 cquiroga (370), Sylmar, California, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Jun 14, 2007
2/8/07. Poured out of 12 oz. bottle, obtained in a trade with footbalm on RateBeer 1/25/07. Hand-bottled. Dark, oily black color with dark tan, rough-and-tumble head, fades a bit too quickly. Texture appears suitably thick and viscous, and the ink-like blackness consumes most of the light. Aroma bursts with hop character-- ganja and pine, with a thick, sticky resinous profile that overwhelms the malt presence. Fairly slight malt, all things considered, and there’s a big alcohol apparency on deep inhalation that slaps the malt on its rear. Some fudge brownie, molasses, and black cookie (hard, not chewy) creeping in. Some of the Alpha Klaus-like leafy-minty leanings to dress the malt-- and, like with Alpha Klaus, I think it’s a bit much. Flavor continues that tremendous, boldly hoppy character; albeit with a stern ballance from some slight (and unwelcome) meat-like notes. Still some good chocolate syrup, brown sugar, and chocolate liqueur malt notes, but the scale leans heavily towards the hops. There’s just a bit too much intensity there, although it’s impressive for what it is, and the craftsmanship on display here is undeniable. Full body and long, well-balanced finish. It’s just that I tend to prefer having a dazzling display of malt flavors over a ridiculously heightened balance of hop and malt extremes in my mega-Imperial Stouts. And that subtle meat-like flavor is something I can’t shake, and can’t discount. Could’ve been amazing.
jake65 (1760), Williston, North Dakota, USA
| 4.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 10/10 | 5/5 | 19/20 |
Jan 6, 2010 I’ve had a helluva time trying/wanting to rate this one... After comparing it to my other favs and taste preferences, here goes: Bottle, 2009 vintage. The first thing I noticed was the incredible amount of hoppiness in the nose. Roasty too. A rather simple aroma, but delightful. Nearly black pour with two fingers of creamy brown head. Sticky lacing is already from me moving the glass around. Wow! What a mouthful. Creamy, thick, and full of flavor. Nothing really stands out except the hops. Everything else blends together so well. Roast, chocolate, and espresso. With this perfect amount of hops it is just throwing me for a loop... I love Dark Lord and this is right on par with it. Was it worth the 10 hour drive and 5 hours waiting in line? Damn right it was. A beautiful beer that in my opinion is damn near perfect.
slimchill (788), Austin, Texas, USA
| 3.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 6/10 | 3/5 | 13/20 |
Jan 3, 2010 bottle. aromas of chocolate, raisins/figs, and caramel. black with a thin patchy head and great lacing. flavor is sweet and slightly acidic with lots of mineral character, a sort of soapy/grainy/chemical flavor that lingers. i don’t believe the hype. on the thin side and generally boring.
SudsMcDuff (1842), was CapeTown,SA-now Houston, Texas, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 18/20 |
Jan 3, 2010 yes! can’t believe i finally get to try this, so unexpected too! .. lots of chocolate and dark evil fruits notes .. . creme brulee aftertastes .. . very smooth . . dark chocolate, light crystallized rum, and other crazy complex flavours.... whats a bon-er?
brentfeesh (1041), Gadsden, Alabama, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 6/10 | 4/5 | 13/20 |
Jan 3, 2010 I found this to be fairly disappointing. 2008 bottle that I’ve been hanging on to and was very excited to open during the first brewday of the 2010 year. However, I found it to be too sweet to really enjoy. Tasted like something I would put in my coffee but not something that I wanted to drink by itself. Oh well.
LtDan (538), Los Angeles County, California, USA
| 3.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 5/5 | 6/10 | 3/5 | 14/20 |
Jan 2, 2010 Appearance: Pours jet black with a think, dense foamy tan head.
Aroma: Dark fruits such dates, figs, plums and raisins, toffee, dark roasted malts,herbal hops.
Taste: Milk chocolate, raisins, dark chocolate covered cherries, burnt roast, coffee, vanilla or caramel, herbal hps. Finishes with fruitiness and a bitter burnt malt note.
Mouthfeel: Thick and syrupy.
Overall: I don’t quite know what to make of this monster. I need to find something to pair it with to truly complement this beer. After only a small glass of this, I am already warmed up.
KimJohansen (7308), Copenhagen V, Denmark
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Jan 2, 2010 Dark brown with a medium sized deep beige head. Sweet aroma with roasted malt and hints of dark chocolate. Sweet flavour with burned malt, dark chocolate and coffee notes. Finished sweet. Had expected a bit more really.
HomeBrewHawk (289), De Soto, Kansas, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Jan 1, 2010 Big thanks to Dansting for this one! 22oz bottle served in a snifter. Poured a deep brown with a finger of tan head. Big piney hop aroma with some chocolate malt. Hits you right off with a blast of resiny hops. On the lighter side of full bodied. Not a lot of roasted barley, more on the black patent side. Fairly dry with a drying finish of hops and dark malt. Pretty drinkable for the ABV. It would be interesting to see how this ages.
More like a black DIPA (did I just make a new style?) than a RIS, but who really cares about conforming to style. This is a very interesting beer and fun to drink on a purely hedonistic level.
egajdzis (3645), Spring Mount, Pennsylvania, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Jan 1, 2010 Opaque black with a small, tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of roasted malts, smoke, chocolate, and dark fruits. Taste of roast, nuts, burnt wood, dark chocolate, dried fruits, and light alcohol in the finish. Thanks to John for sharing this last night!
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