The Bruery 'Share This: Mint Chip' Imperial Stout with mint and cocoa nibs. 10.5% abv. Black and dense. Finger of mocha head that dissipated quickly, falling to a sustaining collar. Moderate-poor retention, decent lace. Nose of spearmint, plum, light herbal. Aromas of red wine and allspice emerge as the temp rises to room.

First taste is bittersweet berry, raisins, fresh mint sprigs, cloves, notes of pepper, dark chocolate on the back end. Aftertaste is table wine, herbal hops underneath roasted black malt, bright bitter herb notes on the front of the tongue, spice bundle sustain, dry finish. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, botanical resin, small bead bubbly.

This is an enjoyable, unique brew, one that challenges both my palate and my overall feel. The promised mint profile is up front and present, particularly strong spearmint, with a tall expression in the aroma and a rich ribbon under a roasted chocolate malt base. However, the body is surprisingly thin for an imperial stout, countered only by a warn and syrupy mouthfeel. The head retention is disappointing for this category, falling to a collar in a minute, then to flat surface in five. 

Still, the aroma shines down to the bottom of the glass. It sounds like and tastes like an experimental brew, and on some points it does succeed. Ultimately, I would only recommend this seasonal beer to those who love mint or unique, rare bottles. Lovers of more traditional imperial stouts should seek elsewhere. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Share This is a series of beers that spotlights unique ingredients and important causes. This decadent imperial stout is inspired by mint chip flavors, recreated by adding spearmint leaves and cacao nibs to a rich base featuring chocolaty notes of its own. 'Share This: Mint Chip' pairs perfectly with supporting Food Forward, who is chipping away at hunger relief across Southern California, reaching over 100,000 people a month with recovered fresh foods. For every bottle produced, we donate $1 to support Food Forward, which donates fresh produce to hunger relief agencies across Southern California."

[source: thebruery.com]

The Bruery 'Autumn Maple' Belgian-Style Brown Ale. 10% abv. 15 IBU. Hazy copper-brown color. Finger of foamy tan head. Fair retention and almost no lace. Head was completely gone in three minutes. Nose of bright spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, maple. The spice bouquet blooms with the rise in temp. Front taste is malty, nutty, caramel, orange zest, cloves, allspice on the back end. Aftertaste is pumpkin, strong nutmeg, wood notes, herbal hop sustain. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, astringent.

This is an excellent brown ale that feels like it could have been extraordinary. It tasted "young" as if racked from its fermenter a couple of weeks too soon. It tastes like a delicious wort rather than a finished brew. The lack of carbonation would support this notion.

Nevertheless, this beer was yummy indeed. The spice and pumpkin (yam) come across well, starting with a complex inviting aroma, ending with a tall hot aftertaste. I was looking forward to this beer for a long time and while I am not giving this a perfect review I was certainly not disappointed. Grab a bottle. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Brewed with 17 lbs. of yams per barrel (in other words, a lot of yams!), this autumn seasonal is a different take on the 'pumpkin' beer style. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, maple syrup, and fermentation with our traditional Belgian yeast strain, make this bold and spicy beer perfect for a cold autumn evening. We have also created bourbon barrel aged, 100% brettanomyces and soured versions of Autumn Maple."

[source: thebruery.com]

"We don't need pumpkin in our beer! Big, bold, spicy, and oh so yummy, our delicious Brown Ale is perfect for those cold autumn nights... Our spiced Brown Ale is a unique take on a Fall seasonal, brewed with delicious yams and seasonal spices. Best enjoyed fresh, but may pleasantly evolve over time if cellared properly."

[source: bottle]

All traces of head and lace were gone within minutes.