 TAR (1996), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
May 13, 2008 Updated: May 14, 2008
Batch 1. Borderline-opaque bronze. Thick collar of beige froth surrounds a scattered center. Seductively complex notes of nougat, tobacco, port wine, nutty malt, vanilla, butter toffee and cocoa invade the olfactory senses. Hint of cherries, juniper, medicine and zingy yet remarkably well-cloaked alcohol. Softly carbonated, but fairly fuzzy on the palate. Initially airy yet supple, rich and malty with an extravagant undertow of bright, soft, resinous wood which seamlessly melds with the lush, hearty, and deeply layered toffee-drenched malt core. Tannins are entirely nonexistent. Black malt poignantly bristles as it contributes a hint of burnt cookies and creamed java to the bouncy, pillow-soft malt base which beautifully offsets the brisk, lightly metallic char bite. Clean alcohol is felt in the gullet and perfectly tempers the sweetness, but never tarnishes the array of subtleties. Firm black malt acidity echoes the tangy raisin, cherry and prunelike fruitiness while clingy dabs of port wine and molasses continue with a weightier pull to support the sharper, more-defined malt (Crystal?) tones. Finishes with an artful balance of bright wood, succulent tobacco, tingly char and a faint plum and cherry fruitiness which lingers. I pretty much lost hope for this brewery as it seems it’s been a number of years since they’ve produced a great batch of beer. I’ve gotta say that this beer has rekindled my excitement. Intricately layered malt mammoths such as this are always a treat. Absolutely well done!
rthbass (19), Vancouver, Washington, USA
Sep 4, 2008 In the bottle from By the Bottle in Vancouver, WA.
Pours black. No light getting through whatsoever. Tight medium brown head. Aroma is sweet with a tootsie roll note as well as coffee and vanilla. As it opens up, you can definitely smell and taste the oak; sort of like a barleywine. Very sweet but almost medicinal. Hops are very present despite the strong malt backbone at 12%; though the alcohol is really kept in check. Thick mouthfeel and a medium-long finish. Surprisingly, it’s not the dark malts that are staying with me but the hops. Very interesting and very drinkable. I’m sure a couple months of aging wouldn’t hurt either.
v8powered (14), , Nevada, USA
Sep 3, 2008 Very dark pour with brown head. Tight bubbles. Tastes like oak, chocolate, coffee, vanilla beans, and a slight hint of banana. Slight bitterness on the end of the tongue. Bitterness dissipates as it warms up. Very nice beer!!
unrulythings (69), Portland, Oregon, USA
Sep 2, 2008 pours a thick black color with an average sized tan head. aroma is sweet, of dark cherries, coffee, caramel, and chocolate. flavor is intense, with a mixture of vanilla bean, caramel, toffee, and a bit of smoke. alcohol is well hidden in this brew but also quite balanced.
ProfessorFrink (1), , North Carolina, USA
does not count  Sep 2, 2008 Thick pour with quickly diminishing brown head. Complex malty aroma, notes of banana. Moderate alcohol flavor. Sweet flavor with tastes of light smoke, vanilla. Thick mouthfeel with long finish. Very good beer.
phishpond417 (1418), Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Sep 2, 2008 Pours a thick dark black colour with a little brown head. Aroma os bananna, smoke, coffee and wood. Mouthfeel is rich, thick and creamy with flavors of oak, chocolate and coffee grounds. Sweet but not overly rich flavors throughout the beer. Finish long and lingering, taste definately stays with you for a while.
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