7.3/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
Growler from brewpub dragged from KS to NY for a gathering, spent less than 24 hours in a suitcase. It pours a clear dark amber color. Smell is light sweet malts with warming brown sugar highlights. Taste is soft, chewy, dark sweet malts with a hint of bitterness, and a short aftertaste of dark wood. Very soft on the cheeks.
Tried
from Growler
on 28 Jan 2008
at 21:12
7.4/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
On tap at the brewpub. Pour is a clear brown, with some ruby highlights. Topped by a very thin tan head. Aroma of nuttiness and some maltiness. Taste is some nice nutty caramel maltiness with a clean snappy finish. Also some light smokiness to the finish. Medium to full bodied. Nice.
Tried
from Draft
on 28 Jan 2008
at 08:17
6.5/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
On tap at the brewpub. Pour is a clear brown-red with a thinnish off-white head. Aroma of sweet caramel malt (pretty faint, this was served WAY too cold). Taste is some sharp sweetness, faint malt and a somewhat astringent finish. This one was just OK. Much better as it warmed. Would have probably preferred this one on cask.
Tried
from Draft
on 28 Jan 2008
at 08:15
7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7
On tap at the brewpub. Pour is a ruby brown, clear with a smallish off white head. Aroma of not too much (this was served pretty cold) - there is some nutty malt. Taste is caramel maltiness with big smoky peatiness. There is a nice interplay between the earth/sea peatiness and the caramel / fruit sweetness. Lingering dirty earth finish.
Tried
from Draft
on 28 Jan 2008
at 08:13
8.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2007 vintage, 64 oz growler, shared by mreusch, enjoyed at my Holiday Mini Tasting. Pour is brown ruby with pretty much no head. What exists is tan, and clings to the edge of the glass. Aroma of pure Barley Wine sweet caramelly goodness. Some hop brightness in the nose. Taste is beautiful, really hoppy initially, then the great maltiness through the middle and finish. Hoppy bitterness picks back up in the after taste, cleaning the palate. Despite the young age, there really was hardly any noticeable heat in this one. Thank you Free State, and thank you Matt for grabbing this one.
Tried
from Growler
on 30 Dec 2007
at 21:13
7.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8
From a growler, provided by mreusch. Pour is golden orange with a thinner off white head. Aroma is big, and beautiful - piney hops, some candy sweetness and a graininess. Taste has a nice, pleasant not overpowering hop presence. More of the sweetness, pine and earthiness. Nice body, crisp bitter hop finish. Thanks for bringing this one Matt.
Tried
from Growler
on 16 Oct 2007
at 08:57
7.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Growler shared with Quake1028 and Degarth courtesy of Degarth, thanks again Joe.
2004 vintage pours jet black like decade old motor oil with absolutely zero head. Big aroma of chocolate malts, burnt malts and alcohol. With a big draw I get some really nice smelling caramel candy but also an unmistakable sense of distain that gives me the feeling this beer was brewed during a particularly bad week for the brewer. Maybe the brewer’s favorite baseball team was swept that week. It comes in with a nice thick mouth feel that gets thinner and thinner as the ounces are consumed. The flavor starts off somewhat fruity with plums and dates. It then moves into chocolate notes of milk chocolate and some dark chocolate. Lots of chocolate actually. Then I get a nice caramel candy taste that goes together flawlessly with the chocolate. There is an un avoidable alcohol note that borders on being hot and detracts from the overall experience. Into the aftertaste I get some toffee too. All in all the alcohol presence from the modest Imperial Stout level 9.5% ABV and the complete lack of carbonation both keep this beer from being simply stellar. Very enjoyable nonetheless.
2004 vintage pours jet black like decade old motor oil with absolutely zero head. Big aroma of chocolate malts, burnt malts and alcohol. With a big draw I get some really nice smelling caramel candy but also an unmistakable sense of distain that gives me the feeling this beer was brewed during a particularly bad week for the brewer. Maybe the brewer’s favorite baseball team was swept that week. It comes in with a nice thick mouth feel that gets thinner and thinner as the ounces are consumed. The flavor starts off somewhat fruity with plums and dates. It then moves into chocolate notes of milk chocolate and some dark chocolate. Lots of chocolate actually. Then I get a nice caramel candy taste that goes together flawlessly with the chocolate. There is an un avoidable alcohol note that borders on being hot and detracts from the overall experience. Into the aftertaste I get some toffee too. All in all the alcohol presence from the modest Imperial Stout level 9.5% ABV and the complete lack of carbonation both keep this beer from being simply stellar. Very enjoyable nonetheless.
Tried
from Growler
on 11 Jun 2007
at 21:54
6.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Tap, at the brewpub. Orangish red pour, with a fairly small off white head. Aroma is nutty and hoppy, and a bit of heavy grain (I will assume this is the Rye). Taste is bready with some tart sweetness towards the end. Something was not 100% right with this one, though still quite drinkable.
Tried
from Draft
on 29 May 2007
at 13:54
9/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 9
2004 vintage, tap at the brewpub. All black pour with a smallish tan head that clings to the glass. Aroma is roast, sweetness and just a hint of alcohol. The bourbon and wood come through as well. Taste begins with the deep roastiness, dark chocolate and even a light hoppiness. Towards the middle and end, you get more sweetness and the bourbon, and a very muted heat at the very end. Nothing but pleasant in the finish. This is amazing. Great body, significant complexity. Please brew it again, Free State.
Tried
from Draft
on 29 May 2007
at 13:25
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
On tap at Papa Keno Pizza, Overland Park, Kansas. Pour is orangish amber with a medium to small off white head. Aroma is malty, and faint hoppiness in the background. Taste is a nice blend of the malt and pine hops, very balanced with a nice body. Overall a very nice drinking beer, though was a bit surprised to see it listed as an IPA.
Tried
from Draft
on 29 Apr 2007
at 16:39