Skip to main content

Winning the Cold (One) War

North Carolina’s Unknown Brewing Co. strikes back with Dirty Commie Heathen.

It’s the story of the year. Did Russia interfere with the 2016 United States election? Did the Russian government have direct communication with the Trump team? Is this just a case of “fake news” or is there a willful attempt to cover up information that could involve the highest reaches of American politics?

Like any good patriotic American craft brewery, Charlotte, North Carolina’s Unknown Brewing Co. has entered the national debate with its latest Russian Imperial Stout offering dubbed Dirty Commie Heathen. Claiming in a press release to be a victim of a Russian hacking attempt, Unknown Brewing (tongue planted firmly in cheek) says the Russians infiltrated its network in order to steal the brewery’s top secret recipes. “Fed up with Russian interference,” Unknown’s Dirty Commie Heathen and its sister beer Krash the Kremlin were released earlier this year to widespread acclaim.

Uknown-Brewing-Company-Beer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Both beers are big enough to warm you on cold Siberian nights thanks to a hefty 12.4 percent alcohol by volume. Both beers have tasting notes that inspire references to chocolate, toffee and hard candies. Dirty Commie Heathen goes even farther, however, with a large cherry addition and aging in bourbon barrels for a complex, chocolate-covered cherry-esque tasting experience worthy of being a high-end digestif. Think of it as a slow burn, roasted, malt cocktail in a stout glass.

Russian Imperial Stouts can be a tough style to crack and adding the barrel-aging process to the mix often leads to muddy, indistinct offerings. Unknown’s Dirty Commie Heathen hits a sweet spot where the delicate cherry stands strong against the invading dark malts and boozy high notes to craft a sought-after brew worthy of the good ol’ USA.

Dirty Commie Heathen was released in the 22-oz. bottle format (complete with a label image of Stalin) at the Unknown Brewing taproom as well as limited distribution in late February.

Editors' Recommendations

Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
Busch Made Beer Cans Out of a Race Car and You Can Win One
Busch Beer Car2Can Kevin Harvick 1

Move aside crowlers, there’s a new metal beer-drinking vessel in town. This year, to mark the 40th anniversary of Busch Beer’s presence at the Daytona 500 (it is the official beer of NASCAR), the company is launching the Car2Can campaign and releasing a set of special-edition cans. These cans aren’t just wrapped with a special image, though — they’re made from racer Kevin Harvick’s #4 race car.

“Busch Beer officials brought the idea to me last year and I thought it was great way to connect with the fans. These cans are made up of pieces of my car from the 2018 season and I’m excited for the cans to be released. Can’t wait for the fans to see them,” Harvick said in a statement.

Read more
Meet the Milkshake IPA, Your Newest Craft Beer Obsession
milkshake ipa

The India Pale Ale, or IPA as we know it today, is quite possibly the most popular and versatile craft beer style in America. Developed to exploit the preservative qualities of hops and alcohol (and used to supply British troops in the late 1700s), the IPA has taken on a whole new life in the early 21st century under the creative supervision of adventurous brewers.

While the overall trend has skewed toward embracing the more extreme elements of over-hopping (for example, Stone Brewing’s Ruination), the IPA has also been translated into session styles like Founders Brewing Co. All Day IPA and The Alchemist’s Heady Topper, a cloudy, citrusy New England IPA. Then, of course, there are Double IPAs and Triple IPAs, both with increasing amounts of hops, as well as Black IPAs, which utilize darker malts usually found in porters and stouts.

Read more
Espresso martini, hot toddy, and more: These 6 apres-ski drinks perfectly cap a day on the slopes
A warm drink after a frigid day just hits different
Friend enjoying après ski in a ski lodge

When the sun dips below the horizon and your day on the slopes comes to an end, there's nothing quite like the ritual of enjoying apres-ski drinks to warm up and unwind. Whether you're nestled in a cozy mountain ski lodge or savoring the crisp alpine air, these wintery sips add an extra layer of magic to your winter adventures.

If you're looking for ways to spruce up your downtime on the slopes, let's explore six delightful apres-ski drinks that have become cherished traditions for winter sports enthusiasts. From the aromatic mulled wine to the rich espresso martini, we'll dive into the origins and appeal of each drink. So, grab a seat by the fire, and let's embark on a journey through the world of treasured ski lodge winter beverages.

Read more