Homewood Reserve - East End Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.51/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bomber from Capone’s. 2012 edition, however when you call something reserve it should reflect more quality. Black with foamy head. cocoa and infused coffee, some sour notes that stand for bourbon.Rather expensive catch for the value, and then again I am not a fanatic for dry stouts.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 11:24:57 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +27.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was very, very pleased to recieve this one in a recent BIF. I had been wanting to cross off a couple of the East End beers for a while now, and this 1 liter swing top was the next notch in the belt. Served at cellar temp and pour into a snifter, I nursed this bottle all night on 05/23/2009.

The pour was the thing dreams are made of. Huge pop on the bottle led to a thick black pour. A large three inch head of chocolate just exploded across the top of the glass throughout the session, really just showing off how good a stout can look. I could not imagine this beer looking any better right off the bat. Lots of roasted malts, coffee notes and hints of resionous hops in the aroma. Even as it warmed the hop notes were still very easy to pick up and really gave it some nice life and balance against the back drop of the coffee. It took awhile for me to find any evidence that this one had barrel aging in it, but after about ten minutes or so it really started to display some nice touches of whiskey flavor that came out especially in the finish. Very well balanced with a deep coffee flavor and smooth, roasted malts. Very drinkable as the ABV was not too high and it was not too heavy that it kept me from polishing off the bottle.

Overall for a regular stout I thought this was outstanding. It was a nice change from the big ABV RIS that we are all used to. Very subtle, very soft, very well done. I could drink this one all day/

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2009 01:26:13 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

3/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle shared by bmanning. Served in a snifter.

Boom. Loosening the latch on this one really let out a large gust of carbonation, which was then evidenced in the appearance, which was black with a huge tan head and quite a bit of lacing. The nose is really big with lots of coffee and roast as well as a bit of dark chocolate. The taste falls way off as there's really nothing there other than roast. Lots of charcoal. As mday said, it tasted like a fireplace. Even more roasty. Body is medium without any real barrel character at all. In the end, this is just super one-dimensional and I couldn't handle more than a few ounces of it.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 23:02:29 | More by Thorpe429

drabmuh

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer opened by someone at a recent tasting, sorry I don't remember who. Beer poured into a snifter. It wouldn't be a tasting without a bunch of barrel aged beers. Beer is black / brown at the corners and forms a thin head of small / medium brown bubbles.

The aroma of this beer is only mildly liquory with mostly malt sweetness on it.

The liquor component is more in the mouth than the nose. Unfortunately for this beer it finishes too ashy for my tastes. Its really all I can think about the more I drink. Not the best barrel aged beer I've had recently, its pretty mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 19:16:03 | More by drabmuh

MasterSki

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +18%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Dave (d0b) for busting this out for NBS Super Bowl edition. Served in a pint glass.

Disclaimer - I'm not a huge fan of non-infused (i.e. gimmicks like coffee, chocolate, vanilla, etc.) single stouts. I generally dislike the bitter dry taste without strong complementary flavors. With that in mind, here we go!

A - This is the best looking stout I've seen in a long time. Huge red-tinged mocha head with great retention and lacing. Pitch black with only the slightest hint of red at the edges of the glass. I felt guilty disturbing it's photogenic beauty.

S - Dry and creamy to start, but the barrel-aging really comes alive as it warms up. Not a huge smell in the end - somewhat subtle and understated, requiring me to get in close to really get the bourbon, caramel, and oak notes.

T - Imagine a fresh bomber of Cadillac Mtn, but with barrel-aging, and you wouldn't be far off the mark. Bitter coffee, cream, oak, bourbon. Apparently the beer is made with brown sugar & molasses, but I don't get those flavors in huge amounts.

M - Creamy and smooth, medium body that you'd expect from a lower-gravity stout. Mild carbonation is refreshing in this case. Not much residual stickiness at all.

D - This is one incredibly smooth and easy drinking stout, with a nice oak bite to it that isn't overwhelming or distracting. It's also not overly boozy for a barrel-aged beer, which makes the 1L swing-top bottle a manageable serving size.

While I may never find myself dying for a lighter ABV stout, this has gone a long way to showing how good this genre can get. Looking forward to the other East End goodies that are heading my way.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2009 03:14:50 | More by MasterSki

emerge077

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Generously shared by Jay23 in the company of a couple Homewood, IL natives.
Review from notes.

Black with a finger of tan mocha foam, a squiggled line of lace is left inside the glass, with little random flecks here and there. Foam lasts, and is visually attractive. Cocoa, unsweetened chocolate in the nose with a woody undercurrent. More charred baker's chocolate in the taste, blended with the oak gives it a savory pipe tobacco impression. Feel is dry with the oak figuring big in the aftertaste. Easy to drink, fairly medium bodied and thankfully not a giant stout monster of RIS proportions.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2009 19:03:23 | More by emerge077

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The 2010 vintage is still Blackstrap but there is just enough bourbon to make a difference. The flavor is sweet and full enough to move the taste up to a 4.0. There is no indication of any of the off-flavors that other reviewers are mentioning.

***

Thanks to egledhill for picking this 1L swingtop up for me last fall.

A: The stout is a beautiful sight in my snifter. A pitch black, oily body is a singularity, absorbing anything and everything that comes near it. Atop the stout is a tan colored, foamy head that slowly receded to a thin band.

S: The blackstrap hasn't disappeared behind the bourbon. Syrupy, burnt molasses aromas are strong, mixing with dark chocolate. The bourbon hasn't added anything to the nose.

T: Not much bourbon to be found here. The blackstrap remains as intense as ever, dark and intense. Charred bread and burnt sugars are atrong, dominating the taste. A touch of smoke comes out near the end. There is a light metallic flavor but it is generally hidden by the full stout flavors. Sorry though, no bourbon in this one's taste and that's gonna cost it.

M: The ale has all of the qualities of blackstrap without the promised barrel aging. A little disappoinring.

D: Blackstrap is an excellent stout, I just would have liked some bourbon with it.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2009 19:43:25 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This made a quick draft appearance last week at Bocktown...poured with a moccha tan head and pitch black body, some thin speckled tan head left on the sides of the chalice but carbonation as a whole seems pretty mellow. Aroma has tart fruit think a touch of cherry, dark bitter chocolate, roasted malts add a layer of earthy/tree bark infused coffee. Bourbon barrel effects of aging give it a bit of booze and fusel alcohol that burns the nares. Flavor again I have to report the hint of tart cherry with vanilla charred oak, along with caramel roasted coffee and bitter dark chocolate. When I'm detecting as the caramel note I'm sure is coming from the Blackstrap molasses additions to the base beer Blackstrap Stout. It really comes off like an oak chip aged brash fruity coffee beer. However no coffee or cherries were harmed in the making of this beer. Mouthfeel is warming to say the least, with some barrel aged notes going on oak barrel and the vanilla stick around on the palate and do outweigh the base beer. Low rolling carbonation medium bodied with a bit of stickiness/fusel alcohol left on the palate between sips. Overall impression is that they should also do an imperial stout to throw in the oak because Black Strap is excellent on it's on withint this context however I find it to be overshadowed by the effects of oak aging rather that surpassing it to another level.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2011 20:37:44 | More by WVbeergeek

Wasatch

Utah

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to Hojaminbag for this brew. We had a trade going on many months ago, but this bottle busted and Ben sent something else in return. Well a month or so back he BMs me and tells me it's on it's way. I forgot about the whole trade, nice to see a BA come forward like this.

33.8oz. Capped/Swing Top
2010 Vintage
Small Batch Beer

Poured into a Squatters True Pint Glass, a nice black color, nice carbonation, with a very nice one-finger creamy tan head, which leaves some nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very malty, with lots of chocolate/toffee/carmel notes. The taste is slightly sweet, malty, with lots of dark stuff. Medium Body, with a very nice bitter/dry finish. Overall this is a very tasty brew, glad that I did finally get a chance to try it. Thanks Ben!

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 19:30:36 | More by Wasatch

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.05/5  rDev -42.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

2008 vintage.

Pours pitch black and completely opaque with a two finger dark mocha head.  Good retention, slowly fading to lasting ring.  Spotty lacing left behind.  

Deep roasted malt aroma with lots of nutty pecan, slightly smokey coffee bean, cream, chocolate, caramel, dark fruit and earthy oak.  

Heavily carbonated with a mix of vinous vinegar character and very roasted malt flavor.  Very acrid with tons of burnt wood, charred oak and used coffee filter.  Very weird with a vinous/vinegar flavor countering the overly burnt malt profile.  Faint booze but no bourbon at all.  Tasted mostly of stale oak.  

Overall this beer was a big disappointment. I like this brewery a lot but this beer was a let down. It looks and smells really good but tasted awful.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 22:26:24 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a 1L. bottle of this at Capones a month or so back.

The beer pours an impressive blackish brown color with excellent coffee colored head retention and lots of sticky lacing. The nose on this beer is intriguing, and I gather is at least partly attributable to the bourbon barrel aging. There is an unusual blend of leather, licorise, cola and a touch of smoke, with not a whole lot of sweetness. Flavors on the palate replicate the nose, with licorise and coffee ground flavors dominating. Some leather and smoke give the beer some added complexity, all wrapped around a light, dry frame. This beer is surprisingly dry, reminding me in some ways of an English Oatmeal stout. However, there is also a touch of hoppy bitterness right at the end of the finish. I don't get the impression the alcohol is all that excessive in this beer; I would guess something in the 6% to 7% range. Mouthfeel is correspondingly pretty light, though there is still a nice, smooth, plushness to it. Drinkability is likewise pretty good, with the abv. well disguised.

Hmmmm. A very intersting beer, though a bit more richness and even more sweetness might be nice. Nevertheless, this is a pretty impressive beer. However, the beer was a bit too spendy for its quality IMHO, so probably won't order this one again.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2009 19:08:29 | More by johnmichaelsen

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +18%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

1L flip top. Black, no noticeable edges. A hard pour produced a thick, one inch cap of dark brown foam. Excellent head retention with lots of lacing. Looks great. Dark chocolate aroma up front, then malted milk and smoke, nutty and very roasted. Bitterness was solid throughout, from a combination of hops and the dark, bitter malts. Heavy on the roast with a little wood and chocolate smoothing things out, flashes of dark fruits towards the end along with a trace of vanilla. The body was more medium than full, but the fine carbonation gave it a heavier, palate coating texture. Some dry astringency from the wood and dark grains. Smooth and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2009 22:55:29 | More by DrJay

stakem

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Review from notes taken 2/12/11. A 1 liter 2010 swingtop bottle poured into several snifters.

This brew appears black in color with slight indications of clarity shining through the faintest edges of the brew. It displays a lighter color of dark brown along with a dark brown head that carefully swells up to more than a finger's strength. The cap retains quite well leaving a considerable amount of patchy lace clinging to the glass.

The aroma of this brew is dark and roasty with indications of coffee and subtle chocolate notes. Some citrus hop character is present along with a lactic quality that boosts the perceived booziness of this brew with a harsh bite of acidity. As it warms, there is a faint oak note that emerges but the primary factor in this brews aroma is the lactic note that clashes with the other scents.

The taste of this brew is roasted malt tasting like chocolate and coffee. Some citrus hops and a lactic twang. A little boozy and too acidic which contrasts the roasted quality of this brew. There is an aftertaste of bittersweet chocolate however the acidic component of this brew really takes over in an unpleasant way that is somewhat reminiscent of sour cherries.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. A little chalky in the feel that is lightly gritty at times. I am a bit disappointed in this brew. I wish I could have tried it fresh before the sourness took over and hid all the other potential enjoyable traits of this brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2011 17:48:46 | More by stakem

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured black with a tan head that was nice and thick to start. Good deep color- looks substantial. Deep, rich chocolate aromas and some graininess as well as very slightly tart vinous character. The taste loses the vinous character and instead you get a lot of ash. Extremely ashy, but some of the deep chocolate remains. In the direction of Abyss, but with even more char. Smooth but a tad light as far as the mouthfeel goes. Pretty decent, but this doesn'tt nail the style for me although I'm sure it appeals to a certain palate.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 03:52:50 | More by Georgiabeer

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

East End Brewing : Homewood Reserve

Pours a dark brown bordering on total blackness. Brownish head forms and eventually dies down. Aromas of bourbon, roasted malts, vinious qualities and some smoke. In the taste, lots of bourbon, alittle bit of barrel, vanilla, roasted malts and dark fruits. Almost has a whiskey flavor, and alcohol gains momentum as the beer approaches room temperature. Distant chocolate and oaky tannins are on the tongue. Mouthfeel is full bodied, carbonation is medium/low and the beer is smooth. Overall, Homewood Reserve is an interesting beer, and the barrel really comes through in a big way.

Serving type: growler

01-02-2012 18:25:40 | More by Stinkypuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours jet black with a tan head. In the aroma, bourbon, molasses, and oak. In the taste, chocolate, dry coffee, and bourbon notes. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry, bourbon and coffee aftertaste. Big nose and flavor, but kind of thin.

Serving type: cask

09-13-2010 21:23:12 | More by OWSLEY069

tpd975

Florida

3.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Sampled at pre-sex

A: Pours a dark black with a tall foamy head. Pretty good retention with some lace.

S: Very charred aroma to the point of almost being acrid. Burnt coffee, smoke, and booze.

T: Overly roasted flavors as well. Bitter chocolate, very deep roasted malt, coffee that has been on the burner all day. Sort of earthy with a slight sourness that I assume is a result of all the roast this one had. Boozy bourbon and light oak.

M: On the fuller side of body, bold, a bit too much to be honest.

D: Not drinkable at all, though I don't think drinkability is what they were after with this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 21:46:08 | More by tpd975

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1 liter flip top bottle.

Poured a dark black color with a larger sized tan head. Aromas of wood, vanilla, earthy, and some coffee. Tastes of wood, roast, lighter chocolate, dark fruits, earthy, and vanilla. I was getting the woody and vanilla, but the bourbon was almost non-existent. Lightly thin body but nice and smooth. Light lacing left on the glass.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2009 14:20:15 | More by hopdog

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Big (1L?) swingtop of the 2008 vintage into a Weyerbacher tulip.

A: Black body with a finger of frothy brown foam. Looks absolutely huge. Huge.

S: Rich, sweet, and hugely roasty. Lots of coffee, some bittersweet chocolate, and some straight char. Again, big and intense.

T: The char and roast just completely overwhelm things here. One-dimensional, but still enjoyable.

M: Fairly full body with moderate, fine carbonation. Ok.

D: Way too ashy to be remotely drinkable.

Notes: Big thanks to Chris for busting out this obscure stout. While I really enjoyed it, its unbalanced emphasis on straight roasted barley kept it from standing up to the other beers being poured at a truly epic tasting.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 01:09:25 | More by woosterbill

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Another guy here posting his review of this bad beer

A - For the benefit of the east end guy this beer is capable of foam. Mocha colored at that but I didn't get none. Just a still glass of black colored beer.

S - Smells kind of funky. I pretty much nailed it down to a chocolate covered cherry, minus chocolate, rolled in cocoa powder with a side of licorice.

T - Pretty much described in the smell bu

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2011 02:02:26 | More by DrDemento456

billab914

Virginia

2.68/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

2010 vintage poured from a 1 liter swingtop into my Devil's Backbone tulip. It poured pitch black in color with a sticky tan head leaving its mark all over the glass. Pretty nice looking beer actually.

The aroma shows a little too much tart fruits to it. Enough to let you know that something isn't right in it. I do get some sugary molasses and a little toasty component to it, but not enough to overcome the signs of infection. It's not a good aroma for the style, but overall it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

The taste shows a little more roasted malts with some bitter chocolate to it. Again though I get some tart fruits coming through that point to an infection. The infection wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it still noticeably threw the flavors in a different direction.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied, but the carbonation seems very high and off for the style. Overall It wasn't that bad but something definitely was off in it. Given other reviews of this vintage I was actually surprised the infection wasn't worse. I hope to try a better vintage of this sometime.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 18:24:47 | More by billab914

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass. 1L swingtop shared with a buddy. 2010 vintage.

4.0 A: Pours a viscous black color. I had trouble coaxing a good head formation. I ended up with a finger of fairly dense, creamy light brown head with decent retention and a good ring of lacing.

4.5 S: Blackstrap molasses, brown sugar, dark roast coffee, and a touch of chocolate. Bourbon plays a complementary role offering light leather and vanilla contributions. There's more oakiness than bourbon. Pretty good here and definitely an improvement on the base beer.

4.0 T: Bourbon is a bit more evident in the taste, but again plays a complementary role. Blackstrap molasses, coffee, dark chocolate, roasted barley, and a touch of ash. Leather, vanilla, and melon from the bourbon and again a strong oakiness. Very light lactose-like sweetness.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. This could use a bit more carbonation and a higher mash temp. Reasonably creamy for how light the body is and smooth.

4.0 D: An improvement on the base beer, but maybe not by enough to justify the price tag. Still, definitely worth a try and I'll probably pick up a few more to age. Goes down really easily due to it not being a massive imperial.

As an aside, I had the 09 version earlier this year and it was abominable. Full of tannic astrigency and overly ashy. I'm pleased to see that this year's vintage is very much improved.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 00:20:43 | More by DavoleBomb

maximum12

Minnesota

1.9/5  rDev -46.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Thanks to a top-notch trader for this bottle, received in a great BIF a while back & tenderly cellared ever since. I have no idea why this one's lasted so long. No longer. Big 1 liter swingtop, 2008 vintage, initial pours into the biggest snifters we own.

Pops with a satisfying gunshot; plenty of carbonation, then plenty of tan head on even a soft pour. Nose is solid, big roast covers most everything but a fleeting glimpse of cocoa. Mmmm. Char.

Homewood Reserve pulls an odd bait & switch on the gustatory senses. Roast crashes into harsh bitterness, sprinkled with ashes. There's a displeasing tartness in the middle that fruits up as it warms; not bad when cold, it goes south, fast. Ends with must.

Well, based on the smell, I was hoping that the poor reviews of this beer had bypassed my bottle. Alas. That's a lot of beer to pour, but I'm game.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 04:24:39 | More by maximum12

srandycarter

California

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pitch black with an almost nitrogen creamy head. Fine bubble thin coating lace.

S - Not much. A little cocoa, a little malt. Something slightly twangy in there.

T - Thin roasty malt, a little sourness at finish. Interesting, but very mild in all respects.

M - Thin. Light carb, medium to full body. Overly bitter finish.

D - I have a whole quart of this to do and 12 oz would have sufficed.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 04:53:00 | More by srandycarter

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very dark brown to black body with a large brown head. Pretty good retention, the brown hue of the beer will basically stain the bottom of your glass. Leaves great lacing. Thick and very regular, sticky.

Oak is pretty noticeable in the smell with just a touch of whiskey. Some roasted and chocolatey aromas come through as well.

Up front there is a good roasted flavor that couples with some fainter chocolate malts. The most noticeable flavor in this one is definitely oak. A great woody flavor with notes of vanilla. Only a touch of Bourbon or whiskey comes through at first, but the warmer this gets the more noticeable the liquor flavors become. At about room temperature, the Oak and Whiskey become about even in power and the roasted, sweet malts die down a little bit. In the tail end of the drink I swear there is a touch of hops, but it doesn't last long if it's there at all. Very nice.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, pretty light for a stout. Low carbonation and a very dry finish.

Great drinkability. Not heavy or overly sweet, a good balance of malt, whiskey and oak.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2008 07:40:07 | More by Hojaminbag