Each year around this time something dark, thick and delicious appears at Intuition Ale Works. Now in its fifth year, Underdark Saturday will be held February 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Bay Street brewery. Underdark Imperial Stout is Intuition’s coveted annual release and Underdark Day draws beer lovers from throughout the city, state and even country.
Underdark is an Imperial Stout aged in oak barrels – this year from Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey. In years past, the beer pours inky-black into a brandy snifter with a pleasing light brown head. Previous releases of the heady brew have been described: The aroma is laced with bourbon, coffee, and anise, while the flavor fully develops the bourbon notes and reveals a strong hop kick and lingering toffee and vanilla notes.
This year there are two variants available along with the base brew. In one variant, Bold Bean Coffee beans were added to bring a wallop of big coffee flavor. The other includes additions of cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa nibs
.Bottles will sell for $20 each and cash is the only form of payment that will be accepted.
In addition to the bottle release, Intuition will feature a number of special beers on tap. If past release days are any indication, you can expect to find vintage releases of Underdark, special one-off Intuition brews and possibly a few notable guest taps.