Smuttynose Homunculus (Big Beer Series) - Smuttynose Brewing Company

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured a nice golden color but with less head than I expected from a Belgian-style brew because these brews (Dubbels, Tripels, etc.) generally have a very thick head. No matter. Smelled like a Belgian beer - with a very fruity, sweet aroma. Tasted exactly like I expected. Really a very good beer. I was very impressed with this one. If I didn't know it came from Smuttynose, I would have guessed that some order of trappist monks had brewed it somewhere in Europe.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 19:35:29 | More by BrianJohnson

smallbatchbrewer

North Carolina

4.39/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Chose for a very stressful day. I have a hefty interview this evening. I needed to unwind in between, poured off 8oz from a bomber to keep me sane. i'll finish the rest later. Golden spice. I can taste candy and toffee. What a nice bubbly mouthfeel as well. Certainly packs a punch at 9.37% but even at room temperature right out of the conditioning closet, only on the last part of the finish does the warming quality of the booze mellow into the mix.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 19:56:20 | More by smallbatchbrewer

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.86/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We pour a brew of golden pumpkin orange. It holds a one and a half finger head of soapy white bubbles, leaving spotty lacing as it recedes at a quicker pace. An aggregate of fat leftover bubbles remains for the remainder of the tasting. A chill haze permeates the beverage, with no sediment noted. Carbonation appears light to moderate. The aroma pits bright lemony malts against metallic, sweeter pale malts with a brush of liquid caramel. Phenols are strong and medicinal, with hearty fusel booze, orange peel zest, ripe berry sweetness, light banana esters, and a mustiness of aged cheese. Our first impression is that the flavoring fit very well to the style, with big juiciness of flavoring, and boldness of Belgian components, just as was seen in the nose. As we sip, pale Belgian malts, banana esters, clovey and medicinal phenols, citric hops, lemon pulp, and the bright sweetness of raw honey start us off. The middle comes to a peak with enhanced phenolic pop, along with orangey juiciness, wet citric hops, mineral, and Belgian yeasty muskiness. We finish alongside a final pale malt wash, further sweetness of banana esters, peppery spice of alcohol, that continued vein of citric hops, and bittered puck of Belgian yeast, medicinals, and faint buttery diacetyls. The aftertaste breathes of cool malts, big banana esters, light vanillas, bittered citric hops, hop stem, mustiness, Belgian yeast and pale malts, and drying chalkiness. The body is medium, and the carbonation is medium, with contributory prickle. There is nice foaminess, cream, and froth to each sip, with decent slurp, smack, pop, and glug. The mouth is initially coated with soft bubbliness, but this gives way to light astringent dryness via those Belgian malts, yeast, and booziness. The abv is fine, and the beer drinks easily.

Overall, the thing we liked best about this beer was how well it represented the style. This was noticed at just about every turn throughout the tasting. The aroma possesses every required component for the style, but remains on the mild side, even with warmth. The flavoring, on the other hand, gave juiciness and depth through its Belgian base, while giving nice balancing sweetness and pucker of the hop bill. The flavoring gives equally to the experience, and this beer fits well among the other delicious beers in the Smuttynose “BIG BEER” series.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 02:22:08 | More by TheBrewo

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The Belgian have traditionally found their beers to be complex enough without the exertion of hops. American microbrewed hoppy ales have generally celebrated a yeast-neutral taste. But the imperial Belgian-style IPA can't have it both ways. Sure the fusion of both becomes a total train wreck... but so does cubism art- and does so in the most beautiful of ways.

As the beer pours a bright and slightly clouded, amber-orange hue, the abundance of carbonation erupts to build a creamy eggshell-white head that retains stubbornly and decorates the tulip with intricate patterns of lace. With a classic look of Belgian pale ales and trippels, the beer suits is Belgian influences well.

Strong and zesty aromas spring to the nose with a plethora of citrus and tropical fruits that are lead by apples, lemons, and apricots. But there's the foundation of bready and honey malts that support the sweetness and welcomes a peppery wine-like note heading into taste.

Its racy taste starts with malt sweetness that's somewhat cracker-like but is trailed by honey and thinned caramel. Fruit components come from a few different directions- first the esters set in with apple, pear, and apricot but then the more acidic lemon, grapefruit, and orange fruits from hop contributions come in to solidify the middle palate. Thereafter, the beer merges with a quivering sweetness, fusion of fruit vibrancy, and deeply resinous bitterness to close the taste in its extended finish.

Medium-full in body, the beer's ample carbonation gives rise to the fruit acidity and lightness of malt to give a somewhat "airy" feel to the semi-malty ale. But as the carbonation subsides, its sweetness recedes and paves the way for spicy alcohol, pepper, and light astringency to merge with alcohol warmth for a long spicy pang in the beer's lasting memory.

This is a wonderful Belgian-style IPA that rivals the likes of Flying Dog Raging Bitch and Stone Brewing Company's Cali-Belgique. But the brewer's notes hop that it falls in the conversation of Achouffe. For that to happen, the beer has to better explore its more complex, earthy, and rustic roots. But its a fantastic beer even with its simplified taste and texture.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 07:13:24 | More by BEERchitect

tdm168

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - cloudy, hazy orange with a huge, pure white head that has fantastic retention

S - apricots, rind, Belgian yeast, spicy alcohol

T - apricot, orange juice concentrate, orange rind, yeast, alcohol in the finish

M - medium to full bodied, warm, dry, juicy

This is a pretty decent BIPA. It's incredibly fruity and juicy. The alcohol is ever present but it doesn't take away from the drinkability. The yeast is present but seems to work well with the intense, complex fruitiness. This is worth a try for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:05:33 | More by tdm168

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Smuttynose Homunculus
2012 edition

LOOK: Mostly clear deep golden color. Small white cap forms but disappears quick.

SMELL: Belgian yeast, candi sugar and herbal hops.

TASTE: Richly flavorful and quite hoppy, this ale has an authentic Belgian Strong Pale/Ipa characteristics. Cotton candy, candied orange peel, finishing with sappy pine and earthy bitterness.

MOUTHFEEL: Medium to full bodied, strong carbonation. Finishes crisp and citrusy.

OVERALL: A tasty Belgian style ale with a generous addition of bright American hops. Brewed in homage to Brasserie D' achouffe, this is a fine ale that belongs in company with some of the giants of the style. A good choice for the big beer series.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 23:58:25 | More by Stinkypuss

JeffreyJDavis

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bomber into a Westmalle Chalice on New Year's Day 2013. Bottle I think was pretty fresh, with a July 2012 store dating.

A: Poured from a mildly disconcerting spermatozoa labelled bottle as a cloudy golden apricot color with a finger or so of frothy fizzy head which dissipated almost immediately with no lacing. Good looking on the pour, only average after it had settled.

N: Wow this is a hoppy estery yeast banana bomber. Was pretty intrigued by how aggressive the hop and yeast profile smelled and couldn't wait to get into it.

T: Apparently this beer (originally called the Gnome) was modeled somewhat after Houblon Chouffe, which is one of my Top 5 global favorites. If it's intended to be a Houblon Chouffe clone, this gnome is on steroids. The Vanguard and Goldings hoppiness is turned up to 11 and much more up front in the flavor profile. You might think it would blow out the flavor balance, but it's pretty much perfectly offset by a yeast and ester wall that holds its own. I get a little maltiness and banana and citrus in the mix, but the hops and yeast are the main elements for me. It's unique, and bitterly aggressive, but I like it!!

MF: Carbonation is solid, which masks the 9.4% ABV well and makes this beer surprisingly drinkable. I would describe it as a light to medium body with good creaminess, very refreshing and drinkable.

Overall this is a nice beer, even though it may take a bit of adjusting to. I can't remember what I paid for it, but I imagine it compares well with other big beers or true Belgians in terms of value. I would definitely buy it and session it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 19:52:29 | More by JeffreyJDavis

flagmantho

Washington

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

Poured from 22oz bomber into a tulip.

Appearance: medium golden hue with a moderate haze and a strong effervescence. Head is two fingers of frothy ivory foam. Quite nice.

Smell: sweet malt with a little bit of pear and a fair amount of green apple. There's also a little bit of funk around the edges, which is quite nice. I like it.

Taste: malty sweetness up front, along with a hit of funk which is notably stronger than in the aroma. This then morphs into a string bitterness at the end, which is interestingly well-rounded in that it seems to hit everywhere on my tongue at once. A bit of an unusual experience, but I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body plus a big carbonation mean this beer has great creaminess. Very satisfying.

Overall: I like this take on a Belgian-style IPA. Bitterness is stronger and more omnipresent than other examples of the style, which adds a nice dimension to the whole experience. I would definitely have this again.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 22:45:32 | More by flagmantho

zac16125

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a tulip
no born on date but label from the beer store says 8/6/12

A: Pours a crystal clear golden amber with just over 1 fingers width of slightly off white colored head. Takes a fair amount of time to dissipate down, leaves decent amounts of patchy lacing down the sides of the glass.

S: A big estery belgium yeast banana. Some clove and white peppery spices. A little bit of funk and a touch of alcohol.

T: Initially there is tons of spice upfront, big clove notes. White and black pepper. I also get sweet malts, a little bit of hop bitterness, a hint or orange, some banana and bubblegum on the backend.

M/D: Medium bodied, somewhat syrupy, pretty heavy carbonation. Great job of masking the ABV. Drinkability is fair.

O: Overall, pretty nice, I enjoyed this beer. From start to finish the hop profile is pretty weak, and this comes off more as a Tripel or maybe Belgium Strong Pale than a Belgium IPA. Of course at this point this beer is months old, so it probably had a stronger hop profile early on. Im not complaining though, I really dig a spicy Tripel-esque beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 22:41:10 | More by zac16125

rfbenavi80

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 bottle poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours a brilliantly clear golden yellow with 2 fingers or white fizzy head that quickly goes away to a ring at the edge of the glass. (the second pour into the glass is not a s clear as the first)

S- Spicy Belgian yeast up front. Slight earthiness. Lots of fruity hops, mango and papaya come to mind.

T- Follows nose well. Belgian yeast is the a dominate flavor followed by maltiness sweetness with an earthy, fruity hop kick.

M- On the low side of full bodied with a moderately high amount of carbonation.

O- Not a home run of a beer, but good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 00:23:05 | More by rfbenavi80

chanokokoro

Illinois

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

Poured from a 2012 vintage 22 oz. bottle into a Smuttynose Big Beer Series branded snifter

Pours a hazy gold with deep amber accents. Two and a half finger fluffy bright white head Belgian yeast, spices, some mild funk, and herbal and grassy hops on the nose. Fruit notes, grassy, herbal hops, phenol alcohol, bready yeasty esters, white pepper and spice. Finishes fairly dry with yeasty, mild alcohol and spice. Fairly creamy mouthfeel with lively carbonation, light bodied. A very well done beer that will please anyone who appreciates Belgian-style beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 03:51:04 | More by chanokokoro

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From the 22 oz. bottle marked Bottle conditioned in 2012. Sampled on October 22, 2012.

The pour is a cloudy golden yellow with a whole lot of foamy, milk shake-like head and a whirlwind of carbonation.

The nose is tickled with plenty of Belgian yeast, sweet malts, and a nice dose of citrus with an emphasis on grapefruit esters.

The body is about medium with a kind of astringent acidic character.

The taste compliments the aroma with its citrus zing, light pale malt character, yeasty note, clove, and a semi-lingering finish that in many respects reminds me of a Tripel. Easier to drink than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 22:02:31 | More by puboflyons

NarrowG8

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Served in a Allagash tulip -

Wow, I found this very enjoyable.

A - Okay, looks like a typical belgian, nothing special, very hazy w/good head though.

S - smells like a typical belgian as well w/ notes of creaminess & clove

T - one of the best parts is the taste - Crisp, creamy, clove, I think some taste of dates

M - amazingly foamy

O - I would definitely have this again and think it is worth purchasing especially at it's price for a belgian style and thought it was a bit above average and the 9.37 ABV is not noticeable in taste but only within the good vibes, Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 23:36:03 | More by NarrowG8

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 bottle

A: Pours a hazy golden sunrise yellow color with 2 fingers worth of bubbly head

S: Belgian yeast imparts some nice fruitiness, including apple, pear, and other light fruits. Also get a nice breadiness from the malts and some light hops

T: A little bit of a let down from the nose, as the hops take control of the yeast and make it a bit more bitter, earthy, and toned-down than fruity. The yeast and malt characters are still there, but the hops are in the driver's seat, making this one hoppy Belgian golden

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth

O: I think this should be categorized as a hoppy BSPA rather than a Belgian IPA, but that might be a bit subjective. A good brew no less, but I would like to see the fruitiness shine a bit more and maybe just tone the hops down a bit (but not a lot). That being said, I'm pretty sure this is only the 3rd time Smutty has brewed this, so hats off to them

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 05:37:02 | More by BEERMILER12

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up the 2012 version for 5 bucks (bargain!) at the House of 1,000 beers.

A - Damn nice hazy bright yellow and even though it's only a 1/4 inch of head the very sticky and vibrant.

S - Very hoppy with a nice hit of Belgium yeast and some sugary goodness. Also a tad vegital but hopefully not too much in the taste.

T - Hoppy and fruity with a sour vegital taste that isn't too cloying or skunky. Works pretty well actually.

M - Medium bodied I am actually quite surprised its well over 9%

Overall kind of fruity, kind of vegital (lager like taste), yet 100% hoppy this beer is good and quite unique. Worth trying if paying 5 bucks a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 02:27:16 | More by DrDemento456

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Poured out a semi-hazy golden-orange color with a two finger white rocky foam head lasting for about four minutes, leaving behind wonderful sheets of lacing on the glass. Higher side of medium carbonation levels and body thickness. Texture can get just a bit oily and sticky in the mouth.

Smells of oranges (both peel and juice), plenty of Belgian yeasty phenolic funk and pineapple, some pears and green apples at medium levels, and smaller amounts of boozey alcohol, pepper, and clove spicing with some faint ghostly banana in the background. The flavor follows suit with the few subtle differences being a higher level of rising alcoholic hotness to the finish and some more floral and earthy tones sprinkled around in the midsip. Kudos for actually presenting a challenging level of Brett funk in conjunction with a strong enough honeyed / pilsner malt and hopping to stand up properly to its' boldness.

This one really seems like a candidate to cellar for a few months to maybe half a year in order to smooth down the rough alcoholic edges. Alas, I only had one bottle which I consumed fresh, as I have never had it before. I will certainly be on the lookout for it again next release for experimental cellaring purposes.
Fresh- 4.5 4 4 3.5
Aged- ? ? ? ?

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 21:18:37 | More by WastingFreetime

fmccormi

New York

4.23/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straight pour from pry-off 22oz bottle to a cervoise-style Ommegang flute. Only bottle-dating visible is a notch on the side of the label indicating this to be from the 2012 edition of Smuttynose’s Big Beer Series. This came out fairly recently (right around a month ago, at the most) so this is pretty damn fresh.

Appearance (4.0): Pretty aggressive head for a somewhat aggressive pour: four fingers of tight, custard-colored foam that falls slowly, leaving thick, thick legs of lace all around (at first) and a one inch-plus wide nub of foam sitting in the middle. The body is a perfectly hazy, orange-gold. Later on, the lacing consists of just a few scattered suds.

Smell (4.0): Veeeery interesting mix of strong, hay-like, earthy, thick, wheaty yeast character, alongside some strong, grassy hop character with some citrus zest underneath. Smells like a very yeasty BSPA with an extra helping of Old World hops.

Taste (4.5): Following the nose, the malt and yeast core of this beer most closely resemble a very yeasty, wheaty BSPA, with a bigger kick of grassy, slightly herbal hops, but with a much fruitier (peach, apricot, blood orange) punch toward the end. The body is zesty and spicy (white pepper and some light clove), with a chalky-wheaty malt character; the hops maintain a grassy bitterness through the beginning and mid-palate, and finish part-grassy, part-piny, part-pithy. The yeast and hops both contribute, I think, to that very fruity, apricot-peach tone that persists for the whole taste. Finally, there’s a mild but noticeable drying effect from the ABV that lets you know this is not a small beer at all. This is just goddamn lovely.

Mouthfeel (4.0): The carbonation is light and slightly prickly, understated in the finish but providing a nice, lush mid-palate. The body is medium-full and nice and oily, finishing just BARELY on the dry side, but the ABV dries it out enough to invite the next sip.

Overall (4.0): I really, really enjoy this beer. I like these hopped-up BSPA / tripel-ish hybrid beers. Take away the over-hopped-ness of this beer, and the Chouffe inspiration is not hard to see at all (see the yeasty-wheaty BSPA notes above). I was expecting the hops to be more blatantly American-inspired, but what they’ve done here is very pleasing, regardless. More evidence for my theory that the BSPA / tripel-ish Belgian IPAs are the best examples of the style!

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 00:25:28 | More by fmccormi

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours golden like the sunset with a frothy white head - nice lacing and good retention.

Banana and spicy clove punch in the nose. Citrusy yeast and floral notes in the background.

This beer teeters between a triple and an ipa and what a fun ride. The banana notes and malty bread of a triple are upfront then the palate is hammered by bitter citrus ipa notes and a lively carbonation sting. This blows raging bitch out of the water. A very exciting and tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 00:55:43 | More by Chickenhawk9932

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber split with friends and poured into a couple snifters. The brew appears a hazed golden with a frothy off-white cap. A full wall of webby lace sticks to the glass. A light swirl revives more than a finger of yellowish stained head.

The smell is full of herbal hops, somewhat veggie-like and mixed with some hints of dirty melon. Some citrus and fruit/floral notes
come along for the ride mixing with candied orange candy. A bit of spicy yeast like clove and pepper fill out the rest of the void.

The taste is hebal with hops. A mild candy sweetness is present before mixing with some dirty melon flavor and herbal to grassy biterness. More sips reveal some earthen elements mixed with sulfur.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. It is lively in the feel but lots of strange yeast aspects clash with the bitternesss that keeps this from being that enjoyable. I dont know what it is about belgian ipas but something always seems to go strange with them.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 17:54:28 | More by stakem

avalon07

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had an orange color and a cloudy consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Average lacing.

S: A somewhat underwhelming aroma of hops, yeast, and some light fruit.

T: Tasted of hops (a moderate amount, but more than you might find in a typical Belgian IPA), malt, light fruit, some yeast, and a grassy quality. Not the most interesting of flavors. Also, the grassiness is off-putting.

M: A highly-carbonated beer with a smooth, silky finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is a beer with some good attributes, but is too uneven to really be wholly successful.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 13:06:32 | More by avalon07

lovindahops

New York

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally got the chance to get a couple bottles of homunculus. I am a huge smutty fan so I am expecting big things from this brew. Poured into my harpoon tulip

A-homunculus pours a brilliant orange with a hazy appearance. Glowing colors help magnify a superb fluffy white head of foam with massive spider web lacing all over the edges of the glass. Great beginning on this one

S-massive tangerine, Belgian spice, delicious sweet malt, and bubble gum in this. Some herbal components and orange corrieander peel top this off for an enticing scent profile

T- a sting from the massive Belgian flavors is positioning this big time tasty. Mango and tangerine flavors bundle excellently with the Belgian yeast and spices. Very herbal as belgian sugared candy is the best way to describe the flavors. Im impressed with this belgian ipa profile

M- the flavors take over and even prickle you mouth with flavor

O- I absolutely loved smutty's delivery for a Belgian ipa. So much going on with the tropical properties trying to counter the Belgian spiced onslaught. Let me just say this is great fresh!!

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 01:09:21 | More by lovindahops

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a snifter, the beer is a bright, vibrant, opaque copper-gold coloring with a filmy ring around the surface. Aromas of funky fruit and spice typical of Belgian yeast, with pineapple and melon blending with coriander and lemon zest. Smells smooth and tasty. Flavors are smooth and rich, with a slightly sour undertone that uplifts the malty backbone of fruit sweetness. Hops are light, and used as an accent of pepper spice and a slight bitterness to the palate. Very tasty, and the beer has a solid, rich mouthfeel. The aftertaste is rich, with the tropical fruit sweetness becoming more syrupy, with a sutble roasting. Clean, smooth finish with a subtle dryness at the very end. Solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 23:34:19 | More by GarthDanielson

JayQue

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I always think I am missing something when I hold a Belgian IPA for a long time. I'm sure I am missing out on hops. This beer is pretty good "as is" whether it was held too long or not. Pours an apricot colored, hazy color with a very small delicate white head that fades fast. No real lacing on my Chimay goblet. Smell is very mild, some fruit (apples and pears) and a hint of alcohol.

Tastes pretty good, especially if you have the patience to let it warm up. Once again pears and apples, a hint of Belgian yeast, a little sweetness, balanced by mild hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel is rich and smooth. There is a hint of warming alcohol, but not enough to keep you from gulping it...gotta read the label for that!!!! It is a slow sipper at that high an abv.

Overall a nice slow sipper with enough flavor to satisfy. I may buy one of these fresh and compare it. I'll bet the hops profile makes it more interesting than my year or older bottle that I just reviewed.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 00:48:59 | More by JayQue

ralree

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Slightly cloudy, gold, nice white head, wonderful lacing, decent retention. A very nice looking beer.

S: Extremely fruity/citrusy. Rich hops in there too. Toasted malt with sticky caramelized brown sugar.

T: Extremely intense flavor - hops and alcohol come out in full force to attack, backed up by a really sweet malt (almost cloying) and tangy fruit ends up in the background, but it's still strong compared to most flavors. Very interesting flavor. Toasty flavor is in there, but it's rather hard to detect with the sweetness.

M: Thick, chewy, syrupy - more like a stout than an IPA for sure. Sticks to your mouth, holding the flavors in after swallowing. This is about what I expected.

D: Goes down slow - not one to try to drink quickly for a few reasons: you'd be very drunk very fast, you'd be overpowered by sweetness, and you'd feel extremely full. This one is better for sipping by the fire (or in the hot tub). Not something I would have with most foods (except maybe some cheese and crackers/bread).

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 20:51:16 | More by ralree

McNealc31

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy gold with a fluffy white head, the fruit from the Belgian yeast is very noticeable in the aroma. At first, fruit dominates the flavor as well, with orange, apricot, and banana. Even a bit of bubble gum. Hops flavors come through after the fruit with a peppery jolt, leading to a dry and somewhat bitter finish. The aftertaste is similar to butterscotch candy. Some heat comes from the 9.9% ABV, but not overpowering.

Very tasty. If they keep this is a yearly, seasonal release beer, I can see it get very popular

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 23:08:28 | More by McNealc31