Bruery RS/HS Allocations (2019)

Just opened my last bottle of Rueminator. When this beer first came out I was really disappointed. Not bad, just maybe not what I was expecting. But now... Oh boy, this thing is fantastic. I feel like the malt has developed a fantastic complex depth (though I wouldn't call it oxidized).

I know they were trying to unload it in the store forever, but I don't see it now... If it pops up in an archive sale this year I'm getting at least a couple more!

 

I'll answer my own question - Hold the Spoon is NOT a Whole Foods exclusive. Other spots here in SoCal are getting cans.

 

People seemed to enjoy them while waiting for their boxes in the past, so here are my thoughts on the first three HS box beers:

Cherryversary: Too damn hot. Was impressed with how the wine barrels make themselves felt without being overpowering. I liked it better when it was colder: at just below cellar temp, it was a well balanced and interesting take on the anniversary beer. As it warmed, though, the tart cherries take over completely, swamping out the other flavors. I would not have known vanilla was in it if I hadn't read the description. I'm worried that this sounds negative, but I did enjoy it! Just maybe one to age for a bit, to let the booze heat and cherry flavors diminish a bit.

Cherum Jazz: Drank this first of the sours since I expected to hate it, not being a fan of jasmine in beer. Boy was I surprised! This is one of the most layered and balanced Terreux sours I've had in a while! Cherry flavors are very bright and clear, with a strong acid tart combining for a very refreshing taste; the jasmine really helps smooth out the acidity on the after-taste. Very good, though an extreme TTA bomb--It took half a box of Tums to make it through this very pleasant drinking experience.

Mash & Maple Grind: Best of the three so far. Aroma was very strong on the coffee tones, but with a noticeable hint of boozy, syrupy sweetness. The maple made itself more present on the taste, with the coffee bitterness just holding the sweet flavors of malt, maple, and alcohol in balance. For how strong each of the flavors are on their own, its remarkable that this remains so balanced and approachable. Right up there with old school Funky Buddha Morning Wood as my favorite take on the style.

Planing to drink the next three over the weekend! Really looking forward to Sour Tangie and Black Twosday!

 

My dad and I were burned by that date change a couple years back. Was a huge pain dealing with travel plans changing and other commitments we'd made for the alternative weekend. I will not again trust the anniversary party date until tickets are on sale...

 

Bakery: Banana Bread

https://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-bruery-adding-bakery-banana-bread.html?m=1

 

And here's the Terreux collaboration with Dogfish:

https://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2019/03/bruery-terreux-dogfish-head-collaborate.html?m=1

 

You weren't kidding!

https://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-bruery-celebrating-2019-anniversary.html?m=1

I wonder if this is the "amped up" version they teased or if there will be two separate releases...

Since HS gets a bottle, I wonder if they're bottling and canning, or if we're scoring a pair of cans?

 

I pray it's nothing like the last one they did. That beer was bad. Very.

 

Anyone attending the Reukeller: Helles release party? Not sure I'll make it but I'm living vicariously through what I'm seeing on Untappd, which is really good for a lager. The slow pour and glass remind me of Bierstadt in Denver.

The $7 pint feels high but I can't remember what I usually pay for a well made lager since they're so damn hard to find. The growler though comes out to $3.75 a pint which sounds about right. I foresee many fills in my future. especially as the weather warms up.

 

I'm hoping this will be good. I know I'll be grabbing a few cans.

 

Amen brother!

 

Another question I just remembered I had and asked about when I went to pickup in January. Last year when I joined reserve, we received a couple gifts (bottle opener, teku glass) and this year I don't believe there has been anything so far. Also there were growlers available for purchase so I have this cool Reserved growler from last year but have yet to be able to get a Hoarders growler.

Any updates on these?

 

There is no included merch this year: some people like this ("I already have as many Bruery glasses and bottle openers as I'll ever need"), but I kind of miss having a new bit of swag for the year. How are people supposed to know how staggeringly much of my income I spend on beer clubs without glassware to say so???

No idea about whether there will be growlers. There seems to be a lot less merch released by Bruery over the last year...

 

Finished off the box, here are my thoughts:

Sour Tangie: Good, if slightly one-dimensional sour. Tangerine flavor really takes over the beer, upping the perceived acidity beyond the base (complete acidity bomb) SitR. Vanilla is noticeable around the edges, mostly providing just a hint of creaminess to the affair. Couldn't get as much of that rye spice that you get from the base beer; seriously, the citrus flavors are running the show. I enjoyed it, but probably would have enjoyed it more with a more deft approach to the fruit.

Black Twosday: This guy was fricken weird. Pretty standard BT aroma, though much less booziness than I had expected. On the first sip, I was a bit disappointed by the strong red wine barrel flavors and lack of port notes. But then, to my fascination, as the beer sat on my tongue, the red wine faded and rich, jammy port flavors showed up to the party! You really get both variants here, with the wine notes more pronounced at fridge temperature and the port flavors at cellar temperature. Quite an experience drinking this one!

It Depense: Tart of Darkness with cherries. Don't really have much to say about this one. Nothing negative to say here really, but this was definitely the most ordinary of the six beers in the box. Not as much influence from the rum barrels as I had expected. Pretty sweet, more than I had expected.

Another good collection of beers, in my mind! Cherum Jazz, Black Twosday, and (especially) Mash & Maple Grind were the stand-outs, and only It Depense was a bit of a let-down.

 

I'm actually "OK" with no merch included. I've only been a member for a few years, but I have an adequate amount of glassware.

 

Overall - great enough to get a 2nd box? Or 1 box (2each) - sufficient?

 

Eh, I'm perfectly happy with just one box, but I don't think you'd be disappointed going for a second.

 

As a first-year Reserve Society member, I'm definitely a bit disappointed that there is no included merch. I understand the decision though, especially with a lot of members be returnees.