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Deschutes and Goose Island have teamed up for the final Class of ’88 installment….
And here is the little blurb put out about it…”This exotic beer was brewed with Michigan Riesling and Oregon Pinot Noir grapes, hops from Mt. Hood and pilsner malt – all aged in barrels that previously held Muscat wine in them for 10 years. ” Beers with grapes can be tricky to make beer-y enough with good wine characteristics so this will be a test to see how these two “ancient” breweries handle it.
This is one of those beers where you know what you are going to get but it still hits with a punch. Deschutes is known for their Black Butte Porter and Great Lakes has their Edmund Fitzgerald so you know going in that this beer is in each of these breweries wheelhouse. But then the beer pours a light cola color. Lulling you into thinking it is not that imperial. The aroma hints at the smoke but chocolate notes come into play as well. Then you take a sip and the smoke descends. This is really “rauchy”. And that liquid smoke lingers. You would need a big BBQ sauce to soften this beer. Otherwise, most other foods would pale against it.
Rauch is not my cup of beer usually. But I can tell what was being aimed for here and it was hit. If you don’t like the smokey then this is not the beer for you but if that is a something you like then this is one to pick up.
I have two of the three versions of the first Class of ’88 beers and I hope to try both versions of this smokey offering as well.
I will admit it. I graduated in the Class of ’88 when North Coast, Deschutes and Rogue started their breweries. So I was drawn to this beer the moment I heard about it. So, expectations were high from a brewery reputation standpoint and a sentimental viewpoint too.
’88 pours a bright and clear orange color. The head is bubbly and then fades. It is 10% abv after all. Initial aroma is reminiscent of many a barleywine before. With some orange notes at the back too. Good sparkly and carbonation to this that fades into an orange zest and alcohol taste. The top of the mouth is coated with hops of a medium/high bitterness. That orange taste could be amped up some to combat the slickness and the alcohol but a damn fine sippin’ beer.