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In celebration of 25 years in enterprise, Seattle’s Elysian Brewing not too long ago put collectively the mom of all combine packs: 25 “biggest hits” beers (plus a bunch of enjoyable additions) packed in a monstrous field. I figured this was the right likelihood to take a deep dive into Elysian’s intensive choices, a few of which we’ve reviewed earlier than, a few of that are new to us. (As nicely, some are particular editions that aren’t publicly obtainable.)
Excellent news if you happen to dwell in Washington state: You may choose up one in all these kits your self, or have it shipped to you. Alas, these out of state must make the drive to Seattle to choose one up.
Temporary opinions of all of the beers within the equipment (in some way I appear to have misplaced two of them, therefore the 23 as a substitute of 25) — ranked so as of choice — comply with. Comfortable birthday, Elysian!
Elysian Space Dust IPA – Area Mud has lengthy been my favourite Elysian beer, and one in all my favourite IPAs basically. (It’s additionally Elysian’s finest promoting product.) The beer straddles the road of bitter and juicy fruit nicely, its earthy hops completely countered by an ample tropical and citrus character. Chewy and immersive, with some gently floral lime leaf notes on the again finish. For any IPA fan, there’s nonetheless nothing to not like right here. 8.2% abv. A
Elysian Contact Haze IPA – Elysian’s hazy IPA is a basic in taste, although it doesn’t have a ton of precise haze to it. I like the lemon word, balanced by toasty hops and delicate earthiness. 8.8% abv. A
Elysian Prometheus IPA – West coast fashion IPAs aren’t on high of the heap in the intervening time, however Prometheus is proof of why the fashion turned scorching within the first place. Boldly hoppy and resinous, with refined layers of orange, mango, and guava, it’s a silky powerhouse with large size. I might have sworn this was a lot larger in alcohol. 6.7% abv. A
Elysian Full Contact Imperial Hazy IPA – A bruiser at 8.8% abv, however loaded with taste that blends the tropical notes of a hazy with the unctuous creaminess of an imperial IPA. Stuffed with citrus, vanilla, lemon, and piney hops, it’s one more killer IPA from Elysian. 8.8% abv. A
Elysian Scarlet Hearth IPA – Brewed with a method known as first wort hopping, which entails including ending hops to the boil kettle because the wort is transferred from the mash tun. I do not know what the aim of that’s (it appears to lift the IBUs), nevertheless it makes for a offered IPA, this one fairly creamy, with a daring, west coast assault. The hops get a bit thick after awhile, however the depth of taste is spectacular. 7.2% abv. A-
Elysian What’s the Password? Tiki IPA – A model new beer, made with pineapple puree, brown sugar, toasted coconut, nutmeg, orange zest, and lactose. It’s the coconut (plus lactose) that makes the most important splash right here — making for one thing nearer to a pina colada than a mai tai — the supersweet pineapple kicking in on the outsized end. 9.3% abv. A-
Elysian Velvet Portray Uncooked IPA – Brewed at temperatures under boiling, this rounded, creamy, and enticing IPA has a enjoyable banana word that pair nicely with its citrus underpinnings, with sufficient rolling hops character to offer it a punchy and lasting bitterness. 7.2% abv. A-
Elysian Snailbones IPA – A pleasant layer of orange and grapefruit offers Snailbones’s piney core a raise, however the physique finally feels a contact on the skinny aspect. I get a touch of spice and a few vanilla on the prolonged end. 8.5% abv. A-
Elysian Dragonstooth Stout – A giant, imperial oatmeal stout with all of the trimmings: chewy cereal, an aggressive chocolate and low bean word, and a syrupy, enduring end that gives flavors of molasses and maple. A bit daunting maybe for the Guinness set, however for followers of outsized flavors of their stouts, this brew hits the spot. 8.1% abv. A-
Elysian The Immortal IPA – A kooky interpretation of English pale ale by means of the Pacific Northwest. The consequence options biscuity Bass Pale Ale notes alongside the piney, earthy hoppiness one expects from the west coast. The combo works, although it hardly rips up the west coast IPA playbook alongside the way in which. 6.3% abv. A-
Elysian Scourge – A goji berry bitter ale with blueberries, “the thirteenth beer of the apocalypse.” Boldly fruity and reasonably bitter, this rarity has a raspberry-like punch with a recent, tart end — bracing in its acidity, nearly vinegar-like at occasions. It’s so cleaning and brilliant with its citrusy conclusion that it turns into exhausting to place down. 5.2% abv. A-
Elysian Altered Contact Tart IPA – A hybrid fashion bitter IPA, with the needle pegged clearly on the IPA aspect. Some tart lemon juice serves as a curious counterpoint to the spicy, hoppy spine. That helps to mood the beer’s earthier components — although that comes on the value of among the IPA DNA. 6.8% abv. B+
Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA – Brewed with dried jasmine flowers, this can be a literal interpretation of a “floral” IPA. Issues begin off aromatic and immersive, then the jasmine character turns into overwhelming, heavy with notes of fragrance and a layer of baking spice. Dusky hops make for a curious counterpart. Good for one bottle, however somewhat goes a good distance. 6.3% abv. B+
Elysian Cake Topper Brut IPA – Brut IPA was a fad for a scorching minute in 2019. Seems Elysian nonetheless makes one, Cake Topper, a crisp providing that will get its identify from an infusion of creamy lactose plus a kick of vanilla and guava. It’s type of a bizarre mixture, this ultra-dry assault that winds its means towards the fruit stand, thanks primarily to the marginally funky guava inclusion, which provides the end a word of overripe tropical fruit. 6.5% abv. B+
Elysian The Sensible ESB – Boldly malty, toasty, and bready — and fairly coffee-like at occasions. Your British pub expertise is on level right here, all bitterness and austerity; genuine to make certain, although it’s not a method I overly gravitate to. 5.9% abv. B+
Elysian KEXP Mixtape! – A blood orange milkshake IPA, this monster of a beer pairs blood orange and vanilla notes with a surprisingly funky nostril. It’s a bit inexperienced on the end, however the tart blood orange notes perk issues up unusually. 6.4% abv. B+
Elysian Salt & Seed Watermelon Gose – Much less bizarre than I bear in mind it, although this time across the fruity bitter comes throughout with extra salt within the combine, the juicy watermelon notes taking extra of a again seat. It’s a mix that continues to be enjoyable, nonetheless, and the ultra-low abv makes for a summery bonus. 4% abv. B+
Elysian Ode to Capitol Hill – Capitol Hill is a notable Seattle neighborhood; Ode to Capitol Hill is an uncommon pale ale made with rye and oak smoked wheat. Bready and toasty, the smoked wheat notes are aggressive and applicable rustic, although the beer finally ends up as quite one-note ultimately. 6.1% abv. B
Elysian Night time Owl Pumpkin Ale – A basic and flippantly candy pumpkin beer, well-spiced and flippantly sweetened with brown sugar. It’s not a method that I gravitate to, however this rendition is healthier than most of what you discover within the area, boosted by a balanced end that retains some bitterness within the combine. 6.7% abv. B
Elysian Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale – The addition of orange peel and blood orange to this brew sounds attractive, however the citrus by no means actually punches via the substantial and quite muddy west coast character. 6.4% abv. B
Elysian Loser Pale Ale – Brewed with uncommon Sorachi Ace hops, this unusual brew melds hops and fruit — each citrus and tropical — right into a fitful complete. Aromas of barbecue spice, kelp, and tons of malt give this an odd sense of place — albeit one that’s at the least price speaking about. 7% abv. B
Elysian Dreadwood Derby Oak Aged Imperial Stout – This fizzy oddity has the alcohol of a barrel-aged stout, nevertheless it’s missing the depth of taste one expects from this style. The beer toys with notes of espresso bean, vanilla, and (oddly) black pepper, however the end takes a bizarre detour that options notes of roasted meats and burnt pretzels. This one’s simply not in Elysian’s wheelhouse. 9.3% abv. B-
Elysian XXV twenty fifth Anniversary Espresso IPA – The beer brewed particularly for this field is the least fascinating within the bunch, an IPA with espresso in it. The combo’s a miss right here, hitting the nostril with a pungent, nearly burnt, darkish roast espresso word, which doesn’t supply a lot in the way in which of stability with the piney however vague hops that lie beneath. The result’s a beer torn in two instructions, neither of which is altogether satisfying. 9.3% abv. B-