2 O'Clock Tasting: 
The Perfect Crime

Updated on March 30, 2016

Months after a terse and cryptic clue from Stillwater Headbrewer Brian Strumke - a facebook post reading simply, "The Perfect Crime" - a new collaboration of that name has emerged from the playful mystery Strumke and partners Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso of Evil Twin Brewing and Brian Ewing of Twelve Percent Imports have cultivated around it. The noir-inspired project is brewed at Schelde Brouwerij in Belgium and for now features two dames, an American and a European - both Blonde. Who knows which will capture your heart? We love a good sleuth-story, so we're hoping for a sequel from this all-star team.

Update now includes Hollow Point, a quadrupel ale weighing in at 10% ABV, also brewed by Schelde Brouwerij in Belgium.

1. American Blonde

   6.5% ABV

   True to its name, this brew pours a hazy hay blonde with a thin white head. Biscuit malt sweetness and a faint soft cheese aroma meet the nose and reappear on the tongue, followed through by a strong and peppery hop bitterness whose aroma is noticeably absent. This sly American Blonde is light and easy-drinking, with just a hint of intrigue.

2. European Blonde

   6.5% ABV

   The American Blonde's European counterpart has much the same appearance with just a touch thinner head, but offers a remarkably different nose. Notes of honey, malt sweetness, clove,and tart yeast offer clues for the tastes to come, but hop aroma is again absent - a red herring if we've ever seen one - since this is one bitter brew. Riding on delicate malty sweetness, the earthy bitterness comes strong without lingering, leaving a crisp, smooth taste with just a touch of tartness at the end.

3. Hollow Point

   10% ABV

   Living up to its name, this beer is more powerful than it appears on the outside. Pouring a deep ruby, almost mahogany color with super fine carbonation, aromas of sweet caramel and toffee malts, apple juice, and brandy are strong on the nose. Flavors open up like a hollow point bullet starting with raisin and stone fruits before expanding to hit you with strong notes of burnt caramel and booze.

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