© 2015 popsonhops

Tasting: December 12, 2015
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Beer #: 873
ABV: 10.5%

Dino Smores

When it comes to limited release beers, timing is everything. Since I’m insane, I’ll monitor social media and websites of brewers, distributors and retail outlets for news of these limited releases and their arrival on local shelves. Last Saturday proved to be a good example of why I go to such lengths. One of my favorite New York beer stores posted on their Facebook page that they had a limited quantity of Against the Grain’s Russian imperial stout – Bo & Luke. I showed up just a couple hours later and was told that it was long gone. I guess I’m not the only one that keeps tabs. Thankfully, I have one in my inventory from a trade earlier this year.

One great tip for hunting whales is to know when your favorite store gets deliveries from their distributor. I lucked out this past Thursday when I was in the right place at the right time. One of my New York stores took delivery of Dino Smores just as I was perusing the shelves. Wink-wink – I thought something good was coming on Thursday. One bottle per customer – another sign of the times. Thankfully, my second stop on the way back didn’t have such limits so, I picked up another two bottles in case I love it.

Dino Smores was a “buzz worthy” beer at last year’s release. From the label Dino Smores is made with marshmallow, vanilla bean, molasses, graham flour and cocoa nibs. First sip from my oversized brandy snifter and Dino Smores hits me with a medicinal flavor which I ultimately discern as the vanilla. Marshmallow is mellow and Dino Smores has a solid cocoa flavor. I’ll add that I picked up some smokey peat as well. Mouthfeel is viscous and just right. That’ll be 91 points from me.