4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Growler thanks to cmillward at the BA Bolita release party. Pours near black, very vinous dark fruit nose. In some ways belgian like. Roasty chocolate as well. Flavor has terrific balance and body. Full and rich mouthfeel with a smooth chocolate malt flavor with nutty fruity notes popping in and out. Beautifully crafted beer.
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
Growler shared at the Cigar City release party. Dark brown pour. Tons of fruity chocolate, like a cadbury bar(do they make those any longer?). I get notes of caramel and good roasted notes on the nose too. Flavor is again, full of chocolate, some coffee, fruit, toffee and some smooth roasted malt. Damn good brew.
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Draft @ the brewery. Pours a dark brown/black with a substantial tan head, tons of lacing. Very complex, nutty, rich chocolate, coffee, dark caramel, a bit of sweetness, very lush mouthfeel. The alcohol (8.9% ABV) only peeks out a bit as it warms, but with a nice touch booze. Nice bitterness, a little roasty bittersweet chocolate aftertaste to savor. Pretty darn good.
3.6 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Draft at WBF Raleigh on 5/2/09. Near black pour. Short tan head. Aroma is yummy! Lots of chocolate, roasted malt, light coffee, and light hops. Taste is more roasted malts, burnt cookie, dark chocolate, and bitter, oily coffee. Body is medium to medium-full. Carbonation is moderate and tingly. Ends with more roasted malts, dark chocolate, light hop bitterness, and strong, black coffee. Need more of this!
3.4 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
WBF sample. Pours a dark brown with a one to two finger creamy tan head. Allowed much more light than I likes. The aroma is roasty, grainy, some coffee, sweet, bitter chocolate. The flavor had some chocolate/coffee, roasty, some grain bitterness, waxy hops on the finish. Roasty and bitter palate.
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Draught at WBF in Raleigh. Pours black, with a tan head, lots of lacing. Aroma is strong chocolate, coffee, roasted malts. Flavor is similar, with some vanilla and cream, very chocolate, and bittersweet. Excellent beer.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
On draft and cask at the brewery. Pours a very dark brown with ruby highlights and good dark tan head. A little tangy and tart. Nice and roasty and good creamy texture. Pretty damn good.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
KBjam. Dark almost black pour with brown head and lace. Aroma of coffee and chocolate. Nice toasted malt flavor lends to a medium burnt coffee flavor with just the right choco kicker. Nice carbonation and mouthfeel. Pretty special porter.
4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
Growler. Chocolate, toast, burnt/roasted malt, coffee and mild smoke in the aroma. Ruby hued dark brown with a thin and diminishing, but creamy, tan head. Very nice roast malt and sweet chocolate fore. Nice balance to it between roast bitter and sweet malt. Faint charry notes. Black chocolate, black coffee grounds...astringent, but in a complimentary way. Very solid brew.
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
On tap at the Federal. This is probably the best beer I’ve had from French Broad. Nice thick pour with an inky black body, modest head, and a lovely aroma of chocolate malts. The body is so thick and smooth, but without being too cloying. And the flavor is deeply milky, with roasts and even some slight vanilla coming through the chocolatey goodness. Fine stuff!
|
