beer ratings: new

“Pours very dark bronze that’s fairly clear with a smallish tan head. The aroma has lots of the bourbon barrel showing though, but it’s not really boozy. There are notes that aroma that are more vanilla, caramel, roasted malt, licorice, some dark fruit (dates/figs), creaminess and a bit of warming alcohol. The body is quite thick with some fairly sharp carbonation. The flavor starts out sweeter and with more of an alcohol presence than the aroma. There is also dark toffee, chocolate, a bit of hoppiness, English barleywine earthiness and some oak showing through. The finish has a slick sweetness that is like a blend of honey and molasses along with alcohol and dark fruit. This is quite good, but looking over the description it looks like the more robust and assertive flavors overpowered the more subdued ones listed.” -- by vyvvy

“12 oz bottle at home. Clear, amber/orange color, about a finger and a half of white head that dissipates in volume quickly, decent lacing. Aroma is citrus hops, lots of grapefruit, some bready malts. The flavor and palate are the highlights here, for Summit anyway. This beer is robustly hoppy but surprisingly well balanced by a sturdy but unimposing malt. Therefore it doesn’t get too crazy on the hop front but is enjoyably bitter. If this were Summit’s standard IPA I’d hold them in higher esteem -- this is a solid direction, and hopefully they reformulate some of their standards based on the success of the Unchained series.” -- by joechristenson

“The label alone sold me, but what really matters is the taste of the beer. The aroma that the beer gives off when being poured is slightly sweet and the color is amber but almost the rust also; one could almost say the color is like dried blood. The taste is earthy and sweet. Definitely needs to be tried at room temperature and iced cold. I will buy one or two more bottles before it is gone for another year. Prost. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone” -- by BeerOtter

“Deep reddish-brown pour, light tan head. Strong tart cherry notes, vinegar/oak funk, nice fruity and yeasty smells. Flavor is sour up front, cherries, oak, red wine vinegar. Tasty and I suspect this will age very well.” -- by daknole

“Bottle:   First thing I noticed after I poured it was the aroma of what I typically make once a month, french toast.   Lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, with some maple syrup.   Hints of cocoa are also present.   Similar tongue, a bit more cocoa and chocolate like malts.   Colorwise its a deep cinnamon, thin white head, nice lacing.   Not too heavy, but it certainly is spicy.   Still cant get over how much this smells like my french toast.   Could use a little more body.   Might make for a good breakfast beer on the weekend.   Ever so slight chili heat on the exit.

” -- by 5000

“Not a bad beverage on a hot summers day. Poor was hazy yellow with a pesistant white head. Wheat and yeasty.” -- by Rangi

“12oz bottle. Golden color, white foam. Aroma of hops, nice citrus, pine; malt character has a good amount of honey and pale malts. Pale malt, tastes of honey. Sharp hop bite makes this beer SOOO DELICIOUS. Finishes with loads of spruce and grapefruit. I could drink this brew all day long! (3346)” -- by unclemattie

“22 oz Bomber-Brownish pour w/good lacing. Bourbon aroma. Flavors of wood chips, Bourbon Barrels, some peat....mostly Bourbon. Solid brew, enjoyable.....not as good as the Cabernet Barrell, but good. Long Finish.” -- by beachbum25

“Pours clear bright yellow with a good vibrant head. Aroma of wheat and yeast. Not the greatest fan of wheat beers I am discovering but this was very drinkable and mild compared to others I have had. ” -- by Rangi

“Ummmmmm. Dirty gold pour with a small white head. Little carbonation with this one. Aroma is dusty yeast, rotting tropical fruit, and a bit of dough. Almost seems like it wants to be a belgian pale, or something like orval, but only sort of. Maybe. I really don’t like the flavor, band-aids are all over this one. Funky oxidation, cat piss, and a bit more band-aids. I feel like this might just be an old bottle.” -- by pepsiedcan

“22 oz. bottle, only reason I bought this was due to the $1.99 sale at Trader Joe’s and the possibility of trying a new IIPA (without checking the rating on here first). Pours a clear coppery orange with a small white head. Aroma is quite vile, like that of a cheap malt liquor - adjuncts, copper / metal, pretty much it. Flavour tastes like the remnants of a shit beer in a can, very metallic, cheap corn-like adjuncts and some sweetness. Whatever this is, certainly not a IIPA - drain pour - awful.” -- by mcberko

“Hand bottle from my main man Dave. Pours a light cloudy yellow, resembles a mimosa or piña colada actually. The nose is perfection, holy shit! Tropical fruit explosion, banana, mango, and pineapple. I’ve never smelt anything like this in my life, sO unique. Flavor continues the epicness of this beer. The fruit just pops so well, it’s a perfect balance of tart and fruit. Puckeringly tart, good carbonation, and a great finish. One of the best beers I’ve ever had, it was such a unique experience. The tropical fruit blast was unlike anything I’ve ever had in a beer. Can’t wait to try more of Wakefield’s stuff.” -- by Dunt

“It’s got the crappy eerie sweetness that a lot of cheap lagers have. Nothing is really good about this. I kinda wish I’d skipped it.” -- by maxwelldeux

“Poured out of 750 mL bottle, thanks Aaron! Dark reddish brown pour with thin off white head, aroma has notes of mineral, some toffee, caramel, hints of biscuit, bread some slight anise, dark fruit notes. Taste is a nice mix of dark fruits, mineral, some slight caramel, touch of cocoa with a touch of anise. Pretty nice, but nothing amazing.” -- by arminjewell

“Deep copper amber in color. Fruity herbal aroma. Some spice, and toasty malt notes. Oddly enough, I get some freshly grilled corn tortillas on the nose as well. Flavor is a touch of sweet spices; cinnamon and clove followed by a dry citrus taste. Overall, it’s a fairly decent brew...” -- by llcooldave