superspak (10160) reviewed Hul Gil from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/11/2018. Pours slightly hazy deep orange/amber/light copper color with a 1 finger fairly dense and fluffy off white head with decent retention, that reduces to a thin spotty lace cap that lingers. Minimal spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of lemon, peach, pear, apricot, golden raisin, red apple, white grape, poppy seed, citrus zest, herbal, honey, bourbon, toasted oak, and white bread; with lighter notes of coconut, toffee, brown sugar, oaken vanilla, pepper, and yeast/oak earthiness. A touch of booze as it warms, but not overwhelming. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of pale malt, bourbon barrel; and light-moderate lemon, poppy seed, fruity yeast notes; with solid strength. Taste of big lemon, peach, pear, apricot, golden raisin, red apple, white grape, poppy seed, citrus zest, herbal, honey, bourbon, toasted oak, and white bread; with lighter notes of coconut, toffee, brown sugar, oaken vanilla, pepper, and yeast/oak earthiness. Very mild herbal bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of lemon, peach, pear, apricot, golden raisin, red apple, white grape, poppy seed, citrus zest, herbal, honey, bourbon, toasted oak, white bread, light coconut/toffee/vanilla, pepper, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of pale malt, bourbon barrel; and light-moderate lemon, poppy seed, fruity yeast flavors; with a great malt/bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness balance; with no cloying flavors lingering after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness and bourbon/oak tannins. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a smooth, creamy/silky/grainy, and lightly slick/sticky/tannic mouthfeel that is nice. Lightly increasing warmth of 11.6%, with minimal barrel booze lingering after the finish. Overall this is a very nice fruited/spiced imperial blonde ale. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of pale malt, bourbon barrel; and light-moderate lemon, poppy seed, fruity yeast flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV; with the minimally bitter/spicy/tannic finish. This is basically a blonde barleywine as expected. Rich pale malts with great barrel integration/balance; and not overdone on the lemon/poppy seed flavors. A very enjoyable offering. Really unique and well made, but not something I'd revisit.
superspak (10160) reviewed Kensington from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/25/2018. Pours slightly hazy deep orange/copper color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky off white head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice dense soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, citrus peel/zest, honey, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, and white bread; with light notes of pepper, pine, coconut, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Touch of booze in the aromas as it warmed, but not overwhelming. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, bourbon barrel, and dark/bready malt notes; with solid strength. Taste of huge grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, citrus peel/zest, honey, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, and white bread; with light notes of pepper, pine, coconut, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Light pine, citrus peel/zest, herbal, grassy bitterness; and bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, mango, melon, citrus peel/zest, honey, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, white bread, light coconut/pepper/pine, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, bourbon barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; with a nice malt/bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/bready, and lightly sticky/tannic mouthfeel that is nice. Mildly increasing warmth of 10.5%, with no barrel booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is a delicious BBA DIPA. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/earthy hops, bourbon barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the big ABV. They went with a blend of new and aged hops, so really unique profile. Great balance of hops and malts; with perfect barrel integration. Not overly sweet, bitter, boozy, tannic, or drying. A very enjoyable offering, and well made style example. Fairly similar to some other BBA DIPAs I've had in the past.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/30/2018. Labeled at 9.6%. Pours slightly hazy pale golden yellow color with a 2 finger dense and rocky white head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice dense soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big lightly tart key limes, lemon, citrus zest, ginger, peach, pear, melon, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, rum, oak, light banana/clove, wheat, cracker, white bread, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast, limes, ginger, pale/wheat malt, and light-moderate rum barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart key limes, lemon, citrus zest, ginger, peach, pear, melon, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, rum, oak, light banana/clove, wheat, cracker, white bread, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate yeast/ginger spiciness, herbal/grassy bitterness, and slight fruit tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of key limes, lemon, citrus zest, ginger, peach, pear, melon, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, rum, oak, light banana/clove, wheat, cracker, white bread, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, limes, ginger, pale/wheat malt, and light-moderate rum barrel flavors; with and awesome malt/bitter/spiciness balance; and zero cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and medium body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, bready/grainy/sticky, and slightly tannic mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol, ginger spice heat; and no barrel booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is an awesome fruited/spiced saison! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, limes, ginger, pale/wheat malt, and light-moderate rum barrel flavors; very smooth, crisp, and pretty refreshing to drink with the modestly bitter/spicy/drying finish. Awesome balance of key lime/ginger spice vibrancy, fruity/spicy yeast, and pale/wheat malts; not a ton of rum barrel presence, but solid. A really enjoyable offering, and spot on style example. Dangerously drinkable for the ABV. Not overwhelming on any aspect, with classic saison yeast complexity.
superspak (10160) reviewed Grok from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
12 ounce can into pint glass, canned on 4/23/2018. Pours slightly hazy medium golden yellow color with a 2 finger fairly dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a large cap that lasts. Thick foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, pepper, pine, lightly toasted bread, light honey, herbal, and floral/grassy earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops and moderate bready malt notes; with solid strength. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, pepper, pine, lightly toasted bread, light honey, herbal, and floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, citrus peel, herbal, grassy, peppery bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, melon, citrus peel/rind, pepper, pine, lightly toasted bread, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops and moderate bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and zero lingering hop astringency after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from bitterness. Medium carbonation and light-medium body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, bready/grainy/sticky, and slightly resinous/rindy balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 4.4%. Overall this is a delicious session IPA. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops and moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and refreshing to drink with the modestly bitter/drying finish, never aggressive. Very flavorful and never watery for the ABV. Spot on Citra/Chinook hop profile. Juicy, dank, and earthy hop complexity; with a nice bready malt backbone for the ABV. A very enjoyable offering. One of the better SIPAs I've had, very impressive.
superspak (10160) reviewed Westgate from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
22 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 3/7/2018. Pours slightly hazy deep orange/copper color with a 1 finger fairly dense and rocky off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of golden raisin, peach, plum, orange, pear, apricot, red apple, black tea, citrus zest, vanilla, bourbon, toasted oak, caramel, brown sugar, and brown bread; with light notes of toffee, coconut, pepper, herbal, grass, and yeast/toast/oaky earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity yeast, tea, bready malt, and bourbon barrel notes; with good strength. Taste of big golden raisin, peach, plum, orange, pear, apricot, red apple, black tea, citrus zest, vanilla, bourbon, toasted oak, caramel, brown sugar, and brown bread; with light notes of toffee, coconut, pepper, herbal, grass, and yeast/toast/oaky earthiness. Mild herbal/grassy bitterness and bourbon/oak tannin spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of golden raisin, peach, plum, orange, pear, apricot, red apple, black tea, citrus zest, vanilla, bourbon, toasted oak, caramel, brown sugar, brown bread, light toffee/coconut, pepper, herbal, grass, yeast/toast/oaky earthiness on the finish for a while. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity yeast, tea, bready malt, and bourbon barrel flavors; with a nice malt/bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness/oak spiciness. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a smooth, creamy/silky/bready, and lightly sticky/tannic mouthfeel that is great. Mildly increasing warmth of 12.4%, with zero barrel booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is an awesome barrel aged English strong ale! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity yeast, tea, bready malt, and bourbon barrel flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV. Awesome balance of rich English malts, fruity yeast, and tea flavors; perfect barrel integration/balance, with no booze for the ABV. A really enjoyable offering, and spot on style example.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
12 ounce can into pint glass, canned on 4/23/2018. Pours opaquely hazy golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and rocky white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lemon, orange, peach, pear, red apple, melon, citrus peel/zest, pepper, wheat, cracker, and biscuit dough; with light notes of pine, banana. clove, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/earthy hops, fruity/spicy yeast, and pale/wheat malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lemon, orange, peach, pear, red apple, melon, citrus peel/zest, pepper, wheat, cracker, and biscuit dough; with light notes of pine, banana. clove, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Light pine, herbal, grassy, citrus peel bitterness; yeast spiciness, and slight wheat tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of lemon, orange, peach, pear, red apple, melon, citrus peel/zest, pepper, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light banana/clove, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/earthy hops, fruity/spicy yeast, and pale/wheat malt flavors; with a great malt/bitter/spiciness balance; and zero cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from bitter/spiciness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately crisp, creamy/bready/grainy, and fairly sticky mouthfeel that is fantastic. Zero warming alcohol for 5.6%. Overall this is an excellent American pale wheat ale! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/earthy hops, fruity/spicy yeast, and pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and refreshing to drink, with the mildly bitter/spicy/drying finish. Very flavorful with a nicely rich body for the ABV. The balance between hops, wheat yeast, and pale/wheat malts is pretty much perfect. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example. One of the better ones I've ever had.
superspak (10160) reviewed Lykov from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
6800th review! 22 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 3/1/2018. Pours pitch black color with a 1 finger fairly dense and fluffy tan head with solid retention, that reduces to a ring of lace that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, rum, peat smoke, leather, tobacco, nuttiness, toasted oak, and dark/brown bread; with lighter notes of licorice, raisin, plum, fig, red grape, cherry, citrus zest, herbal, floral, and yeast/roast/oaky earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malt and spirit barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of big milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, rum, peat smoke, leather, tobacco, nuttiness, toasted oak, and dark/brown bread; with lighter notes of licorice, raisin, plum, fig, red grape, cherry, citrus zest, herbal, floral, and yeast/roast/oaky earthiness. Light herbal/roast/char bitterness and spirit/oak tannin spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, rum, peat smoke, leather, tobacco, nuttiness, toasted oak, dark/brown bread, light licorice/dark fruit, herbal, floral, and yeast/roast/oaky earthiness on the finish for a while. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt and spirit barrel flavors; with an awesome roasted bitter/sweet and spirit/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying/acrid/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering hop/roast bitterness and oak spiciness. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/bready, and lightly sticky/chalky/tannic mouthfeel that is great. Mildly increasing warmth of 11.9%, with zero barrel booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is an awesome barrel aged imperial stout! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt and spirit barrel flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the big ABV. Very rich malt complexity, with awesome barrel integration. Never overly bitter, tannic, or drying. Most barrel prominence with the Scotch, followed by rum/bourbon; with the brandy in the back. A really enjoyable offering.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
22 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 2/12/2018. Pours hazy very dark brown color with a small foamy off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin spotty lace cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of raisin, plum, fig, date, peach, pear, apricot, red apple, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, toasted oak, and brown bread; with light notes of leather, tobacco, peat smoke, herbal, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Increasingly boozy in the aromas as it warms, but no too overpowering. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/bready malts, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel notes; with solid strength. Taste of big raisin, plum, fig, date, peach, pear, apricot, red apple, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, toasted oak, and brown bread; with lighter notes of molasses, coconut, leather, tobacco, peat smoke, herbal, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Mild herbal/peppery hop bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of raisin, plum, fig, date, peach, pear, apricot, red apple, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, toasted oak, brown bread, molasses, coconut, leather, tobacco, peat smoke, herbal, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; with an nice malt/bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Slightly increasing dryness from lingering bitter/spiciness. Light carbonation and full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/slick, and lightly syrupy/sticky/tannic mouthfeel that is great. Mildly increasing warmth of 13.5%, with a touch of booze lingering after the finish. Overall this is a very nice English barelywine. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malts, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV; with the mildly bitter/drying finish. Very rich and complex, with very well balanced fruity yeast and malts; awesome barrel integration, but just a touch too boozy after the year+ aging in the barrels. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example.
deyholla (22727) reviewed Lykov from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 7.5
Bottle thanks to my Mom! Pours black with a light brown head that dissipates to the edges. Aroma has roasted malts with dark grains and a good amount of barrel underlying. Flavor has earthy dark grains, roasted malts and a hint of peat with barrel notes supporting.
deyholla (22727) reviewed Westgate from River's Edge Brewing Company 7 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
Bottle thanks to my mom! Pours a hazy earthy copper with a very thin tan head that starts and remains at the edges. Aroma has sweet grains and bourbon with a touch of earl gray and toffee supporting. Flavor has sweet grains and bread with a growing bourbon note with some toffee and earl gray.