Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
500 ml bottle into snifter, 2017 vintage bottling. Pours opaque dark brown/black color with a 2 finger dense an d rocky khaki head with outstanding retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big nutty medium roast coffee, milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, caramel, vanilla, cream, toffee, brown sugar, toasted dark/brown bread, raisin, plum, fig, date, cherry, berries, light molasses/smoke, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of coffee, cascara, dark/roast/bready malt, lactose, and fruity yeast notes; with great strength. A bit too fruity/yeasty, but not overwhelming. Taste of huge nutty medium roast coffee, milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, caramel, vanilla, cream, toffee, brown sugar, and toasted dark/brown bread; with lighter notes of raisin, plum, fig, date, cherry, berries, molasses, smoke, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Mild herbal/roast bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of nutty coffee, milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, caramel, vanilla, cream, toffee, brown sugar, toasted dark/brown bread, dark fruit, cherry, berries, light molasses/smoke, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of coffee, cascara, dark/roast/bready malt, lactose, and light fruity yeast flavors; with a nice roasted bitter/sweet balance, and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and fairly full body; with an insanely smooth, creamy, silky, velvety, and rich mouthfeel that is amazing. Minimal chalky roast, hop stickiness, or dryness. Minimal warming alcohol for 9.3%. Overall this is a fantastic imperial coffee milk stout! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of coffee, cascara, dark/roast/bready malt, lactose, and light fruity yeast flavors; very smooth and easy to sip on for the ABV, with the very mildy bitter finish. Super fruity coffee complexity, balanced with an extremely rich and complex base imperial stout. A highly enjoyable offering.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
500 ml bottle into snifter, no bottle dating. Pours opaque dark brown/black color with a 1 finger dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of huge milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, vanilla, toffee, coconut, molasses, toasted oak, spicy rye whiskey, and dark bread; with light notes if licorice, anise, smoke, char, pepper, raisin, fig, date, and oak/roasted earthiness. Touch of booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malts, rye whiskey barrel, and light fruity yeast/anise notes; with big strength. Taste of huge milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, vanilla, toffee, coconut, molasses, toasted oak, spicy rye whiskey, and dark bread; with light notes if licorice, anise, smoke, char, pepper, raisin, fig, date, and oak/roasted earthiness. Light roast/char bitterness and rye whiskey/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, vanilla, toffee, coconut, molasses, toasted oak, spicy rye whiskey, dark bread, light smoke/char, anise, dark fruit, pepper, oak/roasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malts, rye whiskey barrel, and light fruity yeast/anise flavors; with an awesome roasted bitter/sweet and rye whiskey/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying/acrid/astringent flavors after the finish. Slightly increasing dryness from roast bitterness and whiskey/oak spiciness. Light-medium carbonation and very full body; with a very smooth, creamy, silky, velvety, and rich mouthfeel that is fantastic. Slightly slick, sticky, chalky, and tannic. Alcohol is extremely well hidden; and mildly increasing warrmth of 12%, with minimal barrel booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic barrel aged imperial stout! All around outstanding complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malts, rye whiskey barrel, and light fruity yeast/anise flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV. Super rich with amazing imperial stout malt complexity, and perfect Rye Whiskey barrel balance. Never overly roasty, charred, tannic, boozy, or drying. Well restrained on the star anise spice. A highly enjoyable offering.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
500 ml bottle into tulip glass, 2016 vintage bottling. Pours slightly hazy deep golden amber/light orange color with a small foamy white head with decent retention, that reduces to a thin ring of lace pretty quickly. Slight spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a light amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big golden raisin, peach, pear, apricot, apple, honey, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, and biscuit; with lighter notes of banana, pepper, clove, herbal, grass, and yeast/oak earthiness. A touch of booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and bourbon barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of huge golden raisin, peach, pear, apricot, apple, honey, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, and biscuit; with lighter notes of banana, pepper, clove, herbal, grass, and yeast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate yeast and bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of golden raisin, peach, pear, apricot, apple, honey, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, biscuit, banana, pepper, clove, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and bourbon barrel flavors; with a great malt/spiciness balance, and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from yeast/bourbon/oak spiciness. Mild carbonation and medium-full body; with a smooth, creamy/bready, fairly sticky/tannic, and lightly slick/silky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is fairly well hidden; a light-moderate warmth, with mild barrel booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is an awesome barrel aged Belgian strong pale ale. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, bready malts, and bourbon barrel flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV. Really well rounded and balanced yeast, malt, and barrel complexity; and not overly sweet or heavy considering the ABV. A really enjoyable offering.
superspak (10160) reviewed Candy Flip from Batch Brewing Company 8 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
500 ml bottle into snifter, 2016 vintage bottling. Pours slightly hazy medium orange/amber color with a small dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace cap that lingers. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of golden raisin, peach, plum, apricot, apple, honey, wheat, and lightly toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of chocolate, cocoa, herbal, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Slight booze in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of bready malt, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop/chocolate notes; with solid strength. Taste of big golden raisin, peach, plum, apricot, apple, honey, wheat, and lightly toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of chocolate, cocoa, herbal, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate herbal/spicy hop and cocoa bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of golden raisin, peach, plum, apricot, apple, honey, wheat, biscuit, chocolate, cocoa, herbal, pepper, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of bready malt, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop/chocolate flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Slightly increasing dryness from lingering hop/cocoa bitterness. Mild carbonation and full body; with a smooth, creamy/bready/grainy, lightly sticky/chalky, and slightly slick balanced mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is fairly well hidden; a moderate warmth and mild booziness lingering after the finish. Overall this is a very nice flavored wheatwine. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of bready malt, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop/chocolate flavors; very smooth and easy to sip on for the big ABV. I was glad this was not overdone on the chocolate flavors, still hits the style spot on. A very enjoyable offering.
superspak (10160) reviewed Stoan Boans from Batch Brewing Company 8 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9
500 ml bottle into snifter; no bottle dating, but is a recent release. Pours slightly hazy deep orange/amber/light copper color with a small dense cream colored head with good retention, that reduces to thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big golden raisin, peach, plum, apricot, pear, apple, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, marshmallow, and brown bread; with lighter notes of peat smoke, butterscotch, herbal, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/earthy yeast, dark/bready malt, bourbon barrel, and light earthy hop notes; with great strength. Taste of huge golden raisin, peach, plum, apricot, pear, apple, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, marshmallow, and brown bread; with lighter notes of peat smoke, butterscotch, herbal, pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Light herbal bitterness and bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of golden raisin, peach, plum, apricot, pear, apple, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, toasted oak, marshmallow, brown bread, light peat smoke/butterscotch, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/earthy yeast, dark/bready malt, bourbon barrel, and light earthy hop flavors; with a nice malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Minimal dryness. Light-medium carbonation and fairly full body; with a very smooth, creamy, silky, velvety, and slightly tannic mouthfeel that is fantastic. Alcohol as very well hidden; a mildly increasing warmth, with zero barrel booziness after the finish. Overall this is an amazing BBA scotch ale! All around incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/earthy yeast, dark/bready malt, bourbon barrel, and light earthy hop flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to drink for the ABV. The barrel integration is flat out perfect; with fantastic complexity and balance between fruity yeast and sweet malts. A highly enjoyable offering.
superspak (10160) reviewed 17-1140 TCX from Batch Brewing Company 8 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
40 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/5/2017. Pours fairly crystal clear medium orange/amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big tangerine, lemon, lime, grapefruit, peach, apricot, pineapple, mango, melon, passion fruit, citrus zest, light pepper/pine, caramel, toasted bread, herbal, and floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/tropical hops and moderate dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tangerine, lemon, lime, grapefruit, peach, apricot, pineapple, mango, melon, passion fruit, citrus zest, light pepper/pine, caramel, toasted bread, herbal, and floral/grassy earthiness. Light-moderate pine, herbal, grassy, spicy bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of tangerine, lemon, lime, grapefruit, peach, apricot, pineapple, mango, melon, passion fruit, citrus zest, light pepper/pine, caramel, toasted bread, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical hops and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; with an awesome malt/bitterness balance, and zero lingering hop astringency after the finish. Light dryness from lingering bitterness, increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth and moderately bready/grainy/sticky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.3%. Overall this is an awesome American pale ale. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical hops and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and pretty refreshing to drink, with the modestly bitter/drying finish. Outstanding hop juiciness and great malt backbone that is never overly sweet or heavy feeling. A really enjoyable offering, and spot on style example.
superspak (10160) reviewed Laura Ingalls from Batch Brewing Company 8 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
40 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled on 5/6/2017. Pours crystal clear golden orange/amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, peach, apricot, mango, melon, lemon/orange zest, light pepper/pine, caramel, lightly toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity hops and moderate dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, peach, apricot, mango, melon, lemon/orange zest, light pepper/pine, caramel, lightly toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Light pine, floral, grassy, spicy bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, peach, apricot, mango, melon, lemon/orange zest, light pepper/pine, caramel, lightly toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity hops and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and zero astringent hop flavors after the finish. Slight dryness from lingering bitterness, lightly increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy, and lightly sticky balanced mouthfeel that is awesome. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 4.25%. Overall this is an awesome session IPA! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity hops and moderate dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and refreshing to drink with the the mildly bitter/drying finish. Tons of juicy hop complexity, and perfectly balanced malts. Very flavorful with a great body/mouthfeel for the low ABV. A highly enjoyable offering.
superspak (10160) reviewed Second To Last Word from Batch Brewing Company 8 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
500 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 4/28/2017. Pours fairly crystal clear medium golden/yellow color with a 1-2 finger dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big tart lemon, lime, orange peel, grapefruit, pear, green apple, coriander, licorice, anise, cinnamon, cardamom, juniper, spruce, lavender, rosemary, peppercorn, wheat, cracker, light honey, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/acidic yeast, citrus fruit/peels, spices, and moderate pale malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big tart lemon, lime, orange peel, grapefruit, pear, green apple, coriander, licorice, anise, cinnamon, cardamom, juniper, spruce, lavender, rosemary, peppercorn, wheat, cracker, light honey, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/lactic tartness and light spice bitterness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart lemon, lime, orange peel, grapefruit, pear, green apple, coriander, licorice, anise, cinnamon, cardamom, juniper, spruce, lavender, rosemary, peppercorn, wheat, cracker, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/acidic yeast, citrus fruit/peels, spices, and moderate pale malt flavors; with a great malt/tart/spiciness balance, and no puckering/astringent flavors after the finish. Light-moderate dryness from tart/spiciness, increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy, fairly acidic, and lightly sticky balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol as expected of 6.5%. Overall this is an awesome fruit/spiced kettle sour. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/acidic yeast, citrus fruit/peels, spices, and moderate pale malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the modestly tart/acidic finish. Huge levels of fragrant spice complexity, but still really well balanced with the base sour and not overwhelming. Really unique and interesting, it grew on me through the glass. Nails the cocktail idea perfectly. A really enjoyable and delicious offering.
superspak (10160) reviewed Handsome Stranger from Batch Brewing Company 8 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
750 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 4/28/2017. Pours fairly crystal clear reddish/pinkish orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big lightly tart cranberry, raspberry, cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, lemon, pear, apple, melon, red grape, peppercorn, light banana/bubblegum, wheat, cracker, biscuit, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast, hibiscus, and bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big lightly tart cranberry, raspberry, cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, lemon, pear, apple, melon, red grape, peppercorn, light banana/bubblegum, wheat, cracker, biscuit, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate yeast spiciness and light tart/tangy hibiscus notes on the finish. Lingering notes of lightly tart berries, cherry, pomegranate, lemon, pear, apple, melon, red grape, peppercorn, wheat, cracker, biscuit, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, hibiscus, and bready malt flavors; with a great malt/spiciness balance, and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light-moderate dryness from yeast spiciness and tart/tangy hibiscus, increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately bready/grainy/sticky, fairly crisp, and slightly tangy/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is great. Zero warming alcohol for 7.8%. Overall this is a great spiced saison! All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/spicy yeast, hibiscus, and bready malt flavors; very smooth, crisp, and quite refreshing to drink for the ABV. Very well balanced between all flavors; but still ending nicely crisp and drying, without being overly sweet on malts. A very enjoyable offering, and great style example.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5
Split a 500ml bottle. Has the body of a beer, but cocktail character dominates--just as the brewer intended. Mildly sour, lemon citrus. I’m not a gin fan but enjoyed what was done with this sour. Not a boozy gin taste, a nice sipper.