Imperial Stout

First Look: Surly Darkness 2014

The artwork for Surly Darkness changes every year. In keeping with the theme, each offering is dark, just like the much sought after beer.

The 2014 artwork is a creation of Erica Williams. The beer, that’s Surly’s Russian imperial stout, and Continue Reading →

Posted in Hi Wire Brewing, New Releases

Hi-Wire Barrel Ages Imperial Stout in Multiple Barrels

Hi-Wire Brewing (Asheville, NC) has a new addition to their Ringmaster’s Reserve Series – Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout. The series features special barrel aged and imperial one-off beers.

This Russian imperial stout wasn’t just aged in one style of oak. Barrel Aged Russian was aged on a variety of select oak barrels. Napa Valley Zinfandel, Kentucky Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and North Carolina Dark Rum casks.

Look for Hi-Wire Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout will be available the day before Brewgrass on Friday, September 19th, at 2 pm in the tap room. Limited distribution shortly after.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon, Whiskey, Rum. Wine Aged.)
Availability: 22oz bombers
Arrival: 9/19/2014

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Goose Island Brewing, Headlines

First Look: Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Rye

Goose Island Brewing (Chicago, IL ) preparing for the 2014 round of Bourbon County offerings. This year will see the release of a previous offering (or, at least a bit of a rendition of) Bourbon County Vanilla- Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Rye.

It was 2010 when Goose Island released Bourbon County Vanilla. While that edition featured the base imperial stout, aged in Heaven Hill barrels with vanilla beans, this coming edition features the use of rye whiskey barrels. Two pounds of Mexican vanilla beans are in each barrel, sourced from four different distilleries.

We first bottled this beer at the countless requests of festival-goers who first tasted it. However, when that last bottle of Vanilla BCBS was was grabbed off the shelves four years ago, you needed more. We heard you in the brewery, at festivals, and where there was an open ear. Well, you weren’t alone. To be honest, we needed more too. We couldn’t be happier to make this beer again, and most of all, drink it with you once more. 

The full Bourbon County line will include:

Barleywine

Bourbon County Brand Stout

Proprietor’s Reserve

Coffee 

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla Beans. Barrel Aged. Rye Bourbon)
Availability: 22oz bombers
Arrival: November 28th, 2014

13% ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Headlines

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin 2014: Sept 15th

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin 2014. This bourbon barrel aged oatmeal stout is touted by the brewery to be one of the best vintages yet.

“We let our hair down with the 2014 Velvet Merkin and changed up the barrel mix a bit compared to previous vintages,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Velvet Merkin has always had this signature milk chocolate character, but now the vanilla notes are more pronounced as well. We’re pretty stoked on this vintage.”

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin 2014 is a blend of Rittenhouse Rye, Elijah Craig, and Woodford Reserve barrels. The average is about a year in all the barrels.

Look for Firestone Walker in 22oz bombers, in fancy boxes for about $16.99 in select U.S. markets.

Style: Oatmeal Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 22oz Bombers.
Arrival: September 15th, 2014

8.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Clown Shoes Brewing, Coming Soon

Clown Shoes Holds an “Exorcism at Sunset”

Clown Shoes Beer (Ipswich, MA) is teaming up with Sunset Grill & Bar in Boston for a boozy special release

Clown Shoes Exorcism at Sunset is the brewery’s 11% imperial stout Undead Party Crasher, aged 100% in bourbon barrels. 22oz bottles, home state release only.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bombers. MA only.

11%+ ABV

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

Goose Island Vanilla Rye Bourbon County This Year

Goose Island Brewing (Chicago, IL ) preparing for the 2014 round of Bourbon County offerings. This year will see the re-release of one offering (or, at least a bit of a rendition of) a highly touted Bourbon County edition, Bourbon County Vanilla Rye.

It was 2010 when Goose Island released Bourbon County Vanilla. While that edition featured the base imperial stout, aged in Heaven Hill barrels with vanilla beans, this coming edition features the use of rye whiskey barrels. Two pounds of Mexican vanilla beans are in each barrel, sourced from four different distilleries.

The full Bourbon County line will include:

Barleywine

Bourbon County Brand Stout

Proprietor’s Reserve

Coffee 

Typically, the brewery releases these offerings on Black Friday. To save you some time, that’s November 28th, 2014

More to follow closer to release date…

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Headlines, Surly Brewing

First Look: Surly Darkness 2014

The artwork for Surly Darkness changes every year. In keeping with the theme, each offering is dark, just like the much sought after beer.

The 2014 artwork is a creation of Erica Williams. The beer, that’s Surly’s Russian imperial stout, and in oak barrels. Wicked good indeed.

The legendary Harpy tortured unwary travelers by stealing their precious food and drink This year’s cruel creature defends her cauldron of Darkness with razor claws and a dead stare of malevolence. Don’t mess with her Darkness. She’s hoarding this massively opaque barrel aged Stout screaming with notes of chocolate. coffee. dried tart cherries, vanilla. rye whisky and raisins. The thick holy of this Russian Imperial Stout finishes sweet, with a piney resinous hop character. Dare if you will to open the bottle and steal from the imagination of our 2014 Darkness artist, Erica Williams.

Surly Darkness 2014 will be released in 22oz bombers at a brewery event on October 25th.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged)
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe
Malts: Pale Ale, Golden Promise, Crystal, Dark Crystal, Oats, Black, Chocolate, Roast

Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft
Arrival: 10/25/14

9.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, New Releases, Saint Arnold Brewing

Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel #7 Hits

Saint Arnold Brewing Co. (Houston, TX) Bishop’s Barrel No. 7 arrives today. This 7th release in the series is an imperial stout that spent 11 months in bourbon barrels.

It was more than a year ago that Bishop Barrel 7 was brewed. In June of 2013, Saint Arnold transferred it to Woodford Reserve barrels where waited patiently.

But first there is Bishop’s Barrel No. 7, a bourbon barrel Imperial Stout that pours a deep black with rich notes of bourbon and chocolate.  The grain bill for Bishop’s Barrel No. 7 is slightly different than for Bishop’s Barrel No. 1 and Bishop’s Barrel No. 3 (also both bourbon barrel Imperial Stouts) resulting in a slightly sweeter, rounder character to the beer.

Saint Arnold Bishop Barrel 7 is very limited, and only available in Texas and Louisiana.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. TX & LA

11% ABV, 49 IBUs

Previous Saint Arnold Bishop Barrel Releases: 

#6 – Pumpkinator, aged in Rum Barrels
#5 – Wee Heavy in Bourbon Barrels
#4 – Weizenbock in Bourbon, with Cocoa Nibs
#3 – Imperial Stout in Bourbon
#2 – Old Ale in Chardonnay with Cherries
#1 – Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels

 

by Reid Ramsay