JAK’s 5th Anniversary Celebration (March 2020)

March 19, 2020 Mike

Jesse and I had noticed some very interesting beers popping up on the JAKs facebook page for their Anniversary celebration this past Saturday. So interesting in fact, that we decided to go ahead and drop in.

Wow, there were a lot of people there! We couldn’t find a seat so we were standing around the popcorn machine when Antonio (the “A” in JAKs) swung by and grabbed us some beer. We ended up talking to him a couple of more times throughout the evening. We couldn’t be happier that JAKs is cruising right along, and we’re looking forward to the next anniversary party if this one is any example of the beer selection that’ll be available.

We ended up finding a seat at the bar, and I think my only regret was that I had to limit myself a bit because the beers were up there in ABV, and I had to drive back home.

Congratulations JAKs! Keep doing what you’re doing!

O’ Dark:30 – Imperial Milk Stout – 8.5% ABV, 20 IBU.

Have you figured out yet that I’m hooked on Milk Stouts? This was the one that pulled me in. Rich and creamy, full mouthfeel, and it finishes with a nice chocolate note.

I would seriously like to be able to get this in a 6 pack to bring home. Loved it. you can see the dark creamy head on it, it was a very photogenic beer.

Anniversary Sour – 4.5% ABV, 19 IBU

Tony (Antonio) said that they had been sitting on this one, letting it sour, for a year, in oak chardonnay barrels.. I’m here to tell you, it was worth the wait.

The sourness level on it is very refreshing, just nicely tart, and delicious. It’s refreshing, and would probably get me in trouble if I had a supply of it hanging around. Maybe a little more body than some kettle sours, but that only made it better.

[Jesse]
As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, I live within easy stumbling…. er… walking distance to JAKs so, as Mike mentioned, when I saw the celebration beers, I knew I had to go. In hindsight, even if I had hoofed it over there solo, it would have been well worth woth the trip.

Congratulations to all of the folks at JAKs for five years of community and great beer.

Whiskey Barrel Quad – Belgian Quadruple – 9.4% ABV 20 IBU
Since I got this one while we were milling about, I didn’t snap a picture.
I love me some Belgian beer. I also have a new found love of barrel aged beers, so getting this one seemed like a no-brainer.

I’m certainly glad I did, the whiskey barrel flavor was very present, but, somhow, it didn’t dominate so much as to mask the Belgian character of the beer. I think a half-pint of this would have been prefect. To be fair, when I mentioned it to Tony, he said that some folks like it that strong. And they had run out of the 10oz glasses they normall service this in and I got a full pint.

Mr. Mitchell – Imperial Blonde Ale – 8.5% ABV 16 IBU

I was puzzled when I saw the tap list on Facebook and this was listed as an “Imperial Blonde”. But, when I ordered this, it all made sense.

Basically a blonde but with a lot more body and, obviously, higher ABV. A big blonde, if you will. But, it’s well balanced and very easy drinking.

Plead the Fifth – Triple IPA – 10.2% ABV 111 IBU

If I had seen the “stats” on this beer befpore I ordered it, I may have hesitated. That’s a big beer and a lot of IBUs. I would have guessed it was a hop-bomb.

The stats, in this case, lie. This is a really well-balanced beer. It starts kind of sweet which makes sense for a beer this big. The finish is slightly piney, but it not at all overpowering.

A really good, overall, west coast style IPA. Really good.

Beers we’ve reviewed at JAKs: