Friend and listener Taylor procured some interesting libations from Gizmo Brew Works in Raleigh North Carolina. Our hosts discuss what makes a good stout, what makes a good pepper beer and we play mixologist.

Gizmo Brew Works

5907 Triangle Drive, Raleigh, NC 27617
http://gizmobrewworks.com/

Forged from the ashes of a fallen brewery brother, Gizmo Brew Works launched into the public sphere in April of 2013. Gizmo represents the thinkers, tinkerers, and inventors who make up RTP and the Umstead Industrial Park which we call home.

At its inception, Gizmo Brew Works inherited a 2 barrel brewhouse, making it one of the smallest production breweries in North Carolina. Strong and feisty for its size, Gizmo surged forth into the competitive beer market. As Gizmo’s reputation grows, so does its size. New infrastructure boosted its growth with larger tanks and a new 7 bbl brewhouse. Currently, we sell our beers on draft and in 22oz bombers. Thirsty souls can find our beer in some of the finest retail shops and restaurants/bars throughout North Carolina.

Beer #1: Black Stiletto Stout

Style: Stout
ABV: 6.1%
IBU: 31
Flavor Text: A sexy, silky stout adds panache to any social situation, so we brewed Black Stiletto Stout with an eye toward style. Its creamy head smells sweetly of roasted barley and caramel before giving way to the full bodied blend of dark chocolate, toffee, and bready English ale yeast. Our choice ingredients create a rich and harmonious flavor profile that slides down the throat with a velvety mouthfeel. Robust but not filling, our Black Stiletto Stout will make you do a double take.

Ratings:

• Mark: Bomber
• Kevin: Growler
• Justin: Growler

Beer #2: Aztec Gold Imperial Chocolate Stout

Style: Chocolate Stout
ABV: 9.2%
Flavor Text: The first people to make chocolate were the ancient tribes of Mexico and Central America, including the Incas, Aztec and Mayans. They mixed ground cacao seeds with various seasonings to make a spicy, frothy drink which they called chocolatl. The Aztecs valued their drink so much that cocoa was used as a currency worth more than gold.

We celebrate this invention with our Aztec Gold Imperial Chocolate Stout. We brewed it with cocoa nibs grown in Belize and roasted by Raleigh’s own Videri Chocolate Factory. The addition of vanilla beans makes this beer a well balanced treat.

Ratings:

• Mark: Pint
• Kevin: Tasting
• Justin: Tasting

Beer #3: Velvet Hammer

Style: Spiced / Herbed Beer
ABV: 9.3%
Flavor Text: An imperial pepper ale spiced with chipotle and habanero peppers.

Ratings:

• Mark: Pint
• Kevin: Pint
• Justin: Bomber