3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
UPDATED: JAN 24, 2004 Draught at Monk’s in Philly. Reddish acorn-brown, velvety beige head, and heavy lacing. Very leathery aroma and flavor. Dominating malts really fill out the body here however this beer has a lingering sour middle and finish and some respectable bitterness in the finish. Nice sour/bitter balance underneath but a bit too syrupy and malty sweet on top. Advertised as a Belgian barley wine on the tap handle.
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Wow. Big bottle kicks my ass. Bouquet knocks you over: flowers and malt, can't identify the spice (coriander?). Thick head and good lace. Big dark alcoholicy beer. This beer bites you back. Great acid, great carbonation, great spice - (or is it hop or yeast?) Next time i'll do a side by side with Trois Pistoles and Terrible.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
big brown head and a black body, looks really well. The aroma is of something roasted, hoppy and earthy. The abv is very well hidden. I was also surprised by the amount of carbonation in this. Very nice winter warmer, and I needed it.. it´s -8° celcius over here!!!
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Draft version: Deep mohogany w/ a tan, whispy, long lasting head. Initially malty and intense plums with a bit of an earthy hop aroma at the end of the sniff. Alcohol as it warms, as well as clove spice, banana, and even a little bubble gum. Matly and well balanced, caramel, plums, and cloves with a hop flavor in the finish and aftertaste. Light alcohol, but adds depth to complexity as well as raisiny vinous flavors as it warms. Medium full body, high level of carbonation, but not as carbonated as a dubbel or tripel. Lightly astringent I think from the hops though. Very well hidden alcohol, great balance of flavors and aromas, but light astringency should dissipate over time, it should age nicely.
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Color of this is about the same as a standard brown bottle. Head was a nice dense cream color. Very complex aroma, smells of yeast and non-citrus fruits, and some other spices. Flavor sweeter, medium bite that if felt right on the tip of the tongue.
4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
2003 - HEAD. An unbelievable head. Great plum colored beer with fruit aroma. A really well balanced beer that brings out so many different flavors. Body warming and enjoyable.
3.4 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
This was a prety good seasonal. It poured a reddish-brown color with an off-white head. The taste was a mixture of malt and spices, with alot of effervescence. Not bad, and something to try.
3.3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Very dark color, with just a touch of head. Aroma is faint, slightly malty and hoppy, but there's not a lot there. Flavor is malty up front, with decent hoppy bitterness in the finish.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Rating # 310
Vintage 2002: This is yet another beer I have let sit for many months, I figured that since the 2003 is already on the shelf I may as well sample this bottle now.
A rocky caramel colored head that stretches into the heavens, beneath rests a body that shins like a backlit polished amber stone, beautiful! The nose is full of fruit and spice, the flavor and mouth feel are euphoric!
The body is rich yet carbonated, notes of molasses, cedar woods, plums, and blackberry are most abundant.. I then detect the use of caramelized brown sugar, and a lovely yeasty profile reminds me of freshly toasted wheat and honey nut bread. A trific use of spice… clove, thyme, nutmeg, rosemary, and a pinch of freshly crushed black pepper. Man this is a pretty complex brew for me! More amazing suggestions of vanilla bean and blackberry………. I could go on forever with descriptions about this beer but I would rather recommend you buying a bottle and sampling it for yourself!!!
This is world class by my standards!! ~ FantasticO
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
2003 Vintage - Dark ruby, mostly clear body. Big creamy light-tan head. Looks very nice. Lacing is superb. The aroma is coriander, citrus, and thyme. The thyme really comes out in the flavor. Malt backs the spice up, minimal hops. Sweetness is big but not overpowering in any way. The thyme keeps coming back, if you are not a fan of thyme you may not like this one. Sticky body with a decent amount of alcohol in the finish.
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