Hirsch13 (4), Amelia, Ohio, USA does not count May 7, 2008 THis was a very hard beer to rate, I must admit I was swayed prior to drinking this by the reviews on this site. How could I possibly give this beer a bas review it is in the 100th percentile! So the nose was overwhealming to begin with. THe smell of alcohol is pungent and very "THERE". I must admit I think the sweet not others have mentioned is there, but my nose said alcohol and bitters, with a thick wafting aroma. The palate started with a surprisingly mild front, the middle carried weight on my tounge and a resonance of barley and, as mentioned by others, malt. The back of the palate was WARM but smooth with a dark SLIGHT licorice finish along with the barley. Not my favorite but an EXPERIENCE ALL IN AND OF ITSELF. 8 Dollar bottle from THe Party Source in Newport KY, but spring the money and ride the tiger for this one. You want to say you have had this beer even if it isn’t your favorite. greenleaf (90), Florida, USA May 5, 2008 12 oz bottle. A dark pour with a small head that quickly dissapears. Subtle carbonation gives off sweet malt and some alcohol on the nose. A very, very tasty stout. edden (927), cow- lumbus, Ohio, USA May 4, 2008 4/21/08: Bottle Black body with hints of deep brown toward the top. XXS tan rim of carbonation froth. Malt nose. Rich, sweet malt and alcohol flavor with notes of fig, brown sugar and plum. Long, sweet finish. ccoburn (22), Leawood, Kansas, USA May 1, 2008 I have only tasted this with friends. I agree with others saying this is very syrupy and cola like. I can really relate to this as a High Alcohol Chocolate flavored Cola. Very syrupy, in character, some may dislike for the possible cause of heartburn. I defer, I totally enjoy it as an aperitif. Illini08 (528), Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Apr 24, 2008 Bottle. 2007 Release. Pours black with a brown rim around the edge when held up to a light. 1-finger brown head. Aromas of molasses, raisins and other sun-dried fruits, booze, and a malty sugary sweetness. How are there residual sugars left in a beer that is 18% abv?! Lots of raisin and dried fruit flavors, molasses, roasted malts, alcohol, and a hint of chocolate as it warmed up. General66 tasted this and compared it to tasting like a red wine. A full-bodied sipper for sure. This was very good, but just a tad on the sweet side for me. Definitely interesting and worth trying at least once. imadeadguy (378), back in NJ!, New Jersey, USA Apr 21, 2008 2005 vintage. Pours motor oil black with a thin brown head. Aromas of alcohol, malt, dark fruits, and sweet malt. The flavor is very intense. Plum, malt, molasses, and alcohol are in this one. Really a slow sipper and got much better as it warmed. SuperDave70 (1157), Beautiful Sunny Mesa, Arizona, USA Apr 19, 2008 Pours a dark reddish brown with a thin brown head. Lots of great aromas including raisins, molasses, espresso and vanilla. Definate alcohol as well. The complexity is somewhat lost in the flavor. Too sweet, and the raisins and alcohol overpowered everything else. It was a bit too cold when I first tried it, but letting it come up to room temperature didn’t help much. Perhaps aging would help mellow this beast. Changed (162), Ithaca, New York, USA Apr 18, 2008 Updated: Aug 24, 2008$8.99 for a 12oz bottle. Dated 2007.
Poured extremely dark (maybe a super-dark red?) with a really thin head. Smells like molasses and dark dark fruit (raisin mostly). Described by those around me as tasting "like wine". Incredible smell, palate, color. Just way too strong for my tastes. I struggled to finish 1/2 of the bottle, and in between I ate a small meal to keep from falling over.
Still, worth the $9 to say I’ve tried it.
Upon reflection, this beer deserves a lower rating. If you can’t finish a 12 oz. bottle of beer, somebody has gone overboard. Sure, breaking the mold is nice and all, but 18% is outrageous. Perhaps if this had been aged for four or five years, I could have finished the entire bottle. Sorry, maybe a re-rerate is in order in the future.
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