7.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Draught at EBF, 2/5/16.
Dark mahogany with some lighter tan hues on the edges. Indeterminable clarity, though it seems to be fairly bright. Tan head atop immediately fizzles to nothing.
Coffee in the nose mixes with fresh oak and light acidity to create a rich, sumptuous, almost Belgian Royal Stout-like nose. Vanilla, buttercream, coffee iced cream and a drying earthy character, along with the grape-like fruitiness balance each other. There’s some alcohol here, for sure, but I don’t find it too disruptive. Adds an almost cordial-like element to the braggot.
The flavor is a wild ride of sweet coffee, turning in to toffee/vanilla which then gives way to tart, moderately acidic bacterial character with wine-like influences and spicy notes from the honey fermentation. An earthy, and bready malt character returns and the beer doesn’t end completely acidic/sour yet nor does it end fully sweet/malty. Really, really like the juxtaposition here and especially the coffee character. Strong, rich and bold, yet doesn’t seem overbearing despite its huge abv. Can definitely see why some people weren’t in to it, but I absolutely loved it and think it works really well as a dessert sipper. So much more innovative than just another bourbon imperial stout....
As well, this should age remarkably nicely
Dark mahogany with some lighter tan hues on the edges. Indeterminable clarity, though it seems to be fairly bright. Tan head atop immediately fizzles to nothing.
Coffee in the nose mixes with fresh oak and light acidity to create a rich, sumptuous, almost Belgian Royal Stout-like nose. Vanilla, buttercream, coffee iced cream and a drying earthy character, along with the grape-like fruitiness balance each other. There’s some alcohol here, for sure, but I don’t find it too disruptive. Adds an almost cordial-like element to the braggot.
The flavor is a wild ride of sweet coffee, turning in to toffee/vanilla which then gives way to tart, moderately acidic bacterial character with wine-like influences and spicy notes from the honey fermentation. An earthy, and bready malt character returns and the beer doesn’t end completely acidic/sour yet nor does it end fully sweet/malty. Really, really like the juxtaposition here and especially the coffee character. Strong, rich and bold, yet doesn’t seem overbearing despite its huge abv. Can definitely see why some people weren’t in to it, but I absolutely loved it and think it works really well as a dessert sipper. So much more innovative than just another bourbon imperial stout....
As well, this should age remarkably nicely
Tried
from Draft
on 17 Feb 2016
at 12:42
8.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Draught at EBF, 2/5/16.
Very cool, light pink-to-soft-blonde colored body shows a gentle haziness and an off-white head atop that fades quickly to nothing.
The syrah barrel here doesn’t add much influence to the base beer, yet it seems there is a tart, grapeskin-like note apparent, with the fresh coriander a little bit more muted with some age on it now. Still quite spicy and with a strong lactic component, it seems to draw some of the wood character in to it, easing on the overall acidity, compared to the regular version. Smells lovely, though, with very recognizable gose features and with an added fruit (grape) character that adds more complexity.
Tart and yet with a strong, chewy mouthfeel, replete with coriander and light pepper. The wine barrel adds light fruit and wood and the acidity perks up on the finish but doesn’t dominate. Very easy-drinking for a gose and nicely carbonated, tight but not too heavy.
Very cool, light pink-to-soft-blonde colored body shows a gentle haziness and an off-white head atop that fades quickly to nothing.
The syrah barrel here doesn’t add much influence to the base beer, yet it seems there is a tart, grapeskin-like note apparent, with the fresh coriander a little bit more muted with some age on it now. Still quite spicy and with a strong lactic component, it seems to draw some of the wood character in to it, easing on the overall acidity, compared to the regular version. Smells lovely, though, with very recognizable gose features and with an added fruit (grape) character that adds more complexity.
Tart and yet with a strong, chewy mouthfeel, replete with coriander and light pepper. The wine barrel adds light fruit and wood and the acidity perks up on the finish but doesn’t dominate. Very easy-drinking for a gose and nicely carbonated, tight but not too heavy.
Tried
on 17 Feb 2016
at 12:20
8.6/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Draught at EBF, 2/5/16.
Dark burgundy-tinted mahogany body shows low clarity and a burnt-beige head atop that is small and recedes rapidly to cover/ring.
Nose shows mostly the oude bruin characteristics, though a bit mustier, funkier and more given to some lactic notes. Not just a big burst of cherry/balsam/vinegar as the style most often shows. Very vinous, with a grape-like character, lots of dark malts and even some baker’s chocolate. It’s quite aromatic and invigorating, if quite strong and mildly alcoholic.
The flavor outdoes the aroma and then some. Where the heavy fruitiness, light alcohol sharpness and strong malt and aceto-lactic characteristics give the aroma a rather stiff, challenging feel, the flavor abounds with softer chocolate, plum, red wine and easygoing barrel tannin. Remants of a strong maltiness persist, despite a high attenuation. I’m enjoying it greatly, but wondering where the fig is when suddenly it hits on the finish. Deliciously authentic and, well, quite figgy, for lack of a better deScriptor, it adds softness, sweetness and complexity and really helps balance the acidity and dark malt character.
This is probably more of a dark BSA, though most of OEC’s beers defy categorization, so I’m really not concerned. Really sad I didn’t get any bottles of this, but I should be happy I got to try it at all.
Dark burgundy-tinted mahogany body shows low clarity and a burnt-beige head atop that is small and recedes rapidly to cover/ring.
Nose shows mostly the oude bruin characteristics, though a bit mustier, funkier and more given to some lactic notes. Not just a big burst of cherry/balsam/vinegar as the style most often shows. Very vinous, with a grape-like character, lots of dark malts and even some baker’s chocolate. It’s quite aromatic and invigorating, if quite strong and mildly alcoholic.
The flavor outdoes the aroma and then some. Where the heavy fruitiness, light alcohol sharpness and strong malt and aceto-lactic characteristics give the aroma a rather stiff, challenging feel, the flavor abounds with softer chocolate, plum, red wine and easygoing barrel tannin. Remants of a strong maltiness persist, despite a high attenuation. I’m enjoying it greatly, but wondering where the fig is when suddenly it hits on the finish. Deliciously authentic and, well, quite figgy, for lack of a better deScriptor, it adds softness, sweetness and complexity and really helps balance the acidity and dark malt character.
This is probably more of a dark BSA, though most of OEC’s beers defy categorization, so I’m really not concerned. Really sad I didn’t get any bottles of this, but I should be happy I got to try it at all.
Tried
from Bottle
on 17 Feb 2016
at 11:59
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
[1/31/16] Bottle sample at a hotel lobby bottle share during RBWG 2016 in Santa Rosa. Golden. Aroma of honey, spiciness, fruitiness, a bit of vinegar. Sourish flavor with fruits, a bit of apple vinegar. Nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2016
at 18:19
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
[1/31/16] Bottle sample at a hotel lobby bottle share during RBWG 2016 in Santa Rosa. Dark brown to black. Sour aroma, balsamic vinegar, cobwebs, oak, caramel. Sour flavor, fruity, slightly astringent. A bit too acidic.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2016
at 18:15
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle shared at rbwg 2016. A translucent full golden orange with a fine white head. Aroma is sharp, vinegar, citrus, apple , cucumber. Flavour is sharp vinegar, lemon, tangy, spicy fruit. Palate is semi sweet and sour. Highish carbonation.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Feb 2016
at 13:50
7.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8
[1/30/16] Bottle sample at the Encomium bottle share, after RateBeer Best awards ceremony at Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa. Thanks everyone who shared bottles! Cloudy golden. Fruitiness, yeast. Tart, some funk. Very good and refreshing.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Feb 2016
at 18:35
5.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 6
[1/30/16] Bottle sample at the Encomium bottle share, after RateBeer Best awards ceremony at Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa. Thanks everyone who shared bottles! Black. Weird aroma with fruits and roast. Sweet-sour.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Feb 2016
at 18:35
7.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
Bottle at RBWG. It pours dark brown with a light tan head. The aroma has oxidized nutty notes with a little acid. The flavor is nutty with some sour grapes, a little roast and oxidative sherry/almond notes. Pretty tasty.
Tried
from Bottle
on 05 Feb 2016
at 13:10
7/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle at RBWG: Poured a hazy straw yellow with white head. Mint, herbal and sour funk aroma. Tart, sour funky, honey, herbal and woodsy taste.
Tried
from Bottle
on 04 Feb 2016
at 23:06