Imperial Stout

New Holland Launches Beer Barrel Bourbon

New Holland Artisan Spirits (part of New Holland Brewing) introduces a new spirit – Beer Barrel Bourbon.  This new bourbon has an intimate relationship with Dragon’s Milk, the brewery’s imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels for 90 days. The result Continue Reading →

Smoke & Bourbon: Clown Shoes Porcine Unidragon

What happens when you take the Clown Shoes mythical beast Unidragon and smoke and bourbon? Porcine Unidragon. Based on Blaecorn Unidragon, this edition has Beechwood smoked malt before taking a run at bourbon barrels.

This Blaecorn Unidragon made with Beechwood Smoked Continue Reading →

Introducing Surly Darkness 2012

Surly Darkness 2012 looms. One fo the most sought after Russian Imperial Stouts arrives next month. Release day, dubbed “Darkness Day” is coming on October 27, 2012. Each year (or judging by the most recent), around 8,000 bottles are released. Continue Reading →

Posted in New Holland Brewing, New Releases

New Holland Launches Beer Barrel Bourbon


New Holland Artisan Spirits (part of New Holland Brewing) introduces a new spirit – Beer Barrel Bourbon.  This new bourbon has an intimate relationship with Dragon’s Milk, the brewery’s imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels for 90 days. The result is a beer that is hard to ignore. (Downright impossible to stop drinking.)

Beer Barrel Bourbon ages for a few years in oak, then Dragon’s Milk goes in. After the beer leaves, the bourbon is then finished in barrels after the beer aged in it for 90 days. Boom. Beer Barrel Bourbon.

The idea for Beer Barrel Bourbon surfaced three years ago, as New Holland’s founder, Brett VanderKamp, found inspiration in the most-revered scotches and their sherry-cask aging. “The notes of sherry added another layer of complexity, color and richness. I thought, we could do this for whiskey,” said VanderKamp.
Arrival:October 1, 2012
Type: Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Oak Beer Barrels
Proof: 80
Tasting notes: The barrel aging lends biscuit notes and a smooth malt character to the robust whiskey tones of toffee and caramel.

 Where? Michigan, Chicago, New York, Georgia Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Posted in Goose Island Brewing, Seasonal Return

One of America’s Top Beers, Goose Island Bourbon County Releases

Goose Island has released Bourbon County Stout this week. The beer is one of the most sought after barrel aged beers in America. To prep for this release, I’m told that Goose Island brewed 5x more of BCS than previous years. Now that various Anheuser-Busch plants are brewing beers like Honker’s and 312 Urban Wheat, the Fulton Street location in Chicago can work on cranking out BCS, Madame Rose, and the Vintage Series like Matilda and Sofie.

Bourbon County Stout is aged 9 months (minimum) in Heaven Hill barrels, and caps out around 14-15% ABV.  You can cellar it up to 5 years.

Who will get it? Broken down by round of shipping:

(Round 1) WI, IN, MI, VA, OH
(Round 2) RI, DE, PA, NJ, MD, ME, VT, NY, NH, CT
(Round 3) KA, MN, IA, MO, ND, NE, SD
(Round 4) KY, TN, NV, CA, AZ, CO, ID, MT, WA, OR

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged)
Availability: 12oz bottles, Draft

14% ABV

Posted in Evil Twin Brewing, New Beers, Westbrook Brewing Co

Westbrook/Evil Twin Mini Imperial Stout

Westbrook Evil Twin Mini Imperial Stout

Posted in Clown Shoes Brewing, New Releases

Smoke & Bourbon: Clown Shoes Porcine Unidragon

What happens when you take the Clown Shoes mythical beast Unidragon and smoke and bourbon? Porcine Unidragon. Based on Blaecorn Unidragon, this edition has Beechwood smoked malt before taking a run at bourbon barrels.

This Blaecorn Unidragon made with Beechwood Smoked malt, which adds a natural meaty note (there is no actual meat in the brew). Aged 100% in bourbon barrels. Little piggies run, squeal to the heavens: Clown Shoes wishes you luck. 

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel-Aged, Smoked)
Availability: 750 ml bottles
Arrival: TBA

12.5% ABV 

porcine: adjective of, affecting, or resembling a pig or pigs.  

Posted in Coming Soon, Surly Brewing

Introducing Surly Darkness 2012

Surly Darkness 2012 looms. One fo the most sought after Russian Imperial Stouts arrives next month. Release day, dubbed “Darkness Day” is coming on October 27, 2012. Each year (or judging by the most recent), around 8,000 bottles are released. Surly Darkness ranks among the top rated beers on planet earth.

Darkening Moon
The lycanthropes gather under the full moon at Surly Brewing Company, awaiting their transformation. Though they fear the light, they yearn for the Darkness that will soon wash over them. Drawn together to share the night, their stories and their treasure, they know Darkness will soon be theirs. It is as black as the sky on a moonless night, but these souls aren’t so lucky. Their metamorphosis is imminent, but they all agree that it is a price they are each willing to pay.

Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe
Malts: Pale, Golden Promise, Crystal, Oats, Black, Chocolate, Roast, Dark candi sugar
Yeast: English Ale Yeast

Availability: 750 ml bottles, Limited Draft
Arrival: October 27, 2012

9.8% ABV

The label is badass for sure, but I’m still partial to last years

Posted in Dogfish Head, Seasonal Return

Dogfish Head Ready To Ship 2012 Bitches Brew

Dogfish Head is ready to ship another round of Bitches Brew.  The beer is brewed in honor of the 1970’s Miles Davis album by the same name. The beer is a bold imperial stout with 3 blended components. 2 parts imperial stout, and 1 part imperial stout with honey and gesho root.  It ages quite well too.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Honey, Gesho Root)
Availability: 750ML bottles, Draft. Third release.

9% ABV

Posted in Coming Soon, New Belgium

Coffee & Chocolate Coming To New Belgium’s Lips Of Faith

New Belgium Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout

Taking aim at New Belgium’s Lips Of Faith SeriesImperial Coffee Chocolate Stout. This potentially new addition to the series is much different than NB’s most recent releases.

Serving up cold and jet black, this imperial stout should be taken seriously for about one minute as the dark foam builds. Then, enjoy its velvety chocolate-covered smoothness and delicious aroma of sustainably-grown, locally roasted coffee.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee, Chocolate) Availability: 22oz bombers, Draft
Arrival: TBA

10% ABV

Read more: New Belgium, Lips Of Faith