Imperial Stout

Wicked Weed Dark Arts 2016: Rum aged

Wicked Weed Dark Arts, an American wild, barrel aged, imperial stout, returns again in October. This monstrous beer is an annual release, and 2016 marks just the third appearance.

Wicked Weed Dark Arts is brewed right up to the North Carolina alcohol cap of 15%. The Continue Reading →

Molé Beer: Weyerbacher Sunday Mole Stout

Weyerbacher Sunday Mole Stout is a new imperial stout with a twist, joining the Pennsylvania brewery’s arsenal.

The foundation for this beer is the same imperial stout found in Sunday Morning Stout, minus the barrel aging. The stout has been nuanced with cocoa nibs Continue Reading →

Posted in Goose Island Brewing, Coming Soon

Goose Island Bourbon County Maple Rye Stout has been left to age

Goose Island Bourbon County Maple Rye Stout will not be a part of the brewery’s Bourbon County Series this year. The brewery will be leaving it to age in barrels longer.

The Bourbon County Series returns on Black Friday each year. In recent years the lineup has expanded with a few new variants. Among those Proprietor’s edition aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels, to be released solely in Chicago. The 2016 lineup will include Bourbon County Stout, Bourbon County Barleywine, and Bourbon County Coffee Stout.

After a few barrel pulls, the brewing team has determined Goose Island Bourbon County Maple Rye Stout won’t be ready for the light of day in 2016. The beer needs more time before considering whether to release it.

This edition features the base imperial stout, aged in both bourbon and rye whiskey barrels with maple syrup, cacao nibs, and chipotle peppers. When and if it will ever be released remains to be seen.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Maple Syrup, Cacao Nibs, Chipotle Chili Peppers. Barrel Aged. Rye Whiskey.)
Availability:
Debut: No Date Set

13% ABV

Ed note: Corrected the barrels used in Proprietor’s 2016 to reflect bourbon. 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Goose Island Brewing, Don't Miss This

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s early? Join this lottery

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s 2016 will be available to a select few a week early this year. All you have to do is win the lottery.

Next month marks the return of Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout nationally, hitting taps and shelves on while everyone shops on the infamous Black Friday. Those located in Chicago get an extra treat – Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s. Available in Chi-town on one day only.

Beginning October 18th and running through Tuesday, October 25th, Goose Island will run a lottery. Winners selected by the system will get two tickets for the Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s release. Each ticket will allow the guest to purchase 1 bottle of Proprietor’s, as well as select Bourbon County vintages, as well as attend the celebration in the Barrel Warehouse. You can entry the lottery once per day.

About this year’s Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s.

This year’s edition will not feature scotch whisky barrels. The brewery has whisky barrels, but opted to go the traditional bourbon route for 2016. BCBS “Prop” features the imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels that previously aged maple syrup, along with chipotle peppers and cocoa nibs.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Proprietor’s is only available on Black Friday in Chicago.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Chipotle Peppers, Cocoa Nibs, Maple Syrup. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16.9oz Bottles. Limited.
Debut: Black Friday, 2016

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, NoDa Brewing

NoDa Monstro is back after two years, now in cans

NoDa Monstro, the Charlotte, North Carolina’s barrel-aged imperial stout, will return once again. This time in cans.

The first release of NoDa Monstro was in 2014. The stout was aged in Pappy van Winkle barrels. In 2016, the barrel of choice is Heaven Hill.

Neptune said to the sea these should be a terrible Monstro, born from its deepest depths. It should be stout with the strength of a whale. this is that beer… of toasted barley mass, rounded out by the vanillas, molasses and oak of bourbon barrel aging. Enjoy the deep.

NoDa Monstro will be available at a special tap room release on October 23rd at the brewery in Charlotte in 16 ounce cans. The brewery is deciding on limits and price at the time of this article.

Style: Imperial Stout. (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans
Latest Return: 10/23/16

11.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Wicked Weed Brewing Co

Wicked Weed Dark Arts 2016: Rum aged

Wicked Weed Dark Arts, an American wild, barrel aged, imperial stout, returns again in October. This monstrous beer is an annual release, and 2016 marks just the third appearance.

Wicked Weed Dark Arts is brewed right up to the North Carolina alcohol cap of 15%. The 2014 edition was aged in bourbon, 2015 in tequila, and 2016 is aged in rum barrels. 

A barrel-aged imperial stout of such a high alcohol content can be cloyingly sweet. Head of brewing operations, Walt Dickinson, uses Brettanomyces yeast to cut down on the sweetness and dry out the beer. Wicked Weed Dark Arts is typically brewed in late summer/fall, and racked to barrels for nearly a year.

When you think about really good spirits, they are innately dry (not sweet) and without residual sugar,” adds Walt, Head of Brewing Operations. “Barrel aged stouts can be cloyingly sweet, but because we use brett, Dark Arts is a dry beer. Any residual sugar not usually consumed by traditional brewers yeast will be consumed by the brett and you won’t have to fight through too much sweetness.”

Wicked Weed Dark Arts Wild Imperial Stout will be available in 16.9 ounce bottles starting October 21st. A coffee variant, Dark Arts Espresso, will be available as well on the same day.

Style: American Wild Ale  (Barrel aged. Rum.)
Availability: 16.9oz Bottles, Draft.
Arrival: 10/21/16

15% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Holland Brewing, Don't Miss This, Seasonal Return

One of the best variants: New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Vanilla Chai returns

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Vanilla Chai returns to shelves once again in October, 2016. Part of the Dragon’s Milk Reserve Series.

The Michigan based brewery started releasing variants of their wildly popular year-round imperial stout in 2015. Editions include Raspberries, Chocolate & Coffee, & Toasted Chilies. One of the best they’ve ever done?  New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Vanilla Chai.

Chai is the imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels for three months, with vanilla chai spice. We throw the term “boozy dessert” around frequently here. You will find it in this variant of Dragon’s Milk. The beer is layered in creamy chocolate, with vanilla from both the bourbon and vanilla chai. Clay Cooper, the brewery’s national sales director, mentions mixing with New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale, saying: “It’s pretty damn delish.”

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Vanilla Chai can be found again in 12 ounce bottles starting in October, 2016.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla Chai Spice. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Hops: Glacier, Nugget
Malts: 2 Row, Munich, Caramel, Crystal, Black, Chocolate, Flaked Barley

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Seasonal release
Latest Return: October 2016

11% ABV, 31 IBUs

Image: Beer Street Journal 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Terrapin Beer Company, Coming Soon, Headlines

Terrapin Tart Cherry Wake-n-Bake to join Special Reserve Series

Terrapin Tart Cherry Wake-n-Bake, a new entry in the brewery’s Special Reserve Series.

The base beer is an oatmeal imperial stout, brewed with a special coffee blend from Athen’s, Georgia roaster Jittery Joes. (The coffee blend is actually available for purchase as well.)  The brewery has spiked the stout with Montmorency cherry juice.

When life gives us cherries, we make “Tart Cherry W-n-B.” Brewed with real Montmorency cherry juice from the USA, and freshly roasted “Wake and Bake” coffee from Jittery Joe’s, this version of our classic Coffee Oatmeal Stout takes on an impeccable fruit forward dimension.

Other editions of Wake-n-Bake include Cinnamon Roll’d, that has been released a few times in the past, as well as French Toast W-n-B.  This year, the brewery will can the base Wake-n-Bake for the first time.

Terrapin Tart Cherry Wake-n-Bake will be a 22 ounce bottle and draft release in December, 2016.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Cherries.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: December, 2016

9.4% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Weyerbacher, New Releases

Molé Beer: Weyerbacher Sunday Mole Stout

Weyerbacher Sunday Mole Stout is a new imperial stout with a twist, joining the Pennsylvania brewery’s arsenal.

The foundation for this beer is the same imperial stout found in Sunday Morning Stout, minus the barrel aging. The stout has been nuanced with cocoa nibs and powder, cinnamon, a big pepper blend, and coffee. The end result is a beer that resembles traditional molé: coffee, chocolate heat, and a hint of smoke.

This brew captures everything you’d expect from a traditional molé – coffee, chocolate, heat and smokiness.

Weyerbacher Sunday Mole Stout is available in 12 ounce bottles.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee, Chocolate, Chili Peppers, Cinnamon)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: September, 2016

11.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay