The Unknown Brewing Co.
Charlotte, NC
Amazing beer name: Unknown Brewing Dos AKs
Probably one of the best beer names we’ve heard all year. Unknown Brewing Dos AKs.
We’ve spent time around Charlotte, North Carolina’s Unknown Brewing. One fact most assuredly comes to mind. They are weird. We mean that in the most endearing way. So many folks take beer so damn seriously. Unknown just loves being a part of the industry.
More on the weird situation. Unknown’s Day of the Dead Beer Series has seen the likes of La Jordana del Escorpion en Fuego Hacia la casa del Chupacabra muerto, a beer brewed with 99 food-grade scorpions, and “El Corazon Que Sangra Morado”, or “The Heart That Bleeds Purple.” Continuing down that tasty, odd ball path is Unknown Brewing Dos AKs.
Even before we explain the beer, we can’t we but giggle a little bit with the name. Say it a few times out loud and you’ll start to get it. (HINT: Stay thirsty my friends.) The base beer is an imperial stout, fermented with a blend of ale and Mexican lager yeast. Those two yeasts ferment at entirely two different temperatures, resulting in a blend of flavors.
Additionally, the beer features cacao nibs, chipotle peppers, poblano peppers, and cinnamon. The specialty grains used mimic the favor of raisins. The brewery even brewed the beer with mariachi music in the background. It’s brewing. They damn sure have fun with it.
Flavor. This isn’t your run of the mill stout, there is a lot going on. Chocolate, cinnamon, and a touch of smoke from the chipotle peppers. Try it with some vanilla ice cream.
Unknown Brewing Dos AKs is available in 22 ounce bottles and draft starting November 2nd, 2016.
Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Cinnamon, Cocoa Nibs, Chili Peppers, Coriander.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: 11/2/16
9.2% ABV
PIC: Beer Street Journal
Unknown Brewing 2.5 features bourbon & fruit
Unknown Brewing 2.5 (ish) is the second release in the Charlotte, North Carolina based brewery’s on going Anniversary Series.
Last year, brewery founder Brad Schell realized at one point that he had completely forgotten the brewery’s first birthday. (Owning a burgeoning brewery will do that.) If you know anything about Schell and well, the whole brewery’s less than normal mentality, then you’ll fully understand his next move. Throw a 1.5 ish birthday party. And… do it again next year.
Unknown Brewing 2.5 is hitting shelves in North Carolina. South Carolina, and Georgia. The beer is a blend of both a Belgian-style red ale, and a Belgian-style golden ale, aged in bourbon barrels with apricots, blackberries, and cherries. Truly a party in a bottle. Last years is pictured on the left in the image above.
Unknown Brewing 2.5 is a limited 22 ounce bottle offering.
Style: Belgian-Style Strong Ale (w/ Blackberries, Apricots, Cherries. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited.
Debut: June/July, 2016
9% ABV
Unknown Hospitali-tea, a tea laden amber ale returns
Unknown Hospitali-tea has return once again to the brewery’s lineup.
It’s the south, and sweet tea is king. The Charlotte, North Carolina based brewery created a caramel malt heavy amber ale, and added black tea leaves and orange blossom honey. The hops mimic lemons. The result? A boozy sweet tea style beer
Made with black tea leaves and sweet orange blossom honey, this beer is on the lighter side with great caramel malts. The finish of sweet tea and hops provide a new floral lemon aroma. Plain and simple, Hospitali-tea is refreshing.
Unknown Hospitali-tea is a 12 once can and draft offering for the summer.
Style: Amber Ale (w/ Black Tea, Honey)
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Return: June, 2016
?? ABV
Unknown Brewing Dirty Commie Heathen makes a 2nd appearance
Unknown Brewing Dirty Commie Heathen is making a second appearance at the end of the month. Last year’s release was very successful.
Unknown Brewing Dirty Commie Heathen is a Russian Imperial Stout that features over 4,000 pounds of grain used in the brewing process, Michigan tart cherries, and is aged with bourbon barrels. The 2016 recipe was dialed in a little more to the brewery’s liking.
Owner and Head Brewer Brad Shell is extremely happy with this years offering. This is only the second time ever this beer has been brewed and after last year Brad was able to make small tweaks to make it even better. Brad says, “This years Commie turned out amazing and I think people should hurry up and buy it before I drink it all!”
Unknown Brewing Dirty Commie Heathen will be available in 22oz bottles. The brewery recently added Atlanta, Georgia distribution. The state can expect this beer as well.
Other interesting bottle releases by the brewery include a lager brewed with 99 scorpions, and Vehopciraptor Double IPA.
Style: Russian Imperial Stout (w/ Cherries. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Return: 1/30/16
12.4% ABV
Unknown & 7th Sun Brewing hate clowns, brew with cotton candy
The Unknown Brewing Company and 7venth Sun Brewing have a new collaboration they will release Thursday – Rise Against Clowns.
The portion of the population that hates clowns have something to love with this collaboration. Unknown Rise Against Clowns is barrel aged American wild ale, brewed with blood oranges, and cotton candy. Yes, cotton candy.
The blood oranges give it a pop of citrus flavor and the cotton candy gets fermented out leaving a subtle vanilla finish. The end result is like a Brett orange creamsicle.
Unknown/7th Sun Rise Against Clowns is a 750 milliliter bottle release. On sale in the Unknown tap room on October 15th, and other North Carolina locations the following week.
Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Blood Orange. Barrel Aged)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. North Carolina only.
Release: 10/15/15
6.6% ABV
Unknown Brewing Pre Game Session Ale Coming to Cans
The Unknown Brewing Company (Charlotte, NC) looks can one of their lower alcohol offerings, Pre Game Session Ale.
While craft beer easily made 7%+ a average ABV range, the more sessionable offerings are on fire right now.
Today is going to be a big day. It may be a tailgate. A pontoon party. A wedding or running with the bulls. It’s time to Pre-Game!
Unknown launched canned offerings last year, with Over the Edge IPA. Unknown Pre-Game is already available on draft.
Style: Pale Ale
Availability: Draft (Year-round.) 12oz Cans (Soon)
Can release: TBA
4.5% ABV
Read more: The Unknown Brewing Co.
Unknown Brewing Orders Canning Line, Silverback Stout to Return
Update: in 2017, Silverback Stout will be known as Venture Stout.
Last year, The Unknown Brewing Company (Charlotte, NC) released a one-off called Silverback American Stout. The beer was immediately popular.
The beer is stout brewed with seven different grains, and all west coast hops. Unknown Silverback is full of piney hops and chocolate flavors.
“We’re pretty happy about this one. Love this beer and the package is bad ass”, said Brad Shell, brewery owner.
With this can release pending (and a very successful launch of Over the Edge IPA cans) the brewery has ordered their own canning line. Silverback will be first down the line.
Unknown hopes to have cans on shelves in January, 2015.
