Craftsman Edgars Ale

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Pasadena, California USA

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

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On tap at Small Bar, San Diego. Rating as a Russian Imperial Stout, not an American Strong Ale. Aroma: Nose is bourbon, oak, vanilla, yeast. Appearance: Black pour, thin tan head, good lace. Taste: Nicely muted bourbon flavor, vanilla, cocoa, a little earthy. Palate: Medium-full, nicely carbonated for the style. Overall: Really good. I was a little leery after catching the bourbon nose, but this was really well crafted, the bourbon nose accentuating the base stout without overwhelming it as many of these do.

Patrick and Mark, thanks again! Who wouldn’t enjoy a Halloween beer branded with the name ’Edgar’ after Edgar Allen Poe! This was a dark mahogany, bordering onyx brew with a sizable latte colored head. Ominous to say the least. The aroma showed rich Godiva chocolate, freshly brewed Starbucks, light char, brown sugar, tobacco, and leather. Flavor is intense with Hershey’s syrup, molasses, burnt caramel, vanilla, and even a little wood. Don’t think this one is barrel-aged but definitely exhibits some of it’s finer qualities. Nice velvety texture...creamy and luxurious. This is an amazing beer that I so wish was distributed in AZ!

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Pours black but not completely opaque. Head is dense and tan, with some lacing. Aroma is clearly dark chocolate with some raw coffee and a hint of dark fruits. Taste starts with dark chocolate with a slightly boozy cherry note, then finishes with coffee grounds. A little thin in body, but the carbonation and smoothness are top notch. Extremely drinkable beer.

ON tap at Lucky Baldwins. Dark brown with a creamy head. Chocolate and roasty aroma and a smooth chocolate taste. Quite good.

UPDATED: MAR 14, 2008 It’s good. On tap at Pure Luck in Hollywood - this proximity to the brewery in Pasadena may account for the clarity and purity of the taste. A very soft, round dark ale which I place somewhere between a sweet stout and a Belgian quad. No dryness here, just sweet chocolate, dark fruit like date and overripe plum.

On draft at Beachwood BBQ. This is a nice looking pour: walnut brown with a 1’’ dirty white head. The flavor is dry with some chocolate notes and it has a nice roasty aroma. Very tasty.

Tap @ O’Brien’s. Dark brown with a small beige ring. Dark fruits, oak and bourbon on the nose. Same on the flavor with an extra hint of vanilla, very smooth and creamy on the palate.

Black color with tan head. Dark fruit, dark chocolate, tobacco aromas. Rich, smooth mouthfeel. Dark fruit, dark chocolate, honey, deep roasty malt flavors--very good.

On tap at Stone Bistro. Pours black with a one-finger tan head and good lacing. Aroma is very nice and roasty with coffee and chocolate. Flavor is roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, slight anise, vanilla, and a touch of dark fruit. I would put this in the porter category. Palate is medium-light and carbonation is medium. Very good overall.

On cask at Stone Brewing. Aroma: chocolate, roasted nuts and slight alcohol. Pours dark, dark brown (almost black) with full tan head. Flavor: begins with sweet chocolate and roasted malt. The middle is like sweet, subtle plums. Finishes with a dry smokey throat with a slight alcohol burn which moves up into the sinus. Medium to heavy body. Ok lacing. Drinkability is high, very easy to drink. Like a less potent and smoother Imperial Stout with a dry finish. Really nice!