Highland Black Mocha Stout

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by AndyAvalanche, Oct 29, 2012.

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  1. AndyAvalanche

    AndyAvalanche Maven (1,404) Jun 16, 2008 Massachusetts
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    Not that I would necessarily recommend it, but I opened a Highland Black Mocha Stout from over a year ago and it's aged really well. Still robust and well carbonated. Had been hanging on to it because it was my last one and finally just bit the bullet. Curious how much longer it would have lasted. Impressive for a beer that's only about 5.5%, doesn't seem to happen all that often. Another reason I think Highland is one of the better breweries that seems to fly under the radar, I'm a big fan of this one and the oatmeal porter.

    *Disclaimer* It could just fly under the radar because it's not distributed to my area, but I never seem to hear people talking about Highland all that much.
     
    #1 AndyAvalanche, Oct 29, 2012
  2. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    Their Cold Mountain is an excellent beer and does well from my experience at up to three years. Just had a 2011 last night, still delicious.
     
    #2 RDMII, Oct 29, 2012
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  3. EasyReader

    EasyReader Pundit (772) Mar 30, 2009 North Carolina
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    Highland is one of those good local breweries that gets little love among "craft beer geeks," but in my opinion makes a lot of good beer and a few great ones. They've been around a while, so even NC "homers" don't give them a lot of love sometimes. I like the Black Mocha. They did an Imperial Black Mocha in 2008 that was even better; I'd love to see them do that one again. Cold Mountain is one I look forward to every year. The recipe changes a bit year to year, and that keeps it interesting. It often does well for several years; I have had five year old bottles that were fantastic. And i love the Oatmeal Porter. That was one of my early craft beers, and still one I enjoy often.

    I would also highly recommend Tasgall Ale. Little Hump Spring Ale is pretty nice, too.
     
    #3 EasyReader, Oct 29, 2012
  4. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    I agree, they're a really solid brewery. I had the 2008 Black Mocha bomber just last month, found one local last year and sat on it until the right time. The mocha had faded a little but it was still very good. The Tasgall is great too, have one from last year in my cellar as well and have gone through a dozen this past year.

    I was also seriously impressed with the brewery tour when I was up in Asheville earlier this year, the tour guide was a great speaker, well informed, friendly, and energetic (cute too). We got five pours during the tour for free and the pints were cheap to buy after. Tons of cool gear and schwag too. Really a good time if you're ever closeby.
     
    #4 RDMII, Oct 30, 2012
  5. AndyAvalanche

    AndyAvalanche Maven (1,404) Jun 16, 2008 Massachusetts
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    Nice, thanks guys. Cold Mountain and Tasgall are both on my list. I've just never been in an area when I can purchase them in season. One of those things I'll get around to eventually. Imperial Black Mocha sounds awesome.
     
    #5 AndyAvalanche, Oct 30, 2012
  6. AndyAvalanche

    AndyAvalanche Maven (1,404) Jun 16, 2008 Massachusetts
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    I'd love to check out there tour, thanks for the heads up
     
    #6 AndyAvalanche, Oct 30, 2012
  7. marine1975

    marine1975 Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2009 North Carolina

    Great brewery, great people!!!
     
    #7 marine1975, Oct 30, 2012
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  8. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    It's Saturdays only IIRC, 4-8pm, but it's an awesome brewery. Going to all the other Asheville breweries and seeing them all so small, it's quite a shock to see how huge they are. Asheville though is the ultimate East Coast town for a brewery tour weekend, no matter where you end up.

    Now that I've hijacked the thread........Yes, I'm sure the Mocha and Oatmeal both could sit a while and still be good. Their Thunderstruck is another big flavor beer, I could see it sitting a while and mellowing, while still being good.
     
    #8 RDMII, Oct 30, 2012
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  9. AndyAvalanche

    AndyAvalanche Maven (1,404) Jun 16, 2008 Massachusetts
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    Haha, "hijacking" is all good, I always appreciate the dialogue. I'll have to keep Asheville in mind I guess if I'm ever passing through. I wanted to try and age an Oatmeal porter too, but it didn't last long enough!
     
    #9 AndyAvalanche, Oct 30, 2012
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