Black Hippogriff Stout

When the MacNamaras of the MacNamara Breeding Farm immigrated to the United States, first in the late 19th century, they were dismayed at the state of American beers. This dismay increased over the course of the twentieth century, when Prohibition forbade the production of beer, and later, when mass-produced light lagers took over the commercial market. When the second wave of MacNamaras came to the U.S. in 1996, however, foodie culture was taking root, and craft beer brewing was becoming fashionable. The MacNamaras in Kentucky took matters into their own hands, and the product is Black Hippogriff Stout.
Black Hippogriff Stout is, at its heart, a dark, thick, substantial Irish stout with a twist. Taking a cue from some local breweries, such as the Yazoo Brewing Company, the MacNamaras started using smoked malt in the brew. The result is a dark, mellow brew with a slightly smoky flavor, which, unlike some of its local counterparts, doesn't overdo the hops.  It is then aged in whiskey barrels (Irish whiskey barrels, as Tennessee whiskey barrels or bourbon barrels would change the flavor considerably).
Black Hippogriff Stout isn't for the faint of heart: it has a high 9% alcohol content. It is a sipping beer, not a session beer.
Because there were, initially, so few beers of this sort in the region, the MacNamaras started marketing Black Hippogriff Stout in kegs to restaurants, and later, in bottles to local markets. It is a fairly expensive beer, partially because it is produced on a small scale, and partially because of the ingredients' cost.
Since the MacNamaras ventured into craft brewing, many other local beer companies have emerged in the area, and have created beers to contend with Black Hippogriff Stout, as well as developing entire ranges of beers, most of them very hop-centered to cater to American tastes. The MacNamara Breeding Farm (and Brewery?), however, having satisfied their need for a good Irish stout, have no plans to extend the product line and compete with these local breweries.

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Rarity

Regional.  Black Hippogriff Stout is only produced at the MacNamara Breeding Farm and is distributed relatively locally in Kentucky, Tennessee, and southern Indiana.

Base Price

$6-8 per pint on draft. $3.50 per 12 ounce bottle