2017 Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) by Founders [End Of 2017 Review]

Rating: 7/7* Final 2017 Review

2017 Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) by Founders is an 11.7% ABV World Class Canadian Imperial Stout brewed with chocolate, coffee and aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels.

Description

Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) is the epitome of why we launched the Backstage Series: to bring some of our most sought-after beers, which have been available primarily at the taproom or at a few select events, to a much larger audience.

Canadian Breakfast Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with a blend of coffees and imported chocolates, then aged in spent bourbon barrels that have most recently been aging pure Michigan maple syrup.

==Introduction==
It has been a long time since I have done a proper review as I have been busy with other life tasks. Nevertheless, while I still posts beer reviews here on the site even if small. The lack of tl;dr has really been due to my other projects. Even so, I wanted to finish the year with a proper review of a beer that many have been considering a whale of a whale. A whale so rare, it is definitely still in the top 20 (13th as of 12/31/2017). The Founders CBS has been a beer that goes way back before I even started trying all sorts of craft beers. A beer that had not been brewed for years until recently. With the return of that beer, it was actually available in a bigger quantity this time around so many could try this rarity of whales. So much so, that I made it the beer I finish the year with. A tradition I typically have been doing for a long time. So even while I do still post my reviews even in short, there will still be times I get a little more involved for the sake of the audience that still loves my wordy reviews. So that that said, cheers to a new year of beers! Happy 2018 and many more years to come!!

Aromas:

Maple syrup for days, rich complex chocolates, dark fruits, bourbon, molasses, mint chocolate chip, anise, tobacco, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, toasted coconut,mocha, doughnuts, mocha, tiramsu, chocolate cake, fruit cake, flan, sweetened condensed milk, esspresso, oak, and slight bacony.

Flavors:

Punch in the face super chocolates, dark, milk, bakers, milk shake, German, Mexican Hot, Belgian, Mousse, tootsie roll, dark fruit cordials, raisins, figs, plums, dark cherries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, marrionberries, cranberries, Khalua Liqueur, mocha, mild bacon, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, Danish, Irish cream, roasted coffee, jamoca ice cream, marzipan, rocky road ice cream, almond joys, marshmallows, chocolate smores, toasted coconut, maple syrup, pancakes, waffle cone, tiramasu, capirotada raisin bread pudding, figgy pudding, dulce de leche, borrachitos Mexican candy, Rum, oak, bourbon, molasses, tobacco, leather, cream filled doughnuts, sweetened condensed milk, flan, crème brulee, triple chocolate cake, chocolate trufles, toffee and pecan pie.

Aftertaste:

Aftertaste is maple and chocolate for days, mocha, Tiramasu, waffle cones, oak, bourbon, Marshmallow, variety chocolate box, leather, tobacco, borrachitos candy, dark fruits, rich dulce de leche, mint, rich mocha for days and rocky road ice cream. No alcohol in the taste, pitch black abyss full body, smooth, creamy, syrupy, chewy and velvety and sludgy mouthfeel. Sipping drinkability for sure. This is a huge whale!

Overall:

Wow!!!!! This beer means business. No joke, no down play, this beer is truly on the level of greats as Dark Lord, Black Tuesday, that recent MXYZPTLK beer I had from bottle logic and so many other great stouts. Heck, while I did make a homebrew similar to this, this one is on its own level. While I loved so many of the maple syrup stouts I have had before, this one takes leaps and leaps and just keeps going. Definitely the right beer to end the year with and if you can find or trade for it, make sure you get it. A true bucket lister!

Anime Corner:

Etna from the Disgaea series was used in his pairing since the days of the Midnight Brunch Arrogant Bastard, a Maple and Coffee bourbon barrel Strong Ale. That beer had left such an impact that I wanted to bring her for this one. Her colors compliment the red of Canada as it comes in the form of the flag, the mounties and the very maple syrup itself. Sweet, Dark, and intriguing is what makes all the qualities fit with this rarity of a whale.

Gose Con Chapulines collaboration by Epic Brewing Co and Cerveza Cru Cru

Rating: 5/5

Gose Con Chapulines collaboration by Epic Brewing Co and Cerveza Cru Cru is a 4.3% Gose brewed with spices, Chapulines/Crickets and Agave Worm Salt

Despite it having agave worms and chapulines, the tart, lime and salt citrucy flavors is what shines here. Little earthy and grassy flavors as one would expect from eating crickets or worms. Lots of refreshing flavors.

2017 Eclipse Mocha Imperial Stout in collaboration with FiftyFifty Brewing Co. and Craftbeerkings.com

Rating: 7/7

2017 Eclipse Mocha Imperial Stout in collaboration with FiftyFifty Brewing Co. and Craftbeerkings.com is an 11% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Honey, Mostra Cold Toddy coffee and cacao nibs

A bourbon barrel aged imperial stout brewed with cacao and cold toddy coffee.

Brewed with Mostra cold brew coffee, and released exclusively through Craft Beer Kings.

This is supremely amazing! Mixed Berry, mocha, chocolate cake and Dulce de leche. Also, has flavors of jelly doughnuts and lots of complexity that is definitely worthy of World Class. One of the best of this year!!!

Almond Flour Stout by Clown Shoes

Rating: 5/5

Almond Flour Stout by Clown Shoes is a 10% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Almond Flour and Natural Flavors.

Moooooooo! Moooooooo! Moooooooo! The cow is jealous, because this stout was made with her nemesis, The Evilness Itself: Almond Flour! Yes, we did it, we made a concoction out of water and almond flour, then had Angel and Crasher taste test it for us. Wow! It was good. So we brewed this Stout with it for you, California. Lactose-free! Mooooooooooooooooo!

Lots of almonds, marzipan, milk shake, dulce de leche, mocha and chocolate yohoo flavors. Definitely one to get!

2017 Big Hugs by Half Acre Beer Company

Rating 5.75/6
 
2017 Big Hugs by Half Acre Beer Company is a 10% ABV American Imperial Stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee.
One of my favorite beers to get every year. Absosmoothitetutely Amazing!!

Marzipandemonium by The Bruery

Rating: 6/6

Marzipandemonium by The Bruery is a 16% ABV Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels with vanilla and flavored with Almonds and Natural Almond Extract.

#LETSPARTY
Some people sculpt marzipan into flowers and animal shapes. We went nuts and recreated it as a beer. This limited release brings the party to your palate, showcasing the flavors of marzipan while kneading it into our favorite day of the week. We took our Tuesday-inspired imperial stouts, already roaring with flavors of vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate and bourbon barrel-aged bliss, and folded in almond character and extra vanilla to mimic the sweet, nutty notes found in marzipan. It’s unbridled enthusiasm in a bottle, just waiting to be unleashed amongst friends.

Such an amazing Marzipan liquid brew. There is so much nutty and chocolate complexities that just keep going endlessly!

2017 High West Barrel Aged Victory at Sea by Ballast Point Brewing Company

Rating: 6/6

2017 High West Barrel Aged Victory at Sea by Ballast Point Brewing Company is a 12% ABV Imperial Porter aged in High West Whiskey

 

Our Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter is a bold, smooth brew with just the right amount of sweetness. We infused this robust porter with whole vanilla beans and San Diego’s own Caffe Calabria coffee beans. The subtle roasted notes and minimal acidity of the cold brewed coffee, balances perfectly with the sweet caramel undertones of the malt, creating a winning combination for your palate.

 

Awesome oak and vanilla whiskey goodness

(PCH) Pale Chocolate Heaven by Santa Monica Brew Works

Rating: 6/6
(PCH) Pale Chocolate Heaven by Santa Monica Brew Works is a 6% American Porter

A modern interpretation that replaces traditional ingredients of a porter with generous portions of cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and milk sugar resulting in a complex memorable beer

Pancho pantera chocomil! This is amazing choco malty millshake

Vindictive II by The Bruery

Rating: 7/7
 
Vindictive II by The Bruery is 16.1% ABV American Imperial Stout blended with juice from Zinfandel grapes and Arroyo Grande Valley Wine.
California is renowned for producing some of the greatest zin and stouts in the world. We combine that pride and passion in this varietal of our Black Tuesday imperial stout, blended and fermented with juice from Zinfandel grapes from Old Potrero vineyard, a sustainable, dry-farmed, old vine vineyard in the Arroyo Grande Valley American Viticultural Area, thanks to our friends at Field Recordings Wine. After maturing for nearly a year in medium toast New American Oak puncheons, this release vanquishes the boundaries between wine and beer in a full-bodied foray of dark fruit, berries, jam, oak and spice.
Super complex Beer and Wine fusion. Love this version for the year!

Rosé De La Vallée by Garage Project

Rating: 5/5
 
Rosé De La Vallée by Garage Project is a9% Pilsner with Rose flavors, experimental hops fermented with Escarpment Pinot Noir Juice
A Rosé inspired beer – a pale pilsner, brewed with an experimental hop variety, co-fermented with Escarpment Pinot Noir juice and rested on the freshly picked skins for a pink blush and notes of strawberry and citrus.
Sweet Sweet Strawberry honey and pilsnery breadiness. Much love for this one!

Ngongo by TheBruery Terreux

Rating: 5/5

Ngongo by TheBruery Terreux is a 7.2% Saison Farmhouse Ale

We teamed with our friends at New Zealand-based Garage Project for this refreshing oak foeder-aged saison as part of our Foeders with Friends series. Called Ngongo (the Maori word for “nectar” and “honey”), this saison features lemon balm, chamomile and New Zealand wildflower honey, plus California wildflower honey for bottle conditioning

Funky, fruity, farmhouse and citrusy goodness

Eight Merry Mermen IIIPA by Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Rating: 5/5

Eight Merry Mermen IIIPA by Karl Strauss Brewing Company is a 10.8 Triple IPA

Locals swear they can catch a glimpse of them every year. Sailors remember the very first time they saw them. Some people can’t even recount their experience without being brought to tears. Yes, legend has it that every holiday season, the Eight Merry Mermen hit the San Diego shores with what the people want most: beer! The 8th installment in our “Twelve Days” holiday series is an intensely hopped IIIPA packed with aromas of fresh evergreen, grapefruit, and tangerine. Finishing bold and boozy, it’s the perfect beer to enjoy with friends whether they have feet or fins.

Amazing a super fruity IPA. Lots of tropics and still warming for the Holiday Season

2017 Black Tuesday – Port by The Bruery

Rating: 7/7

2017 Black Tuesday – Port by The Bruery is a 17.8% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels and port wine barrels.

The economy fluctuates. The latest fads inevitably decline. Black Tuesday stands the test of time. This rare release of our storied imperial stout was aged in port wine barrels, adding vinous undertones with notes of berries and chocolate to our favorite day of the week.

Chocoaky Mustaberries….

Chronology:18 Imperial Porter by The Bruery

Rating: 6/6

Chronology:18 Imperial Porter by The Bruery is a 13.4% Imperial Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels for 18 months

We’ve replaced the wheels of time with barrel heads. They don’t turn, yet they embrace the evolution of beer and time on a level that can’t be rivaled. For this Chronology Series™, we brewed an imperial porter and set it to age in bourbon barrels. Every six months, we’ll take a quarter of the barrels, blend them and bottle them. This second bottling represents the nuances imparted to the base beer after 18 months of barrel-aging.

Sweet chocolate ice cream… Getting better with age for sure

Love & Maple Syrup by State Brewing Company

Rating: 6/6

Love & Maple Syrup by State Brewing Company is a 9.1% Imperial Stout Bourbon aged Coffee Beans and Michigan Maple Syrup.

Imperial Stout w/ 2nd Craft Bourbon Aged Coffee Beans & Michigan Maple Syrup, 9.1 % Our latest Breakfast themed Stout starts with a delicious Imperial base that is taken to the next level 
with 80 lbs of 2nd Craft’s finest Bourbon aged and conditioned Colombian Coffee Beans. We then add
a healthy amount of Pure Michigan Maple Syrup from BLiS, Oaky bourbon, dark chocolate and espresso
hit big in the nose and on and the palate finishing into sweet, sappy maple heaven. Rich and up front yet
walking the fine line of balance. Enjoy and love one another.

Maple maple everywhere…. So much breakfast goodness to drink!

2017 The Abyss Tequila by Deschutes Brewery

Rating: 7/7

2017 The Abyss Tequila by Deschutes Brewery is an 11.8% ABV
American Imperial Stout aged in Tequila barrels

Imperial stout brewed with black strap molasses, licorice with cherry bark and whole vanilla beans, 100% aged in tequila barrels for 10 months.


Barrel aged to hell and back.. This thing amazing… Some subtle cherry cordials and agave tequila… Love these types of beers

Breakfast Beast by Clown Shoes

Rating: 6/6

Breakfast Beast by Clown Shoes is a 10% ABV American Imperial Stout aged with Barrington Coffee Roasting and aged in bourbon barrels.

The beer is Breakfast Beast, a blend of Blaecorn Unidragon Russian imperial stout (12.5 percent ABV), Undead Party Crasher imperial stout (10 percent ABV) and an “experimental new stout” that was aged in bourbon barrels. In addition, cold brewed coffee sourced from Barrington Coffee Roasting Co. in Lee, Mass. was added to the beer before being bottled.

That type of beer you gotta wake up in the morning to. So damn good!! But the beast has always been awesome

Peanut Butter Victory at Sea by Ballast Point Brewing Company

Rating: 5/5

Peanut Butter Victory at Sea by Ballast Point Brewing Company is a 10% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with peanut butter, coffee and vanilla.

This version is without the chocolate – just Peanut Butter.

Wave ever it is I think I sea🌊.. Becomes a tootsie roll🍫 to me.. Lol that and peanut butter

2017 Triple Barrel Big Bad Baptist by Epic Brewing Co.

Rating: 7/7
 
2017 Triple Barrel Big Bad Baptist by Epic Brewing Co. is an 11.4% ABV Imperial Stout aged in whiskey & rum barrels with cacao nibs, barrel-aged coffee beans and barrel-aged coconut added.
 
Imperial Stout aged in whiskey & rum barrels with cacao nibs, barrel-aged coffee beans and barrel-aged coconut added.
Such a special whale.. Super coconut tiramisu macaroon deliciousness…

Firestone 21 (XXI) Anniversary Ale by Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Rating: 7/7

Firestone 21 (XXI) Anniversary Ale by Firestone Walker Brewing Company is an 11.8% ABV American Strong Ale/ Hybrid/ Cuvee

This year’s Anniversary beer is a magical blend of five components. Chocolatey, mild Velvet Merkin takes the lead setting the stage full of lush malt and barrel driven texture, yet tempered alcohol strength. The rest of the components fall perfectly in line, backing Velvet Merkin up with luscious caramel complexity and a creamy malt symphony. The final component adds a new twist – the rum barrel-soaked and lean Helldorado makes its Anniversary debut, bringing a fresh splash of island-spice to a ridiculously balanced barrel-aged brew. This is one of those times that the whole truly equals more than the sum of its parts. I couldn’t be happier with the result.

This beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XXI is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half-filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. As the beer sits and breathes in the glass the true complexity of this blend is revealed, so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. Like our other Anniversary offerings, this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. It was an absolute pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our 12th oak-aged blend! The journey continues.

This beer is dedicated to all of the new mothers and fathers within the FW Family and to their little ones who are our future.

-Matt

Another awesome year of super duper delicious complex chocolate and dessert goodness

Raspberry Truffle Abduction by Pipeworks Brewing Company

Rating: 7/7
 
Raspberry Truffle Abduction by Pipeworks Brewing Company is a 10.5% ABV American Imperial Stout brewed with Raspberries.
The story goes, the Aliens want those Raspberry/Strawberry Smiggles and they want them back. This beer is essentially Chocolate covered raspberries and more!!

Reaper Vs. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing Company

Rating: 6/6

Reaper Vs. Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing Company is a 10% American Barlewywine

The unicorn may have finally met its match in Death Incarnate. But hold your horned horses, because the unicorn lives to rye another day! What a sickle joke! But, we aren’t tricking you, this barley wine is a real treat, with a rich malt skeleton and a more than paranormal amount of hops. If you’re going to harvest soul-y one beer this season, don’t fear the reaper…

All rye all rye.. Hidden tropical fruits in a blanket of caramel, flan and sweetened condensed milk malty goodness and herbal dank goodness

Basic Bitch Pumpkin Spice Latte by El Borracho brewing

Rating: 5/5

Basic Bitch Pumpkin Spice Latte by El Borracho brewing is a 6.5% ABV Pumpkin Ale brewed with Coffee Beans, spices and lactose.

Brewed with lots of pumpkin spice, lactose and coffee beans.

Thanks to my friend William Carranza for sharing another awesome homebrew. This one definitely takes the pie. Chocolate abuelita & pumpkin

Persistence of Time by El Borracho brewing

Rating: 4.75/5

Persistence of Time by El Borracho brewing is a 5% ABV Session India Pale Ale.

Brewed with barley, wheat, oats and guava. Hopped with Centennial, Cascade, Citra and dry hopped with Galaxy, Equanot, El Dorado, Cascade and Citra.

Super tropics all around… Amazing beer. Thanks to my friend William Carranza for the homebrew

Melon Cart by Golden Road Brewing

Rating: 5/5

Melon Cart by Golden Road Brewing is a 4% ABV American 
Pale Wheat Ale brewed with Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Honey Dew Melon

Tastes like freshly cut melons and the California sun right in your hand. This light, crisp Wheat Ale is bursting with watermelon, honeydew, and cantalope flavors, finishing bright and refreshing.

Complex melon trio. This would be great for the summer!

Fred by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company

Rating: 6/6

Fred by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company is a 10% ABV American Strong Ale

Created to honor beer writer and historian Fred Eckhardt. This golden strong ale incorporates ten hop varieties from five different countries. Through the use of aromatic and rye malt, the beer achieves a unique balance of flavor. Fred will inspire you to share your knowledge with others.

Wow.. Damn amazing… Never thought I’d find a tap of this… In all places.. Awesome.. Rich dark fruit and Dulce de lecher pudding

Saurer Axtman of the Stone Berlin Groundbreaking Collaboration Series #09 by Stone Brewing & Todd Haug (Ex-Surly brewing brewmaster)

Rating: 6/6

Saurer Axtman of the Stone Berlin Groundbreaking Collaboration Series #09 by Stone Brewing & Todd Haug (Ex-Surly brewing brewmaster) is a 9% ABV Überized Berliner Weisse brewed with Ginger Root & Citrus Hystrix Leaf

Label:

Have guitar, will travel. Check. Have mash paddle, will travel. Check. Have invitation to Berlin to brew, will travel. Hell yeah. Cue our friend Todd Haug. He checked all those boxes and joined us to make this inspired and unique creation. Our Stone Berlin Brewmaster Thomas Tyrell has spent many years studyingand brewing versions of the consummate Berlin style, the Berliner Weisse. Todd was intrigued with the idea of überizing (wasn’t a real word before, but it is now) the style and wantedto further überize (how quickly a new word can find its wayinto the lexicon) with the addition of ginger root and Citrus Hystrix leaf. They worked perfectly, as you’ll see. Todd, Thomasand Greg all agreed they’d never tasted anything quitelike it before, and that they all loved it. So now, it has traveled time and space to you. Check it!

Our dream to be the first American craft brewery to independently build, own and operate a brewery in Europe has become a reality. Located in a historic 1901 building, our state of the art brewhouse and destination restaurant in the Mariendorf neighborhood is a true thing of beauty! As promised, we invited some of our best friends in craft brewing to create an exceptional series of celebratory beers. We hope you enjoy the international camaraderie that went into making these fourteen truly groundbreaking collaborations!

MIT STOLZ GEBRAUT IN BERLIN

==Introduction==

In 2014, Stone was raising money to open a brewery in Berlin, Germany. It would be the first time an American craft brewery would open up a business in Europe. For Germany who has Bavarian laws on the beer making process, craft beer would no coincide with their laws. However, Stone being some crazy arrogant bastards were able to make their way into the market and were successful to open up shop. At the time, I had donated money on promised collaborations with different breweries. Mainly some of the ones I like such as Brew Dog, Lost Abbey, The Bruery, Surly and even Devil’s Gate/Will Wheaton. So, with the donations I made in that year, I was wondering if I would ever see a return on my investment. Long behold, Stone contacted me to inform that they were going to release the beers and so today I bring the Surly/Todd Haugg collaboration.

As of this writing, I think it is very fitting to not include the Surly name and just go with Todd. The cray thing is that he started working for Three Floyds who are also Heavy Metal as fuck!! So mainly, you can also say that this beer is Surly/3 Floyds/Stone collab. Crazy right? It doesn’t get more rockin’ than a beer that was made with a brewer who is also a musician from Speed Metal band, Powermad. It’s no surprised that even though this brew is not dark as fuck!, it goes to show that maybe something amazing can come from this German Imperial style. Let’s check it out, cheers!

Aromas:
Huge greapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, kumquats, sweet limes, green tea, agave nectar, lychees, stone fruit peaches, apricot, mango, mint, farmhouse hay, cant sugar, honey dew melon, salty tejuino maize drink, tamarind, pineapple, wine grapes, sage and coriander spice hints.

Flavors:
Rich grape fruits, manadarins, tangerines, oranges, sweet limes, lemons, limes, kumquats, passion fruit, pineapple, kiwi, Chardonay notes, farmhouse hay funky notes, coriander spice hints, salty tejuino maize drink, tamarind, Rich Stone fruits, Peach, apricots, lychees, mango, cane sugar, herbal green tea, Black tea, ginger spice, graham crackers, honey dew melon, cantaloupe, agave nectar, Lechugilla agave drink, jack fruit, banana notes, mild apples flavor and cane stalk.

Aftertaste:
Finishes in a huge rush of citrus and citrus complexities ranging from all the spectrum of sweet, bitter, sour, flavors: Ginger, grapefruit, salt, oranges, lemon, lime, agave, green tea, farmhouse funk, stone fruits, jack fruit, lychee, mandarin, tangerines, herbs, 
No alcohol in the taste, hazy full body pale golden body, smooth, crisp, refreshing and effervescent mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Quite possibly, the best Berliner Weisse I have ever had, aside from the Freetail Cherry Berliner I once had from my friend Aaron Mendiola. So much complex fruit and spice and flavors almost leaning into the hazy IPA realm but its not even there. This is not an IPA, no this is very different! Only two demons or demon like creatures can come up with such forbidden epicness. I loved this one even since I first had it on the draft that it was one that was worth the praise. I love all the beers from this series so far but this one sure was damn worth it even if it was a light looking beer. Hell, even I had my prejudgement and ohhhh boy, was I wrong. It kicked my ass like I wasn’t expecting. I highly recommend this one!

Anime Corner:
Lydia Deetz from the Beetlejuice series was chosen in this pairing mainly on the grounds that I needed a character that went way back to the rock days but also paid tribute to the other dark arts of the gothic and spooky scene. When I was a kid and even today, Beetlejuice and Lydia are still one of my favorite dynamic duos! I have not done many pairings with them and the pairing came from the special occasion of bringing the special Surly/Todd Haug collab with Stone.

10 Lords-A-Leaping by The Bruery

Rating: 5/5

10 Lords-A-Leaping by The Bruery is a 10.5% ABV Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Description:
Wassail is known for warmth and spices. The tenth verse of our Twelve Beers of Christmas™ saga goes leaps and bounds beyond a traditional winter warmer, drawing inspiration from the dark, spiced ales from Belgium and our love for experimental brewing in SoCal. 10 Lords-A-Leaping is a dark imperial wit ale featuring 10 different spices – coriander, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace, anise, dried apples and cloves, which complement the spiced notes imparted from the yeast and prance upon the rich, dark fruited character of the specialty malts.

Tell No Tales by The Bruery

Rating: 6/6

Tell No Tales by The Bruery is a 12.5% ABV Imperial Pumpkin/Yam beer brewed with molasses, maple syrup, and spices aged in bourbon barrels and rum barrels

AVAST THERE!
Mark well what you see here, mateys. This ain’t no ordinary tale or ale. Designed and destined for ye heartier souls, this spiced, autumn ale is filled to the brim with barrel-aged character from its voyage in bourbon and rum barrels. Brewed with yams, maple syrup, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and allspice, with a dash of barleywine flare, ‘tis the motherload of flavors to fly under the flag of Captain Rue.

Delicious Fall Flavors

Barrel-Aged Share This by The Bruery

Rating: 6/6

Barrel-Aged Share This by The Bruery is a 13.5% ABV

Description:
Share This is a series that spotlights limited, special treatments of beer and important causes. This release features one of our favorite explorations of beer: bourbon barrel-aging, lending notes of semisweet chocolate, coconut, vanilla and subtle char to the rich imperial stout base. It’s the first barrel-aged installment in the series, supporting our friends at Free Wheelchair Mission®, who provide wheelchairs at no cost to those with disabilities in developing nations.

Awesome Barrel aged character

Bruers’ Barrel-Aged Zesty Mounds by The Bruery

Rating: 6/6

Bruers’ Barrel-Aged Zesty Mounds by The Bruery is a 13.6% ABV Belgian Dark Ale brewed with Cacao Nibs, Vanilla Beans, Coconut and orange zest aged in bourbon barrels.

#BABEERDAY
Barrel-aged Beer Day is our staff’s day for premiering flavors that cannot be achieved outside of the art of the blend or by any one beer. This staff-winning blend, created by Jennifer Anderson, Conner Coghill, Adam Funderberg, Jeff Scott, Andrew Stretch and Patrick Traster, showcases mounds of candy bar-esque flavors, with vanilla, coconut, cacao nibs from TCHO and orange zest folded into an exclusive fusion of some of our darkest, richest and most malt-forward bourbon barrel-aged beers.

Orangey chocolate almond joys!!

Citizens of the (Under) World by Concrete Jungle Brewing Project

Rating: 4.75/5

Citizens of the (Under) World by Concrete Jungle Brewing Project is a 6% American Wild Ale barrel aged with pinot grigio barrels, passion fruit and tart cherries.

Description:
Sour beer made from blend of a blonde ale barrel-aged with passion fruit, and a saison barrel-aged with tart cherries. After blending, the beer was aged an additional six months in Pinot Grigio barrels.

Ask not what a sour can do for you but what the you can do for a sour… Delicious!

MXYZPTLK collaboration by Bottle Logic and J. Wakefield Brewing

 

 

Rating: 7/7

MXYZPTLK collaboration by Bottle Logic and J. Wakefield Brewing is a 13.11% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with Dulce De Leche, Cuban-Style Roasted Espresso Beans & Cassia Bark/Cinnamon sticks and aged in Rum Barrels

Label:

(MIX-IS-PIT-IL-ICKS)

==Introduction==

Named after DC comics mischievous character that breaks all physical laws of the DC universe with cartoon like antics. Similar to Arale by Akira Toriyama, a character that even breaks the Dragonball Universe. I think the assumption was for a beer that would break reality, or in this case, flavor perception and experience and possibly bring one into a journey accessing another realm of existence or even something unknown. Released in October 2017 through special ticket releases (which sold out in seconds) this beer is a collaboration with J Wakefield brewing. The last time I tried one from J Wakefield was with the Bruery’s sour collaboration with the use of dragon fruit. So while, J Wake Field is very popular in Florida, Bottle Logic is the same. It was hard to get this release to the point where I barely made it. While Bottle Logic has not been on my radar until recently due to their hard to get beers, I got lucky in obtaining this one. Mainly since it was a beer made with some really delicious ingredients. A beer with dulce de leche huh? Well, then, looks like “Someone Copies Mes”, since I once made a Goat Milk Dulce de leche Caramel and Banana Weizenbock homebrew. So While I know I can’t really compare, I am super intrigued by this one since it is a Café Cubano Tiramus inspired beer and wanted to see just how much of a hype this one might be. Let’s have a look, cheers!

Aromas:

Rum filled pastries, dark fruits, raisin capirotada, cinnamon, pecan pie, almond joy, toasted coconut, milk chocolate covered raisins, sweetened condensed milk, bananas, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, pan dulce, fruit cake, Mexican chocolate, champurrado, mocha, Khalua, liqueur, tobacco, leather, ginger bread, espresso, Café Cubano Tiramasu, prune juice, flan, Jericalla Mexican custard and piloncillo sugar cone.

Flavors:

Super Rich, dulce de leche covered pan dulce, cinnamon, pecan pie, cuban dark fruit pastries, cuban coffee tiramasu, raisin capirotada, dark fruit prunes, raisins, plums, figs, currants, craisins, dried strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates, blueberries, funnel cake, Rum egg nog, Rum walnut nog, ginger bread, Mexican chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate covered raisins, piloncillo sugar cone, champurrado, flan, Jericalla Mexican custard, borrachitos Mexican alcoholic jelly and milk candies, pumpkin pie, cane sugar, brown sugar, mocha, fancy coffee, espresso, roasted coffee, Khalua Liqueur, Irish cream, nutmeg, marshmallow smores, butter pecan ice cream, tobacco, leather, sweetened condensed milk, tres leches cake, bananas, clove spice, brown sugar, vanilla, roasted barley, tiramasu, toasted coconut and almond joy chocolate.

Aftertaste:

Aftertaste is chocolate covered raisins for days, mocha, ongoing Café Cubano Tiramasu, Marshmallow, Rum Eggnog, Mexican Hot chocolate, Ginger bread cookies, tobacco, milk and jelly alcoholic candies/borrachitos, rum, cinnamon, dark frits and rich dulce de leche that never ends! No alcohol in the taste, pitch black abyss full body, smooth, creamy, syrupy, chewy and velvety and sludgy mouthfeel. Sipping is a must! I cannot stress this enough, the drinkability is slow and steady. A whole glass like I poured is not a good idea! Save for later.

Overall:

Damn, Diabeetus… in a bottle! Not gonna lie, this is freaking amazing but surely took me like 2 hours to finish a small glass. This is literally the most sugar coma inducing beer but I love it!. Pure postre de Café Cubano. This is in that level of bucket list that might actually be that which makes one kick the bucket, but damn you’ll go through one hell of a ride indeed. I feel like this fits in one of those infomercials. You can use this to pour over ice cream or pancakes or anything! The sweetness is only slightly cloying but the coffee, rum, earthy, dark fruit and cinnamon complexity seem to cut a lot of the sugar pureness big time. Although it may be too much for some palettes, but that is probably for the best. The original MXYZPLK was not understood by the world of DC and maybe the real world may not get this one, but damn, if you truly want to know the heart of all pastries in the most complex form into another dimension, give this one a find or a trade.

Anime Corner:

Sash Lilac from Freedom Planet makes an appearance in this pairing of Bottle Logic mainly for the colors of the beer. Granted, not much pairs with her other other than colors, but that poncho/zarape she is wearing is reminiscent of Latin and the Americas in relation to some ingredients used such as the Dulce de Leche, Cuban Coffee and Cinnamon. The beer being Cuban inspired, the island surrounded by water and Lilac being a water dragon. I would like to think that in some instances, other than the rich lilac color, that she fits very well with this one. Besides, this is my 4th Bottle Logic beer I have ever had in bottle form aside from taps and so I really choose my characters wisely for the reviews. Lilac happens to be one of my top favorite anthropomorphic anime/video game characters.

 

 

Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, Bourbon Barrel Aged by Garage Brewing Co

 

Rating: 6/6

Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, Bourbon Barrel Aged by Garage Brewing Co is a 10.1% ABV Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Description:
This well-balanced classic has been aged in bourbon barrels resulting in a dominant malt character and flavors of caramel, bourbon, and smoke.

Review
Super Dark fruit, oak, bourbon, smoked peat with a ton of complexity. Complex flavors and lots of love for this rare style and the many I have tried continues to be amazing!

 

Unfiltered Sculpin by Ballast Point Brewing Company

 

Rating: 5/5
 
Unfiltered Sculpin by Ballast Point Brewing Company is a 7% ABV India Pale Ale
Description:
Our Unfiltered Sculpin IPA packs extra hops into every sip, enhancing the classic Sculpin notes of fresh apricot, peach, mango and lemon with a slight haze and less bitterness.
 
Freshness is key to every beer, but especially true for this extra-hopped IPA—store cold and drink soon. This limited release is now available at all locations and rolling out nationwide soon!
Review:
Smooth, creamy, lots of tropical juice! Freaking amazing!

 

Juicebox Series: Golden Pumpkin Ale by The Dudes’ Brewing Company

 

Rating: 4.75/5

Juicebox Series: Golden Pumpkin Ale by The Dudes’ Brewing Company is a 6.6% ABV Pumpkin Ale.

Description:
Tastes just like pumpkin pie. Belgian Golden Ale with all the flavors of fall including cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Someone pass the whipped cream!

Review:
Delicious little brew showcasing lots of awesome clovey and pumpkin flavors as well as some banana and cinnamon flavors with dulce de leche caramel.