Til Fra Via (To From Via) - Mikkeller ApS

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Craft Beer Co. into a goblet.

A: Opaque black body under a light brown head that settles into a fine ring and leaves spotty lace. Nice.

S: Piquant. Spicy, chocolatey, herbal, and a little boozy. Dark and delightful.

T: Smoky and fruity up front, with chocolate and herbal notes filling in behind. Very spicy, bright, and savory. Long, sweet, roasty finish. Pleasantly intense.

M: Smooth, creamy, moderately carbonated full body. Great.

O: I was surprised to see this one getting low reviews so far, as I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting brew - far better than several other Mikkeller offerings that are currently rated higher.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 03:46:57 | More by woosterbill

womencantsail

California

2.45/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5

On-tap at Beer Revolution

The beer pours black in color with a small off-white head. Intense licorice and booze aromas, there’s a bit of rubbing alcohol and paint thinner, maybe some charcoal. Some heavy char and roast aromas, too. Heavy on the roasted malts. There's a bit of chocolate, mild molasses, and some char flavor. There’s also just a ton of booze flavor, too. Medium body and carbonation. And just not good.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 18:22:16 | More by womencantsail

dirtylou

Washington

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on-tap, brasserie V

appearance: served in a goblet - had no idea what the beer even was, but went for it. black body, foamy chocolate hat

smell: dry roast, green hops, smoke, char, toffee

taste: nice porter - espresso roast, evergreen, smoke, char, caramel, roasted malt, some holiday spice

mouthfeel: dry and roasty, medium body

overall: worth a go - i like trying mikkeller stuff

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 05:45:58 | More by dirtylou

Spider889

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Bodega tulip.

Dense black with a short cap of dark head, decent retention and meager lace.

Aroma is very hop-forward. Very green with bits of roast and chocolate trying to sidle through.

Tastes really nice. I like some real smoke to go with my Baltic Porters, but this'll do. The flavor of ash and char suffice in a pinch. Very robust, with a nice floral/citric hop kick at the end of each sip.

Thinner on the feel than it appears.

Solid beer either way. Not sure I'd pay full price for this at a shop, but half off happy hour'll do just fine.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 07:29:32 | More by Spider889

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from a shop in Melbourne. From notes.

A - Poured black with a really creamy dark mocha head. A little lace and a film of retention.

S - Sweet, dark malts, roast, chocolate, sweet cocoa.

T - Sweet and roasty. Tobacco and a fair bit of sweetness with some smoke.

M - Fairly dry, gentle carbonation, full body.

O/D - Pretty decent. Perhaps too sweet but alright otherwise. Doesn't break the mold, but does the trick.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 19:40:35 | More by tbeckett

ADZA

Australia

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black hue that lets no light in and leaves a three finger hot chocolate laced head and lacing everywhere,the smell is cocoa nibs,dark rich chocolate,dark plums and raisins,the mouthfeel is medium bodied and on taste theres alot of dark rich chocolate and cocoa nibs which is really full on followed by some herbal hops,raisins,a touch of rum,charcoal and the finish is a mix of dark chocolate and strong black coffee and overall its alright but i wouldnt buy again in a hurry as the dark rich chocolate is dominating from start to finish very similar to Youngs Double Choc stout just without the full feel and i think it could be better balanced cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 08:22:13 | More by ADZA

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Duvel tulip.

A - A huge mocha head poured into this thing. Body is pitch black. Very minimal lacing.

S - sweet and bitter chocolate (would that be bittersweet chocolate?), some spices, and dark fruits. Maybe raisins. The spices I can't quite pin down.

T - A weird mix between the spices, fruits, and chocolate notes. I think I like it. Good milk/sweet chocolate and some bitter cocoa flavors. There are hints of dates.

M - Not bad. Decent mouthfeel from good carbonation and solid body.

O - There is a sweetness to the flavor which gets taken out by a bitterness, all of which are well balanced. Nothing crazy about this beer, but decent all around.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 02:28:16 | More by RuckusDu

jeffjeff1

California

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I got this for Christmas from my wife. Just haven't had the time to drink it until now.

Appearance- black color, thick tan foamy head, nice head retention, very nice lacing

Smell- roasted malt, chocolate

Taste- strong flavor of roasted malt and chocolate, settles down eventually

Mouthfeel- medium to full bodied

Drinkability- I thought it was pretty good but the flavor is a little strong in the beginning. Other than that it is really good.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 17:29:16 | More by jeffjeff1

blakelive784

Colorado

3/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

1 pt, 9.4 fl oz bottle served in a nonic pint glass, reviewed from notes:

A - Pours a black color with a chocolate head of fair creaminess and 3 fingers. Head retention is very good and it leaves nice lacing on the glass as it recedes.

S - Smoky roasted malt, cream, semi-sweet chocolate. It's moderate in strength but a bit simple.

T - Follows suit of the aroma, with the smoke/roast characteristics being more prominent. Lightly creamy. The roast is a bit overbearing, with no obvious counterpoint. Suffers from simplicity. It does manage to to hide its ABV fairly well.

M - Entirely too smooth and wet. It'd be a bit better with more coarseness and dryness.

D - A good beer, but a bit disappointing. It's got good flavors working for it, but it's poorly balanced and a bit to simple.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 03:16:11 | More by blakelive784

kojevergas

California

2.68/5  rDev -27%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

1 pint 9.4 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Fort Collins Brewing pilsner glass. Reviewed live.

A: Pours a two finger head of excellent tan colour, lovely cream lacing, excellent thickness, and great retention. Colour is a solid black.

Sm: Heavy rich chocolate, caramel, roast, and very light cream. A moderate strength aroma.

T: A roasted barley foundation, with cream, caramel, and very very light cream atop. Built well and enjoyable, but of questionable balance. The yeast is pleasant, but not as biscuity as I'd like. It's rather simple, with a limited flavour profile.

Mf: Smooth and wet, suiting the flavours only generally. A bit disappointing.

Dr: Drinkable but unremarkable. The balance is just off. I wouldn't have it again. Boring and a bit bland.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 05:49:55 | More by kojevergas

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Always saw this each christmas, but never pulled the trigger. Why not this year.

Pours black as night, with a big 3+ finger of medium mocha colored head. Nice lace and retention.

Aroma is chocolaty, with huge roasted/burnt malt notes, spices, and dry cocoa.

Taste's very roasted, with a bit of ashy charred malt, nice sweet chocolate notes and a hint of bitterness.

Very creamy, medium to full body. Pleasantly rich.

Very nice. Might be a bit too charred for some, but I like it.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 19:46:35 | More by EgadBananas

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Chris at Boo's for this nice Christmas gift. After reading through posts on the topic and drilling down to possible Mikkeller beers, I'm reasonably sure this is the right entry. Yellowish label with a mistletoe image in the top left corner. Other than that, a To a From , 8% and a description, "holiday ale brewed with spices".
Appearance: Dark brown, a thick, foamy head that was huge on the pour, dwindles to a respectable size with thick clingy lacing.
Smell: Sure smells like a Baltic porter. Smoke subdued, rich roastiness up front.
Taste: nice roasty taste with a slight bitterness in the finish.
Nice holiday treat. Cool idea.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 23:53:48 | More by cindyjeffsmith