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…is what I hope doesn’t happen with the pear in this new beer from The Bruery.
Pear is such a delicate flavor which is probably why it is not used so much in beers. I think the flavor combo for this punch might overwhelm. I would have left out orange and found a barrel treatment a little less powerful. That said, if the blenders got this one right, it sounds great.
The Bruery is adding a Black Tuesday variant aged in, wait for it, my favorite spirit, Gin.
It will be interesting to see if the botanicals can power through the very strong base beer. Then diving deeper, I would like to see smaller bottles with different barrels. Gin, wine, cognac and othets.
Back to California as fast as we can because we have to catch up with The Bruery…
“Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with molasses, ginger, graham cracker, and spices
Run, run, run, as fast as you can… it’s gingerbread season, and we’re feeling festive! What better way to celebrate than with a delicious gingerbread-inspired imperial stout. We added a bit of molasses to the boil before aging in bourbon barrels. Then we added all the classic spices— cinnamon, allspice, clove, and nutmeg— along with graham cracker to capture the rich sweetness of a fresh gingerbread cookie.”
I do not think that American breweries will ever tire of making Elvis beers that harken back to his favorite food combo. But each time that I see one, I think to myself that a taster would be enough. But with Black Tuesday as the big, burly base, maybe The Bruery is on to something.
Certain fruits are beer workhorses. Peaches and nectarines are in practically every sour beer. Apples, not so much, so this Saison duet between The Bruery and Cellador Ales looks interesting to me.
I have never heard of a cocktail called the Manky Panky but if you say gin barrel, I will come a running. Add Fernet barrels and now I am all in. I wonder how the three powerful fruits will combine with that barrel power that the Bruery is harnessing.
Coconut and a big burly pilsner. I think anyone on a ship would like this. Especially I feel you saw The Last Cruise on HBO. I also applaud The Bruery for the font choice.
Our final March Review from The Bruery is….
It is very weird to pour a craft beer from a clear glass bottle. I mean, isn’t everything in 16oz cans now? But I will give The Bruery the benefit of the doubt here. This sour pours a bright red. Grape and a touch of vinegar hit the nose. First sip screams wine more than beer. Some raspberries hit the taste buds. Has a tart initial edge to it and not getting the beer portion so much. Says 12.2% but I am not feeling that warmth in my cheeks or any burn on the palate. I know that an “orange” version is on the way which might show off malt more. The wine to beer balance is off to me.
Next up from The Bruery is the fabled White Chocolate…
This wheat wine pours a lovely orange color with nice white foam. I find it is better drunk a little warmer. Both velvet smooth and spiky with carbonation. Lovely spirit aroma to this. Mellow but easily evident. It is a nice interplay between bourbon and light chocolate notes. Sometimes simplicity is the best avenue. ABV is masked extremely efficiently. Zero burn.
Next up in the dual Bruery reviews are a Sticky Bun and chocolate and strawberry.
Bakery: Sticky Bun – Starts with a creamy foam at top. Loads of maple syrup with the cinnamon coming in right behind it. More like pancake syrup to me. Does not taste over 10% abv. The bourbon barrel flavor aspect is far in the back. The beer isn’t creamy but there is a nice viscosity.
Love Bites – Big foamy tan head with a glint of red in the pour with loads of chocolate covered strawberry aroma and that berry note continues hard into the beer. As it warms up some of the stout comes into play but nary a smidge of bourbon barrel to be found. Almost tastes like a sour stout if it weren’t for the milk chocolate that is the second lead on this beer.
Both beers basically deliver the main flavors advertised but the Sticky Bun worked better for me, which might be due to maple being more in tune with imperial stout than strawberry.