DocLock (4047), Lower Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, USA Aug 23, 2007 Bottle from Capone’s. The pour was deep brownsih ruby with 2-fingers of khaki head that stayed around for a long time and reappeared with each repour (and it took me 3 or 4 repours to get through this due to the lively head retention), forming odd head shapes and leaving a solid amount of lacing for such a massive brew. The aroma was intense, initially very Dreadnaughty, with tons of caramel malt, hops, tropical fruit, figgy fruit, raisins, berries, and slight funky and spicy notes. As it warmed, the aroma subdued on the hops and acquired a greater malt presence, showing scotch aley wafts of aroma, with the figgy fruit and berries emerging as the hops took a back seat. The flavors were caramel malt up front, with a solid hop bill that paired well with the massive malt bill. As it warmed, I also noted brown sugary figgy fruit and black raspberry, followed by the hops hitting your throat like a ton of bricks, leading to a scotchy malty finish that never lost the tropical and figgy fruit flavor. The palate was very complex, very hefty, with equally massive parts of hops, malt, and fruitiness, and the malt and hops were perfectly in balance throughout. At 13% ABV, this beer is gigantic, but I never tasted any alcohol burn at all, and I sat with this one over an hour on my porch while savoring a Rocky Patel vintage 1990 cigar. I love this beer. This is another great brew from Founders, and a great way to brew a beer for your 10th anniversary. bdigi66 (408), Ft Wayne, Indiana, USA Aug 29, 2007 Draft at the brewery: Pours a deep burgundy color with a shimmering white, fog-like head that just drifted around the halo. Big mixed berry, apple, light malt, candied sugar nose on this BAMF. The taste of this was phenomenal. Very silky, vinous taste with some lovely maltiness, caramel, and a floral hop finish. Alcohol was very well hidden and I believe Founders has made their finest brew in Deca. Simply amazing. brewblackhole (1221), Muskego, Wisconsin, USA Jul 22, 2007 Fresh,tantalizing malts erupt from the glass,molasses, raisins,and other dark fruits hinted at, followed by soothing alcohol,a wonderful sniffer.Looks dark,murky and dangerous. Wow, hugely malty,carmelly, toffee,honey, and touches of raisin tang, the alcohol is evident,but remarkably subtle, smooth,creamy, slightly sweet finish, its a mouthful alright,as big a carmellytoffee taste as I’ve ever experienced. Hmm,by the third sip my ears are starting to ring,looks like I’ll be going to my happy place,one of the best12+ABV’s I’ve ever had Viking_Hammer (287), Lynnfield, Massachusetts, USA Aug 3, 2007 Pours a murky brown with a thin light brown head. Roasted malt aroma. Roasted malt at first that ends with some spices, chocolate and caramel. Alcohol is not apparent at all. Nice Velvety mouth feel. Very nice beer. jimbowood (707), Athens, Georgia, USA Jul 28, 2007 Bottle pours brownish-amber. Small, white head w/ no retention. Style more like a English Strong Ale than a spiced brew. Nonetheless, this is very good. Smooth, dry finish, no hops, ans alcohol is nonexistant. Sweet and malty. Very good.
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