Follow Up Post To NOLA Brewing Getting Sued: The Toho Should Chill Out Edition

So if you read my last post about NOLA Brewing being sued by Godzilla creater Toho Co Ltd. you may be interested in these brands from other breweries.

Terrapin Hopzilla

Ithaca Brewing Cascazilla

Bert Grant's Hopzilla IPA

So is Toho just randomly picking on a small New Orleans brewery or is there more to come?  How could they just pick on NOLA Brewing and not these other breweries?  I'm no lawyer nor do I have all the facts in this case but it seems like Toho should just chill out and drink a Mechahopzilla.

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Beer Review: Shmaltz and Terrapin Reunion Ale '11

One of the great things about the craft beer community is that they will always take care of their own. There is an amazing camaraderie there that seems to be unmatched in other aspects of the drinking industry.

Reunion Ale is a perfect example of that spirit. Brewed on behalf of Virginia Maclean, this beer raises funds for Insititute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research. I am not an eloquent writer so wouldn't do anyone justice by attempting to go into a long and drawn out story so here is what was on the side of the bottle:

Teaming up with Shmaltz Brewing for the first time, Terrapin Beer Co. returns for a third year as a production partner for Reunion ’11. We brew Reunion each year in memory of our dear friend and partner in this venture – Virginia MacLean. Virginia lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma in 2007. It was her wish that we continue to raise funds an awareness on behalf of The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org).

This year’s beer is a dark ale brewed with cocoa nibs [from Nashville-based Olive and Sinclair], vanilla and chili peppers. It was inspired by a fantastic dessert that we used to share with Virginia at our favorite restaurant. This brown ale leads with a sweet and subtle spicy aroma. The flavor begins with complex malt overtones and quickly gives way to a chocolate and vanilla mix of satisfying bliss. Just when you thought it was over, the heat from the chilies sneaks in and coats your tongue with tantalizing heat.

Many thanks to all who have supported this project and have helped us honor Virginia’s memory.

Cheers – Pete and Alan

To learn more you can also visit Reunion Beer: A Beer for Hope

Here is my review:

Brewery: Shmaltz and Terrapin

Beer: Reunion Ale '11

Style: Brown Ale

ABV: 7.3%

Louisiana Availability: Yes. I bought mine at Steins Deli.

Price Range: $6.50

Appearance: The beer poured a nice dark chocolate color with a huge, rocky off white head. Amazing lacing throughout.

Smell: Wonderful aroma of molasses, dark brown sugar and chocolate

Taste: You are immediately hit with a dry, chocolate/cocoa flavor. What follows is an amazing interplay of flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, caramel, tobacco and cane syrup. The beer leaves an amazing chocolate bitterness in your mouth and leaves your tongue with the slightest tingle from the chili pepper. You immediately want more.

Mouthfeel: A medium body with medium carbonation.

Overall: An amazing beer with wonderful flavors. Perfect for those cold winter nights. This would make an amazing winter seasonal.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 Buddhas

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Beer Review: Terrapin Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout

Every once in a while a beer comes along that truly blows my mind. Let's be honest though, when it comes to beer blowing my mind really isn't all that hard. Recently though I was lucky enough to pick up a bottle of the Terrapin/Left Hand Brewing collaboration brew called Depth Charge. It is an espresso milk stout using Jittering Joe's espresso.

Now anyone who knows me knows that I hate coffee. I have this weird quirk that makes me not like hot liquids. I'm talking coffee, soup, hot chocolate, etc. I'm not sure when I developed this quirk but it's there. I hate hot liquids. So the taste of coffee doesn't really bother me but the temperature does. And no I don't drink iced coffee either. That's just..well, we'll just leave it at that.

I've reviewed a coffee beer once before with the Peche Mortel from Brasserie Dieu du Ciel in Montreal, Quebec and it got 4.5 Buddhas but this Depth Charge seriously made me rethink the whole coffee thing. Just for a second though. Actually I think I found my "instead of coffee" beverage of choice for after dinner!! Too bad it's a limited release. Anyways, on to the review:

Brewery: Terrapin Brewing Company

Beer: Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout

Style: Milk Stout/Sweet Stout

Recommended Glassware: Pint Glass

Appearance: This beer poured a dark brown, blackish color with a tan head. Lacing present throughout.

Smell: Espresso. Espresso. Espresso. And chocolate.

Taste: WOW. Amazing. Tastes like espresso and chocolate but not in an offensive way like many coffee beers can be. Perhaps the lactose helps balance it out properly.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth beer. Not as heavy as one would imagine. Carbonation is minimal.

Overall: I hate coffee but this beer blew my mind. THIS is the perfect after dinner beer. I only wish I had purchased more. Oh well.

Score: 5 out of 5 Buddhas

Beer Review: Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout

OK, so normally I wouldn't drink an Imperial Stout during the middle of summer. To me stouts just aren't great beers to drink during the oppressive heat of an infamous New Orleans summer. Lagers, Pilsners, Wheats, Weizens or Wits. Those, to me, are good beers to drink while sweating your balls off.

So last night I'm making dinner for my wife and open my beer fridge to grab a nice tasty brew to pass the time and there staring back at me is this Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout. It's been sitting in my fridge for months just waiting for me to consume it. In fact, if you look at my list of current beers in my fridge you'll see a bunch of stouts waiting their turn. I just can't bring myself to do it. But last night guys, I did it. I broke the unwritten rule of drinking a beer in its off-season and....I loved it! So let me stop rambling and get to the review!


Brewery: Terrapin Beer Company
http://www.terrapinbeer.com/

Beer: Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 8.10%

Recommended Glassware: Pint Glass, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass

Food Pairings: Cheese: Brie, Gouda, Havarti, Swiss General: Chocolate, Digestive Meat: Beef, Smoked Meat, Grilled Meat, Game

Serving Type: I poured this beer into a nonic pint glass.

Appearance - Man this beer poured a oily black with a huge milk chocolate colored head!

Smell - The coffee aroma is SO overpowering but in a good way. Hence the name Coffee Oatmeal Stout.

Taste- Huge roasted coffee flavors dominate but also some hints of chocolate cocoa and some interesting spice I couldn't quite make out.

Mouthfeel - Extremely thick and and heavy. The carbonation was medium.

Overall - Incredible beer! Very tasty and would be a nice replacement for coffee in the morning or perhaps a beer for dessert. Nicely complex with a nice mix of flavors.