 Ughsmash (2611), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
May 14, 2008 Now this was a beer with my name on it.. no.. seriously.. whoever sent this to me wrote "Ugh" on the cap.
Bottled, Batch 64. Poured crystal-clear coppery amber with a short cap of beige head and lots of rising carbonation. The nose opened with warm toasted oak and medium-skinned fruits backed closely by spicy floral notes riding over toffee sweetness.. peppery alcohol and more oak on the back. The flavor found more sour oak and fruity notes than I’d like, masking the underlying goodness.. vanilla, caramel, and toffee join white pepper and clovey spicage deep down.. mild floral notes and warm peppery alcohol pair with sour oak through the finish.. this was tasty and intriguing, but I have to say I prefer the regular Fred. Heavily carbonated and creamy on the palate with building warmth and sour oak impression as it moved through the mouth.. a bit too much oak going on, but all in all a very fine brew.
Enniskillen (1461), Port Angeles, Washington, USA
May 4, 2008 Amber with a thin off white head. Aroma is oak, bourbon, cherries, malt, alcohol. Taste is very oaky, light alcohol, toffee, caramel, and malt. Good stuff.
BlackForestCO (406), Fort Collins and Black Forest, Colorado, USA
May 2, 2008 Bottle shared by Crosling, thanks a lot man. Poured a thick, golden-copper color with a moderate off-white head that left nice lacing. Aroma of smooth caramel, light tobacco and vanilla, and some moderate flowery hops. Flavor consists of a nice woody caramel malts leading into a spicy tobacco flavor mixed with some moderate hop bitterness with some flowery, earthy quality, and a nice vanilla-oak finish. Smooth and full on the palate with a nice drying oak finish. Big thanks to Nick for sharing this bad boy.
AgentSteve (473), Livermore, California, USA
Apr 28, 2008 Looking for a suibtable ale for my 400th rating, I come accross this one in my cellar and see that I will be #300 rater, so fate has spoken! Generously provided by mreusch (thanks Matt!) foggy copper / mahogany pour with a slightly full, tan head. Nose is sweet and malty, dried summer fruits, and just the slightest touch of oak. Flavor is equally rich and complex, with a bit more fruit in it, and a bit of an alcohol burn. Very nice, with an apricot finish to go with the burn. Nice, smooth and coating on the palate.
Man_vs_City (5), Redmond, Washington, USA
does not count  Apr 28, 2008 From the HOTD Earth Day open house, tap sample and this review of 12 oz bottle made in 2008. Pour is amber with thin head. Aroma of oak and rye. Hop flavor is thick on the tongue with no alcohol bite. The cask aging creates a mellow blended flavor where individual notes drift slowly to the surface like alphabet soup. A bit strong for an every day beer, but very flavorful.
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