New Brew Thursday: 'Barrel Aged Color & Grain' from Trillium Brewing

It is that magical time of year again folks. The days are getting a little shorter and colder with that unmistakable crispness in the air. We all know what that means, we have officially entered into Stout Season (or Szn as the kids say). While I have always been an avid supporter of not letting the season dictate the style of beer you drink, I would be hard pressed to say that I do not enjoy stouts just a bit more this time of year. I recently went back to my parents house where I keep a small box of cellared bottles (more on that in a future post) and picked out one of the perfect bottles to kick off Stout Season, ‘Barrel Aged Color & Grain’ from Trillium. To be completely honest, I forgot exactly when I bought the beer, but I think it was in the cellar for about a year and a half. While I might have let it go just a bit too long, it is still an awesome beer.

‘Barrel Aged Color & Grain’ pours into the glass pitch-black with a darkish brown head. Its notes are mostly just boozy chocolate with a slight hint of vanilla and toffee on the back end. I expect the chocolate, vanilla, and toffee notes would have been more pronounced when first purchased. However, after over a year in the cellar they have been slightly muted. The flavor is purely decadent. A soft, velvety mouthfeel with a rich chocolate and toffee taste that lingers just long enough on the front of the tongue. While the listed ABV is 13.9% after over a year in the cellar it is probably close to 15%. This gives the beer a boozy, but not overpowering kick that is just enough to remind you that you are drinking a barrel aged, imperial stout. While no longer in production, if you’ve got one in the cellar now is the perfect time to open it up.

New Brew Thursday: 'Small Victories' from Origin Beer Project

The phrase “when God closes a door, he opens a window” often applies to difficult times in one’s life. However, in this context, it applies to Rhode Island Breweries. On Monday I wrote about my trip to Community Bruin and its unfortunate closing. However, last Saturday was the grand opening of the state’s newest brewery, Origin Beer Project. Operating out of Buttonwoods Brewery and only offering cans to go (for now) they debuted with three beers and while they are all worth trying, ‘Small Victories’ is my standout.

‘Small Victories’ is a Czech Pale lager that is absolutely fantastic. While I do love my IPAs this beauty is the perfect change-of-pace beer or for those who just want something light. It pours into the glass a very pale yellow and almost nearly, perfectly clear with a small off-white head. Its notes are extremely crisp and clean with a taste to match. It has a slightly oaky aftertaste that lingers just long enough to make the flavor slightly more complex and clocking in a 3.5% ABV it is INSANELY crushable. I highly recommend getting out to Origin Beer Project to get your hands on this beauty before they run out.

Rhode Trip: Community Bruin

 (The next part in a multi-part series as we complete the Rhode Island Brewer’s Guild Passport. To learn more about the passport and download the app click HERE)

A melancholy entry on our #RhodeTrip as a couple of weeks ago I made the trip down to Community Bruin. Melancholy because due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic they are closing their doors permanently.

Owned by a husband and wife duo, this nano brewery operating out of an old Tim Hortons down in West Greenwich is truly a diamond in the rough. Currently, they are only offering bottles to go and homebrew equipment. Both can be ordered and picked up but only by appointment and can be made by e-mail with more information on their website. They offer a wide variety of styles and they are going fast so make sure you place your order as soon as possible. My favorite, and it is still available, is ‘Closing Time (AKA Covid Casualty)’ a light a crisp affair with just a subtle fruity sweetness.

Community Bruin is located at 74 Nooseneck Hill Rd. West Greenwich, RI. For more information regarding the brewery and how to order their beer click HERE

Part one: Long Live Beerworks

Part two: Buttonwoods Brewery

Part three: LineSider Brewing Company

Part four: Taproot Brewing Company

New Bew Thursday: 'The Daze Between' from Shaidzon Beer Company

 A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get a table at Shaidzon Beer Company down in West Greenwich and while I will touch more upon that visit in an upcoming #RhodeTrip entry soon enough (thanks Freddy Foreshadower), tonight I stumbled onto my last beer from that trip… ‘The Daze Between.’ Now I routinely grab this guy out of my refrigerator but each time I say to myself “no not yet,” in an attempt to save it for a time when I can sip it slowly, enjoy it, and write about it because quite frankly… it deserves it.

This double IPA pours into the glass with a dark yellow, almost orange, color with a nice white head. While having a nice haze, it is not overly cloudy but do not get me wrong, you cannot see through it. Additionally, it has exceptionally soft notes of pineapple and pear.  The taste is fantastic. The initial bitterness gives way to a lingering soft sweetness that slightly lingers on the back of the tongue for only a few seconds. With quick sips, the bitterness and sweetness build but with casual slow sips, it resets each time. Clocking in at a VERY dangerous 8% ABV it packs a punch about three quarters through as it can be quite crushable.

While I would strongly recommend getting to Shaidzon and trying this beauty, it is not currently being offered. You should still go because their other offerings are fantastic, my personal favorite is ‘Sea & Sand.’ This perfect combination of Simcoe and Mosaic hops is phenomenal and to quote Tom Haveford from Parks and Recreation, “it tastes as delicious as Beyonce smells… I’m guessing.”