Rating: 5/5
PB&J Blonde by Belching Beaver Brewery is a 5.5% ABV American Blonde Ale brewed with peanut butter and grape jelly flavors
Blonde beer with peanut and grape jelly
Tag Archives: Yoruichi Shihouin
Hazelnut Hills by Golden Road Brewing
Rating: 5/5
Hazelnut Hills by Golden Road Brewing is a 5.5% ABV Brown brewed with Hazelnuts
An English-style Brown Ale with a rich malt complexicity, hints of caramel and chocolate, and incredible aromas and flavors of freshly toasted hazelnuts.
Soo much hazelnut goodness!
2016 Eclipse – Elijah Craig 12 by FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
Rating: 7/7
2016 Eclipse – Elijah Craig 12 by FiftyFifty Brewing Co. is an 11% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Honey aged in Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon.
Matte purple wax
(AnimeBeers On The Road) 2017 Bourbon O.E. (Olde English) by Smog City Brewing
Rating: 6/6
2017 Bourbon O.E. (Olde English) by Smog City Brewing is a 13.1% ABV English Barleywine aged in Bourbon Barrels
When I first tried this beer a while back, it was one of the best beers I have had at Smog City’s taproom. Since that time, I knew they had bottle it recently and while I had not really brought the bottle to the site, I figure it was about time. So when I visited the brewery with some of my coworkers, I decided to get a bottle and share it at the brewery. That’s when I realized I never had it on the site so I decided better now than later. I love bourbon barrel aged beers and this barleywine is one of the best. Showcasing some very nice dulce de leche caramel, oak, vanilla, dark fruits and pecan pie goodness. A beer that I would highly recommend if you can find it. Cheers!
2017 Trappist Westvleteren 12 by Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)
Rating: 7/72017 Trappist Westvleteren 12 by Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren) is a 10.2% Belgian Trappist Quadrupel.
Label:
None
==Introduction==
Westy 12 is back! It has been 5 years since the last time I tried this beer. Back then it was the best beer in the world and even to this day I still think it is the best only because of rarity but mainly because it was an inspiration of a beer for since my first time trying Belgians. The best beers in the world commonly found to me are the St. Bernardus Abt 12 next to Trois Pistoles and the Three Philosophers. This beer is still difficult to get as you have to have an exclusive invite to the Monastery in Westvleteren and can only buy a limited quantity. Also, it has been difficult to get in the states since the one incident a couple years ago where they sold it at Total Wine where scalpers took many to sell online. Essentially, this beer was the best before the new IPA trends took over. Oh how people have forgotten that the old world of beers that have been made for hundreds of years should still be the best over these new and up and coming brews. It is the reason why this style is still my favorite despite the fact that while I do believe the newer hyped beers are delicious, they are no worth an arm and a leg. Also, while this one was hyped at the time, people forget that St. Bernardus Abt 12 is literally the same recipe but commercialized so many people in the world can know about the great Belgians. This is why I love St. Bernardus 12. It is easy to find but because I rarely get a chance to try this beer. I consider it slight above the best but in the rarity category. Let’s have a look and see how this tastes after years of me not having tried it. Cheers!
Aromas:
Deep dark fruits, prunes, raisins, vanilla, burnt caramel, dulce de leche caramel, goat milk caramel, wined caramel, chocolate, wafflecone, butterscotch, toffee, marshmallow, rock candy, candi sugar, honey, piloncillo sugar cone, peppercorn, earthy hops, hazelnut nectar and golden apples.
Flavors:
Supreme rich dulce de leche caramel, bananas, clove spice, dark fruit dates, raisins, plums, figs, flan, sweetened condensed milk, pecan pie, Danish cream, leather, rye, earthy hops, Stone fruit peaches, peppercorn, burnt sugar, rock candy, candi sugar, honey, piloncillo sugar cone, grapes, port wine, milk chocolate, candied apples, wafflecone, butterscotch, toffee, marshmallow, bubble gum, fig pudding, rice pudding, golden apples, hazelnut nectar, cherries, Mexican sweet bread, umami, Goat milk caramel, burnt caramel, anise notes, funnel cream cake, honey dew melon, tamarind and tiramasu.
Aftertaste:
Rich lingering dulce de leche carame, dark fruits, stone fruits, vanilla, flan, sweetened condensed milk, pecan pie, port wine, Danish cream, leather, rye, earthy hops and mild chocolate lingers. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, silky, syrupy and creamy mouthfeel, Dark Golden Brown medium body and a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A definite bucket lister! Simply because it is one of those beers that you have to try to believe. Granted, I have tried this side by side with St. Bernardus and while I think this one is only slightly better, they are pretty much in that same taste profile give or take. How does this taste to my homebrew? Well, I do have to admit how damn close the recipe came out to be to the point where I surprised myself. I actually made my dream come true and while I am not a Trappist Monastery monk, I have to say I definitely have that in spirit! It is always an honor to bring this magnificent beer to the site when I can and I suggest you give this a shot, even if one. Get that off your bucket list!
Anime Corner:
Temari Sabakuno from Naruto, Kos-Mos from Xenosaga, Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach are chosen for very special beers. Since I first had a pairing with Temari, Kos-Mos and Yoruichi in the past, it was only fitting that I do this again but this time with Ryuko too. Being my favorite anime characters always get the best pairings in some of the beers I truly feel are deserving of that ‘Heavenly and Godly Ambrosia’ Liquid status as with many of the beers I have tried, I have used them in the previous St. Bernardus Abt 12 review except with the introduction of my recent favorite girl, Ryuko Matoi. The original time I tried this beer, it was the world’s best beer and the best Quadrupel since St. Bernarudus. It is this style of beer that grew my desire, my love and passion that lead to the the fruit of my labor with my homebrew ‘Las Quad-tro Monjas’. So heavenly fitting, my favorite top characters go with my favorite beers, especially this rarity.
Previous review:
Information on the Westy 12 VS. St. Bernardus 12:
My St. Bernardus Inspired Quad: https://animebeers.com/2015/03/30/las-quadtro-monjas-by-nubis-sanctum-ales/
My Westvleteren Inspired Quad (Aged In Tequila Oak and Holy Water): https://animebeers.com/2016/10/10/home-brewing-project18-la-santequilisima-quadrinidad-by-nubis-sanctum-ales/
(AnimeBeers On The Road Series) 27th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double Chocolate Imperial Stout by Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Rating 6/6 (On The road series)
27th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double Chocolate Imperial Stout by Karl Strauss Brewing Company is a 13% ABV Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels.
Description:
A full-bodied Imperial Stout with an abundance of darkly kilned malts and a decadent helping of cocoa nibs. Aging for a year in American oak bourbon barrels brings out rich layers of smooth toasted oak and warming bourbon
A sudden delish! Choco bourbon vanilla encounter!!!! *battle music intensifies*
For this year’s Anniversary: https://animebeers.com/2017/06/18/28th-anniversary-barrel-aged-belgian-quad-by-karl-strauss/
2017 Chocolate Rain by the Bruery
Rating 6/62017 Chocolate Rain by the Bruery is an 19.6% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.
Essentially the Bruery’s Black Tuesday with Cocoa Nibs and Vanilla Beans. I have reviewed this many times but I still like doing pairings with one of my favorite characters from Bleach, Yoruichi Shihouin. This year with the release of the Chocolate Rain sign, it was a perfect occasion for another pairing. Cheers!
Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Insurgente Release) Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico
Rating: 6.25/7
Xocoveza Mocha Stout (Insurgente Release) Collaboration by Chris Banker, Stone Brewing and Cerveceria Insurgente de Mexico is a 8.1% ABV World Class Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with cocoa, coffee, peppers, vanilla cinnamon and nutmeg.
Label:
Se Un Insurgente, Toma Artesanal
Xocoveza Mocha Stout is the result of the homebrewing spirit and a cross-border collaboration. In 2014, Stone Brewing invited us to join them on this Mexican-Hot-Chocolate inspired creation. Based on Chris Banker’s winning recipe, we created this rich and decadent Imperial Milk Stout with traditional Mexican ingredients. In your hands you have Insurgente’s version of this for the first time on this side of the border. ¡Salud!
==Introduction==
Xocoveza has been an important staple in terms of what makes great Mexican Spice and Chocolate beers. It is one of my favorites and it was one that was done very well. The version I am bringing today is the one made in Tijuana Mexico, the one from Insurgente brewing. The purpose of this is to see how different it differed from Stone’s release. It is the same recipe but the process might be different. I did try this one sometime last year when I went to Tijuana for a brewery run with my friend Oscar. While I tried to remember, I could tell it was damn delicious. However, is there subtle differences from this one to the Stone one? Let’s see, Salud!
Aromas:
Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, , dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Molé and pan dulce.
Flavors:
Rich Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Mocha Coffee, Roasted Coffee, Mexican Coffee, Cane sugar, Cinnamon, Ancho chile spice, bananas, clove spice, vanilla, dulce de leche cajeta/caramel, Peanut Butter, Reece’s Pieces, Molé, pan dulce, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, capirotada raisin bread pudding, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, nutmeg, champurrado, piloncillo sugar cone, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, flan, sweetened condensed milk and peanut mazapan.
Aftertaste:
Finishing off with Dark Chocolate, Dulce de leche caramel, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Mocha, chile notes, earthy notes, vanilla and peanut butter hints. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black body, ridiculously smooth, very creamy and velvety mouthfeel along with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Damn! This one is different than the Stone release by a good amount. While I feel both beers overall are supreme World Class but this one emphasizes sweeter flavors while the Stone one balances out with earthy hops. This one shines more in the Mexican chocolate department big time! I love this version so much but I think I love both for the differences as well. This series of beers from both breweries are definitely some of the best Mexican Chocolate and Coffee beers ever. I highly recommend getting these!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and May from Backstreet Billiards for the PS1 were chosen in this pairing as they were chosen in the previous iterations of Xocoveza. The original Xocoveza I used May as she represents the Mexican culture of where the recipe was inspired from especially the Mexican brewers that helped Stone with the creation. I used Yoruichi for the bourbon barrel aging version, but bringing one of my favorite anime characters into this to be the main focus is to showcase the roots of the ingredients in Mexico. Yoruichi is a Goddess of Thunder, like Quetzacoatl!
Sources:
http://orig05.deviantart.net/09b6/f/2015/018/7/3/bleach_yoruichi__head__in_skyrim_by_user619-d8eer4h.png
http://trzaraki.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-12-01-583945424
Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break collaboration by Evil Twin Brewing and WestBrook brewing
Rating: 7/7
Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break collaboration by Evil Twin Brewing and WestBrook brewing is a 10.5% ABV Imperial Stout with Coffee, Cinnamon, Almonds, Cocoa Nibs, Vanilla and Habanero peppers added.
Label:
None
==Introduction==
Now this is something I never knew would ever happen. You take 2 of some of the best beers out there and make a blend recipe. Now, I have seen the Cuvee that has done something similar to this like when Boulevard and Firestone did their Collaboration beer which used Velvet Merkin, Stickee Monkee, Imperial Stout Tart Cherry X and Bourbon Barrel Quad to create a very special Cuvee. This is a similar idea although while many of those beers are awesome, Mexican Cake has been one of those aftermarket second hand beers that sells for a damn markup and is hard to get. Essentially, taking an awesome coveted brew like that one and using one of Evil Twin’s finest, the Imperial Biscotti Break and making something special that many people can actually get. Although I would not be surprised if this one goes the way of the “hard to find” brews as it is Mexican Cake after all. I had tried their Tequila Barrel Aged Mexican Cake in the past which was awesome in it’s own rights. Now as we get a chance to see what this one is all about, I cannot wait and am excited for the anticipation. Vamonos! A provar esta Cerveza, Let’s go try this beer! Cheers!
Aromas:
Mexican Chocolate, Chocolate Abuelita, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, mild habanero peppers, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate smores, cinnamon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark fruit raisins, currants, cherries, bananas, Danish cream almond joy, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, champurrado, tobacco and molasses.
Flavors:
Champurrado, Maize Atole, Mole spices, Habanero, Mexican Chocolate, Chocolate Abuelita, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Bakers Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, coffee cake, roasted coffee, Kahlua liqueur, bananas, molasses, fruit cake, marzipan, mazapan, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, almond joy, macadamia nuts, oreo cookies, Danish cream, Irish cream coffee, mocha, jamocha, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate smores, dark fruit raisins, currants, cherries, sweetened condensed milk, flan, cinnamon, piloncillo sugar cone, capirotada raisin bread pudding, toffee, dulce de leche caramel and oak notes.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich in toffee, caramel, dark chocolate, dark fruits, dark cherries, earthy notes, molasses, bananas, spicy pepper notes, champurrado, almond joy and marzipan. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black dark full body, smooth, creamy, chewy, velvety and syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Unbelievable! The blending of the Imperial Biscotti with Mexican cake is definitely something completely different. I have had the Mexican Cake in Tequila form which was amazing as well as the Imperial Biscotti break in many variants. The fact that this one is a special blend is seriously amazing especially for the fact that both beers are in a league of their own. It’s like if The Bruery and Three Floyds blended Dark Lord and Black Tuesday. Anyways, the beer itself is a complex drink of both worlds blending some spicy heat from the habanero peppers and Mexican chocolate with the Marzipan like flavors of the Biscotti imparted by the coffee, vanilla and almonds. The outcome is something that works in a directions that is unfathomable. For the original Mexican Cake being so pricey, now you can enjoy something that is bigger than than into a Super Saiyan Fusion of beer. A huge recommendation for a bucket lister like this one.
Anime Corner:
Noembelu from Street Fighter, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Vocaloid Hatsune Miku were used in this pairing as I wanted to mainly do the Mexican characteristics of the beer. Noembelu is essentially from the indigenous tribe where T. Hawk is from in Mexico so she was a perfect pairing for this beer. Yoruichi I have used in a previous Mexican brew and Miku I used in in the Tequila barrel Mexican Cake. Funny thing about Miku is that she has sung concerts in Mexico in Spanish sporting Mexican attire. So definitely had to bring her for this pairing as well.
Sources:
https://k61.kn3.net/taringa/2/7/6/5/2/6/94/panthyhero-/83B.jpg
http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/qinchao1204/chuyin%2012/wwwafterschoolsyscom-938.jpg~original
Collaboration No. 6 Barrel-Aged Blend Collaboration by Boulevard Brewing and Firestone Walker
Rating: 7/7
Collaboration No. 6 Barrel-Aged Blend Collaboration by Boulevard Brewing and Firestone Walker is a 12.5% ABV American Strong Ale Cuvee of Barrel Aged Stouts and Belgian Quads.
Label:
Imperial Stout “X” Tart Cherry
Bourbon Barrel Quad
Stickee Monkee
and Velvet Merkin
For this sixth edition of our Collaboration Series, we invited Matt Brynildson, brew-master of our sister brewery Firestone Walker, to join Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels in our barrel-aging cave. Armed only with their palates, some graduated cylinders, and a bunch of tulip glasses, they arrived at the perfect balance of two barrel aged beers from each brewery. The blend celebrates the individual characteristics of each of the four while creating something entirely new and unique.
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
The Collaboration series is our way to bring shared beer ideas to life with some of our favorite brewery friends from around the world. This year, we bring you a specially blended, barrel-aged beer with the help of our sister brewery in California, Firestone Walker. With Collaboration No. 6, Brewmasters Steven Pauwels and Matt Brynildson have created a big, bold flavor combination by blending two Boulevard beers and two Firestone Walker Beers in the following percentages:
Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad – 45%
Based loosely on the Smokestack Series’ The Sixth Glass, this abbey-style quadrupel is separated into a number of oak bourbon barrels where it ages for varying lengths of time, some for up to three years. Cherries are added to make up for the “angel’s share” of beer lost during barrel aging. Selected barrels are then blended for optimum flavor. The resulting beer retains only very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore.
ABV – 11.8, IBU – 19
Firestone Walker Stickee Monkee – 35%
Brewed with Belgian candi sugar and aged in a selection of fine bourbon barrels, Stickee Monkee trailblazes its own category as a “Central Coast Quad.” The name Stickee Monkee is a nod to the Central Coast’s native Sticky Monkey flower, as well as a shout¬‐out to the Belgian monks who pioneered the Quad style. The Belgian candi sugar imparts a signature molasses sweetness to the beer. Meanwhile, maturation in bourbon casks brings ample barrel expression with notes of toasted oak, coconut, leather and cigar tobacco.
ABV – 13, IBU – 45
Imperial Stout X – Tart Cherry (Whiskey Barrel-aged) – 10%
Our special treat for lovers of big, complex stouts, the Imperial Stout “X” series offers a year-long roster of limited releases, each with a significant variation. This riff spotlights the addition of tart cherries to fermentation as well as a lactic souring on the brewhouse. The result is a perfect marriage of robust, smoky maltiness and bracing tartness. Unlike the release version of Imperial Stout X – Tart Cherry, this portion was briefly aged in previously used whiskey barrels.
ABV – 11, IBU – 64
Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin – 10% Velvet Merkin is the beer that almost wasn’t…Indeed, this vintage oatmeal stout’s comical (or is it scandalous?) name went off the grid for several years, but now it’s back due to popular demand. Velvet Merkin is aged for a full year in retired spirits barrels from Heaven Hill, Woodford Reserve and others, yet manages to offer mind-¬boggling balance and restraint. You will wig out when you taste Velvet Merkin’s rich milk chocolate, bourbon and espresso flavors, preceded by aromas of vanilla, coconut, toasted oak and mocha. ABV – 8.5, IBU – 33
==Introduction==
Just when I thought I’d never see something like this, I was really amazed. At first I saw it as a Boulevard and Firestone Walker collab but when I realized that it was a Cuvee of some of both breweries best beers, I realized that this was a must get. I have reviewed each of these beers in the past, except for the Tart Cherry Stout X but the other ones were definitely at that World Class tier beers. So being that Firestone Walker was involved, I knew this would of came up to possibly be one of the best and unique Cuvees. Now, we can only hope that this is the case, let’s have a sip, cheers!
Aromas:
Grilled Bananas, Banana Sunday, clove spice, fruit cake, wine grapes, cinnamon, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, Rich Dark Cherries, Dark fruit, prunes, plums, figs, raspberries, currants, Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, tobacco hints, molasses, stone fruits, Oatmeal Cookies, Oreo Cookies and Cream, graham cracker, Marshmallow smores and mocha.
Flavors:
Rich Dark Cherries, Dark fruit, prunes, plums, figs, raspberries, currants, bourbon, whiskey, brandy, oak, Belgian Candi sugar, rock candy, piloncillo sugar cone, maple syrup, waffle cones, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Grilled Bananas, Banana Sunday, clove spice, fruit cake, wine grapes, cinnamon, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, rye bread with mixed berry preserves, Oatmeal Cookies, Oreo Cookies and Cream, graham cracker, Marshmallow smores, mocha, Flan, Sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate cake, German Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Chocolate mousse, Cherry Chocolate cake, walnut pie, toasted coconut, Stone fruit peaches, leather and tobacco hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dark cherries, vanilla, dulce de leche, oatmeal cookies, dark fruits, stone fruits, dark chocolate, Belgian candi sugar, marshmallows, tobacco hints and rye. No alcohol in the taste. Dark Crimson Amber full body, smooth, creamy, velvety, chewy and syrupy mouthfeel and sipping drinkability.
Overall:
The Quad aspect takes over more than the stout blend but even that being the case, it does not change this from being a definite bucket lister in my mind. Having Firestone Walker who are experts at barrel aging and cuvee blending, this is no surprise that this came out the way it did. The complexity of the 2 Belgian Quads and the 2 Stouts collide into a super decadent dessert that really has taken things to another level. I highly recommend this one for those that are fans of these breweries, beers and styles! This is one for the masses!
Anime Corner:
Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill, Kos-mos from Xenosaga, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Temari Sabakuno from Naruto were chosen as I wanted to represent the 4 awesome beers blended in this special cuvee to 4 awesome characters. What a better way to pair than to pair with the most epic forms for my favorite 4 girls from anime. In this instance I used Ryuko as the Tart Cherry X Stout as the colors of cherry pair, KOS-MOS is the BBQuad since quads are holy ambrosia of gods and she is angelic, Yoruichi is the Velvet Merkin as she is deep, magical and mysterious and finally, Temari is the Stickee Monkee as she represents the colors of the actual flower that grows along the central coast.
Hammer of The Beast by Clown Shoes
Rating: 7/7
Hammer of The Beast by Clown Shoes is an 11.75% ABV American Strong Ale Cuvee consisting of a Smoked Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water, a Russian Imperial Stout and an English Style Barley Wine all aged in 40 year old Jamaican Rum Barrels. An even more ultimate, Cuvee of dreams!
Label:
How do you amplify a beast that is half unicorn and half dragon and who has already escalated from angry, to very angry, to extremely angry? Give it a hammer! The fifth installment in The Beast series blends equal part Undead Party Crasher, Billionaire, and Blaecorn Unidragon, all aged in rum barrels. We’ll respect you if you run, but respect you even more if you can tackle The Hammer Of The Beast
==Introduction==
Every year, the Blaecorn Unidragon gets armored up more and more as the variety of barrel aging spirits are added. Similar to the way one chooses variants of equipment in video games, it seems each year they just get better and better. This year they combined 3 beers and aged them in rum barrels in the style of the Hammer of the Holy. Essentially, I am not sure how much more powerful they can make the Unidragon but damn, I will sure try and cover each awesome installment in the series as I go along. Let’s take on this beast! Cheers!
Aromas:
Rocky road ice cream, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, crème brulee, honey, butterscotch, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, figgy pudding, tobacco, tres leches cake, Oak, Bananas, plantains, clove spice, rum, pecan pie, smokey oak, marshmallow smores, toasted coconut, almond joy coconut and hazelnut nectar.
Flavors:
Oak, Bananas, plantains, clove spice, dulce de leche caramel, smokey oak, marshmallow smores, toasted coconut, almond joy coconut, rocky road ice cream, crème brulee, tobacco, rums, piña colada, tropical fruit dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychees, honey, butterscotch, rum, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, figgy pudding, tobacco, tres leches cake, stone fruit mango, peach, leather, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, triple chocolate cherry cake, hazelnut nectar, macadamia, pecan pie, walnut pie, cashew milk, nutter butter peanut butter cookies, cookie dough ice cream, Raspberry jelly doughnuts, mint, anise and molasses.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich chocolate, rum, oak, bananas, dark chocolate, rocky road ice cream, molasses, earthy notes, pecan pie, tropical fruit, stone fruit, fig pudding and mixed nuts. Slight alcohol in the taste but this does not take away from the rich complexity. Dark pitch black body, smooth, velvety and creamy mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Another exceptionally awesome release from Clown Shoes and definitely a bucket lister. Each year unique and ever adding more or varying the aging of spirits and beers but this was very damn amazing. Tropical flavors and chocolate flavors work very well. Complexity is definitely through the roof as goes with many of the beers I enjoy and especially if you been a fan of the series, do yourself a favor and get this one. I highly recommend you find this one. Clown Shoes killing it every time!
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Yoruichi Shihouin and Matsumoto Rangiku from Bleach have always represented some aspect of the clown shoes beers in my past reviews. Tia is the Undead Party Crasher/Vampire Slayer. Nelliel has always been the original Unidragon and Yoruichi would be added for good measures since the Porcine Unidragon came out. This time she represents the Barleywine. The blend of each beer together and the unleash of the Extremely Angry beast can be best represented when all three together are looking like bad asses powering up to team up against great foes. The other thing though is since Tia also represented the Hammer of Holy, in this instance she unleashes pure fury so all three battle it out in this bottle. It really kicks ass. The strength and complexity has come together very epically that I could not think of any other pairing artwork that would be the best representative of this beer. Also I included Matsumoto Rangiku as an extra to be Rum.
Sources:
http://wallpapersinhq.online/images/big/bleach_battle-890883.jpg
Home brewing Project#18 La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad by Nubis Sanctum Ales
Rating: 6/6
Home brewing Project#18 La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 12% ABV Belgian Trappist Quadrupel brewed with Holy Water and Oak aged in Herradura Añejo Tequila.
Label:
Holy Trappist Belgian Quadruple brewed with Holy Water and Oak aged in Herradura Añejo Tequila.
A prophecy, only once told by the highest of religious leaders, has predicted The Four Nuns or Las
Quatro Monjas will return. Ancient manuscripts indicated that the Abbey Nun, The Buddhist Nun, The Shaolin Nun and the Celestial Space Nun will each bring the nectar of God as given to man once before.
This time, however, the nuns infuse the elements of Wind, Water, Fire and Earth to create a celestial nectar. Meanwhile, various religious leaders forbid that mankind ever lay their lips on the very oracle left by the nuns. Lucky for you, the nuns happen to enjoy visiting Nubis Sanctum Ales.
La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad, or The SancTequilified Quadrinity is stored in this very bottle.
Ingredients: Holy Water, Malts, Hops, Dark Belgian Candi Sugar, Turbinado Cane Sugar, French Oak, Herradura Añejo Tequila & Trappist Yeast.
==Introduction==
Project #18 came from the need to surpass my previous skills of the brewing arts. After successfully creating project #2, I wanted to create a barrel aged version of that special quadrupel that I held very close to my heart. So what did I do? I adjusted the recipe to add a bit more ingredients than before including one of them being a small sample of Holy land water. Yes, some people may think this is blasphemous, but in order to make a brew that was truly worthy of monks in Belgium and praise to the almighty God (depending on your beliefs) I added the vial to the brew at flame out. I am no priest but I did say a prayer for the brew to bring forth good fortune to those that drink it. LOL I just hope the beer doesn’t make my friend Aaron Mediola from BeerMetalDude.com catch fire (Just Kidding brother!). So the liquor I decided to use in this project was a Tequila. Why Tequila? Well, two reasons. First, tequila barrel aged brews rule and are to come by and second, after The Lost Abbey made Agave Maria which was their Tequila Barrel aged brew, I decided it was perfect. The beer was going to be about nuns and their worship to God. It was also a crazy idea I really wanted to do. Why is it Project# 18? Well, I had made this brew back in February 2016 and after a month, I put it on the Tequila oak for 6 months. The Tequila was sitting in oak since January 2016 so 2+6, that’s 8 months! Essentially, the 12% ABV was something unexpected but my working with Turbinado and Candi sugars probably had a lot to do with it. Regardless, I bottled it last month and now October 6, 2016 I bring it forth for a review. Yes, the brew will be published at a later date on my site but for perspective purposes and logging this masterpiece I want to get it right. So, for being a quadrupel aged in tequila, I hope is nothing short of amazing and knowing that I can definitely make an awesome brew, I will be pursuing more projects soon like this. Stay tuned, but for now, let’s take a look at this celestial nectar. Cheers!
Aromas:
Tequila notes, oak, Dark fruits of plums, raisins, figs, cherries, bubble gum notes, clove spice, raspberry Chambord hints, Stone fruits, Bananas, Brown sugar, Belgian Candi sugar, Chocolate, Sangria, rice pudding, tamarind, marshmallows, chocolate smores, lechugilla agave nectar, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, Danish cream, port wine, fruit cake, leathery hints, apples and butterscotch.
Flavors:
Rich Dulce De Leche Caramel, Grilled Bananas, Deep Dark fruits, plums, raisins, figs, dark cherries, dates, clove spice, Belgian Candi sugar, bubble gum notes, capirotada Mexican raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, sweetened condensed milk, tamarind,Vanilla, Oak, Marshmallows, Tequila, Mezcal, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Sangria Wine grapes, Mexican pan dulce, Danish cream, rock candy, port wine, leather notes, rye bread, pecan pie, hazelnut hints, pecan ice cream, brown sugar, dragon fruit notes, raspberry Chambord hints, Stone fruit peaches, golden apples, flan, funnel cake, waffle cone, mango notes and butterscotch.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with a Tequila and vanilla oak flavors with so much complexity lingering of the rich dark fruits, caramel, pecan pie, flan, sweetened condensed milk, sangria, agave, stone fruit, funnel cake and mild Danish cream. Slightly boozy in the aftertaste but diminishes as the beer gets warmer and does not detract from the flavors. Full bodied Honey Crimson Colored, Smooth, velvety, creamy, chewy and syrupy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability
Overall:
Nothing short of a miracle. I am very proud of these results. The Tequila takes this brew to another level. I do not give this one a 7/7 since it is not a beer you could find, but trust me when I say you could drink some of my brews. To me, it is my own personal bucket lister in the sense that I really feel I have achieved so much just from trying different beers and now trying to make my own different beers. This one is probably the best one I have ever made along with the Sangrileche Stout, Frontier Tropics and Diablita De Leche Banana Weizenbock. This beer screams some godly ambrosia. Some nectar that even I don’t understand. I can definitely feel proud that if those dudes at Westvleteren or St. Bernardus tried my beer, they would definitely find it indistinguishable from some of their greats!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, Temari Sabakuno from Naruto and Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill make a return in this brew. Since I used them in my Project# 2, Las Quadtro Monjas, it was only fair to get them in the somewhat right attire for nuns they represent. They represent my passion for the work that I do. Reviewing and Brewing. These girls have been my favorite characters from the different anime series that I love for the longest time going way back to the year 2002. Being a big anime fan and the shows I like, complementing the beers I love with different characters doesn’t have the same effect as the way I complement using my top favorites. AS I mentioned in the last review of the original base beer, the name Las Quad-tro is a play on the Belgian word for Quadrupel and Cuatro which is 4. La SanTequilisima Quadrinidad is a play on the words for La Santisima Trinidad or The Holy Trinity. I had worked for a couple weeks not only finding the right combinations of artwork in photo-shop but the right backgrounds. Of course, all the artwork belongs to the perspective owner as I do not claim any art. As I mentioned before too, the 4 girls are the best and the ones I use as my mascots for my whole passion of anime and the best beers in this whole lost treasures of taste and experience. Cheers!
Blackwater Series Choklat Oranj by Sourthern Tier
Rating: 6/6
Blackwater Series Choklat Oranj by Southern Tier is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Chocolate, Orange Peel and Natural Flavor.
Label:
Color: BLACK Body: HEAVY. Bitterness: MODERATE. Pair: roasted or smoked foods, chocolate desserts. Store: Dark upright, <48°F | Serve: Snifter
The Blackwater Series first made waves when we introduced Choklat in 2007. Through experimentation and willingness to venture into the unknown, our quest to brew the perfect stout has continued ever since.
Our love for dessert-like beers has led us down interesting paths – from the classic fusion of coffee and chocolate in Mokah to the rich vanilla and lactose sugar Creme Brulee – and now here to Choklat Oranj.
ORANGE YOU GLAD?
The flavors of oranges and chocolate have been a sweet treat for millenia, it’s fitting that these kindred spirits should meet in this way.
Enjoy Choklat Oranj in a snifter on its own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a float. Cheers!
25° plato; 2-row malt; caramel malt; debittered blackmalt; chocolate malt; orange peels; bittersweet Belgian Chocolate; columbus hops; natural flavor.
42° F
==Introduction==
Just when I finished with a Southern Tier Blackwater series beer, Salted Caramel, I was graced with this one. Chokolat Oranj? Like Chocolate and Orange beer? There have been plenty of chocolate orange sweets I have tried before but an actual chocolate orange beer, I think I have not. This is a great idea for a beer and as always, the Blackwater series being more desserts than beer, it surely is great. Let’s take a look and see if this one can hold its own, Cheers!
Aromas:
Citrus, Tangerine preserves, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, orange chocolate shake, cocoa powder, cinnamon, coriander spice, peppercorn spice, mocha, coffee cake, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, flan, Fruity Pebbles note, creamsikle, Rocky road ice cream, Jericalla Mexican Custard, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pudding, anise, molasses, Baileys Chocolate and Orange Irish Cream.
Flavors:
Super Rich Chocolate covered orange dessert, Fruity Pebbles, creamsikle, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, flan, Citrus, Tangerine preserves, rye bread, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, orange chocolate shake, cocoa powder, cinnamon, coriander spice, peppercorn spice, mocha, coffee cake, Danish cream, orange tang, chocolate mango, marshmallows, chocolate smores, graham crackers, earthy hops, Rocky road ice cream, Jericalla Mexican Custard, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pudding, anise, molasses, Baileys Chocolate and Orange Irish Cream, Danish cream pastries, hazelnuts, peach cobbler and Tres Leches/3 Milks cake.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with lots or orange citrus, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, marshmallow smores, hazelnut nectar and earthy hop notes. No alcohol in the taste, super dark pitch black body, smooth, creamy, velvety and syrupy mouthfeel with a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Another awesome exceptional and supremely delicious beer. Like those Chocolate Orange balls, this is that special dessert but in liquid form. Sometimes I wish Southern Tier had released some stuff out here in the West Coast. Although I have seen a few of their beers like Crème Brulee and Mokah in one specialty store, I would like to see more in many stores. These beers are like what Belching Beaver and Brew Rebellion is to us here in the west. There is a world of flavor fusions that they can come up with. I highly recommend this one.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was chosen in this pairing because she is one of my favorite anime characters but I also chose her mainly to pair with the label and ingredient colors of the beer. In which case, the orange and black it well with her attire and the chocolate dark fruit aspects as well. Her unleashing using her God of Thunder II version is how I felt that this beer experience was. This beer unleashed so much awesome stuff. I also like how in one of the pics, the God of Thunder lightning is orange like the oranges used in the beer as well.
Sources:
http://img01.deviantart.net/0a39/i/2015/059/6/3/bleach_fan_art____yoruichi_shihoin_by_djinay-d8jw01y.jpg
http://rocky-ace.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-Shihouin-615735590?q=gallery%3ARocky-Ace%2F26324613&qo=7
http://img12.deviantart.net/7e0a/i/2016/043/2/4/shihoin_yoruichi_by_guilhermessj-d9rhb4u.png
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Yoruichi-429536105
http://charaero.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shihouin_yoruichi-bleach-004.jpg
http://img08.deviantart.net/1daa/i/2016/055/1/3/bleach_663___shunryuu_kokubyou_senki_yoruichi_by_arteemis-d9sz5cp.png
2016 Chocolate Rain by the Bruery
2016 Chocolate Rain – Essentially the Bruery’s Black Tuesday 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!
Mexican Speedway Stout by Alesmith brewing
Rating: 7/7
Mexican Speedway Stout by Alesmith brewing is a 12% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Mexican Coffee, Chocolate and Cinnamon aged in Tequila Barrels.
Label:
==Introduction==
Alesmith has been releasing many great beers over the years and many great variants of their speedway stout ranging from Kopi Luwak coffee, Jamaican Coffee, special spirits and even collaborations. This year, they released something that immediately hit me. The Mexican Speedway Stout aged with the uncommon liquor for aging, Tequila. Tequila barrel aged beers are pretty uncommon unlike Bourbon. The inspiration of that aging process is what inspired me to make my Belgian Quadrupel aged in Oak Tequila. So basically, whenever I hear of great beers made Tequila, I go out of my way to try and get them even if I have to trade. The firs Tequila barrel aged beer was a Barley wine made from Cucapa brewing in Mexicali, Mexico. Since then I have not found that one beer again and definitely made it a form of a mission to try and find those brews that are Tequila aged. I never would of thought Alesmith would release one especially one done similarly to the Xocoveza from Stone. Let’s see how this one goes, cheers!
Aromas:
Cafe Con Leche, Roasted coffee notes, dark cherries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, Jaliscan Jerricalla, burnt sugar, pilloncillo sugar cone, Tequila, Mezcal, agave lechugilla nectar, oak, flan, crème brulee, 3 leche/ 3 Milks cake, coffee cake, mocha, java, steamed milk, milk sugar, marshmallows, toasted coconut, rocky road ice crea, dulce de leche, dulce de cabra envinada/ goat milk caramel, cajeta caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate mousse, bakers chocolate, chocolate abuelita, German Chocolate, Belgian Cholate, mole, almonds, Marzipan, Danish cream and bananas.
Flavors:
Cafe Con Leche, fancy coffee, roasted coffee notes, mocha, java, steamed milk, milk sugar, marshmallows, toasted coconut, rocky road ice cream, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate mousse, bakers chocolate, chocolate abuelita, German Chocolate, Belgian Cholate, mole, cinnamon, cajeta caramel, dulce de leche, dulce de cabra envinada/ goat milk caramel in wine hints, flan, crème brulee, 3 leche/ 3 Milks cake, Jaliscan Jerricalla, burnt sugar, pilloncillo sugar cone, Tequila, Mezcal, agave lechugilla nectar, oak, Kahlua liqueur, dark fruit raisins, figs, prunes, dark cherries, raspberries, currants, molasses, anise, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, campfire smokey hints, Danish cream, Irish cream, Marzipan, fruit cake, capirotada raisin bread pudding, Champurrado, bananas, clove spice, churros, ginger bread and Lechera sweetened condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with rich notes of chocolate abuelita, Kahlua liquer, cinnamon, tequila oak, agave, dark fruit, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, flan, toasted coconut, earthy notes and hazelnut. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, pitch black abyss body, creamy, velvety, silky, syrupy, chewy and viscous mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
No doubt, a bucket lister. It’s like they took Xocoveza, Mole Ocho and Tequila Sombrero to a whole new level. The influence of the might that is Speedway Stout just works with it providing a diversly rich array of coffee, chocolate and sweet Mexican Tequila flavor. You kind of just lose yourself in its greatness. Speedway Stout has come out in so many great variants that this on sits right up there with Alesmith’s best. It sure is a beer that is a must get for fans of the Mexican Stouts and especially, Tequila Barrel aged beers.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing because she is one of my 4 favorite girls and I had remembered I did a special edit to a picture of hers for the World Cup back in 2006. What a surprise that 10 years later, it would make the perfect for this new beer to go with the Mexican Flag. Aside from the Jersey pairing well, Yoruichi has obtained 2 new powerful forms in the manga and now that I present her in a beer pairing, especially one of this caliber, I wanted to pair with those super forms. The Goddess of Thunder Yoruichi, though you be a cat, how you complement the Aztec Goddess Tlaloc who is Quetzalcoatl’s part ally in the skies almost resembling a dragon as well. Yup, Yoruichi is one bad ass character.
Sources:
http://arteemis.deviantart.com/art/God-Of-Thunder-590320394
http://img1.reactor.cc/pics/post/Shihouin-Yoruichi-Bleach-Anime-nanao-(mahaya)-3070867.jpeg
A Fistful Of Unidragon by Clown Shoes
Rating: 6/6
A Fistful Of Unidragon by Clown Shoes is a 14% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed with mesquite smoked malt from Texas’ Blacklands Malt and aged in Bourbon Barrels.
Label:
A West Texas town terrorized by depraved outlaws, hired The Artist and his Smitty – Forged Unidragron Hand Cannon. The Artists, while emp and a bit sensitive, gets rough with bad guys, so he went ahead and incarcerated them. This beer, made with mesquite smoked malt from Blackland Malt Company, is a bourbon barrel aged version of The Good, The Bad and The Unidragon.
==Introduction==
I obtained this brew thanks to my friend Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com. This brew is based on Clown Shoes The Good, The Bad and The Unidragon which I had reviewed some time back same thanks to my friend Aaron. Thanks to him, we were able to bring forth the collection from Texas provided by Clown Shoes. In return, I was able to send him the California Clown Shoes beers. I remember the brew was very good and now that it comes in a bourbon barrel aged form, let’s see if we can compare. Cheers.
Aromas:
campfire smokey oak, bacon notes, dark coffee roasted grounds, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, Irish cream, fudge cake, sweet toffee, earthy notes, molasses, anise, toasted coconut, tobaccco, leather, flan, sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, currants, marshmallow smores, pecan pie, crème brulee and rocky road ice cream.
Flavors:
Rich rocky road ice cream, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, campfire Smokey oak, bacon notes, dark coffee roasted grounds, roasted barley, mocha, java, vanilla, bourbon, oak, Kahlua liquer, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, currants, marshmallow smores, pecan pie, Irish cream, fudge cake, sweet toffee, earthy notes, molasses, anise, toasted coconut, tobaccco, leather, flan, sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, rye whiskey, earthy notes and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with touch of smokey, whiskey, bourbony notes and complexity like dark fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla, coconut, rocky road ice cream, vanilla and caramel. Slight alcohol in the taste but despite the ABV, does not detract from the flavors. Pitch black abyss body, smooth, velvety, creamy and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
Hot Diggity, this is better than the original. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to have a good friend that shares common interest and has been able to send me the beers. It is all possible with the help from my friend Aaron. I think this beer is definitely worth the find especially if you are out in Texas or can trade for it online. The fact that Clown Shoes works with the local craft community at Texas shows a lot of love and effort goes into making these collaborations. So definitely get a bottle if you can.
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Yoruichi Shihouin, & Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck from Bleach represent the good, the bad and the unidragon from the original beer. I brought them back in this pairing as well but this time with different attire to fit the beer’s label a little better. Especially with the old west scene with Yoruichi and more fashionable for all 3 of them and looking bad ass too.
Sources:
http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/daraunon/d6579bc08371d50fbd4fe9e3b8d5f876_zps62ad63eb.jpg
http://www.less-real.com/imagevault/uploaded/images/part1/1145.jpg
http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/0/9/3/1/1/2/_-Kirito-_/6E5.jpg
Ninja VS. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing (Can Review)
Rating: 5.5/6
Ninja VS. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing is an 8% ABV Double India Pale Ale.
CommercialDescription:
Ninja vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle between two of the biggest hop-heads of lore. Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover. Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja vs. Unicorn. Bottle Art by Jason Burke ink & lead Designs.
___
Introduction:
================
It has been a long time since I have reviewed this one. I got this one at thebottleshop.net. I last had this one back in 2014 and this one was bottled 4/12/2016 and my review was made 5/1/2016 so hopefully accuracy of the review does it justice to the freshies and hop heads. This is nowhere in California but is a common in Chicago. What they say about this beer is true, it is damn delicious and the artwork is amazing. This time it is different than the last time I tried it but yeah, it should be the same beer. Let’s see how it is at its freshest, Cheers!
Aromas:
Every damn tropical fruit I love from IPAs, Grapefruit, citrus, oranges, tangerines, lychees, dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwis, strawberry, mango, passion fruit, papaya, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, floral, grassy, herbal, piney and garlicky hops, caramel, toffee, biscuit bread, mild rye, pine resin and lemon peel.
Flavors:
Rich tropical fruit overlaps the hoppy dankness just like it did in the previous iteration but being fresh, damn, this is just wonderful. Hops ranging from floral, grapefruit, herbal, piney, grassy and garlicky dankness, But the forward flavors come from the tropical fruits such as dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, lychee, strawberries, prickly pear, guava, coconut, papaya, apples, orange marmalade, tangerine gummies, rye bread, toffee, honey, sweetened condensed milk, flan, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, tangerines, lemon peel and toffee.
Aftertaste:
Lots of tropical fruits linger, caramel, dank garlicky, oniony flavors and grapefruit. No alcohol in the taste. While being an IPA, something is very smooth about this beer even while it seems like it has moderate to sipping drinkability. Moderately clear but has a crisp and refreshing medium mouth feel.
Overall:
The Gods smile as always. I think my previous explanation did it justice. The canned version and that being even fresher do wonders. A Tropical gold standard just like power plant triple IPA from El Segundo, one of my favorite IPAs. In fact, all the IPAs from Pipeworks brewings have definitely been above and beyond the typical IPAs and I would definitely love to see them around California. You got it good Chicago, keep making great beers!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Rainbow Dash from MLP were used in the previous beer pairing. I made a good description in my past review so here is a rehash:
It was mainly because I wanted to do something that related to the whole Ninja Vs. Unicorn aspect. Being as the colors of the label best represent Rainbow Dash, it was quite fitting since many of the bronies make her seem like a bad ass. So here is a tribute to you bronies and pegasisters. I am mainly an Anime Otaku dude, but can appreciate a great pairing despite where it comes from. Yoruichi is the of the baddest Flash step ninjas ever and Dash can hit Mach speeds, so I figured even more rightfully so this pairing would work. Also the, rainbow in the aspect of flavor best pairs because of the variety of fruit tropics that this beer seems to unleash making it, well, damn epic. I am surprised this beer is not world class and not at the level of the Pliny the Younger or the Heady Topper.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/4QX5PC4.jpg
Twin Pines Mall by Pipeworks with Emporium The Collaboration
Rating: 5.25/6
Twin Pines Mall by Pipeworks with Emporium The Collaboration is an 8% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with Spruce Tips and Honey.
Label:
Get your DeLorean up to 88 MPH because Pipeworks and Emporium are taking you Back To The Brew-ture. For Twin Pines Mall we furled the Flux Capacitor with 1.21 Jigawatts of spruce tips and wild flower honey. The future is now so drink up before you’re OutaTime. Great Scott!
==Introduction==
Right on time for October 21st 2015 which was supposed to be the time Marty, Doc and Jennifer travelled to the future in Back to The Future II the movie. While the time has been long past, I have been fairly busy with life stuff and have not even had a chance to update the website so I can get the reviews on here. Well, now that it is closer to the end of the year and stuff has slowed down, I have more time! This beer from Pipeworks looks very promising as it is not your typical IPA. Using actual Spruce tips seems very intriguing as that come from Christmas Trees. Knowing almost everything I have had form Pipeworks has been ridiculously awesome, I hope this is as much hyped as the movie was. Cheers!
Aromas:
Lots of Spruce Christmas tree fragrance, stone fruit lychee, apricot, peaches, Starburst candy, lemon candy, lemon peel, lemon zest, tropical fruits like kiwi, guava, papaya, dragon fruit, passion fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, agave nectar, mangos, coconut hints, marshmallow, sweetened condensed milk, orange preserves, Wild flower honey and hibiscus hints.
Flavors:
Rich Christmas tree spruce, pine cones, piney, grape fruit, dank, oniony, floral, grassy and herbal hops, Wild flower honey, hibiscus hints, tropical fruits like kiwi, guava, papaya, dragon fruit, passion fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, agave nectar, mangos, stone fruit lychee, apricot, peaches, Starburst candy, lemon candy, lemon peel, lemon zest, tangerine gummy bears, tres leches cake, mango flan, caramel hints, blue basil, coconut hints, marshmallow, sweetened condensed milk and orange preserves.
Aftertaste:
Rich Honey, Christmas Trees, rich tropical fruits, fruit juice, dank hops and sweet vanilla lingers. No alcohol in the taste, mildly hazy golden body, crisp, rich and refreshing mouthfeel with a very easy to drink.
Overall:
Woah, this is heavy! And excellently exceptional. This is a unique IPA in so many ways using a lot of what Pipeworks does best to make exceptional beers. However, with the addition of the Spruce Tips to give off the Christmas tree flavors, the beer is taken to another level that I honestly haven’t tried something like this before. Literal Pine Christmas flavors. A great beer that will definitely meet the needs of a Back to Future and IPA fan alike.
Anime Corner:
Several Anime shows and Characters with all referencing to Back to The Future in this one. I tried to find as many that would definitely fit with the label and the cover of the movies. Definitely glad I found some.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/biaB89K.jpg
http://i-7.vcimg.com/58bf373ea663d469c8177a57c184a173296263(600x)/thumb.jpg
http://41.media.tumblr.com/7fd4d44451bdd8d753bef15844adad98/tumblr_mk38c6T6Xj1qkqgkeo1_1280.jpg
http://storge.pic2.me/cm/1680×1050/670/55228a317cab7.jpg
Esa Negra Linda by El Borracho Homebrewing
Rating: 4.75/5
Esa Negra Linda by El Borracho Homebrewing is a 6.7% ABV Black IPA brewed with extra Magnum Cenntenial and Chinook hops.
==Introduction==
Esa Negra Linda or “That Black Beauty” was the name given by my friend Will Carranza to his first ever, Black IPA. This one was made with extra Magnum for bittering and the centennial and Chinook hops were for aroma.. I gladly assisted will on brewing day as brother help each other out when it comes to the home brew stuff like my other brother and homebrewer Richard of Avila Ales. While the original recipe and ideas were all Will’s you can almost say this was a collaboration in terms of me helping him out. So I bring forth, another awesome home brew and possibly the last for summer 2015 (what can we say, it’s too damn hot to make beer on a budget!) Hell, I still gotta review my 2 other homebrews I barely finished before the temperatures skyrocketed and we could no longer brew. Anyways, it is always a pleasure when Will donates to the site his awesome creations and always loving each as it comes by. Cheers!!
Aromas:
Rich citrus, pineapple, lychee, honey dew melon, grapefruit, floral, piney, grassy, herbal and earthy hops, minty notes, anise, coffee hints possibly from the roasted malt, licorice hints, anise and caramel.
Flavors:
Citrus, piney, grassy, herbal, grapefruit, earthy, and floral hops, pine apple hints, honey dew melon, lychee, Caramel, dark chocolate hints, anise, licorice, roasted malts, molasses, dark fruit prune hints, mango hints, brown sugar, clove spice, kumquat hints, coffee notes, lemon and mint.
Aftertaste:
Earthy hop notes, coffee, anise, tropical notes, citrus, dark chocolate hints and lots of nice bitter hops linger for a little bit. No alcohol in the taste, dark as the ether of space full body, smooth, creamy and crisp mouthfeel with an easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
A deliciously good Black IPA. This IPA is on that level where the hops shine through to let you know you really are drinking an IPA, it just a dark IPA at that and the maltiness adds enough character to make it interesting. The balance is decent and for hop heads this means that the best flavors from Black IPA are delivered here. I hope my friend makes this one again or a variant using different hops as it was very delicious and would love to get some more. Cheers!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing to represent the name and the feel of the beer. Esa Negra Linda represented by the beautiful Yoruichi who is a ninja fits this beer perfectly. Like the night she strikes without warning. She is the fastest being in the world of Bleach and like this beer, it goes down very smooth and quick. It flows right through like the way a ninja attacks swift and firm for the kill and no ones the wiser. Her strength is in the complex flavors the extra hops provide but combine with the dark beer to make it shine like a light in a dark room. An elegant lady, a beauty, but deadly… If looks could kill well, fortunately, this will be the only time you see her before she strikes!
Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Shihouin.Yoruichi.full.1878848.jpg
Mélange 12 by Bruery
Rating: 7/5
Mélange 12 by Bruery is a 16.8% ABV American Strong Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Vanilla Beans, Cacao Nibs and Hazelnuts.
Label:
NUTSO!
A curious amalgam of barrel-aged beer seeping with notes of burnt marshmallows and toasty nuts.
Mélange No 12 is best enjoyed fresh for peak flavor, but may develop pleasantly if cellared properly. Best stored and cellared around 55°F (13°C) in a dark place. Ideal serving temperature is 50°F (10°C). Best enjoyed with friends and served in a tulip glass.
Mélange #12 is a uniquely debonair blend of some of our favorite strong ales that have been allowed to age gently in bourbon barrels for an average of nearly 22 months. Once these barrels were carefully selected to blend, we chose to enhance the beer and barrel flavors with three of our favorite ingredients: cacao nibs, vanilla beans and hazelnuts.
==Introduction==
Melange #12 released to Reserve Society and Hoarders society alike is a blend of several different beers that are undesclosed but based on the previous melange versions, they include, Black Tuesday, the Anniversary beers, White Oak and others I am sure as this is what Melange 3 composed of and the sequential Melange ones expanded from this other blends. I made a careful decisions as this beer comprises of many of the components that make up the Weekday brews such as Chocolate Rain, White Grey Monday, possibly Wineification, Cacaonut and Chocolate Rain. So I had no doubt that this would disappoint in any way. A Cuvee ambrosia of heavenly delight? Perhaps, let’s check this one out, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, chocolate milk shake, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate smores, graham crackers, White Chocolate, mocha chocolate, Flan and Mexican sweetened condensed milk,Rich Hazelnuts, pecan pie, almond milk, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, walnuts, prailines, oak, bourbon, marshmallows, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream, butterscotch, toasted coconut, almond joys, cocada Mexican coconut candy, piloncillo sugar cone, banana split ice cream with cherries, port wine, rum notes, stone fruit mango hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, buttery nutella and so much more!
Flavors:
Pure Flan and Mexican sweetened condensed milk,Rich Hazelnuts, pecan pie, almond milk, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, walnuts, prailines, oak, bourbon, marshmallows, Dark chocolate, chocolate milk shake, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate smores, graham crackers, White Chocolate, mocha chocolate, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, waffle cone, rocky road ice cream, butterscotch, toasted coconut, almond joys, cocada Mexican coconut candy, piloncillo sugar cone, banana split ice cream with cherries, port wine, rum notes, stone fruit mango hints, dragon fruit, passion fruit, buttery nutella, Mexican Duvalin candy, chocolate chip cookie dough, Danish cream, Bear claw doughnut, mousse chocolate, marzipan and more.
Aftertaste:
Super rich nutella, toasted coconut, white chocolate, port wine, Belgian chocolate, bourbon, oak, hazelnut nectar, tropical dragon fruit hints and passion fruit amongst other heavenly sweets. No alcohol in the taste, Dark yet Crimson Medium to Full body, sipping drinkabaility and Silky, creamy, syrupy, smooth, velvety mouthfeel.
Overall:
The best of the best and exclusive of elusive beers with no way of getting another unless they make this once again or you trade. It was definitely a special occasion as I tried this one. If they ever release as much of Melange 12 as they do of Melange 3, I am buying every single one!! This beer is like you took the alittle bit from each of the Bruery’s best beers and made a Cuvee. Basically, there is notes of Chocolate Rain, Grey Monday, Melange 3, Cacaonut, White Chocolate, Black Tuesday, Wineification and their anniversary beers and combined it to make this liquid Gold! Aging for 22 months is ridiculous but it is surely something that is truly unique and amazing. If you have the opportunity to get this one, do it!!!
Anime Corner:
Temari Sabakuno from Naruto, Kos-Mos from Xenosaga, Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach as being my favorite anime characters always get the best pairings in some of the beers I truly feel are deserving of that ‘Heavenly and Godly Ambrosia’ Liquid status as with many of the beers I have tried, this one to me captures what I feel is the best of the Bruery which are many of the Weekday beers into one. I once did a pairing with them doing Melange 3 except at the time, it was jusr Kos-Mos, Temari and Yoruichi. Ryuko from Kill la Kill had not come out and it wasn’t until later that I really loved her character in the series as she was a major bad ass. So I was glad I was able to pair them with this heavenly bliss of a beer. Melange 3 multiplied by 4 is Melange 12 so it makes the perfect pairing!
St. Bernardus Abt 12 Oak Aged by Brouwerij St. Bernardus
Rating: 7/5 * A bucket list beer, just saying 😛
St. Bernardus Abt 12 Oak Aged by Brouwerij St. Bernardus is an 11% ABV Belgian Quadrupel Aged in Oak Calvados (Apple Brandy) Barrels
Label:
Brewery St. Bernardus was founded in 1946 in Watou, Province of West Flanders in Belgium.
St. Bernardus Abt 12 is Brewery St. Bernardus’ flagship and is considered as one the best beers in the world. The Abt 12 is brewed following the original recipe from 1946.
This St. Bernardus Abt 12 Oak Aged is brewed using the same recipe and then matured for 6 months in oak Calvados barrels before it is bottle coditioned. This maturation in oak kegs gives the beer a deeper and richer taste, leaving the palate remarkbly satisfied and thirsty for more.
“Bringing Heavenly nectar within reach”
Serve this noble and wonderfully balanced brown ale at 53-56° F in a goblet glass to best enjoy its delicate bouquet.
==Introduction==
Never did I ever think that St. Bernardus would step up their game and release a barrel aged version of their Quad. Not just any barrel either, but the Calvados Apple Brandy barrel. Beers that usually are aged in these barrel jump 100 times the price of the original beer. Good thing this one just doubled the price. By that I mean it is still pricey as hell ranging anywhere from 25-30$ for a 750ml bottle. I didn’t care. I just just didn’t care as unlike any beer from the past, the St. Bernardus is a beer that always held a special place in my heart as it was my favorite when I first started trying different beers as early as 2010 and to this day I can always go back and say it is still my favorite despite the fact that there are others like the Weekday Bruery beers that are levels above it, it still don’t matter. Even after trying the Heady Toppers, the Dark Lords, even the Westvleteren 12… still didn’t matter… Abt 12 was my beer along with Trois Pistoles and Three Philosophers and others… So you can see the fact that this exist must be testament to my resolve not only as a reviewer but for myself and what I truly love and even to my first quadruple that I personally made… Cheers from this is like Cheers of the Heavens!
Aromas:
Rich Dulce de leche caramel Apple pie, Brandy oak, vanilla, Goat milk caramel, marshmallows, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, raspberry chambord, tamarind, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peach cobbler, mango, pie crust, Dark Candi sugars, Belgian Bread, Danish cream, Rock Candy, figgy pudding, piloncillo sugar cone,Bananas, plantains, clove spice, bubble gum notes, raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, cinnamon, flan, Mexican sweetened condensed milk, Red Apples, Golden Apples, Caramel apples, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, cherry pie and burnt brown sugar.
Flavors:
Dulce de leche caramel, Goat milk Caramel, piloncillo sugar cone, vanilla, oak, marshmallows, Dark fruit plums, raisins, prunes, cherries, figs, dates, wine grapes, raspberry chambord, tamarind, Bananas, plantains, clove spice, bubble gum notes, raisin bread pudding, rice pudding, cinnamon, flan, Mexican sweetened condensed milk, Red Apples, Golden Apples, Caramel apples, Brandy, Port wine, chardonay, stone fruit peaches, apricots, peach cobbler, pie crust, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, cherry pie, dragon fruit, passion fruit, old mangoes, honey dew melon, butterscotch, chocolate notes, tangerine preserves, tobacco, leather, anise, grilled funnel caramel cake, Dark Candi sugars, Belgian Bread, Danish cream, Rock Candy, figgy pudding, Rich caramel Apple Pie goodness with vanilla cake and more.
Aftertaste:
Lingering Apple Pie, dark fruits, stone fruits, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan, sweetened condensed milk, Apple brandy, port wine, Danish cream, leather, rye and mild chocolate lingers. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, silky, syrupy and creamy mouthfeel, Dark Golden Brown medium body and a moderate to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
No surprise why this version of one of my favorite (commonly available) beers in the world is simply another one I needed to add to my bucket list of beers. The original St. Bernardus was my inspiration for making the original quad I made a couple of months back as it was one of my favorites in the world while started trying different craft beers along with Trois Pistoles, Three Philosphers and many delicious others. This version is something that really took it above the heaven into that “Ambrosia of the Gods” status. I really didn’t care about the price, I really wanted to bring this one for a review ever since its announcement and I finally did it! I think the whole Calvados/Apple Brandy aspect is what really did it here taking this liquid caramel into an Apple Pie beer goodness. Who knows what will happen to this in … 15 years!
Anime Corner:
Temari Sabakuno from Naruto, Kos-Mos from Xenosaga, Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill, Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach as being my favorite anime characters always get the best pairings in some of the beers I truly feel are deserving of that ‘Heavenly and Godly Ambrosia’ Liquid status as with many of the beers I have tried, I have used them in the previous St. Bernardus Abt 12 review except with the introduction of my recent favorite girl, Ryuko Matoi. Like I said before, the original version of this beer was my world favorite, my desire, my love and passion that became my favorite style of beer and today, the fruit of my labor with my homebrew ‘Las Quad-tro Monjas’. Yes indeed, I don’t have to explain much about this and long time readers can already infer why I choose them. The greatest of the greats.
John Paul Jones Peanut Butter & Raspberry Jelly by Brew Rebellion
Rating: 6/5
John Paul Jones Peanut Butter & Raspberry Jelly by Brew Rebellion is a 10.2% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Raspberries and Peanut Butter.
Label:
Everyone Enjoys a rebellious spirit now and again.
==Introduction==
It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time, Peanut Butter Jelly Time! Where you at? Where You at? Now there you go, There you go! Peanut butter Jelly, peanut butter Jelly and a baseball bat!
Holy shit! I went to pick up my local order of Bruery beers and stopped by the shop near by. This took me by surprise as it was hidden away in a box but caught my eye as I saw the different colored wax on the beer. I thought to myself, well, this must be something special cuz it is probably going to be expensive. I saw what it was, a peanut butter and raspberry jelly beer and I did not hesitate to buy it. At 1 per customer, I was like damn it!! I needed to get another one or two but I figured, well I will come back. Apparently they released this in very small quantities to limited places. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Now I have tried many great and awesome peanut butter chocolate milk stouts but never one that was a peanut butter and jelly mix. I can only hope this is as awesome as my crazy mind thought it would be. Let’s check this out and cheers to all!
Aromas:
Super Rich peanut butter and Raspberry Jelly aromas, lactose milk sugar, molasses, dark fruit raisins, black berries, blue berries, black cherries, currants, plums, cherry cheesecake, choco flan, bananas, vanilla, caramel, roasted peanuts with shells, nutter butter cookies, toffee, coffee cake, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, earthy notes, Reese’s peanut butter puffs cereal, coconut hints, marshmallows, graham cracker smores and rocky road ice cream hints.
Flavors:
Rich peanut butter, Rich Raspberry Jelly, toasted rye bread, bananas, vanilla, caramel, roasted peanuts with shells, nutter butter cookies, toffee, coffee cake, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, earthy notes, Reese’s peanut butter puffs cereal, lactose milk sugar, molasses, dark fruit raisins, black berries, blue berries, black cherries, currants, plums, cherry cheesecake, choco flan, whipped cream, Irish cream hints, coconut hints, marshmallows, graham cracker smores, rocky road ice cream hints, dark chocolate, cocoa crispies, brown sugar, candi sugar, rock candy, oatmeal cookies, mocha hints and hazelnut nectar.
Aftertaste:
Rich peanut butter and dark fruit raspberry and other berry mixed lingers along with caramel, vanilla, hazlnut, earthy hints, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and flan hints. No alcohol in the taste, super easy to drink despite the ABV, smooth, creamy, velvet and silky mouthfeel with a pitch black and crimson surface (under the light) full body.
Overall:
WOW, Simply put, they were not joking when they were trying to get the exact! Flavors of peanut butter and Jelly. Although, this is way more than just that. There is so much rich complexity of flavors going on but none of it is intimidating and at the rate of being dangerously drinkable, it is pretty damn crazy. I will need to find more bottles of this and definitely think I will try to mimic the recipe somehow. I highly recommend this one!
Anime Corner:
Temari Sabakuno and Yoruichi Shihouin from Naruto and Bleach respectively were used in this pairing since I wanted to pair them with the colors of the peanut butter and jelly. They are 2 of my favorite anime characters and so using them in this pairing was awesome for me. Their colors also represent other flavors of the beer such as the chocolate, vanilla, waffle cone, coconut, flan, dark fruits and other sweet flavors colonthree emoticon
Sources:
http://76.72.168.19/images/2013-10-11-611327.png
http://gallery.minitokyo.net/download/421717
Las Quadtro Monjas by Nubis Sanctum Ales
My Beer Homebrew Project #2 Review. Cheers!
Rating: 5/5
Las Quadtro Monjas by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 10% ABV Belgian Trappist Quadrupel.
Label:
Kept in the dark for many years, the Four Nuns or Las Quatro Monjas appear each presenting an unforeseen treasure that was hidden from ancient time itself. Legend has it that these treasures were ingredients that were bestowed by the almighty God himself. The ingredients were thrown into a brew kettle by the nuns and made into a holy nectar. A recipe practiced by holy monks today. Folklore has it that some of the original nectar has passed the test of time, passed on through the ages and has seeped into this very bottle…
Las Quad-tro Monjas is a Belgian Trappist Quadruple Ale made in the style like the monks do in the Belgian Monastaries. They devote their lives to good faith and making good holy beers. This homebrew project started as a dream that became reality with a lot of devotion, patience, care and love. Conditioning for 1 month after fermentation, this beer will cellar for several years if kept in a dark and cool location. A beer that is strong in alcohol yet sweet and complex.
Ingredients: Water, malts, hops, Belgian Candi sugar, cane sugar and trappist yeast .
==Introduction==
The time has come… My dream of creating a Belgian Quadruple is finally here. First brewed in January 24th 2015, Racked in Secondary Februrary 14th 2015 and Bottled March 14th 2015 the brew is finally ready for the test. To this date, as I mentioned in the label description, it was my dream to someday make this style of beer and after so long, I finally did it. It does give a surreal and proud feeling knowing that something you always wished you could do, and with hard work, it can actually come to fruition. I always wanted to make this type of beer style, the Belgian Quadruple, ever since I started trying different beers. With a lot of patience, love and care, Now it is finally here! The best part is that this will mature for years well like a fine wine. For being my most complex beer to date, I have to analyze it as best as possible and hopefully the recipe will improve or I will make again next time. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich bananas, clove spice, Rich dark fruit plums, raisins, figs, dates, black cherries, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, dark black cherries, peaches, pears, vanilla, toffee, anise hints, molasses, port wine hints, pecan pie, flan hints, brown sugar, rock candy and Belgian dark candi sugar.
Flavors:
Dulce de leche caramel, dark fruits like black cherries, raisins, plums, figs, dates, leather hints, cinnamon hints, flan hints, peaches, pears, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, chocolate notes, pecan pie, buttery Mexican pan dulce, Danish cream, rock candy, Belgian candi sugar, port wine, raspberry chambord, apples, rye bread, anise, molasses, blackberry preserves, dragon fruit hints, brown sugar and butter pecan ice cream.
Aftertaste:
Rich dark fruits and dulce de leche caramel linger with a slight sweet port wine and earthyness. Very small and slight hints of booze but are covered up by the sugary Belgian notes and dark fruit sweetness. Dark crimson body, moderate to sipping drinkability, velvety,syrupy and bold mouthfeel with a very rich and smoothness.
Overall:
As the beer warms up, the flavors evolve into some very rich and even more complex flavors giving way to the velvety notes I mentioned earlier. I really don’t know what to say. So many people really loved this beer to where many thought I added actual plums, peaches and bananas to it. Others thought it was so subtle like a gentle wine. I myself taking my time with it, the only thing was that it was low carbonated but even then this beer was something so amazing entirely I was stunned to make such a perfection that I kind of teared up a little bit. I was so damn paranoid working so closely to my experimental recipe, making sure the beer was always watched always worrying about it like it was my baby and here it is. My first attempt at a quad to mimic some of the best Belgian strong darks and quads out there and it was just… perfect….not overpowering, enough sweet and complexity to make even the lightest palates enjoy. I think based on the results, I will definitely make it again in the near future. Now I know what the monks feel when being so damn dedicated. Definitely feel proud of how far I have made it with this.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach, KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, Temari Sabakuno from Naruto and Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill were used in this pairing as well as the label to represent the beer but also my passion for the work that I do. These girls have been my favorite characters from the different anime series that I love for the longest time going way back to the year 2002. Being a big anime fan and the shows I like, complementing the beers I love with different characters doesn’t have the same effect as the way I complement using my top favorites. But why the Belgian Quad and why them you ask? Well, it works so perfectly. The name Las Quad-tro is a play on the Belgian word for Quadrupel and Cuatro which is 4. I already have 4 of my favorite girls and an artwork I had done back in 2007 with colors of the Belgian Abbeys and monasteries, it was only a matter of time before I made the label with them four as my first Quadruple ale. They are the best and the ones I use as my mascots for my whole passion of anime and the best beers in this whole lost treasures of taste and experience. Cheers!
2015 Chocolate Rain by the Bruery
Rating: 6/5
2015 Chocolate Rain by the Bruery is an 18.4% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.
Label:
MAKE IT RAIN
This decadent version of Black Tuesday is proudly brewed with TCHO cacao nibs.
Chocolate Rain began as a single cask of beer at our very first release event for Black Tuesday back in 2009 and now has a storied history of its own. This ale will age gracefully if cellared properly but will be the most prominent when consumed fresh.
==Introduction==
2015 Chocolate Rain is finally out for preservation society as well as the other societies. If you have not read my last years review of the beer, well, after analyzing this one, I found it to be just as awesome and rich. This beer along with Black Tuesday, White Chocolate, Wineification, Mocha Wednesday and Grey Monday are some of the best beers I have ever had. Cheers!
Aromas:
All the fragrances of the chocolate rainbow, dark, white, Belgian, German, sweet, bitter, milk, fudge and baker’s. I may have missed a couple others. Bourbon, Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut, choco flan, crème brulee, hazel nuts, pecan pie, dark fruits, raisins, figs, plums, raspberries, cherries, almond joy, rocky road, leche nestle sweetened condenced milk, fudge cake, coffee, mocha, Rocky road Ice cream, oreo and chocolate chip cookies, molasses, oak, earthy notes and brown sugar.
Flavors:
The utter definition of CHOCOLATE! Sweet, Belgian, dark, white, German, milk, fudge, bakers, bourbon whiskey, oak, vanilla, choco flan, dulce de leche caramel, crème brulee, toasted coconut, chocolate covered cherries, dark fruits, raisins, figs, plums, raspberries, almond joy, hazelnuts, pecan pie, tobacco, leather, fudge brownies, raisins, rocky road ice cream, mocha, coffee, brown sugar, oreo cookie, chocolate chips, oatmeal, Kahlua, chocolate covered funnel cake, milk shake, black currants, roasted cashews, tootsie roll candy, “Willy Wonka ain’t got nothing on this Chocolate Rain” flavors!…I ran out of things to describe this epicness…
Aftertaste:
Lingering chocolate, vanilla, caramel, dark fruits, brown sugar, bourbon, white fudge, chocolate fudge and more and more sugar! The alcohol is very little in the taste, but for all its worth, it doesn’t detract from any of the flavors at all and since it is 19-20% alcohol, It is in no way harsh. Sure it is a sipping beer, a dangerously sipping beer because it also has elements of smoothness. It does feel warm going down too. JEEZUUZ YES!!!. Very syrupy mouth feel, like I had mentioned in my previous review of this, boozy chocolate syrup.
Overall:
One of the top best sugary boozy chocolate syrups, I mean beers. Ever! Like I said before, there is nothing I can say about this beer but utter heaven! It could be overkill if placed in ice cream but hey, if you want Dat Dia-bee-tus! Watch out now. No joke, it is pretty sugary and utter bliss. DO NOT DRINK THIS BOTTLE IN ONE SITTING!!, if you enjoy beers, even if it is the only one you will drink for the rest of the night, don’t do yourself the dissatisfaction. This is really a great beer and should be enjoyed a few sips at a time. Chocolate Rain!! Some stay sober, while other feel the bliss….
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing, even from the last time I tried Chocolate Rain for many reasons, aside from the fact that she is one of my favorite anime characters of all time. For starters, in the original Chocolate Rain pictures for my last review, I wanted to describe that Yoruichi as the bringer of the rain since was given a Native American outfit and she was doing a dance to make it rain, rain chocolate!! Her attitude is very caring for her friends but at the same time feisty and very seductive (Lucius Chocolate Rainbow and Vanilla added). She is one of the fastest and strongest characters in Bleach (alcohol due to Bourbon). She is a Princess but was aldo the leader of Onmitsukidō, the Secret Mobile Unit/Corps, Special Forces or Covert Ops. In other words, bad ass ninja! (Alcohol undetected, hidden, hits ya hard later on). In fact, she is so bad ass she took down several ninjas in a matter of seconds. She also has Flash speed (Shunpo) and Shunko or Flash cry (Lightning based attacks)! Which describes Chocolate Rain’s aspect of smooth drinking and you can’t have Rain without lightning. Her sexy and seductive properties can all be described above in the aromas and overall flavors of the beer. Even her outfit and being show the dark fruit flavors, the chocolate, the vanilla, the caramel, the nutty, way more. There is so much more I can go on and on about Yoruichi being the perfect pairing for this beer it ain’t even funny…
Sources:
http://img1.goodfon.su/original/1680×1050/2/b0/art-foton-ike-devushka.jpg
(Brewerianimelogs Food Pairing) Chocolate Rain (2014 Release) by the Bruery with Chocolate Marble Cheese Cake.
As a small addition to my usual reviews of beer tastings, I will now and again try to incorporate some food parings for some beers. Seeing as this is the start of the new year, I figured I write something small about a beer and dessert pairing. Not many people do this and some have way more experience than I do. However, with my knowledge of beer tasting I will try to figure out how the dynamics of adding foods to beers change the experience. Brewerianimelogs food pairings will only be a short segment though. Cheers!
Food Pairing:
Bringing in the new year, I had some cheese cake left over in the fridge and I thought to myself, how awesome would chocolate rain fit with a cheese cake. The results were very nice and surprising. The Chocolate Rain (2014 Release) by the Bruery is an 18.5% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans and was aged for about a year. Upon trying the Chocolate Marble Cheesecake, the strong bourbon characters become subtle allowing the rest of the complex flavors of the chocolate and vanilla to meld with the Chocolate and Cheesecake. The experience is much better than the beer alone and in some cases, it seems the age has made beer much stronger and cutting away some of the excess sweetness. So trying it with the cheese cake balances out the alcohol but provides some depth to the cheese cake and the beer that otherwise would not have been taken by themselves. It is pretty damn amazing and almost milk shake, flan, dulce de leche and tres leches rich but not super sweet. This beer definitely fits the category of dessert enhancer and would pair great with just about any dessert. January 1st also marks a special day for Yoruichi Shihouin, which is my mascot for this beer as shown in the original review below. Hope you enjoyed this small review, cheers!
Anime and Beer Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/chocolate-rain-2014-release-by-the-bruery/
Extremely Angry Beast by Clown Shoes Brewing
Rating: 6/5
Extremely Angry Beast by Clown shoes brewing is a 12% ABV Imperial Stout blend of Bourbon Barrel Aged Smoked American Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water, a Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout and a 40 year old Jamaican Rum Barrel Aged Smoked American Imperial Stout brewed with Holy water….. Now that’s a Cuvee!
Label:
How do you create an Extremely Angry Beast? Mix one part bourbon barrel aged Blaecorn Unidragon, one part bourbon barrel aged Undead Party Crasher, one part Hammer of the Holy, then add a massive dose of incendiary rage.
==Introduction==
Essentially a Cuvee of different barrel aged beers. The Unidragon series has one of the ultimate series out there or Russian and Imperial Stouts by Clown Shoes brewing. While they are trying to release special variants to individual states only, the original Unidragon keeps evolving more and more and more. Now with this year’s addition of Hammer of the Holy, this brings this beer to yet another level of crazyness. It really depends if one can take on this even more advanced version of this beast. I don’t think I am worthy, but Let us give it a try.
Aromas:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, bakers chocolate, spiced chocolate, tootsie rolls, chocolate milk shake, roasted coffee notes, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, oak, smokey campfire notes, graham cracker smores, marshmallows, hints of tropical fruit, rum, bananas, brown sugar, rye bread, coconut, dark fruit raisins, plums, cherries, rocky road ice cream, almond joy, flan, mocha, toffee, pecan pie, chocolate cake, butter scotch, tres leches cake and sweetened condensed milk (Leche Nestle).
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, bakers chocolate, spiced chocolate, tootsie rolls, Dulce de leche caramel, oak, vanilla,Dr. Pepper Cherry notes, earthy notes, roasted coffee, smokey campfire, rum, bourbon, oreo cookies and cream, tropical fruit hints of pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, fudge brownies, leather, tobacco, smoked campfire notes, chocolate graham cracker smores, BBQ meat, marshmallows, coconut, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherries, black berries, oatmeal cookies, flan, hazelnut nectar, mocha, rye bread, brown sugar, almond joy, rocky road icecream, chocolate chip cookies, butterscotch, flan, crème brulee, pecan pie, anise, mint chocolate chip, piña colada hints, tres leches cake and sweetened condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Caramel, dark fruit, chocolate, smokey notes, hints of tropics, hints or bourbon rum and brown sugar linger. Slight alcohol in the taste but nothing detracting too much from the rich flavors. Silky yet smooth mouthfeel, sipping drinkability and pitch black dark body.
Overall:
Damn epic!. The bourbon and rum blend very well. This reminds me of the Bruery Smoking Wood if it was mixed with Rum Black Tuesday. The flavors are so rich in all the spectrums that there is a lot that can be said about this Cuvee of Barrel aged goodness. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough more I can say about its complexity as it keeps going and evolving ever so stronger as it warms up. What I will say is that you should really consider taking o this beast. Come one, bring it on! It will be fun.
Anime Corner:
Tia Harribel, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach have always represented some aspect of the clown shoes beers in my past reviews. Tia is the Undead Party Crasher/Vampire Slayer. Nelliel has always been the original Unidragon and Yoruichi would be added for good measures since the Porcine Unidragon came out. The blend of each beer together and the unleash of the Extremely Angry beast can be best represented when all three together are looking like bad asses powering up to team up against great foes. The strength and complexity has come together very epically that I could not think of any other pairing artwork that would be the best representative of this beer.
Sources:
http://s15.postimg.org/i37agkebt/harribel_nelliel_yoruichi_copy.jpg
http://wallpapersinhq.com/images/big/harribel-1403215.jpg
http://quantumotaku.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/223167.jpg
http://www.rubberslug.com/user/0233baa15b054e8c988441e924824aeb/765947-3953101-bleachyoruichibig.jpg
Other Unidragon and Vampire Slayer/Undead Party Crasher Reviews:
Blaecorn Unidragon Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/blaecorn-unidragon-russian-imperial-stout-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
Vampire Slayer/Undead Party Crasher Review:https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/vampire-slayer-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
Angry Beast Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/angry-beast-by-clown-shoes/
Porcine Unidragon Review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/porcine-unidragon-by-clown-shoes/
Very Angry Beast Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/very-angry-beast-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
Hammer of The Holy:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/hammer-of-the-holy-by-clown-shoes/
Itasca Loonidragon Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2014/11/15/itasca-loonidragon-by-clown-shoes-brewing/
The Good, The Bad, The Unidragon:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/the-good-the-bad-the-unidragon-by-clown-shoes/
The Good, The Bad & The Unidragon by Clown Shoes
Rating: 5.45/5
The Good, The Bad & The Unidragon by Clown Shoes is a 14% ABV Russian Imperial Stout brewed with Texas Dark Malts.
Label:
We brewed this special version of Blaecorn Unidragon using dark malts sourced from Texas, attitude sourced from the burning pit of a bad tempered spirit, and righteous fury from the hand cannons of The Good. As you sit down to a glass, remember, there are two types of people: those who drink unidragons and those whose ashes drift in the breeze.
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Clown Shoes has been on the move brewing beers specifically for certain states to have taking advantage of the awesome Russian Imperial Stout known as the Blaecorn Unidragon and creating super variants. This is the Texas Only version and there would have been no way I could of obtain this beer if it wasn’t for my friend Aaron and his wife from www.beermetaldude.com. California will get their version soon, but since I am a fan of the Unidragons, I was very exited to bring this one over to the site for a review. Cheers!
Aromas:
Rich dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, burnt caramel, rocky road ice cream, vanilla, mild smokey notes, smokey notes, tobacco, marshmallow smore hints, pecan pie flan, brown sugar, fudge cake and milk sugar.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, rich roasted coffee grounds, bakers chocolate, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, mocha, Khalua, milk sugar, java, flan, rocky road icecream, mocha, brown sugar, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, Irish cream, fudge cake, sweet toffee, earthy notes, oak hints, molasses, anise, marshmallow smores, coconut hints, smokey notes and tobacco.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, roasted coffee, earthy notes, tobacco, caramel, vanilla and caramel hints. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. It is hidden so damn well. Creamy, silky and smooth mouthfeel, for some reason this has an easy to medium drinkability which really does not make sense despite the ABV. What can be said about the body other than pitch black as the darkest soul of the night and yet an extremely dangerous beer due to the ABV and the drinkability.
Overall:
This beer is insane and way too drinkable for its own ‘good’, which makes it ‘bad’ since it will get you drunk but its a ‘unidragon’ so drink drink drink! The other thing about this beer is that it is very balanced. I was very surprised about how well I could drink this one to the point where I had to stop myself from drinking the whole bottle in one sitting. Yeah it was that good. If you live in any other state, find a way to trade for this but if you live in Texas, you have to get this one for sure!!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin, Tia Harribel & Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck from Bleach represent the good, the bad and the unidragon. Yoruichi is made to look like the bad guy in the label or the wolf man, although she can turn into a cat at will but it fits. She is good and kind hearted though. Harribel is the Bad in the sense that she was bad in the beginning of the series but now is good and she was the vampire slayer beer so for the purposes of the cowboy in the middle, she is good but in the name of the label is the bad. Neliele was always good and neutral and the unidragon of the original pairings so yeah she is awesome. I made this custom screen to fit the need of the scenery and story telling yet you can find the sources below. Can you find any other way of how this beer pairs?
Sources:
http://kriscynical.deviantart.com/art/BLEACH-Yoruichi-by-Washu-M-107334912
http://bleach.ucoz.net/_ph/2/255749857.jpg
http://tremblax.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-Tu-Oderschvank-327882456
(Brewerianimelogs On The Road) So Happens It’s Tuesday Cacao & Raisin by The Bruery
Rating: 5.35/5
So Happens It’s Tuesday Cacao & Raisin by The Bruery is an 11.3% ABV American Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Raisins
The “Sessioned” version of the almighty ~20% ABV Black Tuesday will be released soon. Essentially, this is a lower alcohol content of their already awesome beer. This is the second variant to the So Happens It’s Tuesday with Cacao Nibs and Raisins. Not sure how long they will have this up so it is best to give it a try before it is gone. So this Sunday, I had a chance to stop by with my friends Richard and Megan to try these beers out. While I tried the Cherry and Vanilla one, I wanted to review this one too. So here we go with the next, Brewerianimelogs On The Road review, Cheers!
Aromas:
Milk and Dark Chocolate covered raisins, vanilla, Dulce de leche caramel, flan hints, brown sugar, dark fruit plums, raisins, rock sugar, raspberry hints, coconut hints, earthy notes, crème brulee hints and bourbon hints.
Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, Dark Chocolate, cherry hints, oak, bourbon, vanilla, caramel, marshmallow, flan, rock candy, coconut hints, pecan pie, brown sugar, raisin bread pudding, hints of banana, hazelnut hints, lots earthy notes, graham crackers, molasses and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Dark chocolate, Dark fruits, caramel, dark fruit hints, cherry and slight bourbon. No alcohol in the taste, a smooth mouthfeel beer, sipping drinkability and pitch black body.
Overall:
Similarly as awesome to the Cherry and Vanilla one. Just like the other one, smoother than less syrupy in your face Black Tuesday. Much sweeter than the other one was well in terms of the dark fruit and earthy. This beer being a sessioned Black Tuesday is kind of amazing to say the least. When I think of session I think light but what if taking something that is extreme, making it light and it is still in the heavy are, that is what I call unique! While these variants were sold to the public at the tasting room, hopefully the regular bottles of these will be sold publicly too!
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach which was the original girl I used for Chocolate Rain was chosen in this simply because I wanted to pair with the colors and flavors of the raisins, chocolate, bananas, dark fruit, hazelnut and bread pudding. While using her in the Chocolate Rain I feel shows her true potential, I couldn’t think of anyone else who I liked so much to use at the time of the review.
Ninja VS. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing
Rating: 5.3/5
Ninja VS. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing is a 9% ABV Double India Pale Ale.
Label:
Ninja vs. Unicorn celebrates the epic battle between two of the biggest hop-heads of lore. Brewed with over five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered double IPA is sure to please the most discerning hop lover. Whether you’re rooting for the mythical horned horse or the deadly assassin of the east, we hope you’ll enjoy Ninja vs. Unicorn. Bottle Art by Jason Burke ink & lead Designs.
Batch# 328/39/40
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Obtained this little gem at wlvliquors.com. This is nowhere in California but is a common in Chicago. I have heard great things about this beer and the artwork as well as the beer intrigued me to get this one and do a review on it.
Aromas:
An immense amount of tropical fruits! Peaches, Lychees, Grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, dragon fruit, kiwis, prickly pear, strawberry, mango, passion fruit, apples, papaya, apricot, orange gummy bears, coconut, piney, grassy, floral and herbal hops, caramel, biscuit bread, mild garlic notes, toffee, lemon peel, pine resin and mild rye.
Flavors:
The tropics continue with Lychee, peaches, apricot, oranges, tangerines, dragon fruit, passion fruit, prickly pear, strawberries, mango, passion fruit, papaya, coconut, apples, orange marmalade on biscuit bread, toffee, caramel, herbal, floral, grapefruit and piney hops, lemon peel, garlic dankness, lemon peels, rye, guava jelly, honey and hints of flan.
Aftertaste:
Lots of tropical fruits linger, caramel, dank garlicky, oniony flavors and grapefruit. No alcohol in the taste. While being an IPA, something is very smooth about this beer even while it seems like it has moderate to sipping drinkability. Moderately clear but has a crisp and refreshing medium mouth feel.
Overall:
Holy shit!, this is incredible! Almost everything about this beer is insane! It reminds me of the Power Plant Triple IPA from El Segundo Brewing but this one is just super duper tropic centrifuge. This beer is pretty damn insane. I love tropical sweet IPAs and this one has a shit ton of tropics that makes it hard to pinpoint all the flavors.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach and Rainbow Dash from MLP were used in this pairing mainly because I wanted to do something that related to the whole Ninja Vs. Unicorn aspect. Being as the colors of the label best represent Rainbow Dash, it was quite fitting since many of the bronies make her seem like a bad ass. So here is a tribute to you bronies and pegasisters. I am mainly an Anime Otaku dude, but can appreciate a great pairing despite where it comes from. Yoruichi is the of the baddest Flash step ninjas ever and Dash can hit Mach speeds, so I figured even more rightfully so this pairing would work. Also the, rainbow in the aspect of flavor best pairs because of the variety of fruit tropics that this beer seems to unleash making it, well, damn epic. I am surprised this beer is not world class and not at the level of the Pliny the Younger or the Heady Topper.
Apophatic by Monkish brewing
Rating: 5.5/5
Apophatic by Monkish brewing is a 12% ABV Belgian Quadrupel brewed with Orange Peels, Cinnamon, Coriander Seed & Fennel Seed.
Brewed along with Select Monk 2 for the 2nd anniversary of Monkish brewing, this beer is pretty limited and only sold at the brewery. I wanted to do a review of this special beer for several reasons. I love high ABV beers, Belgian Quadrupels are one of my most favorite styles, Strong Belgian Quadrupels are rare, Monkish makes great Belgian inspired beers and this is the first quadrupel. I have tried and reviewed the Anamoly, Belgian Strong Dark ale and the Seme De la Vita, Tripel made with Vanilla beans & Pistachios, but I think this was my favorite when I first tried it. The massive power house, unaided by food can case problems. I only drank 2 glasses and I was done for that night. So, to only bring forth the review today, I will only be doing this glass and that is it. Cheers to Monkish for finally releasing a Quadrupel.
Aromas:
Lots of Dark fruits like raisins, plums, prunes, blue berries, cherries, currants, subtle cinnamon, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, blueberry muffin, port wine, clove spice, fennel, hints of orange and coriander.
Flavors:
Blueberries, Raisins, figs, prunes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, orange, coriander spice, licorice, anise, tart berries, fennel, coriander, raisin bread pudding, chocolate notes, port wine, oats, blueberry muffin, maple syrup, cherries, currants, cinnamon, mild bananas, clove spice, raspberries, rye, pecan pie and hint of rum.
Aftertaste:
Prunes, currants, blueberries, fennel, orange, coriander, caramel, vanilla,. The alcohol is present, but there is this smooth aspect to the beer but also a sipping quality.
Overall:
Reminicing of that Unibroue Trois Pistoles, Montegioco Draco and The Lost Abbey Judgment Day ale. Damn perfect beer exceeding expectations by a small amount. Despite the ingredients used, there was more very dark and fruity flavors to this one. Several reasons why I really love this one and was the reason I picked this one up for review. I don’t think I have tried a close to blueberry flavored quad. This is quite the dangerous yet delicious beer which is a good reason to be careful with this one. 2 glasses and no food can equal the end of the night. Especially since the 8oz. Pours are very generous (Seem more like 12-16oz.) IF you get a chance to visit Torrance, stop on by and give this a go.
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin (Right) and Ryuko Matoi (Left) from Bleach and Kill La Kill were chosen in this special pairing to compliment the label (Yoruichi hair), the complexity of flavors (Ryuko with cherries and blueberries, dark fruits in her eyes, Yoruichi with orange and spices in her eye colors, hair and speaks of dark fruit raisins), the strength of ABV (Both supremely strong female characters), My favorite style, Quadrupel (2 of my favorite characters), Smooth but dangerous (Both travel at the ridiculous high speeds and attack without mercy if their friends are in danger), very warming and satisfying beer (Very caring and kind hearted despite Ryuko always being the tough girl and Yoruichi, well always being alluring). There are more things I can definitely say as to why it fits this beer, but I will leave it to you to see what else you think works great in this pairing.
Ryoko Fan Art by Jimbobox of Deviantart.com
Yoruichi Fan Art by rikamello-d72jj0w of deviantart.com
Chocolate Rain (2014 Release) by the Bruery
Rating: 6/5* Just as good as ever
Chocolate Rain (2014 Release) by the Bruery is an 18.5% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with TCHO Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans.
Label:
MAKE IT RAIN
This decadent version of Black Tuesday is proudly brewed with TCHO cacao nibs.
Chocolate Rain began as a single cask of beer at our very first release event for Black Tuesday back in 2009 and now has a storied history of its own. This ale will age gracefully if cellared properly but will be the most prominent when consumed fresh.
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Walking 1000 miles, over 1000 life times and yet, the ultimate (diabetes in a bottle) dessert beer will always be one of my most favorite of rare beers out there. Right next to Melange3, Black Tuesday, White Chocolate, Trois Pistoles, St Bernardus 12 and Three Philosophers. This beer is released by the Bruery for their reserve society and preserve society too. There isn’t much about this beer I cannot stress enough because it really is one of my favorites, yet difficult to obtain. So anyways, here is to the review!
Aromas:
All the fragrances of the chocolate rainbow, dark, white, Belgian, German, sweet, bitter, milk, fudge and baker’s. I may have missed a couple others. Bourbon, Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut, choco flan, crème brulee, hazel nuts, pecan pie, dark fruits, raisins, figs, plums, raspberries, cherries, almond joy, rocky road, leche nestle sweetened condenced milk, fudge cake, coffee, mocha, Rocky road Ice cream, oreo and chocolate chip cookies, molasses, oak, earthy notes and brown sugar.
Flavors:
The utter definition of CHOCOLATE! Sweet, Belgian, dark, white, German, milk, fudge, bakers, bourbon whiskey, oak, vanilla, choco flan, dulce de leche caramel, crème brulee, toasted coconut, chocolate covered cherries, dark fruits, raisins, figs, plums, raspberries, almond joy, hazelnuts, pecan pie, tobacco, leather, fudge brownies, raisins, rocky road ice cream, mocha, coffee, brown sugar, oreo cookie, chocolate chips, oatmeal, Kahlua, chocolate covered funnel cake, milk shake, black currants, roasted cashews, tootsie roll candy, “Willy Wonka ain’t got nothing on this Chocolate Rain” flavors!…I ran out of things to describe this epicness…
Aftertaste:
Lingering chocolate, vanilla, caramel, dark fruits, brown sugar, bourbon, white fudge, chocolate fudge and more and more sugar! The alcohol is very little in the taste, but for all its worth, it doesn’t detract from any of the flavors at all and since it is 19-20% alcohol, It is in no way harsh. Sure it is a sipping beer, a dangerously sipping beer because it also has elements of smoothness. It does feel warm going down too. JEEZUUZ YES!!!. Very syrupy mouth feel, like I had mentioned in my previous review of this, boozy chocolate syrup.
Overall:
One of the top best sugary boozy chocolate syrups, I mean beers. Ever! Like I said before, there is nothing I can say about this beer but utter heaven! It could be overkill if placed in ice cream but hey, if you want Dat Dia-bee-tus! Watch out now. No joke, it is pretty sugary and utter bliss. DO NOT DRINK THIS BOTTLE IN ONE SITTNG!!, if you enjoy beers, even if it is the only one you will drink for the rest of the night, don’t do yourself the dissatisfaction. This is really a great beer and should be enjoyed a few sips at a time. Chocolate Rain!! Some stay sober, while other feel the bliss….
Anime Corner:
Yoruichi Shihouin from Bleach was used in this pairing, even from the last time I tried Chocolate Rain for many reasons, aside from the fact that she is one of my favorite anime characters of all time. For starters, in the original Chocolate Rain pictures for my last review, I wanted to describe that Yoruichi as the bringer of the rain since was given a Native American outfit and she was doing a dance to make it rain, rain chocolate!! Her attitude is very caring for her friends but at the same time feisty and very seductive (Lucius Chocolate Rainbow and Vanilla added). She is one of the fastest and strongest characters in Bleach (alcohol due to Bourbon). She is a Princess but was aldo the leader of Onmitsukidō, the Secret Mobile Unit/Corps, Special Forces or Covert Ops. In other words, bad ass ninja! (Alcohol undetected, hidden, hits ya hard later on). In fact, she is so bad ass she took down several ninjas in a matter of seconds. She also has Flash speed (Shunpo) and Shunko or Flash cry (Lightning based attacks)! Which describes Chocolate Rain’s aspect of smooth drinking and you can’t have Rain without lightning. Her sexy and seductive properties can all be described above in the aromas and overall flavors of the beer. Even her outfit and being show the dark fruit flavors, the chocolate, the vanilla, the caramel, the nutty, way more. There is so much more I can go on and on about Yoruichi being the perfect pairing for this beer it ain’t even funny…
White Chocolate Moo-Hoo by Terrapin Brewing
Rating: 6/5
White Chocolate Moo-Hoo by Terrapin Brewing is a 6.1% ABV Milk/Sweet Stout brewed with White Chocolate and cocoa nibs
Label:
If cocoa nibs from Olive & Sinclair in our Moo-Hoo “Chocolate Milk Stout” wasn’t enough, then how about adding white chocolate to the mix just for good measure? The Terrapin “White Chocolate Moo-Hoo” combines the Yin and Yang of the chocolate world into one decadent beer. All the original flavor of Moo-Hoo you remember, all the new flavor of white chocolate you’ll never forget.
Cheers!
Spike & John
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White Chocolate
Aromas:
Lots of White chocolate candy, Danish Cream, milk chocolate, yoo hoo, dark fruits, mild coffee notes, flan, rich vanilla, caramel, rich white chocolate dessert, tres leches/Three milks, sweetened condensed milk and more!!
Flavors:
Flan, vanilla, caramel, Rich buttery White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cheese cake, red velvet, chocolate cake, earthy hops, dark fruits, yoo hoo chocolate drink, chocolate shake, Danish cream, crème brulee, tres leches cake, sugary cream, Danish cream and pecan pie.
Aftertaste:
Lots of buttery, silky white and dark chocolate cream, mild coffee and earthy hop bitterness but then dissipates leaving only the sugar sweetness. Very drinkable, very smooth, very delicious, no alcohol but I would still take my time with it. It is very unique and takes time to appreciate this
Overall:
Right next to the Bruery’s White chocolate, this is ridiculously good. As I mentioned in a past, usually sweet beers or any beer that exceeds expectations usually gets extra credit. This includes chocolate beers. Simply knowing that this beer has both the Ying and Yang of chocolate. The flavors are very different from the Bruery’s white chocolate focusing more on the milk chocolate candy of dark and white chocolates. This new flavor of a beer is very different and very unique to the white chocolate style of beer. A rarity among beers and should be highly sought out. WOW!!!
Anime Corner:
Temari and Yoruichi from Naruto and Bleach prospectively are both ninjas and two of my most favorite anime characters ever alongside with KOS-MOS of Xenosaga. I used this art work to pair the White and Dark Chocolate aspects of the beer. The Ying and Yang if you will. You also see this in my reviews for Chocolate Rain and Bruery’s White Chocolate as well. Not only using them because they fit, but mainly because they are my favorite characters and paired with my favorite beers. You may find that a lot throughout my reviews, especially the 6/5 or even the Melange 7/5 rating. Either way, the artwork fits. Temari and her summon, Katamari, the weasel I used to represent the separate aspect. This is a White Chocolate beer and she has a while weasel that is Black and white. The cow pictures I used are mainly to represent the cow suit the Terrapin mascot wears in the label. Seeing as this is a Milk Sweet Stout. The last one with the purple cow is used to represent the flavors of the beer are like all the colors of the rainbow and she looks bad ass too. So it fits in my perspective of creativity.
Melange 3 by The Bruery
Rating: 7/5* This is quite ridiculous of a beer which exceeds expectations, maybe way too much.
Melange 3 by The Bruery is a 15.5% ABV Barrel-Aged Blended Ale Dark & Delicious (Black & Tan). Basically, it is a fusion ale of Black Tuesday, White Oak wheat wine and Papier Old Ale.
Label:
A unique blend of Black Tuesday, White Oak Sap, and our Anniversary ales. Extended barrel aging lends flavors of vanilla, spice, and rich caramel.
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If you haven’t heard about this beer, go get it now before it is gone. I kid you not. I didn’t have to be part of their preserve, reserve, or even hoarders society. Either that, or the Bruery was graceful enough to share this magnificent brew. If you live in California, GO NOW!!!…. get this beer
I already specified the greatness that was Black Tuesday and even the greatness that was their Anniversary Ale Fruet and basically White Chocolate was their White Oak wheat wine with cocoa nibs so essentially what you have here is an ale that combines the best of 3 of my most hard to find beers that blew me away all in a single blend. In fact, this was one of those kick the bucket beers that is a favorite of Patrick Rue, founder of the The Bruery. I wouldn’t be this exited about a beer if I didn’t realized that I was able to get my hands on this so easy. I still couldn’t believe it when I ordered it on the site. Well anyways, enough rambling. On to the Review.
The aromas are pretty much of the charts. Ill try to sum up the complexity of this beer as best I can since the flavors of this beer are ridiculously rich. Yes another “Diabetes in a bottle” beer. Fragrances of Hazelnut, rich dulce de leche caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet chocolate, bananas, marshmallows, rocky road ice cream, rich toasted coconut, bourbon, vanilla, dark fruits, raisins, flan, crème brulee, wheat, leche nestle and just a lot of sugar.
The flavors are of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet chocolate, Kahlua, white chocolate, wine grapes, chocolate covered cherries, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla beans, bourbon oak, wheat, coriander, honey, wine grapes, apples, Port wine, flan, choco flan, chocolate cake, cake batter, toffee, brown sugar, raisins, licorice, marshmallows, smores, graham crakers, cherry coke, Belgian bread, biscuits and more intense sugary and heavenly bliss….over 9000.
Talk about a ridiculously smooth beer. This is very smooth, mellow to the point where you cannot detect the alcohol. This beer is like combining Trois Pistoles, St. Bernardus 12, Three Philosophers, Black Xantus and Barrel aging all that and it comes out like a drink from the 4th dimension, maybe higher. My god, if my taste buds could bleed, they would bleed simply because the beer has taken me to the upper echelons of craft beer Nirvana. This is ridiculous. If I would drink this beer everyday I would probably never try anything else. However, because I finally tried this, I can go in peace. It is hard to believe but this is definitely a bucket list beer without a doubt. People have to try this out and the best part, you don’t have to stay and camp out for the night to get a bottle of this. Get it while it last and it is no longer offered to the public. I got this bottle without hesitation. I almost thought they would second guess my orders since I was not a preserve or reserve or craft whore society member. I got this straight from the source and I was surprised it was sent. This beer is sold or traded after market so if you are not lucky to be able to find this beer but are able to be have it shipped and bought online, I recommend this one full heartedly. Bull shit aside, This beer is worth every penny.
Parabola Reserve Series No.004 Limited Release 2013 by Firestone Walker
Yoruichi really likes this one!! 😀
St. Bernardus Abt 12 by Brouwerij St. Bernardus (Redux)
Rating: 6/5 *Like Trois Pistoles, this is a very common beer. Since my seek for the Holy grail of Westvleteren 12, I realized, that this beer is the closest but because of its commonality and its availability, it has become my favorite beer in the world right next to Trois Pistoles. Forget all the worldly hypes because this beer is truly from God!!
St. Bernardus Abt 12 by Brouwerij St. Bernardus is a 10%ABV World Class Belgian Abbey Quadrupel.
Label:
Brewery St. Bernardus was founded in 1946 in Watou, Province of West Flanders in Belgium. These exceptional quality ales are brewed by using only the finest malts, local grown hops, yeast and artesian water pumped from a depth of 500 feet. After the brewing process these traditional ales are matured in tanks for three months, before being bottle conditioned. The results is a naturally carbonated ’living ale,’ which can be aged for up to 15 years and will satisfy the taste of even the most discriminating connoisseurs.
“Bringing heavenly nectar within reach”
Abt 12 – abbey ale brewed in the classic “Dubbel” Style of Belgium’s best Abbey Ales. Serve this noble and wonderfully balanced brown ale at 52-56 degrees Farenheit in a goblet glass to best enjoy its delicate bouquet
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Here is some history from the Abbey and why it is very close to Westvleteren even without the “Trappist name”:http://belgianbeerspecialist.blogspot.com/2010/09/westvleteren-and-st-bernardus-real.html
I can give several reasons and do many more reviews of this beer’s grandeur. However, it would be nothing short of what I haven’t already covered in the past. I will be doing another review, in 15 years 😉
Past Reviews: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/st-bernardus-abt-12-by-brouwerij-st-bernardus/
UPDATE:
I changed my mind, lets have at it. I still have some left over but also I still have one cellaring for the next 15 years. More than likely, as the earthy hops go down, this is gonna literally be a complete caramel sticky mess but so good I might give it a 7/5 ;). I realize my previous review may not do this enough justice. Fragrances are of raisin bread pudding, very rich dulce de leche caramel, earthy mild hops, apples, slight apricot, slight chocolate, more dark fruits like figs, grapes, slight cherries, banana, cloves, sweet bread, candi sugar, slight peppercorn notes and spices. The flavors are of rich liquid dulce de leche caramel, apples, banana, raisins, cherries, figs, raisin bread pudding, slight Leche Nestle (Sweetened Condensed milk) sugary notes, candi sugar, raisin bread pudding, pecan pie, brown sugar, clove, bubble gum, slight earthy hop notes, stone fruits, fruit cake, currants and slight wood oak like the dulce de leche they sell in Mexico that comes in wooden boxes. So there you have it. Now go get this one. Every craft brew place has this, it is hard to miss 🙂
Chocolate Indulgence (2012 New Label Version) by Ommegang brewing
Rating: 5.5/5
Chocolate Indulgence (2012 New Label Version) by Ommegang brewing is a 7% ABV Belgian Stout brewed with Real Belgian Chocolate
Label:
Chocolate Indulgence offers a thick tan head of foam resting atop of the rich onyx-hued liquid. The aroma immediately speaks of dark chocolate and dark malts. The gentle herbal notes of perle hops compliments the darker aroma notes, making the ale savory to all the senses
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I have had this beer last year. The 2007 version which was Ommegang’s 10th anniversary beer. I loved the way the beer was back then so when I hear it was re-released, I had to try it fresher to taste the difference. The aromas are of dark chocolate, sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, slight toasted barley, dulce de caramel, coffee, some dark fruits like plum and raisins, banana and hazelnut bread, cloves and spices. The flavors are fresher than the last time I tried the 2007 version. You really get a great amount of chocolate covered raisins on coffee hazelnut bread dipped in banana pudding all layered with dulce de leche caramel. That is the just of it but to pin point this with individual terms, we get very rich dark, sweet and milk chocolate, raisins, prunes, plums, slight cherry notes, bananas, hazelnut, coffee and mocha bread, brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon, slight peppery spices and smoked barley flavor to even out all the sweetness. Ommegang makes some of the best beers in the world. This beer just happens to be perfect into the category of my favorite Belgian Stouts like Thirteenth Hour, Buffalo Stout, Art of Darkness and many others. I have never tried it fresher but it does seem that the chocolate does fade a bit over time to give way to a more complex smokey and dark fruit flavors. Which is not bad at all, but what can I say, I’m cuckoo for cocoa beers. I already gave a 5/5 rating to the original but I think really enjoyed the greater chocolate flavor of the fresher version of this beer. It is way too amazing for words. Even when it warms up, the chocolate becomes very abundant and very pleasurable. No wonder its called Chocolate Indulgence.
2007 version review: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/chocolate-indulgence-by-ommegang/
Cacao Chocolate Porter by Aztec Brewing
Rating: 4.75/5
Cacao Chocolate Porter by Aztec Brewing is a 6.4%ABV Porter brewed with cacao nibs
Label:
A classic porter aged on cacao nibs to add a rich chocolate flavor
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Found this one at Ramirez Liquor in East Los Angeles. Aztec Brewing is up and coming from Vista California, so this is another example of fine beers from local micro breweries. The aromas are of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, some coffee, vanilla, caramel and a fragrance that reminds me of Molé spices on spicy rice. Pretty interesting for sure. The flavors are of dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, light notes of dulce de leche caramel, sweet milk chocolate notes, some minor spicy notes and toffee. Over all, this is very good. It has enough sweet chocolate to keep it interesting but it is mainly a rich sweet porter. It is not to the level of chocolate rain or some of the best chocolate beers, but still, pretty awesome for locally brewed stuff 🙂
Trois Pistoles by Unibroue
Rating: 6/5 *This and St. Bernardus are my top favorites in the world, so please advise as it maybe bias or ambiguous to your decisions… never the less, this one still world class and a common beer at that.
Trois Pistoles by Unibroue of Canada is a 9%ABV Belgian Strong Dark Ale. The ultimate in best beers in the world at a very common distribution.
Label:
Trois-Pistoles is a remarkably mellow dark ale. To complement its aroma of ripe fruits, it has a pleasant aftertaste that lingers on like old port wine
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Enough said, this has been one of my favorite beers ever since I started this hobby. I’ve had this beer over and over again. In fact, this beer can age for at least 7 to 9 years. So definitely will do another review then.
The aromas are of Dulce de leche caramel, Belgian bread, dark cherries, figs, plums, raisins, pears, apples, apricots, chocolate port wine, grapes, vanilla, pecans pie, candi sugar, almost like a coca cola scent, rum, earthy, brown sugar, and whole sugar cone. The flavors are just epic!!… A major rush plum, cherry, raisins, dark and sweet chocolate, port wine, raisin bread pudding, dulce de leche caramel, Belgian bread sweetness, candi sugars, rum and some maple notes. The ale is almost like a Rum and coke but if they were baked in a chocolate cake with fruits and lots of caramel all over and ofcourse the cake batter was made with port wine. While I have had other extremely awesome beers that are super rare and hard to find, this one never let me down, even since the beginning. That is why this beer and St. Bernardus will always have that special place in my heart. This is a world class beer, look it up its awesome!
2011& 2012 Reviews: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/trois-pistoles-by-unibroue/
About the Legend: http://www.unibroue.com/en/beers/18/history
Trois Pistoles (Three Coins) is named after a small village of Quebec. Founded over 300 years ago, Trois Pistoles gave birth to several legends, including one about the Black Horse. It involved a local bishop who conjured up a good devil (appearing in the form of bridled black steed) to haul large brick stones to construct a new church. When someone accidentally removed the bridle, the black horse suddenly vanished just as the last remaining stone was to be set. This stone is still missing, as can be seen when visiting the local church.
Quingenti Millilitre Series Stone Vertical Epic 11.11.11 (Aged in Red Wine version)
Rating: 5.11/5
Quingenti Millilitre Series Stone Vertical Epic 11.11.11 (Aged in Red Wine version) is a 10.6% ABV Chile Beer brewed with Anaheim Chilies and cinnamon aged in Red Wine Barrels. BRILLIANT 😛
Label:
Our Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic Ale proved to be an eccentric diversion from our previous lineup of innovative Belgian-inspired brews. And considering we’re Stone, that’s really saying something. This unprecedented beer was brewed with cinnamon stick and Anaheim green chiles, giving it an amazing flavor profile unlike anything that came before it. It certainly didn’t need any enhancement, but we just don’t know when to leave well enough alone (and we’ve demonstrated before that you can, indeed, improve upon perfection). So we decided to tinker with it a bit and laid a small portion to rest in wine barrels. Not wanting to limit our experiment to only red or white wine barrels, we chose both. Treat yourself to a bottle of each and compare. All in the name of science, of course…
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An already awesome Chile beer that came out in 2011. One which I had already reviewed in 2012 (https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/stone-vertical-epic-11-11-11/) but now aged in Red Wine. Very Interesting. Fragrance of Red Wine grapes, apples, possibly some pepper plan, tamarind, smells like that tamarind Mexican candy as well with the chili powder, some caramel, a slight aroma of Belgian yeast and banana bread and cloves. The flavors are of Mexican Tamarind candy, tamarind juice, chile peppers, cinnamon, chile powder, pears, bananas, red wine, a bit of sour grapes, cranberries, raspberries, plums, raisins, sour apple, dulce de leche caramel, banana bread, cloves, oak wood, and vanilla. The aftertaste leaves those awesome Belgian banana esters with the chile peppers (with out the heat ) wine and tamarind. This one is pretty freaking awesome. The original, the beer I aged and the Red Wine version are remarkable beers. Especially for being chile beers. Now this is another level of awesome. If you can find it, try it. It goes down so nicely and the alcohol….hmmm what alcohol :P.
Mayan Apocalypse Judgment Day Ale by The Lost Abbey
Rating: 5.25/5
Mayan Apocalypse Judgment Day Ale by The Lost Abbey is a 10.5%ABV Belgian Quad brewed with Raisins, Chiles and Spices. The original Judgment Day Ale with the 4 horseman of the Apocalypse is one of my top 10 favorite beers. So this will probably give it a slight twist 😛Label:Five thousand years ago the Mayan Calendar last turned over. Since then, Nostradamus. The Book of Revelations and random Shaman have all prognosticated that mankind would meet a fateful end. Currently, our demise is is scheduled for December 21, 2012for it has been so decreed our world is about end not in a Christian Judgment Day but rather a Mayan Apocalypse.
Funny thing is. The Mayan’s don’t actually believe in the concept of an Apocalypse. We at The Lost Abbey didn’t want to miss an opportunity to update our original judgment Day recipe to accompany us as we collide towards this impending Rapture. Like us, we’re pretty sure you can believe in dried chiles. Cinnamon and Tamarind working well together in this beer. This means, you can count on this little bottle of beer to help you survive this cultural Armageddon. Please pop the cork and enjoy this version. We’ve got you covered. See you on December 22nd wherever life may take us.
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So it has finally come….opened this one at 12:00 AM on the dot 12-21-2012…trying this one for the occasion, the special Judgment day Mayan Apocalypse Ale. So let’s get into it…before the world ends today…. Immediate fragrance of this was something else. Being a fan of chiles and spices and Belgian quads (Ale fermented 4 times). Aromas of Cinnamon, Mole, chocolate abuelita (Dark chocolate Mexican hot cocoa), guajillo, chipotle, dulce de leche/cajeta caramel, candy sugar, some minor capirotada fragrance (Mexican Raisin bread pudding with pecans, bananas, spices and other fruits and flavors. Definitely rich in smell. The flavors of the end of the world are a Mexican and Belgian clash. I have never had a quad that was melded like this… WOW….. It took Judgment day to a new level. Immediate Dulce de leche/ cajeta, Capirotada with mild chile peppers (not too hot but enough to notice you are drinking chiles), coffee cake, Belgian candy sugars, pan dulce/sweet bread, dark fruits like figs, raisins, plums, cinnamon, dark chocolate like that of abuelita, and some tamarindo/tamarind at the end of the flavor. In the after taste, the Tamarindo calms anything that has to do with the chile spices leading them into Belgian Abbey redemption. Even the Devil can redeem for his sins…. lol although the Mayans and early indigenous did not believe in such things…but greater beings from the stars. Great Mathematicians creating meaning for the moon sun and the stars… and that is what this is about. It may not be the end of the world just yet, but the beginning of something new…something else. Keep in mind, as my dearly mother one said: “The end of the world comes to those who’s time has run out” explains that no matter what..whether it is the end of the world today or tomorrow…every one is on a schedule to someday pay the piper a.k.a death and will do so regardless of Apocalypses, End of Times, Armageddons, Raptures…you name it….I leave this this…. and the message explained from the original Judgment day ale…Belgian and Mexican alike will love this creation…. so if you seek this after 12-21-2012….try it out… as for finding meaning in your lives and this whole End of the World business…According to the original label:
“Live an inspired life. Find opportunities in everything to make a difference. Seek out new and spontaneous adventures and when you find them, embrace them as if they were the devil’s song. For an interesting life is one worth living. Challenge yourself to embrace passion, persistence and a motivated way of life. So that when Judgment Day arrives from nowhere, you’ll go out knowing full well that you’ve lived your life on your terms and they can’t take that away from you.”
http://lostabbey.com/beer/judgement-day/
Sexual Chocolate by Foothills
Rating: 5.75/5
Sexual Chocolate by Foothills is a 9.75% ABV Russian Imperial stout aged in Bourbon barrels. If a beer was like having sex, maybe the flavor and aroma would be so good it would make some orgasm….maybe..lol. This is a beer you take your time with. Too fast would make you pass out. LOL!!
Label:
A smooth, dark, cocoa infused Imperial Stout barrel aged for 4 months. Perfect for sipping and cellaring. A rich chocolate aroma twines seamlessly with delicious overtones of bourbon, vanilla, and oak. Notes of espresso, black strap molasses and caramel accentuate a dark chocolate backbone and complex layers of toffee and dark fruit.This beer is reminiscent of the Nectar Ales Black Xantus (which pairs awesome with chocolate cheese cake) with its delicious dark fruit flavors like cherry and raisins. Rich Milk chocolate, coffee, mocha, vanilla, caramel, bourbon, butterscotch, toffee, coconut, cherries, raisins, figs, oatmeal, french toast with chocolate and maple syrup. Maybe not as strong in terms of alcohol as Chocolate Rain or White chocolate, but it sure as hell gets way up there in the upper rank breaking beers for me :P. What can I say, I love chocolate, I love chocolate beers and these just happen to be that good and unfortunately hard to find. Consider yourself lucky to find this…Foothills was kind to release this once more this year but unfortunately at a limited supply.
Chocolate Rain by The Bruery
Rating: 6/5 *This may have just become my favorite beer ever…
HEY EVERYONE…WHO WANTS DIABETES IN A BOTTLE?? LOL just kidding…Actually only partially kidding ….. >.>
This is Chocolate Rain, by The Bruery. It is Whoopin’ 19.5%ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans. Well.. I don’t even know if it should be categorized as an imperial stout, more like a very complex boozy chocolate syrup drink with some major major chocolate infusion going on. Literally, the most chocolate rich beer I have ever had. The strongest beer I have ever had aside from Tactical Nuclear Penguin at 32% ABV. To me, maybe I just set this as my all time favorite. Choosing Trois Pistoles and St. Bernardus mixed in high amounts of chocolate may make something similar to this…..maybe.
As soon as I opened this bottle I realized the beer was too extreme for me. It smells like hazel and pecan pie with Chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and did I mention chocolate drizzled all over that pie with whip crème and cherries on top. That was just the smell. The taste was a maelstrom of rich complex chocolate, dark chocolate mocha, pecans, almonds, dipped in dulce de leche, vanilla, browney batter, bourbon, raisins, cherries, raspberries, Leche Nestle, Epitome of Sugar dimension times 10….. This is the ULTIMATE dessert beer. Adding ice cream may actually put you in a comma. Either that or drinking the whole bottle. BE VERY CAREFUL!!! As delicious as this is, one could get carried away. A beer designed to age for many many decades…
Thirteenth Hour by Samuel Adams
Rating: 5/5Thirteenth Hour by Samuel Adams is a 9% ABV Dark Belgian Stout brewed with spices, coffee, chocolate and oak. This is the second time I finally found this beer again. It is easily in my top 10 beers that I enjoyed. I thought the last time I had this beer that it was the only time I would be able to find it again. Sam Adams was nice enough to release this again this year. In the perfect witching season too >:)
Label:
The 13th Hour Is The Witching Hour and a time when strange brews can occur With 13 ingredients, we combine the roasted chocolate and coffee notes of a stout with the complex spicy character of a Belgian-style ale aged in oak for a dark, robust, and bewitching brew.
One of our brewers’ favorite places to experiment is in the barrel room at our Boston Brewery. It’s here that each of our Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection brews was born.
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The beer fragrance is like that of the delicious coffee cake they gave in school if it was dipped in like a chocolate cherry liqueur. Belgian Stouts of this caliber are hard to find (Buffalo Belgian Stout, Art of Darkness, Belgian Yeti, etc.) Especially for me, one that is closer to Trois Pistoles and St. Bernardus Abt 12. In fact, it is because it is close to those, that this is a Dark Strong Belgian beer more than a Stout. Yet the defining properties of the Stout shine so well. Like the moon at night. The flavors of this beer explode with coffee cake, chocolate, mocha, banana , dark cherries, raisins, apples, port wine, vanilla, cinnamon, oak and bourbon. Definitely worth the try. I was one of the best for me at the first time and still is.
2011 Review:
If St. Bernardus abt 12 was my Caramel bread.. This is my chocolate coffee bread. WOW… Simply wow!!!. I would totally say it is the truest of witches brews as the label says. This is the Samuel Adams 13th hour Dark Belgian Stout. A Belgian Dark Ale really like that of the Trois Pistole but if you were to combine a Chocolate/Coffee Imperial stout. The flavors are too good to be true. Why does this exist. Why can I only have one of these beers?. It is really sad that this is not as common as Trois Pistoles nor as common as the St Bernardus 12 becuase this is the true answer to the what if the best stout you could ever have would be something like this. A quad/stout hybrid with bready flavors, roasted malts, aged in barrels a la lost abbey. Damn it, Damn it damn it damnit !!!!. LMAO…..Samuel adams, for having a special reserve barrel room collection of beers, this is their latest and greatest and I must say…. You are the only beer on tap that I do choose when no other is available. I choose you because you don’t ever disappoint. But to bring out something this magnificent to a fan of stouts and Belgian dark ales is simply amazing. Top 3 to the best beers in the world for me…1 being between st bernardus 12, trois pistoles, franziskaner dark heff, arrogant bastard and ruination, Judgement Ale, Deliverance, Black Xantus and the 3 philosophers. How I will miss you as you are a reserve and hard to find :(…but this is why I write so I don’t forget..for beer tasting, for beer art, for beer experience, I thank you….who knew a dark Belgian could compliment a stout so extremely well
St. Bernardus Abt 12 by Brouwerij St. Bernardus
OMG!!!…put it simply, like drinking dulce de leche with a nice bread. The St. Bernardus Abt 12 is rated one of the best quad style ales in the world. It is up there next to the westvleteren 12, but not as expensive and recently easy to find at the local Bevmo. I got this one in Wally’s Wine house but say it at the Bevmo in Manhattan beach. Quite frankly, one of the best trappiste Belgian ales I have ever had. I will soon be trying the Westvleteren but this beer is by far really good. There is Belgian yeast, some roasted malts, what I believe caramelized sugar, no hops,dark fruit, raisins, cherries, and fig flavors. The sugar rush hits you instantly but it feels really good. Alcohol is there but you honestly cannot tell as it is extremely well masked by that caramelized Belgian yeast combo. This reminds me of the time I had the Black Xantus. However with this one, no chocolate dessert needed. THIS IS YOUR DESSERT!!. Right next to franzy dark, my next favorite beer 😀
REVISIT: Hands down, truly the best beer in the world in my opinion, right next to the unreachable westy 12 and the common Trios Pistoles. Ahh Quad ales…simply the best in the world. I read more about this beer. These ales are brewed with the finest malts, local grown hops, yeast and artesian water pumped from a depth of 500 feet. Truly monks beer…as brewed in those Belgian monasteries. The ales are actually “alive” mainly due to the yeast strains that consume sugar to produce the alcohol and carbonation. If the nectar of the gods was truly this, this is it and its very easy to find thank fully :). Wonder if Jesus ever had a go at beers aside from turning water into wine :P.
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