BlackStone Taproom Now Open

A long time in the making but BlackStone Brewing's taproom is finally open. This highlight flick showcases the 16 tap spread. All beers are BS core, seasonal, specialty with 2 nitro and a homebrew. Oh yeah, homebrew. Using a half barrel system Red & homebrewer sling out a Pro-"Amish", not Amish, batch at BlackStone caliber to the masses. Got wood? BlackStone does. Corsair barrels housed their Baltic Porter for a bit as the Belle Meade barrels currently house Black Belle. Tours on Saturday and Sunday (can't ask for Arto, he's off I'm sure;) Blackstone restaurant has closed but current hours are M-F 4-8, Sat 12-9 and Sunday 12-6 for the taproom. Raise a pint and thank Kent for slapping endosperm since 1994. (still working on video upload, try this link) Wee Nay Nay fixed the video for me so I"m reposting from July. (Review of TapHouse visit to follow)

Our Tastes-- Good Gourd

Good Gourd, is a fantastic Imperial pumpkin offering from Cigar City. I'm admittedly one of those "gobble up all things pumpkin" this time of year. Shipyard is a standard, Schlafly, BlackStone (of course), DFH Punkin (damn those hand made growlers!) This one pours an awesome deep amber with a sweet nose that explodes of Yankee Candle company pumpkin pie! The taste of the special spices is truly incredible. Made with Ceylon cinnamon, Jamaican all-spice, Zanzibar cloves and nutmeg; it gives me the feeling of having pumpkin brew on a Caribbean island as it warms with a hint of pirate rum and smooth vanilla. Part of the Alfalfa and "mole-vision" Babs Bootleg train, I only wish I had sprung for a growler!

Brew Batch #75 The GIPA

Kegged today and the swill is very promising. First impression is that I'd like a little more grapefruit. But we'll let Junk be the final word on whether or not it becomes a regular. FG 1.008+ 0.001 @74F, to yield a solid 7.5%.

Brew Batch #76 Medusa™ Cream Ale

Judge me not, but 2 years ago I wanted to try this new novel Neomexicanus hop varietal (grown by CSL Farms exclusively) and the only way to get it was to order NB's Medusa™ Cream Ale. Well, I missed out. But not this year. Since I'm having a "Junky" visit +/- Wee Nay Nay in a month, I wanted to have a great "IPA or Die" series on tap for him and he opted into a recipe with a hop neither of us have had instead of a hoppy wheat, which I support fully! So today I'm knocking out Medusa™ Cream Ale and relishing the idea of finally seeing what this varietal tastes/smells like. OG 1.052+ 0.001 @70F.

Our Tastes-- Citrus Mistress

If I were to have an affair, this would be my mistress! Citrus Mistress, is a grapefruit IPA that is simply stellar! I've had a few GIPAs this summer and it runs only a second place (I think) to G. Sculpin. Nose is a phenomenal grapefruit and hoppiness. Color is a burnt orange that makes me feel "Oktoberfest/Pumpkin ale" fuzzy inside. Down to the last sip this 6.5% brew is a great CommonBond master brewer donation.Only thing, apparently it only comes in 1 packs?