3.1 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 11/20
Sampled on draft at Smokin’ Joe’s this beer poured a dark caramel color with a medium sized creamy beige head that lingered and produced great lacing. The aroma was very faint sweet cherries, pear, caramel and alcohol. The flavor was tangy with light candied fruit, sugar, nut and alcohol. The finish was long, nutty, fruity and had lingering sugar and alcohol. Thick and syrupy body. The booziness really detracts. Ok.
3.3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20
Enjoyed on tap at the brew-pub in a tulip glass. The beer pours a semi-opaque deep brown color, with a small light tannish head. The nose is malt-centric, but a touch on the muddy side, with no specific malt varietal or particular aroma coming through. Just sort of a vague high crystal malt sweetness. The palate is surprisingly restrained, especially given the beer’s relatively high alcohol content. Again, crystal malt sweetness comes through, but is vague and doesn’t really serve to lend much to the overall character of the beer. A semi-harsh hop bitterness comes in toward the end of the palate, balancing the sweetness. English-style yeast esters also come, perhaps indicating the use of WLP002. The finish is slightly fruity, and leaves an additional note of high crystal malt and a slight chocolate note. Overall, an interesting concept, but seemingly only 3/4 executed.
3.3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20
On cask at Church. Clear red pour with a fluffy tan head. Aroma is grainy malt with sweet candied fruit and a touch of hop. Flavor is citrusy up front, then moving to candied fruit sweetness before an earthy hop finish.
3.8 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
This is a very sweet, malty beer with molasses flavors and a thick body. Had this draught as part of the sampler, and was our second favorite at the Churchworks.
1.5 AROMA 1/10 APPEARANCE 2/5 TASTE 3/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 7/20
Draught at BrewPub: No aroma at all. Poured copper/orange in color with no head. Clear. Not sparkling. Flavor is medium sweet. Tastes of malts, light hops, and a hint of strawberry. Light body. Thin, dry texture. Soft carbonation. Sweet malt and hop finish.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
8/25/2009: Church Brew Imperial Irish Red Ale... Aroma: Extremely malty aroma, but not much else, tons of caramelized sugars; Wow... Appearance: Deep amber red color. Flavor: Slightly syrupy; malty and sweet; sot fruits and caramelized sugar; hints of almond; very mild bitterness. Palate: Medium-full; smooth, soft and mellow mouthfeel. Overall: This is a malt-bomb that is totally unbalanced, yet somehow quite enjoyable!
Draught at Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh, PA. Rating #1 for this beer.
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