Tasting Notes: Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 from Rogue Ales

Posted on by mashingin

RogueSantasPour1000As we eagerly await the arrival of Kris Kringle, we have decided to keep ourselves busy by getting into some Tasting Notes on Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 from Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon).

In case you missed it, a few weeks ago we hit you with the news that Rogue Ales is taking a new approach to this year’s release of Santa’s Private Reserve.  Instead of going with the long-running, “double-hopped” Amber Ale that is typically brewed as their Holiday Ale, the brewers at Rogue decided to go in a new direction by creating a “Belgian Strong Ale made with cherries, raspberries, Belgian Candi sugar and Imperial Gnome Yeast.”  This results in a 7.8% ABV Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 that “delivers a delicious sweet and tart flavor.”

Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 is available now in 22 oz. bottles and on draft.  If you feel the holiday spirit take hold and wish to seek this brew out, you can find this Limited Release available at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution network.

That should be just about enough chatter concerning background information.  What do you say we just cut to those Tasting Notes so that we can see what this new and improved Santa’s Private Reserve is all about?

Tasting Notes for Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 from Rogue Ales

Appearance:  Santa’s Private Reserve pours up a rich, dark maple brown in color with deep red highlights.  When held to direct light, the color softens a touch to a dusky garnet that has a solid brown core.  The beer is mostly opaque, but a meandering carbonation activity can be observed moving around in there.  Well over half a finger of tan foam was built from a careful pour.  Showing some nice retention, that head eventually falls to a tight, creamy half finger that draws some elaborate lace patterns on the glass throughout the experience.

Aroma:  The nose is first greeted by big pops of Belgian yeast and Belgian candi sugar.  Caramel, light chocolate, a touch of dark fruit and some roasted malts snuggle up to that Belgian character to solidify a full-on Belgian Strong Dark Ale presence in aroma.  Things shift gears at the end of the profile as some tart and lightly sweet raspberries surface.

Taste:  The flavor picks up where the aroma left off by leading with a serious amount of tart raspberry.  That tartness is quickly tempered by some caramel, Belgian yeast and candi sugar.  This opens further to produce some rich and comforting dark fruit tones – plum, raisin and prune.  Just as you think the profile will finish sweet, a sneaky cherry presence turns up to close it out with a nice note that is lightly sweet but mostly tart.

Mouthfeel:  This brew falls on the heavier side of medium in body with a soft carbonation level.  There is a good balance of tart and sweet on the palate.  The beer’s slightly creamy texture keeps it from drying out too quickly, allowing flavors to linger.  At 7.8%, the ABV brings a welcomed element of warmth to the throat and belly.  The aftertaste leaves behind a fair amount of Belgian candi sugar and cherries.

Final Thoughts:  They may have gone in the opposite direction from their holiday-themed Amber Ale of old, but the folks at Rogue Ales absolutely justified the style change by delivering this interesting and tasty new take on Santa’s Private Reserve.  Sure, it gives you the trademark Belgian sweetness expected from so many Holiday Ales, but it shakes things up a bit by having the cherries and raspberries supply a not-so-traditional dose of tartness.  That tart quality is just enough to be different, but its intensity is dialed in to act as a complement to the Belgian yeast, dark fruit character, and candi sugar.  Above all, those flavors and aromas come together as a comforting reminder of the holidays without at all relying on the overpowering spices associated with the season.  It is subtly complex, full of surprises and unmistakably festive . . . kind of like jolly old Saint Nick himself. If you are looking for a last-minute Christmas beer or just wish to carry the holiday spirit into the New Year, you should probably be on the lookout for some Santa’s Private Reserve 2017.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Chipotle Double Bass from Starr Hill Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

SHBChipotle1000.jpgFor this week’s installment of Tasting Notes, we unwrap a Box of Chocolates from Starr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, Virginia) to enjoy some Chipotle Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout as a holiday treat.

Not too long ago, we brought you news of Starr Hill Brewery’s intentions to treat the craft beer community to its Box of Chocolates Stout Pack containing variants of its fan-favorite Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout.  To create this collection of liquid indulgence, the brewers at Starr Hill infused Double Bass “with all-natural ingredients including organic peppermint leaves, smoke-dried jalapeño peppers, and locally roasted whole coffee beans.”  The results were stellar, and Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout, Peppermint Double Bass, Chipotle Double Bass and Mocha Double Bass (three 12 oz. bottles of each) earned their place in a Mixed 12-pack that is guaranteed to satisfy the sweet tooth of any craft beer fan.  The Box of Chocolates Stout Pack was officially released in mid-November in limited quantities, but there are still a few packs floating around at select beer retailers located within Starr Hill Brewery’s distribution area.  (hint, hint . . . A Box of Chocolates Stout Pack would make for an amazing holiday gift if you are still out there scrambling for ideas)

To keep this post from being a novel-length read, we decided to sit down with all four Box of Chocolate offerings and pick an office favorite to feature in this week’s Tasting Notes.  Since all four Double Bass beers proved to be damn tasty, this was a difficult task that we took incredibly seriously.  Maybe too seriously.  There was much deliberation and disagreement . . . words were said . . . non-holiday appropriate gestures were exchanged . . . palates were challenged . . .  things got weird and borderline violent . . . but we eventually came to an agreement that Chipotle Double Bass has earned the spotlight.  With that now resolved, let’s get to those Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Chipotle Double Bass from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance: Nearly black, Chipotle Double Bass is actually the darkest of browns in color.  When held to direct light, this is fully confirmed as dark cola and caramel tones push through at the top and bottom of the glass.  Even so, the beer remains completely opaque and its carbonation level is not visible.  The pour produced a solid finger of brown sugar-colored head that has decent retention.  The foam eventually falls to a thin ring that leaves behind some spotty lacing.

Aroma:  The OG Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout is alive and well here with defined notes of dark chocolate, dark roast coffee and vanilla showing up big out of the gate.  The chipotle subtly moves in with a good deal of smoke, peppery heat and just a touch of green veggie presence.  As soon as those aromas hit your nose, there is no denying that you want a sip.

Taste:  The chipotle certainly finds its footing in the flavor with pleasant, nicely developed notes of smoke and heat.  More smoke than heat really . . . and it is lovely.  Chocolate, coffee and roasted malt tones turn up in timely fashion to tame the heat and support the smoke.  The flavor profile eventually closes with a soothing presence of vanilla and cocoa.

Mouthfeel:  Medium in body with a medium carbonation level, this brew has a solid weight to it but avoids being too heavy, overbearing or sticky.  It is mostly sweet on the palate, but the chipotle actually lends a hand in creating a nice balance.  There is a slight tingle of heat on the throat . . . from the peppers.  The ABV, on the other hand, is well hidden and incredibly tame for 7.8%.  The aftertaste is a little smoke, some vanilla, and touch of peppery spice.

Final Thoughts:  “Composed.” “Complex.” “Entrancing.” “Tempting.” “Sexy AF” (told you things got weird).  These are just a few of the many descriptors that were thrown around while we discussed Chipotle Double Bass, and they are all dead on.  When you are dealing with an ingredient as powerful as chipotles, it is so easy to end up with an unrefined experience completely dominated by one note.  Not at all the case here.  Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout’s original characteristics of dark chocolate, mocha and vanilla are all here to be placed gently alongside that chipotle.  Hell, even the chipotle has a crazy amount of depth with distinguishable, stand-alone levels of gorgeous smoke and reserved heat.  The chipotles absolutely make their presence known, but they never push the boundaries, get out of hand or bully the notes that are found at the soul of Double Bass.  The base beer and the featured ingredient both end up with equal billing, resulting in an experience that is notable and praise-worthy.  Seriously, you need to check out Chipotle Double Bass and the rest of the variants found in Starr Hill’s Box of Chocolates Stout Pack while you still have the chance.  Make it happen.  Prost!

21st Amendment Brewery Launches Tales From The Kettle Beer Series

Posted on by mashingin

21A-TalesKettle-2017-12oz21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) has announced that it is expanding its Insurrection Series with the limited release of Tales From The Kettle (2017) – Not Your Cup of Tea.

Developed in the spirit of “friendly competition and [as] an ode to the brewery’s roots”, the Tales From The Kettle series has a “story [that] begins each year with a teambuilding exercise, the [21st Amendment] Employee Homebrew Competition, where [the brewery’s] staff breaks into randomly selected teams who are challenged to come up with a winning homebrew recipe judged by the San Francisco Brewer’s Guild.”  Once a winner is chosen, that beer then enters full distribution in cans that proudly wear the names of each team member responsible for its creation.

This year’s winning beer is Not Your Cup of Tea, an “exceptional” Scottish-style ale brewed with black tea.  Deep amber in color, Not Your Cup of Tea (9% ABV) has an aroma that boasts “a light waft of sweetness and a soft smokiness”, and a “multi-layer malt” flavor that “closes out with a light spiciness from the black tea and a lingering light burnt caramel finish.”

“Tales From The Kettle gives our staff a chance to bring ideas and recipes to life that otherwise may never see the light of day, and as owners we get a rush of excitement from the innovation that is unleashed each time we host this competition.” said Nico Freccia, co-founder of 21st Amendment. “The creators of this year’s winning beer included our graphic designer, a server at our pub, our Chicago sales rep and one of our maintenance technicians. In their normal day-to-day these guys and gals would not have had an opportunity to bring a beer recipe to the spotlight, and now their names have been printed on a nationally distributed beer can with their winning beer recipe.”

Tales From The Kettle (2017) – Not Your Cup of Tea is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft.  You can track down this Limited Release offering at craft beer establishments located in Florida, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Tales From The Kettle (2017) – Not Your Cup of Tea from 21st Amendment Brewery

Release – Limited/Insurrection Series, December 2017
Style – Scotch Ale 
ABV – 9%
IBUs – 24
Malts – Maris Otter Pale, Crystal 70L, Special B, Chocolate, Smoked Malt, Peated Malt & Victory
Hops – Northern Brewer & Nugget 
Yeast – Burton Ale Yeast
Added Ingredients – Black Tea
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

LOKO Cuisine Teams up with Homes for our Troops for Caribeque Eggs & Kegs

Posted on by mashingin

lokocuisinelogoOn Sunday, January 21 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine will return to Cigar City Brewing (3924 W. Spruce St, Tampa, Florida) to host a special Caribeque Eggs & Kegs that will benefit Homes for our Troops.

For this edition of Eggs & Kegs, the folks at LOKO Cuisine are using their platform to help raise awareness for Homes for our Troops – a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post – 9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.  While at this event, attendees will have the chance to participate in “a raffle with some sweet prizes from local businesses that will directly 100% benefit Homes for our Troops Florida recipients.”

As far as the grub goes, this Eggs & Kegs menu will be comprised of the following five-course, BBQ-themed brunch featuring seasonings and sauces from Caribeque Seasoning and Rub Co.:

backmenuCaribeque

Cigar City Brewing will be showcasing White Oak Jai Alai IPA as the featured pairing for the meal above.  Attendees will receive one drink ticket that is good for one pour of that offering or any other “one pint or snifter of equal value.”

Tickets for Eggs & Kegs: Caribeque are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the five-course brunch and one pour of beer (pint or snifter of equal value). Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

If you are free on January 21, just go ahead and secure your Eggs & Kegs: Caribeque tickets now so that you can enjoy a fantastic meal and help provide support for the amazing cause of Homes for our Troops.  Prost!

Stone Brewing Vows to Go Hop Heavy in 2018

Posted on by mashingin

Stone2018Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) recently unveiled its 2018 Beer Release Calendar and it boasts a serious amount of hop goodness from its newly-established Trinity of Hoppiness, a new Seasonal IPA series, and a few robust Stouts thrown in for good measure.

Just as we always do when it comes to beer calendars around here, we have posted Stone Brewing’s full 2018 Beer Release Calendar below for you to take in at your own leisure.  That said, there is a diagram and a handful of new releases that we should probably provide some clarity on before turning you loose.  We do intend to be brief, so let’s knock it out:

  • Devoted to innovation and their well-known obsession with hops, the folks at Stone Brewing are rolling out the Trinity of Hoppiness in 2018 (diagram available below).  This handy-dandy piece of reference material breaks down the brewery’s full line of hop-laden Year-Round releases and its occasionally released Stone Enjoy By IPA into the following three categories: Tropical & Juicy, Dank & Piney, and Citrusy & Floral.  The Trinity of Hoppiness basically acts as your road map to whatever hop experience you may be seeking on any given day.
    StoneTrinity
  • Stone Scorpion Bowl IPA will debut in March as the brewery’s newest Year-Round release.  Perched at the peak of “Tropical & Juicy” on the Trinity of Hoppiness, Stone Scorpion Bowl IPA “masters the fruity appeal . . .  of fruit-dominated beers . . . with absolutely no fruit additions. This juicy delight is brewed with heroic hop know-how.”  Once released, this offering will be available in 22 oz. bottles & on draft.
  • 2018 will also see the introduction of the new Stone Hop Worship IPA Seasonal Series, “three distinctive beers extolling the divine qualities of hops [to] consecrate Stone’s devotion to freshness.”  The series will include Stone Exalted IPA (February – June), Stone Righteous IPA (June – October), and Stone Sanctimonious IPA (October – December).  These beers will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & on draft.
  • Need more hops? Well, Stone Brewing has you covered because they will also be releasing three Double IPA Special Releases in 2018: Stone Loral & Dr. Rudi’s Inevitable Adventure Double IPA (February – June), Stone I’m Peach Double IPA (May – August), and Stone 22nd Anniversary Double IPA (August – November).
  • Fear not, malt lovers . . . there will also be a smattering of Special Release Stouts alternating between those DIPAs. Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout, a new Special Release featuring an updated hop bill “built on the backbone of the classic Stone Imperial Russian Stout recipe”, will be available from March through July.  That offering will be followed by Stone w00tstout (July – October) and Stone Xocoveza Mocha Stout (October – December).

  “We have a Brewing Innovation Team that has labored the last year in pursuit of the exceptional…and delivered it, in sanguine, liquid form,” said Dominic Engels, Stone Brewing CEO. “These incredible new beers, alongside a series of fan favorites allow us to unveil uniquely Stone beers with every release in 2018. True to our roots, the IPAs we’re releasing this year are clearly the work of an evangelical hop worshiping crew. Amen.”

Alright . . . our job should be done here, but there is still plenty to discover on the calendar below.  Check it out and get ready for a ridiculously hoppy year with Stone Brewing in 2018.  Prost!

Stone2018calendar

Holiday Gift Idea: The TrailKeg

Posted on by mashingin

Bottle_Callouts_trans_1024x1024Holiday shopping days are drying up fast, but you still have the chance to hook up the beer fan in your life with a sweet TrailKeg growler system.

We all know that growlers are awesome because they provide us with the option to enjoy fresh draft beer in the comfort of our own homes.  The only issue: that freshness is quickly compromised in traditional growlers the moment you unscrew the cap for your first pour.   CO2 escapes, oxygen gets in, the beer goes flat, and its flavor could be altered.

The remedy: TrailKeg, “a vacuum-insulated CO2 pressurized beer growler that keeps . . . drinks cold for 24 hours and perfectly carbonated for weeks.”  Designed to be a multipurpose device, the TrailKeg can be used as a stand-alone tap system or – with available upgrades – it can “[interface] with industry standard equipment that many beer lovers already own, such as Kegerators, beer taps, gas systems, and more.” Its convenience goes well beyond that as its “virtually indestructible” stainless steel construction and vacuum insulation allow you to pour perfectly “cold and carbonated” beers while “tailgating, enjoying a weekend outdoors, or enjoying a cold one on the back porch with a group of friends.” Whether you are at home or out on an adventure, TrailKeg’s versatile capabilities easily make it the growler that you need to have at your side.

The 64 oz. TrailKeg Growler alone starts at $29.99 each or you can go all-in with the tap-ready TrailKeg Package (64 oz.) that starts at $99.99 each (click here for options and direct link to purchase).  Either way you choose to go with this gift, rest assured that any beer lover will get plenty of use and mileage out of a TrailKeg.  Prost!

Rogue Ales is Set to Release Straight Outta Newport West Coast IPA

Posted on by mashingin

SON_Staged-39_editedRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) recently announced that it will introduce Straight Outta Newport in January as a new Limited Release offering.

Inspired to brew a beer that embodies the spirit of the Oregon Coast, the brewers at Rogue Ales developed Straight Outta Newport to be a “uniquely West Coast” style India Pale Ale featuring Citra, Mosaic and Comet hops.  Clocking in at 8.7% ABV and 73 IBUs, Straight Outta Newport supplies “a bold and flavorful profile, bursting with aromas of grapefruit, tangerine and orange, fruity hop notes and a juicy finish.”

“We’re Oregon Coast through and through,” said Rogue President Brett Joyce. “We wanted to pay homage to our hometown with a world-class beer that dared to push the limits.”

Straight Outta Newport will officially arrive in January 2018 with plans to hang around throughout that month.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select locations found within Rogue’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Straight Outta Newport from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, January 2018
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.7%
IBUs – 73
Malts – Munich, Weyermann Pils, Gold Pils Vienna & DextraPils
Hops – Mosaic, Citra, Comet & Hallertau Magnum
Yeast – Pacman 
Added Ingredients – Belgian Candi Sugar
Fun Fact – “Straight Outta Newport’s label art is also a nod to Rogue’s seaside hometown, with an image of the iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge as well as the Rogue brewers who collaborated on crafting the one-of-a-kind beer.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/

 

Stone Brewing Releases Five Barrel-Aged Small Batch Beers

Posted on by mashingin

stonesmallbatchStone Brewing (Escondido, California) recently announced that it will close out the year by releasing five limited beers from its Small Batch Series.

Firmly believing that the holidays are the perfect time to share some amazing beers with friends and family, the folks at Stone Brewing are breaking out the good stuff this month by releasing five barrel-aged offerings from their Small Batch Series.  These offerings include “long-time fan favorites” such as Stone Imperial Russian Stout and Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA that have been given “new depth, character and complexity, thanks to the attention of Stone’s talented small batch brewers.”  This current barrage of Small Batch releases includes the following five beers (descriptions provided by Stone Brewing):

“I love experiencing how our brewers can transform a beer that I know so well into something completely new,” said Greg Koch, Stone Brewing executive chairman & co-founder. “They’ve taken painstaking efforts to procure the best barrels and have taken immaculate care of these rarities, some aging for almost a full year. The outcome will, no doubt, amaze whether you choose to drink them now or cellar them.”

The five beers above are available “throughout the month of December and into the New Year” (while supplies last).  You can find these Small Batch offerings available in 500ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia, and “nearly” throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

CaCow Milk Stout Makes Seasonal Debut for Green Flash Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

GF15logoGreen Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) has officially announced that CaCow Milk Stout is available now as a draft-only, Winter Seasonal offering.

Originally dreamed up by Green Flash’s “Virginia Beach employees as a part of [their] Genius Lab pilot brewing program”, CaCow Milk Stout is headed for the big time now that it has been green-lit for nationwide release.  This is not at all surprising when you consider the fact that this delectable, full-bodied Milk Stout “was inspired by the flavors of chocolate milk, with lactose added to provide its creamy consistency.”  Weighing in at 6.3% ABV, the “luscious and limited” CaCow Milk Stout “offers chocolate sweetness, balanced by bold coffee notes.”

CaCow Milk Stout is currently available for a limited time as a draft-only offering.  You can expect to find this new Winter Seasonal pouring at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Green Flash Brewing Co.’s nationwide distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for CaCow Milk Stout from Green Flash Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Seasonal, arriving mid-December 2017
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 6.3%
IBUs – 25
Availability – Draft-only
Beer Finder – http://www.greenflashbrew.com/find-beer/

 

Great Divide Brewing Reveals 2018 Release Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

GDBClogoGreat Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, Colorado) just added some intrigue to the year ahead with the publication of a 2018 Release Calendar that brings news of seven new beers.

Another day means another beer calendar, and we have Great Divide Brewing Co.’s full 2018 Release Calendar available below.  You can jump straight to it, or bear with us while we quickly highlight those seven new brews.  It’s totally your call . . .

  • 2018 will see the introduction of Great Divide’s Wood Werks series, a new lineup of limited-edition barrel-aged and sour beers. The series will launch in February with Belgian-style Sour, a “Belgian-style tripel that was artfully soured for 15 months in red wine barrels and aged on plums.”  Belgian-style Sour will be followed by Flemish Sour Brown with Strawberries in May, and Barrel Aged Brown Rye Ale in August.
  • Car Camper Gose will roll out in April as the brewery’s new Summer Seasonal.  This refreshing little number is a German-style Sour brewed with guava & passionfruit.
  • Vanilla Oak Aged Yeti will arrive in May as the newest addition to the Yeti Clan.  This oak-aged Imperial Stout has “sweet vanilla tones [that] meld into the oak characteristics . . .  A pairing fit for a beast, the vanilla and oak are uplifted by the bold and roasty character we all know and love from [Yeti Imperial Stout].”
  • Back by popular demand, Rumble Oak Aged IPA will return as a part of the Tank Farm series in 2018.  It will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft from May through September.
  • Beginning in May, Great Divide will add Heyday Modern IPA to its Year-Round portfolio.  “What’s a Modern IPA you ask? Well, [Great Divide] brewed this beer in response to the shift in taste profile preferences of the modern IPA drinker. It’s slightly hazy (but not a hazy IPA) with abundant hop flavor and aroma of tropical fruit, berry, and melon. This contemporary IPA brings the multifaceted hop profile to the forefront without the expected bitterness and with a lighter body. It’s not “New England” or “hazy” or “west coast” or “English-style”, or “classic”, and it’s definitely not [Titan India Pale Ale]. It’s a modern IPA. Balanced and approachable, Heyday IPA is brewed for the modern Bold Character.”

That covers the new offerings, but there is still plenty to see on the calendar below.  Give it a good look so that you can be properly prepared for the Great Divide awesomeness headed your way in 2018.  Prost!

GD-2018-Release-Calendar