8.4/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Yes, drinking a $9 11 oz. chalice because... chile! Becasue... Cognac barrel aged! Dark brown in color, between a porter and a Scotch ale. While I couldn’t tease a smell out of the Arroz con Leche before it, this one has a definite nose of cognac, with threads of dark chile peppers behind it. All the promise in the smell is carried through in the mouth: there’s the burning sensation in the back of my mouth from the peppers, something welcomed by the more serious chile-head. But that is slightly overwhelming a warming taste of brandy, again with more alcohol sensation than expected. How long; how long have I waited for a great Bourbon barrel aged chile beer... okay, maybe I have had one years earlier, but work with me. Malty taste is definitely there, but lacking the harsh roastiness of a dark ale. Instead, it’s got a wonderful burn familiar to me from my many homebrewers chile beers, and an alcohol, vanilla and even sherry topping from the barrel. Today I count myself lucky that I am first to rate this!
Tried
on 20 Mar 2015
at 19:38
7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
11 oz chalice at Cellar Door, Downers Grove. Hazy amber color that does indeed look like a caramel cream, under a thin scrum of foam. Smell starts out light in caramel roast malt, not impressive at the start, blame the narrow opening in the glass. Taste is very sweet, and holds up with taste of vanilla and just an edge of cinnamon. It’s sweet taste can edge toward cloying, but that also attempts to add to a creamy mouthfeel, and an alcoholic one, suggesting a Bailey’s Irish Cream. Warming alcohol, even at 7.5%, gives it a note of Bourbon as well, maybe I’m looking at the VSOP Barrel-Aged 5 Vulture on the menu that I’ll probably have next. I still cannot tease a distinct aroma out of it, which will hold down an otherwise big rating, but this is indeed a fine beer meant to have a distinctive and different taste, and one that hits it’s intended target profile instead of he wing to any sanctioned style!
Tried
from Can
on 20 Mar 2015
at 19:18
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle. A- Passion fruit, coriander, spices, wheat, citrus, subtle funk. A- Yellow color, hazy liquid, white head. T- Passion fruit, coriander, wheat, citrus. P- Light body, average texture, average carbonation, fruity spicy finish. O- At first sight, I expected this to be some shitty low quality brew from some random place. I bought it because I love Witbiers and I saw it had passion fruit so why not. Turned out to be quite good! Like any other Witbier but with definite passion fruit thrown in. If you aren’t used to passion fruit it might taste a little off but I loved it. A little strong on the coriander and the lime was pretty minimal, but very very refreshing.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Mar 2015
at 19:05
7.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
750 ml bottle, from World of Beer, St. Pete. Bright amber, no head in the snifter. Aroma is all kinds of fruit... Pear, banana, white grapes and light English toffee. Flavor is right on point with the aroma. Tons of fruit throughout. Light ABV lingers on the tongue giving a warming sensation after the swallow. For sure would be better with a tad of age. Way smoother with some time but... Right now still a nice sipper. Spilt 3 ways with buddies during a mad ticking spree in Florida.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Mar 2015
at 20:49
6.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottle. Pours a dark amber color with a small off-white head. Has a fruity malty caramel aroma. Fruity malty weak spicy caramel flavor with weak hints of chili. Has a fruity malty spicy caramel finish with weak hints of chili.
Tried
from Bottle
on 09 Mar 2015
at 06:16
6.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Bottle. Pours a black color with a small off-white head. Has a roasted malty chocolate and caramel aroma. Roasted malty chocolate and caramel flavor. Has a roasted malty chocolate and caramel finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 09 Mar 2015
at 06:05
6.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Bottle. Pours dark brown. Nose/taste of molasses, toasty bread, cocoa - Lighter medium body.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 Mar 2015
at 22:58
6.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
12 fl oz bottle. Pours hazy dark brown with a deep amber glare and a small tan head. Aroma is toasted malty. Caramelish. Sweet, breadish and light metallic. Toasted and caramelish finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 28 Feb 2015
at 14:01
6.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
33 cl bottle. Pours hazy dark brown to black with a small tan head. Aroma is roasted and caramelish to breadish. Sweet, caramelish and toasted malty. Sweet and toasted malty finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 28 Feb 2015
at 13:45
7.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Sample at Daily Growler UA. Pours a slightly murky mahogany-amber color with a medium off-white head that recedes steadily to a film. Short strings of lacing on the glass. Aroma of malt, dark fruit and slight hops. Full-bodied with flavors of caramel malt, raisins, citrus and earthy hops. The finish is malty and fruity with a fig and raisin aftertaste. Above average overall.
Tried
from Growler
on 23 Feb 2015
at 12:29