StogieBrewski.com: quad

Showing posts with label quad. Show all posts

Rinkuskiai 'Hell on High' Belgian-Style Quad Bock. 14% abv. Hazy yellow-gold color. Collar of bubbly white head. Poor retention, moderate lace. Nose of sweet malt, light fruit, slight orange-citrus. Front taste of amber malt, toffee, sweet citrus. Aftertaste is alcohol, light brown sugar, fruity hop sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is hot, astringent, somewhat thick, sweet back end.

This is a good beer that falls below its potential, slightly out of category. It's thin for a quad, and its taste is not as malty as one would expect. The aroma of sweet fruit and malt is barely present, and the flavor profile not nearly as complex as I would have liked.

It's an enjoyable beer that lands below lofty expectations. I suggest trying it, so long as you know what you're getting into. It tastes like Firestone Helldorado without the round body and ""wood notes from barrel aging. Take that as you will. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Euro Super High Alcohol Lager. Orange-gold. Smell is of rich full caramel malt and well straw. Smooth and well ballanced, with just enough malt and hops to add a fruity taste. Alcohol flavor is not prevalent despite 14% ABV, almost is not noticable until you’re through. Really good with BQ pork or pulled pork."

[ratebeer.com]

"Brewers family takes the old brewing traditions - beer brewed only in pure water, barley malt and hops. Beer boiled water is extracted from the territory RINKUŠKIAI installed 150 meters deep borehole. It is prepared in modern water filters. Beer brewing using only a light barley and caramel malt or barley malts several combinations. Aromatic and bitter hops transport from hops is a famous German Hallertau region. The bitter and aromatic hops gives the beer a unique combination of taste and aroma. Beer is fermented in modern tanks, using special lower or upper fermentation yeast. We do not recognize the technology to artificially speed up the fermentation process or after the maturing beer diluted with water ("high gravity" method), enabling better returns. The beer does not make any additives, preservatives or colorings. Do not use in the production of beer peas, corn, rice or other unmalted raw materials. As a loyal Biržų edge of brewing tradition, we make no concessions to the quality of the beer."

[source: rinkuskiai.lt]

Firestone Walker 'Stickee Monkee 2015' Central Coast Quad. Bourbon barrel aged. 13.4%. 45 IBU. Black in color. No head, retention, or lace. Nose of rich, sweet malt, dark fruit, caramel. Nose becomes more complex as the temp drops, with emerging port wine grapes and green herbal notes. Front taste of caramel, oak, brown sugar, plums, molasses. Aftertaste of sweet dried fruit, raisins, plums, sweet wine, wood notes, sweet coconut husk in the sustain. Full body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, rich, sticky, thick.

This is an extraordinary, world-class beer. It's very rich, sweet, malty, fruity, and at times is herbal, botanical, woodsy. A complex myriad of flavors dances in the aroma, the first sips, on though the aftertaste and sustain. The barrel aging is expressed throughout, always in the background, with flavors of toasted oak and port wine. Outstanding. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A Belgian Quad by recipe, but aging it in spirits barrels garners its own category: Central Coast Quad. A beer formulated to sit on the sweeter and malty side so that we could utilize it for blending. Turbinado brown sugar from Mexico and Belgian candi sugar add wonderful molasses flavors. It has a full body and lush texture with barrel expression all over this beer: toasted oak, coconut, leather and cigar tobacco."

[source: firestonebeer.com]

“Since founding our brewery in 1996, we have specialized in the rare art of fermenting beer in oak barrels. In the Fall of 2006, we embarked on a program to barrel age a series of vintage strong ales that would later be used as components of a blended beer. That blend would become our first Anniversary Ale, ’10’. After the release of ’10’, we released limited amounts of the components beers on draft only. Many of these beers gained a cult following that craft beer fans raved about and begged for us to put in bottle. Stickee Monkee was one of these beers. We present the 2015 vintage of Stickee Monkee, a barrel-aged Quad. It has been said that the only constant is change and the same is true for barrel-aged beers. Cut from a similar recipe, this barrel-aged Quad evolved and shows a different face each year; a result of time spent aging in the barrel. Turbinado brown sugar from Mexico adds wonderful molasses flavors that are reminiscent of Belgian candi sugar. It has a full body and lush texture with barrel expression all over; toasted oak, coconut, leather and rich cigar tobacco. This Central Coast Quad is a one-of-a-kind sipping beer built to last and will reward careful aging for years to come.”
[source: box]

This big beer is best shared with friends

My friends and fellow beer enthusiasts Patrick and Michelle shared their Stickee Monkee with me and some friends for my birthday. Cheers!

Uinta Brewing 'Labyrinth' Barrel-Aged Quadruple Black Ale. 13.2% abv. 56 IBU. Imperial Stout. Color is ultra black. Thick brown head of cream with excellent retention and long lace. Aromas of chocolate, oak, and licorice. Tastes like a rich complex chocolate stout with hops, toffee, coffee, and chocolate. Aftertaste of toffee and licorice. This is a decadent, extraordinary Imperial Stout that I would gladly have again.

From the brewery:

"Enter the Labyrinth, a multi-dimensional black ale. Discover the complex intermingling of black licorice and toasted oak. Seek the subtle hints of bittersweet chocolate. Explore pairing Labyrinth with flavorful cheeses and rich desserts."