Thursday, March 1, 2018

Guest Tapping: Special Brews featuring Alesong Brewing & Blending

Guest Tapping: Special Brews
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Date: Feb. 21, 2018
Tag Team Partners: Richard, Tonia and friends

After a long hard day of work, it's awesome to have a friend reach out and recommend a beer event to you.  In this case, Richard reached out and suggested Special Brews hosting Alesong for the night, and it was worth it.  I took him up on the offer, and despite the snow coming down, my thirst was quenched and satisfied.



While there, I received my "Explore the Store..." Badge.  I had heard about this place, but had never actually ventured out there.  It's a beer store with a taproom added in.  A great place to try and pick up a nice variety of different brews from all over the country.

For Alesong, I will say they turned in some fine brews, but one thing I caution is the strength.  These are true barrel-aged beers, and you can taste it in each one.  This by no means is calling it bad, but if you're looking for a simple beer, a few of these (*cough* *cough* Four Pirates) may overdo it for you, so recommend having a DD, or be prepared to hang out a bit and have some water handy to ensure safe passage after the experience.

Overall, pretty solid experience.  I will definitely return, especially if they have more guest taps.  I also at some point will have to make a special trip down to the Alesong Brewery in Oregon to sample a bigger selection of what they offer.  This sampling only gave me a very basic taste, and I feel a visit to the brewery itself, and more knowledge of Alesong and their craft will provide a better understanding of their vision.  Big thanks to Special Brews for holding this event, and for Alesong traveling up here to give us a nice taste of their craft.
Both Recommended.

For more information on Alesong Brewing and Blending, click here.

For more information on Special Brews click here.

On my Tap for the Evening was: 

Vanilla Rhino Suit
Style: Stout
Brewery: Alesong Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Barrel-aged flavor, vanilla, very sweet, smooth."
Comments: When I got there, this is what everyone was sipping on.  I opted for the flight, and this was pretty good.  You can taste the flavor and strength of the barrel aging.  Vanilla aroma and taste abound, and goes down very sweet and smooth.  Good choice.

- White
Style: Witbier
Brewery: Alesong Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Interesting, peppy mild-sour taste, light."
Comments: Bit of a mild sour taste to it, carries some pep to it, but sips lightly.  Good, but different.

- Pêche
Style: Saison/Farmhouse Ale
Brewery: Alesong Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.5/5
Description: "Sour Saison."
Comments: Decently sour saison, you can taste the fruits in it, not the greatest taste in the world, but you can tell what they were aiming for.

- Dubbel
Style: Belgian Dubbel
Brewery: Alesong Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75/5
Description: "Malty, sweet, light, strongish Belgian Ale."
Comments: Malty brew, carries a sweet taste that goes down light, but hits as a strong Belgian Ale.

- Four Pirates
Style: Belgian Quad
Brewery: Alesong Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.25/5
Description: "Very strong beer, very strong aroma, almost to paint thinner level, flavorful, very boozy, barrel-aged."
Comments: Want to know why the rum's gone?  Drink this.  The aroma alone intoxicates you (bartender as well), and it hits strong.  If you've had a long day, and you're looking for a brew to do the trick, grab one of these.  As Richard pointed out, this drank almost to a paint thinner level.  For what it was, it's pretty good, but just the strength stands out.  Belgian flavors, with a very boozy barrel-aged flow to it.  Recommended...Matey! Arrgh!

- Terroir: Pinot Gris (Barrel-Aged)
Style: Saison/Farmhouse Ale
Brewery: Alesong Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75/5
Description: "White wine/barrel aged flavor, light, sweet."
Comments: Sips like a white wine only with strength due to the barrel aging.  It's a lighter beer, and goes down sweet.

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