{"id":1661,"date":"2009-08-11T00:19:40","date_gmt":"2009-08-11T04:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.2beerguys.com\/blog\/?p=1661"},"modified":"2009-08-11T00:19:40","modified_gmt":"2009-08-11T04:19:40","slug":"juxtaposition_2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/2009\/08\/11\/juxtaposition_2009\/","title":{"rendered":"Recap of the juxtaposition collaboration between Cambridge Brewing, Stone and Brew Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Friday afternoon, when all I can think about is the weekend — the following email arrives in my inbox:<\/strong><\/p>\n

We can finally share all the pertinent info on this till-now double secret event. This Saturday at precisely 7pm we will be tapping two kegs of Juxtaposition, an “imperial” black pilsner collaboratively brewed last March by Stone Brewing Company, BrewDog, and CBC. Even cooler, our brethren at Stone will tap their kegs at exactly the same time (4pm Pacific)! In all likelihood you will never see this beer available on tap beyond this event, and bottles will be hard to find. Hot damn!<\/em><\/p>\n

Not enough you say? Well even cooler than that, in honor of the collaborative spirit we’ll be tapping two kegs of extra-special beer from each of our cohorts at 6pm. We’re psyched to be showcasing Stone 080808 Vertical Epic which has been specially aged in wine barrels, plus 2007 Stone Imperial Russian Stout. From our friends across the pond at Brewdog we’ll have a keg of Dogma, plus a cask of Paradox Imperial Stout aged in whiskey barrels from the Isle of Arran distillery. These beers are hard enough to find on their own, and we’ve got ’em. If you’ve been to CBC you can appreciate the fact that guest beers are an anomaly to say the least, so this event will be something not to be missed. <\/em><\/p>\n

……Will Meyers, Brewmaster CBC <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\nI was excited. Not only was this the weekend of my 5 year anniversary, but we did not have any firm plans for Saturday night. Could it be fate? Naaaa – maybe just some luck.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I made a few calls in attempt to round the troops and most everyone was busy — except our good friends George and Kat. On Saturday, we ventured into the city at about 5:00. We planned ahead and brought along some yummy subs for the ride.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Upon our arrival at the Cambridge brewing company, we were surprised to see the light crowd. The bar was almost full, but the exterior seats around the perimeter were empty. We grabbed a place and chatted with a few friends.
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At 6:00, the Brewdog Cask Paradox (Isle of Arran), Imperial Stout aged in Scotch whiskey barrels from Isle of Arra (10% abv) from Scotland,\u00c2\u00a0 was “released” — well, made available for consumption. It was nice and dark with a large creamy head. The temperature was just right (slightly warm). It was very complex in taste with a mouthful of burnt malts and chocolate, but dominated by the alcohol presence. As you drank more and more, it warmed you from the inside out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Also available on draft, Stone 2007 Russian Imperial Stout (10% abv), Stone 2008 W.B.A Old Guardian – Barleywine (12.5% abv), and Brewdog Dogma – Strong Scottish Amber Ale (7.8% abv). Guest beers are not a common place for CBC, so this was a very unique night.\u00c2\u00a0 As you could image, the Dogma was the most drinkable beer.\u00c2\u00a0 Amber in color and very smooth.\u00c2\u00a0 Delicious.
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At 7:15, Synchronized Toast to Craft, Integrity, and to the Collaborative Spirit (Cambridge Brewing Co. – Stone World Bistro and Gardens). Mitch Steel and the folks celebrating at Stone Brewing Company in California called. A countdown from 10 began and the Juxtaposition celebration began. The bar area was pretty crowded at this point. Will gave a quick speech and thanked everyone for attending the release. He also expressed his joy for this partnership with Stone Brewing Company.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Commercial description:<\/em><\/p>\n

The Juxtaposition was coined the “worlds best” (and only) Imperial Black Pilsner, collaboratively brewed in March 2009. Stone’s first lager, and one of the hoppiest beers they’ve ever made, it begins very rich on the palate with full maltiness and hints of cocoa and caramel and a firm bitter finish. As it warms, hops take over the palate and contribute a very balanced dryness and complex hop flavors and aroma. A one-night-only event, you will likely never seen Juxtaposition on tap again, and bottles are guaranteed to be hard to find.<\/p>\n

The Juxtaposition was dark and had a medium size head.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 We were surprised by the initial taste.\u00c2\u00a0 Amber’s exact words were “It tastes like Christmas morning!”\u00c2\u00a0 Our friend Allister agreed and George added that it tasted like blue spruce.\u00c2\u00a0 As dark as it was, you would expect it to be full of burnt and roasted malts dominating the taste, but the hops were so dominant — and interesting.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 As you would expect, the alcohol presence was very warming.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 We were glad to be part of this experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n

QUICK FACTS<\/strong>
\nBrewers:<\/strong> James Watt of BrewDog, Scottland, Will Meyers of Cambridge Brewing Co., Massachusetts, Mitch Steele of Stone Brewing Co., San Diego<\/p>\n

Alc\/Vol: <\/strong> 10%<\/p>\n

Style:<\/strong> Black Pilsner (and at 10% abv, one might be tempted to call it a Double Black Pilsner)<\/p>\n

Other notable items:<\/strong><\/p>\n