Secret Stash Bash at Taco Mac! That’s where I was headed. Secret Stash Bash is an event run by Taco Mac with 20 plus brewers offering a number of special beers, most of them very rare indeed. $40 will get you into one of the two sessions; $70 will get you into both. The latter is “VIP” status and also entitles you to special beers downstairs in the Georgia Chapter Room as well as food at no extra charge and a swag bag. The 2018 session was 4 days before my birthday, and my daughter hooked me up with VIP status, and came along herself to try some beers.

Important public safety note: get yourself there and home by Lyft, Uber, cab, bus, or designated driver. The latter is what we did as my son dropped us off and picked us up. Most of the beers were over 10% by volume, and even with samples of just a few ounces they tend to catch up with you.

The 2018 Secret Stash Bash was held at the Prado Taco Mac (140 taps!) and was split into two areas, one out on the patio and one inside, plus the Chapter Room downstairs. Most of the beers were dark beers and imperial stouts. For the most part, I just enjoyed my beers and checked them in on Untappd but only took notes on a few. I just wanted to enjoy my beers and not get tied down remarking upon them. I did take notes on a few however, including Goose Island Brasserie Noir Imperial Stout Aged in Cabernet Barrels.

I wanted to try Goose Island's brew at the tasting because it is interesting to me to compare against the "approved" craft beers. Mind you, I don't think at all that GI makes lesser beer than the other guys. But they do get looked down on by beer geeks because they are owned by Anheuser Busch Inbev. That may be the case, but their beers were as good as any at the festival.

The Secret stash flyer says:

Imperial Stout aged in Cabernet barrels for up to 12 months. Dried fruit aromas and vanilla and currant tones frame the flavor of Brasserie Noir. This imperial stout balances malty sweetness with sharp acidity balanced by a 12-month aging process in Cabernet barrels.

The GI website says the beer has an alcohol content of 11.8% by volume with 60 IBUs.Hops used are not listed but malts are:

Malts: 2-Row, Black Malt, Bonlander Munich, C60, Chocolate, Roast Barley

Goose Island Brasserie Noire is jet black in color with a moderate head of tan foam on a taster pour. Roast and dark fruit in the nose, chocolate and licorice and raisin and prune and a gently vinous and huge warming finish.

I loved it, and I want more.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 

 

 

 



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