Style: Stout (Barrel-aged)

ABV: 15.3

92/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	18
Mouthfeel:	5

Mikerphone Brewing Slappa Da Base Volume 2

What the brewers say

“Blend of four barrel-aged imperial base stouts.”

What our panel thought

“Classic bourbon-barrel stout in a pleasant package. Bourbon notes up front, followed by oak mid tones, chased with dark fig and prune fruitiness wrapped in a cloak of smooth alcohol. Simple and delicious. Some might say the wood is a little overdone.”

What our editors thought

“Deep resounding barrel aroma with a bit of amaro and dark chocolate. Lower midtone sweetness in the sip with nutty and caramel aspects, restrained and focused.”

Review printed in: The Expanding Maltiverse (Spring 2025) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Mikerphone Brewing Slappa Da Base

“Massive, but smooth and balanced. Aroma of sweet malt, whiskey, some umami. A rich spicy undertone with hints of cinnamon, dried fruit, licorice.”

Boulevard Brewing Company Imperial Stout

**Aroma:** “Burnt and roasty with oak and vanilla up front then nice supporting notes of sweet malt, sweet chocolate, and dark roast coffee. Dark fruit esters and a hint of alcohol in the nose.” **Flavor:** “Fruity, almost Belgian yeast profile. Plenty of oak, vanilla, and tannins. Chocolate and notes of vanilla and bourbon from the oak give way to subtle notes of raisin and caramel. Roasted flavors are restrained, yet help to balance. Alcohol is subdued but evident. Hops flavor is low, grassy, and appropriate. Warmth in the finish adds to the experience of this beer and has pleasant smoothness.” **Overall:** “A nice, well rounded barrel aged stout. The sweetness is balanced by the roast character and intermingled well together. Could use a little more body for the style. Oak character is very well balanced, not over-done. Definitely a beer worth seeking out.”

Mikerphone Brewing In Unison Vol. 1

“Dark raisins and figs in the nose with light alcohol, butterscotch, and chocolate. Jet black beer with light carbonation and medium body. The barleywine wins the flavor (toast, caramel, vanilla, molasses, cherry, spicy figs), even if the stout takes the color.”

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The best new craft beers available in a beer store near you. Sponsored content.

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New Belgium wood cellar blender Lauren Limbach was gifted a new foeder that she aptly named Dominga—a play on the Spanish word for Sunday. She first created a mimosa-inspired golden sour called “Dominga: Goddess of Brunch.” Now we are excited to introduce the cocktail-inspired version, Dominga Grapefruit Paloma. Inspired by the classic cocktail of Mexico, Dominga packs a refreshing combo of bright grapefruit and lime flavors, along with agave and a pinch of salt.

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Firestone Walker Parabola ’24

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Firestone Walker Cosmic Crusher Juicy Imperial IPA

Out-of-this-world flavor that packs a punch—take a journey with Cosmic Crusher. “Cosmic Crusher is our crazy adventure into the realm of imperial juicy IPAs,” says brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Cosmic Crusher is built around two ultra-tropical hops—Galaxy and Strata. The result is a level of flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel that can only materialize at high strength, crossing the line into a whole new cosmos of punchy mango and pineapple character. SKUs available: 12 oz six-pack cans, 19.2 oz single serve, and Mind Haze Variety Pack.

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion

Luponic Distortion is the Firestone Walker trailblazer that continues to break the rules, back for the first time since 2021. The classic Luponic Distortion base recipe returns with an all-new hop blend to deliver a fresh blast from the past. Brewed with a secret blend of new-age hops, the 2024 edition of Luponic Distortion turns up the volume with mind-bending flavors of lychee, peach, nectarine, and strawberry. Available exclusively in the Beer Before Glory IPA Mixed Pack.