Hubbard's Cuvee V2
Hubbard's Cave Brewery

 

Hubbard’s Cave is always on the radar whenever I am browsing for new beers. I always pay attention to their stout releases and, if needed, I head on over to the brewery to pick up. On my latest trip I stumbled across their Cuvee V2 when picking up another beer. I grabbed the Cuvee as well and cracked open the bomber at home. The beer is a heavily complex blend of stout, barleywine, and quad styles. It definitely leans on the latter two profiles and the stout is a bit hidden. Loads of tanginess and mild booze due to the lengthy aging process.

 

 

I've always been a fan of stout and barleywine blending experiments, and this one adds a quad and many years in barrels (26 months for the stout, 37 months for the barleywine, and 24 months for the quad). The extensive oak and Belgian character combines to give the impression of being an old ale with stout qualities. Very complex, milk chocolate, boozy bourbon, caramel, banana and clove. Quite reminiscent of The Bruery's efforts in this realm, and I'd put it up against any of those. At 11% ABV, it's also more "drinkable."