Pizza Port Cuvee de Tomme

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
San Marcos, California USA

Oak and red wine as well as some bourbon notes. Dark amber in color with a large fluffy head. Sour fore that tastes like a stab at bourbon vinegar. There is a whole basket full of fruits making appearances here, but the acidic sourness dominates the flavor profile. The overall feel is smooth though and it is a beer that compels you to keep sipping.

Bottle at O’Brien’s, San Diego, shared with a bunch of RateBeer locals - courtesy of someone or other. (Things were getting pretty fuzzy by this point - I could barely take notes, let alone keep track of who was buying the rounds. So this rating will have to serve as a placeholder until I can get it a more informed/sober review.) Deep ruby colour. What a nose! Like funky cherry coke & bourbon. Powerful flavour - sharp, tart, boozy, fruity, spicey, peppery. So much going on in this - I really need to try it again when I’m sober!

750ml Black label bottle: Pours to a deep brown with rusty highlights when held to the light; remains mostly murky & opaque throughout. The creamy and thick beige head slowly diminishes and lasts throughout the entire bottle (and believe me I took my time enjoying this one). The aroma is alcohol, cherries, grains, sweet cherry pie, burnt cinnamon, roasted nutmeg, sweet lime, pineapple, distinct brettanomyces scents, sweet caramel just for a brief instant, bourbon, wood and a hint of cocoa. The taste is syrupy sweet in feel, though is only sweet for a brief second before nice lightly acidic tannis take over. There’s notes of obviously real cherries (not artificial syrup), apple, oak, lemon, pine, grapefruit, maple, black pepper, chocolate, bitter roast, and heavy bourbon notes. The alcohol and harsh bourbon is noticable in the taste, not to the point where it’s offensive, but to the point where it gets in the way of some other flavors. I have heard the earlier versions of this don’t quite have the same bourbon barrel pungency. Either way this is what I have to taste and I’ve tasted better examples of barrel aging. Medium-full bodied, medium-lively carbonation (natural, small & crisp bubbles), surprisingly dry on the palate.

Four of these in one night leaves them blending together a little...Thanks Vac and JohnC
Sour, without the vinegar aroma - like unripe cherry. Aroma is slowing building to tartened height of majesty. The first sip of the 2003 Silver was full and chewy. The cherry is evident. 2005 Gold is much more dense, and the palate is lively, with apple being more evident. All are conditioned by a salted leather element that gives a distinct charm. A treat that may be loved by some and expectorated by others.

bottle black label, pours a black but you can see light through it when held up to a lamp. thick off white head little lacing. aroma is sour and lightly cherry. taste is suprising. i have never had a cherry beer i liked. taste is sour charries and something i cannot name. very good and quite suprising thanks to footbalm for this one.

Étiquette Noire. Une bonne partie du contenu gicle hors de la bouteille lors de son ouverture. Couleur acajou tendant vers le brun, mousse beige pale d’allure belge. Arômes complexes et évolutifs suggérant fortement la chaire de cerises rouges, l’anis, les barils de bois humide, la mélasse, la crème à l’érable, les grains de caroubes sous de fortes notes de beurre. Texture ample et liquoreuse composé d’une multitude de fines bulles piquantes. En bouche, acidité sous quelques traits tartriques, quelques aspects en commun avec Temptation de Russian River à cause de la vive présence de beurre et de cerises. L’alcool se fait de plus en plus présent et nous réchauffe sur son passage donnant ainsi un aspect liquoreux…anis étoilé, caramel, mélasse, cuir pour ne nommer que ceux-ci. Quelques années supplémentaires de vieillissement pourraient sans doute apporter une complexité et un mélange des composantes encore plus intégrées. Très alccolique pour l’instant mais tout de même un chef-d’œuvre! Merci Rastacouere.

Black Label.. Poured a dark brown with ruby hues and a medium cream colored head. Aroma was cherries, sweet malt and vanilla or oak. Flavor was heavy on the cherries and vanilla with a bit of sweet malt and alcohol.. Medium mouthfeel with good carbonation.

Poured dark brown color with a cream colored head. Aroma of bourbon, cherries, light tartnesss, and sugar/caramel. The flavor continues with the bourbon and cheeries. Sweet and tart with a semi-dry woody finish. So tasty if only it was half the price and sold in GA.