The Bruery: 2013 Reserve Society Initiation Celebration

OK, March was a bit crazy with work, a trip overseas (more on this later!), and then getting sick - so I'm a bit behind here.

On March 2nd, The Bruery held their 2013 Reserve Society Initiation Celebration at The Phoenix Club in Anaheim, CA. This is my first year as a Reserve Society member so I was excited to get a chance to make it to the event.

First thing when my buddy and I got there we saw a ton of cars. We found a parking spot and then got in a huge line to get in. Luckily it went fast.

Once inside the fence they had a huge tent with a bunch of tasting stations.













Out on the grounds was a refrigerated truck with taps and various stations around the yard with more tasting. The weather was perfect.










Now down to the real business. Here is a copy of the tasting list. I tried the following:

• Two Turtle Doves - Thought I needed to get caught up a bit with the folks that have been Bruery fans for years. This is their second year holiday beer brewed with cocoa, pecans, carmalized sugar, and carmel matls (12% ABV).
• Barrel Aged Four Calling Birds - Fouth year holiday beer. Strong Dark Ale with gingerbread spices (11% ABV)
• Old Richland 2012 - a hoppy barley wine. Sounds like a Double IPA to me, but The Bruery doesn't make IPA's.... Either way, it was really good (10% ABV).
• White Oak - 50% White Oak Sap / 50% Mischief (11.5% ABV). Probably my favorite of the day.

Talk to Patrick Rue for a few minutes. Back to business:

• Marron Acidifie - dark sour aged in oak barrels (8.5% ABV)
• Mocha Black Tuesday - Their 19% ABV imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels with a special addition of coffee. I am not a big coffee drinker, but this was great.

Break for lunch. It was catered by Haven Gastropub (the folks that are taking over The Provisions store in Orange, CA). Pulled pork, mac & cheese, beans, and cole slaw. You pretty much can't go wrong with that. The food was great..... Back to business:

• Imperial Loakal Red - a 12% ABV imperial version of their standard Loakal Red
• Saison de Lente - 6.5% ABV
• Grey Monday - Black Tuesday aged on hazelnuts (19.5% ABV)

And a couple that were on the tasting sheet, but I didn't make it over before they ran out:

• Hottenroth with Fruity Pebbles (Yes, the cereal)
• Sour Blonde with Pop Rocks (the candy!)
• The Wanderer - Dark sour aged with blackberries and cherries. The line for this one was crazy and I think it was the first to run out.

If you are wondering why there aren't that many pictures, I forgot to take my camera.... Amateur... So I was stuck snapping a few pics with my phone.

Overall a great day. Can't wait to go next year...

Cheers!!!