Thursday, March 30, 2017

Reunion Ale 16



Reunion Ale '16 
"A Beer for Hope"  

When I see collaboration beers, I instantly get excited. Most of the times they are not in styles that I fully enjoy. But, the one I am trying tonight is right in my wheelhouse for particular style of beer. Then I got to researching the two breweries that were collaborating together. The two breweries working together on this beer I am sampling tonight is Shmaltz Brewing Company and Terrapin Beer Company. This brew is a Collaboration for a Cause. As stated on the back of the bottle: "Teaming up with Terrapin Beer Company for the sixth time. Shmaltz Brewing returns Reunion Ale '16. For 2016, Reunion was exclusively brewed at Shmaltz in Clifton Park, New York with Terrapin Brewmaster 'Spike' Buckowski traveling from Georgia to Upstate New York to help brew the latest collaboration. Each year we brew Reunion in Memory of our dear friend Virginia MacLean. Virginia lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma in 2007. It was her wish that we continue to raise funds and awareness on behalf of the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer."  



Shmaltz Brewing Company

Shmaltz Brewing Company is located in Clifton Park, New York. They have been around since 1996 and have been focusing on bringing He'brew beer into the world. Shmaltz Brewing has been a collaboration of labor and creativity by so many talented/enthusiastic individuals. 
Terrapin Beer Company

Terrapin Beer Company is located in Athens, Georgia. Terrapin Beer has been around since 2002. They focus on 'creating unique experiences through the passionate brewing of the finest quality craft beers. 



Bottle of Reunion '16

Onto tonight's beer, I am sampling the Reunion '16. Reunion is a complex dark ale that is brewed with chocolate, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, and Mexican chilli peppers. The alcohol by volume or ABV is 8%. 


Appearance of Reunion '16

Aroma of Reunion '16 ale is very complex and unique. I notice a spiced aroma that is picked up from the chilli peppers and cinnamon. The next aroma that I notice is the chocolate and cocoa nibs aroma. There is a slight hint of ginger after the chocolate and cocoa nibs aroma. The aroma is complex and all the aromas blend/assert themselves in different ways. The color of Reunion '16 is a deep chocolate brown appearance, in fact it almost has a black appearance. The head or foam of the beer was thin and quickly dissipated. There was a small foam ring around the edges of the glass. The foam is a tan brownish color. 


With all this spiced and chocolate aroma I am curious to see where this beer takes me for the taste of this brew. I took my first sip and the taste follows the aroma to a T. The only difference is the order that the notes hit you. The first thing I notice is the ginger and vanilla note. The next note that come after that is the chocolate and cocoa nibs note. The last thing I notice taste wise is the chilli peppers finishing note with a hint of cinnamon. The beer has a light to medium body. The flavors are rich and complex, which is noted from the beginning as a complex dark beer. For me this is a beer that would be perfect for sharing after a nice dinner. The complexity really comes out with all the flavors and the way the come out in particular ways in the beer. 


A Beer for Hope
Fight against bone cancer and Myeloma 

Overall, I thought this beer was a good brew. For me, the complexity was a little much and became a little overwhelming. It's a dark beer with a rich mouthfeel. I almost think what it might have been if it was a stout. The complexness of the beer is enjoyable though and shows itself of through the beer as you drink more and more. The chilli pepper addition I thought was going to be overpowering, but in actuality it was only a hint. Shmaltz and Terrapin collaboration for a cause and a beer for hope was a great brew and I cannot wait until the next one comes out.  If you want to donate to fight the link is going to posted right here: Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer 


Check out Shmaltz Brewing and Terrapin Beer Company on their social media and their websites: 




















 

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