Frost Monster on the
loose!
We’ve teased the coming of this
imperial stout for months as it hibernated in the fermenter and in rum barrels,
and it’s finally ready in time for the holidays. The barrel-aged Monster is
available in 750 ml bottles and on draft Wednesday in the Captain Lawrence
tasting room, while the unoaked iteration is in the fermenter, and will be
available in mid December.
Created by Justin Perrone, the Frost Monster sparks a cavalcade of adjectives.
“Big, bold, strong, malty, rich, chocolatey,” says Captain Lawrence founder
Scott Vaccaro.
The unoaked stout will make some
Captain Lawrence history: it will be the brewery’s first four-pack offering.
Captain Lawrence will release three beers in special four-packs in the next
year. Following the Frost Monster is another mega-brew slated for early 2014:
the Seeking Alpha triple IPA. “It’s in the works,” says Scott.
In other brewery happenings,
February will see Captain Lawrence distributed throughout the whole of New
Jersey, not just the northern part. And the “287” whiskey--distilled
Freshchester Pale Ale produced at Still the One in Port Chester, is a certified
hit. Scott says higher quality barley and malt than more typical single malt
whiskeys make the 287 pop. “A lot of beautiful malt flavors really come
through,” he says.
Speaking of inspired creations,
Scott’s “Drew’s Brew”, an India Pale Ale named for his then newborn son, was a
beloved Captain Lawrence offering back in 2011; he might again concoct a
kid-inspired brew, with newborn Layla perhaps getting one in her honor.
“I’m thinking of something moderately bitter, because that’s how I’ve been
feeling without sleep,” Scott jokes.
He may infuse the IPA with fennel,
which is known to pacify colicky babies. “It’s been two years since Drew’s
Brew,” says Scott. “Maybe it’s time to brew Layla a beer--and get one going for
Drew too.”
If you’re looking for something
offbeat to take to Thanksgiving dinner, the small batch beers in the tap lineup
include staffer Doug Roberts’ pilot brew #69, a dark brown beer brewed
with 10 different grains; Ryan Kipp’s German black lager Schwarzer Hund
(translation: Black Dog); and the crew’s new Belgian ale blended with stout,
known as Hot & Sour Soup. “I’m letting those guys have way too much fun,”
says Scott.
Avoid the Thanksgiving Eve/Growler
Wednesday rush—get to the tasting room early.
A limited supply of the seasonal
fave Pumpkin Ale will be available in the tasting room Wednesday. “We had a
huge pumpkin season,” says Scott. “We just can’t seem to make enough.”
As far as Thanksgiving
recommendations from the Captain, Scott says you can’t go wrong with the barrel-aged,
12% A.B.V. Frost Monster alongside your turkey, stuffing and family. “It’s
great for when you don’t want to listen to relatives talk anymore,” he says.
“Drink a bottle and you won’t hear a thing.”
The “Notes From the Captain Lawrence Tasting Room” book is available at the brewery and on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Captain-Lawrence-Tasting-Room/dp/0985632844/
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