 awaisanen (1143), Irvine, California, USA
Feb 17, 2006 Updated: Feb 18, 2006
Coppery, California Redwood coloring with practically no head at all. Almost could be mistaken for a Belgian Quadruple, but without the trademark yeasty aromas. Smells like delcious smoked salmon, and I’m not saying that to be totally obvious with this impression. The smoked meat aromas have a greasy, fatty quality to them that could not be found in a fish outside of the trout/salmon species. Some red berry aromas lurk beneath the smokiness, but they’re difficult to discern over the smoky dominance. Wow. I’m very impressed by the level of balance between the different flavor elements. Its almost like drinking a smoked brown Belgian Strong Ale. Sweet, vinous qualities. Carbonation is mild and it tastes as though the beer has had ample time to mellow out and leave behind its sticky sweet flavor residues. A bit of a honey smack at the conclusion. I’m very sad to see my glass empty completely and conclude this fine tasting experience.
SoLan (1187), Orlando, Florida, USA
Aug 24, 2008 Courtesy MI2CA. Brown. Small tan head. Nose of an old english barleywine with some smoke. Smells great. Same flavor. Great malt complexity with a healthy dose of smoke. Medium to medium/full body, balanced carbonation. Awesome brew, would have loved to try it fresh.
big_bish (115), USA
Jul 28, 2008 I wasn’t a fan of this beer when I tried it. It was my first smoked beer and it just reminded me of BBQ sauce.
17thfloor (651), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jun 7, 2008 [6 year old bottle, thank you Dukefan! ] I was quite disappointed that they didn’t stamp the batch number on the bottle! Anyways, pours a very murky dark orange/amber with a minimal head. Strong sweet smokey aroma with cherries and hickory bbq. Flavor follows suit, sweet and smokey, big malty rich caramelized applewood & hickory smoked bacon and lots of bitter cherry. Medium mouthful that is lightly syrupy yet still smooth and very palatable. Can we have this again please?
northernbrews (11), Allen Park, Michigan, USA
Jun 6, 2008 Updated: Jun 25, 2008Had this as part of the tasting we had 9/22/07 of Batch 4000 - 8000.
Received this gem from tangfoot. Thanks again Fred.
Appearance: This pour a reddish brown with very little head. There is very little lacing on this, but it looks pretty good based on its age..
Aroma: Starts with some smokey and sweet malts. Kind of reminds me of breakfast sausage with maple syrup. In the background is some dark fruits. As this warms, there is a little sourness, which I enjoy.
Flavor: There is mostly smokey notes in the beginning. When this warms, some of the sweet dark fruit flavors come to play. I wonder what this tasted like fresh.
Palate: The smokey and sweet malt flavors hang around for a while. This is kind of thin, which I expected due to its age. This goes down pretty smooth, especially after it warms for a bit. I could drink a few of these, but I’m glad I’m getting to try any of this at all.
Overall: This is very unique and interesting beer. Can’t think of any others I’ve had like it. I’m curious the age of this one too. This was my least favorite of the Batches 4000 - 8000, but its still pretty damn good and unique. If you see this or can try this, go for it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Thanks again Fred for this rare bottle.
OldGrowth (1269), Cary, North Carolina, USA
Jun 2, 2008 bottle,at Carolina Crew get together, from trade with...walleye I believe, though I may have had two of these at some point. Good aroma, smokey, meaty, cheesy. Clean dark orange color, no head or lace. Bitter smokey flavor, Smoke, peat moss, smoke, bacon. smoke, chocolate, smoke. Lite body, oily mouthfeel, bitter finish. Aroma was bacontastic. flavor was kind of overwhelmingly smokey, but hey it is a smoked beer.
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