A Small Bit of Dementia

I headed over to Lee's Retreat at the Blue & Gray Brewery for dinner this weekend. While waiting for my meal I enjoyed a half-pint of Blue & Gray Minor Dementia Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout. Apparently a beer this big needs a big name.

I reviewed this stout a couple of years ago, and it's just as good as I remember. The aroma is rich with espresso and bourbon. Dark fruit, molasses, espresso, and oak bourbon flavors follow in the mouth. There's a pleasing alcohol warmth present as well. The beer does check in at 13% ABV so that's to be expected, but it is not harsh or overbearing at all.

Also sitting at the bar that evening was one of the brewers who's worked with Blue & Gray over the years and who had a hand in the creation of Minor Dementia. I told him I still had a bottle from the original release, to which he replied it might be the only one! Someday for a special occasion, I'll have to open that up.

My Cheddar & Jalapeño burger arrived and I switched to Falmouth Pale Ale to enjoy with, and after, my meal. I always appreciate a good burger, and the jalapeño burger here is praise-worthy. So often I am disappointed by "jalapeño burgers" with limpid, mild peppers. Not so the ones at Lee's Retreat; nothing wimpy here.

I was also treated to a sample of the brewery's Belgian Tripel. Sadly, between the Minor Dementia Stout and the jalapeños, I couldn't give this beer a fair evaluation. (Okay, if you insist, I'll go back and do better research.)

This visit to Lee's Retreat was extra enjoyable as I was also drinking to support a great cause. It's been a few months since I was able to get over to my favorite brewpub for a meal and good beer. Hopefully, it won't be quite so long until my next visit.