Beer’s arrival into geekdom wasn’t as flashy as one might think, nor did it happen overnight. In fact, one could argue that it has been brewing for generations (you can use that). Still, it seems bigger now, and it is everywhere. Beer is no longer the thing we drink while we sit around talking about other matters of interest, but the thing we talk about while sitting around drinking. When did this happen? There weren’t any special effects or rolls of the die to raise its profile, nor did it buck its traditional sports market and the never-ending campaign toward the notoriously ungeeky. Rather it appealed to our love of science, the art of creation, our appreciation of taste and the occasional want for a relaxing buzz. After all, brewing beer is about tests and experimentation, and whether we get our hands dirty making our own or just fill our growlers at the local taproom, the process is appreciated, often by the glass.
Enter Stone Brewing Company’s Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout. This is the beer arrival you’ve been waiting for. Now in its third year of release, w00tstout is a special collaboration between the internet’s Wil Wheaton, Drew Curtis of Fark.com, and Stone Brewing Company’s CEO, Greg Koch. Fun fact: The latter once hired me to cap beer bottles, à la Laverne and Shirley, back when Stone was in its relative infancy (circa 2000), because we used to drink Stone Pale Ale together at Chili’s. Wheaton and Curtis, however, still haven’t done crap for me.
From Stone: Pecans, wheat, flaked rye and bourbon-soaked barrels provide this whopping, complex superhero version of an imperial stout… we can’t say this beer bestows Jedi powers, exactly, but your taste buds may just be fooled into believing as much.
Not geeky enough for you? Did you see the label (above)? It was illustrated by comics legend Amanda Conner to support The Hero Initiative, which helps comic creators in need.
So, how is it? The flavor is huge, and I won’t lie, it packs a wallop. At 13% ABV, w00tstout isn’t messing around. It is strong, but don’t let that keep you from sipping it alongside your favorite foods—the richer the better. Surprisingly, the big flavors tend to compliment each other more than compete for your attentions.
As an added bonus, w00tstout is a great beer for cellaring, something that only raises its appeal, because collecting!
Have you had a w00tstout yet? What do you think?
Please enjoy responsibly.
Correction: This is iteration 4 of W00tStout. Easy mistake to make, though- V1 had very limited availability.