8.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
I was fortunate to get to sample this today at the founders party. Pours a solid dark brown with a decent fluffy tan head that displays moderate retention. Huge chocolate aromas waft out of my glass long before I put my nose over it. Caramel and brown sugars are in there as well. A vinous aroma as well as sweet grape and tannin open up as my sample warms. My glass was very cold and at first I thought I was drinking the regular version. Taste is incredibly chocolatey with some dark sugars and fruits, slight hints of oak and yeast esters especially as she warms. Medium to thick body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet slick oily mouthfeel. Another great brew. I’m glad the carbonation is lower on this version as the bottle seemed a bit too spirited. The barrel treatment is subtle but adds some wonderful complexity to a great brew. Recommended!
Tried
from Bottle
on 03 Dec 2011
at 17:16
8.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
I got the opportunity to try this at the brewery today at the founders party. Pours a solid dark brown with barely any head that never really disappears. Smells like an aged German dopplebock at first. Lots of dark and burnt sugars, melanoid, dark dried fruits like prunes and raisins with a touch of alcohol. Taste is sweet with lots of burnt sugars, caramel and dark dried fruits. A bit of warming alcohol reminds you this is a serious beer, but never gets harsh. Medium to thick body, light level of carbonation with a sweet sticky mouthfeel. Wow this stuff is great. 18 % and it drinks like its 8. I can’t wait to get a few bottles of this when it gets released.
Tried
from Can
on 03 Dec 2011
at 16:51
8.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
I got the pleasure of trying this today at the brewery. Pours a slightly cloudy deep straw color with a thinnish white head that shows remarkable retention and moderate lace. Smells of apples, pears, grape tannin, hints of oak and vanilla with a slight bit of Belgian yeast esters. Taste is sweet and fruity with that yeasty funk in the background. Lots of the same fruit flavors from the aroma. Hints of oak and a bit of wine tannin add lots of complexity to this version. Medium body with a spirited level of carbonation and a sweet bubbly mouthfeel. I thought this version was fantastic.
Tried
on 03 Dec 2011
at 16:44
8.1/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Pours the darkest of browns with very faint brown highlights when held to light, a spirited level of carbonation produces a head that fills half the glass no matter how it is poured. Smells of caramel, brown sugar, roasted grains, burnt sugar, dark fruits, yeasty phenols, there’s a lot going on here and so far its all good. Taste is dark malts, chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, raisins, prunes, plums. This is very complex lots of stuff going on here. Medium to thick body, quite a bit of carbonation, maybe too much, sweet saison-esque mouthfeel. I really enjoyed this beer. The carbonation might be a touch on the high side, but the flavors and aromas are fantastic. I would say this is more of a Belgian strong dark than a stout, but when a beer is done this well who needs labels really?
Tried
on 26 Nov 2011
at 17:06
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Pours deep amber into a tulip. White head with excellent retention recedes leaving spot lacing to coat surface. Yeast and sour oak aromas. Crisp with sweet yeast and sour oak and a tart, lasting woody grape finish.
Tried
on 14 Nov 2011
at 15:34
6.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Pours black into a tulip. Mocha head with excellent retention pancakes as it recedes leaving chunky lacing. Sweet toasted nuts and chocolate aromas. Dry and sweet with tootsie roll and milk chocolate upfront turning to sour resin in the lasting finish.
Tried
on 31 Oct 2011
at 14:40
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Batch 1 I’ve stored this upright in the fridge for at least two weeks and this still pours a cloudy deep golden color with a huge fluffy white head that takes forever to recede but leaves lots of sticky lace on the glass. Smells of pears and pepper right off the bat. Hints of apple, sweet honey malt, and candied sugar. Taste is lightly sweet and malty. The flavor holds some nice fruitiness and a bit of pepper, pomme fruits and light esters. Spirited level of carbonation, light but bubbly mouthfeel, Medium to light body. Great tasting flavorful beer. Maybe a touch sweet for the style, but it really works for me.
Tried
from Can
on 29 Oct 2011
at 19:01
6.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Pours gold into a tulip. Off-white head with excellent retention craters as it recedes leaving spot lacing. Sour summer fruit aromas. Dry with creamy caramel upfront turning to sour fruit in the lasting finish.
Tried
on 09 Sep 2011
at 16:23