Topic Archives: Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt Rides Again with Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout
There is no doubt that home brewer Ken Schmidt is a champ. Why? This is his second collaboration with Stone Brewing Co., after winning the the American Homebrewers Rally in San Diego, CA. His first collaboration (Kona Coffee Macadamia Nut Coconut Porter) was brewed with Stone, Maui, and himself. This above Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout swaps Maui for Iron Fist Brewing. This is the 15th edition in Stone’s collaboration series.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ken Schmidt is one of the most creative brewers in the San Diego area. Thus, it is no surprise that he won (for the second time) our annual March Madness Homebrew Competition and AHA Rally. His winning beer is exquisitely well-crafted with amazing chocolate and mint flavors, and was, quite frankly, a challenge for us to replicate on our own system. But, given our past success with Ken’s first beer, and by enlisting the help of Brandon Sieminski from Iron Fist, I’m sure we’ve nailed it: a lusciously smooth imperial oatmeal stout teeming with cocoa and mint. This is one to enjoy now as an after-dinner sipper, or to cellar for several years. — Mitch Steele
Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Chocolate, Mint)
Availability: 12 oz bottles, limited Draft.
Arrival: TBA
9.6% ABV
Read more: Stone Brewing Co, Collaborations
Quingenti Millilitre Series, Release #1
So Stone Brewing announced they are barrel aging. The “Quingenti Millilitre” coming soon, with this beer kicking it all off. Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter. A collaboration between Maui Brewing, Stone, and home brewer Ken Schmidt. The beer was released late 2009 in 12 ounce bottles by Stone. This revamped version finds the coconut porter aging in bourbon barrels
Label:
What a great beer for our very first release of our new 500ml bottle size! We’re reserving this bottle for occasional limited releases of very special beers, and there’s no question that the Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Bourbon Barrel Aged Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter qualifies as just such. A while ago, we secretly squirreled away two oak barrels of this beer for a year+ nap and some resulting bourbonification.It’s cool to reflect on the fact that our now-yearly collaborations with local homebrewers are not just an acknowledgement of the amazing homebrew scene here in SoCal, but of our own homebrewing roots. Steve was quite an accomplished homebrewer when I met him in the early 90’s, and I think together we’ve accomplished quite a lot between then and today!
As our head brewer, Mitch, can attest, this beer was not easy to make (the sheer volume of the fancy ingredients alone was a bear), and the wait has been long for the barrel-aged version, but worth it. I look forward to relaxing at home with it — maybe on now, and one in a few more years! Cheers from me, Steve, Mitch, Ken, Garret and the entire Stone Team!
Availability: 500 ml bottles, corked & caged. 1st edition brewery only release
9% ABV
