Name: Blown Speakers
Brewer: Stillwater Artisanal (USA)
Style: Mixed-Style Beer (Base Style: American IPA)
ABV: 10%
Review Year: 2019
Aside from their mind-blowing label designs, Brooklyn-based craft brewery, Stillwater Artisanal is among the breweries on the East Coast that have made an impression on the international scene. Head brewer Brian Strumke, who was once a former club DJ, refers to his ales as “hybrid beers.” He claims that his creations may borrow some characteristics from traditional beer styles but they need not necessarily be categorized as such. This review is about one of the “hybrid beers” from Stillwater Artisanal, the”Triple IPA” called, Blown Speakers.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Mixed-Style Beer (34B) with the American IPA (21A) as the base style in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
As of this writing, the “Triple IPA” is not an official and explicit style in the BJCP; thus, these beers still lack a comprehensive set of style guidelines. For the hop-forward and bitter variants, these Triple IPAs could simply be bigger-than-double versions of an American IPA with an ABV roughly over 10.5%.
TASTING NOTES
Blown Speakers has an enticing hazy and dark orange color, whilst the nose perceives dank notes of pineapples and marmalade. The second wave of aromas follows with descriptors of candied oranges and alcohol. Interestingly, the palate reveals floral notes reminiscent of Chrysanthemum. More notes of honey, green tea, and Sauvignon Blanc tease at the beer’s warmer state. Fermented fruits and puckery oranges leave a lasting memory of this beer.
THE VERDICT
In conclusion, Stillwater Artisanal’s Blown Speakers is a tasty dank treat despite having a whopping 10% ABV. With a wide array of flavors harmoniously coming together, this “Triple IPA” demonstrates clearly the unconventional pursuits and the level of craftsmanship over at Stillwater Artisanal.
