Beer come in many forms and flavors. For those who like things a bit on the spicy side, there are chili beers. For those who like fruit flavors there are lambics and fruit-flavored ales. And for those who have an unreasonable desire for bull testicles, there is now a beer to quench their thirst. Wynkoop Brewing Company of Denver, Colo. made good on an April Fool’s Day joke they played last year by producing a limited run of Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout in time for the Great American Beer Festival in October. The response was so good, the ballsy company decided to produce, can, and sell the brew through BeerJobber.com.
The whole idea arose from a joke perpetrated by the brewery in the form of a viral video released to the Internet April 1st of last year. Just before last year’s GABF Wynkoop released a statement on their website:
“Yes, the beer was inspired by our April Fools spoof video this spring, in which we claimed to have released a beer made with bull testicles.
Why actually make such a meaty treat? Months after doing the video (the idea for which hit me while sampling Odell Brewing’s recent and very delicious oyster stout for Jax restaurants), we and our fans are still laughing. Very important, that laughing.
We’ve also met folks around the country who saw the spoof and loved it. (Hello Hawaii!)
Plus, when we sent out the press release and the video link last April, we heard from brewers and beer writers who thought the beer was for real and loved the idea. They wanted samples. So did many patrons who came to the pub to try the beer.
So we’ve turned our joke into a reality.”
The brew is made with 25 lbs of roasted bull testicles to draw attention to a local delicacy in Colorado known as Rocky Mountain Oysters. The delicacy is often prepared by being peeled, coated in flour, pepper and salt, and sometimes pounded flat. They are then pounded flat and deep fried. Most often served at fairs and other gatherings, it is most definitely not a table staple.
But what does it taste like? According to the video, “”the results of our efforts is a luscious, creamy stout that delivers loads of flavor — everything from roasted barely and coffee, to chocolate and nuts.” Of course, that description was a joke, but the Wynkoop website says:
“Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout is an assertive foreign-style stout, slightly viscous, with a deep brown color. It has equally deep flavors of chocolate syrup, Kahlua, and espresso, along with a palpable level of alcohol and a savory umami-like note. It finishes dry and roasted with a fast-fading hop bite.”
The site goes on to say that the beer is 7% ABV and has 3 BPBs. That’s balls per barrel.
