Topic Archives: Wake & Bake
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot ’07, ’08, ’09
This is not exactly an event, but more of an opportunity. As fun as it is to drink beer, or should I say current beer, I get even more excited to drink aged/cellared beer. That brings us to today.
Sierra Nevada releases a Barleywine called Bigfoot annually. (Barleywines are a form of strong ale that originated from England. BW’s are strong 8%-12% ABV and are as strong as wine, but made from grain instead of fruits. Thus – barley.) Back to the point, 2009 marks the 25th release of Bigfoot. Today you can try not only the ’09 release, but you can also taste ’08 & ’07 all side by side.
Vertical tastings are particularly significant because it provides some great insight to how a beer ages and matures. I can’t tell you how many beers I have had that only get better with age. (Something you can throw back at your wine snob friends.) Hopefully by now you see that this is a particularly interesting opportunity to try the last 3 years of releases.
ALSO!!! To finish off your vertical tastings, you can also try Terrapin’s Wake & Bake 2008 & 2009 side by side. Wake and Bake is an Imperial Oatmeal Stout – and part inspiration for the now acclaimed Depth Charge.
To my knowledge, these will be available today whenever you hit the bar, but I make 100% sure and post.
Taco Mac Metropolis
933 Peachtree Street N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 631-6526
@tmacmetropolis (on twitter)
Terrapin’s Wake & Bake Returns…
It’s baaaaccckkk! Terrapin’s Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout aka “Wake & Bake.” Part of the breweries Monster Beer Line — the 4 packs are back on the shelves.
This beer started with brewer Spike Buckowski grabbing a bunch of coffee from Jittery Joe’s in Athens, GA and trying different blends and testing flavors. In the end, Jittery Joes and Spike came up with a custom blend of Costa Rica, Guatamala, and Zimbabwe coffees. This coffee bean blend is also sold at Jittery Joes much like the Depth Charge blend is/was. The blend is “Smokey, medium-bodied, with caramel and cocoa hints.”
This Imperial Stout is full of flavor. I hate to make comparisons, but if you still find yourself without Depth Charge, this is a good substitute. Keep in mind the beers are different, but there is some commonality involved. As I mentioned in the Depth Charge post (Read it here) , when dreaming up the next Left Hand/ Terrapin collaboration, Wake & Bake was part of the inspiration. I just finished my first glass of this release, and I wish I had bought more. The 3 left won’t last long. 2009 edition is quite tasty.
ABV — 8.1%
Malts — 2 Row Pale, Flaked Oats, Flaked Barley, Chocolate Malt, Black Malt, Roasted Barley
Hops — Columbus, Northern Brewer.
Jittery Joes — Wake & Bake Bean Blend
Available — 1/6 barrel, ½ Barrel, Cases, 4 packs.
Update – 12/5/09 – Tapping now at Brickstore Pub
