Peaks and Pints is sure we don’t have to tell you this, but it’s National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day. Most people know them as Raisinets. This chocolate-covered fruit was first introduced in the United States in 1927. Nestle acquired the brand in 1984. In early years, Raisinets were made by hand — taking 90 minutes to coat 350 pounds of raisins and additional 60 minutes to polish, according to the Nestle website. Today, Raisinets are made by machine in nearly 2,500-pound batches. Peaks and Pints honors this moderately enjoyable snack with a five craft beer flight of all this chocolate and raisin. Let’s get this chocolate-covered raisin party started with Craft Beer Crosscut 3.24.17: A Flight of Chocolate Covered Raisin.
Iron Horse Quilter’s Irish Death
7.8% ABV, 12 IBU
Created by the Iron Horse Brewery founder Jim Quilter, this craft beer has been called a sweet stout, strong ale and Scotch ale. We call it delicious with a massive amount of malt that goes down easy. On the nose, caramel malt was definite and distinct. On the tongue, it’s smooth, over-the-top malty sweetness with chocolate, coffee, raisin, caramel, banana and fig.
Odin’s Thor’s Equinox
9% ABV, 20 IBU
Viking-themed Odin Brewing Co. in Tukwila offers a Belgian strong ale as one of its year-round treats. Thor’s Equinox leaves us with lingering warmth at 9 percent ABV. The dark candi sugar pushes that alcohol strength upward, while also lending rum, dates and fig notes. Odin stepped back from the emphasis on yeasty phenols to showcase malt and a unique woody note from Angelica spice, creating a beer that is still Belgian, yet can satisfy stout and strong porter lovers as well.
Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad Belgian Ale
11% ABV
The name “Barista” conjures thoughts of the fragrance of steaming coffee below a layer of expertly created froth with a touch of eye roll. This may sounds rather far-fetched for a beer … However, the aromas and the flavors of caramel, cacao and roast malt match seamlessly with the “black gold” of coffee, toffee and dried fruits. This beer builds bridges with the world of hot beverages, with a rich and silky mouthfeel and warming alcohol in the finish.
Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws
11.5% ABV, 70 IBU
People have been making pilgrimages to Portland for Alan Sprints’ beer since the dark ages — back when hazy and sour beers weren’t made that way intentionally. Hair of the Dog’s Doggie Claws, a holiday-themed barleywine, smells of thick, decadent caramel coupled with notes of raisins, molasses and dark fruits. First sip brings a sweet caramel-raisin infused maltiness that carries hints of dark fruits, cherry and sourdough. This is followed by a nice wave of piney, citric, herbal hop bitterness causing a nice interplay between the sweet and bitter aspects of the craft beer.
Fort George 10th Anniversary Barleywine
12.5% ABV
Fort George Brewery celebrated its 10th anniversary with a small-batch Sweet Virginia Series barleywine to commemorate the occasion. A strong barley base balanced with heaping hop additions, aged in Adelsheim and Argyle Pinot Noir barrels, it has a vinous nose. Caramel toffee, raisin and dried tart cherry jump on the first sip, followed by a mild hop bitterness, wine and barrel.
There you go. Raisinets in five, 5-ounce glasses. Sip them while watching this surreal drug trip.
