Shmaltz - Reunion Ale '11

All the convincing I needed to buy this bottle was to see the the names Schmaltz & Terrapin on the label.  I had no idea that they had done a collaboration, but let's just say that the idea did not disappoint me.  Those two breweries have put out some truly tasty craft beers and collaboration between the two has lots of potential.  This beer also has the potential to be something greater than just a great collaboration.  The label indicates that this is "A beer for hope" that will help raise funds and awareness for "the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research."  Having a sister who contracted leukemia when she was 3 years old (she's now 28 thank-you-very-much), bone cancer research is a cause near and dear to my heart (and bones).  I love seeing breweries give back to their community in such a huge way.

Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, I'll let Shmaltz tell you the story behind this beer via their label:

"Teaming up with Terrapin Beer Co. for the first time, Shmaltz Brewing joins the tribe as a production partner for the Reunion '11.  We brew Reunion each year in memory of our dear friend and partner in this venture  Virginia MacLean.  Virginia lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma in 2007.  It was her wish that we continue on behalf of The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org)."

Aroma 10/12

The detected aromas read like a checklist off of the front of the bottle.  First comes plenty of the cocoa nibs, but they're being sweetened by a brazen vanilla scent.  The vanilla, thanks to its surroundings, comes off as being a dark vanilla and not an "ice cream" like sugary sweetness.  The roasted chiles are not far behind and their contribution is the expected heat and a more subtle roast flavor than most beers in the same genre.  I could see how the combination of sweet and spicy could lead some people to detect a cinnamon aroma in this brew, but it is only an illusion.  This is another beer that truly needs time to warm in the glass.  After only a few minutes all those separate aromas really come together in a cohesive blend that showcases the cocoa, but still features a boozy vanilla and faint smokey roast.  This gives me high hopes.

Appearance 3/3

This beer pours like a brown, but the label describes it as a "dark imperial ale."  The color would also have us believe that this is a brown (maaaybe even an imperial one), by showing a general coffee color, almost complete opacity, and dim ruby highlights when held to a light.  The head is lasting and tan and its texture quickly takes up a creamy appearance.

Flavor 17/20

Immediately, I am again given the impression of a sharp, cinnamon spiciness in this brew.  I wonder what combination of ingredients is providing that sensation (I'm guessing a combination of roasted notes from the peppers and some perky carbonation).  Any sensory experts out there care to comment?  In any case, it is quickly washed away by a smooth, dark cocoa.  Vanilla is present, but doesn't really come out until the brown malts begin to sing their tune.  The brown malts are rich, quite sweet, and seem to be paired up with a honey of sorts.  Yet another flavor not mentioned in their ingredients, but whose sweetness is undeniable.  If you let the beer sit long enough and heat from the chili begins to smolder through, but for the most part it politely waits its turn until the finish.  Speaking of the finish, it's rather subdued as a whole.  Right after swallowing it seems to only have a grainy malted note, but soon the heat trickles in until it is noticeable, but stops well short of being even a moderate heat.  The bitter of the cocoa nibs follows slowly, but is not intended to be balancing.  However, the contrast from the sweet malts is a another layer of complexity and flavor in this beer.

Mouthfeel 4/5

I'm torn when rating this mouthfeel.  Part of me thinks that an "imperial ale" needs to feel much bigger in the mouth.  Another part thinks that any beer with chiles needs to maintain some carbonation and a bit of a lighter mouthfeel to be somewhat drinkable and not a hot, syrupy mess.  This beer is far from syrupy (or a mess), but I also feel that it's far from "imperial."  The carbonation actually keeps this beer quite refreshing even far into the 22 oz bomber bottle.  Also, while the beer is far from "imperial," that may be more due to the not-insanely-intense level of flavor than it is the mouthfeel.  The mouthfeel is actually quite sturdy, thanks to the abundance of brown malts, and adequately carries all the flavors presented.

Overall Impression 8/10

This is a chile beer that actually provides some noticeable heat and thus, deflates my main complaint with chile beers in general.  It also has a nice sweetness thanks to loads of body-giving brown malts, vanilla, and cocoa nibs.  It is imperial?  No.  Is it a chile ale and NOT marketed as such?  Yes.  The carbonation amounts are fantastic and really make this beer refreshing despite the fact that it contains chiles.

Total 42/50

Overall, this is a collaboration which which I'm pleased.  It's got great flavors, even if they're not necessarily unique to this style of brew, and I enjoy the ample carbonation and body.  However, if they're going to call it imperial, then I wish those flavors were more intense and give the impression of a "big beer," but it's still an above average chile beer as it stands.  I do give them kudos for a very complex malt profile and also the aforementioned heat level.  There's a lot working for this beer and seemingly only a label classification that works against it.  I'd definitely buy it again.  It's right up there with Stone's 11.11.11, only I had never heard of this brew until I found it on a shelf.  I'm glad I did.  L'chaim!

Terrapin - Big Hoppy Monster

Yes!  Through a beer trade I have procured another bottle from Terrapin.  As that I now have two fine trading partners in the Southeast, I wish I could say I remember which one sent this, but it doesn't matter since Ruy and Keith are both awesome.  Write that down.  Long story short, I've been in love with Terrapin ever since cracking open their "W-N-B" (the new censored name of Wake-N-Bake), a coffee oatmeal imperial stout.  If it's an imperial from Terrapin, I'm excited.  Plus, this time of year begs for beers that are a bit lighter as we all start getting used to the long, beautiful days and craft beer filled gatherings and reds usually fit that bill marvelously.  Let's pour!

Aroma 11/12

My nose thanks me for opening this beer.  Tons of red malt and toffee right off the bat and blended nicely with a "dark orange" citrus bouquet of hops: apricots and caramelized orange.  In fact, the fruits are so dark, one could just as easily find some raisins as well!  Slow to develop are a slight mustiness and a boozy note that lets you know you're dealing with a monster.  There are no Belgian yeast characteristics, but I associate this aroma with a Quad - a saturating, rich aroma with hints of booze.  This should be fun.

Appearance 3/3

It's difficult to see in the picture, but the hue of this brew is actually closer to the "39" on the EBC scale shown. Its a dusky, hazy, brown/mahogany with a head the shade is rust were it a pastel color.  The bottle actually gushed on me, but the head turned out relatively small compared to its vigorous "how-de-do."  It stayed for an acceptable period before finally coating the surface.

Flavor 19/20

If you'd have told me this was a red, I'd have called you a liar.  Whoa!  I've never had a red like this!  The beginning is very creamy with lots of body-enhancing malts and slides easily into that sweet malty goodness - full of toffee and the aforementioned raisins.  Holding the beer in the mouth continues the malts, but adds a hint of brown sugar and bright, yet far off, citrus on the sides of the mouth.  There is very little to none of the orange-like notes from the aroma.  The finish is remarkably clean for such a monster of a beer!  You swallow and the majority of the flavor goes right along with it.  All that remains is a slight alcohol tingle and an earthy red malt that clings stickily to the back of the throat.

Mouthfeel 4/5
I dock a point right away for gushing, but the carbonation in the rest of the beer is not unpleasant.  Please note that "unpleasant" does not equal "perfect."  I know this is a big beer and sometimes big beers can be a little harder to carbonate.  However, if that is the "rule," then how do Belgian strong ales (dark or golden) achieve such a high level of carbonation in their big beers?  Big should not be mutually exclusive to "well-carbonated" and this beer could have used a little more zest.  The body is big and holds all that malt flavor wondrously.  Well-hidden is the 8.3% ABV and it only comes out when it seems most beneficial for the flavor profile.  Very well done.

Overall Impression 9/10
This is a big beer in body, flavor, and a deceptively high ABV.  It smashes the mold of "red ale" and charges forward to define the style on its own.  It is like no other red ale you'll have with it's unique aroma, raisin notes, huge flavor.  If more reds were like this, I'd be inclined to sample the style more often.

Total 46/50
Given the great, rich taste of this beer and its "take no prisoners" attitude, it seems to me that a 46 is a bit low.  However, there are a few things holding this beer back; namely the carbonation which affected its score by both gushing out upon opening and leaving the beer feeling flat a bit too early on in the bottle.  Do I recommend this beer?  Wholeheartedly.  Will red ale drinkers like it?  Who knows!?  I feel that this departs from the style in such a way that the answer truly is a toss up.  Should the average craft beer drinker pick this up whenever they see it?  Yes.  Buy it.  If you're looking for the biggest, baddest-assed red you can find, then look no further.  I didn't find all the hops that the name would imply, but according to the label this is a 2011 vintage.  I can't wait to try one fresh!

Also I wish to give this bottle extra, brownie, craft beer, unicorn, glitter points for its great bottle art.  Lots of great colors that jump out at you, a hot rod, and a cartoon turtle smoking a cigar.  It's aesthetically pleasing and kicks some ass.   Good work, Terrapin.  I never doubted you for a second!

Terrapin - Wake N Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Readers, I thank you for your patience.  I've been a bit under the weather the past week and while I do not completely endorse "tea totalling" during illness, I would not have been able to tell you the aroma of a beer if I tried.  That said, I will be making up for lost time and writing one review every day for the next week.

This week's beer is Terrapin Beer Co.'s Wake N Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout (discretely labeled on the bottle as "W-n-B").  To me that sounds like a mouthful.  The only types of stout the left out were oatmeal raisin, oak aged, milk, and several types of overpriced, caffeinated beverages (espresso, mocha, cappucino, etc).  While this will make the beer harder to categorize under a single particular style, I will hopefully be able to differentiate some characteristics it takes from each.  Big thanks to Brent C. (Bartender Extraordinaire) for the suggestion and Keith for the bottle.  Let's pour!

Picture is my own.  Bottle art image used without permission for educational uses only.

Aroma 9/12
First sniff is of dark chocolate, but boy has he brought some friends!  There is also the essence of a milk stout and a bit of smokiness, though in subsequent sniffs I determined that the smoke was merely the dark roasted malt.  You can even smell the warmth in this one!  Exciting!  I love a good, stiff brew.

Appearance 3/3
This beer poured thick, which is almost always a good sign in a stout.  In the glass, it did not take much effort to produce a nice-sized, brown head on top.  The beer is pitch, friggin' black, which is exactly what I like to see in a stout.  Not only is the color awesome in the beer and the head, but the latter had some decent retention as well.  If I could give bonus points, I would.

Picture is my own.

Flavor 20/20
If you think I am about to drop every stout description in the universe, it is because I may.  Do not forget, this is called a "coffee oatmeal imperial stout."  Long story short, this beer is complex and I love that.  Initial sips are sweet.  The milk stout (ahem, the oatmeal which GIVES the milk stout flavor) of the aroma makes itself known and is accompanied by rich, dark fruit flavor.  Other times, it will also include a dark caramel in the  initial flavor.  The dark fruit-based sweetness is the primary flavor in the beer, but far from solitary.  This sweetness will hang around in your mouth as long as you let it.  It waits for you to take the next step (which is really cool).  Once you do begin to swallow, this beer performs a perfect transition from its current sweetness to the bitter tones beneath it.  As I drank the pint, I thought the sweetness was fading into a dark chocolate flavor just before a drier, coffee finish.  However, I now think the chocolate flavor was just a perfect melding of the sweet and the dark bitter.  The warmth from the aroma makes its appearance in the aftertaste along with the coffee bean bitterness.  Note:  not "coffee", but "coffee bean."  Very balanced and very tasty.

Mouthfeel 4/5
This had a good body for a stout.  It did not drink as thick as it poured, but was still a heavier-than-medium body.  The carbonation (appropriately) faded away to low levels quickly after the pour.  The warmth in this beer was a very nice touch.  It was not until later that I looked at the bottle and discovered it had a 8.1% ABV!  No wonder I could smell the warmth!  In fact, this is also VERY appropriate to the imperial stout style  as high alcohol contents were need to preserve the beer while shipping the long journey to Russia.  The body and warmth make this a sipper, but the flavor always has you picking up the glass for another taste.


Overall Impression 10/10
It hits the nail on the head and I have no idea how.  OK, so I see how its feasible to nail the appearance since all three are stouts (coffee, oatmeal, imperial), but the flavor?!  Yet, all three are there without the compromise of any other.  Its an amazing accomplishment.  This beer is dark, balanced, warm, complex, opaque, and a very exciting combination of styles.

Total 46/50 (Outstanding)
This beer promised us a lot in its name and it delivered.  While it is primarily a imperial stout, there is certainly coffee present and the oatmeal shows itself in milk stout and caramel tones.  I initially had ranked this beer lower in some categories, but as I was reviewing the scores I could not justify them.  Of course it deserves a 10 in overall impression!  Not only did it peg one style, but three.  Of course it deserves a 20 in flavor!  What more do I want?  More complexity?  More experimentation of the style?  If I gave it a 19/20, what more was looking for in this beer?  What was I hoping to see that I did not which would have made it perfect?

I could not answer that.  I have a hard time finding this beer, but I am in a much smaller market.  If you see this, buy it.  Kudos to the boys at Terrapin.  We owe you one.