Residents of San Francisco are lucky in that they have several shops dedicated to selling high quality, rare, or hard to get beers. The Hapa’s crew are regulars at these fine establishments; one of our favorites being Healthy Spirits on 15th and Castro. Very well known to the beer and whiskey community, Healthy Spirits regularly gets exclusive releases.
One such release, Someone Talked, was brewed by Ale Industries specifically for San Francisco Beer Week for exclusive distribution at the shop. Only 20 cases worth of this massive Russian Imperial Stout were aged for a full year in 18 year Elijah Craig barrels and bottled. We braved the lines at the release and picked up a couple bottles.
Appearance
Pours an all engulfing jet black with a creamy texture you can see. A finger and a half of brown head sits atop the beer and recedes somewhat quickly. Lacing is sufficient.
Aroma
Strong notes of some of Kentucky’s finest bourbon waft from the glass. Barrel aging has added additional layers of oak and vanilla. Coffee, hailing from the Bay Area’s own Blue Bottle, is subtle but very pleasant. Dark roasted malt adds notes of chocolate and toast.
Taste
Malty bourbon coats the tongue. Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate notes intermingle with the strong bourbon flavors and remind the drinker of an Irish coffee. With very little hop character, the beer relies on roasted malt to add a bitterness and slight tannin that sits on the edges of the tongue.
Mouthfeel
Full and heavy in the mouth, almost chewy. Carbonation is on the lower side leaving the beer smooth and creamy. Alcohol, at 13% ABV, is gut warming.
Drinkability
Someone talked is a grown man’s beer. Not for the faint of heart or the light of tolerance. Big in every sense of the word, this beer packs a heavy punch of aromas, flavor, and alcohol. Save a bottle for a cold night and bring a friend to share it with or at least carry you to bed. Overall grade for Someone Talked: B+
Up next on Tuesday Tasting: Stillwater Stateside Saison