Peaks and Pints Survival Kit of Beer 11.28.18

Yes, there are experts who say it’s cool to drink water from mountain streams at high altitudes without treating it because animal activity that would contaminate a stream isn’t present at a high enough level to cause worry. That theory is, or course, never a guarantee, and if you’re a better-safe-than-sorry type of person you’ll want to treat your water every chance you get. The advantage of treating water is the assurance you won’t get Giardia or another parasite or virus. Peaks and Pints says treat the water, then treat yourself to the Peaks and Pints Survival Kit of Beer 11.28.18. …

BLACK EYED KATY, Ten Pin Brewing: Not the Phish song, but rather the Moses Lake brewery’s award winning imperial stout brewed with the darkest malts and barley to create flavors of coffee, chocolate and roasted goodness. 10%

THE CAT ATE MY STASH & PISSED ON THE XMAS TREE IPA, Gigantic Brewing: The name comes from the following statement made by beer author John Mallett dates back to 2013 when he was asked about Bell’s Brewery’s new beer Hopslam. He stated, “I’m going to have a beer that we make 4,000 barrels of, one time a year. It flies off the shelf at damn near $20 a six-pack, and you know what it smells like? It smells like your cat ate your weed and then pissed in the Christmas tree.” Nice. Gigantic’s version is hazy gold in color and uses Northwest Pale Malt and Simpson Medium Crystal malts plus Chinook, Simcoe, Mosaic, Cascade and Nugget hops for a dank, sticky, drippy and piney IPA with some spice and sweetness. 7.5%

DRAGON’S MILK RESERVE BANANA COCONUT, New Holland Brewing: This beer features the traditional roasted, malty and smooth characteristics of Dragon’s Milk as well as hints of real banana, plantain and coconut delivered in a creamy, rich bourbon barrel-aged stout. 11%

WREATHING HAVOC IMPERIAL WINTER RED RYE ALE, Three Magnets Brewing: Yes, the wreath on this can dons an expression only the 10 dummers drumming could muster. Doesn’t matter; the craft beer is pure joy. The winter warmer starts in the nose with subtle hints of berries and burnt sugar, moves to the tongue with a toasted raisin and rye spice, and finishes strong with maple and pine. 9.4%

XOCOVEZA, Stone Brewing: It’s in cans! What was a winning homebrewer recipe inspired from Mexican hot chocolate combined with coffee is now in cans. This imperial mocha stout is brewed with coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and a generous amount of Stone’s in-house made chocolate. 8.1%