Prototype 27

At BrewDog we are selfish. We make the beers we want to drink. Prototype 27 is a batch of only 150 bottles of our most selfish beer yet. This prototype combines Martin and James' favourite things - Hardcore IPA, fresh Scottish Raspberries and old Islay single malt whiskies.

1 - Take one Islay whisky cask, if you want to be very specific, try a 1982 Caol Ila cask.

2 - Add 150L of World Beer Cup Winning Hardcore IPA.

3 - Add 50 kilos of local Scottish Raspberries.  

4 - Add a dash of BrewDog wizardry

5 - Et voila. You have 150 bottles of a hardcore little prototype.

The result is a drop dead gorgeous beer, which pours a vibrant and seductive rock 'n roll lip stick red in the glass. The aroma is mesmerising, all sweet, tart raspberry goodness upfront but with the spicy, resinous citrus hops underneath. Another visit reveals something far more sinister, tiny tinges of dark menacing smoke adds a gritty edge to the raspberry surrealness with hints of wooden hospitals and burning pirate ships.

The beer is vindictively complex and irreverent on the palate. Full bodied and compelling the robust malt base provides an initial layer of honey, cinnamon and biscuity malt sweetness. Soon the Scottish Berries are in on the act, a dominating tug of war between sweet and tart with an overbearing zest. As the beer slips back across your tongue the hops demand and definitely get your attention. At 100 IBUs the bitterness smashes into the back of your throat as the resinous, spiced orange peel flavours add depth to the berry fruitiness.

As the beer endures the infamous Islay character emerges, almost undetectable tinges of toasted marshmallow from the oak gave way to the more threatening flavours this beer pulled from the cask. Whispers of demonic  smoke and peat grow louder as the beer moves towards the back of your mouth, almost taunting the raspberry’s innocence. The finish is almost like a little bonfire inside a giant raspberry bouncy castle.

It is a pity we only have 150 bottles. I would happily keep them all to myself! Maybe I should........

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