5.6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Draft. It just lacks hops and doesn't impress. It's easy enough to drink and has a medium bode, but it could sure use some more flavor.
Tried
from Draft
on 26 Aug 2003
at 12:32
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Dark brown in colour, about 80% opaque with a nice thick (2 centimetre) dense tan head. My bottle had a VERY different label than what is posted to the left here, but my bottle was from the same batch as JonR888710's (see below). Roasted malt is very prominent in the aroma as is the coffee and a bit of chocolate. Strong roasty malt and bitter chocolate flavours in the taste with a tiny bit of hops and the subtlety of alcohol. A very nice porter, definately above average and especially good figuring in the low price paid...under $1! After drinking it a bit more, having the beer warm up a bit, I figured I should mention that almost nothing is wrong with this beer. It is one of the best porters I've had, and should be sampled by more people. Check your local Trader Joe's and see if they have any in...and remember you only need to buy 1 if you want, you don't need to buy all 6! I definately reccomend this one WAY more than the Catamount Pale Ale! I bought my twelve ounce bottle at Trader Joe's in Tyson's Corner, Virginia.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Aug 2003
at 19:40
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Sampled at From The Vine monthly beer tasting Aug 4th, 2003: Pours a dark amber color with a tiny white head. Decent lacing as well. The aroma is a really pleasant concoction of hops and fruit. Medium-bodied, and the flavor is surprisingly subdued given the strong aroma. There is a fair amount of malt in the flavor as well. Maybe it is the hop-heavy IPAs like Ruination, Buckeye '76 et al that are to blame but I like a higher level of hops than this beer offers, both in the flavor and in the finish. A decent beer nonetheless.
Tried
on 05 Aug 2003
at 07:45
6.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Hey, I could make this! I have to take that into consideration when I rate this IPA. The hops aroma is nice, with a nice floral bitterness emanating from the golden body. The watery body, though, is just weak. Flavor is perfumey and slightly bitter, balanced by the slightest hint of malts. More of a session-oriented version of the IPA, and, considering the description that this was once a "summer seasonal," that shouldn't surprise me.
Tried
on 04 Aug 2003
at 20:09
5.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 4
Overall 5
2003 draught. Dark brownish black. Pours with a small retreating head. Iniitial taste is soft yet spicy. Not sharp, as some spiced beers can be. Has a medium body and lots of nutty malt. Begins to grow a bit sweet as it warms, and the spice level is rather one sided, very nutmeggy (i made that word up). Though it is smooth and drinkable when a bit colder. Dosent compare to the fuller, more complex Anchor and Winter Solstice, but is ok for a lighter mood. 7/4/6/3/14
2004 bottle Yikes. This is foul. Spice assault, backed with water. It reminds me of Buffalo Bills pumpkin ale, (not the pumpkin) because of the huge overspicing and lack of any body whatsoever. Where is all of the malt? How bout some yeast? How about anything other than pure watery spice. . . . . 6/3/4/1/7
2004 bottle Yikes. This is foul. Spice assault, backed with water. It reminds me of Buffalo Bills pumpkin ale, (not the pumpkin) because of the huge overspicing and lack of any body whatsoever. Where is all of the malt? How bout some yeast? How about anything other than pure watery spice. . . . . 6/3/4/1/7
Tried
from Can
on 15 Jul 2003
at 08:12
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Had this several years ago and didn’t think much of it. Now, the re-rate. Bright golden colour with a light head. Orangey-apricotty nose. Balanced palate with fresh orangey hop and melon and a backbone of breadcrusty malts. Clean, refreshing, a nice brunch beer.
Tried
on 18 Mar 2003
at 14:13
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 4
Overall 6
Amber colour with a nice slightly off-white head. Subtle smell with a decent amount of malt detectable in the nose. A normal ale, nothing too special throughout.
Tried
on 18 Mar 2003
at 12:29
8.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Kind of watery and murky-looking for a bock, but otherwise pretty good. Aroma of spices, gingerbread and oatmeal. The flavor is very roasty, with hints of oats from the aroma making an entrance. Slight citrus notes. There is something about the flavor that reminds me of a barley wine. Smooth, clean finish. This is a pretty darn good spring beer.
Tried
on 11 Mar 2003
at 19:04
6/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 6
Very drinkable, but thin and mild for a winter beer, especially one that claims to be a winter "warmer." The spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) are present, tastes like Christmas all right. Not much else to the flavor, though, and the finish is watery and uneventful.
Tried
on 07 Mar 2003
at 19:10
7.3/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottled. Deep golden with big, lively head. Estery flowery hoppy aroma. Sweet and malty with soft mouthfeel and hop bitter finish. A well balanced IPA.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Feb 2003
at 03:16