Bob Townsend's Beer Pick: Terrapin's "Walking Dead" Lucille stout

Credit: Terrapin Beer Co.

Credit: Bob Townsend

Credit: Bob Townsend

Credit: Terrapin Beer Co.

It’s been a very busy time for Terrapin Beer.

In July, the popular Athens craft brewery announced the big news that beer behemoth MillerCoors had struck a deal to take a majority stake in the company .

In October, Terrapin and the Atlanta Braves announced a new Terrapin Taproom and brewery , which is set to open in April at the Battery Atlanta, adjacent to SunTrust Park, the new home of the Braves in Cobb County.

But for fans of “The Walking Dead,” the recent re-release of Terrapin The Walking Dead Blood Orange IPA in 6-pack cans may have been the biggest news of all.

And now comes a second, more limited edition beer in the collaboration between Terrapin and Skybound Entertainment, the company behind “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Outcast.”

Beer Pick

Lucille Blackstrap Molasses Stout

Terrapin Beer Co., Athens, GA

Available next week in very limited quantities in 500-ml glass bottles at metro beer stores

Profile

Inspired by “Walking Dead” character Negan, and named for his deadly barbed wire-covered baseball bat, Lucille is an imperial stout brewed with blackstrap molasses and vanilla, then aged on hickory, maple and white ash, the three woods commonly used to make baseball bats.

Terrapin says it’s “big and menacing” and its “flavors hit hard.” At 9.4-percent alcohol, Lucille is definitely a strong stout, with a dark, malty presence, augmented by flaked oats and flaked barley. Columbus and Chinook hops and the caramelized flavors of the molasses summon distinctive bittersweet aromas and flavors, along with some wood character, and an off-dry finish.

Pair with

Terrapin suggests pairing Lucille with aged gouda or parmesan cheese, a char-grilled steak, or “whatever you can find after the Zombie Apocalypse.” I think it would be great with a hunk of really good dark chocolate, too.