Karl Strauss Reef Break Red

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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On tap at SD Brewing Co. Solid bright copper with forever cream colored thick ring and lace. Nose is piny and creamy. Taste is huge creaminess to a tiny bit of sour tartness hiding way in the back. Ginger and yeast and middle fruitiness. Apricot? Licorice hiding in the leftovers. Impressive offering from Karl Strauss.

A: The pour is a little on the light side for a BSDA as it leans more toward amber/copper in color. S: The nose has some decent fruit notes along with a definite spice/yeast ester character. I pick out some raisins and plums, in particular. T: The alcohol is present at first, but it does seem to fade away a bit. Pretty nice dark fruit flavors (again, mostly raisins and plums) with bread, caramel, and molasses providing the sweetness. M: The body is medium with a carbonation that seemed a bit lower than what I would prefer, but pretty average. D: Not a bad beer at all. Maybe a bit strong on the booze at first, but some good flavors all around.

UPDATED: MAY 20, 2010 Growler from the Sorrento Valley location: Murky reddish brown color with a small, fading off-white head. Aroma is dark fruit. Flavor starts rich with dark fruit and a strong raisin presence followed by a light citrus bitterness and a lingering raisin-orange rind finish. Medium body is smooth with soft carbonation.

From the tap poured a brown color with a fair amount of head. Strong sweet malty flavor with a lasting finish.