8.5/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
[note - if you are not getting this beer fresh from the brewery, then you are not "getting this beer" - it just keeps getting freakin’ better - a world class session bitter if I’ve ever had one - get it from the source...right now!] [growler] Mmmm, good beer - copper/amber body with a thick, frothy head that clings to the glass - huge hop aroma, with some hints of fruit - the aroma sets up the flavor well - lots of hops with hints of malty, fruity sweetness (mostly strawberry) that weaves itself perfectly into the hop character - nearly perfect balance of malt and hops in the finish - this sample was not thin-bodied at all - the best Blue Point I’ve tried so far.
Tried
from Growler
on 14 Jul 2003
at 18:23
6.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Medium bodied with an enjoyable maltiness and some hints of spice in the background. This is pretty subtle for a winter session beer; it would be better as a spring beer. It's very much like their pale ale with the hops removed and the malts kicked way up.
Tried
on 24 Feb 2003
at 17:38
8.1/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottled in 2000. Those Blue Point people sure do love their hops. I normally don''t enjoy so many hop characteristics in a barley wine, but these guys really pull it off. It tastes like a cross between a very strong IPA and a barley wine. Sweet, malty, VERY hoppy. Vinous, with notes of vanilla and cotton candy? Very impressive. I normally don''t like to lower a rating due to price, but since this is 17 bucks a bottle, I have to kick it down a little.
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Jan 2003
at 15:25
7.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 8.5
I am always reluctant to try any of Blue Point's beers. I live about 3 or 4 miles from the brewery itself, so their beers are ubiquitous here. They are in every grocery store, gas station and bar. So, every time I go to the bar, I see people switching between bud, miller, coors, and Blue Point, I guess to show local pride. Therefore my association is, people who like bad beer drink Blue Point. However, when I actually do get around to trying one, I'm very impressed (I guess I just need to work on breaking the association some more, and this offering is no exception. It has a great, frothy head and golden appearance, with a somewhat lacking, though hoppy aroma. I would describe the taste as more of an easy-drinking IPA than a mere pale ale. A nice balance of extreme hoppiness and moderate to light maltiness make this a pleasure to drink, and the flowery finish is very enjoyable as the hops slowly melt away onto the tongue. My only complain is that it is too easy to drink. I think I'm going to be packing this stuff away at barbeques this summer. The best Blue Point I've had so far. Once this gets enough ratings, I think it will give Alpha King a run for its money.
Tried
on 26 Dec 2002
at 20:40
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
This is a bit thin-bodied for a stout. It is more like a porter, but a pretty tasty porter. This beer has a very roasty aroma (as was already pointed out) and a slight, dark-roast coffee flavor. Its downfall is that it's only available in growlers.
Tried
from Growler
on 14 Oct 2002
at 16:47
7.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
The "toasted" aspect is pretty present in the aroma, but no so much in the flavor. This beer is very hoppy for a lager, kind of like they cross-bred a lager and an IPA, with very pleasant results.
Tried
on 06 Oct 2002
at 18:55