Väsen Brewing Company, located in Scott’s Addition, has announced the launch of its 2018 stout series, called The Walrus, in honor of International Stout Day. Celebrated on November 1st every year, International Stout Day celebrates the rich and complex beer style and the brewers that craft it.
Väsen, which is known for its experimental spirit, began brewing its stout series last year and has dedicated the entire month of November to an impressive stout lineup. This year the series includes The Wired Walrus, The Imperial Walrus, The Whiskery Walrus, and The Sour Cherry Walrus.
Like the walrus from which the stout series takes its name, this year’s lineup promises something big, bold and uncompromising. The Whiskery Walrus, for example, was aged for weeks in Buffalo Trace barrels to impart deep whiskey flavor and aroma. Vanilla, oak and brown sugar dominate this rich, dark brew alongside more subtle flavors of clove, anise and almond.
For the Sour Cherry Walrus, Väsen used Montmorency cherry juice to produce an original ale with bold flavors of cherry and dark chocolate. This sour cherry stout is made from Maris Otter malt from the UK to create a rich, nutty base while the brewery’s house Lacto blend contributes balanced tartness and hints of ripe tangerine and strawberry.
To create the Wired Walrus, the Väsen team cold-steeped fair-trade, single-origin Ethiopian and Guatemalan coffee beans from Richmond based Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co. The result is a rich, bold brew that is reminiscent of mocha, chamomile, and dried plums, with hints of strawberry and toffee.
Richmonders can sample The Walrus series throughout the month of November in Väsen’s taproom at 3331 W Moore St. While in the taproom, stout fans can also purchase The Walrus merchandise, illustrated by Ben Kwork and designed by 903 Creative.