Lots of stuff has been going on in the past few weeks and I've been a bit lazy with the updates, so bare with me as there's a lot of stuff going on.
- TONS of new beers hitting the shelves already or in the near future, one of which is Bell's Batch 9000. Batch 9000 is a long-awaited imperial stout featuring molasses and brewer's licorice (hopefully it works better in a big stout than by itself) and weighs in at a hefty 12.5% abv. Rumor is it will be around the same price-point as HopSlam (about $18/sixer) and is being much more widely distributed than most highly sought after imperial stouts. Rumor is it will be available in the Louisville market this week and I'll be heading to Liquor Barn as soon as I hear of it's arrival.
- Speaking of big stouts, Sierra Nevada is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a series of collaboration brews, the first of which is an cork-and-caged imperial stout made with Fritz Maytag, the founder of Anchor Steam Brewing. This is said to be a rich and roasty stout perfect for aging or enjoying as a sipper right now. It will weigh in at 9.5% abv and given Sierra Nevada's track record, I am as excited about this one as any.
- Founder's Nemesis, a maple-syrup barrel-aged wheat-wine, is also out in the markets, though in very limited distribution. Given Founders' incredible series of high-alcohol (this one weighs in at 12% abv) beers, especially darker, heavier ones, this is another can't miss if you happen to be lucky enough to find it.
- On more of a hoppy note, Hoppin' Frog and Surly are both releasing brews catering to the hop-tooth in all of us. Hop Dam Triple IPA, Hoppin' Frog's bigger brother to the already extreme Mean Manalishi, hits shelves just after Valentine's Day. Any hop-head who has tried a fresh Mean Manalishi has to be excited about this one. As for Surly, they are canning (yes, they can their beers) their uber-famous (and one-time brewed) 16-Grit IIPA and renaming it Abrasive Ale. And lucky for me, I have some heading my way when it comes out in March. Damn-straight I'm dancing a hop-jig about that fact.
- I recently discovered the hobby of beer trading, and it's taking over my thought process. My first trade netted me some Surly Coffee Bender and Furious (AWESOME IPA) and has some of the previously mentioned Abrasive on its way and a second trade will net me a Surly Darkness (the super hard to find and top-25 rated RIS) and a Surly 4, their upcoming iced coffee imperial milk stout. Also have one in the works for some Pliny the Elder and hopefully an Abyss and a Black Butte XXI from Deschutes. It's damn fun and a great way to try beers from around the country/world.
- Spent a wonderful day with some fellow beer geeks in Bowling Green, KY. Tons of good conversation, beer suggestions/opinions, and ideas about things to do in the future. Hopefully Patrick, Blake, and crew will make it to Louisville sometime so we can share a few more brews together. At least we have Dark Lord Day to look forward to together.
- Speaking of DLD, Gibby and I will be attending our first Dark Lord Day and I can't tell you how excited I am. This is the biggest beer release party in the world and, according to the Blake, a beer-lover's dream. April 24th can't get here soon enough.
