Year of New Beer: Summer 2017 Garage Share

Written By: Dion on 08/05/2017

I've learned that when you are summoned to the Garage, you make every effort to attend, as there will always be special bottles. Tonight was next-level. I'm not sure how many bottles were opened, and on most any other day, virtually any of them would be ranked highly in their own right. But tonight, for me anyway, three stood out. First up is 2013 California Brandy Barrel Aged Hunahpu Imperial Stout, Cigar City Brewing (FL). A delicious blend of chocolate, chili, and vanilla topped off by a light spice and dark fruit from the brandy barrel. Absolutely stellar. Second was Rhythm Rug, Fonta Flora Brewery (NC). Funky, dusty hay and loads of strawberries on the nose. The fruit is tart and tingly in the mouth, but it somehow manages to maintain an undercurrent of jammy sweetness. Maybe the best use of strawberries in any beer I've ever tasted. Last up was Black Berry White, Superstition Meadery (AZ). Seldom am I at a loss for words when it comes to beer, mead, etc. But this nearly defies description. Think deliciously sweet blackberry cobbler drizzled with white chocolate. Only better. Three heavy hitters on a night of world class brews.