 StewardofGondor (1934), Washington Heights - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Jan 19, 2008
Hazed, with a caramel sapphire color and a mossy tan growth on top for the head. Aroma lights up the room with prunes basking in caramel, rhubarb and bing cherries in brandy. A trace of pistachios impart a sweetened nut-like tune. Red currant and jojoba on rye keep the complexity of the nose going full force. Enormous full flavor takes its cues from the nose. Honeyed almonds get coated in rye flakes and dropped into a luxurious caramelized plum sauce. Chewy, wholesome mouthfeel with the best balanced carbonation equation known to man. Apple brandy joins a pistachio and honey graham composure for this earthen, nutty sweetness that can’t be trumped. Rustic rhubarb with bing cherry caramel glaze coats the now sugary sealed edge for harmonic combinations in the mouth. Balanced finish with hazelnuts, caramel vats and rye flakes leave the sensory organs in awe. An amazing feat for an ale. Huge thanks to tpkenned for the bottle!
durhambeer (378), Durham, North Carolina, USA
Aug 20, 2008 Bottle from a trade with Rallison. Managed to sit on this for six whole months before breaking it out, looking at it longingly at each visit down to the cellar, sometimes rubbing it when it looked lonely or sad. Worth the wait. Dark red-tinted brown with big electric light yellow head. Truly beautiful, and amazing carbonation for a two-year old bottle. Big boozy malty aroma with some lovely hop spice as well. Looks and smells thick. Lovely strong notes of butterscotch, toffee, and caramel as well as light citrus hops throughout. A wonderfully balanced and very big beer. Loved it.
emacgee (1010), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Shared by Bob (durhambeer), thanks bud. Pours a bright ruby brown with no haze. Very creamy yellow head. Still has an impressive carbonation for two years old. The nose is very malty upfront, raisins, sweet, caramel, earthy, light alcohol, you can smell the remnants of a nice citrusy hop presence as well. The flavor is very similar, big malt, raisins, caramel, earthy chewy malt, light grapefruit peel waxyness, light alcohol. The carbonation is very nice and creates a balanced mouthfeel, not nearly as thick as I had expected given the alcohol. Guuuureat.
Glouglouburp (1915), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Aug 18, 2008 In short: A rich heavy beer with well integrated earth/wood flavours. Decadent and excellent
How: Bottle shared by dmac at pre-Cuvée de Castleton Release 2008. Vintage, consumed when about 1.5 year old. You’re my man Dave!
The look: Cloudy brown body topped by a tan ring of foam
In long: Nose is woody, horse blanket, barley-wine-ish. That thing smells both big and countryside. As expected the body is extra-decadent. I’m talking rich fattening brownies wrapped in caramel, pancakes with brown sugar, tree roots and other earthy woody notes. Still quite a bit of hop bite despite the age. A little sticky. To me it’s the mix of heavy (very heavy) body and earthy/woody flavours that make that beer a winner. My 2006 Decadence experience is something I won’t soon forget. Oh, and this beer was great too.
vyvvy (1607), Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
Aug 14, 2008 I’m really stunned to see recent rating so high as the bottle I shared with terminus was far aging well. It poured very dark with a reddish tint and a dense tan head. The aroma had lots of caramel, sourdough and toffee ~ it is very thick and rich and comes off as generic aged and oxidized american strong ale. The body is very slick and thick with gentle carbonation. The flavor stars with very rich and sweet caramel, toffee and a ton of oxidation. The finish adds a bit of spice. This is very mediocre and a nondescript. This is a case where mine didn’t age well (in a controlled environment), others have better bottles or most raters don’t want to give alesmith a bad rating. I love the brewery, but this didn’t age for crap.
sleestak (60), Williamston, Michigan, USA
Aug 11, 2008 Sample generously shared by masonjer. Poured a deep brownish red with a small tan head that was not long for the glass. Aroma was very pronounced caramel malt with very little in the way of hops. Taste was toffee - sweet, but not cloying - and oak. Just a hint of citrus and alcohol burn in the finish. Very rich body, but still very drinkable. Thanks to Jeremy for sharing!
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