Shmaltz She'Brew Triple IPA

The Stats
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 11.00%
Current Ratings...
- Beer Advocate: 4.09/5
- RateBeer: N/A

In honor of International Women's Collaboration Brew Day (March 8th, 2015), Shmaltz rounded up the women and female friends of Shamltz Brewing and they collaborated on a massive Triple IPA coming in at a staggering 11.00%. A portion of each sale of She'Brew goes to the Pink Boots Society scholarship fund, a global non-profit that aims to advance women in the beer industry.

Appearance is dark orange bordering on copper with two fingers of off-white, light yellow head.

The aroma predictably was big in hop resin with tons of bitterness. It also had some orange and strawberry and maybe even a hint of cherry with a touch of alcohol.

Without question this is a malt and resin bomb. The good thing is that those are not the only things here on the taste. There are components of wet, mossy hops with a noticeable orange and mango flavor which greatly assists in balancing out the bitterness. The resin is quite overpowering at times, but a tasty hop flavor is what keeps this baby in check.

Yeah, from front-to-back, the hops and resin just conquer your palate. As a "Triple IPA", that is obviously expected of the subgenre of the Imperial IPA, but surprisingly I am having no trouble putting this thing away. At times I am reaching for a sip of water as this finished with considerable dryness, but I definitely can have this whole bomber to myself. As for the 11.00%, I do get a small warming sensation in my chest for each sip, but other than that, the alcohol is well-hidden.

She'Brew Tiple IPA lives up to many others of the style, but this one has a lot of drinkability despite it's strong bitter character and dry feel. As with most other Triple IPA's, this is resinous and dank, but thanks to some citrus and a smooth and un-syrupy feel, this goes down easy and brings enough complexity to leave you wanting more. Pretty impressive for such a massive IPA.

Rating
8.6/10

Shmaltz/Terrapin Reunion Ale '14

The Stats
Style: American Brown Ale
ABV: 8.0%
Current Ratings...
- Beer Advocate: 3.74/5
- RateBeer: 3.59/5

I must admit I knew nothing about this beer the day I walked into the store and saw it sitting on the shelf. I couldn't resist an ale brewed with toasted coconut, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, and cocoa nibs. I mean, come on! This sounds like an orgasm in a glass!

Pours nearly jet black, but holding it up to the lights shows a dark mahogany glow with some ruby red. Gave off a finger of off-white, khaki head.

It smells incredibly nutty with big vanilla notes. A lot of roasted coffee and just hints of cocoa.

The taste is almost identical to the smell. There is a huge, nutty flavor on the taste - almost like almonds. Coconut is in the background, but vanilla is almost as big as the toasted notes. There are small hints of roasted coffee and the chocolate is a little bitter like dark chocolate, but this is really just a nutty-flavored ale.

For such a sweet beer, the flavors aren't cloying and it actually finishes rather smooth. It's not too thick or thin and has a good balance of heavy flavor and easy drinkability.

Reunion Ale '14 is a sweet, flavorful, nutty brown ale with plenty of other flavors thrown in to keep you drinking. As a brown ale, it's one of the better ones I've had. It's right up there with Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale with it's intense, nutty flavor, but it has extra kicks of vanilla and coffee. The 8.00% is hidden well and the smooth mouthfeel makes this an enjoyable treat.

Rating
8.6/10