4.7 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
4 samples at NOtB - by far the best beer at the fest, and the first to kick. Dark brown with a velvet brown head. You get huge smooth coffee, subtle bacon, vanilla, oak that massages the rest of the flavours; velvet and smooth on the palate, moderate carbonation and full body, a great balance of sweet without overwhelming. I haven’t had the base beer so can’t comment on how it compares but I the BA seems to impart an extra dimension without overwhelming and to be honest it was probably one of the best beers I have had...period. If you can try this, or any variation do so.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Draft… This beer rocks!… Pours black with a small, creamy, beige head. The bouquet delivers huge Cuban-roast coffee with a mild smoked bacon component and a hint of maple syrup. Full-bodied, thick and chewy with modest carbonation. The flavor offers big-time mocha, heavy espresso and light smoke. Sweet, but not overly so. Finishes like a double café con leche. The bacon and maple components are lessened by the time spent chillin’ on bourbon-soaked oak, but it’s still WIDE AWAKE, so the base beer and coffee component remain beyond-amazing. World class brew!
4.3 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
NotB, EBF 2012. Got a reasonable pour, 3+ ounces from a pitcher. Body was pitch black with a creamy tan head. The nose is fresh ground organic grade A sumatra espresso. Its amazing how bright and clear the coffee came through in the nose. Mouthfeel was creamy and silky with a good amount of weight, but did not turn sluggy in my small tasting. Flavors were of bright fresh coffee, bitter dark chocolate, mellow complementary oak notes (not sure if its oak or what wood) and some agave/maple syrup/vanilla sweetness that evens out any of the bitter coffee notes.
5 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 20/20
On tap for Night of the Barrels. Traveled all the way from FL to show the Buddha support and to try this beer. Well the Buddha didn’t disappoint in the slightest. Easily the best non sour beer at NOTB. The coffee, maple, whiskey barrel character was all there and very well balanced. Way to kill em Buddha!!!
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