Imperial Stout

Bell’s Black Note is back. Good luck.

Bell’s Black Note, the brewery’s bourbon barrel aged imperial stout, has made a 2016 return.

Beside’s Hopslam, Bell’s Black Note is one of the brewery’s most sought after beers. The beer blends the best parts of the brewery’s Expedition Stout, with the Continue Reading →

Posted in Boulevard Brewing, Don't Miss This

New stout cocktail: Boulevard Imperial Stout X Manhattan

Boulevard Imperial Stout X Manhattan is ready to join the brewery’s Smokestack Series.

Recently, the Kansas City, Missouri based brewery expanded their well-known Smokestack Series to include a few entries with new treatments. The most recent example – Rye-on-Rye Sazerac. (Brewed to mimic the cocktail.)

Boulevard Imperial Stout X Manhattan incorporate the base imperial stout, aged in Jefferson’s Manhattan barrels, that were used age the cocktail

As a special treat for lovers of big, complex stouts, Boulevard Brewing Company offers the 2016 Imperial Stout “X” series. The “X” factor stands for key variables added to each of several different limited releases throughout the year. This batch was aged in cooperage that had been used to barrel finish Jefferson’s Manhattan cocktail, boding k an oaky/vanilla character with notes of earthy spice.

On shelves now is a sazerac inspired edition of Rye-on-Rye, also a part of the Smokestack Series.

Boulevard Imperial Stout X Manhattan is a 750 milliliter bottle release.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Debut: Late August, 2016

14.4% ABV

Ed note: The alcohol by volume may prohibit distribution in some states. Image: Boulevard Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Boulevard Brewing, New Releases

Branding Update: Boulevard Dark Truth Stout

Boulevard Dark Truth Stout will be sporting a new look next time you see it.

The year-round imperial stout has been a staple for the Kansas City based brewery for years. The new labels are slowly rolling out into the market now, seen on Funky Pumpkin, and Bourbon Barrel Quad (recently changed to 12 ounce bottles).

Layers of complex flavors slowly emerge from the glass: espresso, roasted fig, crème brulée. Belgian yeast provides a plum-like fruitiness, noble German hops reveal spicy, herbal notes, while the rich, velvety mouthfeel mellows to a dry, smoky finish.

Boulevard Dark Truth Stout is available in 12 ounce bottles, no draft.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Brown Sugar)
Hops: Magnum, Zeus, Citra, Perle
Malts: Pale Malt, Amber 50, Cara 120, Cara 300, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Chocolate Rye, Malted Rye, Malted Wheat, Honey Naked Oats, Flaked Oats

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Year-round

9.7% ABV

Image: Boulevard Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Evil Twin Brewing, Don't Miss This

Check this: Evil Twin Bourbon Maple Syrup Barrel Aged Imperial Biscotti Break

Evil Twin Bourbon Maple Syrup Barrel Aged Imperial Biscotti Break sounds a bit crazy right?  Well, it’s coming. Soon.

Evil Twin teased the upcoming release today – not revealing the whole label, but you can obviously tell what this beer is, and it’s a doozy.

The series began with Imperial Biscotti Break, an imperial stout that mimics the dessert, brewed with almond, vanilla, and coffee. Variants have also included an edition with cherries, Barrel Aged Biscotti Break, and Pappy Biscotti Break (aged in Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon barrels).

This edition finds this well loved imperial stout, aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. (The same kind of barrel that makes Founders CBS a beer geek wet dream.)

Evil Twin Bourbon Maple Syrup Barrel Aged Imperial Biscotti Break will be either a 22 ounce bottle or 16 ounce can release.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla Beans, Coffee, Almonds. Maple Syrup. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability:
Debut: TBA

11.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, Don't Miss This

Bell’s Black Note is back. Good luck.

Bell’s Black Note, the brewery’s bourbon barrel aged imperial stout, has made a 2016 return.

Beside’s Hopslam, Bell’s Black Note is one of the brewery’s most sought after beers. The beer blends the best parts of the brewery’s Expedition Stout, with the creamy flavor of Double Cream Stout, plus the added gift of bourbon barrel aging.

The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso and dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel.

Bell’s Black Note is available in 12 ounce bottles. The release is extremely limited. Be nice to your local Bell’s rep.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged)
Availabilty: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Very limited.
Latest Return: Late July, 2016

11.5% ABV

Image: Community Tap

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Flat 12 Bierwerks, New Releases

Flat12 Pinko! returns in 8 ounce “stubbies”

Flat12 Pinko! debuts this month in 8 ounce “stubby” cans.

This Russian imperial stout makes an appearance twice each year. Once in July for the brewery’s Christmas in July, and again in November. The imperial stout pushes 11% alcohol by volume, that’s big on chocolate and coffee flavor.

RELATED: Flat12 Cucumber Kolsch hits cans

The rich stout flavor features a slight smokiness and sweet hints of molasses and toffee. Brewed to age. Brewed for barrels. In Soviet Russia, you don’t drink Imperial Stouts, Imperial Stouts drink you.

Flat12 Pinko! is a draft and 8 ounce can offering. Next time you’ll see it, it will be football season.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Availability: 8oz Cans (New), Draft. Limited seasonal
Debut (Cans): Mid-July, 2016

10.5% ABV, 86 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Goose Island Brewing, Headlines

Goose Island Proprietor’s could feature scotch whisky barrels

Goose Island Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout is a variant of the brewery’s widely known barrel-aged series, and may feature new barrel aging in its 2016 release.

In 2015, Goose Island Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout incorporated bourbon barrel-aging, plus maple, toasted pecans and Guajilo peppers. In the 2014 and 2013 releases, the barrels were rye whiskey.

It is important to note, that according to Goose Island the final barrels/blend for Proprietor’s Bourbon County have not been chosen. For now, it seems to be the direction the wind is blowing.

A Scotch whiskey variant is a new spin on this ever-evolving brand extension. Scotch barrels definitely bring a different kind of flavor profile into the mix. Depending on the scotch barrels, the resulting beer could be quite peaty and smoky (Scotch like Lagavulin and Islay). Single malts from producers like Speyside are a lighter, even slightly sweeter flavor.

The Proprietor’s release is designed as gift for the Chicago local and loyal. It’s meant to be a little weird, and fun. Scotch barrels are a new twist.

That is. If Goose Island uses them.

Variants of Proprietors include: 

2014 variant – Made in Rye barrels with Cassia Bark, Cocoa Nibs, Panela and Coconut Water
2013 variant – Rye Whiskey Barrels with Toasted Coconut

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Southern Tier Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Southern Tier Salted Caramel smells and tastes like dessert

Southern Tier Salted Caramel has joined the brewery’s ongoing Blackwater Series. The series is known for beers like Creme Brûlée, and Choklot.

Salted Caramel takes a base imperial milk stout (brewed with lactose), Himalayan pink sea salt, and caramelized sugar to mimic the flavor of the candy. Much like other beers in the Blackwater Series, this dessert beer finishes at 10% alcohol by volume.

Recently, the brewery started moving these big stouts into 12 ounce bottles. Southern Tier Salted Caramel follows that 12 ounce, 4-pack trend.

How does it taste? The name pretty much says it all. Creme Brûlée smells and tastes like a boozy, beer incarnate of the dessert. Salted Caramel smells like caramel, and tastes like a sweet, roasted malt/caramel-y imperial stout with a touch of salt. Find yourself a big glass and some vanilla ice cream.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Pink Sea Salt, Caramelized Sugar.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Release: June, 2016 (Bottles hitting markets in July)

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay