 pjk33 (383), Sligo - Curllsville Heights, Pennsylvania, USA
Dec 18, 2007
Bottle. 2000 vintage. I’ve had this one in the cellar for at least 3 years... Not a bit of head at all on the pour and not much carbonation when uncorking. This was not unexpected. A slimy ruby black color and I love the fact that there are a few chunks of the cork floating around in this one. Aroma of smoke and wood with a squirt of dark chocolate syrup on top... I immediately think of a distilled alcohol, but I have trouble figuring out which one... Sherry? Port? Interesting flavor and the alcohol is evident and probably a bit too overpowering but there are certainly some interesting flavors that bash the palate upon pouring down the throat... the first is a burnt smokey bakers chocolate and a light espresso mixed together, but with no sweetness whatsoever... I believe sweet would actually improve and balance this one a bit more. I’d like to call it complex, but I believe that’s being over complimentary to a beer that simply doesn’t really deserve it. It is very one dimensional and doesn’t improve as the glass empties... It becomes a bit too much and a bit annoying. An overrated and overdone beer, which is something that I have never said about a beer in the past.... That doesn’t mean that it is bad, as it is not, but not a complete beer.
stoutlover72 (1342), NorCal, California, USA
Nov 30, 2008 Enjoyable beer, and one that I shared with some family members while enjoying Thankgiving 2008. The beer has a perfect pour, deep black in color, a rich, creamy, thick 2-finger head which stayed the entire length of the drink. Aroma was roasted malts, dark chocolate, and slightly musty. Flavors had the same characteristics as in the aroma, with a bit of earthy anise and alcohol thrown in. Decent beer.
BelgiskOlklub (260), Viby J, Denmark
Nov 21, 2008 Bottle at The Warf, Aalborg. Average size creamy dark lasting head with good lacing. Hazy black body. Aroma of coffee and roasted and toasted malt, tar and licorice. Full body with a sticky texture and a soft carbonation. Heavy sweet and light/moderate bitter. Powerfull.
illidurit (492), Santa Cruz, California, USA
Nov 20, 2008 Odd little bottle purchased at Ledger’s in Berkeley. Dated 2003. Poured into a snifter. Deep viscous black with browned edges. No head whatsoever. Coats the glass with a swirl.
Aroma is unusual, more along the lines of a Flanders red than a RIS. Deep winey berries and grapes drizzled with chocolate. Portlike and very alluring.
Flavor is nothing like the aroma, really. Still acidic like wine but the flavor is leathery and woody. Vinous quality like chewing on grape seeds. Regains some white wine fruitiness with warmth, but not much.
I have to dock this beer’s mouthfeel and drinkability for the lack of carbonation. Body isn’t really all that thick, and the wine-like qualities help create a dry finish.
Really interesting beer. Something you should try even if you end up not liking it.
CaryTheDude (489), Ripon, Wisconsin, USA
Nov 19, 2008 Kinda crushed with Jakebra. Really thought I was drinking Sam Adams Triple Bock. Soy sauce like a motherfucker. Not AS offensive as the tripele bock, but still. What the fuck. Finishes surprisingly clean. Damn.
lithy (385), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Nov 17, 2008 2000 vintage. Expecting either a religious experience or a gag-inducing soy sauce. Broke the cork from this terrible bottle type. Slight sour whiff when opened. Pitch black pour with absolutely no head. Biting nose, soy sauce, tobacco, slight chocolate. Taste is horrendous. Burned toast, soy sauce, earthy tobacco, pitch, cheap chocolate and watery pine tar finish. I really would like to get a ’good’ bottle of this beer to rerate but I’m in no hurry.
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