The design of the can brings to life Perrin Aybara from The Wheel Of Time book series. When you bring the beer to your nose, you will immediately notice notes of dark chocolate and roast motivating you to dive in immediately. 

When I take my first sip I can’t help but notice the creamy malty mouth feel, while maintaining the ability to go down incredibly smooth especially for 8.7% ABV. Aybara has a rich and flavorful chocolate flavor with hints of the oats in the backend. If you allow Aybara to breathe for a few minutes, the roasty flavor becomes more prominent and mixes well with the chocolate and oats to bring you an incredible smooth and easy drinking stout. This is a beer that will do well in these winter months that are creeping in but is not too heavy in your stomach, allowing you to enjoy multiple pours and stay warm.

I know this is a beer I’ll be taking camping with me to enjoy while sitting around a fire with friends. 

You can find Aybara throughout the city in H‑E‑B, Specs, Total Wine, and on tap in your favorite spots to grab a pint or five. You could always stop by the brewery to enjoy their fire pit that burns hot on most cold weekends to enjoy Aybara with friends. I hope you get a chance to try this stellar offering from Back Pew Brewing , find me at the brewery so we can exchange beer stories and unwind at the end of a long day.  Cheers!

The post Fit for firepits: Back Pew Brewing’s Aybara Imperial Stout first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Fit for firepits: Back Pew Brewing’s Aybara Imperial Stout appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

Two years ago I decided that in 2021 I was going to do a vertical taste test of the ‘19, ‘20, and ‘21 variants to see how the taste and complexity changed throughout the years of aging. I had never aged cans before, so I was curious how well the beers held up and how they changed. Plus I enjoy the progression of the boy on the cans, who is growing up and always getting in trouble. He must’ve been the big mistake, since this beer sure isn’t!

The 2021 variation was exactly like described above. The bourbon taste smacked you in the face, but the beer was still delightful with chocolate and caramel notes. 

For some reason the 2020 version was my least favorite of the three, albeit still solid. The beer had lost some of its crispness and carbonation, but really didn’t lose much of its bourbon flavor.

Finally the 2019 version, two years of waiting really did this beer well. It lost a fair amount of its harshness from the bourbon, and instead was super smooth from the moment of the first drink to when the taste dissipated a while later.

My anecdotal recommendation is to wait two years to drink your Big Mistake, if, of course, you have the patience. Though if you can’t wait, there is no mistake in when you drink it.  

The post Make No Mistake: 11 Below’s Big Mistake is as Good as it Gets first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Make No Mistake: 11 Below’s Big Mistake is as Good as it Gets appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.

I chose to whip out my fancy snifter glass for this one; however, with the low hop aroma you don’t miss much out of the can. It’s a very rich beer, as any imperial stout should be, but the flavors meld together well. Chocolate is by far the largest player, with a smooth boozy finish. I found myself craving more as I drank it, which is always a good sign.

When I poured it into my glass, the first thing I noticed was the color. It pours black — almost jet black — and I didn’t get much foamy head out of it either. There’s not much fruit or bitterness, and the licorice-like taste that hits you at the end is a very pleasant surprise. It also makes you very aware of the high alcohol level (9.3% ABV), and the booze content will warm your belly. Lastly, this is a thicker beer, even for a stout, so prepare to chew on it.

Speaking of chewing, it’s always nice to add a food pairing into the mix that will enhance your beer experience. I say you go with a big old slice of pie, preferably pecan. The strong malt profile of the beer stands up well to the sugary goodness of the pie. Also, since pecan pie can be so sticky having a beer with higher alcohol keeps your palate more clear. Never mind the New Year Resolutions with this one.

Overall, I think Three Legged Lab is an excellent beer and a great representation of the imperial stout style. All beer snobbish commentary aside, it’s awesome and I’m proud to say it is made here in Houston. Go find a 4-pack while you can — you don’t have much longer this year to find it! Cheers

The post Karbach Three Legged Lab Imperial Stout first appeared on Houston Beer Guide.

The post Karbach Three Legged Lab Imperial Stout appeared first on Houston Beer Guide.