San Diego Headwrecker Strong Ale

On tap. Clear warm reddish brown with a creamy off-white head. Intense aroma of caramel, nuts and aroma hops. Very full-bodied, burned caramel, nuts and a woody edge. Fairly bitter finish. A huge beer. 070709

From tap at the brewpub. Pours clear and deep amber with a small off-white head. Solid hoppy and dark caramel malty aroma. Solid hoppy, light fruity and dense caramel malt base flavoured. Bitter and dense hops fruity flavoured alongside a lingering sweet malt base into the far finish. A bit young but that is the condition of the turnaround on beers at the place.

(11/5/08) Draught sample at the brewpub in San Diego. Deep amber color. Aroma of piney hops, citrus hints and some malt. Sweet and malty flavor at first, continues bitter and very hoppy with some resin and pine. Medium-full body.

On tap at Hamiltons. Brown with a fizzy head, citrus hops and alcohol aroma and taste with a crisp finish.

On tap at Callahans during the Nov. 25th Quaff meeting. Pours an amber hue with a thin white head. Nose had alot of malty sweet aroma, spicy floral hoppiness. Flavor had tons of malt backbone, loads of piney hop bite, light hints of brown sugar. The high alcohol was not that noticeable, just a slight warming sensation towards the end. I really enjoyed this brew as I do all of Dean’s beers, can’t wait to see what he has on tap Dec. 13th (his Bday) at the second sat. Hamilton’s event featuring SD brewing Co. It’s going to be KILLER!!!

Tap at SDBC. Deep amber beer with a thin white head. Aroma is lightly hoppy with alight pine/citrusy character. Some light alcoholic notes as well. Fairly malty middle with a bit of light toastiness and soft caramel character. Fairly resinous hoppiness that is more apparent on the finish than it is in the nose. A light, berryish flavour as well that adds a bit of complexity. It’s pretty solid actually with a bit of peppery alcohol on the back, especially as it starts to warm. Quite a nice beer, really.

Sample at Callahan’s in San Diego. This brew is a dark amber color with a thin and creamy beige head that dissipates slowly. Small patches of lacing on the glass. Fruit and caramel in the nose along with some hops. Full-bodied and sweet with flavors of caramel and dark malt, sweet fruit and hops. The finish is sweet malt and caramel with a tropical fruit finish. Above average overall.

On-tap at the brewpub. Pours copper/amber with a moderate, creamy white head. Great retention, sheet lace. Smells deep and malty, caramelly sweet with a hint of dishtowel. Tastes malty, caramelly and slightly fruity sweet. A hint of raspberry and a good bit of alcohol as well. Nice dose of spicy hops towards the finish as well. Medium body, good carbonation.