That’s right! As part of Asheville Beer Week (new website launched!), Bruisin’ Ales and Zambra tapas are pairing up for an a la carte evening of Beer Cocktails on Thursday, May 31, when the lounge opens at 4:00 p.m. Better yet, we’ve brought in spirits from the distillers at popular breweries, Dogfish Head, New Holland Brewing, and Rogue Ales. No fixed price, just show up and hang with us at the bar! (If you plan to stay for dinner, reservations are recommended. (828) 232-1060.)
In its most basic definition, beer mixology is the art or skill of crafting and mixing cocktails that use beer as an ingredient. Some purists in the beer industry might argue that beer is, in itself, a perfectly crafted cocktail of barley, hops, yeast, water, and potentially other additives. Conversely, some mixology purists might argue that flavor profile of beer is not ideal and does not, in fact, have chemistry with spirits. Although neither views are wrong and everyone is entitled to their own opinions, our goal here at Beer Mixology is to explore the relationship between beer and spirits and share our findings and experiments with the world!
The Cocktail Menu taken from Beermixology.com (with a few adaptations):
The Albatross:New Holland Knickerbocker Gin, fresh squeezed lemon juice, hop muddled simple syrup, Stone IPA, rosemary sprig garnish
The Cervezarita:New Holland Hopquila, Gran Marnier, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, Stone IPA, lime wedge
Very Berry Shortcake (A milkshake flavored cocktail!): Dogfish Head Blue Hen Vanilla Vodka, Coconut milk, Lindeman’s Framboise Lambic, fresh raspberry garnish
On Tuesday, May 29 5:00-7:00 p.m., Scott Sheridan of Stone Brewing Company joins us for the EPIC Vertical Tasting, as part of Asheville Beer Week. Tickets are NOW ON SALE. (See below)
What’s in the line-up? Here you go, Stone fans:
Stone Vertical Epic 11.11.11
“Not your typical chili beer! The famous mild green chilies from the Hatch Valley in New Mexico add layers of delicious flavor with a very mild heat component. The base beer itself is very reminiscent of a European amber beer, with Perle and Pacific Jade hops, Munich and other roasted German and Belgian malts, hopped and brewed to a very Stone-like 65 IBU and 9.4% ABV. Cinnamon is a wonderful spice if used judiciously, which we did here-it doesn’t by any means dominate the beer’s flavor, but definitely adds a subtly complex spice note that blends amazingly well with the banana esters and green chili.” [9.4% abv]
Double Bastard Ale 2008 |2009|2010|2011|
“This is one lacerative muther of an ale. It is unequivocally certain that your feeble palate is grossly inadequate and thus undeserving of this liquid glory…and those around you would have little desire to listen to your resultant whimpering. Instead, you slackjawed gaping gobemouche, slink away to that pedestrian product that lures agog the great unwashed with the shiny happy imagery of its silly broadcast propaganda. You know, the one that offers no challenge, yet works very, very hard to imbue the foolhardy with the absurd notion that they are exercising ‘independent’ thought, or attempts to convey the perception it is in some way ‘authentic’ or ‘original.’ It’s that one that makes you feel safe and delectates you into basking in the warm, fuzzy, and befuddled glow of your own nescience. Why so many allow themselves to be led by the nose lacks plausible explanation. Perhaps you have been so lulled by the siren song of ignorance that you don’t even notice your white-knuckle grip on it. You feel bold and unique, but alas are nothing but sheep, willingly being herded to and fro. If you think you are being piqued in this text, it is nothing when compared to the insults we are all asked to swallow streaming forth from our televisions and computers. Truth be told, you are being coddled into believing you are special or unique by ethically challenged “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” marketers who layer (upon layer) imagined attributes specifically engineered to lead you by the nose. Should you decide to abdicate your ability to make decisions for yourself, then you are perhaps deserving of the pabulum they serve. Double Bastard Ale calls out the garrulous caitiffs who perpetrate the aforementioned atrocities and demands retribution for their outrageously conniving, intentionally misleading, blatantly masturbatory and fallacious ad campaigns. We demand the unmitigated, transparent truth. We demand forthright honesty. We want justice! Call ‘em out and line ‘em up against the wall… NOW.” [10.5% abv]
Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2010|2011|
“Brewed in the authentic historical style of an Imperial Russian Stout, this beer is massive. Intensely aromatic (notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate, this brew goes where few can – and fewer dare even try. The style originated from Czarist Russia’s demand for ever thicker English stouts. Expect our version of this mysterious brew to pour like Siberian crude and taste even heavier!” [10.5% abv]
Stone/Bottleworks 13th Anniversary Ale “Just one week after releasing the 2012 Stone Imperial Russian Stout, we’ve got another beer up our sleeves that’s coming to a glass near you starting today. A few years ago, Greg and Steve were approached by Matt Bonney and Matt ‘Vern’ Vandenberghe (aka “The Matts”), the almighty wizards behind famed Seattle craft beer store Bottleworks. Every year, they work with a different craft brewery to formulate a special beer to commemorate their anniversary. … Fast forward to the here and now, and you’ll see that it all came together, as the creatively named Bottleworks 13th Anniversary Ale. The Matts envisioned this beer as a tribute to the number 13, honoring their 13 years in business with 13 malts, 13 hops, and 13% abv. Vern came down to our pad in Escondido on December 13th, and began putting this herculean beer together with Brewmaster Mitch Steele. … Funny enough, with all the specialty malts used, there were less fermentable sugars than anticipated, so it “only” got up to 11.4% abv, but we’re all still really happy with how the beer turned out. If for whatever reason, you’re upset that it’s not 13% abv, we suggest you take a sip, as it will immediately help you get over it.” [11.4% abv]
Stone 15th Anniversary Escondian IPA
“Pours thick, opaque and black with a deep brown head of foam. Resinous, piney hops hit first on the aromatics, followed by healthy doses of roasted malt flavors, including coffee, anise and cocoa. The multi-layered aroma profile presents a challenge: is this an Imperial IPA, or is this an Imperial Stout? Tasting answers the question, it’s an Imperial Black IPA, with intense herbal and piney hops and a great balance of roasted malt flavors. The beer is full bodied, with a touch of alcohol heat, and the hops are upfront all the way through the palate, finishing with an intense bitter linger. The roasted malt comes through more like cocoa in the taste, and balances fantastically with the hops and the alcohol on the aftertaste.” [10.8% abv]
This tasting will be $15/pp with proceeds to our dear friend, Debrissa McKinney, vocalist in local band Josh Philips Folk Festival, to help offset her healthcare costs. Tickets by reservation via phone/credit card to Bruisin’ Ales beginning on May 17. (828) 252-8999. Thirsty-five spots will be available.
We appreciate your support. Drink great beer for a great person!
21st AMENDMENT Hell or High Watermelon
ATWATER VJ Black Imperial Stout
DARK HORSE Reserve Black Ale
DOGFISH HEAD Urkontinent
DOGFISH HEAD Black & Blue
EPIC BREWING Wit
FLYING DOG Pearl Necklace
FLYING DOG Barrel Aged Gonzo (750ml)
LEFT HAND Good JuJu Ginger
SHIPYARD Double Old Thumper
SIERRA NEVADA Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop
SIERRA NEVADA Ovila Dubbel (4-pk)
SOUTHERN TIER Hop Sun
SOUTHERN TIER Mokah
VICTORY Saison du Buff
