The Bruery - Melange No.3

In case you didn't know this already, I'm a pretty big fan of The Bruery. This year has been my first year as a Reserve Society member (which gives you access to awesome limited beers and events) and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to stay one for as long as the Reserve Society exists. Every beer they release sounds better than the last, and the beers they've hinted at being in the lineup next year sound amazeballs (rum barrel-aged Black Tuesday, anyone?). Anyways, while savoring yet another fantastic new beer in The Bruery's lineup a few weeks ago, it dawned on me that I hadn't reviewed some of The Bruery's classics. Melange No. 3 would be one of the first to fall into that category.

Melange No. 3 has been part of The Bruery's lineup for a few years now and is undoubtedly (to me, at least) one of the better beers they make. It's also unique in that it's a blend of three of The Bruery's other beers (White Oak Sap, their Anniversary beer (this year, it was Bois), and the infamous Black Tuesday). Because of the beastly ABVs of its three components (led by Black Tuesday's 18% ABV), it should come as no surprise that this is a big boy. A 15.5% big boy. So let's put on our big boy pants and check this one out. At #66- Melange No. 3.

Melange No. 3 pours a deep cola color, similar to The Bruery's anniversary beers. Because of the high ABV, I was pleasantly surprised to see a fairly large tan head form off the pour. It didn't last long, however, as after a minute, nearly all of it had been sucked back into the viscous liquid. The aroma is deep and sweet, with toffee, vanilla, bourbon, caramel, a hint of coconut and some toasted brown sugar.

The taste opens sweet, similar to the smell, with a big dollop of molasses, burnt caramel and milk chocolate covered raisin. There's some dark fruit in there as well, with black cherries being the first thing that came to mind. The middle shows some chocolate and sweet bourbon before diving into a finish of toasted oak and brown sugar. There's a hint of warmness on the swallow and the mouthfeel is a touch thick, but other than that, the massive amount of alcohol in here is very well concealed. I'm going to have to get a lot more of this. Melange No. 3 is an absolute keeper.

Top 250 Beers Tasted: 126