 Derek881 (489), Frederick, Maryland, USA
Aug 18, 2009 Poured from the bottle into a pint glass, a dark black color with a thicker pour. A fairly large, foamy dark tan head developed, but had short retention and not much cling. The aroma was heavy with barley and malt, with tones of molasses, raisin, some chocolate and coffee, and a toasty effect; maybe a bit of earthy hops and a floral presence too. The taste is full and heavy, with a strong and sharply sour barley malt flavor, maybe a bit of grain and raisin too. The beer is syrupy and very thick on the palate, with a wet, extremely-full body, that must be sipped. It was dry at the finish with a noticeable burn of alcohol and a bit of roughness. The beer is quite complex and a lot to take on, but settles after a minute and becomes pretty enjoyable.
caresville (106), Vernon, New Jersey, USA
Aug 17, 2009 i split an 08 with a friend of mine the other night and i was not as impressed as i thought i would be from reviews and word of mouth. it poured absolutely no head and i thought it tasted more like burnt coffee and tree bark than anything else. maybe i got a bad bottle or something...
IvoR (30), New Jersey, USA
Aug 14, 2009 Bottle. Pours dark brown with no head (did I do something wrong, bad bottle?). Smells sour, even unpleasant. I can’t help the smell of vinegar. So far it’s very unappealing. The flavor, though recoups this to some extend. It is indeed very rich and complex. Ignoring the smell it is actually drinkable despite the high alcohol content. I am willing to try this one more time (maybe I just had bad luck with this bottle) and rerate it.
beernbourbon (236), chicago, Illinois, USA
Aug 14, 2009 Bottle. Pour is black with a thin brown head. A little less viscous than expected. Aroma is rich and malty with a coffee and chocolate presence. Alcohol is less detectable than expected. Flavor is black pepper and alcohol up front with roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate later on. Finish is surprisingly creamy and smooth with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, and coffee. As easy drinkin as 18% can be. Pleasantly flavorful as well. Well, now Im drunk (had this side by side with 120 minute).
daleharshman (181), San Diego, California, USA
Aug 13, 2009 2008 release purchased at New Beer Distributors in Manhattan while on a NYC business trip ($8 for 12 ounce bottle). Pours into the small hotel glass very black with a little light shining through around the edges. The small tan head quickly dissipates. Aroma of dark roasted malts, chocolate, and raisins. But surprisingly no hint of alcohol in the nose. Very rich flavor of dark roasted malts, milk chocolate, dark fruits, and a little bit of cough syrup. There is some booze, but considering the 18%, it’s an amazingly well balanced beer. This is the strongest beer I have drunk to date. Glad that I was able to find it in NYC as I have not been able to locate it in California yet.
boomer0813 (53), denton, Texas, USA
Aug 12, 2009 Bottle thanks to ericandersnavy. Poured black with a caramel head. Smell was of caramel, choclate, and coffee. Flavor was of dark roast and choclate. Ok beer. Kind of strong for me.
Swalden28 (1439), McKinney, Texas, USA
Aug 11, 2009 Bottle thanks to ericandersnavy. Pours a very dark brown/black with tan head. Aroma of rubbing alcohol, dark roast, fusel. Flavor is very nice, strong dark roast, alcohol, malty. Mouth feel is heavy body with low carbonation. Overall, very good shit! burnt my nose hairs!
halfonit (423), Fall River, Massachusetts, USA
Aug 9, 2009 Good stuff!! Pours a pure black color. Aroma is of barley, coffee, molasses, and alcohol. Taste is similar to a barley wine with coffee in it. Has a nice bite in the end. This was a pleasure to have.
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