Hopfenstark Kamarad Friedrich - 5 Star Edition (Oak Aged)

There is no mistaking the barrel-aging in the aroma. Very strong woody and vanilla character over bittersweet charcoal and ashy dark malts. Darkest brown body with ruby highlights is topped by a decent tan-brown head that recedes to a partial cover. Flavour is super-sweet and chocolatey with occasional notes of alcohol. Nutty with plenty of vinous fruitiness in the aftertaste. Dark malt bitterness is present but not nearly strong enough to keep the sweetness from becoming cloying. Notes of soy sauce offer counterpoint. Full body with fairly strong carbonation that prickles the tongue and cheeks. Tulip glass. Cellar temperature. Bottle purchased at the brewery in Jul-08.

At the pub. One sniff and you’ll smudge your nose with oily charcoal. Minimal head. Black wine and charcoal oil.

Bottled. A black beer with a red shine under a lazing brown head. The aroma is sweet malty with notes of butter, roasted malt, and soy sauce. The flavor is sweet malty with an acidic edge and notes of alcohol, roasted malt, and metal as well as light notes of wood. It shows some signs of oxidation. Thanks Shaun for sharing.

Deep black in colour with a thin but lingering tan coloured head, light lacing. The aroma is of oak and bourbon, some light alcohol and burnt malts, smoke, dark chocolate. The flavour is quite creamy and smooth considering that this has been barrel aged, almost not alcohol, lots of roast, pretty good balance, lightly sweet with some dark chocolate. Lightly warming mouthfeel, medium body, medium carbonation. Finishes with a long burnt roast with just a hint of bourbon.

This was always full of flavour but never overpowering. Testament to the brewers for being able to hide the alcohol so well.

Draught at Mondial 2008, Montreal, Quebec.
Sampled on May 29, 2008.

Thick, oily and inky, with only a hint of brown. Rich, molassesy aroma wth hints of fruits and light nuts. Boozy towards the end, but still rich and oily. Fun stuff.

Bottle at Volo. Dark, opaque tar-black with no head. Alcohol detectable in nose. Smooth but strong. Low carbonation. Silky mouthfeel. Lots of licorice, chocolate. Very nice.

A deep dark stout with a thick dark brown head, lacing and onctuous. A musty vinous chocolate aroma with dark fruits, light soy sauce notes and molasses in aroma. In mouth, a sultry bitter chocolate with warming alcohol, light vanilla and flral hops. Like a good belgian dark chocolate. Rich and onctuous. Bottle from the brewery, March 2008. Sampled august 16, 2008.

The pour reveals a black color with brown highlights. Interesting aroma of oak, chocolate and roasted malt. Very good flavor of oak, chocolate and roasted malt, it’s dry all along and bitter in the end. The body is medium with a liquorous, creamy texture and moderate carbonation. It’s nicely balanced and very well done.