Hel & Verdoemenis - Brouwerij De Molen

nhindian

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz bottle poured into a Mikkeller wine glass.

Batch 152

A - I barely crack the cap before I'm greeted with a very loud POP. I barely have time to react before I have thick, black foam coating my glass, hand, counter, and whatever is between me and the sink. Yep, it's a gusher. I clean up, pour it SLOWLY down the side of the glass and have about an inch of liquid when the rest is full of mocha-colored head. I turn to grab my camera, and by the time I turn around it is foaming over again. I now hate this beer. When it finally settles, it does look nice, with a pitch black body and great lacing. It sticks to the glass, my hand, paper towels, dishes...

S - The nose on this is almost entirely all roasted malts and give off a fresh-brewed coffee aroma and a bitter chocolate. There is a touch of char as well, but overall it's pretty straightforward, if not intimidating.

T - Given the explosion upon opening, I was expecting this to be infected, but I don't really get any tartness that would indicate a flaw. There is perhaps a trace of dark fruit in the back-end, but that's not uncommon for the style. Otherwise this is roasted bitterness through and through. It's a bit smokey and the char gives it an extra grit as well. Somewhat hoppy as well which is a surprise, but the hops are more earthy and spicy, fitting in with the robust theme of the beer. A good deal of alcohol astringency in the finish is noticeable.

M - Mouthfeel is moderately heavy-bodied with high carbonation. A tad on the syrupy side with a long, bitter aftertaste.

D/O - Drinkability is moderate. This is a big beer and one sip can leave you with a mouth full of flavor. This makes the languishing task of drinking slow both for enjoyment and the fact that the flavors don't exactly lend themselves to being quaffed.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 04:17:56 | More by nhindian

Jeffo

Netherlands

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a re-review. My first review was back in '09 and I scored it a 3.23. Carbonation was also an issue back then. However, De Molen has been much more consistent lately and the newer batches of H&V have not only been carbonated properly, but they've all seemed to be much more flavorful. Anways, time to give it another go.

From a bottle into a snifter
Bottled 21 June 2011
Drunk beside a Rasputin

APPERANCE: A dark brown and slightly transparent pour yields a one finger, thicker looking, fluffy, light brown head with great retention. Opaque black body with higher levels of carbonation evident. Head slowly fades to a good foamy wisp cap and clings to the sides of the glass. A splotchy wisp remains and leaves some good lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Bolder nose of roasted and smoky malts, dark chocolate, coffee beans, cocoa powder and some black licorice. Bold and interesting, and much more stout-like than Rasputin.

TASTE: Bolder flavors of roasted and smoky malts and a good dose of dark chocolate, cocoa, espresso coffee and charred malts at the swallow. Lots of bitterness as well. Bold and relentless aftertaste of roasted and burnt malts, bitter coffee and bitter, dark chocolate. Bold flavors and very roasted and chocolate forward. This is more my kind of thing.

PALATE: Medium-full body and medium carbonation. Creamy on the palate, enough weight as well, goes down smooth and finishes slightly mouth-coating. A touch of heat lingers, but well measured.

OVERALL: Now this is more like it. The newer batches have been much improved compared to the older ones, and this imperial stout is way, way more my thing than Rasputin. Big nose and flavor profile, with all the stout characteristics I love, and a good look and feel to top it off. Definitely glad they use this one for their barrel aging projects, as it’s got the big, roasted and chocolate flavors to hold up. Definitely the clear winner over Rasputin. Top notch stuff. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 12:19:27 | More by Jeffo

zep9865

Indiana

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into Aecht snifter. Uncoventional look for a Russian Imperial Stout. More of a hazy dark brown than anything else. Slight lacing and light foam head does not completely recede.

Buddy mentioned that the smell is very funky which is right on point. Almost has a barnyard feel to it with all kinds of coffee and cocoa. I like the funk.

Front palate is extremely smooth with milk chocolate, toffee, hazlenut and coffee. The "funk mentioned previously is on the back end.

Beer is exceptional until you pull it through, and taste the booze and funk that you didn't think it had.

I feel like this beer is gonna be a hit or miss with a lot of people. The funkiness of this beer just made me more interested with every sip. A must try for the stout-minded

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 05:27:11 | More by zep9865

aasher

Indiana

3.35/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This is an 11oz bottle. It pours a nice medium bodied chocolate brown in color with only a very slight lacing. The aromas are odd. You get a lot of powdery chocolate malt with a strange funk to it. The more I think about it, the more I detect gym socks. That's a no no. Oddly enough it's not as off putting as it sounds or as it could be. Theflavors consist ofa ton of chocolate malt, roasted malt, light coffee, chocolate bar sweetness, and slight alcohol. It's solid and the favors work well together. It drinks really light in body, kind of thin and watery. It's definitely the lightest imperial stout I've had yet. It needs to be more viscous. This definitely hurts the appeal of this beer. I don't see how it could be aged for 25 years being as thin as it is. Overall this is an odd beer. The nose is questionable, the favors are solid, but the body isn't up to par for the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 05:23:12 | More by aasher

scottfrie

California

3.43/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Young 375ml bottle (bottled 4/11/11) poured into Portsmouth snifter.

A: Pours black with a few soapy bubbles for a head. Not much in the way of lace as well. I guess I should be glad I didn’t get a gusher bottle like some of the other reviewers, but some kind of head would have been nice.
S: Crazy strong notes of roasted malt, toasted dark grains, deep dark chocolate and volatile alcohol. I get a hint of vanilla and burnt wood as well.
T: Flavors from the nose are present and they definitely lean towards char, peat, burnt wood, earth, and tobacco. I get sweeter notes of caramel and vanilla in the finish, and the aftertaste is lightly bitter with rich dark chocolate, but this is one roasted and toasted beer.
M: Very low carbonation that makes the mouthfeel very slick and watery. The body is thankfully fairly thick, but really this feels like drinking heavy water.
O: Obviously I didn’t get a bottle with any bubbles so the mouthfeel definitely suffered. The flavors were also fairly complex but had a char/roasted/earth theme. Overall a pretty solid imperial stout; perhaps some age would make it better.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 00:41:05 | More by scottfrie

champ103

Texas

2.35/5  rDev -43.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

This is an 08 bottle.

A: Pours nearly pitch black color. A large, rocky tan head forms with good retention. Rings of sticky lace is left behind.
S: Prune juice, dark fruits, light roast, powdered sugar and chocolate.
T: Really sweet and boozy. To much residual sweetness for me. Acrid, bitter coffee and roast. Big on the prune juice. Dark fruits, more like fruit puree. Lots of bitter coffee lingers on forever. Not enjoying this.
M/D: A full body and moderate carbonation. Though really sticky and syrupy. Like an adhesive to the tongue. Way to sweet and to much hot alcohol for me to enjoy this.

Better than Bommen & Granten. Though that is not saying much. Again, this is just to big, boozy, and sweet for me to want to come back for more.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 05:05:49 | More by champ103

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 06 Dec 2009, two years to this exact day. Not planned so that's neat. Bottle 824. Acquired in trade from Iguenard - thanks!

Pours a wonderful rich black with two plus fingers of fudge colored head which bubbles down to a thin cover - quite a fizzy head variety which rather quickly fades to black.

Even from the pour a rich mocha fudge aroma spills out, some booze, roast, dark fruits and a slightly tannic/winey smell.

Quite a dry roasty character to this one, not much of the rich sweet mouthfeel that I also look for in a RIS. Coffee, toast, lots of roast, slight notes of oxidation, dark fruits, tannins. Light sweetness, dark chocolate, molasses. Really dry finish, hides the booze really well, just a faint warming down the throat, on the more carbonated end of the spectrum for RIS but within range, really quite drinkable for style.

Great beer, really well crafted, mouthfeel is perhaps its weakness but, nonetheless, a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 04:41:50 | More by ritzkiss

pixieskid

France

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a thick black with a solid 3 finger khaki brown head...dissipates to a thin lacing.

Nose is of dark-ripe fruits, a hint of smokiness, leather, toffe, and a bit of dark cherries.

Taste; strong dark chocolate, a nice earthy bitterness, strong caramel, and a lingering woodiness with an overtone of warming-alcohol (in a good way).

Mouthfeel; creamy and spritzy, slightly thin body.

Overall; rich, balanced, and a nice distinction between notes. Another solid stout from De Molen, looking forward to the Wild Turkey aged version!

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 16:47:46 | More by pixieskid

mj001jk

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a little lighter than black, a thick and viscous dark brown liquid with a creamy hazel-colored foam.

The nose is big and brooding, rich and velvety dark chocolate with butterscotch and vanilla. Not much of coffee comes through, it reminds me more of dark roasted nuts, molasses and hops, which gives it a nice balance with mostly pine breezing through.

The flavor is big and packs a punch, more bitterness and coffee notes here than on the nose. The alcohol gives it an Irish Coffee-like character which is not at all a bad thing, if you know what I mean! The chocolate, caramel and herbal hop flavors linger on the tongue for well over a minute, this is one to savor slowly as a dessert, or by itself if that's how you roll.

All in all very smooth, very delicious and memorable.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 05:46:07 | More by mj001jk

CHADMC3

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle 026, brewed on 6/21/10.

Pours a pitch black body beneath the billowing, foamy mocha head that is very slow to dissipate leaving behind a dense, sticky lacing. Generous yeasts float to the bottom of the glass as the beer settles.

Rich aromas of roasted malts and dark chocolate waft from the glass. The chocolaty aromas compliment the strong roasted malts and there are even scents of fresh tobacco leaves.

The rich roasted malt first coats the palate but quickly gives way to coffee flavors and secondary chocolate notes that sweeten as it warms. The chocolate takes the forefront as the beer warms. at the end there is also a hint of spice and a pleasant yet generous booziness at the finish.

The mouthfeel is pretty thick with generous carbonation and enough malty goodness to take the edge off of the alcohol.

An absolutely excellent imperial stout with tons of flavor and balanced just right to take the edge off the strong abv.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 01:59:40 | More by CHADMC3

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at O'reilly's into a snifter.

A - Pours deep dark brown with a creamy one finger tall tan head leaving light streaks of lace down the entire glass.

S - Smells of rich bakers chocolate, subdued dark roasted malt, coffee, tobacco, and a pretty decent sized dose of hops. There is a good bit of booze as well.

T - Starts off with a big dose of sweet chocolate slowly giving way to a mix of coffee, tobacco, caramel cream, hops, and the ever present dark roast. This one is pretty boozy, only getting stronger as it comes to room temperature. The finish is a mix of sweet chocolate and dark roast, lingering on the pallet for some time.

M - Heavy body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Big, sweet, boozy feel throughout the glass. I am not sure why but this one was working for me. Maybe after all those roasty stouts this sweet one really hit the spot.

O - I liked this one. De Molen makes some amazing beers and this may very well be one of them. I am glad I have a bottle of this one in the cellar already, can't wait to try it after some of this booze dies down.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 21:24:09 | More by orangesol

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at O'reilly's served in a snifter.

The color is deep earthy brown like a mocha or redeye with tiny beads that dissipate quickly. The nose is full of strong cocoa scents like belgian chocolate with moderate sweet odor that is still somewhat bitter with mild roasted smell but very fudgy overall. The feel is of a strong stout with moderately heavy body and a little warmth with spicy tinges and moderately high sweetness with a subtle bitter edge as it finishes with moderate carbonation which suits the style.

The flavor is roasty and heavy on chocolate which I like, the mildly roasted malt with slight caramel has a nice synergy with the gentle spiciness and mild hop flavors. There is a mild char tinge which adds to the complexity, not quite smoky more like the burnt edges on the brownie that came in contact with the pan. The alcohol is mild in the taste with slight woody aspsect in the dry finish. Overall I found this to be a pretty high quality stout, a pretty quaffable for a beer this big. I enjoy the gentle yeast influence with plenty of malt to recommend this for those who like Russian imperial stouts

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 16:17:08 | More by Slatetank

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz red waxed bottle. Brewed in 2010 bottle 313. Can be kept up to 25 years.

It opens with a huge pop and is a gusher. One of the most overcarbonated beer I have encountered. Takes like 15 minutes to pour it. Maybe you shouldn't age it if it is this carbonated.

IT looks nice when it is all said and done. A rich caramel colored head with a dark black body and tons of lacing.

The smell is great too. Nice hops for a RIS. It has a woody smell to it to go with the cocoa and sugars.

The mouthfeel is different from what I expected. Super carbed, but thick. It has a bitter, robust flavor. Very good again actually. No doubt there is enough sweet alcoholicness here too. It is a unique tasting RIS. I give it credit for that.

This brewery makes great tasting brews. They just gotta figure out if they want their beer super carbonated or near flat.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 04:41:24 | More by crossovert

doughanson78

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Local Option in Chicago. Poured into a goblet.

A: Black with a touch of light coming through at the edges. One finger tan head. With alright retention and minimal lacing.

S: Wow! Huge chocolate and roastiness. Not much else but definitely doesn't need it.

T: Huge chocolate. On par with Southern Tier's Choklat. But way different. Big roastiness. Very amazing.

M: Full body. Super creamy. Medium carbonation. Did I mention creamy?

O: Amazing. Love it. One of the top non barrel aged imperial Stouts.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 03:23:09 | More by doughanson78

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at The Firkin.

Shoutout to my boy VDubb86 for allowing me to share in his order this e'en. It pours a bleak onyx topped by a finger of dark-ish khaki foam. The nose comprises chocolate (both dark and cocoa), darkly-roasted malts, light booze, light molasses, light coffee, and a slight bit of char. Things are a bit astringent to my 'strils. The taste follows pretty closely, with the chocolate and roast really pounding the 'buds. Unfortunately, so too does the booze, along with his friend leathery char. Things just seem overdone here in a number of ways, but surprisingly not enough to make it completely off-putting. It's kinda like drinking a tough scotch: it's a good kind o' pain. The body is fairly hefty, with a light moderate carbonation and a thickly syrupy, chewy feel. Overall, this stout is a bit much, a bit too stout-y (man, I can't believe those words just came out of my mouth...) for its own good. It's not really bad, just nothing I would ever really go after again. (I hope my inner conflict has been made clear here...)

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 04:52:13 | More by TMoney2591

flannelman808

California

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

batch 2053, april 2011

A: mars black with tan head, large pancake batter bubbles, and decent retention.

S: Smells kind of like xhocolate covered gummy bears... tart cherry. awesome. coco creeps up as we warm up.

T: wow the nose mimic's the palate. This stuff is pretty fantastic. ever so slightly tart and bitter cherry wrapped in a chocolate coated tobacco leaf (thin leaf).

M: awesomely astringent.

O: this is a really great beer, I'm impressed. I can't wait to see how she ages. bottle claims 25 years, and Im inclined to see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 11:48:07 | More by flannelman808

ChugginOil

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

This brew pours pitch black with a fingers worth of tan head that dissipates quite quickly.

Then nose brings massive chocolate at first. Super surprised by this chocolate knockout. There is a tad bit of espresso followed by some sweet caramel. Alcohol is present from the high ABV but it's not detracting from the quality of the scent.

The taste is just the same. Sweetness in form of milk chocolate, caramel and milk. The chocolate really stands out the most and is the highlight of this brews characteristics. Really working the buds and I'm enjoying this a lot. The alcohol content is a bit present but the flavors take over and manipulate this brew.

The mouthfeel goes a bit aloof here and has too much carbonation. The thick mouthfeel of the liquid would be better backed against a lighter carbonated method. Kinda hurtin' the integrity of this brew.

Overall, this brew is nice and presents a prime example of a chocolate dessert-like brew. The mouthfeel throws it off a bit but the flavors take over and I almost forget about it.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 07:04:07 | More by ChugginOil

ehammond1

California

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Black as night with no head. This has very little visible carbonation activity and leaves nearly no lace down the glass.

Incredibly aromatic beer with lots of roast, coffee beans, rich dark chocolate, and a strong ash/burnt/smoke component as well.

The roast and chocolate are dominant in the flavor along with a mild coffee component. The ash character isn't a distraction though there is a strong, boozy element as well. Tasty and complex--changes as it warms.

Medium to full mouthfeel, a bit oily, and very little carbonation.

An incredibly aromatic and flavorful beer, but I wish it had some more bubbles.

Serving type: on-tap

10-25-2011 22:31:33 | More by ehammond1

DIM

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

a: This was a very dark brown color and it was served to me with a couple of big bubbles for a head.

s: I found a weird kind of smokey molasses with hints of charred licorice, toffee, and coffee.

t: This was an odd stout and I'm not sure I liked it. It was possibly a bit oxidized. I found it strangely earthy and smokey overall with flavors of toffee, molasses, and dark chocolate. The alcohol was fairly moderate but noticeable.

m: This might have been the bottom of the keg, it was pretty flat and a bit oxidized.

o: This was interesting enough, but I can't say I necessarily liked it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 18:19:31 | More by DIM

SFLpunk

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Purchased at Winooski Beverage Warehouse, $9. 11.2oz brown glass pry-top bottle. Dipped in red wax. Brewed 03/07/11, bottled 04/11/11, bottle number 1537.

Pours a super thick black, no head at all. Nose is super roasty. Smells like a coffee liqueur. Palate is super cloying and thick, no carbonation at all. After the initial sweetness shock wears off, the flavors are like really rich coffee, earthy and forest-floor flavors come out too. Reminds me of those coffee hard candies. Maybe some toffee too. Long evolving finish.

Notes: This beer is a textural nightmare, but! the flavors are epic. Just wish there were some bubbles. It might age...hmm, who knows?

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 05:59:20 | More by SFLpunk

monitorpop

Michigan

3.28/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Black with a big foamy milk chocolate head

S: Rich chocolate, coffee, earth.

T: Dark chocolate, deep roasted coffee, wet earth and must with a bit of burnt bitterness that lingers in the finish.

M: Smooth, creamy but a bit thin, low carbonation

O: I'm a bit disappointed in this one, the musty burnt flavors take away from it. Not worth the high price for me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 01:19:09 | More by monitorpop

amphion1065

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

330 mL bottle from 2011, served in a tulip at Lord Hobo. Reviewed from notes.

It pours like a spirit, or maybe iced coffee. The body is black, pure and impenetrable. Not even a wisp of a head on this one. Some legs down the side of my glass, but this isn't really a looker.

The aroma is huge. Prunes and other dark fruits some through in abundance. Lots of molasses, with a rich sugary sweetness. There's a sweet toffee aroma that really reminds me of an English barleywine. Plenty of alcohol phenols with a nostril hair-burning heat detracts from the overall package.

The taste is similarly barleywine-esque, but far less brash than the aroma. Prunes, plums and other dark fruits come through, but chocolate is the predominant source of sweetness. It's quite smoky and roasted, and there's a prevalent bitterness throughout. This is far less sweet than most American Russian Imperial Stouts.

I didn't expect much carbonation after watching this beer pour out of the bottle, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. This is basically dead, flat and borderline lifeless. It's very thick and full, lush and chewy, but just a little bit of carbonation would really help.

A more drinkable mouthfeel would elevate this beer significantly in my view. The taste and aroma are very good and this is drinking well, even though it's rather young. With just a little bit of added carbonation, this balanced stout would be a real winner for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 01:07:12 | More by amphion1065

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On draft, at Bullshead Public House, Lititz PA

Notes taken at Pub.

A 10 oz. serving poured into a bulbous, squat type of Snifter. An acceptable glass.

Pours with practically no head.
A very deep black color as is typical for the style.

The first thing you smell is the coffee, not overly intense but quite noticeable. This is followed rich deep black roasted malt. Quite rich overall.

Impressive upon first tasting. Very rich chocolate/coffee/malt. Delicious! Full mouth feel, but no really noticeable carbonation and a mild crispness (low acid).

Long finish of rich black malt and lingering coffee, coats the mouth and lasts.

Well I have to say this is a different interpretation of the RIS style that I am accustomed too. Little or no hops are present in the aroma or flavor. This ale carries itself on its concentrated malt and coffee components. The final word is that I really liked this ale. It is very complex and wine like in its makeup. Reminds me of a Cask draft ale. IMO very much worth trying if you can. Again delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2011 23:00:03 | More by JTSbeerislife

Sneevel

Norway

4.53/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: dark, blackish with a tight head which disappears quickly.
Smell: caramel, toffee and dark chocolate, very nice.
Taste: a lot of bitter dark chocolate and coffee. Some nice herbal notes and evidence of dry-hopping. Good concentration, and long aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: super creamy, very nice. Small bubbles.
Overall: an excellent stout that doesn't go over the top with burnt flavours and aromas. Great quality - I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 16:16:01 | More by Sneevel

metter98

New York

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a thin tan head that quickly completely died down, leaving a thick ring of big bubbles on the surface around the edge of the glass.
S: There are moderate to strong aromas of roasted malts in the nose along with notes of leather and some hints of alcohol. The smell also has some hints of cigar tobacco.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of roasted malts with hints of alcohol and chocolate.
M: It feels full-bodied and slightly smooth on the palate with a light amount of carbonation. There is warming from the alcohol, particularly in the finish, which also has dryness.
O: The beer is a good sipper as the taste is very complex. The alcohol is definitely noticeable but does not substantially detract from the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 19:39:39 | More by metter98