 can8ianben (575), Pasadena, California, USA
May 17, 2008
Okay, I need to step back and take my time rating this one. From the bottle it’s a little too cold, I should let it rest for a while. The pour showcases a rich dark almost black color and a huge frothy tan head that is still lingering several minutes after the pour. The aroma is sweet and slightly alcoholic. Taste is harsh - heavy on the smoke and charred taste. Not as sweet as I was expecting from the aroma, but subtly there at the back end. Man this one is try. There is a lingering burnt flavor on my palate and I’m finding myself craving more sweet. There is a strong bitter finish that I have a hard time connecting to the hops, but I guess that’s what is making it so.
Well, in conclusion I guess this is well crafted, but just not my style. I’m impressed at how well hidden the alcohol is, but I’d like a more rounded flavor rather than just the smoky burnt flavor.
Man_vs_City (13), Redmond, Washington, USA
Jul 22, 2008 Fourteen year old Adam batch #1 from 1994 picked up at HOTD Earth Day open house in 2008. I feel like a bit of a glutton for drinking the whole bottle, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. That one bottle is far and away the best beer I have ever tasted. Somewhere around half way, I started having that mild hallucinatory feeling like the first time you really got a buzz from the herb in high school. Your ears start picking up every sound of chirping critters in the trees, and your taste buds become overwhelmed by the mix of flavors, of history. I saved the bottle and the plain golden cap, but had to scrub the thick black sediment from the bottom of the bottle with a stiff brush. 1994 was a very good year.
tgncc (208), Bellmore, New York, USA
Jul 21, 2008 Beautiful aroma, mostly of chocolate and dark fruit, and roasted malts. The appearance is very attractive as well, a reddish brown/black, with a modest off-white head. Flavor is sweet, fruity, and chocolatey. It’s not an overwhelming flavor, though. The finish has a roasty, and earthy quality. In the finish, I can somewhat pick up on the leather flavor. The finish is sufficiently sweet and bitter. And I love to see brewers recreate older styles. Nicely done. (Maybe I should have aged it first. NAH!)
msante79 (183), Illinois, USA
Jul 20, 2008 Batch 70. Thanks to Kegbear for this one. Pours dark reddish brown with no head. Aroma is heavy with notes of chocolate, figs, leather and spices. Flavor is very complex with leather, smoke, hops, caramel, toffee, dark fruits and some chocolate. Unlike any beer I have had before. A truely great experience and would like to see more brewers try to create something like this.
1_2many (142), Ohio, USA
Jul 19, 2008 Bottle batch 67. Very dark brown with a big frothy durable head. Aroma is a roasty caramel and dark fruit. Complex sweet, bitter flavor that is so smooth and easy going its a little scary. Full bodied, smooth and good carbonation. This is a beer I could never get bored with.
the_chandler (174), West Virginia, USA
Jul 18, 2008 Pours a dark dark brown with a light brown head. Aroma is light and fruity, like plum or raisin. Flavor is warm and smooth. hints of chocolate and raisin. Velvety texture. Delicious.
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