 BeerBelcher (694), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
May 1, 2008
I can’t believe I haven’t rated this beer (until now)! I’ve put down quite a few bitter and high-ABV beers in my time on earth (and hope to have many more in my remaining time!), yet I still find this beer a bit difficult to drink. It is a substantial beer, and while I like the strong hop bitterness, there is a robust maltiness that when combined with the hoppiness feels like a punch in the mouth to me. I might have enjoyed it more if I had not been having it with food, and if it were my first beer of the evening rather than my 3rd and final one. Appearance is surprisingly red and head is sturdy. Aroma is serious hoppiness (with some nice fruity under-tones) and a substantial maltiness that comes across as to me as metallic, caramel-y, and bitter in a non-hoppy way.
I had this on-tap at the Houston Flying Saucer Draught House and Emporium.
bdigi66 (396), Ft Wayne, Indiana, USA
Jul 4, 2008 Bottle: I’m still trying to figure out why I’ve never rated this...oh well. Pours a dark amber with a sizeable tan head. Aroma hits immediately upon pouring with a massive pine and dark malt base, some notes of caramel and light floral hops accentuate it. Malt dominant in flavor, some floral and piney hops absolutely kill on the finish. Very good, solid brew that I can fall back on anytime.
durhambeer (290), Durham, North Carolina, USA
Jul 3, 2008 Bottle, thanks to emagee and South Bay. Deep amber/ruby pour with a tan head. Nice lacing. Battle of hops and malt on the nose and tongue, with both sides bringing out their big guns. Some may feel caught in the crossfire. Tons of malty caramel and citrus/resiny hops. Some notes of wood, butterscotch, toffee, biscuit/cookie. Ends with crisp hop bitterness. Despite the bottle’s challenge to make me feel man enough to like this beer, it really is over the top. Seems more like a Scotch ale than an American strong to me. Pretty good, but definitely not subtle. The Oaked Arrogant Bastard is far better.
SETANTA (552), Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
Jul 2, 2008 Pours a beautiful red color with a nice light tan head. Mild hoppy aroma. Strong grapefruit hoppy flavor dominates from the beginning. Very bitter. Malt detectable underneath hops. Finishes bitter also
MartiniFiend (44), Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, USA
Jul 2, 2008 Bottle. Pours dark amber wiht a nice head. Heavy malt aroma. Thick and creamy to the palate. Flavor has a sweet start malt middle and a bitter chocolate finish. $15.00 a six pack...good luck with that.
Alldaydrinker (443), Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
Jul 1, 2008 Draught. Pours a hazy ruby brown color with a small creamy off white head. Nose is fruits, caramel and medium background hops. Initial taste is malty, red berries, caramel and nuts. Mid palate to finish displays an earthy hoppiness that balances the brew well. The flavors are still on the mild side. Palate duration is good, the hop bittterness is one of the highlights of the brew. Good head retention and spot lacing of the glass. Light to medium body. Very drinkable brew.
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