 notalush (2008), Rawn-kawn-kohma, New York, USA
Aug 12, 2007 Wow, just when I was about to give up on this brewery forever, they go and make this - dark burgundy pour, with a small ring of white lace - lightly smokey aroma, with notes of berries, leather, and some spicy character - crisp and somewhat tart, with notes of raspberry and other fruit skins - hints of cocoa, cloves, anise - a gentle, woody smoke flavor mingles intself in throughout - notes of cinnamon and dried flowers - alcohol warmth compliments the wood and smoke flavors - this is a really great beer, and is most certainly the best Rock Art I’ve ever had - if only more of their beers were this good.
jimhilt (1396), Bow, New Hampshire, USA
Nov 24, 2007 Pours with a light tan, three-finger head that goes slowly and leaves some lace. Medium carbonation and heavy bodied. Black color. Nose is sweet grapes. Flavor is grapes and medicinal but not cloying, with only 25 IBUs the hops are nearly hidden and the higher ABV is not noticeable. $4.45 for a 22oz bottle from Colonial Spirits, Acton, MA.
JoeMcPhee (3671), Jackson Heights, New York, USA
Jul 27, 2007 Vermont Brewers Fest ’07. Deep brown with a creamy tan head. Aroma is quite smokey and sweet with lots of earthy malts. Fresh beechwood smoky aroma over a candyish caramel malt base. Yeasty and spicy through the middle. Belgian yeast shows lots of character with heavy fruit, apple, peach and raspberries that intensifies through the middle. A soft smokiness on the back. Finishes spicy and quite dry considering all the sweetish aspects of the brew. Comes across as very refreshing and a nice surprise. Completely unlike anything I’ve ever had.
puzzl (1715), New York, New York, USA
Jan 29, 2008 Bottle shared by JoeMcPhee. A strong licorice, peppermint, strong herbal aroma. Very nice. More mint in the flavor, lots of tobacco. I found this to be extremely unique and delicious, with the strong cigar and pipe flavors comin out big time.
muzzlehatch (4425), Burlington, Vermont, USA
Jan 21, 2007 22 ounce bottle from Richmond Beverage in Richmond, VT (January 2007) consumed from a Chouffe tulip a bit below cellar temperature. Translucent, dirty dark brown body with a thick lasting off-white meringue of cream and a solid dollop of nice swirly-patterned lacing....nose is rather low-powered and difficult to get a hold on, but once you do you find a delightful mix of molasses and licorice, a bit of brown sugar, light coffee....body is quite sweet, dark licorice in a bath of caramel and sweet cherries, hints of vanilla and tarragon along the way as it slowly dries out and gains a touch of tartness; light sour grapiness evident also towards the finish....faint yeastiness throughout, a touch of sour wildness perhaps, certainly as it warms there’s more complexity and even a hint of funk, though sugars dominate overall, bittersweet chocolate making an appearance eventually as well.....smooth, silky body with soft carbonation, no alcohol apparency whatsoever....this is a lovely dubbel-like creation with a modicum of Flemish sour character which could be truly awesome if it were more expressive aromatically: could well end up being this brewery’s best beer; certainly I will be trying it again. Well done!
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