 Beerlando (1135), Orlando, Florida, USA
May 4, 2008
1996 vintage (bottled 1997). Pours a dark, ruddy, reddish-brown color. A small, frothy, cream colored head quickly settles to a wispy film with a bubbly edge. The nose is barley wine sweet, with tons of caramel, toffee, chocolate, and alcohol-soaked dark fruits. Figs and plums dance on the nose, seemingly as fresh as they day they were brewed some 11+ years ago. Surprisingly, I’m even picking up some traces of earthy hop bitterness. Flavors are fruit dominant, with figs, dates, raisons, and plums all showing face. Caramel adds further sweetness, while smoked chocolate malts add a touch of bitter saltiness. The hops aren’t as prominent as they are on the nose, but they are still there in all their subtly-spicy glory. The body is medium-full, smooth, slightly syrupy, and lightly carbonated. Its hard to imagine that a beer that was brewed when I was a senior in high school has held up so well. I’m honored to have tried this long-retired gem. Awesome beer.
jmm635 (15), Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA
Jul 7, 2008 Can’t remember what year I had, but I’ve heard this beer just gets better with age. Has a complex smells, including chocolate, coffee, and raisins, among others. Taste is also extremely complex and sweet. I would love to get my hands on some of this and age it even longer!
Crosling (1595), Loveland, Colorado, USA
Jul 4, 2008 1992. Brown color. Really complex nose, hinting of mocha, chocolate, raisins, caramel, nougat and nuts. Flavor is in perfect balance. Incredibly complex with a port-like character. Lots of taste. Caramel, toffee, figs, dates and raisins. 30 second finish. Such a treat. One of the best beers for collectors.
MI2CA (1033), Noblesville, Indiana, USA
Apr 23, 2008 355ml - 1996 vintage found on the bottom shelf of a local store in Noblesville last year. Very pungent aroma of chocolate, toffee, caramel, alcohol and peat. Pours flat muddy brown with some bubbles on top and decent lacing. Flavor is also strong. Lots of caramel with the toffee and peat sneaking in. Alcohol is well hidden in the flavor but still very warming with every sip. Palate is sticky but finishes creamy. Pretty damn good for being 12 years old.
hoppymeal (37), Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Mar 19, 2008 1991 Vintage. Bottle opens with a small hiss, letting me know there is still a small amt of carbonation. Pours a very murky brown with the faintest covering of tan bubbles. Aroma is crazy good, prunes and raisins, wood, leather, chocolate, alcohol, produces like only fine malts with lots of ageing can. Taste is just as nice, tawny port like qualities, sweet, dark, ripe fruit, wood and a good dose of alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium, not as thick as a fresh sample but then this beer is mostly still. Slightly dry and warming in the finish. An experience for sure, the oldest samichlaus I’ve had the pleasure to taste and I must say that at 17-18 years it seems to be at its peak. At least I can’t image in it much better. Major thanks to George for the opportunity.
|
