Here’s to James, Martin, and all the guys and gals of Brewdog and the crazy interesting brews they crank out. I held on to these three in particular, waiting patiently for this 100 Barrel-Aged and Oak Influenced Beer challenge, knowing I wanted to save them to the final lap.
BEER #91
BrewDog/Three Floyds Bitch Please, 11.5% ABV: When Sid at Best Damn Beer Shop pulled this one off the shelf for me, I knew I had to have it. As a long time fan of both breweries, I was frankly giddy to see what these masterminds of brewing would produce. Although the $14 price tag for a 12 oz. did give me pause. Whew!
Three of the Three Floyds brewers visited BrewDog in August 2010 to brew “an inherently Scottish spin on a barley wine brewed with peated malts from Islay, shortbread, toffee and eclectic hops.” (from the BrewDog website) The beer was then aged in old Jura single malt whisky barrels for 8 months.
Big, rambunctious notes of smokey peat greet the nose, with bread, toffee, caramel, and bread following straight behind. Intense & full mouthfeel with an alcohol burn. If flying solo, a slow pace is recommended.
BEER #92
Paradox Isle of Arran, (Batch 16) 10% ABV: This stout, aged in Arran whisky barrels, was the favorite of the Brewdog trio. Smoke and chocolate aromas hang lazily in the glass alongside notes of molasses, roasted malt, dark fruit, and vanilla. Not as full-bodied as I expected, but quite drinkable and definitely enjoyed by the group.
BEER #93
Tokyo* Intergalactic Fantastic Oak Aged Stout, 18.2%: I’ve been aging this baby for a couple of years, and waiting for this perfect 100 beer challenge to crack it open! The most unusual in the bunch with the addition of cranberries and jasmine in the brewing process, with a punch of dry-hopping and the addition of oak chips for aging.
Hmm…Quite intense in profile, with the cranberries puncturing red cough syrup stained holes through the black sticky curtain of blackstrap molasses, dark chocolate, port, and vanilla. Sweet on the palate. Not for the faint of heart. Definitely a sipper.
Thank you Brewdog for constantly keeping me on my toes.
CHEERS.
Laurie Delk 