Imperial Stout

Half Acre Big Hugs 2016 releases in December

Half Acre Big Hugs Imperial Stout 2016 is coming in December. 2016 marks the 8th release of this imperial stout.

The imperial stout hails from Chicago, and so does the Dark Matter Coffee used in this well-known creation. Half Acre calls Big Hugs a thug. We call Continue Reading →

Perennial Sump will return in January, 2017

Perennial Artisan Ales Sump Coffee Stout returns again in January, 2017.

Sump is an imperial stout brewed with local coffee roaster Sump Coffee. The St. Louis, Missouri based brewery mentioned today that fans can expect the next round at the start of Continue Reading →

Posted in Half Acre Brewing, Coming Soon

Half Acre Big Hugs with Coffee and Vanilla coming in December

Half Acre Big Hugs with Coffee and Vanilla will join the brewery’s lineup alongside the annual Big Hugs release.

2016 marks the 8th release of Big Hugs, an imperial stout brewed with Dark Matter Coffee. As an added treat, the Chicago based brewery will release an edition with extra vanilla – aka Half Acre Big Hugs with Coffee and Vanilla.

22 ounce bottles will be available at the brewery on December 11th, 2016. $14 per bottle.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee, Vanilla Beans.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Brewery only.
Debut: 12/11/16

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Victory Brewing Company, Seasonal Return

Victory Java Cask returns nationally (if it’s legal where you are)

Victory Java Cask will return this year on Black Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016.

Victory Java Cask is a coffee based beer, brewed in collaboration with Philadelphia based bar, restaurant and music venue, Johnny Brendas. The beer was additionally aged in bourbon barrels. A picture the brewery posted to Instagram mentioned the beer has been pulled from said barrels and blended.

Victory Java Cask debuted last year on Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 (aka “Dark Wednesday”). It returns again on Dark Wednesday 2016. This year will also debut Java Cask Rye.

This year however, it will then be available in Victory’s distribution states that allow over 14% ABV beer. Due to its high alcohol by volume, the beer can’t be sold in 4 of the brewery’s distribution states.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Barrel Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft
Release: November 23rd, 2016

14.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Victory Brewing Company, New Releases

Victory Java Cask Rye debuts on “Dark Wednesday”

Last year, Victory Brewing Company released Java Cask, a coffee bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout. It was nothing short of amazing. It picked right up where Dark Intrigue left off. Now, Victory Java Cask Rye will soon wow its fans as well.

Victory Java Cask Rye is described the same as it’s boozy predecessor, but this time featuring rye whiskey barrels. This release will join Java Cask as a part of the brewery’s “Dark Wednesday” event on November 23rd.

Bad news first. Java Cask Rye will be available exclusively at Victory brewpubs (Downingtown, Parkesburg, and Kennett Square, PA). The good news – Java Cask starts shipping nationally to the brewery’s distribution footprint, as long as your state allows for beers over 14% alcohol by volume.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Barrel Aged. Rye Whiskey.)

Availability: 750ml Bottles
Debut: 11/23/16

14.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Half Acre Brewing, Headlines

Half Acre Big Hugs 2016 releases in December

Half Acre Big Hugs Imperial Stout 2016 is coming in December. 2016 marks the 8th release of this imperial stout.

The imperial stout hails from Chicago, and so does the Dark Matter Coffee used in this well-known creation. Half Acre calls Big Hugs a thug. We call it delicious.

…Big Hugs has grappled with natural order and twisted the pillars of existence. While you hang in the balance, steal time to sit steady and spill this black rumble into your center. Big Hugs Imperial Stout is liquid char scraped from the bowels of eternity, soaked with the free spirit of an adolescent feline. Heed him and rejoice.

Half Acre Big Hugs Imperial Stout 2016 will be available in 22 ounce bottles and draft at the brewery starting on December 11th, 2016.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee)
Availability: 22oz Bombers, Draft. Limited seasonal release.
Latest Release: 12/11/16

10% ABV

Check out the artwork from previous Big Hugs releases…

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cigar City Brewing, Headlines

Dessert: Cigar City Vanilla Hazelnut Marshal Zhukov’s debuts this week

Cigar City Vanilla Hazelnut Marshal Zhukov debuts on November 23rd. Even this guy loves desserts.

If the Tampa, Florida based brewery is known for just two beers, they would be Hunaphu and Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout. Both are imperial stouts. Both very different.

Zhukov is the Russian imperial stout. A big, chewy imperial stout that pours like 40 weight motor oil. Tastes like espresso and molasses. Tomorrow, the Marshal is being treated to dessert with the release of Cigar City Vanilla Hazelnut Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout.

That big imperial stout has been spiked with hazelnut and vanilla beans, resulting in a dessert beer fitting for the coldest Russian winter. Or Florida.

22-ounce bottles of Cigar City Vanilla Hazelnut Marshal Zhukov’s will be available at the brewery’s Fermentorium, starting at 9 am. $20 each.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Hazelnuts, Vanilla Beans.)
Availablity: 22oz Bottles. Limited.
Debut: 11/23/16

11.5% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Dogfish Head, Seasonal Return

Dogfish Head World Wide Stout releases this November

Dogfish Head World Wide Stout will return to the 2016 lineup this November. Brewed for the first time in 1999, World Wide Stout was truncated from the 2012 lineup thanks to brewing constraints prior to expanding the Milton production facility. However, it returned to the lineup in 2013. This year it will release November of 2016.

Taste: As a beer brewed with a lot of barley, you can expect a roasted malt profile with subtle coffee notes. Dogfish Head also highly suggests aging this beer as it gets better over time. Aged World Wide Stout loses some of the burn of the high ABV and the more complex flavor profile shines.

The brewery touts this beer at somewhere between 15% to 20% alcohol by volume. That means this beast may not been legal for sale in your state.

Style: Imperial Stout
Availability: 12oz bottles, Draft
Release: November, 2016

15% ABV, 70 IBUS

Image: Dogfish Head

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Perennial Artisan Ales, Coming Soon

Perennial Sump will return in January, 2017

Perennial Artisan Ales Sump Coffee Stout returns again in January, 2017.

Sump is an imperial stout brewed with local coffee roaster Sump Coffee. The St. Louis, Missouri based brewery mentioned today that fans can expect the next round at the start of the new year.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee.)
Availability: 750ml bottles.
Next Return: January, 2017

10.5% ABV

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by Reid Ramsay