Ten Days of Darkness

Oh boy, one I've had before but not for a while. The Duck Rabbit's Rabid Duck. A jet black 10% behemoth! Located in Farmville, NC; The Duck Rabbit used to be known only for their dark beers. Then as the company grew they through in a German Lager, Amber, Marzen and Wee Heavy. This is a 2007 ager that has held it's own nicely. Sweet cherry nose lending to a raisin licorice initial taste followed by a soft roasted grain on the end. I really like how this beer has held after 10 years!

Ten Days of Darkness

Sweetwater Festive Ale 2014, is an annual favorite of mine and in recent years has become more scarce in my locale. I've found that trying this one "green" is equally as rewarding as the ones I've got aging from 2002! Nice profile changes occur from year to year, but this is the first vintage I grabbed out of the fridge. The cinnamon and mace is still very prevalent and the slick vanilla tones can't be denied. With a thinner body than you'd expect, you can crush them, but at 8.3% I'm not sure how many of them you would be ABLE to crush.

Ten Days of Darkness

Staying true to the darker hue, EvilTwin Brewing Even More Jesus. A 12% Imperial Stout, from the can no less! Black doesn't even begin to describe it's color with an aroma of chocolate and coffee. The alcohol is smooth and noticeable. Finishes relatively roasty overall. This is a great "go-to" imperial in the can. Apparently EvilTwin is an orphan brewery but Westbrook Brewing Co, seems to contract a lot of their stuff including this one.

Ten Days of Darkness

Next up, a local brew, Black Warrior Oatmeal Stout. Made in T-town, which isn't that bad when it comes to beer, if it's Nat'l Championship beer, but this one is not. A draft pour with decent head and great medium darkness, but a thinness in body and mouthfeel that can't be overlooked. I liked it and would drink it again if given it, just not sure I would purchase it again. I'd like more body in this 5.6%er, which is an easy fix, so perhaps I'll venture into BW's Oatmeal Stout later. 

Ten Days of Darkness

As we close in on my favorite holiday, I've decided to stretch the liver with 10 days of darkness. Meaning a week and a half of nothing but wonderful stouts! Today let's start with an American nitro stout, Left Hand's Milk Stout Nitro  (plus it comes with a handy Untappd badge;) Pour it hard is right, because the very thick head quickly dissipates to a reasonable level. A darkness that sunlight doesn't pass through pairs with a nose of light maltose sweetness. The mouthfeel is medium to full with a more roasty taste profile than I was expecting, yet not a detractor as I continue the beer. Not a chocolate milk stout by any means, I'll be having that winner later next week. 5.6%abv, using 2-row, Crystal, Munich, RB, Flaked Oats, Flaked barley and Chocolate malt (should have added some nibs in my opinion). I like LH brews but this one could have been better.  

Brew Batch #79 Sittin' Session IPA

Inspired by Session Player from BlackStone, and part of my IPA or Die series I wanted to try my hand at a session IPA. Took some good tips from Red on it still needing to have a decent malt backbone to it so it's not too thin. This will also help me turn some hop inventory which makes for a good excuse to simply restock later. Not sure how this Calypso, Cascade, Citra brew will turn out, but I'm sure someone will have a pint or 2? OG 1.050+0.001 @63F. The Citra hop stand has the garage smelling so nice.

Brew Batch #77 Centennial IPA (cIPA)

Kegged up today with a fantastic red, brown color. Put it on 22lbs @42F and started cold crashing, because I'd like to squeeze a pint out Monday. FG 1.008+0.001 @67F to give it a "sessionable" 7.35%. I'm not overly impressed with the PacMan yeast but it got the attenuation job done.