Joe from Beeradvocate recently hosted a mammoth tasting, single handedly, and I got a chance to try many beers that I may not get again, most notably Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout, Black Tuesday, and Kate the Great. And a vertical of Dark Lord (08 - 10). And Fungus Teamungus. And Brown Recluse... the list goes on!
Mad props to Joe for sharing and hospitality! Here's the lineup:
Left to right: Bruery Mischief Gone Wild, FFF Dark Lord 08 - 10, Ballast Point Sculpin, Kern River Just Outstanding, Cigar City Papaya IPA, HoTD Blue Dot, Alpine Pure Hoppiness, Firestone Walker Double Jack, Williamsburg Alewerks Cafe Royale.
Left to right: Firestone Walker Abacus, Bruery Salt of the Earth and Barrel Aged Two Turtle Doves, Mother Earth Silent Night, Portsmouth Kate the Great 11, Weyerbacher Riserva, Russian River Consecration, Jackie O's Brown Recluse, Goose Island Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout, Bruery Black Tuesday, Kuhnhenn Imperial Crème Brûlée Java Stout (Growler), Dogfish Head/Beer Advocate Fungus Teamungus (Growler).
I could review only 2 beers at this tasting; later I reviewed Kate the Great 09 and Dark Knight. Here are the reviews:
Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout
Imperial Stout (aged for 2 years in Pappy van Winkle 23 yo barrels)Goose Island Beer Co.
13% ABV
60 IBUs
Bottle # 3580. Thanks Joe for the chance to try this beer! Poured into a tasting snifter.
Looks identical to its siblings (BCBS, Coffee, Vanilla) --- inky black, viscous, no head, no lacing. Yet pure awesome. More than a review, this is just comparison to the regular BCBS, and the most noticeable feature in this great brew is the *absence* of booze, at least in comparison to the regular.
Chocolate, more chocolate and spice (like a lightly spiced hot chocolate if I am making any sense), vanilla, dark fruit, and huge malts akin to a fine barleywine.
Fleeting tartness on a massive dry fruit and chocolate base. Long, rich, very luxurious, and still neither cloying, nor boozy. Perfect taste. Feels a tad sharper and thinner than regular BCBS and I suppose this is where the trade off lies --- the regular BCBS, fresh, is a monster that I find utterly undrinkable at room temperature. This one, although slightly less silky, is a
delight. By the old rating system, the drinkability is a perfect 5.
A great beer that I got to try because of Joe. I wonder though that how much does it differ from a well cellared 08 BCBS? Is it really worthy of the tag? I doubt it.
Is it good? Fuck yeah!
Appearance: 5/5; Aroma 4/5; Taste 5/5; Mouthfeel 4.5/5; Overall 4.5/5
The Bruery
~18% ABV
40 IBUs
Looks identical to its siblings (BCBS, Coffee, Vanilla) --- inky black, viscous, no head, no lacing. Yet pure awesome. More than a review, this is just comparison to the regular BCBS, and the most noticeable feature in this great brew is the *absence* of booze, at least in comparison to the regular.
Chocolate, more chocolate and spice (like a lightly spiced hot chocolate if I am making any sense), vanilla, dark fruit, and huge malts akin to a fine barleywine.
Fleeting tartness on a massive dry fruit and chocolate base. Long, rich, very luxurious, and still neither cloying, nor boozy. Perfect taste. Feels a tad sharper and thinner than regular BCBS and I suppose this is where the trade off lies --- the regular BCBS, fresh, is a monster that I find utterly undrinkable at room temperature. This one, although slightly less silky, is a
delight. By the old rating system, the drinkability is a perfect 5.
A great beer that I got to try because of Joe. I wonder though that how much does it differ from a well cellared 08 BCBS? Is it really worthy of the tag? I doubt it.
Is it good? Fuck yeah!
Appearance: 5/5; Aroma 4/5; Taste 5/5; Mouthfeel 4.5/5; Overall 4.5/5
Black Tuesday
Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels for over a yearThe Bruery
~18% ABV
40 IBUs
2010, I believe, shared very generously in a great tasting by Joe. Thanks! Poured into a tasting snifter.
Black Tuesday is, ironically, not "black" enough; frankly it belongs more in the -bal Barleywine/Strong Ale territory than among Imperial Stouts. Looks, smell, taste... on all counts.
The aroma is an overload of delicious things: vanilla, sweet booze, and tons of dark fruit. Very appealing, if a little rough.
The taste has a lot of bourbon, and more. Vanilla, obviously; and rum soaked dried dark fruit with plenty of bitter-sweet-tart darkness. Think prunes and raisins, but more complex and infinitely boozier.
I can't believe that this beer is appearing thin on the palate and I think that it has to be with the insanely high ABV. Even though it's clean, it's still very sweet. I am loving the taste but I am certainly not digging the mouthfeel, that is into the moderate strength liqueur territory.
A brewing achievement but not beer like; delicious nonetheless. I am very glad that I got to try it, and I don't think I could have without Joe's generosity. Thanks again!
Appearance: 4/5; Aroma 4/5; Taste 4.5/5; Mouthfeel 3/5; Overall 4/5
Kate the Great
Imperial Stout aged in Port wine barrelsPortsmouth Brewery
12% ABV
2009 poured into a snifter. Thanks drDogBeer. Also thanks to Joe for giving a taste of 2011. Review is of 2009.
Some people say that this was an infected batch; others say that it's merely a strong wine character. Either way, it is more tart than most beers of its kind.
Very dark but not black, with a dark brown head that eventually gives away to a nice and consistent ring. It's amazing that the roast survives in the aroma and taste, even though there are a plenty of other things going on --- dry fruit, specifically prunes and dates, and lot of wine. Tastes tart and sweet, bright with some coffee, but very very heavy on fruit. Liqueur-ish. Boozy but never interfering, and finishes with massive roast. Very layered with hints of chocolate at times.
There's a strange aftertaste that I don't quite like.
Mouthfeel is spot on; carbonation keeps the finish clean although I would prefer a longer finish. Overall very good, but a little too tart.
Some people say that this was an infected batch; others say that it's merely a strong wine character. Either way, it is more tart than most beers of its kind.
Very dark but not black, with a dark brown head that eventually gives away to a nice and consistent ring. It's amazing that the roast survives in the aroma and taste, even though there are a plenty of other things going on --- dry fruit, specifically prunes and dates, and lot of wine. Tastes tart and sweet, bright with some coffee, but very very heavy on fruit. Liqueur-ish. Boozy but never interfering, and finishes with massive roast. Very layered with hints of chocolate at times.
There's a strange aftertaste that I don't quite like.
Mouthfeel is spot on; carbonation keeps the finish clean although I would prefer a longer finish. Overall very good, but a little too tart.
Appearance: 4.5/5; Aroma 4/5; Taste 4/5; Mouthfeel 4.5/5; Overall 4/5
Dark Knight
Baltic Porter (and a lot more)Barley John's Brew Pub
"This double fermented porter was aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for exactly 1 year. Historically the strength has clocked in at 13-14% abv - this batch has not yet been tested. Huge roasted barley presence with a bourbon and oak finish. Served in 5.5oz pours."
5.5 oz, served in a wine glass, I think. It was dark outside so I cannot really comment on the finer details of the color that seems very dark brown to me. The beers looks very smooth and inky, with a tiny ring for head. Swirling forces some bubbles but mostly legs. This is a heavy hitter!
Vanilla, dark fruit, coconut, and massive bourbon in the aroma. This one is not very "coating" on the palate and relatively thin for a beer of its size. Quite bitter tasting, or shall I say not as sweet as I expected?
Mostly vanilla, oak (bourbon), hints of dark fruit, and massive roast. Strong on alcohol taste and very dry finishing because of roast and alcohol. A great marriage of roast and booze, this one feels like sipping Scotch, but with roast and extra bitterness.
Harsh at times, but enjoyable nonetheless. Every element of this monster is tainted by booze AND it's working as far as I am concerned! This is the thinnest and most dry barrel aged "dark" beer that I have had, and I am liking it. Recommended.
Appearance: 5/5; Aroma 4.5/5; Taste 4/5; Mouthfeel 4/5; Overall 4/5
5.5 oz, served in a wine glass, I think. It was dark outside so I cannot really comment on the finer details of the color that seems very dark brown to me. The beers looks very smooth and inky, with a tiny ring for head. Swirling forces some bubbles but mostly legs. This is a heavy hitter!
Vanilla, dark fruit, coconut, and massive bourbon in the aroma. This one is not very "coating" on the palate and relatively thin for a beer of its size. Quite bitter tasting, or shall I say not as sweet as I expected?
Mostly vanilla, oak (bourbon), hints of dark fruit, and massive roast. Strong on alcohol taste and very dry finishing because of roast and alcohol. A great marriage of roast and booze, this one feels like sipping Scotch, but with roast and extra bitterness.
Harsh at times, but enjoyable nonetheless. Every element of this monster is tainted by booze AND it's working as far as I am concerned! This is the thinnest and most dry barrel aged "dark" beer that I have had, and I am liking it. Recommended.
Appearance: 5/5; Aroma 4.5/5; Taste 4/5; Mouthfeel 4/5; Overall 4/5
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