV Belgian Stout brewed with Cherry and Vanilla and aged in Bourbon Barrel Aged.
Label:
==Introduction==
I once saw they were making this one a while back yeah, as soon as I saw it and got my hands on it, it was going to be put on the website. My love for Belgian stouts has been a long time coming and with Garage Brewing coming up with some barrel aged magic and some nice adjuncts to the styles, it is something that I really want to share here on the site. Let’s have a look, cheers!
Aromas:
Chocolate Milkshake, cherry chocolate, banana sundae, butterscotch, brown sugar, banana, hazelnut nectar, oak, marshmallow smores, banana, cherry yogurt, dark fruit raisins, fruit cake, prunes, plums, cherry cola, dark cherries and pecan pie.
Flavors:
Rich cherry chocolate cordials, dark candy sugar, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Belgian chocolate, cherry cola, bourbon, oak, marshmallow, graham cracker smores, rye bread, molasses, anise, banana sundae, dark fruit raisins, prunes, plums, figs, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, Dark Cherries, Cherry Yogurt, chocolate milk shake, sweetened condensed milk, butter scotch, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, fruit cake, brown sugar, Pancho Pantera cherry choco milk shake, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate flan, rocky road ice cream and tootsie roll chocolate.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich cherry chocolate cordials, banana sundae, milk shake, bourbon, oak, flan, vanilla, marshmallow, rocky road ice cream, and dulce de leche caramel. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. Dark crimson full body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Freaking amazing! I swear, I had to stop myself from finishing the whole bottle in a sitting. It is very damn smooth and super easy to drink. I think aside from their first release of the Cherry Milk stout, this is the next big winner for me. It is amazing and I definitely recommend this highly to those that love Belgian stouts!
Anime Corner:
Amy Rose from the Sonic series was used in this pairing as a return to the original cherry stout pairing I did with the Dark Amy rose. Now the difference is with showing a different side of her with the barrel aged an vanilla aspects being complemented by her different cosplays.
Rating: 6/6
d-Unkle Peanut by Garage Brewing is a 4.8% ABV German Dunkel Weizen brewed with peanuts.
Label:
We believe in making our fresh craft beer from only the finest ingredients. And guess what? It’s really good! It’s a fun take on a classic Dunkle Weizen, and dedicated to your favorite Uncle that might just be a bit nutty.
==Introduction==
One of my favorite styles of beer when I first started, aside from the Belgian Quadrupel, was the Dunkelweizen or Dark Hefeweizen. It is not common but definitely common in Germany and one that often does not enough love in the beer world. However, when I saw that Garage Brewing made a Dunkelweizen, and one with peanuts no less, I had to bring it to the site. Peanut butter and peanut beers are awesome. Since Dunkels have a unique clove and banana spice flavor them, it would only be fitting that this work as a banana peanut butter beer. Let’s cher it out, cheers!
Aromas:
Rich roasted peanuts, banana, dark fruit, maple syrup, rye bread, vanilla, cashew milk, orange notes, mango notes, hazelnut nectar and peanut butter cookies.
Flavors:
Peanut butter, bananas, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, flan, clove spice, dark chocolate, dark fruit, hazelnut nectar, nutella, cadbury cream eggs, banana cream pie, marshmallows, nutter butter cookies, sweetened condensed milk, almond joy, rocky road ice cream, coriander spice, orange gummies, stone fruit hints, mango, maple syrup, rye bread, vanilla, cashew milk, captain crunch peanut butter cereal, Reese’s Peanut butter cereal, biscuit bread, Danish cream and cookie dough.
Aftertaste:
Very nice nutty peanut butter, hazelnut, nutella, chocolate, bananas, earthy notes, pecan pie and peanut buttery cookies. No alcohol in the taste. Brown body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Perfect dunkel weisse, only if German law would allow, but because it does not, it does not need to. I find it awesome in my mind. Rich banana and peanut butter spicy and dark fruit goodness all around. It is nice to try something like this in a long time. I highly recommend it!
Anime Corner:
Sally Acorn from the Sonic The Hedgehog series was used in this pairing mainly since I wanted to try and find a character that is into nuts and well since I haven’t used her in pairings, I figure it was about time I paired her with her own beer.
Rating: 6/6
Geburtstagskranz by The Bruery is a 9.5% ABV Imperial Stout with 50% aged in bourbon barrels with cacao nibs, vanilla beans and Tart Cherries added.
Freaking cherry cordials to the next level!
Rating: 5/5
Porcupine De Amore collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak brewing is an 8.1% ABV American Flanders Red Ale Oak aged with a Passion fruit wheat IPA
Label:
Love Hurts
In the early fall, twin time travel technicians were diagnosed with a rare and fatal condition rendering them invisible to mortal humans.
Now they are forced to spend eternity in the shadows of immortals with only the company of each other to assuage the pain that comes with mortal invisibility. Gazing log into the abyss, until theabyss gazes back at them.
And, yes. I used the last part on an earlier label. Ouroboros. Life, death, rebirth. Rinse and repeat. Etc.
Commercial Description:
“Despite sharing a brew house, building and employees, Porcupine de Amore, is the first “collaboration” brew between Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and North Peak Brewing Company.
Porcupine de Amore is a blend of an oak aged version of North Peak Brewing Company’s Perilous IPA, a passion fruit American IPA brewed with wheat, and Jolly Pumpkin’s Rosie del Barrio, a foeder aged amber ale. Perilous was first aged in new oak for 1 month then masterfully blended into another foeder to age for 5 months with Rosie del Barrio where it picked up the classic Jolly Pumpkin funk.
Passion fruit and funk make up the nose, bright tartness melds with the passion fruit then fades to light notes of cherry and finishes with lingering layers of oak.
==Introduction==
Obtained this one at Mr. K’s Liquor near the Bruery. Just like the Jolly Pumpkin No Ka Oï, I really liked the artwork of the label and the ingredients it brought forth here. Essentially, a tropical beer at that. Jolly Pumpkin has been what got me into sours so long ago and many of the super tat sours I have had to this day, some are just as good but JP seems to be king with them. This beer is essentially a cuvee with a Flanders Wild Ale and an IPA. I have had a passion fruit IPA in the past or a couple of them but it sure seems interesting to see how this one turns out. Let’s have a look at this one, cheers!
Aromas:
Stone fruit peach, tart apricot, mango, wild flower honey, grapefruit juice, honey dew melon, lemon peel, Dragon fruit, Passion fruit, Lychee, kiwi, strawberry, cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, blackberries, maple hints, pecan pie, oranges, sour apples, farmhouse hay, mushrooms, floral hibiscus, lavender, roses, peppercorns, coriander, wheat, and banana clovey hints.
Flavors:
Forward Tropical Fruit like Dragon fruit, Passion fruit, Lychee, kiwi, strawberry, cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, blackberries, maple hints, pecans, almond notes, walnuts, trail mix, caramel, vanilla, mild toffee, oak, funky brett, stone fruit peach, tart apricot, mango, sour apples, farmhouse hay, mushrooms, floral hibiscus, lavender, roses, peppercorns, coriander, wheat, banana clove hints, pink peppercorns, wild flower honey, grapefruit juice, honey dew melon, lemon peel, lime peel and orange preserves.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich with peppercorn spice, tropical and stone fruits, funky farmhouse hay, flowers, honey and lots of nutty and oak characteristics. No alcohol in the taste, Honey amber medium to full body, smooth, crisp, refreshing and effervescent mouthfeel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Tropical and nutty! This sour is perfect using a very nice blend which makes up for a sour that is also sweet and nutty. Yes, somehow the combination of the Flanders Oak with the IPA creates an interesting mix and is something that is very pleasant. It is not an amber by any means but the sour of the Flanders and IPA flavors make it that way. In addition, the tropical and hoppy parts of the beer shine very nicely. This one is a high recommend on my list.
Anime Corner:
Julie-Su and Sally Acorn from the Sonic franchise are essentially the love interest of Sonic and Knuckles. The reason I chose both of them is to represent the breweries collaboration respectively and the ghosts in the label. Since the beer is using a porcupine, Julie-Su the Echidna was close enough especially since she fits the colors of the label perfectly. I also chose Sally to represents the Red/amber aspect of the beer but also the nutty flavors.
Sources:
https://static1.comicvine.com/uploads/original/5/57845/1906991-unaltered009.jpg
http://i67.beon.ru/59/62/2436259/51/89324351/z_7bd8c0521.jpeg
http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/26300000/Julie-Su-3-sonic-the-hedgehog-26301227-553-735.png
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/78/08/0d/78080decd924c4082e9f85f4c5f2d395.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/62/28/a2622847e77968ba56a948a4ccd50330.jpg
Rating: 6/6
Cherry Chocolate Milk Stout by Garage Brewing Co. is a 7.1% ABV Sweet/Milk Stout with Chocolate and Tart Cherry Juice
Label:
We believe in making out fresh craft beer from only the finest ingredients. And guess what? It’s a perfect way to end any meal or an evening of indulgence. No need to order dessert with this flavor combination. Flavor: Sweet Milk chocolate, Cherry; Aroma: Mocha, Dark Fruit; Balance: Rich; Body: Full.
==Introduction==
I first saw this one on a social media post by Garage Brewing a while back. Being a fan of fruit beers and especially the love I have for their Marshmallow Milk stout, I had to bring this one to the site. I have had a ton of cherry beers to the site especially the ones I have made home brewing myself. Much like raspberries or blueberries, beers like that have a home here. So with that being said, I was really excited to see if this one had what it takes to compare with the best cherry stouts I have had in the past. Let’s take a look, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, tootsie roll chocolate, chocolate milkshakes, Dark fruit cherries, dark cherries, tart cherry skins, raisins, prunes, currants, blueberries, strawberry cheese cake, cherry yogurt, chocolate cherry cordial, butterscotch, brown sugar, banana and hazelnut nectar hints.
Flavors:
Sweet & Tart Cherries, Dark Cherries, Cherry Yogurt, Chocolate cherry cordials, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, tootsie roll chocolate, choco flan, Dark fruit cherries, raisins, prunes, currants, blueberries, strawberry cheese cake, marshmallow smores, chocolate cherry cake, Pancho Pantera cherry choco milk shake, bananas, butterscotch, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, fruit cake, pecan pie, brown sugar, anise, molasses and pecan pie.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich with cherry cordials, milk chocolate, flan, vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, dark fruit and dark cherry yogurt notes. No alcohol in the taste. Dark full body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Damn exceptional beer! Very much like a cherry chocolate sweet and tart cordial. The beer is semi sweet and semi tart. A good balance of complex flavors all around. The best part too is that I think those that do not drink craft beer may really dig this one. So this may actually entice more people to drink craft beer. Just goes to prove, Garage is doing some amazing beers. The fact that this is a lot like a cherry cordial is the reason I provided the score I did. I highly recommend this one.
Anime Corner:
Dark Amy Rose from Sonic the Hedgehog series was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair the colors of dark cherry with a girl similar to Sakura Haruno, which Amy Rose comes to mind. Although, since this was essentially like a chocolate cherry cordial but not to the level of the Bruery’s BBL Cordial, I brought Amy. Essentially, tart dark cherry chocolate cordial light and yet still full of rich flavors.
Sources:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rVtou3oCbV4/maxresdefault.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A8twpTcSTdc/WA9WqtE8G4I/AAAAAAAACxk/yorUZBQviKECzGF5swMR_TFGZHqaisMFQCJoC/w1024-h1219/tumblr_o4r8ra6bPk1uk1hd1o1_1280.png
http://img12.deviantart.net/3708/i/2015/214/d/0/amy_rose_pinup_by_proboom-d93u6do.jpg
Rating: 5/5
2016 Les Ronces by the Bruery Terreux is a 6.0% ABV is an American Wild ale with Boysenberries aged in Oak Barrels.
Label:
JAMMY – PUCKERING – QUAFFABLE
Commercial description:
Loosely translated as “The Brambles”, Les Ronces is rooted in Southern California charm. The juicy fruit was commercially brought to life near Bruery Terreux at Knott’s farm in Buena Park, California in the early 1930s. Since their peak in popularity, the berries have become more scarce and elusive, and at the same time, an ideal cohort for our wildly traditional bière. In Les Ronces, the boysenberries impart a reddish-purple hue to the oak-aged ale, with their sweet-tart flavor profile complementing the sour blonde base in a light jammy, puckering and refreshing fashion.
==Introduction==
Released to 2016 Reserve and Hoarders, this sour was made with the Bruery trying to use a different variety of fruits for making their sours and beers. All in the name of experimentation. This one though, reminded me of the time I tried the Bramble Rye from Goose Island’s Bourbon County series. If they ever make something like that, I would definitely want to try it. So with this sour, you can say I was intrigued to give it a shot for sure and is the reason I got it and brought it to the site. Some sours are a hit or miss for me from the Bruery. While I like sours, I like maltier beers more. So when it is done right, I definitely enjoy them. Like Jolly Pumpkin for example. So let’s see about this one. Cheers!
Aromas:
Wine grapes, earthy funk, oak, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peppercorn hints, Dark fruit raspberries, boysenberries, toasted rye bread, strawberry jam, lemon peel, honey and caramel notes.
Flavors:
Dark fruit raspberries, boysenberries, raisin hints, tart berry skins, Concorde grapes, wine grapes, Boysenberry preserves on Toasted Rye bread, Strawberry Jam, citrus, lemon peel, cranberries, honey, caramel hints, guava hints, pineapple hints, fruit cake hints, stone fruit peaches, apricots, hibiscus flowers, lavender, brown sugar hints pecan pie hints, funky hay notes, earthy funk, oak and strawberry shortcake.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with hints of dark fruit, earthy funk, oak, wine grapes, lemons, citrus and toasted rye bread. No alcohol in the taste, Ruby Hot Pink clear body, effervescent, puckering, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A very delicious and perfect sour showcasing the many tarty and sweet delicious fruits. While it is a sour, the body of the brew and characters of boysenberry preserves on toast do come out. Similarly, this reminds me similarly of what they did with Ruebarb/Windowsill and Gypsy Tart. Essentially, a dessert sour. While the sour and tart flavors are there to balance out the brew as a whole, it makes for one delicious brew if you are into sours. Definitely recommended.
Anime Corner:
Julie-su the Echidna from Sonic the Hedgehog Comics was used in this pairing to go with the label colors, the color of the beer as well as the boysenberries mainly. I have not used her in a Bruery or beer review in general and so I figured with all the colors following close to her colors I thought that this would be a very good fit for the pairing.
Sources:
http://img01.deviantart.net/4ea8/i/2011/338/2/f/julie_su_commission_by_one_dimensional_man-d4i62h1.jpg
http://img09.deviantart.net/ba38/i/2005/364/1/b/julie_su_coloured_by_tazi_san.jpg
Rating: 5.5/5
John Paul Jones Stout White Chocolate And Raspberry by Brew Rebellion is a 10.9% ABV Imperial Stout with White Chocolate and Raspberry flavors.
Descrition:
None
==Introduction==
This beer came as a surprise. I have never seen a white chocolate and raspberry stout before. The closest I have had to white chocolate were the White Chocolate from The Bruery and White Chocolate Moo-Hoo. This is the first time I try a beer from Brew Rebellion and the fact that they had it all nice and waxed, well, let’s just say it appealed to me a lot. So let us check this one out and see how it goes. Cheers!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, mocha, roasted , raspberry cheesecake, dark cherries, blue raspberry jolly ranchers, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, currants, blue berries, molasses, grape jelly on toasted bread, flan hints, crème brulee and marshmallows.
Flavors:
Rich raspberry, Dark Chocolate, Milk chocolate, White chocolate, vanilla, caramel, raspberry cream, coffee, mocha, rye bread, dark fruit raisins, currants, blue berries, grape jelly on toasted bread, dark cherries, raspberry cheesecake, blue raspberry jolly ranchers, cinnamon, molasses, flan, cherry cola notes, blue raspberry jolly ranchers, dragon fruit, toasted coconut, marshmallows, brown sugar, hazelnut, toffee, crème brulee hints and earthy notes.
Aftertaste:
Raspberry, white and dark chocolate hints, caramel, vanilla, mild Earthy notes and mainly dry finish.
No Alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, light yet creamy mouthfeel, Way too easy to drink that it is dangerous.
Overall:
I agree it to be a perfect stout. I really wish it had more body and complexity to it, but just as is, the flavors it does have are full frontal. Meaning that you do get a very direct raspberry and dark chocolate flavor with some white chocolate suggested. While the white chocolate is in there but kind of hidden at first, let the beer warm up to released it better. Afterward, that is what I base my rating on. This beer could be drunk all day which is dangerous as it is way too easy to drink. I highly recommend trying this one, This beer definitely fits as the “Chocolate Gift” category and might be good for a valentines gift too.
Anime Corner:
Kirin and Amy Rose from Monster Hunter and the Sonic Franchise were used in this pairing because I wanted to bring about the aspect of how the colors relate to the flavors of White Chocolate and Raspberry creating like pink milky color. While the beer itself is dark, like the dark chocolate, this is only one of the flavors. Since it is easy to drink, and a sweet dessert, it is just like giving chocolate as a gift for valentines. I liked the idea for sure.
Sources:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-11-24-454433.jpeg
http://www.zerochan.net/1366995
http://yukisisren.deviantart.com/art/Lollipop-459452933
Rating: 5/5
Knuckle Sandwich by Bootleggers is a 10%ABV World Class Double/Imperial India Pale Ale
Label:
This is a beer that truly lives up to its name! Brewed with copious amounts of North American hops, this Double IPA has a colossal hop profile and an aggressive aroma. Helping round out the floral and citrus notes is a huge malt backbone that provides a great mouth feel to this heavyweight hitter.
___
First had this at King’ Row Gastropub in Pasadena California. Back then I wasn’t aware how great and very sought after this beer was. It is brewed locally here in Fullerton California but even the demand for this beer is insane. By the time I wanted a bottle to review, it was sold out pretty much everywhere. I went to the local liquor store in the street where I grew up since I knew back then they had some nice beers but had not been back there since 2011. To my surprise, there it was, the Elusive Knuckle Sandwich. Even so, there was not many left and I am sure they would be gone soon enough. Didn’t hesitate to get this one to be able to do a good review and bring this one forth in another one of my Art and Beer pairings.
Aromas are very tropical and grassy. Grassy, piney, citrus, floral and grapefruit hops, pineapple, mango, papaya, kumquats, lychees, peaches, guavas, dragon fruit, melon, a scent of plum, orange, lemon, biscuit bread, caramel, pepper notes and mint.
The Flavors are of Caramel, sweet bread, vanilla, rich grassy, herbal, piney and chewy hops, followed by very nice tropics of oranges, pineapple, mango, plum notes, cherry notes, papaya, kumquats, lychees, peaches, dragon fruit, apricots, guavas, very mild banana notes and honey dew melon. The aftertaste lingers with a lot of tropics and herbal hops. The alcohol is somewhat hidden does not detract from the beer’s flavor. In fact, it adds like a honey flavor as well. It is quite balanced for sure.
This beer is essentially what hop head dreams are made it. This beer does not disappoint and it is as awesome as the last time I remember it even though I had it fresher back in March. It a fist full of awesome IPA goodness. Dare I call this one, Heady Topper the 2nd? Yes, I just did. The balance is phenomenal and if you are mainly into more tropical IPAs, then this one is to try. I myself love Tropical IPAs as well as Super hop bitter ones as well. This would be in my top list of awesome Double IPAs along with Ruination, Pliny the Elder, Double Jack, Hop Stoopid, Hangar 24’s Double IPA and others I have reviewed so far. A great example in great west coast double IPAs
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Ruby created by DawnBest http://dawnbest.deviantart.com/art/The-Many-Forms-of-Ruby-the-Echidna-345683691
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 