Tag Archives: wheat wine

White Chocolate With Cherries by The Bruery

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Rating: 7/7

White Chocolate With Cherries by The Bruery is a 14.2% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs, Vanilla Beans and Tart Cherries.

Label:

Take a Dip

==Introduction==

Holllyyyy shit! This beer came from left field. Especially since the already awesome White Chocolate was elevated to a new mastery with Cherries! I got a chance to try this one on tap when they had it at a Reserve Society night. The beer is exclusive to Hoarders and Reserve at the moment but slowly but surely, I am sure we will see it soon to preserve. It will be a while before the public sees it but regardless, you heard it here, let’s see how this upgrade is, cheers!

Aromas:

Super white chocolate cherry cordials, tart cherries, rich hazelnut, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel,Velvet vanilla, white chocolate, flan, rich bananas, rich Lechera sweetened condensed milk, oak, toasted coconut, marzipan, wine grapes, marshmallows, 3 leches, biscuit bread, dark butterscotch, stone fruit peaches, apricots, plums, white raisins, light butterscotch, biscuit bread with rich lechera, raisin bread pudding, crème brulee, Bavarian yeast phenolic notes, tropical fruits like sweet pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, pears, apples, coriander spice, clove spice, capirotada raisin bread pudding, cinnamon, pecan pie, almond joy chocolate and more complexities!

Flavors:

Super rich Chocolate Cherries, dark cherry yogurt, vanilla cherries, white chocolate covered cherry cordials, White chocolate, milk chocolate, rich bananas, rich dulce de leche, Rich Lechera Nestle sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, strawberry flan, pomegranates, raspberry chambord, bourbon, brown sugar, rich hazelnut, marshmallow, flan, mild citrus, marzipan , oak, toasted coconut, biscuit bread with creamy 3 leches spread (Three milks), pecan pie, almond joy, almond cream, tropical fruit like mild dragon fruit, sweet pineapple, mango hints, pears, apples, wine grapes, Stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, white raisins, butterscotch, coriander spice, clove spice, cinnamon, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Bavarian yeast phenols, dark butterscotch, piloncillo, crème brulee and more!

Aftertaste:

Lingering supreme dark, tart and sweet cherries and sweet condensed milk, white chocolate, vanilla, milk chocolate, bananas, clove spice, Chocolate cherry cordials and flan. No alcohol in the taste despite the 14.2% ABV, sipping yet smooth drinkability, syrupy and velvety mouth feel, medium to full hazy body and supremely dangerous to drink in one sitting.

Overall:

Fucking…. Ridiculous!!! White Choco Cherry Cordials in liquid form. The original White Chocolate was already beyond the beyond but now with cherries, its definitely pure sweet dessert bliss. I love cherry chocolate beers but a white chocolate cherry beer is something like matter meets antimatter and the gates of sweet flavor oblivion open up. A damn bucket lister no doubt! Plug it into my veins and you need to plug it into your as well.

Anime Corner:

Temari Sabakuno and Sakura Haruno from Naruto were the best pairing for this beer. Temari for the original White Chocolate base beer and Sakura for the Cherries used in many of the Cherry cordial beers I have had before with the Bruery. So a beer that blends Temari, one of my favorite anime character with Sakura, a secondary favorite of the Naruto show, this blend was well complemented in my mind.

 

 

Surly Eleven by Surly brewing

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Rating: 6/6

Surly Eleven by Surly brewing is a 10% ABV Belgian Quadrupel Wheat Wine hybrid brewed with Brettanomyces

Label:
Eleven! I guess that makes us old, in “Minnesota Brewing Years”. Is it time to grow up, yet? Hope not. “What’s next?” is a common question around the brewery- not an easy question to answer, but one thin’s for sure, we’re never going to stop pushing. This year’s art by Adam Martin looks to the past, the present, and the possibilities of the future. See you drinking.

Omar Ansari

We brewed this beer in honor of two-faced Janus who peers both ahead and behind. A Belgian-style Quad Ale honors the past while 100% Brett-fermented wheat beer looks towards the future. Blended together, Eleven exists in a purely liminal space

Jerrod Johnson & Ben Smith, Head Brewers
==Introduction==

Eleven years of Surly! It had been crazy for many of the beers I have tried from them since their 3rd Anniversary. In fact, their love of the occult and awesome beer labels is what got me into trying their beers. While I typically do not see many of the common beers they offer, I usually try and get their specialty ones. This one I bring is a hybrid of a Wheat/Blonde Barley Wine and a Belgian Quadrupel. With the addition of Brettanomyces, I’m sure would give the already complex brew a nice doze of funky goodness. Let’s see how it is, cheers!

Aromas:
Dark fruit prunes, figs, raisins, plums, dates, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peppercorns, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, anise, molasses, piloncillo sugar cone, fruit cake, brettanomyces funk, Belgian candi sugar, dulce de leche caramel, bananas and oak.

Flavors:
Farmhouse hay, brettanomyces funk, Belgian candi sugar, dulce de leche caramel, bananas, clove spice, coriander, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peppercorns, floral flavors of roses, hibiscus, lavender, oranges, lemon peel hints, orange preserves, grapefruits, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, anise, molasses, piloncillo sugar cone, fruit cake, dark fruit prunes, figs, raisins, plums, dates, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, butterscotch, toffee, rye bread, pan dulce, capirotada raisin bread pudding, port wine, raspberry Chambord, dark cherries, strawberry cheesecake, trail mix, maple notes, oaky notes and cookie dough ice cream.

Aftertaste:
Finishing rich in dark fruits, brettanomyces, wine grapes, chocolate, pecan pie, earthy notes, oranges, wheat bread, Belgian candi sugar and bananas. No alcohol in the taste. Full murky brown and crimson body, smooth, creamy, and chewy mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Surly definitely hits it out of the park with their amazing brews! Definitely one that is exceptional show casing many of the awesome caramel, banana and dark fruit traits from both the wheat wine and quadruple but with the brett it goes into some nice funky, stone fruit flavors and even some berry and ice cream like flavors. Yes it was definitely unexpected for sure! It was one that I really enjoyed and once I would recommend highly to those in search of this one. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Demencia from Villanous was chosen in this pairing mainly since I wanted to include a character that kinda fit the whole past and the future thing going on with the dinosaurs. Her lizard cloak fits with the dinosaurs but seeing as Surly has also made some crazy beers with occult artwork, having a demented character like Demencia was the Rockin’ way to go!

Sources:
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Demencia-685109933
http://admenika.deviantart.com/art/Demencia-683025209
http://klevinkeeni.deviantart.com/art/Villainous-Dementia-Demencia-687654547
http://polkadot-creeper.deviantart.com/art/Dementia-681788432
http://ryumi-gin.deviantart.com/art/Demencia-685219185
http://illiniguy34.deviantart.com/art/Demencia-Fan-Art-685444213
http://scamwich.deviantart.com/art/Dement-To-Be-687166579
https://www.deviantart.com/art/Villainous-Demencia-682443971

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake by The Bruery

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Rating: 6/6

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake by The Bruery is a 13.7% ABV Wheat Wine brewed with Strawberries, Lactose and vanilla beans aged in bourbon barrels.

==Introduction==

Gotta admit, the Bruery has been coming out with some of the craziest dessert and delicious experiments ever. Who would of thought that they would of made a strawberry shortcake beer!? Well, actually, it shouldn’t be surprising! At this point, the Bruery can literally make any type of dessert beer it seems and meant it to how it tastes. This was something that was released on tap only as far as I know but yes, it was one I was allowed to bring home to get a good analysis of. So let’s check it out, cheers!

Aromas:
Banana split, strawberries, cherries, biscuit bread, butterscotch, tres leches cake, Danish creak, dark fruits, sweetened condensed milk, Neapolitan ice cream, piloncillo sugar cone, dulce de leche caramel, milk chocolate, toffee, waffle cone, almond joy and toasted coconut.

Flavors:
Rich strawberry cheesecake, white chocolate, Strawberry shortcake, Tres Leches strawberry cake, Banana Split with Strawberries, Strawberry and banana yogurt, toffee, piloncillo sugar cone, Cadbury caramel cream eggs, flan, crème brulee, Danish cream, cookie dough ice cream, vanilla, sugar cookies, sweetened condensed milk, strawberry pound cake, Neapolitan ice cream, Strawberries and cream, Raspberries, pomegranates, dark fruit currants, blueberries, dragon fruit, cherries, marzipan, chocolate truffles, toasted coconut, almond joy, cotton candy and red velvet cake.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich strawberries, vanilla, cheesecake, cherry, yogurt, marzipan, white chocolate, flan, bananas and caramel. No alcohol in the taste, super hazy murky peach colored full body, smooth, creamy, refreshing and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Exceptional! Another awesome dessert that feels like liquefying a strawberry shortcake and drinking it. Of course it is amazing and since it uses White Oak as its base, its works super awesomely. In fact, the base was also used in White Chocolate so its no wonder that it has application in making other amazing beers. I absolutely love it. If you get a chance to have this on tap, check it out, I highly recommend it!

Anime Corner:
Junko Enoshima from Danganronpa was chosen in this pairing as I was going for something that would fit with pink strawberry cheesecake. While I already used Sakura Haruno with different Bruery beers as they relate to cherries, I wanted to go with another character that works with this pairing and that is where Junko came in. While I do not know much of the story, I do know that she made the perfect pairing in this beer especially over the flavors and ingredients of this beer.

Sources:
http://pic.element3ds.com/forum/201510/19/201623yh2a29ziuyvmmfvv.jpg
http://tp.lingyu.me/bz/uploads/2016/09/www.lingyu.me_20160902150656167.jpg
http://s2.narvii.com/image/fc42tftbsczwemh3tou4fejuiasje5ls_hq.jpg

 

2016 Hoarders Cuvee by The Bruery Terreux

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Rating: 5.5/6

2016 Hoarders Cuvee by The Bruery Terreux is a 12% Sour Blonde ale aged in oak barrels with Honey, and Wheatwine ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Coconut, Hibiscus, Rose Hips and White Pepper

Label:
An invitation to join our Hoarders Society is the ultimate nod in how far you’ve come in your craft beer journey. Each year as a member, you get access to some of the most elusive and exclusive beers (such as this) and one-of-a-kind experiences, like going toe-to-toe with your peers in blending sessions exclusive to Hoarders.

This Cuvee is as dynamic as the members it competed against to gain top bragging rights in the Hoarders Cuvee blending tournament and be produced by Bruery Terreux in 2016. Designed by Hoarders Society members Kyle Landig, Paul Moore, Cory Townsend and Andy Williams, this Cuvee begins with one of the cornerstones of Bruery Terreux – our oak-aged sour blonde ale. We then premier a new ingredient in a packaged product for the first time in our company’s history: honey. Together with coconut, these two catapult the rich, barrel character found in our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine ale, which is the second beer in the blend. Hibiscus, rose hips and white pepper balance the oaky, sweet and sour profile, adding a degree of spice and herbal characteristics to the dynamic blend.

==Introduction==

I obtained this beer from the Bruery Reserve as they were having a sale and happened to allow a Hoarders beer to be purchased. While I did try the Bruery’s version of the Cuvee, now I bring forth the Terreux version of the 2016 Cuvee. Amazingly, the Cuvee from the Bruery was far up there as being a one of the best I have ever had. I hope I can say the same for this one. Let’s take a look and see if it is worth seeking out, cheers!

Aromas:
Floral notes of hibiscus, rose notes, lavender, honey, tropical fruit, stone fruit, mild toasted coconut, wine grapes, biscuit bread, vanilla, toasted coconut, chocolate hints and bourbon oak.

Flavors:
Rich oak, Lemon peel, hibiscus, roses, floral hops, lavender, honey, Bourbon, toasted coconut, stone fruit peach apricot, lychee, biscuit bread, vanilla, cocada Mexican coconut candy notes, sweetened condensed milk, strawberries, kiwi, cherries, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, cane sugar, sour apples, wine grapes, Chardonnay, raspberries, white chocolate notes, oranges, tangerine hints, super lactic funk and white wine.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with floral notes, coconut, lemon peel, vanilla, oak, honey, oranges, hibiscus, strawberries and biscuit bread. No Alcohol in the taste, clear rose and golden body, crisp, refreshing and effervecent mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
While it is exceptional and very delicious, I think the balance is the only thing that keeps it from being at the highest it could be. It is mainly tart and the sweetness is here and there but you can still tell there is a lot of complexity in this one. While I feel many who love sours will definitely enjoy this one, if you mainly love sours for its extreme sourness, then this one is an awesome one for you.

Anime Corner:
Aeris Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII was chosen in this beer since I have yet to review a beer with Aeris but mainly since her colors fit well with the colors and ingredients of the beer. This beer is full of flowers and Aeris is a flower girl so I figure it was the most perfect pairing especially a beer such as this one, the golden cuvee.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/Z7iVoXe.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/d5/a1/76d5a1334bf885972c8dec13d4511e32.jpg
http://img2.yiihuu.com/860X860/upimg/courses/2016/04/19/1-1461034043-529785.jpg?auto=h
http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/6/6c04/6c049fbc/100568/aerith-gainsborough.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/b9/b7/93b9b7af4b08eab0082ac228b2d2a8b2.jpg

2017 White Chocolate by The Bruery

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Rating: 6/6

2017 White Chocolate by The Bruery is a 13.8% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.

Encore:
https://animebeers.com/2016/10/14/2016-white-chocolate-by-the-bruery/

2017 Mélange 5 by The Bruery

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Rating: 6/6
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2017 Mélange 5 by The Bruery is a 15% ABV Hybrid of 90% Old Ale and Wheatwine aged in bourbon barrels with 10% Rauchbier.

Label:
DAMN THAT DBJW

This trip down memory lane is rauch-y blend of our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine-style ale anniversary ale and smoked beer.

It’s dirty business, rubbing shoulders with friends in the BBQ business. But we’re rolling up our sleeves and revisiting a favorite from an anniversary weekend years ago. Using malt smoked on our friend’s house smoker, we brewed a smoked beer and blended it with our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine-style ale and anniversary ale. The result is a woody, smoky, blend you’ll want to sink your teeth into.

==Introduction==
17015762_10104035733744190_5944447236715703598_o
Released to Reserve and Hoarders Society, this is the newest entry in the awesome Mélange series of beer. Each one unique using different ingredients mainly including White Oak Wheatwine, their Anniversary Old Ale and/or Black Tuesday Imperial Stout. This time around, they blended a smoked beer adding some different kind of complexity to the beer. So far, I haven able to bring a good amount of these beers to the website and hope to continue the trend. I think there is no doubt in my mind that this series of beers have been nothing but pure exceptional gold. Let’s see what the smoke adds to the already awesome beer, cheers!

Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, raspberries, smokey oak, whiskey, bourbon, BBQ, honey, marshmallow, pecan pie, waffle cone, flan, sweetened condensed milk, Cadbury cream eggs, capirotada raisin bread pudding, smoked rye bread, nutmeg, oranges, tobacco, vanilla and bacon.
16992335_10104035722925870_6614671237710436526_o
Flavors:
Maple syrup, BBQ, smokey oak, bourbon, whisky, dulce de leche caramel, caramelized bacon, honey ham, vanilla, toasted coconut, oranges, leather, molasses, tobacco, chocolate, Cadbury cream eggs, capirotada raisin bread pudding, toasted coconut, piloncillo sugar cone,burnt sugars, butterscotch, plantains, Belgian Candi sugar, dark fruit raisins, plums, clove spice, anise, coriander spice hints, smoked rye bread, nutmeg, flan, sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, pecan pie, Raspberry chambord and waffle cone.
16991742_10104035722900920_6332971628288151184_o
Aftertaste:
Finishes with BBQ, pulled pork hints, smokey notes, Cadbury chocolate caramel cream eggs, vanilla, honey, chocolate, and caramel. No alcohol in the taste, hazy orange full body, smooth, chewy, creamy and velvety mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.
16836187_10104035722865990_5371417974461028819_o
Overall:
An exceptional brew. As, always, very complex like the other Mélanges and the Rauchbier does add some new complexity to the blend that makes it very enticing. Malty sweet and smokey notes to balance. Overall, like the many Bruery beers, it is a dessert on its own. Highly recommended.
16904975_10104035722666390_1570815618343629705_o
Anime Corner:
Inori Yuzuriha from Guilty Crown was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to mainly pair with the colors of the beer with the orange, black and brown colors. It was also an opportunity to bring this character to the Bruery series of beers as I have not used her in these pairings in the past. To prevent repeat characters, it is always hard to find all the needed characters. I think additionally, her colors and traits like complex personality would go great with the beer as well.
16992014_10104035722486750_7627810300011952819_o
Sources:
http://tp.lingyu.me/bz/timthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Ftp.lingyu.me%2Fbz%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F08%2Fwww.lingyu.me_20160816044331198.jpg&w=2560&h=1600&zc=1
http://76.72.168.19/images/2016-04-08-824018.jpeg
http://tp.lingyu.me/bz/uploads/2016/08/www.lingyu.me_20160816043321505.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xsSLRAcRT-M/UeDNJLVJ8FI/AAAAAAAABUY/TEmSjqQRGMI/w650-h795/B7951FA2-18BA-4AB8-A0A7-F3943796D4BF.JPG
http://i6.buimg.com/92d5df145faaab68.jpg
http://www.kartinki.me/images/201204/kartinki.me_3001.jpg
http://i.imgbox.com/K0JPn5AA.jpg

2016 White Chocolate By The Bruery

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2016 White Chocolate – The Bruery’s White Oak Wheat Wine with Cocoa Nibs and Vanilla Beans. I have reviewed this one many times so I figure this year, I leave it to a previous review to take care of the recommendation. Cheers!

https://animebeers.com/…/2015-white-chocolate-by-the-bruery/
14712913_10103627994646610_2211130022188027201_o14680822_10103627994621660_5365045827453372948_o14706799_10103627994631640_1365982357579599742_o

2016 White Mocha by The Bruery

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

13307465_10103279138287550_6291594818918929177_n 13240585_10103279138636850_6355648886233025049_n 13247797_10103279138512100_1772785327298192205_o 13308234_10103279138801520_3949168034485202993_oRating: 6/6

2016 White Mocha by The Bruery is a 16.3% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Tierra Mia Coffee Beans.

Label:
RISE & SHINE
This bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine-style ale snuggled up with cacao nibs from TCHO and fresh coffee beans from TIERRA MIA COFFEE

White Mocha is our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine-style ale with cacao nibs and fresh coffee beans. Notes of coffee and chocolate are joined by warm flavors of coconut, honey and vanilla that rise & shine on the palate. If you’ve never fancied yourself a morning person, today might just be your day.

==Introduction==

Released to Reserve and Hoarders Society members of the Bruery, this beer is essentially White Chocolate with Coffee. While in the past, White Chocolate has been a rarity and guilty pleasure along with Black Tuesday and the variants. It was so much so, that they would hardly release enough even to Reserve members. Now in 2015 and 2016, there is a lot of White Chocolate and White Oak to go around which is I guess how they got to experiment with a new brew and so this one was born. Let’s see if this is worth the find, cheers!

Aromas:
Rich Flan, crème brulee, coffee cake, White Chocolate, Bourbon, Cookies and Cream, Cookie dough ice cream, Jamoca ice cream, Espresso coffee, Mocha Chocolate, Irish Cream, Danish Cookies, butterscotch, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, 3 leches (3 milks) Mexican cake, almond joy, honey, almond milk, tropical fruit like pineapple hints, pears, mango, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, rich hazelnut nectar and pecan pie.

Flavors:
White Chocolate, Espresso coffee, Mocha Chocolate, Jamoca Ice cream, Kopi Luwak fancy notes, coffee cake, bananas, clove spice, flan, crème brulee, sweetened condensed milk, bourbon, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, rich hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, marshmallows, stone fruit peach, apricot, toasted coconut, 3 leches (3 milks) Mexican cake, almond joy, honey, dark fruit cherries, plums, tropical fruit like pineapple hints, pears, mango, almond milk, chocolate mousse, chocolate coffee milk shake, Irish Cream, Danish Cookies, cookie dough ice cream, butterscotch, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, coriander spice, orange notes, wine grapes and choco flan.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with coffee cake on sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla, milk chocolate, bananas, clove spice, bourbon, mocha ice cream and almond cream. No alcohol in the taste but definitely feel the impact later. Honey Gold Amber medium body, silky, syrupy, velvety, and chewy mouthfeel with a dangerously easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Just like the original White Chocolate but in the Fancy supreme coffee direction. I’m a sucker for some of these beers, I admit it and definitely tend to lean my opinion sometimes but just know that this one, just like the White Chocolate, is vastly up there with some of the best beers in the world. In fact, many of the special variants from Black Tuesday and the Bruery process are insane. Made with their house strain, it really gives off some of the beers I like, like the Belgian strains. Anyway, I highly recommend this one. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Panty Anarchy from the Panty & Stocking series was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair mainly with the colors of the label and the WheatWine/BlondeBarley Wine aspect. With the addition of coffee to the White chocolate, the beer becomes very unique. Although white chocolate is not real chocolate but to think of a White Mocha? Well, that’s just a myth… like angels, or could it be true they live among us. Possibly, Panty Anarchy is an angel. A sexually driven one but the seduction of the idea of a white mocha and the complex flavors of the beer are very appealing.

Sources:
http://www.hkcgart.com/Public/static/kindeditor/attached/image/20150811/20150811083942_64879.jpg
http://holichii.deviantart.com/art/Anarchy-Panty-by-Hagiwara-Rin-314568375
http://www.zerochan.net/full/501682
http://static.zerochan.net/Anarchy.Panty.full.1500839.jpg

2015 White Chocolate by The Bruery

by tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

12375244_10102978464365500_5935363256036572072_o 1781175_10102978476815550_6063849372309455678_o 12068671_10102978480218730_5557919350919305652_oRating: 6/6

2015 White Chocolate by The Bruery is a 16.6% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.

Label:
OAKALATE

This sumptuous version of our barrel-aged wheat wine style ale has an addition of fresh vanilla beans and TCHO cacao nibs.

White Chocolate is best enjoyed fresh for peak flavor, but may evolve pleasantly over time if cellared properly.

Notes/Commercial Description: (per beeradvocate)
The primary component of our “White Oak” ale is a 100% barrel aged wheat wine that we affectionately refer to as “White Oak Sap.” Essentially a “summer” barley-wine style ale, but made with a wheat heavy grain base, White Oak Sap is aged in used bourbon barrels for nearly a year and comes out rich in flavors of coconut, honey, caramel and vanilla. To compliment the already rich flavors of the beer, we’ve added cacao nibs and vanilla beans to give this beer the delicate flavor of white chocolate…hence the name.
___

Was available to Preservation and Reserve members for December 2015, the almighty white chocolate has returned. Unfortunately, like the 2013, the 2014th version ended up getting sour if not consumed fresh. I will say this much as my version did not sour at all after taking it out of the cellar. Something I had mildly regretted as I would have to wait patiently to replace the empty spot with another White Chocolate. This year, with the separation of facilities (All Sours are made at The Bruery Terreux) we should not see this type of situation happen again. This decadent piece of liquid chocolate white has been on one of my top favorites of all time in terms of rare beers and Now that it back in town, I have to come clean. Just like Black Tuesday, this will be the last time I review this magical brew. Sad, but I think I have made an important point over the years as why I love this beer so much. Heck, even my banner has this beer. So I bring it forth one last time, one of my all time favorites in my quest to seek the truest of the truest, White Chocolate! Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich hazelnut, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel,Velvet vanilla, white chocolate, flan, rich bananas, rich Lechera sweetened condensed milk, oak, toasted coconut, marzipan, wine grapes, marshmallows, 3 leches, biscuit bread, dark butterscotch, stone fruit peaches, apricots, plums, white raisins, light butterscotch, biscuit bread with rich lechera, raisin bread pudding, crème brulee, Bavarian yeast phenolic notes, tropical fruits like sweet pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, pears, apples,, coriander spice, clove spice, capirotada raisin bread pudding, cinnamon, pecan pie, almond joy chocolate and more complexities!

Flavors:
White chocolate, milk chocolate, rich bananas, rich dulce de leche, Rich Lechera Nestle sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, bourbon, brown sugar, rich hazelnut, marshmallow, flan, mild citrus, marzipan , oak, toasted coconut, biscuit bread with creamy 3 leches spread (Three milks), pecan pie, almond joy, almond cream, tropical fruit like mild dragon fruit, sweet pineapple, mango hints, pears, apples, wine grapes, Stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, white raisins, butterscotch, coriander spice, clove spice, cinnamon, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Bavarian yeast phenols, dark butterscotch, piloncillo, crème brulee and more!

Aftertaste:
Lingering sweet condensed milk, white chocolate, vanilla, milk chocolate, bananas, clove spice
No alcohol in the taste despite the 16.6% ABV, sipping yet smooth drinkability, syrupy and velvety mouth feel, medium to full hazy body and supremely dangerous to drink in one sitting.

Overall:
Supreme, Luscious and Exquisite. Even for trying the 2014 version almost a year later and it did not sour on me (lucky?) the 2015 is damn promising. Even stronger in and more delicious than that of the 2014. White Chocolate, despite not being the new Melange 12, it is still a major component that still supreme. Mind blowing as always and a constant reminder of the love I have for it and my patiently waiting for it. Like many before, a bucket list beer along with Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain the Wineification variants, Grey Monday, Melange 3 and my newest favorite, Melange 12, certainly all a must try.

Anime Corner:
Temari Sabaku from Naruto is no mystery to this beer. She has appeared in all the instances I try this beer and may do so even if someday I decide to review the beer again. Temari is simply and awesome ninja as I stated in previous reviews. She represents the color of the beer blonde to gold as in the color of her hair. She represents a partial tropical aspect in terms of the White oak that is added which I refer to “Raw as The Sun” but subdued by the overall sweet chocolate and vanilla which are pretty intimate to me. Temari’s strength is also in the ABV and just like a ninja, will flow easy if you try to consume her in one sitting. White Chocolate Temari, I Love You Chiquita!!! :3
921347_10102978503606860_6765306843139867962_o 10402628_10102978504569930_7020024732956877430_n
Sources:
http://www.hdwallpapersdesktop.com/Anime/Naruto/images/Naruto%20Wallpaper%20257.jpg
http://www.wallpaperup.com/uploads/wallpapers/2015/01/12/584231/fd464741294dd813f56956bd2fecde55.jpg
http://img09.deviantart.net/6829/i/2013/234/f/b/temari_happy_birthday__by_rikamello-d6jbbmw.jpg

Proprietor’s Vintage No.001 HellDorado by Firestone Walker

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11895002_10102786518905740_1442027335416953057_o 11952686_10102786519394760_3009589762244989654_o 11926479_10102786520218110_1514009866648628912_oRating: 6/6

Proprietor’s Vintage No.001 HellDorado by Firestone Walker is a 13.2% ABV Imperial Blonde Barleywine/Wheat Wine Ale

Label:
Since founding our brewery in 1996, we have specialized in the rare art of fermenting beer in oak barrels. In the fall of 2006, we embarked on a program to barrel age a series of vintage strong ales that would later be used as components of a blended beer. That blend would become our first Anniversary Ale, “10”.

After the release of “10”, we released limited amounts of the component beers on draft only. Many of these beers gained a cult following that craft beer fans raved about and begged for us to put in bottle. Helldorado was one of these beers.

We present the 2015 vintage of Helldorado, an Imperial Blonde Ale or Blonde Barley Wine. Helldorado has the lightest color of any of the beers in our barrel program but carries a great deal of interesting barrel character: vanilla, light char and amazing lavender-honey notes.

Rich boozy honey liqueur character and loads of smooth sweet toasted malt to finish. The El Dorado hops dance in the background without playing a dominant role in the flavor profile. This Blonde Barley Wine is a one-of-a-kind sipping beer built to last and will reward careful aging for years to come.

==Introduction==

One of the many components that have been used in many of the Firestone Walker Anniversary ales, they finally released this one out to the public. While it is limited, you should definitely try to get one as who knows now a days when they will release this one again. It goes without saying that such brews stay around for much longer unless they have a cult following. Even so, who really knows because now that Firestone is under the wing of Duvel, we will probably see even more and more beers come to fruition and more readily available than before. Quantity does not really seem to affect the quality of the beers especially when well handled. Take Ommegang for example, world class in Belgians for example, owned by Duvel. So yeah, this maybe a positive thing. Beers like PNC however, are harder to get as they were brewery exclusive. Anyways, let’s take a look at this one, shall we? Cheers!

Aromas:
Caramel, Vanilla, Banana, wheat, Banana sundae, white chocolate notes, stone fruit apricot hints, peaches, white raisins , lemon peel, coriander spice, cinnamon, Danish cream, flan, sweetened condensed milk, honey comb, dark fruit cherries, plums, raisins, bubble gum hints, coconut, bourbon, butter pecan ice cream, marshmallow, graham crackers, waffle cone, passion fruit, dragon fruit, piney and floral hop hints, honey dew melon, citrus, raw orange like the sun, rocky road ice cream, citrus flower honey, almond joy, pralines, apples, raw oranges, rocky road ice cream and pecan pie.

Flavors:
Rich Rich Banana sundae, caramel, rich vanilla, white chocolate, dark fruit cherries, plums, raisins, bubble gum hints, coconut, bourbon, butter pecan ice cream, marshmallow, graham crackers, waffle cone, passion fruit, dragon fruit, piney and floral hop hints, honey dew melon, citrus, raw orange like the sun, rocky road ice cream, pecan pie, stone fruit apricot hints, peaches, white raisins , lemon peel, coriander spice, cinnamon, Danish cream, flan, sweetened condensed milk, honey comb, tangerine candy, citrus flower honey, almond joy, pralines, apples and cookie dough.

Aftertaste:
Rich coconut, Flan, Leche Nestle/Sweetened Condensed milk notes, oak, white chocolate, milk chocolate, almonds, bananas, flowers, citrus and oak. Slight alcohol in the taste but not detracting from the flavor. Gold Crimson light to medium body, silky, smooth, creamy, velvety and syrupy mouth feel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
One of the best Wheat Wines/ Blonde Barley wines ever! Along White Chocolate of course. Damn over the top as always with these Firestone Reserve beers. Why does every bottle of a reserve or proprietor’s series taste so exceptional? You really have to pick any of them out to really understand it. For this, yes!! Damn right it is worth the pick up. So much luscious flavors and the scary thing is that the color of it is so misleading with it’s light body. It boggles my mind how this bottle can be the way it is. The devil really is in the details, or in this case, the liquid.

Anime Corner:
Awoken Hera from Puzzle & Dragons was used in this paring as I wanted to pick a character with a class like I chose for the other reserve and proprietor’s series. The pairing was easy, just find a golden shiny devil character as HellDorado pretty much translate to Golden Hell. Easier said than done as many of the characters I looked for did not fit the bill until I found the “Awoken” version of Hera. With her Golden shine and Red Devilish looks, how could I go wrong with this pairing. She looks like a major bad ass which represents the alcohol and complexity of the beer but the sweet flavors and golden body are clearly on how “Hot” she appears in this pairing.

Sources:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLZgtnBUsAAH-Fo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5FIHXDU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Wv87exg.jpg

Eight by Surly Brewing

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10801864_10102205524822540_8166432178663971312_nRating: 6/5

Eight by Surly Brewing is a 12%ABV Oat Wine Aged in High West Rye Whiskey Barrels.

Label:
get surly

“When it’s done” is a phrase we’ve used to describe release dates for our beers for many years. When you’re putting the beer first, it just makes sense. Our anniversary is technically in February, but this unique Oat Wine style ale needed to age in High West Rye Whiskey barrels until, well… until it’s done. Here’s to Eight great years, and we’ll all be celebrating soon in our all new Destination Brewery.

The idea behind our anniversary line-up of beers was to give Todd, Surly’s Head Brewer, free rein to use whatever ingredients and methods he wanted to brew the beer. This year’s bottle artwork is a one-of-a-kind illustration collaboration between Todd and local artist Josh “Jawsh” Lemke.

This beer was designed for barrel aging, so it’s been a great opportunity to work with our friends at High West Distillery® in Park City. Utah. Brewed with Golden Promise and Aromatic malt Oats, and Milk sugar fermented in stainless steel then aged in High West Rye Whiskey barrels, this golden hued Oat-Wine style ale summons notes of spicy vanilla marshmallow and aromas of honey and whiskey.

==Introduction==

Another awesome year has come for Surly brewing and the release of their long awaited Barley wine is now here. Every year, I await the release of their anniversary ale since trying the Surly 4. Some releases are greater than others but sometimes you have to dig deep online to find these obscure beers… or just go to france44.com and get them, I guess that’ll work. Anyways, this year they made an oatwine aged in Rye whiskey barrels. I have tried many barley wines, some wheat wines, but never an oatwine. So the fact that this one is barrel aged, I will try to find the original beer somehow but if not, at least I will let you know how this year’s Surly anniversary turns out. Come, join me into the abyss of flavor experience…

Aromas:
Marshmallow cream, chocolate smores, vanilla, oak, dulce de leche caramel, flan, custard, dark fruit raisins, cherries, white chocolate, toffee, butterscotch, bourbon, rye bread, rye whiskey, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Lechera sweetened condensed milk, bananas, clove spice, pumpkin spice, tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, piña colada hints, pecan pie, hazel nut, oatmeal cookies, Danish cookies, oranges, citrus, coriander spice, macadamia nuts, marzipan, burnt sugar, brown sugar and candi sugar.

Flavors:
Bourbon, Rye whiskey, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, flan, custard, tobacco, leathery notes, sweetened condensed milk, oranges, coriander spice, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, pears, apples, toasted coconut, piña colada hints, rich white chocolate, toffee, mild pumpkin spice, cinnamon, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, Danish cookies, Tres Leches cake, marshmallow cream, bananas, clove spice, chocolate smores, butterscotch, rye bread, brown sugar, marzipan, hazelnut, burnt sugar, candi sugar hints, dark fruits like cherries, raisins, plums, biscuit bread, capirotada raisin bread pudding, pecan pie and almond joy chocolate.

Aftertaste:
Lingering dulce de lecher caramel, burnt sugar, white chocolate hints, citrus, mild piña colada hints , bananas, toasted coconut, rye whiskey, earthy notes and pecans. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, smooth, creamy and silky mouthfeel, sipping drinkability with some notes that makes this really easy to drink and a full golden brown full body.

Overall:
There is no surprise here. The moment I realized I really liked this one was right when this beer started to have some special tropical hints and white chocolate for some reason. I kept tasting white chocolate at times especially as it got warmer. I am not sure if that is part of the Oat wine or the combination of the that with the whiskey. What an amazing beer for their anniversary that they released. I really enjoyed this one. If you would like to obtain this one, I got it at france44.com where they are very limited and selling out very quick. So yes, I highly suggest you get this special anniversary ale.

Anime Corner:
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki from the Naruto series is one of the main antagonist from the series. She was brought here in this pairing for several reasons. Mainly for her great pairing with the label, the evil that she is flows great with Surly and the white chocolate aspect I kept getting from the beer. All the colors in this pairing show many of the flavor complexities that this one shows. Surly unleashed a special type of demon from it’s sealed state and now with her sweet onslaught of flavors, she will take back what was hers. Your lack of not trying this beer. She is all powerful, complex, sweet in appearance and flavor but overall, just evil!!

Sources:
http://rikamello.deviantart.com/art/Ohtsutsuki-Kaguya-478836486

2014 Roble Blanco by The Bruery

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10289852_10102156473970840_7562898689316988159_nRating: 6/5

2014 Roble Blanco by The Bruery is a 15% ABV Wheat Wine/Sour Ale Aged in Tequila Barrels with Lime Juice, Lime Zest and Salt.

Label:
¡Que Delicioso!

This tangy, Mexican inspired ale has an agave-like sweetness, balanced with zesty limes and just a hint of salt.

Living in Southern California, we’re huge fans of both Mexican cuisine and, of course, Mexican cocktails. This is a tribute to our favorite blended fiesta beverage
___

Obtained as part of the Reserve Society membership, this beer was released as one of the mystery beers that was on the list for October. This beer is essentially a sour wheat ale that was aged in tequila to try and mimic the flavors of a margarita. I don’t know what to expect from this one. My only hope is that it is not too sweet or too sour but just right. I tend to gear more toward a balance when it comes to sours.

Aromas:
Lime candy, Bananas, plantains, Honey comb, sangria, mezal, tequila, oak, dulce de leche caramel, agave syrup, white raisins, honey dew melon, margarita, salt, grapefruit, coriander, orange, cinnamon hints, white wine, musty notes, leather and pecans.

Flavors:
Plantain, tequila, salt, agave syrup, white raisins, plums, apricot, margarita, lime candy, lime peel, rye, orange, grapefruit, blonde roasted barley, wheat grains, biscuit bread, sangria, mezcal, tejuino, bananas, oak, vanilla, dulde de leche caramel, honey, white wine, musty notes, raspberry skins, currants skints, dragon fruit peels, honey dew melon, cucumbers, mild coconut hints, leather notes, Danish pastry hints, capirotada raisin bread pudding, pecans, almonds, leche nestle condensed sweetened milk hints and apples.

Aftertaste:
Caramel, Lemon, Salt, Margarita, oak, honey comb, agave, tejuino and tequila finish. No alcohol in the taste, medium gold body, syrupy mouthfeel yet smooth and very drinkable for some damn reason making this one very dangerous drinking in one sitting.

Overall:
Such a damn resemblance to the salty lime tequila margarita it ain’t even funny. You really have to like that drink in order to understand how this one works. However, the only thing is that it is not overly sweet and the salt and lime clash for the balance to salty, sweet and sour. This cause the beer to be more balanced than a true sour. I had to stop drinking this for a while because it was way to damn drinkable for my own good and it was so delicious. Also that part of me that loves lemon and salt kicked into high gear so I may sound bias in my review but this one one hit certain sectors of flavors that were really awesome. I highly recommend it if you can find this one and you really like tequila, lime, salt and a ton of complexity.

Anime Corner:
Annet Myer/Futatabi from El Viento series was used in this pairing to go with the colors of the label but also the name as the work Roble means strong but also the act of aging which coincide with oak and tequila barrels. The rustling of lime trees to the wind or El Viento also link to the beer but also Annet herself since she has the colors of a margarita, she is the Roble Blanco or strong White and she is from Peru meaning Latina. She may not be Mexican, but she is bad ass and her magic abilities (Complex flavors) and strength (ABV) as well as the fact that she is fast as El Viento/TheWind (Smoothness) is enough to mess you up if you dare take her on!

Sources:
http://nidavellirstudios.deviantart.com/art/El-Viento-Annet-Myer-376359191

Ol’ Leghorn collaboration by Firestone Walker and Three Floyds brewing

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10670274_10102069141710390_4260297735774778352_n 10646964_10102069146455880_4706552414182859628_nRating: 4.65/5

Ol’ Leghorn collaboration by Firestone Walker and Three Floyds brewing is a 10.5% Wheat/Blonde Barley Wine.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Ol’ Leghorn was initially brewed by Floyd and Brynildson during last year’s Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest. In a shout-out to Firestone Walker’s and Nick Floyd’s mutual English heritage, this blonde barleywine was brewed with traditional English ale malting varieties—Golden Promise and Optic base malts- with no specialty malt added.

The beer was then racked to a combination of retired bourbon barrels and new American oak wine barrels for aging at Firestone Walker Brewing Company. In fearless 3 Floyds fashion, another batch of dry-hopped Ol’ Leghorn was recently brewed for blending into the aged beer, to add a fresh, hoppy layer to the more intense spirits barrel and oaky character of the initial batch.

The result is a staggeringly hoppy blonde barleywine that will first be unveiled at the 2014 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest in Paso Robles on Saturday, May 31. Additionally, 22-ounce bottles will be available for purchase (six bottle limit per customer) at Firestone Walker’s Brewery Store on Sunday, June 1 starting at 10 a.m., with very limited market release later in the month. Ol’ Leghorn is meant to be consumed fresh in its youth, and vigilantly cold stored in the meantime.
___

This beer was made during the time that 3 Floyds was touring with other breweries this year to create collaboration brews. While hard to come by, I really wanted to bring this beer forth to the site as FW and 3F make some crazy world class beers. So I wanted to see if their collab could truly be remarkable. Well here it is and now we can find out for sure.

Aromas:
Vanilla, oak, honey, citrus, piney and grassy hops, orange preserves, caramel, toffee, butterscotch hints, rich mango, dragon fruit, peaches, apricots, white grapes, peppercorns, rye, coriander spice, clove spice hints, earthy hop notes, graham crackers and marshmallow.

Flavors:
Lots of honey, oak, citrus, vanilla, caramel, toffee, grassy, grapefruit and piney hops, tropical fruit like, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit honeydew melon, stone fruit like peaches, apricot, apples, lemon peel, orange peel, biscuit bread, coriander spice, orange preserves, rye bread, cinnamon, graham crackers, almonds, pecans, earthy hops, graham crackers, marshmallow hints, floral notes and peppercorn notes.

Aftertaste:
Citrus, tropical fruit, caramel, vanilla, piney and floral and earthy hops linger. No alcohol in the taste, syrupy yet smooth mouth feel but sipping drinkability and a light to medium body.

Overall:
A very good Blonde Barleywine / Wheat Wine. This beer seems more hoppy than some of the other barley or wheat wines I have tried for that matter. Then again , White Oak from the Bruery was pretty damn citrucy. They say this beer should be consumed fresh but I think it can withstand some time although the tropical aspects will fade with time and be more rich with sweetness. While this one is very good, I can only say that it is worth a try just once but if not, you are not missing out. There are other Wheat wines just as good if not better. Even if it does have 3F and FW on the label, I can at least say it was very good but don’t bet your hype on it.

Anime Corner:
Erza Scarlet and Mirajane Strauss from Fairy Tail were used in this pairing to represent Firestone Walker and Three Floyds in their collaboration of evil but also to represent the colors of the rooster with the reds and the whites. The power of these 2 collaborators to bring forth such an awesome collaboration is pretty much legendary. I can only state that the idea was awesome but was nothing momentous. So they pretty much represent that. The awesome idea.

Sources:
http://kurogane-raziel.deviantart.com/art/Erza-and-Mira-427735578
http://createapk.com/project/2014/09/kazulkira/mirajane-strauss-wallpaper/image/131282-mirajane-strauss-wallpaper.jpg

2014 White Chocolate by The Bruery

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10704016_10102064060488200_6522346157109251908_n 10690230_10102064058537110_8015519350436253030_nRating: 6/5

2014 White Chocolate by The Bruery is a 14.3% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.

Label:
OAKALATE

This sumptuous version of our barrel-aged wheat wine style ale has an addition of fresh vanilla beans and TCHO cacao nibs.

White Chocolate is best enjoyed fresh for peak flavor, but may evolve pleasantly over time if cellared properly.

Notes/Commercial Description: (per beeradvocate)
The primary component of our “White Oak” ale is a 100% barrel aged wheat wine that we affectionately refer to as “White Oak Sap.” Essentially a “summer” barley-wine style ale, but made with a wheat heavy grain base, White Oak Sap is aged in used bourbon barrels for nearly a year and comes out rich in flavors of coconut, honey, caramel and vanilla. To compliment the already rich flavors of the beer, we’ve added cacao nibs and vanilla beans to give this beer the delicate flavor of white chocolate…hence the name.
___

Available to Preservation and Reserve members this fall, they released this beer once again. Unfortunately, the 2013 version ended up getting sour if not consumed fresh. This year, they plan to redeem themselves and release it again. This decadent piece of liquid chocolate white has been on one of my top favorites of all time in terms of rare beers. Not counting my top favorite common ones. So I bring it forth once again, one of my all time favorites in my quest to seek the truest of the truest, White Chocolate! Cheers!

Aromas:
Velvet vanilla, white chocolate, flan, rich bananas, rich Lechera sweetened condensed milk, oak, toasted coconut, marzipan, rich hazelnut, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, tropical fruits like sweet pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, pears, apples, wine grapes, marshmallows, 3 leches, biscuit bread, dark butterscotch, stone fruit peaches, apricots,plums, white raisins, light butterscotch, biscuit bread with rich lechera, raisin bread pudding, crème brulee, Bavarian yeast phenolic notes, coriander spice, clove spice, capirotada raisin bread pudding, cinnamon, pecan pie, almond joy chocolate and more complexities!

Flavors:
White chocolate, milk chocolate, rich bananas, rich dulce de leche, Rich Lechera Nestle sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, bourbon, brown sugar, rich hazelnut, marshmallow, flan, mild citrus, marzipan , oak, toasted coconut, biscuit bread with creamy 3 leches spread (Three milks), pecan pie, almond joy, almond cream, tropical fruit like mild dragon fruit, sweet pineapple, mango hints, pears, apples, wine grapes, Stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, white raisins, butterscotch, coriander spice, clove spice, cinnamon, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Bavarian yeast phenols, dark butterscotch, piloncillo, crème brulee and more!

Aftertaste:
Lingering sweet condensed milk, white chocolate, vanilla, milk chocolate, bananas, clove spice
No alcohol in the taste despite the 14.3% ABV, sipping yet smooth drinkability, syrupy and velvety mouth feel, medium to full hazy body and supremely dangerous to drink in one sitting.

Overall:
Need I say more? Despite the fact that the 2013 version had its issues, 2014 comes back even stronger and more velvet and chocolatey sweet. They really brought it back in the right way, damn!! I really am mind blown and it comes as a damn reminder why I love this beer so much and hence the reason I always keep ordering at the Bruery when they have it on tap. I don’t even have to say it, I truly believe this is a bucket list beer along with Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain the new Wineification and Grey Monday. Oh yeah, let us not forget the ultimate Melange 3!! Go try them all!….

Anime Corner:
Temari Sabaku from Naruto is no mystery to this beer. She has appeared in all the instances I try this beer and may do so for as long as I keep reviewing this beer. Temari is simply and awesome ninja as I stated in previous reviews. She represents the color of the beer blonde to gold as in the color of her hair. She represents a partial tropical aspect in terms of the White oak that is added which I refer to “Raw as The Sun” but subdued by the overall sweet chocolate and vanilla which are pretty intimate to me. Temari’s strength is also in the ABV and just like a ninja, will flow easy if you try to consume her in one sitting. White Chocolate Temari, I Love You Chiquita!!!

Sources:
http://www.hdwallpapersdesktop.com/Anime/Naruto/images/Naruto%20Wallpaper%20257.jpg
http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/7354/579647-e2d0db9b48a8f67534fbec4c6e4ed11b.png

Decadence 2014 Anniversary Wheat Wine Ale by Alesmith

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10614232_10102005962167700_2214307515715065051_nRating: 4.5/5

Decadence 2014 Anniversary Wheat Wine Ale by Alesmith is a 10% ABV Blonde Barley/Wheat wine.

Label:
AleSmith Decadence Anniversary Ale was originally brewed in 2005 to celebrate our first decade in business. Our brewers had such a great time creating it that they decided to brew a new style each year to commemorate our anniversary.

Now, nineteen years after we started, we’re proud to present another great addition this ongoing series, AleSmith Decadence 2014 is our interpretation of a Wheat Wine Style Ale. The generous amounts of wheat used in the his beer impart a bready aroma with hints of honey, ripe fruit, and a spicy graininess. In the finish, a pleasant malty sweetness from the wheat is balanced by the addition of German and American hops. Enjoy this special brew now or age it at a cool temperature for a truly rewarding experience.
___

Alesmith turns 19 and they release a wheat wine this year. Many of the past Decadence beers have been a different type of style each year. The last 2 years I have tried the anniversary beers they have been very awesome. This year is a wheat wine style. Not many breweries make this type of style. The Bruery makes one that is bourbon barrel aged and is a portion of the awesome White Chocolate. Alesmith is known for well above and beyond beers so I am curious to see how this one fares. Here’s to many more years in making really great beers, Cheers!

Aromas:
Vanilla, peppercorns, biscuit bread, rye, honey, stone fruits like peach, apricot, oranges, coriander spice, lemon peel, passion fruit, mango, vanilla and caramel.

Flavors:
Honey, grape, white raisins, biscuit bread, peppercorn, vanilla, caramel, toffee, stone fruit like peach apricot, orange peel, lemon peel, coriander spice, cinnamon, banana hints, melon, dragon fruit notes, pineapple, apples, marshmallow hints, graham crackers, brown sugar, floral hops, almonds and pecans.

Aftertaste:
Citrus, rye, biscuit bread, grape, clove and coriander spice as well as some earthy notes. Alcohol notes in the taste. Smooth drinkability despite the ABV, caramel to golden full body, medium mouthfeel.

Overall:
While this beer is very good, it is best drunk warmer to release more flavors. Despite the ABV, this one flows really well. I found myself liking this one but not as much as the previous versions Anniversary ones I have had from Alesmith mainly because it only starts to get more complex the warmer it gets so drinking it colder is not really the best thing to do. Then again it is the style too. This is a wheat wine at its prime with no alterations or aging. I would recommend a try or at least aging this one but some of the other Alesmith beers have definitely rocked harder for sure. This one is still very good though.

Anime Corner:
Asuka Langley Sohryu/Shikinami Neon Genesis Evangelion was chosen for this pairing since I wanted to show the color pairing of the beer and the way the beer flows. As you can see the beer sparkles like Asuka in the sun but be warned because the 10% creeps up behind you like the dark hands of the Eva as they try and embrace Asuka to a dark level of flavor. That and the fact that you really have to let it warm up to get the best experience.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/MeXZjDK.jpg

White Chocolate (2013 Release) by The Bruery

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1392755_10101469956028300_1900644049_n 65615_10101469955993370_1841643671_nRating: 6/5* This years is same score as the last

White Chocolate (2013 Release) by The Bruery is a 14.75% ABV Wheat Wine Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans. 

Label: 
OAKALATE
This sumptuous version of our barrel-aged wheat wine style ale has an addition of fresh vanilla beans and TCHO cacao nibs.
___

Last year, I reviewed white chocolate, essentially the Polar opposite of the Chocolate Rain which can be aged up to 5 years. This year, I wanted to give it another shot as it was released more frequently but to California. If you are able to get your hands on this one, definitely give it a shot. One of my top favorites

Aromas are of vanilla, milk chocolate, white chocolate, oak, dulce de leche caramel, oak, coconut. Citrus, banana, orange, bourbon, tropical fruit, hazelnut, pecans, cinnamon, marzipan, almond, butterscotch, wine grapes, pears, raisins and apricots

The flavors are of white chocolate, vanilla, chocolate, orange, coriander, bourbon , coconut, pears, peaches, wine grapes, cinnamon, pecans, hazelnut, brown sugar, oak, marzipan, almonds, raisins, tart apples, pineapple, tropical fruit, dulce de leche caramel and butterscotch

The aftertaste leaves off with that nice oak and white chocolate goodness with some nice tart and citrus flavors. Definitely a sipper who’s alcohol becomes more and more hidden as it warms up

Overall, still one of my most favorite top Bruery beers. This year’s though, definitely shines more on the white oak and citrus side, at first. Temari plays hard to get second round (2013), so let it warm up and as it goes, you bet damn right you get the white chocolate. Highly recommended if you love Barrel aged beers no doubt.

Anime Corner: Temari Sabakuno from the Naruto series is one bad ass female ninja. One of my favorite all time Anime characters. She is from the Sand Clan of the ninja world, sister to their leader Gaara, Naruto’s close friend. Temari can seem rude and tomboyish on the outside and very cold hearted at times. Sometimes without a care in the world except when it comes to her family and friends. She takes charge and doesn’t hesitate to risk it all. This beer is a representative of her, not just in the colors of the label, the even if she may be harsh in the beginning (tart flavors) she has been known to open up and show her true side of compassion for others (White Chocolate, Vanilla, Cacao) especially her friend Shikamaru, the smart ninja from the Leaf Village (Naruto’s Clan). The part of the tropical and sunny citrus flavors are in terms of her hair (Pineapple, Tropical, wheat wine) and the dessert (Orange, Sunny, citrus, oak). So if you experience her sharp and tart at first, let her warm up to you, you will find the true White Chocolate you’ve been waiting for.

Oaked Wheatwine 3rd Anniversary Ale by Manzanita Brewing

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7855_10101360006498040_1757734750_nRating: 3.75/5

Oaked Wheatwine 3rd Anniversary Ale by Manzanita Brewing is a 9.5% Wheatwine

Label:
Wow, Wow what a 3 year phase in our lives! It’s been an amazing journey so farm with all of the hats we’ve had to wear to get a small business up and running. Seeing all of you enjoying out beers makes the struggles and late nights so worth it. So many people to thank for us this far: First and foremost our God, our families, our dedicated employees, our investors and our many invaluable volunteers. Toast to your friends as we toast to ours with this 3rd Anniversary beer.
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I have been meaning to try some of their beers for a long time. I am not quite sure when Manazanita started bottling. I do remember I tried to order their pumpkin ale once but was unable to get is as it was sold out. So as part of my beer run, I found this one. I just found out that they recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary and this one was a limited release. Well, knowing myself, I had to get it.

Aromas are light. Apples, caramel, toffee notes, light citrus, biscuit and rye bread.

The flavors are of toffee, rye bread, oak, caramel, coriander, apples, apricot, orange marmalade on toast, bourbon notes, vanilla, coriander, slight coconut, pilloncillo sugar cone, brown sugar and pumpkin or vegetable spices.

The aftertaste is stays a bit bready, light toffee and citrus. Yet another easy to drink well hidden alcohol beer. Although quite silky and buttery mouth feel. Very nice

Overall it was very good beer but still missing something. Also, the flavors are hard to pinpoint. Not exactly bad, just not enough for me to make an awesome review.. I really like how it was easy to drink yet high ABV. The beer is worth trying, if once. I cannot disregard Manzanita especially since I have not tried their other beers which I would definitely like. People say that the variations of this beer are way more awesome. This, I will have to investigate for myself. Maybe report back here 

White Oak by The Bruery

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1004439_10101243000074850_723175701_n 999005_10101243001132730_790963643_n 1013500_10101242975713670_597609073_nRating: 4.8/5

White Oak by The Bruery is a 11.5% ABV Wheat Wine blend consisting 50% of “Mischief” Belgian Pale Ale and 50% of the “White Oak Sap” Wheat Wine aged in bourbon barrels. This is the base of the awesome “White Chocolate” Ale which I reviewed some time last year.

Label: 
Vivid caramel-esque, coconut-like and vanilla-ish flavors blanketed in a crisp yet robust wheat ale. White oak is suitable for aging up to two years when cellared properly. Best stored and cellared around 55 deg F (13 deg Celcius) in a dark place.
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This beer is the original form of the pre-White Chocolate. I first tried it several days ago and I had to grab a bottle to do a review. 

Aromas start off with a Belgian bread and Saison notes. Smells like matured citrus fruits, orange, mango, lemons, vanilla, bananas, cloves, caramel, bourbon, oak, biscuit bread, honey, coconut, some minor floral and funky notes.

The flavors consist of vanilla, oak, bourbon, caramel, citrus, notes brettanomyces, banana, matured orange, lemon peel, apricots, mango, toasty coconuts, very subtle pineapple, wine grapes, honey, maple, biscuit bread, waffle cone, clove spice, coriander, herbal and floral hops like the Belgian Pale Ale. The after taste is definitely citrus, bourbon, wine and cheese party. Flavors are kind of all over the place but it surely is a different beer. When Imagine how the Vanilla beans and the Cocoa Nibs were added and barrel aged some more, a minor amount of the base flavors were hidden to give way to a much more sweet white chocolate flavor. Now that, is the best part I remember about the other beer which is the part that really confuses me. How is is that when you add the vanilla and cocoa nibs and age it, it creates something simply extraordinary. Alas, that is the mystery and the glory of the brewing process.

As being the base component of the White Chocolate, I can see why this beer reminds me a lot of the Bourbon and Barrel Aged Stone beers I have had before. Similar to the Red Wine Saison du Buff or the Double Bastard Bourbon Barrel Aged beer. Those beers were really different. More to the wine and cheese party after taste which morphs which gives confusion to the taste buds, but in a very nice way.

White Chocolate Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/white-chocolate-by-the-bruery/