8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottled
Hazy brown color, small off-white head. Sour, earthy aroma. Sourish .. cherry flavor is dominating. Smooth carbonation. Very stylish, balanced Rodenbach-like sour ale.
Hazy brown color, small off-white head. Sour, earthy aroma. Sourish .. cherry flavor is dominating. Smooth carbonation. Very stylish, balanced Rodenbach-like sour ale.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 Jul 2007
at 15:53
8.6/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
750mL older batch with critters, shared by Cquiroga at PP 12 Hour Belgian Fest on 3/24/07
Still manages a fair amount of light tan head that recedes to cover and provides some web-like lacing. Clarity was medium-high with a chocolate brown color and dark maroon-garnet tints on the edges.
Vinous nose has both prunes and plums from dark malt but also tartness from wild yeast. Definitely (at least partly) a lactic infection, which has kicked out some nice acidity. It nestles in right next to the lovely chocolate and dry roastiness while smoother pale malt sugars, no doubt rather thinned out by this point and some soothing vanilla notes help lightly buffer the tartness. Cherries and raisins quite succulently ooze forth on the finish as well, with light cola and caramel suggestions. Very complex, and despite the lactic notes, still manages some softness. Pretty minimally phenolic, at least considering the unplanned infection and with no tacky oxidation or soy-like flavors, nor any dull ashiness. Still quite a strong nose, with little/no alcohol apparency.
A hint of light chocolate cake quickly mixes with some lighter cola-like notes and prunes and plums and raisins quickly emerge. Strong chocolate and creamy vanilla base of sweetness is slowly eroded as the beer continues and finishes, ending moderately tart, quite dry and with only a medium amount of chocolate malt roastiness. The lactic notes are not overpowering, however, though they are definitely an integral part of the beer. Very well attenuated, moreso than intended, of course, but I love it. Very dry and tart, but with enough chocolate, vanilla, roast and vinousness to define the beer as an Imperial Stout. Carbonation does not last very long, but because of the dryness, the resulting concentration of flavors does not cloy or overpower. Alcohol is well-concealed. Lighthearted cherry-chocolate-vanilla cola with lactic notes and dry roast. Can’t beat that combo. No doubt a bit tired now, but it’s easy to see how incredibly brilliant this must have been a couple of years ago and that is more where my score is coming from. Interested to try the new batch, but I’ll probably keep the score from this batch, since I enjoyed the lactic aspect so much.
Thanks so much for opening this, Chris!
Still manages a fair amount of light tan head that recedes to cover and provides some web-like lacing. Clarity was medium-high with a chocolate brown color and dark maroon-garnet tints on the edges.
Vinous nose has both prunes and plums from dark malt but also tartness from wild yeast. Definitely (at least partly) a lactic infection, which has kicked out some nice acidity. It nestles in right next to the lovely chocolate and dry roastiness while smoother pale malt sugars, no doubt rather thinned out by this point and some soothing vanilla notes help lightly buffer the tartness. Cherries and raisins quite succulently ooze forth on the finish as well, with light cola and caramel suggestions. Very complex, and despite the lactic notes, still manages some softness. Pretty minimally phenolic, at least considering the unplanned infection and with no tacky oxidation or soy-like flavors, nor any dull ashiness. Still quite a strong nose, with little/no alcohol apparency.
A hint of light chocolate cake quickly mixes with some lighter cola-like notes and prunes and plums and raisins quickly emerge. Strong chocolate and creamy vanilla base of sweetness is slowly eroded as the beer continues and finishes, ending moderately tart, quite dry and with only a medium amount of chocolate malt roastiness. The lactic notes are not overpowering, however, though they are definitely an integral part of the beer. Very well attenuated, moreso than intended, of course, but I love it. Very dry and tart, but with enough chocolate, vanilla, roast and vinousness to define the beer as an Imperial Stout. Carbonation does not last very long, but because of the dryness, the resulting concentration of flavors does not cloy or overpower. Alcohol is well-concealed. Lighthearted cherry-chocolate-vanilla cola with lactic notes and dry roast. Can’t beat that combo. No doubt a bit tired now, but it’s easy to see how incredibly brilliant this must have been a couple of years ago and that is more where my score is coming from. Interested to try the new batch, but I’ll probably keep the score from this batch, since I enjoyed the lactic aspect so much.
Thanks so much for opening this, Chris!
Tried
from Can
on 18 Apr 2007
at 10:22
6.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Draught pint at Solana Beach on 3/23/2007
Copper-golden with a strong sense of brassy-amber and a small white head that is well-retained. High clarity, with light lacing and moderate carbonation.
Very citric nose shows off lots of traditional c-hops, or derivations of them. Big and bold, the acidity gets in your face, with minimal malt confrontation. In fact, some dry, toasted malt sourness is apparent with warming and adds a grainy, crisp aspect to the aroma which further accentuates the extreme bitterness. Red and white grapefruit, lemons, limes and an afterthought of peaches and mangoes, it definitely is "brash" as others have mentioned. Nevertheless, alcohol is well concealed and it is without flaw. Far be it from me to be disappointed by the huge hoppiness, but it dosent exactly get you excited for a balanced flavor to come....
Very high hop bitterness, with a strong, pine and grapefruit acidity on the finish that cuts at the palate. Softer fruit flavors are apparent through the middle, peaches, mangoes, oranges, etc...but it definitely wallops you with grapefruit at the start and finish. The malt is lean and certainly not sweet, but still gives a dry toastiness that works in favor of the bitterness and dryness of the hops. Graininess persists on the end, with some slightly astringent hop notes almost seeming slightly metallic or just plain dull/singular. Over-the-top IPA and way too bitter for my blood, but it would be surprising not to see something like this on the menu in a West Coast brewpub. Medium carbonation, very dry texture, with no alcohol apparent.
Copper-golden with a strong sense of brassy-amber and a small white head that is well-retained. High clarity, with light lacing and moderate carbonation.
Very citric nose shows off lots of traditional c-hops, or derivations of them. Big and bold, the acidity gets in your face, with minimal malt confrontation. In fact, some dry, toasted malt sourness is apparent with warming and adds a grainy, crisp aspect to the aroma which further accentuates the extreme bitterness. Red and white grapefruit, lemons, limes and an afterthought of peaches and mangoes, it definitely is "brash" as others have mentioned. Nevertheless, alcohol is well concealed and it is without flaw. Far be it from me to be disappointed by the huge hoppiness, but it dosent exactly get you excited for a balanced flavor to come....
Very high hop bitterness, with a strong, pine and grapefruit acidity on the finish that cuts at the palate. Softer fruit flavors are apparent through the middle, peaches, mangoes, oranges, etc...but it definitely wallops you with grapefruit at the start and finish. The malt is lean and certainly not sweet, but still gives a dry toastiness that works in favor of the bitterness and dryness of the hops. Graininess persists on the end, with some slightly astringent hop notes almost seeming slightly metallic or just plain dull/singular. Over-the-top IPA and way too bitter for my blood, but it would be surprising not to see something like this on the menu in a West Coast brewpub. Medium carbonation, very dry texture, with no alcohol apparent.
Tried
on 11 Apr 2007
at 14:51
8.8/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
Should have seen this coming….in the land of IPAs, double IPAs, and more, I’m confronted by perhaps the most flavorful, but reserved mild ale I’ve ever tasted. On cask at PP Solana Beach on 3/23/2007
Dark mahogany brown body is accentuated with light maroon and chestnut hues. Medium-sized, dark beige head is very well-retained and laces moderately. Clarity is medium-high.
Very subtle in the nose, though still a fair bit of dry chocolate and well-attenuated, but very aromatic barley malt, it seems to produce a fine, almost creamy-like yeast essence that is soft, pleasantly bland and just immensely clean. Very elegant hazelnut and mild vanillla notes sit on the finish, with just a touch of light roast that never disturbs the balance or takes away from the mild character of the beer. Creamy malts continue on after the finish, with a soft, glowing fruitiness that is lightly apparent as well. Very strong aroma from a pint glass and at a crowded bar. No flaws.
If the aroma was well-done and lovely, then the flavor is just jaw-dropping. At the very first sip I was uttering expletives. How they worked this incredibly clean, but still very fresh and apparent yeastiness in to this beer, I’ll never know. It works hand-in-hand with the creamy pale malts, while the chocolate, hazelnuts and light vanilla dance about lightly through the middle, ending with very soft cherry-vanilla-like esters and light chocolate suggestions. Almost a wheat-like smoothness to the body which is held together by a surprisingly firm texture, despite the fact that the stuff never seems remotely "heavy" or "thick". Even the requisite wateriness, part of the style, which gives it its quenching drinkability is there, though the beer is so flavorful, you barely notice it. Coffee is perfectly done, no way else to describe it. Nips of caramel are glimpsed as well. A true masterpiece of subtle, low gravity brewing. This must have been very fresh. I want more......
Dark mahogany brown body is accentuated with light maroon and chestnut hues. Medium-sized, dark beige head is very well-retained and laces moderately. Clarity is medium-high.
Very subtle in the nose, though still a fair bit of dry chocolate and well-attenuated, but very aromatic barley malt, it seems to produce a fine, almost creamy-like yeast essence that is soft, pleasantly bland and just immensely clean. Very elegant hazelnut and mild vanillla notes sit on the finish, with just a touch of light roast that never disturbs the balance or takes away from the mild character of the beer. Creamy malts continue on after the finish, with a soft, glowing fruitiness that is lightly apparent as well. Very strong aroma from a pint glass and at a crowded bar. No flaws.
If the aroma was well-done and lovely, then the flavor is just jaw-dropping. At the very first sip I was uttering expletives. How they worked this incredibly clean, but still very fresh and apparent yeastiness in to this beer, I’ll never know. It works hand-in-hand with the creamy pale malts, while the chocolate, hazelnuts and light vanilla dance about lightly through the middle, ending with very soft cherry-vanilla-like esters and light chocolate suggestions. Almost a wheat-like smoothness to the body which is held together by a surprisingly firm texture, despite the fact that the stuff never seems remotely "heavy" or "thick". Even the requisite wateriness, part of the style, which gives it its quenching drinkability is there, though the beer is so flavorful, you barely notice it. Coffee is perfectly done, no way else to describe it. Nips of caramel are glimpsed as well. A true masterpiece of subtle, low gravity brewing. This must have been very fresh. I want more......
Tried
from Cask
on 10 Apr 2007
at 15:36
6.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
2005 750mL bottle shared by SuIIy on 2/3/07
Highly unfiltered, leading to some particles and haziness despite the best efforts to leave it all in the bottle. Faded brass, with some stronger peach and tangerine hues and tiny, very plentiful bubbles roaming about the liquid. Off-white head is initially medium in size but quickly fizzles to partial cover and ring, leaving sporadic lacing. No doubt the ginger and other herbs contributing to the premature dissipation.
Very interesting yeast nuances of mustiness, hay and earth erupt from the bottle upon opening, but altogether pass out of existence, giving way to the herbs and spices. A pina-colada-like nose is full of bountiful pale malt sweetness, creamy but yet tempered by the zesty cardamon and medium-dry ginger. Frankly, it’s amazing that a beer can smell like pineapple and roasted coconut. Towards the end, some candy-like hardness is noted but is fully smoothed by a smooth, somewhat nutty/bland wheatiness that attempts to absorb some of the overzealous spicing. Maybe I lied about the yeast fully passing at the start; the longer the beer sits, I do seem to detect more mustiness and strange phenolics/esters. But it’s difficult to know what you’re smelling, that’s for sure. Apples, ginger, citrus, pineapple, coconut, cardamon all linger on the finish in a rather muddled blend (though the apples and ginger are quite distinct). High strength of aroma, no alcohol present.
Tiny, tingly bubbles deliver a zesty dose of ginger and orange peel at first sip, while moderately attenuated pils malt, very fluffy and lightly creamy, adds sweetness that is further enriched by robust cardamon flavors. Streaks of pepperiness accentuate the heavily spiced nature of this beer, while more pina-colada resemblance is found towards the finish. It ends rather bubbly and zesty, with the ginger being quite pronounced and a sweet creaminess not too far behind. Unlike the carbonation, however, the unfiltered body and wheat give almost a chewiness at points and definitely make for a substantial body. Some light apples and a hint of mustiness and dry esters (or is that just the spices?) signify some yeast apparency, but it’s marginal at best.
I just don’t get heavily spiced saisons, and this one is no exception. Why go through the trouble of using 3 or 4 Belgian yeast strains and then dump tons of spice in to the point where you can’t even taste any yeast nuance? A well-brewed beer, and I liked it better with some age on it than fresh, but the spicing still makes it unbalanced. I didn’t finish my glass.
Highly unfiltered, leading to some particles and haziness despite the best efforts to leave it all in the bottle. Faded brass, with some stronger peach and tangerine hues and tiny, very plentiful bubbles roaming about the liquid. Off-white head is initially medium in size but quickly fizzles to partial cover and ring, leaving sporadic lacing. No doubt the ginger and other herbs contributing to the premature dissipation.
Very interesting yeast nuances of mustiness, hay and earth erupt from the bottle upon opening, but altogether pass out of existence, giving way to the herbs and spices. A pina-colada-like nose is full of bountiful pale malt sweetness, creamy but yet tempered by the zesty cardamon and medium-dry ginger. Frankly, it’s amazing that a beer can smell like pineapple and roasted coconut. Towards the end, some candy-like hardness is noted but is fully smoothed by a smooth, somewhat nutty/bland wheatiness that attempts to absorb some of the overzealous spicing. Maybe I lied about the yeast fully passing at the start; the longer the beer sits, I do seem to detect more mustiness and strange phenolics/esters. But it’s difficult to know what you’re smelling, that’s for sure. Apples, ginger, citrus, pineapple, coconut, cardamon all linger on the finish in a rather muddled blend (though the apples and ginger are quite distinct). High strength of aroma, no alcohol present.
Tiny, tingly bubbles deliver a zesty dose of ginger and orange peel at first sip, while moderately attenuated pils malt, very fluffy and lightly creamy, adds sweetness that is further enriched by robust cardamon flavors. Streaks of pepperiness accentuate the heavily spiced nature of this beer, while more pina-colada resemblance is found towards the finish. It ends rather bubbly and zesty, with the ginger being quite pronounced and a sweet creaminess not too far behind. Unlike the carbonation, however, the unfiltered body and wheat give almost a chewiness at points and definitely make for a substantial body. Some light apples and a hint of mustiness and dry esters (or is that just the spices?) signify some yeast apparency, but it’s marginal at best.
I just don’t get heavily spiced saisons, and this one is no exception. Why go through the trouble of using 3 or 4 Belgian yeast strains and then dump tons of spice in to the point where you can’t even taste any yeast nuance? A well-brewed beer, and I liked it better with some age on it than fresh, but the spicing still makes it unbalanced. I didn’t finish my glass.
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Feb 2007
at 12:57
7.3/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Very dark beer, ruby brown; dark beige head, fast dwindling. Very vinous, lots of dark malts, woody. Vinous flavours, quite a lot of liquorice, fruity with a bit of sweet citrus/oranges, chocolate and chocolate malt. About a ton a litre. Quite smooth, and well-bodied. Alcoholwarming, and -burning. I’m a wee bit taken aback. This is a powerful, even aggressive beer, a hard one to take. I personally find it too heavy on the chocolate malts;
Tried
on 30 Jan 2007
at 11:41
8.1/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Bottle (hand-labeled #113) from cquiroga, sampled with badnewsbeers. Appearance of peach or apricot pulp- murky to the extreme. Medium/thick off-white head. Strong pineapple juice aroma with huge acidity. Reminds me of stomach acid or bile but in a good way. Tart pineapple juice body, sour, fruity, with banana flavors playing off the pineapple. A funky, musty tropical fruit cocktail. Excellent complexity. This beer was great, even though it reminded me of hugging porcelain, which I did the next morning.
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Dec 2006
at 18:20
8.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 6
Overall 8.5
(Bottle 75 cl) Clear, reddish brown with an off-white head. Vinous, lightly tart arome - raisin in rum. Full-bodied with very complex notes of dried fruit, rum and mazipan with an underlying tartness. Very subdued bitterness. Lovely indeed. 011206
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Dec 2006
at 13:35
6.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 4
Overall 6.5
An unclear nut brown beer with a thin orange head. The aroma is acidic combined with notes of wood, brettanomyces, and berries, and the flavor is also acidic with strong notes of berries, and lesser notes of wood and brettanomyces, leading to a dry woody end. Weirdly I find the body a bit thin. I sure like it a lot better when the mother has transformed into Cuvee de Tomme :-)
Tried
on 03 Dec 2006
at 14:33
7.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
750 ml bottle. Wow! Thanks to whoever brought this to the Chicagoland RBian gathering! My sample had a fruity cider smell. Deep hazy brown in color. Taste is nicly fizzy and cidery, with brett and horseblanket on the side. An excellent tasty sour brown ale.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Oct 2006
at 23:32