 Brigadier (900), Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA
Mar 17, 2008
Cleveland tasting
One of these was popped open at Mike’s apartment. I wish I would have tried the Xtra Gold later on; this one was way out of balance overall. The brandy aspect totally dominated things to the point where it was hard to pick up on the base beer beneath. While not bad it either needs age to calm down or more time in the barrel.
Aroma / Appearance - The cloudy golden body swirled lightly around the glass releasing wood, apple and pears. The alcohol was strong even from a distance. It could have been a bit more cohesive but overall it was very solid.
Flavor / Palate - The booziness dominates things from the start. After a while one can pick up on the apple which stands out most in the finish. The hotness tickles the throat making this one a great way to get a buzz quickly. If it were a little more balanced I would like it more. As it stands it is too boozy to finish off more than ten ounces in a sitting.
JB175 (1356), Holland, Pennsylvania, USA
Sep 26, 2008 First had this one on its release date at the brewery and it was quite hot - lets see what some time has done. Golden color with a larger, but diminishing white head. Aroma is pure xtra gold with a good deal of wood and slight booze influence. Flavor has some nice apple and sugar with a hefty dose of wood and vanilla. Smooth on the palate. I probably would still take the xtra gold over this, but I like it now and see it getting better over the next year or so. Unique and tasty!
bu11zeye (3777), Frisco, Texas, USA
Aug 25, 2008 (750ml bottle) Pours a hazy orange body with a small white head. Aroma of apple, brandy, wood, and caramel. Flavor of caramel malt, apple, brandy, yeast, and alcohol (a bit hot).
Davecooks (1150), Bay Area, California, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Bottled. Pours copper colored with a diminishing white head and active carbonation. Sweet, candy-like aroma with lots of brandy and some biscuit notes. Hoppy. Sweet and very hot. It feels like a shot going down. Brandy is very strong in the flavor. Bready with some fruit notes. This is a big beer. It’s good but I’d really have to be in the mood for it. A sipper to be sure. Lingering alcohol and brandy taste. I wish I would have aged this for a while.
travita (762), Lewisville, Texas, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Clear in look and golden in color with a white head. Smell is of apple, brandy, sweet, alcohol, and fruits. Taste has plenty of alcohol, fruits, malt, and yeast. Pretty good.
Vac (2253), San Diego, California, USA
Aug 7, 2008 Bottle sampled at RBSG ’08. Pours with a golden body topped by a thick hean with some lacing. It’s slightly sweet yet biter with heavy oak notes and a touch of apple as well as lots of alcohol esters. Full bodied and warming.
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