Surly 13 Maple Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

It's been a couple of years since a Surly anniversary beer has appeared here in the Nib. And that's not the way it's supposed to work. Whatever happened to Twelve? Suffice to say that the official word from Surly was that it just didn't come out right. Wasn't good enough. So, it wasn't released and there officially was no Twelve. However, this decision came after the beer was bottled and wax-dipped.  Some exist out there, somewhere, and I hope I can try one of those, just to find out how bad it really could be.

Well, that was last year. And this year it's the thirteenth anniversary, and for the first time ever it's not a bomber, but a can, in a box, for thirteen bucks. Huh. Better be good. Also, it's the first package where I really notice the absence of the classic original Surly logo, being replaced by the simple letter S. It's probably been gone from the last few cans I've reviewed, but it's never been more apparent than now, as the original is being replaced on every platform they've got. It won't disappear from here, as I have plenty of representations on my glassware and coasters to last us for years and years. I will miss that silly little icon. This world will not see it's like again.

Let's crack that thirteen dollar can open, shall we?

Surly Thirteen. 12.5 % ABV. Surly Brewing, Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, MN.

Black as night, slim, soon-gone dark ring of foam briefly clings to the top.

In the nose: Ridiculously rich and redolent, dark, deep and decadent. All the usual suspects combine: espresso, chocolate, anise, whiskey barrel, vanilla and cherry, and quite a potent dose of maple.

In the mouth: They it is again, all the more rich, thick, lush and delicious. Caramel and toffee and maple galore. Diving into the dark depths, sip and swallow, again and again. Massive malt. Moderate/low bitterness. Not too sweet. Full bodied, richly rewarding. Very luxurious and effortlessly likable. Again, if only it weren't a pint-sized can at $13 each, or I'd go out and hunt for more, but, alas, that should do it for me. Don't let it stop you, though.

MAPLE BARREL-AGED IMPERIAL MILK STOUT W/VANILLA BEANS & LACTOSE
COLOR
Black as a moonless night

HOPS Warrior
MALT
2-Row Pale
Chocolate Malt
DRC Malt
Crystal
Coffee Malt
Oats
Black Malt
Honey Malt
Carafa III
Flaked Rye
Flaked Oats

YEAST English Ale
IBU Low

BREWED FOR MAKING YOUR OWN LUCK
As black cats skitter, ladders loom, and mirrors break, a reminder: You make your own luck. Surly makes your beer. Presenting 13, our maple barrel-aged imperial stout. Notes of dark chocolate, roasted malt, and aromatic vanilla sit atop the rich maple flavors coursing beneath. This decadent ale appears on Friday the 13th for a limited time only. Good luck.