Engine 15 Brewing Seventh Anniversary: Annual Chupacabra Three Ways

Last week, Engine 15 Brewing Co. hosted a Vertical Tasting of its annual Imperial Chupacabra Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout, an event which leads into its Seventh Anniversary party and bottle release on Saturday, July 1 at its Jacksonville Beach brewpub. Masters of Ceremonies and Brewery Co-owners Luch Scremin and Sean Bielman imparted some humorous anecdotes much to the delight of the event attendees (picture bourbon barrels so fresh that they contained "charcoal black liquid" in 2014). The pre-anniversary event featured tastings of Chupacabra from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, along with this year's 2017 versions (yes, that last one is plural). 

For Engine 15's Seventh Anniversary, dubbed "the Seven-Year Itch," the brewery took a new approach to the annual beer. This year's Chupacabra could be described as beer "three ways," as it has been aged in separate bourbon, rye whiskey, and rum barrels. The pre-anniversary tasting included pours of the three new 2017 editions, each of which will be offered in bottles at Saturday's release. This writer had a chance to review the beers with several other attendees (after all, this was an educational event in many respects) and formed a few personal opinions. The Bourbon-barrel aged stout (Heaven Hill barrels) is very smooth with noticeable bourbon and a subtle sweetness, while the Rye Whiskey barrel-aged (Woodford) version is less sweet and perhaps a bit drier. The Rum barrel-aged stout imparts less oak and vanilla, with rum in the background, resulting in a completely different taste experience with an impression of less alcohol. 

As the Vertical Tasting evening progressed, things became a bit more spirited... 

Rum..... 'Nuff said

...and, Saturday's Anniversary promises to be another lively event. 

Here's what you need to know:

The Anniversary party kicks off at 11am when the brewpub opens, and the Chupacabra bottle release begins. The first 50 people will be able to purchase up to four bottles and will receive a commemorative glass. Of those, the first 25 may also purchase a vintage 2016 bottle.  The next 50 may purchase 2 bottles. Each of this year's three variants -- Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, and Rum Barrel -- will be available in bottles. Prepare accordingly: last year's bottles sold out in under two hours.

Of course, beer will also flow from the taps: the tap list includes 35 Engine 15 beers all day, with timed tappings of 15 additional Engine 15 and guest beers starting at 1pm and running each hour til 7pm. If you haven't yet seen the tap list, check it out here. The list features a few surprises, and you just might want to make sure that you're around for more than a few of them (what's that about Caramel and Nutsack?).

2016 Anniversary

It doesn't seem like the Sixth Anniversary party was that long ago! Take a look at the 2016 Anniversary festivities and background about the brewery here. 

Engine 15 Brewing's Jacksonville Beach brewpub is located at 1500 Beach Blvd., #217. 

Congrats to Engine 15 Brewing Company on 7 years! It will be a rockin' time on Beach Blvd. Saturday .... See ya there!

Til next time, 

Cheers!

Linda 



Linda Johnson,
Certified Cicerone®

(All photos by Linda Johnson)

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