December 24 - Hardywood's Gingerbread Stout

Well another 24 Days of Beer are in the books.  For all of those that blogged throughout, you're on the nice list.  For those that did not blog, it's the naughty list for you.  I hope all of you enjoyed the journey again.  This Christmas Eve beer should end our journey on a great note.  This beer gets excellent reviews.  Merry Christmas everyone!!!  I hope you are sharing it with friends and family.  Oh yeah, and virtually with all 48 members of the 24 Days of Beer!!!

Why we picked it:  It's supposed to be awesome.  Received a perfect rating.  It was a little more massed produced this year compared to years past.  Virginia beer.  Enjoy!

About Hardywood's Gingerbread Stout:  Brewed with baby ginger from Casselmonte Farm and wildflower honey from Bearer Farms, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout captures the terroir of central Virginia in a rich, creamy libation with a velvety mouthfeel and an intriguing evolution of flavors from milk chocolate and vanilla to honeycomb and cinnamon to a snap of ginger in the finish. Deep, dark chocolate in color with a mahogany tint and a frothy, caramel colored head, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout offers aromatics of holiday spice originating from the ginger, and balanced with a generous dose of whole Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and Vietnamese cinnamon. Milk sugar (lactose) contributes to the full body of this stout and tames its roasty character, while oats lend a silky quality. Enjoy fresh, or cellar for a special occasion. We hope Hardywood Gingerbread Stout contributes to your merriment this season.

Best With: Hardywood Gingerbread Stout is exquisite as a dessert pairing beer. An absolute wonder with crème brûlée or fresh chocolate pudding, rich desserts with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or chocolate really bring out the flavor of Gingerbread Stout, and vice versa. By itself, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout also makes a fine digestif while enjoying a cold night by a crackling fire

Beer style: Imperial Milk Stout Brewed with Fresh Local Ginger and Honey

Beer Advocate Score: 94 and 100

ABV: 9.2%

IBUs: 55
OG: 1.100

Case Cost:  $10 a bottle

*website: http://www.hardywood.com/content/hardywood-gingerbread-stout

December 23 - Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale

Why we picked it:  I've heard that everything from Samuel Smith's is excellent.  Thought we would try a couple.

About Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale:  Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); best barley malt, yeast and aromatic hops; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create a relatively dry ale with rich nutty colour and palate of beech nuts, almonds and walnuts.  Best served at about 55°F (13°C).  Registered with The Vegan Society; suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Beer Advocate Score: 91 and 100

Ingredients: Water, malted barley, yeast, cane sugar, hops, roasted barley

ABV: 5.0%

Case Cost:  $60 ($11 a four pack)

*website: http://www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk/site/product/nut-brown-ale/

December 22 - Duclaw's Devils Milk

Why we picked it:  Duclaw is a Maryland Brewery and this is one of there seasonals.

About Duclaw's Devils Milk:  Each year since it was first brewed in 1998, Devil’s Milk, the Brewer’s Association of Maryland Governor’s Cup gold medal winner in 2006, 2007 and 2008, has used a different blend of hops to flavor and bitter the beer, making each batch of Devil’s Milk a unique experience. The 2014 vintage of Devil’s Milk epitomizes the American Barleywine. A medium bodied, amber ale with a thin, persistent, off-white head and a complex flavor profile with an assertive hop bill. Mesmerizing citrus flavors and aromas of the palate dominating hop finish and warming alcohol presence (11.5% alcohol by volume). Devil’s Milk is best served in a snifter, both to accommodate its alcohol content and allow the complex flavors inherent in the beer to emerge as it warms in the glass.

Beer Advocate Score: 85

Style: American Barley Wine
Color: Copper
Hop Variety: Centennial, Citra, Galena
Grains: Pale Malt, Wheat Malt, Aromatic Malt, Crystal Malt, Special Malt
 

ABV: 11.5%
IBU:  66
Plato: 23

Case Cost:  $46 ($13 a six pack)

*website: http://duclaw.com/beer/devils-milk/

December 21 - Chaos Mountain's Cocoborealis

Why we picked it:  Virginia Brewery

About Chaos Mountain's Cocoborealis:  Indulge your senses in swirling layers of rich chocolate and coffee. Then ask yourself, how many chocolatey things can you add to a stout? We found three that we love. First we start out with two chocolate roasted malts. Then during brewing we add a big dose of rich cocoa powder. Finally we age this stout on (organic) cocao nibs. The result is a decadent dark chocolate “Liquid of the Gods” we like to call CocoBorealis: Triple Chocolate Stout.

Beer Advocate Score: not rated

Malts: 2-row Pale Malt, Crystal 60L, Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Wheat, Flaked Oats
Hop Variety: CTZ
Yeast: Wyeast 1318 London III
Style: Triple Chocolate Stout
Flavor: Dark Chocolate, Coffee, Roastiness
Color: Black, opaque
 

ABV: 6.0%
IBU:  31

Case Cost:  $43 ($12 a six pack)

*website: http://chaosmountainbrewing.com/beer/cocoborealis/

December 20 - Anderson Valley's Barney Flats

Why we picked it:  We usually have Anderson Valley's Winter Solstice in the lineup.  This year we decided to try a different offering from them.  Hope it was not a mistake.

About Anderson Valley's Barney Flats:  The deep ebony color, voluptuous mahogany head and bold, roasty flavors in our Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout are what serious beer drinkers expect from this style.  Aromas of freshly baked bread, espresso, and dried cherries meld seamlessly with rich toffee flavors and a creamy mouth feel to create an unparalleled drinking experience.

Food Pairings:  French onion soup, pulled pork sliders, smoked meats, chocolate desserts

Cheese Pairings: Smoked Gouda, Havarti

Beer Advocate Score: 91 and 100

Malts:  Pale Two-Row, Crystal (40L & 80L), Roasted Barley, Munich, Chocolate, Oats 
Hops:  Columbus, Northern Brewer
Dates Available:  Year-round
 

ABV: 5.8%
IBU:  14

Case Cost:  $43 ($12 a six pack)

*website: https://avbc.com/our-beers/barney-flats-oatmeal-stout/

December 19 - Bells' Expedition Stout

Why we picked it: Bell's Brewery is a staple in the 24 DoB.  We will to try one of their beers each year.  Never had this one before, but I'm sure some have as it is widely available.

About Bells' Expedition Stout:  One of the earliest examples of the Russian Imperial Stout in the United States, Expedition Stout offers immensely complex flavors crafted specifically with vintage aging in mind, as its profile will continue to mature and develop over the years. A huge malt body is matched to a heady blend of chocolate, dark fruits, and other aromas. Intensely bitter in its early months, the flavors will slowly meld and grow in depth as the beer ages..

Beer Advocate Score: 94 and 98

Original Gravity:  1.11
Shelf Life:  Unlimited
Dates Available:  Winter
Available Packages:  Bottle and draft.

 

ABV: 10.5%

Case Cost:  $61 ($17 a six pack)

*website: http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/15-Expedition%20Stout%20

December 18 - Samuel Smith's The Famous Taddy Porter

Why we picked it:  I've heard that everything from Samuel Smith's is excellent.  Thought we would try a couple.

About Samuel Smith's The Famous Taddy Porter:  Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground), malted barley, roasted malt, yeast and hops. Fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’.  Best served at about 55°F (13°C).  Registered with The Vegan Society; suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Beer Advocate Score: 93 and 100

Ingredients: Water, malted barley, yeast, hops, roasted malt, cane sugar.

 

ABV: 5.0%

Case Cost:  $60 ($11 a four pack)

*website: http://www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk/site/product/taddy-porter/