I recently wrote a review of Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout Aged in Cognac Barrel that brought back so many crazy memories of experiencing Oslo and Bergen during the celebrations of Norwegian Constitution Day which is May 17.
Over the past 7 years of diving headfirst into the craft beer world there have been several beers attached to memories and moments special to me. I can’t say I’ll try this one again as I found it monotone and a bit boring.įor me beer isn’t just something to drink for its obvious intrinsic properties but also for the experience of tasting something crafted with the purest of abilities. Overall I commend Central’s City choice in making a Gingerbread Stout instead of a spiced strong ale that most breweries make for the holidays. The body is a bit watery and mild mannered.
The finish is smooth, light and slightly creamy with a lingering aftertaste of roasted malt and ginerbread. My first sip of Gingerhead has a moderate ginger spice and a sweet, rich malt composed of roasted barley, chocolate and subtle vanilla. Notes of roasted malt including subtle hints of espresso and vanilla are also found on the aroma. The aroma is laden with tantalizing notes of gingerbread cookies and ginger spice. Sitting atop is a puffy, bubbly beige head that dies almost instantly leaving but a few splotchy rings on the glass. Opening the bottle and pouring a completely opaque black body fills the glass. For the 2014 Christmas season Central City has brewed Gingerhead, a 6% ABV stout with natural ginger used in the brewing process. Most well known for the Red Racer IPA which is consistently voted the best IPA in Canada. Surrey, British Columbia’s Central City Brewing Company has built a reputation in the Canadian craft beer community for making great and unique brews. An enjoyable brew overall with a heavy and rich profile that hits the palate relentlessly. The spice and chili comes in a bit on the finish but is mostly lost to the heavy malts and other flavours. The finish has moderate bitterness and mild hop presence with a heavy roasted finish and lingering aftertaste.
Rich and full bodied with heavy roasted malts and a mild estery flavour. A bit sweet upfront with light fruity notes and chocolate flavours. Heavy espresso and dark chocolate notes and more subtle aromas of licorice and vanilla blend well with the alcohol and spice laced aroma. The aroma is rich and robust with a slight influence of spice or chili. Pouring out a deep, impenetrable black with a thick, foaming tan head that appears creamy and dense. The inspiration is described as follows, “After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, the Dwarves journey to Laketown, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all–a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself – the Dragon Smaug.” Smaug Stout is an 8.5% ABV Strong Stout (Imperial Stout) brewed with hot chili peppers as influenced by the dragon Smaug.
This is a great example of a unique style brewed to be both complex and well balanced.Ĭentral City Brewing Company located in Surrey, British Columbia recently produced a series of officially licensed The Hobbit beers based on the trilogy of movies. A fairly well balanced brew with a full body and a huge hit of espresso throughout. The finish is mildly bitter with a light dry astringency and a heavy espresso flavour. Mild vanilla in the front with dark chocolate and potent roasted notes. A rich and espresso heavy flavour with tons of roasted malts, complex coffee bean flavours with a mild fruity note. Heavily roasted with dark chocolate, anise seed and vanilla beans aromas mixing in with the espresso and lactose notes.
The aroma is heavy with espresso and coffee notes swirling richly with creamy lactose notes.
Pouring out a entirely opaque black in the body a dauntingy thick mass of tan mocha coloured head looms on top. Split Shot is single hopped with Magnum to a mild but well balanced 28 IBU’s. Split Shot is an Espresso Milk Stout brewed with Stumptown Espresso beans to an ABV of 5.6%. All kidding aside I’m sure Elysian had their reasons for taking the deal and I hope the company continues to operate in the same way it has for years. With recent news of Seattle’s Elysian Brewing selling out to AB Inbev I thought a taste test of Elysian’s newest seasonal release was in order to ensure that it had not become weak urine flavoured beer.