Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Can’t remember the vintage, but it was 2004 or 2005, most likely. Bottle shared at the brewery on 4/7/06
A lightly viscous, minimally hazed, light straw yellow with almost a light bronze-greenish tint to it. Legs left behind quite profusely on the glass, with light sediment on bottom of the bottle
The nose comes alive with spicy vanilla, honey-fermenation notes (lightly sharp, spicy phenols) and mild earthiness. Difficult to describe, as I am poor with meads, but it is both spicy from the vanilla and cinnamon, but also soothing from the honey used (not sure what kind). The irish ale yeast produces a mostly clean character to the flavor, and the vanilla and cinnamon are done so tastefully they are only lightly apparent, but used in just enough quantity to add complexity and light balance to the honey. Probably medium-dry overall, with a nearly-rich texture of soothing honey. Highly flavorful with none of the wateriness, heavy sharpness, alcohol apparency and heavy mineralic nature of most mass-produced meads.
Clarkvv (16523) reviewed Extraneous Ale from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company 19 years ago
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9
Tulip glass, sampled directly from the barrel on 4/7/06, room temperature.
Some fizzy, tan bubbles collect at the surface for a hair of a second before disappearing in to the deep, viscous-looking, violet-tinged copper-mahogany body. Good clarity, from resting in the barrel, but with so thick a beer as to produce a light glucose-like haze even though it is uncarbonated. Bright hickory and black cherry skin tints as well when held to the light. Not surprisingly, the beer produces massive legs on the glass that do not disappear quickly.
Sticking my nose in to the glass, I come away with a lovely, rich sherry-meets-toffee, with thick raisins, rich milk chocolate and light vinous notes. Stubborn plum notes are about the extent of the fruitiness, more along the lines of a bock, with, at this point, light coconut and touches of bourbon dryness balancing. Alcohol is immensely well-concealed in aroma, it’s just completely consumed by the rich toffee and caramel. Not to make it sound too mundane and cloying, it certainly provides lively dates and raisins, with a full complement of tart vinous notes, as previously mentioned. Strength of aroma is, of course, very strong and immensely sniffable. Lightly dry, bready notes and graham cracker notes provide additional dryness.
Almost on cue from the aroma, the flavor picks up where the aroma left off. Light soy sauce, cocoa notes, semi-sweet chocolate and plump, lightly tart raisins enter the mix. Fruity plums and raisins dance about on the edges, providing balance, but there is a perceived vinousness that seems to do most of the work in balancing, and does so seemlessly. Butter toffee hangs on to the palate, while chocolate covered peanuts (nuttiness coming from the wood) deepen the complexity. Bourbon is elegantly done, as I have come to expect and appreciate from these brewers. This sample came at 3 months on the barrel, with 3 more to go. At this point there is notable coconut, light burnt wood and bland tannin, but very light, overall. I think 3 more months will continue to provide more complexity without overdoing anything.
Because it is not carbonated, the texture is not much of a factor. Slippery from the lack of carbonation, but incredibly rich and sticky as well. Reminds me of Thomas Hardys in a way. The kind of beer I would love to have bottled and try 20 years down the road (though it will be draught only).
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 10 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9
2004 bottle, huge thanks to Pailhead for getting me this much sought after treat - dark burgundy color with minimal lace - the aroma can best be described as chocolate raspberry cheesecake - VERY inviting - the flavor is similar to this - like a liquid dessert - chocolate takes center stage, but the raspberries, while taking a subordinate role, are what really make the beer shine - only mildly sweet, with a slight raspberry tartness at the end to further cut the sweetness - what can be said that others haven’t said already? - this beer rocks.
GRM (7524) reviewed Raspberry Eisbock from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company 20 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Bottle, 187 ml, wax caped, bottled in 2004; eye:dark burgundy with golden brown relections, no head per se, good effervescence; nose: cherry, chocolate, alcool, caramel; taste: lot of sensations, a bit of a tart side to it, chocolate, small fruits, slight tickly sensation on the tip of the tongue, alcool warmth
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Many thanks to Pailhead for this - my first Kuhnhenn experience, and it does not disappoint - very full nose, with vanilla, oak, prune, caramel, strong earthiness - nice, slick, oily mouthfeel - caramel, plum, some wood and whiskey - lighter fruity esters come in later - mostly raisin and cherry - hops and an oak-y, vinous character enter the finish, but they strangely seem to work together - one of the best old ales I’ve had - I’m anxious to see how this ages.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
Sampled at the Michigan Winter Beer Fest, Lansing. Murky orange-brown body, thin off-white head. Raisiny, caramely aroma leading to a sweet, heavy malt body with layered breads, raisin, and caramels. Warming and full-bodied. Rich. Another winner from Kuhnhenn.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
Sampled at the Michigan Winter Beer Fest, Lansing. Deep dark opaque brown body, thin tan head. Sweet, caramelized malts with raisin, molasses, hints of plum, and coffee. Slightly bitter aftertaste. Rich, complex aroma and flavor. One of the better beers at the fest. I did not pick up the high ABV, but I think I felt it.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
(Bottle 18,7 cl) Pours a clear, dark amber with a tiny, beige head. Fantastic and complex nose of chocolate, toffee and some sherry-like accents. Extremely full body with some distinct, warming alcohol. The raspberries add a pleasant - yet discreet - fruitiness throughout, but the chocolate clearly dominates. Somewhat sugary finish. Extremely complex and a very unique experience. Thanks to madsberg for sharing. 120206
omhper (44752) reviewed Raspberry Eisbock from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company 20 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5
Bottled (2004 vintage). Clear nut brown. Aroma of cocoa and raspberries. Sweet and liqueur-like with some pleasant acidity coming from the raspberries. Full malty body with some warming alcohol. Lingering bitter cocoa in the finish. Very special. I absolutely love the idea, but I get creepy annotations of Floris Chocolat when drinking it.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
Bottled. Opaque dark black. Aroma of anise and licorice. Sweet and thick like oil. Very full bodied. Flavourwise it’s like chocolate cake covered in cocoa and tar with a punch of liqueur. Complex, but too covered in syrup.