Rating: 5/5
Ad Astra by Middle Brow Beer Co. is an 8.1% ABV Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy brewed with salted Caramel
Description:
a salted scotch ale with a touch of roast & chocolate
Sweet sweet dark fruit and banana sundae Dulce de leche caramel fusion
Rating: 7/7
4 Fourth Anniversary by Figueroa Mountain is an 11% ABV Belgian Quadrupel brewed with figs and aged in oak barrels.
Label:
The number 4 is powerful and prevalent. For our fourth anniversary, it was apropos to brew a Belgian-style Abbey Quadrupel for the special occasion Crafted in the traditional style of Trappist monastery breweries. This massive dark ale was aged in oak barrels with figs an ancient and sacred fruit. We look forward to the infinite possibilities for Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company as the sensors pass and the phases of the moon come full circle.
==Introduction==
It has been a while I tried a Figueroa Mountain brewing beer. I do believe the last one I tried from them was their 2nd Anniversary Grand cru. That beer was very delicious but when I saw this one, I was very excited. They took a quadruple and aged it with figs in oak barrels. I was unable to find information to see if this one had oak sitting in a particular spirit. Anyway, quadrupels are some of my favorite types of beers. There is a special place in my heart for the style so anytime I see one, I have to try it at least and if I can, bring it to the website. I usually compare it to St. Bernardus 12abt, best quad ever! (To me). Fortunately, I was able to bring this one here but let’s see how this one does. Cheers!
Aromas:
Massive dark fruits figs, dates, plums, prunes, currants blackberries, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, bananas, clove spice, grilled plantains, port wine, sherry, rich fruit cake, stone fruit peach, apricots, mango, brown sugar, dark candi sugar, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon hints, piloncillo sugar cone, flan, cinnamon, ginger bread, sweetened condensed milk with mixed berries and milk chocolate.
Flavors:
Super Rich Dark fruit raisins, figs, dates, plums, prunes, currants blackberries, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, dark candi sugar, rock candy, toasted bread with mixed berry preserves, Capirotada Mexican bread pudding, figgy pudding, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate raisinettes, cherry cordials, tangerine preserves, orange notes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon hints, piloncillo sugar cone, flan, cinnamon, ginger bread, coriander spice, sweetened condensed milk with mixed berries, Mixed Berry yogurt, rich mixed berry cheese cake, dulce de leche caramel, bananas, clove spice, grilled plantains, port wine, sherry, rich fruit cake, pecan pie, stone fruit peach, apricots and mango.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with super massive barrage of rich dark fruit and mixed fruit flavors, oak, bourbon vanilla, marshmallow smores, dark chocolate, earthy notes and rich dark candi sugar. No alcohol in the taste, bloody crimson body, smooth, cream, velvety and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
I have no fucking idea what makes this quad so damn exceptional ridiculous. This quad is probably the highest grade I have given a quadrupel if not for the St. Bernardus 12 ABT Apple Brandy oak aged. Essentially this Quadrupel is a super damn dark fruit in your face quad with so much variants of fruit and delicious caramels and vanilla I have not seen in a while since Mikkeller’s raspberry quad. I am sure enjoying the hell out of this brew for damn sure and definitely recommend you highly get this one.
Anime Corner:
Super Saiyan Son Bra from Dragon Ball Multiverse is the daughter of Vegito (Fusion of Goku and Vegeta) from the universe where Vegito never unfused. She was used in this pairing to go with colors of the label but also the dark fruits and supreme complexity that this beer provides. A quadruple to be reckon with only pairs some of the best characters and Son Bra was the best one to use in this instance.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/wQZySjx.jpg
Rating: 6/5 * Final Review of 2012*
Grey Monday by The Bruery is an 18.6% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Hazelnuts. Essentially, this is the Black Tuesday Variant but made with Hazelnuts. Black Tuesday along with it’s cousin, Chocolate Rain are one of my most favorite Chocolate beers ever. They may not be the highest in the world but they certainly rated higher in my opinion. While St. Bernardus abt 12 and Trois Pistoles covers my most favorite Belgian/ World beers ever. Mainly this cover covers my ultimate chocolate beer sweet tooth. This is like a very special chocolate liquid of the gods.
Label:
Originally brewed for a molecular gastronomy dinner at Beachwood BBQ, this decadent version of Black Tuesday is brewed with Oregon grown, roasted hazelnuts.
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The ABV on the label said 18.6% however, at the tasting rooms in The Bruery they have it at 19.2%. Chocolate Rain was about that much, maybe more. This year’s Black Tuesday is in the 19 something as well. Anyways, on to the review 🙂
Grey Monday is hard to get. You have to basically go out of your way to get it so for those that want to seek this on out, be ready to climb over a good amount of obstacles. If your lucky, you may find it online though. So immediately after you open the beer is an massive explosion of extremely rich chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, cherries, plums, pecans, hazelnut, and caramel. Like literally, you can smell how sweet and nutty this is. Aromas are just that rich. Just like I said about Chocolate Rain. Basically Diabetes in a bottle. Also a note to the wise. Take your time and do not consume in one sitting. 1 small 8 ounce glass or less is best. Nectar of gods should be taken lightly and savored to the best ability and saved some for later or for friends. I decided to drink this on Monday 31st as being the last beer of 2012 I review :). So I figure why not. Upon trying it I was taken to the boozy world chocolate nirvana. Immediately I was surrounded by flavors of very strong milk, dark, sweet chocolate, chocolate covered raisins and tart cherries, rich mocha, rich dulce de leche caramel, rich sweetened condensed milk (Mexican Lechera), flan with pecans, almonds, walnuts, Bourbon, vanilla, raisins, port chocolate, Chambord Raspberry in chocolate cake, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, chocolate cheesecake with maybe some macadamia nuts and well lots of burnt sweet caramelized sugars and cocoa. There is also an underlying banana nut bread with cherry and chocolate, vanilla and caramel hazelnut in the aftertaste. This beer is pretty deep and it takes grasp of the spirit. You would probably be done in one sip. The Oak Bourbon is present but no burn, just a small level of intensity for this super giant megaton fusion super saiyan of an ABV beer. Certainly one of the greats and nothing less. World Class in its own special way. The Grey Monday, The Black Tuesday and The Chocolate Rain. I love Trois Pistoles and I love St. Bernardus abt 12, but just as Chocolate Rain has taken me above and beyond this has taken me to another level of rich hazelnut, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, dark fruits and oak bourbon vanilla heaven.
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 