We took an interesting, and very tasty, tour on Sunday, November 29, 2020 with Taproom Manager Olivia Pogodzienski to learn about BHB’s diverse and tasty products and about the craft brewing industry. We first learned about Black Hog Brewing through Brandon Collins, owner and master distiller of Continuum Distilling in Waterbury, Connecticut, as he uses "beer trimmings" from local craft breweries, including Black Hog Brewing, to create his exceptional spirits products, Drops and Charred. Although we have extensive spirits and wine background, our beer and craft brewing knowledge was minimal, and we thought that it was high time to learn about this fast-growing market. Touring BHB with Olivia provided us with a wealth of knowledge of the craft beer and burgeoning seltzer movement deftly blended with the perfect mix of fun.
Whereas spirits usually have 40 – 45% alcohol by volume (ABV) and wines range between 12 – 14.5 % ABV, craft brews ABV also come in a wide range. BHB’s Hog Lager comes in at 5.5% ABV whereas their Leaves A Mark Stout and their Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter have 11.5% ABV.
We learned that some products are top fermented, some are bottom fermented, some have hops, some do not. During our tour we learned the difference between porters and stouts, ales, and lagers, and like wine, learned that to appreciate the nuances of craft brews there are specially designed glasses for the various types of products.
Shhh – beer in the making
Speaking with Olivia, we learned that one of the distinguishing factors of the artisanal craft brew movement versus the spirits industry, is that their craft brew clientele is always looking for something new to try, whereas spirits drinkers are generally looking for consistent product every time. The Black Hog team is always happy to put their creative hats on to keep coming up with interesting products in addition to their core products, and having sampled a few of their amazing products, we are happy that they keep moving forward. Interesting to note about Black Hog Brewing (BHB) is that they pick their own hops to keep their product very fresh and they use real fruit in their seltzers.
BHB Products
BHB has an interesting and varied product line and the creative graphics on the cans done by local artists are as interesting as the products themselves. They opened their facility in 2014, and two of their early Ale releases, the award-winning Granola Brown Ale (5.7% ABV) brewed with oatmeal, grains, hops, and roasted malts, and their Ginga Ninja (6.5% ABV), a Red IPA brewed with fresh ginger, are still clientele favorites. They also offer Hazy Ale (6.2% ABV), and an Autumn Nugget Ale, which is a wet hopped ale.
In the IPA line, they offer Black Hog IPA dry hopped with mosaic powder (6.2% ABV), and Piglet Double (8.8% ABV). They also offer a lager with their Hog Lager (5.5% ABV).
For Imperial Stout lovers, they offer Leaves A Mark Imperial Stout and Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter, both at 11.5% ABV. They also offer Milk Stouts with their Coffee Milk Stout and seasonal Gingerbread S’Mores Coffee Milk Stout.
Seltzers
Spiked Seltzers have become increasingly popular as a lower alcohol alternative at 5.5% ABV. Their HUM seltzers have a diverse selection of teas and real fruit in them and include HUM Earl Grey + Black Cherry, Hum Ginger Oolong + Peach, and Hum Organic Darjeeling + Raspberry Lime.
Sampling
The day we visited, the weather was beautiful, and clientele sat at widely spaced tables under a large tent or at well-spaced picnic tables in the sun enjoying BHB products. After our tour, we sat outside in the sun at a picnic table and sampled their Nitro Coffee Milk Stout (5.5% ABV), and their Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter, (11.5% ABV), both of which were delicious. Well-crafted and memorable, if you like stouts, these two are reason enough to visit BHB.
We brought home their Leaves A Mark Imperial Stout (11.5% ABV) to sample and poured it into large snifter glasses to bring out the coffee, cocoa, dark chocolate, malt flavors and delicious and creamy mouthfeel. The graphics on this can is a tattoo artist’s hand and with its high ABV it will definitely "leave a mark."
We so enjoyed the Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter that we brought that home as well, and as usual, Luxury Experience was "In the Kitchen and Behind the Bar" TM and created a delectable homemade ice cream, Luxury Experience – Peanut Butter Stout Ice Cream, made with Black Hog Brewing’s Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter.
Luxury Experience – Peanut Butter Stout Ice Cream
Ice Cream Base Ingredients
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3
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Eggs
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1
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Cup
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Sugar
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2
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Cups
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Half & Half
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2
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Tsp
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Vanilla
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2
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Cups
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Heavy Cream
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Method: Beat eggs and half & half together in a large sauce pan. Add sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened (approx. 12-15 minutes); mixture should smoothly coat a spoon (do not boil). Cool mixture, then add heavy cream and vanilla. Refrigerate overnight. (Makes a quart).
Peanut Butter Stout Ingredients
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8
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Ounces
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Black Hog Brewing Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter
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0.5
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Ounce
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Crunchy Peanut Butter
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4
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Ounces
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Black Hog Brewing Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter
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Method: Add 8 ounces of the stout to a saucepan and reduce to 4 ounces. Add the peanut butter and stir to melt. Let cool. Add the ice cream mixture and place in your ice cream machine. As the mixture firms up in your ice cream machine add the peanut butter/imperial stout mixture. After a few more minutes mixing add 4 ounces of stout and finish processing the ice cream.
Cheers, its cocktail time!
Black Hog Brewing is open Thursday and Friday from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Saturday from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.
For information on Black Hog Brewing, visiting, or product information, please visit the website: www.BlackHogBrewing.com
Black Hog Brewing
115 Hurley Road 9A
Oxford, CT 06478
United States
Telephone: +1-203-262-6075
Email: info@BlackHogBrewing.com
Website: www.BlackHogBrewing.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BlackHogBrewing
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