Syd (888), Waconia, Minnesota, USA Mar 19, 2008 Updated: Mar 22, 2008Bottle pours a deep garnet color with very little head or lace. The aroma is powerful malt, brown sugar, chocolate, vanilla, peat, and just plain excellent. The flavor is really is so well rounded from the sweet malt and peat notes. Some mild pear notes in the finish with the peat. The palate is fairly rich, but does not at all become sticky like ales like this can tend to do. Carbonation survives pretty well and is quite lively in fact. Overall, this is an awesome beer. I need to get more of this. GMCC2181 (848), Bear, Delaware, USA Mar 18, 2008 12oz bottle shared by robert. Nice brown rustic color, small head. Aroma was really sweet: it had sugar, malt, smoke, and some raison maybe. Flavor was really good: Smoke, sugar, a little vanilla, malt and some hops thrown in. All blended very well. Texture was medium and went down smoothly. This is one of the better scoth ales out there. bigtaster (184), Grand Rapids, USA Mar 15, 2008 Pours dark crimson with a quickly receding orange head. Smokey malt aroma. Smokey, vanilla, black licorice, and a little chocolate note. Very complex, good beer. Beerlando (2286), Orlando, Florida, USA Mar 14, 2008 Updated: Mar 15, 2008The body is a dark chestnut color with crimson hues. A small, foamy, light tan head settles to a thin film with a small edge. Soapy lacing mostly rejoins the body. Aromas are rich and malty, with a strong bourbon presence, tons of oaky vanilla, dark caramel, chocolate, and smoked peat. It smells truly fantastic, and the flavor follows right behind. Warming, peaty scotch notes blend well with the rich caramel and chocolate. There’s a moderate earthy hoppiness that works together with the peat as well. Vanilla is a primary highlight flavor. Medium-full bodied, this one goes down just a little hot and finishes sweet and sticky. This is a great scotch ale that, might even top its big brother, the Backwoods Bastard. Great brew. dwyerpg (2519), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Mar 14, 2008 A great scotchy malty aroma with a little smoke. Has a nice flavor, a bit of graininess in the finish. Quite nice. keepersj12 (774), Sicklerville, New Jersey, USA Mar 10, 2008 Founders is fast becoming one of my favorite breweries. This beer is very nice. Beautiful color with a small head. Sweet taste with a bitter finish leaves you wanting another. bhensonb (4189), Woodland, California, USA Mar 8, 2008 Vinous, chocolatey, malty aromas. Color is sort of ruby or raisin, depending on thickness. Not much head at all. Some smokiness comes out. Near full bodied with creamy carbonation. Some heat, some toffee, and swear there’s a chocolate note. Some dark fruit aspects. There’s a fair amount going on with this. The finish is a mite malty, but there is some helpful hop. Damn impressive drink. jeffwilliams11 (310), hooterville, Michigan, USA Mar 7, 2008 one of my all time favorites...finally got around to rating it...
really malty, but lacks that sticky sweetness that can be there...good hop bitterness to balance out...
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