There is no doubt that the Bruery is one of my all time favorite breweries. Releasing such decadent treats as Black Tuesday, the twelve days of Christmas series, Chocolate Rain, and a host of other amazing brews, it’s no surprise that anything released by the Bruery, attracts my attention and palate.

But what about this newer contender from New Jersey?  The name is very similar, with only one letter changed. Their specialty is a style that the Bruery has never really focused on, or even done well if I’m being honest. This new to the craft beer scene brewery is, the Druery. The Druery happens to do ipas and double ipas very well.

What would happen if we pit the B against the D, and let the ruery just fall into place? Which will emerge victorious, the time tested veteran, or the fresh up and comer? Which company is the superior beer producer, the Bruery, or the Druery?

Let’s get it on!

Though the styles are different, I decided to pit the strongest styles of each brewery against each other. For the Bruery, a barrel-aged imperial stout is selected. And for the Druery, a double ipa.

The Bruery – As far as the rye can see. This is a double rye barrel aged imperial stout. It is pitch black and extremely viscous. There are spicy rye notes in the nose with hints of dark chocolate, oak, subtle wine tannins, vanilla, caramel, and oily leather. The body is a little thin for an imperial stout, but not inconsistent with the bruerys normal imperial stout offerings. The first thing that hits my mouth upon tasting is a sharp, spicy booziness, followed by chocolate roasty malts, then bourbon candy sugar, then finished with a punchy vanilla exclamation point. My co-taster nods in agreement to the chocolatey nose, thinner body, and booziness in the mouthfeel, but adds that the finish is smooth, creamy, and sugary. Overall, I rate this one an eight. The 18.7% abv on this hits pretty hard, but as my cotaster highlights, it does pair very well with Gouda. I don’t know that I’m seeing very far after this one though, in fact I’m probably rubbing my eyes a few times for clarity. Cheers. 8/10

And now for…..

The Druery – Am I Citranilla. This is a double ipa conditioned on vanilla beans. It pours a milky squash color with a creamy, lacy head that clings to the glass. The vanilla is immediate on the nose, followed by the telltale citra hop scent. (If you know, you know) There is a faint lemony/grassy note to the nose with a touch of petrichor. Upon sipping it, this beer is light, creamy, and pillowy.  Vanilla hits your tastebuds first, followed by peach, apricot, ice cream, citrus, sugar, and hop bitterness to round out the flavor profile. This has all the softness of a modern ipa, with a slight hop-bitterness finish that cleanses the palate of the sugariness.  My co-taster says, emphatically, your palate is sound, but that the bitterness takes over a bit more in this one, and the smell is a bit off putting.  I rate this one an eight as well given this falls into a different beer category, and ranks appropriately here given the observation notes. 8/10

There you have it! A “B” ruery and a “D” ruery, ranking the same!

Of course, it’s only for these beers against each other. Maybe another round will yield different results. Maybe one of the ruerys will best the other next time. Maybe the B is better than the D?

Let your palate decide.

Humbly yours,

J