Imperial Oak Brewing

BBA Vlad and BBA Maple Vlad were both very good. BA Quiet Giant was also very good. I'd just about put those three on even ground. Vlad vs Zombie vs Shark was insane good. I can see if you like the IO offerings better but can't in any way agree that they're "WAY" better.
Cheers.

 

Over at Imperial Oak for some BA pours. I had the 2017 first, which is good but a little more bourbon forward than I'd like. Overall drinks pretty nicely though. The 2016 version seems to have really fallen off. I haven't had it fresh but this felt like a pretty weak, slightly off tasting regular stout. And I hope I don't sound like a troll but the Maple version of this year's was straight up bad. I couldn't finish it. Honestly, I'm underwhelmed.

 

However, the nitro for this year is incredible. Holy poop

 

Missed you by a few hours. I was in there around 2. Only had time to try a few. Had the Maple, then Nitro w/ cinnamon & vanilla. I thought both were good, but definitely preferred the nitro. The maple was really sweet, which wasn't a surprise. Tons of great stuff still on tap there. Left with a crowler of Crank it Hop.

 

I didn't try the Vlad vs Zombie but I think that Quiet Giant this year and last year were much better than any of the other Vlad stuff I tasted- Vanilla, Maple or Raspberry.

 

Sitting at the bar (again).

They tell me both the 2017 BA Quiet Giant and the 2017 Maple BA Quiet Giant should easily last through the weekend.

Also from the anniversary party still on tap are:
Strawberry wild saison
Gin BA honey saison (Brother's Keeper)
BA barleywine (Lord Humongous)
Flanders red
Red wine BA Baltic porter (Ragnarok)

Listed as "on deck" as those kick:
Scotch BA scotch ale (Wee Willie's)
Bourbon BA imperial milk stout (Udder Madness)
Rum BA quad (Sinister Minister)
Rye BA IIIPA (Prediction Pain)
Gin BA IIIPA (Prediction Pain)

 

Just a reminder that Savage Oak Straw is a Brett finished Saison, not a Strawberry Saison. Hopefully as more Savage Oak beers get produced there will be a dedicated section of the chalkboard to the various Savage Oak products so that the "colors" don't confuse folks.

As of Sunday the Maple BA Quiet Giant had kicked, as had Barrel Aged Lord Humongous

 

Quiet Giant this year is indeed very good.

 

Anyone try the new batch of Crank it Hype?

 

The draft only variant of Barrel Aged Double Dee's Imperial Porter will be a version that was aged in a Maple Bourbon Barrel instead of the Dad's Hat Port / Bourbon barrels that the regular version was aged in.

As usual the Burger Antics folks will be out serving food, and I'll be out there that morning as well to share some beers (likely some stuff from a friends recent trip to the Vermont area will be brought out).

Expect an update on FB later this afternoon.

 

I'm looking forward to attending. Their releases have become increasingly fun to attend. The Quiet Giant release really threw me though. I was not expecting to get there as early as I did and still be 100 deep in line. Have their releases really gotten this big or was it just the Quiet Giant release?

 

They're not all like that. Typically their RIS or other stout releases have lines in the morning but nothing like Quiet Giant. Some releases have even had bottles carry over to the following week but are usually always gone within a couple days if so. They seem to be doing an extra barrel or two for their big stouts so expect longer lines for years to come. I Must Break You is probably the next biggest release that I can remember a considerable line at.

 

Quiet Giant is by far the most attended release of the year due to a variety of factors, but I do think that this will be a well attended release.

It seems that Stouts (or in this case an Imperial Porter), and things aged in Bourbon Barrels (and I don't think the Port / Bourbon barrel will decrease interest) have more folks coming out than other styles aged in non-bourbon barrels.

See everyone on Saturday!

 

Good stuff and the maple DD is sublime.

Thank you IO.

 

Still some available?