Black Ops 2009. How You Have Changed

So what does it take to get me out of a little blogging slumber?  One might think a great bottle share event held by Philly Beer Scene and Philly Tap Finder a few weekends ago might unleash my inner beer spirit.  The event offered up some  impressive beverages provided by a stellar group of beer aficionados from the area. Even though imbibing a mind blowing variety of beers did awaken my Beerwise spirit, my blogosphere remained silent. However last week's rumbling weather sent me into the basement for something equally dark and devious.  Brooklyn Black Ops (2009) seemed the perfect fit for a blustery night and it was all that was needed to break the blogging drought

Brooklyn Brewery was one of the first breweries to catch my attention eons ago when I got into craft beer. Black Ops was the first of the big barrel aged bourbon beers to find it's way into my cellar. Back in 09 when I bought the bottle I bitched a bit about the cost (here). At that time there were very few beers I'd willingly lay down over $20.00 for in order to purchase a single bottle. Now that's laughable.

Garrett Oliver & Mr. Iambeerwise
Philly Beer Week 2008 London Grill

(Brooklyn Brewery commercial description)                                                                   Barrel-aged in Woodford Reserve bottles. Brooklyn Black Ops does not exist. However, if it did exist, it would be a robust stout concocted by the Brooklyn brewing team under cover of secrecy and hidden from everyone else at the brewery. Supposedly, "Black Ops" was aged for four months in bourbon barrels, bottled flat, and re-fermented with Champagne yeast, creating big chocolate and coffee flavors with a rich underpinning of vanilla-like oak notes. They say there are only 1000 cases. We have no idea what they’re talking about.

Black Ops has always been a good beer. Big dark chocolate, espresso, raisin and oak flavors with a hint of vanilla.  When fresh the bourbon flavors were never huge and the beer did come off boozy.  Age has knocked back the booze factor and made the raisin, espresso and bourbon blend more enjoyable. The key to enjoying this is to have it at room temperature. There is a HUGE difference. When cold the flavors are very muted. Once the chill fades the true flavors come alive.

So was it worth the hefty price tag back in 2009? Hmmm, almost. As good as it is I could never put it up there with some of the barrel aged heavyweights such as Parabola or KBS. There just isn't enough bourbon or that richness you would expect from an aged imperial stout. I haven't had the most recent version so I'm not sure how it compares. However if you're lucky enough to have an older bottle, no fear, open it and enjoy. Though it might not be the most impressive BA Bourbon Stout it is one that has improved with age.

Randall or Brooklyn for a Friday

Since Philly is a great beer town it's no surprise that multiple events tend to bump up against one another  The dilemma of going here or there and doing this or that is bound to happen.  Such is situation this weekend. It starts Friday with Randall @ TJ's or a taste of Brooklyn @ The Grey Lodge.


Randall 3.0



Sam with original Randall
































The new and improved Randall the Enamel Animal (3.0 version) has been unleashed upon the world.  From the beer stained lab of creative brew genius Sam Calagione Randall the, "organoleptic hop transducer module" has been redesigned.  The new two chamber system was created to allow for a less foamy pour.  While it's common to use whole flower hops with Randall for an over the top hop infused beer, some bartending visionaries are already experimenting with more unique blendings.  A variety of fruit, spices and herbs can be added to the chamber to create endless flavor combinations.  I'm thinking Raison D'Etre with bourbon soaked raisins.

TJ's Restaurant & Drinkery
On Friday see Randall work its blending magic at TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery.  Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu gets Randallized with Chinese 5 Spice. Once you've had your Randall fix the rest of the impressive TJ draft list is at your disposal. Randall is unleashed at 4pm.

The Grey Lodge
Brooklyn in the house.  Such is the case at The Grey Lodge Friday night.  It's Brooklyn Detonation Night. A line-up of rare Brooklyn Brewing goodies. 6pm start PAYG

Brooklyn Oktoberfest

Brooklyn Detonation Ale (double IPA)

Brooklyn Cookie Jar Porter

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Randall or Brooklyn.  The choice is yours.

Did someone say BROOKLYN? Any reason for some Beasties

BLACKENED by BROOKLYN

Wow what a week it has been. Sorry for the little hiatus from my, so called beer life but work and family life took over the drivers seat. I'm sure all of you happily survived the turkey holiday and the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping madness. I survived by stuffing my fat face and not going anywhere near a store or shopping website. If history is a guide I probably won't start knocking people off my shopping list until the weekend before Christmas. Call me Mr. Procrastination.

While sugar plum fairies invade the sweet, cheerful dreams of many my thought are on things roasty, malty and bold. With a chill in the air tis' the season to go dark (even black). Put down the IPAs and wheat beers and pick up the Stouts, Porters, Barleywines and seasonal ales. Even a hop head like me can't resist. Two beers I look forward this time of year are Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Black Ops. While we all have to wait until Dec 10th (or so) for Black Ops, Mr. Oliver promisses the same recipe as last year and a slightly higher abv (11.7%). I've already experienced my first bottle of Black Chocolate Stout.

Years ago Black Chocolate Stout was my introduction to Brooklyn Brewery. This year's version of the Imperial Stout as expected offers a good flavor combination of roasted malt, coffee and bitter chocolate. The look is black, black, black in the glass with a thick mocha head. It seemed a little sweeter than in past years and was best once it hit room temperature. If you have never had this 10% + abv black delight don't expect a smooth chocolate milk shake effect, e.g., Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Mr. Oliver has harmed no chocolate pieces to make his beer. The chocolate refers to the specially roasted malts. Now all I have to do is happily sit back in my big leather chair, sip on a few more of these and patiently wait for the Ops to arrive.

A GREAT BLACKENED PERFORMANCE