Bravo & Punkuccino

I know all of you beer aficionados anxiously await my beer reviews.  What’s not to love about them, huh?  You get my recommendations, which are worth their weight in gold (ok, so my recommendations have no physical weight – they’re still priceless).  Anyway, here are two more reviews for your consumption. Please read responsibly!

Bravo: Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, CA.  13.2% ABV.
This is Firestone Walker’s bourbon barrel aged Imperial Brown Ale.  It’s unclear to me if it’s an annual release, with very limited availability (see below).

Bravo pours a deep hazy brown with a very slight, light beige head that rapidly fades.  The aroma is sweet, vanilla and bourbon.  The flavor features grainy bitterness, vanilla, and coconut, and then fades to a sweet vanilla, which lingers forever.  The bourbon is well represented in the flavor and aroma of this beer.  As Bravo warms, a nice mild chocolate flavor emerges mid-palate.

This is a heavy bodied beer with a thick, smooth mouth feel.  The carbonation level is medium-light, offering just enough fizz to keep it from being syrupy.

Bravo is all about the bourbon barrel – it’s front and center.  I have to describe this beer as EXCELLENT!  Bravo was released in early 2017, and I bought a bottle at Total Wine in February 2017.  I have tried to find Bravo since I drank the one bottle, but have had no success.  I’m not sure, but this may have been a one time release and unavailable now and in the future.  That’s too bad, because I definitely want more.

Punkuccino: Elysian Brewing, Seattle, WA.  6.0% ABV.
I’m not a pumpkin beer lover, but I try to get a couple of different ones each fall in the spirit of harvest celebration and American beer crafting.  Punkuccino is a Coffee Pumpkin Ale from Elysian Brewing, one of Seattle’s premier breweries.  I bought Punkuccino this week at Total Wine ($8.99 for a 22 oz. bomber), thinking I might possibly like it because it has coffee in addition to pumpkin.

Punkuccino pours clear, dark ruby red (you’ll see the red if you hold the glass up to the light) with a light tan ¼” head that faded after about two minutes.  A very thin ring around the perimeter and slight surface foam remained through most of the session.  It smells like sweet coffee with a dash of pumpkin.

The flavor is sweet pumpkin and spice. Coffee is not noted until the pumpkin pie fades to the aftertaste, which is mostly sweet coffee.  So, how do I describe the flavor?  It’s pumpkin and spice (cinnamon and nutmeg, like pumpkin pie), then it becomes a bit stronger mid-palate, and then the pumpkin fades to sweet coffee, which is very pleasant.

The carbonation is fairly light, as is the body – it’s a bit thin.  But then again, it’s not a stout or a big beer by any means, so I would have to say it’s within the style category parameters.

Well, like I said, I really don’t care for pumpkin ales, so I was wary (but hopeful) when I bought and then drank this beer. This one is mild on the pumpkin pie/pumpkin ale spectrum.  It came in a 22 oz. bomber, so I had a lot of it to drink.  At first I thought I would not buy it again, but the more I drank it, the more I liked it.  The aroma is really enticing.  And for any of you who like Pumpkin Spice Latte’s, you might really enjoy this beer. But what you all want to know is, will I buy this again?  The answer is: probably yes, BUT . . . only one more bomber (after all, I can take only so much Pumpkin Ale).

So what’s the bottom line on Punkuccino?  In my opinion it’s good as far Pumpkin Ales go. If you like those types of autumn beers, this is one you should DEFINITELY try.  [Krissy – you’re the Pumpkin Spice Latte girl; you need to try this. Kevin – I don’t know if you are a Pumpkin Ale drinker, but you really need to support your homeboys on this one; no excuses!!]

Well, that’s it for now, beer lovers.  One of these reviews is probably a bit too late (Bravo), but the other is current and very relevant (Punkuccino), so get out there and support the craft brewing industry.

Sláinte!

Vendome Beer Panel – April 13, 2017 (Continued)

As I mentioned in the Vendome Beer Panel review of April 13, 2017, one of the beers we were supposed to review was Split Shot Espresso Milk Stout from Elysian Brewing. Unfortunately Split Shot was not delivered in time and the Beer Panel was unable to review it with the other Elysian brews that evening. Fortuitously, it was delivered the following day to Vendome and I purchased a bottle for tasting and review. Here is what you want to know about Split Shot.  Please read responsibly!
(Note: See my previous post, dated April 15, 2017 for an explanation of the Vendome rating system.)

Split Shot: Elysian Brewing, Seattle WA. 6.0% ABV  28 IBU   Rating – 4
This Milk Stout pours black with a ½” tan head that fades in about 30 seconds to a substantial ring and very thin cap. The aroma is sweet coffee, mocha and chocolate. The flavor follows suit – coffee, mocha and chocolate, fading to a nice sweet “coffee with cream” aftertaste. There is very little bitterness. The flavor is sweet, but not overly so or out of balance, and is to be expected with the lactose. The body is fairly thin, with medium carbonation.

Espresso is a very strong, dark coffee, but the addition to this stout is subdued, mellow, and well balanced with the lactose. The coffee flavor dominates, but is not overwhelming. I would like to see Elysian put this on Nitro – it would be awesome! Overall, Split Shot is very good and I highly recommend it. Well done, Elysian!

If this description interests you, go over to Vendome Wine and Spirits in Fullerton to purchase Split Shot. Be sure to use my code, “VEN10C” or mention my name “CARL” to get a 10% discount off the price.

As an aside, but related to this review, I met the man responsible for Split Shot when I was in Seattle (April 2016).  For several years, Steve Luke worked for Elysian Brewing, developing  recipes and experimental beers.  Split Shot and Space Dust IPA are two of his creations.  In January 2016, Steve opened his own brewery, Cloudburst Brewing, located two blocks from the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle.  See Mac’s Brew News – April 25, 2016 for additional information about my visits to Cloudburst Brewing.

Steve Luke, the Brewmaster at Cloudburst Brewing. Keep up the good work, Steve!

Mac with a Jump Sturdy (Milk Stout on nitrogen) at Cloudburst Brewing

Well, that’s it for now, but check back soon – more beer reviews in the next couple of weeks, and I hope to get out a news letter very soon as well.  Now go buy some (Elysian) beer.

Sláinte!

Vendome Beer Panel – April 13, 2017

Four of the five beers sampled by the panel on April 13, 2017 are from Elysian Brewing in Seattle, WA. The fifth beer was supposed to be Split Shot, also from Elysian, but the distributer did not get it there in time for the Beer Panel. The final beer of the evening was chosen for review by yours truly.

If these reviews intrigue you or pique your interest, take a trip to Vendome Wine and Spirits in Fullerton and use my code, “VEN10C” or mention my name “CARL” to get a 10% discount off the price. Enough of the fine print; let’s get to what you all paid for, the low down on these beers.  Oh, and please read responsibly!

The rating system:
0 – I wouldn’t offer this beer to my worst enemy.
1 – I wouldn’t pay for this beer, but it’s alright.
2 – Tasty, but easily forgettable.
3 – I’ve had better, I’ve had worse.
4 – I can see myself buying this beer and ordering seconds.
5 – Just hook up the beer straight to my veins.

Saison Elysee: 6.4% ABV  Rating – 3
Saison Elysee is a Belgian style Farmhouse Ale brewed with cumin. It pours a clear golden orange with a light ivory colored head that fades immediately. The aroma is sweet with spicy/fruity notes. The flavor is sweet and earthy with strong spicy and estery overtones from the Belgian yeast. The sweetness is not overwhelming, but that signature Belgian flavor is the foremost impression. This fades to a lingering slight bitterness. The body and mouth feel is medium with a high-medium carbonation level.

Overall, I would describe Saison Elysee as a typical Belgian style ale – spicy sweet. I don’t know what cumin smells or tastes like (although I understand it has a very strong flavor and aroma), so I don’t know how it affects this beer. I rated this in the middle of the scale because it’s decent beer, but is just another Belgian ale to me (not bad, not great). Caveat: I don’t particularly care for Belgian style beers and rarely drink them; keep that in mind when considering my opinion.

Day Glow IPA: 7.4% ABV  62 IBU  Rating – 4
This IPA pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with a white head that rapidly fades to a thin ring around the perimeter. The aroma is tangerine with a little grapefruit. The flavor is grapefruit and orange, with a hint of sweetness. The aftertaste is the same, with a very pleasant and lingering bitterness. The body and mouth feel is medium with a medium carbonation level.

Day Glow IPA is very good. It features the very popular Mosaic hop variety, and really pulls it off quite nicely, setting it apart from a lot of the other Mosaic IPAs out there. It’s not a bitterness bomb, but the hoppy flavors really explode in the mouth. Well done, Elysian!

Space Dust IPA: 8.2% ABV  73 IBU  Rating – 4
This is a big American style IPA. Although Elysian doesn’t describe it as a Double IPA, the high alcohol content and big malty flavor immediately made me think DIPA. It pours clear golden yellow with a white head that fades rapidly. The aroma is slightly malty sweet with tropical fruit notes from the Citra hops. The flavor is bittersweet, like a DIPA, with notes of citrus and grapefruit. The aftertaste is also slightly sweet, from the malt backbone and the Citra dry hopping. The mouth feel and body is medium with a medium carbonation level.

Overall, Space Dust is a very good, but dangerous beer. The 73 IBU are well balanced so it’s not overly bitter. The high alcohol content (8.2%) is not detectable in the flavor, which makes it easy to drink (but be careful – you will get your money’s worth). This beer has all the markers of a Double IPA, but is not labeled as such.

Since I tasted them side-by-side, I offer a brief comparison between Day Glow and Space Dust. This was my first taste of Day Glow but I have had Space Dust on several previous occasions. Day Glow is lower in IBU, but the hoppy aromas and flavors stand out more than Space Dust. The malty character is far more developed in Space Dust. The citrus notes are much greater in Day Glow. Alcohol content is high in both IPAs, but is slightly higher in Space Dust (though not noticeable in the flavor or aroma of either beer). Both beers are the same price. I enjoyed Day Glow a little more due to the hoppy nature, but I highly recommend both.

Dragonstooth Stout: 8.1% ABV  56 IBU  Rating – 3
This is an Imperial Oatmeal Stout. Dragonstooth pours black with a tan head that remained for a short time. The aroma is sweet chocolate, coffee, dark fruit. The flavor follows suit – bittersweet chocolate, dark fruit (black cherry, plum), fig, a little coffee and some grainy bitterness. The 56 IBU is well hidden as this is all about the malt. The body and mouth feel is low-heavy and smooth. The carbonation level is moderate.

Dragonstooth is a nice oatmeal stout, but doesn’t stand out from the field. I think it could use a little more roasted grain to bring out the coffee notes. The oatmeal produces a nice slickness and viscosity in the mouth.

Chernyy Medved: Valiant Brewing, Orange, CA. 13% ABV  Rating – 5
This is a Russian Imperial Stout with cherries and vanilla (Note: Chernyy is the Russian term for black or dark). It pours midnight black with a cocoa head that fades to a 1/8” ring. The aroma is sweet cherry with a hint of chocolate. The flavor is cherry, bitter chocolate and roasty. The 13% alcohol is well hidden in the flavor, but warms the throat on the way down. The aftertaste is cherry that lingers forever. Chernyy Medved is heavy and thick (think 90 wt gear oil) – use a spatula to get it out of the bottle. Carbonation is low, commensurate with the style.

As Chernyy Medved warms, the chocolate flavor becomes more evident, but the cherry aftertaste lingers, along with a nice balancing bitterness. Even as it warms, the alcohol flavor remains hidden.

I really like Chernyy Medved. It’s a thick, chocolate-cherry dessert beer. Don’t go to this one after you mowed the lawn on a hot day, however. Instead, sip it on an afternoon or evening when you don’t have any other plans; you’ll enjoy the journey – after all, at 13% ABV, it will get you where you want to go.

If my description of Chernyy Medved appeals to you, then you better get it soon. Unfortunately, Valiant Brewing closed two weeks ago, so once the current supply of this beer is exhausted, it will not be available again.

Well, there you have it. Elysian Brewing offers a nice variety of very good beers. Day Glow and Space Dust are exceptionally good IPAs.  Valiant Brewing, unfortunately, is no longer in business, but Chernyy Medved is certainly a jewel in their crown and I highly recommend it (Note: refer to my Vendome Beer Panel review of 02-16-2017 for my opinion of another highly recommended Valiant brew, Coconut Imperial Brown Ale). If you want to give any of these beers (or all of them) a try, go to Vendome in Fullerton to purchase. Be sure to use code “VEN10C” or mention my name “CARL” to get a 10% discount off the price of these beers.

Cheers!