Today was Amsterdam day, in Amsterdam week. I was able to check out the space that the new brewpub will be in, visit the new brewery in Leaside and hang around with some of my favourite brewers. More on all that tomorrow (with pictures of the new brewery, and words about the new brewpub; basically no work has been done there, so there’s not much too see). I had already been planning on doing a vertical tasting of two year’s worth of Tempest Imperial Stout, knowing a little something that I wasn’t able to talk about, but then, low and behold, as I was working on the photos for the post, in came the press release from Blake at Amsterdam, so I’m able to say: Starting next week (!) and for a limited time, Tempest will be available at the LCBO. In hand-waxed bottles to boot!
So Tempest, then. An amazing American-style Imperial Stout, initially brewed by Iain on Amsterdam’s pilot system, it’s popularity was immediate and well deserved. Now in it’s third year, there are barrel-aged versions as well as the standard. Huge sweet malts balanced with huge juicy hops make this one of the most complex beers that will be available at the LCBO. It is also proof that having a brewer committed to experimenting is a wise investment. Boneshaker and Tempest are both beers that have become hugely popular brews, and both of which were born just playing around. I am lucky enough to currently be holding a bottle of this year’s version, as well as last year’s (in all it’s hand-waxed glory; I’m fairly certain the retail version won’t have the incredible drippings, but they all have a hand-spun swirl on the top, warning you of the hurricane under the cap).
Tempest Imperial Stout — Amsterdam Brewing Co.
From two 500ml bottles, one wax-capped, the two vintages of Tempest Imperial Stout pour nearly identical. Opaque black, even when held to a bright light, with about 3/4″ of mocha brown head that drops to a bit of film and a nice ring, and leaves decent lace on the glass.
2012
Aroma is big charred malts, coffee, chocolate brown sugar, leather, dark fruits and a touch of tobacco. Sweet malts and alcohol are on the forefront, though there is clearly some serious hops in there too. Taste is even bigger than the nose lets on. Massive dark sugary sweetness, toffee and rum. Charred notes like espresso, and big juicy dark fruits; plums, dark cherries and apples as well as bitter cocoa. More leather on the palate, which shows as the beer transitions from sweet to ultra dry and bitter, finishing with a pine like resinous dry finish, demonstrating the large volume of American hops jammed in there. The hoppy finish balances well with the coffee qualities, and leaves your palate, perhaps not clean, but ready for more. Lots more. Mouthfeel is heavy to be sure, but still remains drinkable, perhaps too drinkable for a beer that is 9%….
2011
Aroma is much more subdued, still showing charred malts, coffee and chocolate, but now has a pleasing spicy note, hinting at cinnamon and ginger. Taste shows less of the juicy fruits (as expected) and some oxidization, but seems more well rounded. Leather is less obvious, and the chocolate and coffee are rich without being over-powering. Spices are there (and I don’t know where they came from!), still like dried ginger root and a whisper of cinnamon. Even with the wax seal, there’s a hint of paper/cardboard from the age, but it’s very very subtle. Still, if you’re going to lay this one down, make sure you treat it right
;dark cool cellar at least, fridge even better. Mouthfeel is a touch thinner, though perhaps that just a trick of the tongue as it’s less juicy than it’s younger sister. Also, as expected, carbonation is more muted, though I think I prefer the younger one’s bright pop.
I know you’ll make me pick
I wouldn’t say that I “like” one more than the other; I feel that each has it’s place. The fresh vintage is big and brash. It’s going to go well with your dessert (more on that in a minute) or with some big bits of cheese. The elder format is more of a thinker. Perhaps sitting on a Victorian wing chair by a coal fire, wearing a silk smoking jacket and a fez. Or playing an epic game of Risk. The point is, it’s a bottle that will keep you company, challenge you, and leave you wishing the night could go on for hours. So here is what you need to do: Buy 24 of these bottles. Drink 8 now (like, in the next few weeks), drink 8 next year around Christmas (a little gift to yourself), drink four the following Christmas, and gauge if you want to hang on to the final four or drink them in 2014. Mainly you’re worried about oxidiztion here. Actually do what I just suggested, but multiply by four…..
Attention to detail. That’s a hurricane blowing…..
Buy This Beer
At LCBOs across the province starting this Monday. Better beer bars around the city will likely have it available too.
Drink This With
Chocolate. Possibly from our friends at ChocoSol. Any chocolate dessert (like my killer vegan gluten-free chocolate/beet cake) would do well. If you’re thinking of branching out a bit, why not try your hand at Indonesian cooking, and make yourself some beef rendang? Not too many dinners are going to hold up against the complexity of this beer, but a solid rendang probably would. Cheeses could go a few ways: A soft creamy cow’s milk cheese could offer a good canvas for the Tempest to work over, but a huge salty blue could provide a very interesting juxtaposition. If you’ve never tried a blue with a stout, do it. You could find yourself very surprised.
About The Brewery
The Amsterdam Brewing Company is an independently owned and operated craft brewery that is deeply rooted in the city of Toronto. A pioneer of the craft beer revolution in 1986 and initially called the Amsterdam Brasserie and Brew Pub, The Amsterdam was the first of its kind in Toronto to offer patrons hand crafted lagers and ales that were brewed ‘in-house’. Today they brew over ten different beers including their flagship lager – Amsterdam Natural Blonde, the award winning Big Wheel Deluxe Amber, Boneshaker IPA and multiple year-round and seasonal brews. The Amsterdam Brewing Company uses only traditional brewing methods and their beers are made with four all natural ingredients – malt, hops, yeast, and water. All beers are GMO-free, without preservatives, and never heat pasteurized.
The Full Tempest Press Release
Amsterdam Brewing Co. Set To Release Tempest Imperial Stout in LCBOs
(Toronto, ON, October 17, 2012) – The Amsterdam Brewing Company will release their highly sought after Tempest Imperial Stout on Monday October 22, 2012 to a select number of LCBOs across the province. At just over 13,000 500mL bottles, Tempest is a limited run and expected to sell out of stores very quickly.
This is the second beer out of Amsterdam’s Pilot Brewing system, headed by Iain Mcoustra, to make it into the LCBO (the first being Boneshaker back in May of this year). First brewed in 2010, Tempest was only sold out of the Amsterdam Brewery retail store and was an immediate hit. Since then, only 2 other batches of Tempest have been brewed, one of which is destined for LCBO shelves this Monday.
Unique to Ontario, Tempest Imperial Stout is brewed with rye, wheat, oats, roasted barley, dark crystal, marris otter and chocolate malts. Warrior, centennial, and cascade hops provide bittering and aroma in this big malt body beer. Cellared for three months prior to packaging, Tempest has a bracing bitterness that quickly blends with deep malt notes and a slight spiciness from the rye malt. At 100+ IBU, Tempest blends the drinkability and smoothness of a British stout with the aggressive hops and bold flavors of an American example of this style. The warming finish is perfect for our Canadian fall.Each bottle has been hand dipped in black wax and will cellar well for up to 3 years. Tempest Imperial Stout (LCBO #291100) is sold at the LCBO and the Amsterdam Brewery retail store (now at 45 Esandar Dr. in Leaside) in 500mL bottles for $5.95 ea.
For updates on quantities and LCBO locations for Tempest, please visit Amsterdam’s website (www.amsterdambeer.com) twitter page (www.twitter.com.amsterdambeer
About The Amsterdam Brewing Company
The Amsterdam Brewing Company is an independently owned and operated craft brewery that is deeply rooted in the city of Toronto. A pioneer of the craft beer revolution in 1986 and initially called the Amsterdam Brasserie and Brew Pub, The Amsterdam was the first of its kind in Toronto to offer patrons hand crafted lagers and ales that were brewed ‘in-house’. Today they brew over ten different beers including their flagship lager – Amsterdam Natural Blonde, the award winning Big Wheel Deluxe Amber, Boneshaker IPA and multiple year-round and seasonal brews. The Amsterdam Brewing Company uses only traditional brewing methods and their beers are made with four all natural ingredients – malt, hops, yeast, and water. All beers are GMO-free, without preservatives, and never heat pasteurized.
To learn more about the Amsterdam Brewing Company visit www.amsterdambeer.com
Or
Become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/amsterdambeer
And follow on Twitter www.twitter.com/amsterdambeer
