The Trader Joe’s grocery chain has been running up a few interesting beers to celebrate their 50th anniversary. There was their annual Vintage Ale, with the 2017 edition being labeled “Quinquagenary.” And most recently, in December, we saw a special combination of beer and one of their most popular products in Joe-Joe’s Cookie Stout.
Made by Anchor Brewing of San Francisco, the beer is brewed with Joe-Joe’s, the chocolate sandwich cookie with a real vanilla bean filling that makes Oreos pale by comparison… IMHO. According to a news release, the Anchor brewers decided to use the cookie portion, with a specialty mash and extra cacao. Bittering is from Nugget hops, and the alcohol is 6% by volume.
The beer pours a black coffee body under a tan head. The smell has a bit of mocha java at the start, and there’s still a note of hop bitterness.
I find it has a lighter stout taste than standard. Even though they did not use the cookie filling in the brew kettle, but I’d have thought they might have put some extra sweetness or vanilla in there. This is a slightly sweet stout, do doubt, and the vanilla impression is of a bitter vanilla extract, while the malt handles the sweetness. It is somewhat hearty and filling, not the least because it comes, or came, in a 22 oz. bomber bottle.
Last time I was at my local TJ’s, this beer was already gone. So if this intrigues you, snatch one up if you see it. And we’ll watch for some more special anniversary beers, I hope.
Disclaimer: I purchased this beer myself for reviewing.
