#231: Shmaltz Brewing Co. » He'Brew Funky Jewbelation '14 (Strong Ale)

Shmaltz Brewing Company » He'Brew Funky Jewbelation 2014 (Strong Ale)
ABV: 9.4% | Rating: 9/10

This year's Funky Jewbelation blends up...

Jewbelation Fifteen (Aged 18 months)
Messiah (Age 3 months)
Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA (Aged 12 months)
Reunion (Aged 6 months)
Origin (Aged 6 months)
Rejewvenator (Aged 6 months)
Death of a Contract Brewer (Aged 4 months)

...aged 35% in bourbon barrels and 65% inf rye whiskey barrels.

Presented as a dark, murky brown with an ever-staying ring of off-white head; a huge, boozy nose kicks this year's Jewbelation off with a bang, touched with cherry and dates. The flavors follow suit and are surprisingly and deliciously sour.

Big, bold, sour dark-cherry bliss right here. It's chewy, intense, but expertly well-balanced. The best quick comparison I could give on this is an American Strong Ale and Oud Bruin hybrid.  It finishes up dry, with plentiful dark fruits including cherry and pomegranate, with a touch of champagne and a healthy hint of rye and bourbon.

Overall, it's considerably more fruity and sour than 2013 and less of a booze-heavy sipper. A tasty, strong/sour hybrid.

#220: Evil Twin Brewing » Imperial Biscotti Break Natale - Pretty Please With A Cherry On Top (Imperial Porter)

The Sweetness...

The Brewery: Evil Twin Brewing (Denmark)
The Brew: Imperial Biscotti Break Natale - Pretty Please With A Cherry On Top (Porter)
Availability: Draft and 22 oz. bottles
ABV: 11.5%
Rating: 9.1/10
Location: Home
Found: (Gift!)

My partner was gifted this sweet beast by her sister and hubby (owners of The Enchanted Badger) back in March. After a somewhat bitter day, we figured this would be some sweet reprieve. While I haven't yet enjoyed the standard Imperial Biscotti Break, we did crack into an Imperial Doughnut Break early this year.

Visually, it's pretty standard imperial porter affair, but get within inches of the glass and your nose is met with amazing aromas - it's sweet and tart, with a definitive zing of cherry and soft roasted coffee. There's something else in there as well that I can't quite put my finger on.

My palate is quickly met with a creamy, sultry mouthfeel and mellow chocolate notes. Mild, juicy, and somewhat tart cherry flavors provide a bold taste experience. A tasty, desert inspired brew that's slightly silky, supported by lively, but not prickly, carbonation, and pleasant growing esters further through.

Overall, a wonderful beer from wonderful people - sweet sugars fall into smooth dark bitterness. Yum.