notalush Profile

Bottle from the brewery - I am actually shocked I have never rated this - Dark ruby, nearly black - deeply oaky nose, with notes of black cherry, deep red wine tannins, chocolate, balsamic vinegar - lightly sweet cherry undercurrents in the flavor, but it is mostly dry, highly okay, and moderately to highly acidic - Malbec, acetic acid, bitter chocolate, tart cherry - deeply dry and oaky finish - I agree with a previous rater that this is giving Flemish red vibes, but amped up in the abv and malt presence - surprisingly, the higher malt bill gives less sweetness than expected, but a notable heft to the beer - it’s good.

Tried from Bottle on 15 Jun 2025 at 22:37

notalush (7362) reviewed

Orange Chocolate from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

11 months ago

7.5/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7.5 Texture 8 Overall 7.5

Pint at the brewery - black pour - presents more like a traditional Porter than a Baltic one - dry, earthy maltiness - notes of espresso and orange, light dry cocoa - light chocolate sweetness through the middle before a very dry and lightly tart finish - tartness is a little on the high side, but it is quite good, actually.

Tried from Draft at Crooked Stave Brewery and Barrel Cellar on 15 Jun 2025 at 21:15

notalush (7362) reviewed

Celestial Death from River North Brewery

11 months ago

6.3/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 7 Overall 6

Bottle - dark ruby, nearly black - nose is mostly chocolate, smelling a bit like fudge - flavors is similar - a lot of bittersweet chocolate - does not taste like a barleywine at all - one might be forgiven for mistaking this for a stout - the finish has just a hint of dark fruit and treacle that suggests there may be a barleywine hiding under all of this chocolate - maybe if the chocolate character was different I’d like it more, but there is a distinct Hersey’s syrup vibe throughout - meh.

Tried from Bottle from Mr. B's Wine & Spirits at Stanley Marketplace on 07 Jun 2025 at 03:20

notalush (7362) reviewed

Decennial VII: Trinity of Time from River North Brewery

11 months ago

8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8

375ml bottle picked up from the brewery and shared - clear dark ruby a starts with a slight lace that completely dissipates quickly - quite melllow and balanced for the strength (though very warming in the finish) - very British in expression, with earthy malts, treacle, caramelized sugars, dark fruit, brined cherry - finish is long and warming, with lingering dark fruit is bread pudding - they usually don’t do great with this style, but this is an exception.

Tried from Bottle at River North Brewery on 25 May 2025 at 23:25

notalush added a new beer Decennial VII: Trinity of Time by River North Brewery
11 months ago

notalush (7362) reviewed

Spon III from Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

11 months ago

8.3/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8.5 Texture 8 Overall 8.5

Draft at the taproom - lightly hazy straw with lively carbonation and a thick lace - nose is musky brett, oak, white peach, grape, rustic barnyard notes - flavor is quenchingly acidic but not puckering sourness - lightly briny up front, followed by moderate funk, deep oakiness, white grape - very complex bugginess, and a wonderfully balanced acidity - deep, long, drying oak in the finish - I really like this.

Tried from Draft on 25 May 2025 at 21:35

notalush added a new beer Spon III by Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
11 months ago

notalush (7362) reviewed

Barrel Reserve 2025 from River North Brewery

11 months ago

7.8/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 7 Overall 8

4 ounce at the Washington Street location - dark purple, pours looking still - nose is fig, coconut, treacle, tamarind, port wine - feels flat in the mouth - strong fig and tamarind, and the back end tastes like tawny port - like, so much that if I went in blind I might mistake it for port, especially with it’s lack of carbonation - now, I like port, so I suppose that isn’t a problem - lots of plum sweetness on the back end, some dark chocolate and oak - very warming alcohol, but not boozy - quite a dessert sipper here - it’s growing on me - okay, I dig it.

Tried from Draft at River North Brewery on 25 May 2025 at 20:54

notalush added a new beer Barrel Reserve 2025 by River North Brewery
11 months ago

notalush (7362) reviewed

Release the Hounds - Syrah Barrel from Bull & Bush Brewery

11 months ago

8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8

2020 vintage - 500ml bottle for 11 bucks at the brewery - yes, please - clear dark amber - the dry hopping on this is still surprisingly apparent, but has mellowed enough for the caramelized maltiness to shine - notes of plum, date, sherry - light oxidation and and very mild funkiness to it - the barrel is really understated, but there is an oaky tannic character that is just beneath the surface throughout - alcohol is not apparent at all - creamy texture, full body - I'm not really a fan of the base beer, especially when fresh, but the age and barrel treatment have made this quite nice - I appreciate that it does not bludgeon you over the head and is not a syrupy sugar bomb.

Tried at Bull & Bush Brewery on 22 May 2025 at 21:01