Thank You Brew

The portrait

The Thank You Brew? Our experiment in participatory democracy turned into controlled chaos. We let our Petty Officers and Crewmates vote to create a beer. The result defies convention like a brewing Schrödinger's cat—both stout and not-so-stout.

This beast sports an animal brown coat reminiscent of our late Caribrou. It's only natural, since they share the rebellious DNA of beers that refuse to be pigeonholed. The Chinook-Nugget duo adds 60 IBUs to the equation, creating a distinct bitterness that should dominate. Except it doesn't. Lactose arrives in peacemaking mode, followed by raisins (yes, currants for those unfamiliar with the Vaudois dialect) that add their tangy grain of salt.

The paradox? A sweet, roasted opening that makes you think you're sipping dessert. Then BAM—the bitterness hits with a dryness that has no place in a milk stout. It's our brewing Frankenstein, blended by popular vote and brought to life by the lightning bolt of hops.

The story

The Thank You Brew embodies our "why not?" philosophy. We wanted to thank our loyal supporters by giving them the creative reins. Big mistake? Collective genius? Both, my captain.

The voting process resembled a constituent assembly, with everyone defending their favorite ingredient. Lactose! Currants! More hops! The final consensus? A lovable monster that dabbles in all styles without belonging to any.

This limited edition proved that you can create something bold by listening to your community. A risky bet that has given birth to a beer for laying down par excellence – it improves in the cellar like a fine wine, developing unsuspected layers of complexity.

Food and beer pairings

The Thank You Brew transcended the rules:

• Wood-grilled rib of beef

• Dark chocolate and red fruit desserts

• Full-bodied blue cheeses

• Raisin tart (obviously)

• Spicy chili con carne

• In contemplation mode, to decipher its paradoxes

The final word

Thank You Brew has bowed out, leaving behind a lesson: collective intelligence can create magnificent monsters. This brewing chimera remains etched in our memories as proof that we can defy established styles and come out alive.

For those who have cellared it, you hold a treasure that continues to evolve. A beer that ages like Benjamin Button—the older it gets, the more unexpected facets it reveals. Thank you to our Quartermasters for this gentle madness!

Cheers! 🍻

The recipe