5.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 6
Slightly hazy deep amber colour with orange tints and a small off-white head. Aroma of soap, lemons, wheat and coriander seed. Decent. Light to Medium-bodied; Strong caramal and malty tastes up front fading to a bitter soapyness. Aftertaste shows malt and cardboard with little else. Overall, an alright beer - not much to expect from an Amber anyways though. I sampled this twelve ounce bottle fresh, purchased from Merchant’s in Dearborn, Michigan and sampled there on 22-May-2005.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Jan 2009
at 22:51
6.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6
Had a bottle of this back in early 2008 and recently retried it again on draught (at Sunset Grill) January 2009. The bottle I remember being punishingly caramelly-sweet with the typical fruitiness, bordering on tartness at points, of the house character imparted by the breweries yeast and/or bottling line? Anyways, it was strong, alcoholic and sweet, nearly cloying, with all of the bad traits of crystal and munich malt (meatiness, iced tea-like flavors, sharp, punchy cereal-like qualities and a strong overdrying on the finish). The hops were toned down and this wasn’t a mess of alpha acids, at least. Recently on draught, I found the beer a little more balanced, with a decidedly strong chocolate and pale and or pils malt combination to produce a chocolate caramel sweetness with a soft, inviting mouthfeel. Seems like the malt bill has been changed somewhat? Not much complexity and still a touch too much alcohol, but the same discretion with the hops at least. Some light plum-cherry fruitiness and bits of toffee-caramel on the finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Jan 2009
at 12:42
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Bottle at Sunset Grill, Fall 2008. Amber-copper appearance with a strong, light-beige head. Retention withstanding the spicing. Sweet and gooey in the nose, with vanilla, maple and brown sugar all coming on much stronger than the flavor could ever possibly hope to include. And while it dosent have the richness in flavor, the spicing isn’t terribly overdone, leaving some caramel and brown sugar in the background. A little bit of artificial or unfermented sweetness, it seems, with very little actual pumpkin flavor. Fairly substantial mouthfeel, thanks to the chewy malts and probably the wheat addition. Dosent bring anything new to the table as far as spiced autumn seasonals go. Drinkable, though and no major complaints about it.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Jan 2009
at 12:19
5.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottle and draught, Spring 2008 at Sunset Grill. Very thick, viscous-looking mahogany-to-black body with a dense tan head. Tar and chocolate rise up from the liquid, with cinnamon??? and other such spices coming in as well. Very rich nose to it, with vanilla as an afterthought. In the mouth it’s somewhat less chewy/thick than expected, with a more dried-out mouthfeel, thanks in part to the spiciness. They don’t really say anything about spice additions, but man is this stuff full of cinnamon. To the point of it being way too much. Chocolate element is well-done and would have been highly pleasant without the dry, fatiguing spiciness. Vanilla and sweet caramel round out the finish, with little in the way of roast or bitterness. Some floral hop notes are appreciated but lend little to the overall character of the beer. Too spicy!
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Jan 2009
at 12:13
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Moderately fresh bottle drunk December 2008. Very bountiful beige head rises up over a copper-caramel colored body with plentiful carbonation. Notes of caramel and light raisins with a fair amount of fruitiness from the yeast (prunes, raisins and such). Toffee and vanilla on the finish with a hint of tartness (bottling line infection and unpasteurization combined?). Sweet and sticky in the flavor, but with some toasted malt smoothing things/drying things out a touch. Lots of marmalade-like flavor from the combination of hops, yeast and caramel malt. Gets a little too acidic, however from the fruitiness and toastiness. Medium to medium-dry (some continued bottle fermentation, no doubt). Alcohol well concealed.
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 Jan 2009
at 11:59
6.4/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottle. Large, foamy, lasting, ivory head atop a clear, orangish-amber body. Floral aroma along with notes of grain, biscuit and honey. The flavor is lightly to moderatley sweet and lightly bitter. The bitterness exerts itself a little more strongly in the finish along with some tartness. It sticks around for awhile. Light body with a thin, but velvety texture. Lively carbonation. An easy drinker.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Jan 2009
at 23:18
6.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
12 oz. bottle. I did catch a strong honey smell as I opened and poured, somewhat unexpected. From the name, I expected this to be a Belgian wit, but I see the category here is more correct. So instead of yet another old wheat beer, I’ve a nice, sunny brew that’s a little out of place here on Christmas night. My sample is packed with bubbles that help to keep the sweetness from settling too heavily on my tongue. Some Cascade, a light ale fruitiness round out the soft spices of wheat. I just find this to be a very pleasant surprise.
Tried
from Bottle
on 26 Dec 2008
at 00:37
8.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 9
What an amazing extra. 2006 bottle. This is just a well aged, and amazing imp. stout. Pours black, with mahogany head and lacing. Aroma has plenty of dark fruits and light hops. Taste, dark fruits - cherry, prunes - molasses and roasted that cover the palate. Light bitter hops finish with resinous mouthfeel. The beer seemed to be much higher in abv. The alcohol is very warming and enjoyable. Also had notes of licorice giving it a sweet sugary feel. Very smooth and one amazing brew. Thumbs up.
Tried
from Bottle
on 25 Dec 2008
at 11:03
5.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
Ultra hazy amber coloured body with an orange glow and a thinnish tan head - a completely unfiltered wit - looks pretty nice! Aroma of metal, corn, coriander seed and a strong bit of oranges. Medium-bodied. Strong malty flavour with tangy citrus and potent spices following behind. Aftertaste shows potent nuts, metal and a tiny bit of honey. Overall, a strong and not-so-traditional wit. I didnt mind this so much, but others are much better for the style. I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased from Merchants in Dearborn, Michigan on 06-June-2008, sampled on 07-December-2008 at home in Washington.
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Dec 2008
at 00:37
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
(Bottle, Oliver Twist, Stockholm, 9 Nov 2008) Black colour with brief, beige head. Roasted, malty nose with dark chocolate, coffee, burnt sugar, mocha and chocolate truffles. Roasted, malty taste with notes of cocoa, dark chocolate, strong black coffee, molasses (or dark rhum) and a decent cocoa bitterness in the finish. Medium body, fairly sweet. Nice and chocolatey porter/stout. In short: sweet cocoa and espresso.
Tried
from Bottle
on 29 Nov 2008
at 15:42