4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 18/20 lachrymalisis (189) - Pennsylvania, USA - SEP 21, 2011
Served in a pint glass, with a light two finger head and truly beautiful dark copper/amber color with real clarity and purity; dark red-orange and maroon tones as well. The head was white with little caviar bubbles holding their individual shape very well. The head dissipated by the 3rd sip, spotted the top, and then faded to uniform clarity leaving a smatterings of foam sticking to the sides.
Complex aromatics hit with sweet floral freshness. Lack of hops was a welcomed absence. Earthy, sweet, herbal, slight smoke, and wheat spice dominate. Buttery notes and an undefinable sweetness reminiscent of orange blossoms or honeysuckle (not that pungent though). I definitely get a subtle undertone of that tea aroma. Very complex beer already.
The taste is the most balanced and interesting layering that I’ve ever had. The flavors are almost autonomous of one another. Buttery caramel malt flavors with an herbal freshness that is so refreshing and mouth watering I really can’t convey it with words. There’s subtle smokiness hiding under the well blended honey-floral sides and the exhale is sweet and fig-like, but a mossy/musty tang creates saliva under the tongue in huge amounts—the most mouth watering beer I’ve ever had. Perfect amount of carbonation, smooth finish—medium and round, not too dry or too thick—it was just unctuous, man.
3 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20 Slipstream (1552) - USA - MAY 22, 2011
On tap at EBB. Contains lapsing and mugwort - wow! Herbal, licoricey flavor, with malt, brown, sugar, and a bit of soy and sassafrass. I can see why it is called Leaf Gruit (not just Leaf).
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20 adrian910ss (2153) - philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - MAY 6, 2011
On draft at the brewpub. Pours a clear coppery amber with a medium sized light cream colored head. Aroma of nuts, light malt and toffee. Taste is much the same as the aroma.
3.2 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20 MrChopin (2213) - Baltimore, Maryland, USA - APR 22, 2011
translucent Indian red color, white ring for a head. Nose of earth, manure, bubble gum, bit over-yeasty. Flavor shows heavy peppered yeast, light chocolate similar to bam noire. More sweet, jammy through finish, bit of paper and rubber cement in finish. Tea with considerable warmth.
3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20 TomDecapolis (4007) - Skippack, Pennsylvania, USA - APR 1, 2011
Tap at Earth. Pours a lightly hazy golden amber with a smaller bubbly off white head. Aroma of light smoke, herbal notes and tea. Flavor of smoke, tea, interesting herbal notes. Even more interesting how the smoke notes are there. Honey too.
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