Brigadier (1220), Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA Mar 3, 2009 12 oz bottle
This is a beer that is best enjoyed as fresh as possible. I put it ahead of almost everything in the queue so I would get the most of my $3.99. It was not disappointing though I can see how this would not age well. As with most West Coast style IPAs the best thing to do is not sit on it.
Aroma / Appearance - The maroon body was full of life and fluid as it moved around my snifter. The nose was very aggressive and in the face with a meld of grapefruit, varnish, peach, and fresh sap. Nothing is left to the imagination; this puts it all out there.
Flavor / Palate - Dry and bitter the liquid soaks up most of the moisture in the mouth as it travels towards the throat. Along the way a trail of caramel, molasses, grapefruit, and other strong hops clear the sinuses. Not for the faint of heart or those who hate hop bombs this is a great example of the style done right. scrizzz (1252), kirkland, Washington, USA Mar 2, 2009 Been wanting this for some time. Pours a dark copper and a spongy strong white head, great lacing. Dense earthy hops prevail through a caramel malt nose. Impressive. It’s weighted with grit and earth up front, then quickly dissipates through a stemmy chewy hop midpalate into a balanced toffee finish. Finishes light and refreshing. cgarvieuk (4159), Edinburgh, Scotland Feb 27, 2009 Bottle at home from BoE ... Copper off white head ... spicy hoppy nose ... big sweet pine and grapefruit hop ...very juicy ... nicely rounded and nice to see a good mid 4% ale from the US. cheapdark (2011), Monacatootha, Pennsylvania, USA Feb 27, 2009 I was really looking forward to this beer after I found out the alky content, 4.4%! Smell is hoppy but looks like a decent rootbeer. Clear brew. Wow, very hoppy initially on the palate, more than I expected. I used to think that the alky brought out the hops but now I know better. However, it does lack the volatile bite so common with the higher alky hopped brews. There is hop bite but it is more appreciated without the alky burn. Interesting for somebody who really does not care for IPA or DIPA. Big bitter lingering hop finish. Comes across much more than 4.4%. Not real enjoyable but I can enjoy more this more than most high hopped brews. jdmaher58 (22), Dover, Ohio, USA Feb 25, 2009 Updated: Mar 4, 2009Wow. This is fan-freakin-tastic. This is my new favorite. Hoppy as all get-out. Citrusy, hits hard,grapefruit not subtle at all. Not for the faint of heart. Deep end of the pool. If you don’t love this, then shame on you. Bottle from local grocer. Best ever. Beardface (977), Eugene, Oregon, USA Feb 23, 2009 Sample at KLCC microbrew festival. Light brown pour with a huge fluffy white head. Light citrus and spice aroma. Decent citrus hop and an okay caramel malty backing, but just too thin and lacking that certain something I want from my beers. FunkyBrewster (437), Chicago, Illinois, USA Feb 22, 2009 Pours brown with a nice amber hue and a thick white head. Aroma is very piney hops with a slight citrus note and a sweet malt breadiness. As it warms the caramel malt aroma is becoming much stronger. Flavor starts with a nice rich biscuit malt and a subtle nuttiness. Gains a much needed hop presence and picks up quite a strong hop character for an amber, to the point of finishing like an IPA which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The flavors definitely meld as it warms and it finishes fairly smooth but still hoppy. Medium body and moderate carbonation. This is a nice all around beer that a lot of people could enjoy as a modest hop and malt presence. Could be a nice pseudo session beer at 4.4 percent abv as well. FezMonkey (268), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Feb 19, 2009 Pours a amber brown with a medium sized head. Aroma is of citrus and spice with flavors to match. The more I drank it the more I enjoyed it
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