Secret Stash Bash 2019! It’s here again! Last year was the first year I attended a Taco Mac Secret Stash Bash. Now, as then, my ticket was a birthday gift from my daughter. The event this year was held on March 16^th, two days after my birthday. It features special beers you will only find here from a number of breweries around Georgia, and a few extra treats from out of state, too.

Jess hooked me up with a VIP ticket ($70 as opposed to $50), and for the extra $20 you get admitted into the elite Georgia Chapter Room. There, even more exclusive beers await you, along with food and swag (this year there were brewery stickers galore and a neat Taco Mac 40^th anniversary T-Shirt).

I took Lyft from Canton to Sandy Springs, and that ride cost me about $40 with a 30% tip. It’s well worth it to travel the 26 miles and be able to enjoy my beer without worry of having to drive. I hitched a ride with my son on the way back. Secret Stash Bash is a chance to try many wonderful beers in taser sized samples, but these are almost all strong beers and will creep up on you. Don’t drink and drive!

There were 45 different beers and ciders to try. The event ran four hours, from 2PM to 6PM, and in that time I tried 17 of them. That amount to about 14 minutes per sample, as I lingered over them, took notes, stood in line, and chatted with folks as well.

Some of the beers pouring here were only available with a VIP pass, which as previously mentioned, I had. One of those was Bearded Iris V. Latte Oated Imperial Stout with Cocoa nibs, Vanilla Bean, Lactose, & Blue Heron Coffee. The name is a mouthful, but then so was the beer.

In most cases, the beers offered at Secret Stash Bash can only be found at the event. Not the case with V. Latte. The beer is advertised on the company website as follows:

Need a little pick-me-up? How about another imperial oatmeal stout? This one delicately folds together cocoa nibs, vanilla bean, lactose & Blue Heron, a fruity, bright espresso blend courtesy of our friends at Crema Coffee Roasters here in Nashville.

Hops : East Kent Golding

Other Ingredients: Cacao, Coffee Beans, Lactose, Vanilla Beans

Alcohol content is listed as 9.4% by volume.

My tasting notes:

My sample of Bearded Iris V. Latte Oated Imperial Stout with Cocoa nibs, Vanilla Bean, Lactose, & Blue Heron Coffee was jet black in color with a thick fluffy tan head and a nose and palate exploding with dark coffee grind flavor. The roasty but smooth beer hints at vanilla and cocoa and ends with a bitter grassy finish.

I enjoyed this, and I am intrigued enough to look for more. Well done!

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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