Categorized under: Advent

Day 26: Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout

@OtterCreekBeer @caskbeerguy

To celebrate the Holiday Season, we have teamed up with beer bloggers and craft beer enthusiasts around the country to host the fifth annual beer advent calendar. This is the season of sharing and we intend to share our love of beer with you.

During the 31 days of December, we will be sharing our favorite regional/winter seasonals/holiday beers with the help from our fellow beer enthusiasts. We hope that you tune in every day, to hear our stories and share our holiday cheer.

Otter Creek RIS logoOtter Creek Russian Imperial Stout

Blogger: Rob Gonzales
Website: http://www.coatofarmspub.com
Twitter / Instagram /Facebook: T: @caskbeerguy IS: Bordersauce F:coatofarmspub

Rob GonzalezBeer: Russian Imperial Stout
Brewery: Otter Creek Brewing – Middlebury, VT
Website: http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com/
Twitter: @OtterCreekBeer

Commercial Description: Every so often we brew this utopian stout that manifests flavors of caramel, chocolate and coffee. This silky smooth, motor-oil black brew clocks in at 10% ABV.
Like the first stouts brewed for Russian Czars, this offering is big, bold and built to last. Grab a few for the cellar, a couple for your comrades and enjoy because— like those Czars of yesteryear— this beer won’t be around for long.

Beer Details:
-Style: Imperial Stout
-ABV: 10%
-IBUs: 65

Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout LogoWhy I selected the Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout:

Otter Creek has been impressing me more and more and I was curious as to what they could do with an imperial stout. These guys have really upped their game recently. This stout is not boozy in the least bit and is actually a bit dry. Plenty of bitterness to counter the malty sweetness. And it has that lingering bittersweet chocolate finish. Overall, very balanced! Everything you could ask for from an imperial stout.

What would you pair this beer with?

At 10% abv I’m inclined to pair this with a water (for tomorrow’s sake). But like any imperial stout it would go great with steak and potatoes or a beef stew (especially this time of year). But my favorite way to drink a big stout is by itself after dinner. You can really enjoy and reflect on all of the complexities of this beer best without any interruptions.

What am I looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to Portsmouth Beer Week 2016. It’s a great week to see what Portsmouth, NH has to offer as far as bars/pubs and craft breweries. The community feel during Portsmouth Beer Week is one like no other, and one that I take great pride in. Visit http://portsmouthbeerweek.com for more information.

About Rob
Rob is the Coat of Arms British Pub’s General Manager as well as a beer enthusiast, cask beer gospel speaker, & family man.

Otter Creek LogoAbout Otter Creek Brewing:
Otter Creek has been hitting, hopping and dosing brews with creativity since acid-wash jeans were hip. Under the direction of brewmaster Mike Gerhart, we are undergoing a renaissance of rad, a rebirth of cool–throwing a bit of kind into the kettle whenever possible. Our hop-soaked ales are available throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.
With a focus on sustainability, we have managed to dramatically reduce our contribution to the waste stream and are always looking for new ways to improve on this front. Our spent hops and yeast are donated to local farmers for use as an alternative fertilizer, while our spent grain feeds local dairy cows.

In 2010 we completed a sizable expansion of our facility. Six new fermenters added 30,000 barrels to our capacity while a state-of-the-art filling machine helps us meet the growing demand for our brews. Our newest toy, a centrifuge, allows us to control the efficiency of each batch we brew and bottle. With a new mezzanine just completed, we’re poised for prolonged growth and innovation as our cosmic journey continues.

Led by Mike Gerhart—Vermont’s best kept secret— our team of brewers share a passion for great beer. Though Mike runs a tight ship, there’s no shortage of personality in our brewhouse. In fact, it’s our brewers’ differing backgrounds and unique areas of expertise that contribute to our growing lineup of world class beers. And then there’s devotion. It’s not wholly uncommon to find someone dosing the brew kettle at 3 AM, or couch surfing in the back office while beer ferments. Good thing we have a shower.
For more information, please visit http://ottercreekbrewing.com.

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