Brewery: Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon
Beer: The Stoic
Serving: 22 oz wax-dipped bottle.
Glassware: Snifter
Information: Best By 08/04/12, 11% ABV, 20 IBUs
Style: Quad
Price: n/a
Availability: Limited Release
Cellaring: Under proper conditions, this beer can be cellared for extended periods.
Pairings: “Seared Scallops with Marcona Almond Infused Oil, Braised Pork Belly with Coriander Scented Mustard, Pastry Puffs filled with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Chocolate-Blackberry Ganache.”
Appearance
Bright maple golden in color, The Stoic is a light-colored quad with just slight cloudiness hazing it. The densely-packed ivory head dots the snifter in lace as it settles slowly.
Smell
Abundantly spicy, The Stoic showcases Belgian yeast doin’ it’s thing; earthy clay, cardamom, coriander seed, and trances of banana Runt fruitiness. The complexity goes much deeper, however; fruity alcohol including raisin and light cherry, oak-infused white grapes, and a very faint vinegar-like wine aspect. Sharp rye whiskey is noticeable through the finish but almost as an afterthought in how complex the beer smells.
Taste
Yeast takes center stage again, pushing past all the other goings-on to provide light banana and spicy earth notes. Pomegranate is much more noticeable and serves the beer well with it’s underlying wine characteristics. Sweet white grape and warm, boozy alcohol immediately follow and segue into the caramel-malty finish.
Mouthfeel
Warming phenol alcohol is strong in this one! Subtle-yet-gripping, it faintly things out the round, full-bodied mouthfeel that finishes with a tickle of higher carbonation. Lip-smacking dryness is welcome as it begs for another sip, quietly, without being bothersome.
Overall
Similar to a lightly spiced holiday dessert wine, The Stoic exudes significant complexity. Within it’s extensive production process, this classic style undergoes a wonderful transformation into an elegant sipping beer with a broad depth of unique flavors to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Score: 90 / 100 - Exceptional
Cheers,
-Andy
