Top 100 Beers of 2021

#8

97
Imperial Peanut Butter Korova
Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.

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Head Brewer Joey Charpentier Talks Imperial Peanut Butter Korova

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
This beer is based on Gnarly Barley co-founder Zac Caramonta’s GABF silver medal-winning Korova Milk Porter. I made a few adjustments for the imperial version as well as the peanut butter addition.

What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
It’s balanced and not too sweet. You can still find the terrific base beer under all that peanut butter.

What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, etc.)?
The peanut butter of course! The chocolate notes meld so well with it.

How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
Very! As soon as we drop this one, it’s gone immediately.

Where does this beer’s name come from?
Korova is inspired by A Clockwork Orange. We took our flagship Korova Milk Porter and made an imperial version then added peanut butter.

Is this your “desert island beer?”
I do love this beer, but my desert island beer cellar is already too full!

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Decadent, chocolaty peanut butter overload!

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
Very early on with this beer we had a small accident in production when packaging it. One of our cellar guys accidentally pulled the butterfly valve off the tank and this beer started gushing out of the tank. Luckily, I was able to get another valve on pretty quick but not before getting blasted with Imperial Peanut Butter Korova. I love this beer, don’t get me wrong, but being covered head to toe in it at the end of a shift was probably one of my least favorite moments in brewing!

Judge’s Second Opinion

Established in 2014 by Zac and Cari Caramonta, it did not take long for Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. to receive far-reaching recognition, both at the state and at the national level. In 2017 the Louisiana Economic Development recognized Gnarly Barley as a Lantern Award winner while the Brewers Association recognized them (also in 2018) as one of the Top 50 fastestgrowing breweries in the U.S. Just last year, the brewery was named as this very magazine’s Brewery of the Year. The Lantern Award recognizes companies that demonstrate excellence in manufacturing and outstanding service to their communities through the involvement of their businesses and employees. While I am sure that the pair’s core offerings and daily operational excellence led to this recognition, they commanded my attention with Imperial Peanut Butter Korova, a self-proclaimed “pinnacle of luxury” and “a decadent exploration of dessert-laden darkness.”

Taking a step back momentarily, Imperial Peanut Butter Korova begins as a Baltic oatmeal porter. While standard Baltic porters do not include oats, Gnarly Barley stays true to their roots and blurs the lines of traditional styles. Carrying that mission further, they build this beer up from 6.2% to 9% ABV and add peanut butter. The result is pure bliss, a smooth and creamy dark chocolate-covered peanut butter cup in liquid form. Behold mastery in a glass. Rich dark chocolate upholds creamy peanut butter while soft oats lend a thickness to the mouth-coating, luscious beverage. Do not let the big ABV mislead you; this beer hides its heft well thanks to its rich malt profile.

Southeastern Louisiana rarely experiences cold weather, or at least what more northern latitudes consider cold, but as the temperature drops and the humidity remains high, sub-50 degrees Fahrenheit feels cold. This is exactly when I would pour up a glass (or two) of this beer and sip for a while, dreaming of distant snowflakes that rarely visit Louisiana. So, grab a warm beignet and a glass of Imperial Peanut Butter Korova and enjoy the cooler nights where your breath creates clouds in front of you. – Brad Darnell