Karl Strauss 21st Anniversary Ale

Brewed by Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
San Diego, California USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   add pic

22oz bomber, no date from Holiday Wine Cellar--I think it was around seven bucks. Clear medium dark orange with a one finger creamy coating beige head, fair retention. Only a month in American oak? It definitely doesn’t take any searching to find it in the nose. Other than the lightly buttery oak I get some fruity grape juice with some caramel and toasted malts. There’s also some moderate fig and raisins to go with some Belgian yeast. Flavor is a little more dubbel-y with the dark fruits and yeast coming more to the front, and that mixed with the oak come together nice and smooth, moderate sweetness with just a tinge of the grape juice acidity (very light). Mainly dark fruity dark Belgian Strong-like with an oaky semi-dry finish, bitterness peaking at a 2-3 and slightly earthy. Full body with smooth soft carbonation that has the slightest prickly zing to it. Lacing consists of mostly unbroken sheet at the back of my glass. At first whiff, I wasn’t sold (, but all of the other aspects were put together quite nicely.

22 ounce bottle that poured a dark deep red color. I was not looking forward to this bottle at all, not a big fan of wine, however this overall was a nice beer and surprised me. Aromas of carmael, grapes, and some oak. Flavor was like a traditional old ale with some oaky vanilla and a touch of grapes. In my opinion the wine/grape flavor was not overpowering at all a great beer overall.

Shared bottle with Timfoolery. Was this beer made from grapes?? Yeah , grape flavor domintated the beer. The dryness of a crisp champagne came to mind. Nicely made beer, but a little strange on the palate.

Bottle from Hollingshead in 2010. Aroma is of Belgian yeast, slight candy sugar, and light grape juice. Flavor is almost sweet, traditional barleywine. The beer was very enjoyable...very good. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

22oz bottle. Poured a dark cloudy copper color with a tiny off-white head. Aroma is sweet, touch of dried fruits, grape notes. Flavor is caramel sweetness, touch of alcohol, a bit cloyingly sweet, but nothing bad. Very interesting.

bottle at dak’s 8/14/10. auburn brown color with a trim white head. it smells like butterscotch... along with grain, fruity sweetness, spice and vanilla. it tastes the same only it is very sweet and thick. neat but near cloying.6/3/5/3/13

Brilliant mix of fruit and booze finished very sweet. The domination of the Zinfandel grapes is pleasant and no other flavor profiles are needed. Surprisingly light colored pour with a small one finger head. One of my favorite beers of the year. It’s characteristics are easy to dissect and after aging for 18 months it becomes even more drinkable and smoother on the palate.

22 ounce bottle purchased a year ago at Holiday Wine Cellar ($7.29). Pours a murky but bright deep red hue with a finger of off-white foam. Aroma of crusty bread, dark caramel, sticky overripe fruit, and a hint of bourbon. Flavor consists of significant caramel, some vinous grapiness and other fruit, vanilla, and a hint of the bourbon barrel. Fairly sweet but far from cloying. The 10.2% is hidden quite well. A different and fairly complex beer...good job Karl. (62, 505)

Reddish brown pour with a foamy white head. Aroma of bourbon, ripe fruit, a touch of vinous fruit and yeast. . Flavor has some fruitiness, booze, brown sugar, syrup. Not bad.

Bomber poured a clear reddish amber with a small lasting creamy amber head. Aromas of carmel, grapes, nuts, earthiness, oak and light vanilla. Palate was light bodied and crisp with a smooth dry finish. Flavors of oak, vanilla, grapes, carmel and light nuttiness with a smooth dry lingering oak finish.

Super interesting nose of grapes, light belgian yeast, a touch of alcohol, vanilla, caramel. It actually smells a bit like bourbon to me, but it is the combo of all the other aromas. Pours dark amber with a nice creamy head and lace. The flavor is fruity with notes of grapes, belgian yeast, spice, vanilla, light wood. Sweet and fruity with some hop presence in the finish as well. Balanced, drinkable with only hints of 10.2%. A winner for sure.