Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7
Sampled on draft at 3R6P this beer poured a caramel color with a large foamy white head that faded quickly and left great lacing. The aroma was semi-sweet toasted caramel with faint dark fruits and a light basic lager undertone. The flavor was sweet and tangy cherry cola, toasted caramel, a touch of molasses and light basic lager. Medium finish. Medium body and smooth. Not a beer that really stands out but so pleasantly drinkable that I could finish a growler of it myself.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 4.5
I’m not sure what would qualify this one as a black pils when to me at least it is indistinguishable from a porter. +++ Sampled on draft at 3R6P this beer poured a black color with a medium sized foamy tan head that left no lacing. The aroma was roasty malts, coffee and faint cocoa. The flavor was dryish coffee with a bitter roasty presence and hints of vanilla and wood. The finish was medium length dryish wood, roast and coffee. Eh.
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7
Sampled on draft at 3R6P this beer poured a very dark brown - almost black - with a small beige head that faded quickly and left no lacing. The aroma was sweetish and toasty with a light sour caramel presence and a bit of wood. The flavor was malty and a touch roasty with nutty and woody notes and a bock like sour caramel presence. Fairly long finish dominated by nut and caramel with a touch of cocoa underneath. Fairly full bodied and smooth. Interesting.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
I was really looking forward to this one as the Barley Wine was one of my favorites of his at the Red Star +++ Sampled on draft at 3R6P this beer poured a hazy dark amber color with a medium sized creamy white head that faded quickly and left minimal lacing. The aroma was semi-sweet pine and candied fruits. The flavor was tangy sugar with notes of tropical fruits, pine, faint caramel and touches of pepper and nut. The finish was long and a bit dry with lingering tropical fruits. Medium body. The alcohol was well hidden. Solid but not spectacular.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5
The second beer I have tried now that Jeff has opened his new brewery. This is a bit of an odd one in that the hop presence was really fairly subdued for an IPA and the maltiness was more English in style yet the piney hops were noticeable. This is the kind of beer you could drink all night yet nothing in particular sticks out. +++ Sampled on draft at 3R6P this beer poured a bright caramel color with a medium sized soapy off white head that faded quickly and left minimal lacing. The aroma was faintly piney and vaguely floral with a moderate caramel presence. The flavor was somewhat biter with notes of pine, resin and a touch of lemon and fairly strong toasted caramel. The finish was medium length tangy caramel and pine. Medium body but nicely smooth. Solid.
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
My first beer from Jeff since he started his new brewery and this one was not like any of the old Red Star standards that I recall. +++ Sampled on draft at the brewery this beer poured a dark caramel color with a large foamy orange-beige head that lingered forever and left good lacing. The aroma was cola, faint cherry, dust, light molasses, nut and vague fruity hops. Fairly complex on the nose but not overly strong. The flavor was toasted caramel, nut, wood and light vague fruity hops. The finish was long and dry with nut and wood lingering. Medium body. Decent.