Kraftbrau Bird in the Hand

Formerly brewed at Kraftbrau Brewery
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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Brown hue with a rocky tan head and good lace. The aroma hinted of sweaty and earthy yeast esters, grapefruit, light pine, vanilla, dust, grainy and toasted malts. The initial taste was twangy yet earthy, different. The finish had a bitter bite and light alcohol presence noted. Rough mouthfeel, just didn't feel right. Okay I guess, but the palate took some abuse. Very earthy and dusty character.

If Kirtland’s Warbler knew it was the spokes-bird for this autrocity, it would hire Johnny Cockran, sue Kraftbrau, win, then buy kraftbrau, bulldoze it to the ground and plant a jack pine forest over its remains. I, like Silph, at first thought this was an infected bottle, but reading other ratings, either every bottle and keg of this stuff is infected or it was a putried brew that was bottled against its will. I certainly hope the latter is not the case. Regardless, the quality control at Kraftbrau is to be berated. It is always a bad sign when you open a beer and it weeps from the top as though expressing its bubbly shame. I find not figs or raisins in the taste, rather taint, swamp-ass and vinegarish putridity. Do not try this beer unless you have a hot plate of fish and chips that needs some dressing. Long live the Kirtland’s Warbler, may he be avenged.

I admire the idea of putting the kirtland’s warbler on the label, but this beer is an injustice to that rare avian resident. The beer overflowed the bottle after I opened it (usually bad news), and the aroma was initially disturbing with burnt rubber, tar, vinegar, and red wine character. Sadly, the beer was almost undrinkable as the same characteristics spread to the flavor. I don’t believe the beer was infected, but it was rather foul, with burnt rubber/plastic ruining the palate. Dark fruit, including fig (at suggestion) were apparent, as was asphalt and metal. The jack pine plains and the kirtland’s warbler deserve better than this pathetic effort by Kraftbrau. I fear for my health after drinking this beer. This beverage is about rarity- it will kill you off if you’re not careful. Avoid it.

Didn’t really see how this matched an Trappist-style ales. Dark ruby color with no head. Some sweet tones - cherries, alcohol and malt.

UPDATED: NOV 21, 2003 On tap, this was lifeless and seemingly infected. Luckily, BBB63 brought a bottle over and it was much better. Alcohol, musty nose with hints of fruity yeast and pale malts. Medium bodied and somewhat grainy mouthfeel. Nice yeastiness and freshness unlike the tap version, as well as a nice hoppy and alcoholic snap at the finish. Much better than the initial 1.2 rating..

Not a bad Belgian styled beer from the US. A little too sweet, even if they are shooting for a trappist like daboskabouter says. Nice dark red color with a good sweet, raisin-ish fruity flavor to it. Another good offering from Kraftbrau.

Dark auburn appearance. Sweet malt and light fruity notes in the aroma. Body is much too sweet, sugary. Notes of dark fruit and sweet malt. Not much to the brewers claims of ’trappist style’, but it is one of the more interesting from this brewery.