pizzabeer (6), USA does not count Apr 4, 2008 Unbelievable. I was scared at the thought of something 13% as many beers this high tend to have fuesels & lean toward the alcohol or are too sweet. The balance of this beer should make one scared as the taste is so damn good and I cannot tell with the exception of the aftertaste that it is as big as it is. Rich malt gives a very caramel/breaddy undertone and the hops just explode on the pallet. Would never guess 200IBU. This brewery should be given the brewery of the year for this beer alone! OldMrCrow (1179), Seattle, Washington, USA Mar 31, 2008 Bottle.
I confess that I’m not usually looking for a 13% IIPA, but cracking this one open tonight I was really quite pleased. Rich amber pour, not much head of course, big caramel and oxidizing-hops aroma, the latter not so far gone as to be unpleasant. More barleywine-like than IIPA. The flavor is similar, but even better. Massive rich caramels are set off beautifully by the huge doses of hops that this one brings to my glass; sweetness slightly winning out over the hops. Very smooth, considering, very drinkable. Obviously big enough to make its ABV known, but not boozy or particularly hot, especially considering the ABV.
Nice beer. Wouldn’t a be regular sipper for me even if I could get it locally, but for the style (which I do really like) it’s quite nice. hopslovin (180), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Mar 29, 2008 12 oz. bottle. Deep ruby/amber pour. Thin off-white head that quickly turns into a halo of lace. Malt, dark fruit, and a whiff of alcohol in the aroma. Huge malt backbone balanced with a piney resinous hop presence. Full mouthfeel, a bit sticky,....very delicious. Bitter lasting finish. This beer ROCKS, and very drinkable. IvoR (30), New Jersey, USA Mar 27, 2008 Pours dark red, a little muddy with no head at all. Aroma is of fruits and hops. Flavor starts out sweet, but slowly turns very bitterly and hoppy. Finish is again soft and sweet. The overall sweetness spoils a bit this otherwise very good brew. Yet, I do not pick up any alcohol despite there being a lot of it. chronictonic (399), Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, USA Mar 27, 2008 on tap - Capone’s, Norristown PA I picked up a couple bottles of this but haven’t tasted those yet. Tap pours a deep, slightly hazy amber color with some reddish orange tints. Head was thick, pure white and had excellent retention. Aroma was thick with sour citrus, grapefruit and some slight earthiness. Mouthfeel was viscous and slightly sticky. Flavor started off with sweet malt and then almost immediately - ka-POW - hop detonation. Green, resiniy, fresh, citrus, raw under-ripe grapefruit all explode into your tastebuds. Hop flavor lasts and lasts too, but is surprisingly well balanced with the malt body. Some warming notes from the massive alcohol content, but holy crap - this beer is really drinkable. After one 10oz glass I had to step it down to the Southern Tier Imp. Oat Stout at only 12.5%! ShawnMalloy (119), Auburn, Massachusetts, USA Mar 24, 2008 Pours a reddish orange with a tiny light tan head. Aroma is of the forest with beavers and dandelions and stuff. It starts out sweet and heavy on the alcohol and finishes with an earthly and bitter bite. dm9831 (1167), Monee, Illinois, USA Mar 23, 2008 pours copper, thin tan head, bubbles around the rim. aroma of creamy caramel, some cirtrus, and a hint of sweet tea. the flavor is smooth, smooth caramel, hint of hops with a slightly bitter touch. a full-bodied brew. then it hits you: gee-whiz-bang! hoppy bitter finish that sticks around...then slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am! you get a huge alcoholic warming. "whoa!! how’d this go down so easy?" i thought to myself (which is my favorite way of thinking. see what i mean about the alcohol?). it’s 22.50 on easter sunday and i’m wondering if there is any place open where i can get more. definitely a new favorite. makes me want to start smoking cigars again.
thanks to <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/ViewUser.asp?UserID=18266>
rayboy01 for this sample
Tilley4 (218), Huron, Tennessee, USA Mar 21, 2008 This was a strange brew for me.. almost had the characteristics of a barleywine at first and then as it warmed, it became more IIPA-like.
Murky, murky brackish brown color, no head. This wasn’t the most attractive of brews..
Aroma of sweet malts at first then as it warmed, the hops started to show up..
Sweet, syrupy malts big time when this is cold, not much of a hop presence.. as it warms, it seems to reverse and become one dimensional the other way..
This was a nice brew to try but its definitely not one of my favorites or anything... I don’t get it..
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