Apr

10

Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch

By Andy Murphy

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Celebrating the first 100 Days & 100 Brews

We’re 100 days into the year 2009 — and because I have diligently consumed exactly one beer a day all year long (with my trademark “No Repeats” clause), today’s beer means I will have consumed 100 different brews in as many days.

That calls for some real celebration! So before I get into the details of today’s beer, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped make this such an enjoyable experience by commenting on the blog, sending me emails, and following me on (and participating via) Twitter. Your beer suggestions and stories of discovery have helped me stay on track!

So how did I celebrate this 100 beer milestone?

I looked to Mikkeller, a Scandinavian brewer (Denmark) that has created Beer Geek Brunch (Weasel); a limited edition Imperial Oatmeal Stout brewed with coffee beans — beans that have been picked from the droppings of the Southeast Asian “weasel-like civet cat”.

Coffee fans — I probably don’t need to explain another word. Kopi Luwak beans are among the rarest, most prized, and most expensive coffee beans in the world. I’ve never had the pleasure — which is why I grabbed this bottle of Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch.

The coffee used in this beer may be rare, but I’d argue this beer is even more rare here in the U.S. Only seven pallets were shipped to the United States — merely 7500 bottles, according to BeerNews.org. That helps explain why this 25 ounce bottle (imported by Shelton Brothers in Belchertown, MA) cost me $15 at my trusty beer emporium.

Superlative alert! I’m about to gush like a schoolgirl. You’ve been warned!

Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Brunch poured like a magic potion — black, viscous, and teeming with pent up energy. I poured just a touch into a large wine glass, watching as its tiny bubbles clung to the sides of the glass and effervesced with a delicate twirl. Even these few sips swishing in the glass produced a darkly hypnotic aroma, redolent of sweetly roasted coffee. So I poured more.

Never have I seen a head like this beer produced. It rose up like a dark, mocha pastry puff, appearing as a separate beast entirely, breathing and bubbling and filling the glass.

Aroma — sweet oatmeal and hints of sugary vanilla peeking through dark chocolate and richly roasted coffee. Oh baby!

The taste picks up where the aroma left off, sweet oatmeal and layers of coffee and espresso, with a bitterness that builds upon itself, dominates the aftertaste, and radiates through the swallow for a long, mostly dry finish. But surprisingly, as much as the taste and aroma exude layers of magnificence, the show stealer is the mouthfeel. This is the thickest, creamiest, silkiest beer I’ve ever had. Combining the oh-so-creamy mouthfeel with the sweet oatmeal and roasted espresso results in one hell of a decadent, delightful treat.

I spent about two hours savoring this delicious beer, relishing the delicate layers of flavor and that persistent creamy mouthfeel. And at 10.9% ABV, sipping and savoring is highly recommended.

If any of you manage to get your hands on one of these bottles, I promise you the $15 is well worth it! Let me know what you think.

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Categories : Beer a Day