The Bruery (2024)

I don't know... But I wonder if there's a PA tax on any booze shipment regardless of whether there's non-booze?

Sales tax is some goofy ass shit. 50/50 whether it's a weird rule or a system glitch

 

It's also just $3 so you'll be ok

 

2023 Hoarder Cuvee tasting magnificent.

 

Catching up with a couple more:

Heavenly Blis - The usual BT reserve notes (intense oak, caramel, and vanilla) with a healthy dose of maple, has an almost molasses-like aftertaste that’s quite pleasant. Rich and very sweet but not cloying. Maybe not quite as good as regular ol Black Tuesday Maple (and I probably also prefer BT Reserve or similar, like Tranquil Moonlight), but still great. Didn't get any extra bottles when this came out, but while I loved this, I'm fine with not having extras.

All the Leaves - Tons of apple, offset a bit by orange zest and a hint of ginger, with a subdued rum barrel and wheatwine character. A little too much going on here, and I’m clearly not as taken with apples as the Bruers are, but it’s not the worst thing in the world. I tend to dislike the WOS base beers in general though, so take this with a grain of salt.

Only things I haven't caught up with are Sundae Sunday (which I've had before, basically a jammy BT - fine, but not my favorite) and the December releases...

 

Tonight opened a 10 Lords a Leaping and am enjoying it very much (original, not box set). I always liked this one, and it's holding up great. No staleness that I can detect, and lots of flavor. Ho ho ho.

 

After a long and productive day, I was in the mood for something barrel-aged and strong and rewarding. I browsed through my small stash of older bottles, which are not very well organized, and found a gem I'd forgotten about: Geriatric Hipster Club from 2014.



The nose is full of bourbon and soft malt, with a touch of baking spices and orange marmalade. The taste suggests a very strong barrel-aged winter warmer, or a maybe a barrel-aged spiced barleywine. The massive sweetness this beer had when fresh has receded and mellowed. The bitter spicing has taken on a soft woody character with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and anise. The body is thin, but the carbonation is graceful. No oxidation. Impressive.

I liked the manic character of this beer when it was new, and I enjoyed designing this label back in July 2014. I am frankly delighted to find out that this beer has aged so well. Looking forward to finishing this bottle tomorrow.

 

Had to grab some of those 12oz bangers before the end of the year{impgrand o&d, plus as far as the rye)!!

 

I had a As Far As The Rye tonight! Super good... But I'm on the fence whether that price point is justified.

The 3 French Hens from a couple years ago is so damn good. It's too bad it's not in the sale. I have a bunch but would buy more.

I had a Turtle Doves last night and it was very enjoyable. Might get some from the sale.

Partridge is fine. It's super yeasty which isn't my preference.

I got one of the BA 6 Geese last year and drank it last week. Very meh and clearly past it's prime. Inoffensive... Which is not exactly an endorsement either.

I'm really excited to try the new allocations I ordered two weeks ago, but I guess they're super backlogged on shipping. I emailed and they apologized and said they're working through the queue. So if you're waiting, sit tight!

 

Yeah placed my cellar order 12/3, arrived today.

 

https://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-bruery-adding-2025-melange-quad.html?m=1

 

I opened a Double Double Mash last night and was underwhelmed. I can't imagine it would have changed much in six months. I liked the one I had when it was released, so maybe just something with my taste last night, or natural variation within the batch?

To be clear, I didn't sense anything was wrong with it. It was just more dry than I recalled, and malt was more expressive and fruity. Flavors in line with other barleywines, just not my preference.

 

Opened a Luminos last night, super mute flavors. Just got a hint of nutmeg and that typical Bruery yeast.

 

;

I also had one last night and felt kinda the same way, now I also had One and Dunn imperial grand reserve and wow, this was a great beer, didn’t seem like a 19%, and was glad to see it was a bit thicker than some of the other Bruery stouts, glad I picked up a few more in the latest sale

 

Fascinating! Well maybe six months in the bottle can do more than I assumed.

Agree that it's nice having more than one stout thickness. As Far As The Rye Can See is a blend with half O&D Reserve and when I had that the other day I'd forgotten just how much body there was (in a good way).

 

I think Midnight Frost is fantastic, a new twist on a "holiday" beer but it absolutely works and feels cozy. Definitely sharing this one with family for the holidays

 

Placed my order on 12/5, still hasn't even shipped yet (not even a label). I guess the secret is to place the order immediately on release day.

Sundae Sunday is basically the same as ever. Jammy berries on top of the stout base, pretty well balanced as these things go, not my favorite type of thing but perfectly cromulent.

Cracked a BBA Partridge in a Pear Tree (2021) as well. Still pretty great, maybe fallen off a bit, but it was my last bottle. Wish they had done BBA versions of 2TD, 3FH, 4CB (and I'd rather not get a full box of 12), but seeing as though this PiaPT bottle is still being sold in archive sales, I guess these don't sell so well...

I've had Double Double Mash three times. First time underwhelming (not bad or anything, just not what I remember from Mashes of old), second time surprisingly good (better than expected), and third time back to underwhelming. It's maybe a contextual thing having to do with what you've been drinking before, etc...

Looking forward to Midnight Frost and, maybe to a lesser extent, Luminos, but I'm guessing I won't get them until after holidays...

 

Your use of cromulent embiggened my day, thank you.

I ordered 12/3, got a label creation notification several days ago but no word about it actually shipping. Then suddenly it arrived Friday... And I missed the delivery guy. Supposedly they're coming back Monday.

 

Had a Midnight Bramble last night, not bad, the dry tartness overpowers any barrel presence, but in the small format was enjoyable

also had Cire Blenders Choice, really enjoyed more than the basic anniv