Nib Smuggler - The Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to a certain Floridian for giving me this rarity.

Poured from a bomber and split with my wife.

Appearance: Pours a totally opaque brown body with a thick and long lasting head composed of very fine bubbles. Some spotted lacing.

Smell: Real good cocoa notes, sugary a bit, chocolate syrup that intensifies as it reaches room temp while adding some roasted chocolate.

Taste: Strong on the chocolate syrup, some cocoa powder, burnt sugar and a bit of a creme brulee flavor but more chocolaty.

Mouthfeel: Very light body, maybe a little too light for a porter? Regardless, it drinks quite well.

Overall: A nice dessert beer and glad to have tried this. Looking forward to more from them when they open up their new production plant.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 15:19:51 | More by papat444

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Draft at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, PA.

Pours a dark chocolate brown color that's almost black and opaque except for faint mahogany edges when held to a light. One and a half finger beige head that quickly settles into a lasting ring. Spotty lacing left behind.

Robust roasty aroma with a nice balance of dark malt, lactic cream and sweeter notes. There's a strong dark chocolate presence along with robust coffee bean and oatmeal countered by sweeter cooca, toffee, caramel and hazelnut. Faint earthy hops as well.

Medium bodied but a bit thinner than expected with an intense overly roasted dark malt character that dominates the flavor. Really dry and bitter with hints of burnt toast, charred malt, robust coffee, dark chocolate and oatmeal. Not nearly as complex or well balanced as the nose suggests. Subtle lactic creaminess but all of the sweeter notes are completely overpowered by the roasted dark malts and intense dark chocolate flavor. Not a bad beer but very one dimensional and verging on acrid. Disappointing, especially coming from a brewery that I usually enjoy which specializes in dessert beers.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 00:31:39 | More by corby112

brystmar

New York

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Monk's during Philly Beer Week.

All of the Funky Buddha brews seemed to gush from the tap lines, and this was no exception. From tap to pitcher behind the bar, then poured into individual pints. Nice head and lace.

Strong, complex aroma finds its way to my nostrils from the froth. Baker's chocolate takes center stage with roasty malts, cola, and coffee in the background. Smell was very pungent while the head remained intact, although its intensity faded with the foam.

Each of the above flavors is blended flawlessly into a top-notch porter. Bittersweet chocolate remains at the forefront while the others' presence is noticeably diminished. A touch of hops in the center to balance out that malty sweetness. Love that big, creamy body too.

Yet another hit from one of the best nano-breweries in the world.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2012 19:01:56 | More by brystmar

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Monk's, Philly, PA

Poured from the pitcher into a pint glass, a thick, dark brownish-black with a small cap of tan head. As with many of the FB beers we got in Philly, this one was quite a gusher from the taps, though not quite as bad as the Berliner weisses. Aroma was roast-heavy, with lesser notes of cola (glad to see I'm not the only one who picked that up) and cocoa. Taste followed the aroma, dark roasty malts are dominant, some cocoa powder with a bit of sugary sweetness. Pretty standard stuff actually, nothing really new or interesting, but solid nonetheless. Medium bodied and pretty smooth, with some roasty bitterness in the aftertaste. Decent overall, but Last Snow is really the porter that makes Funky Buddha shine, I'd say.

If I could just chime in with a "drink local" plug: go get yourself a River Horse Chocolate Porter instead!

Thanks again to everyone who brought Funky Buddha to Philly for Beer Week. Hopefully we see you again!

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2012 03:43:31 | More by Rifugium

ELS

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my first review on beer advocate so I wanted my virgin beer review to be special (kinda like a girl). Nib Smuggler didn't disappoint! The aroma is of fine, fresh gourmet coffee with strong cocoa mixed in. The taste is fairly complex with definite vanilla in your first mouthful. There was no high alcohol finish as mentioned in previous reviews. Just a smooth porter that is very drinkable and highly enjoyable. I plan to go back to FBL tonight to get another Nib Smuggler before it runs out. I've had other notable porters and stouts at FBL (wide awake, etc.) and this one I like better.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 21:29:04 | More by ELS

jwjon1

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a pretty damn tasty choco porter. Cacao on the nose with a ton of roast qualities going on. Drinks with a nice bittersweet chocolate presence, subtle vanilla notes, and roasted coffee quality. It's very well balanced. Silky mouthfeel is spot on for a porter, and I didn't notice any alcohol getting in the way of this beer, even after warming up. A great beer all around.

Side commentary: this would be fun with a little spicy pepper note finishing it out. Would love to run this through a habenero Randal!

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 14:06:10 | More by jwjon1

FosterJM

California

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

737th Review on BA
Bottle to snifter
Avery label reads: NS

Clusterfork7
Thanks goes to GuruDel for this one!!

App- When this first pours it looks a little small compared to some other porters. A lighter brown, a lighter red on edges. Small 1/2 in head with maybe a few whisps of cling.

Smell- A very unique smell. Its a nice mix of an alaska BW from say 2008 with that bacon note and then melds into a chocolate powder note.

Taste- This damn thing tasted great. It was much more vanilla than chocolate or malts and I loved it. Its a great chocolate porter with a well balanced upper layer vanilla flavor. Quite good.

Mouth- Medium bodied and medium carbonated. Had a nice chocolate powder and bacon residual flavor.

Drink- I dont know how he busted this out, but thanks Vince! This was one hell of a porter with some balanced flavors and a unique aroma. If I am ever in FL I need to go here.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 19:15:54 | More by FosterJM

Jefe73

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this one on tap at the Funky Buddha for the Wide Awake It's Morning Release.

A - Dark brown body with a reddish hue when held up to the light. Finger width off-white head with spotty lacing throughout the glass.

S - Strong chocolate on the nose, smells like freshly ground cocoa powder. Roasted malts, caramel, vanilla and syrupy cola are all present here.

T - The taste is about what you would expect based on the nose. Big, strong chocolate and vanilla notes up front. As this one warms, it gets a little more boozy. A little peppery on the finish.

M - Medium bodied and creamy, with good carbonation. Sticky like molasses coating is left on the tongue.

O - Another fantastic beer from the guys at the Funky Buddha. Perfectly balanced and highly drinkable. A definite favorite. Would love to see this one bottled.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2011 14:43:34 | More by Jefe73

dboon

Florida

4.22/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Funky Buddha. Opaque black in color with a tan head. Aromas of chocolate and coffee. Chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt flavors with just enough hops to keep in honest. Personally I prefer just a little more body, but all in all another gem from the crew at the Buddha....

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 21:40:19 | More by dboon

jrallen34

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Casey for this... brown body with a light tan head, ok retention and lace... the nose is interesting, smells like cherry coca cola with light bitter cocoa nibs and vanilla, so interesting... the taste is tons of cocoa nibs, a bit of peppers, some nice malt, super unique, try this

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 13:28:47 | More by jrallen34

glid02

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler shared by Mark – thanks! Tasted side-by-side with Piiti Porter.

Pours black with a light brown head that leaves decent lacing.

Smells of smooth roasted malts with large amounts of milk and dark chocolate. Also present are hints of espresso lurking in the background.

Tastes more robust than it smells. Moderately roasted malts up front are joined by soft milk chocolate flavors. Midway through the chocolate influence opens up with the addition of cocoa powder and heavier dark chocolate. Light coffee flavors come in near the end, fading out into a mildly bitter ending. Mouthfeel is good, with solid carbonation.

Overall I enjoyed the base beer more than this treatment, as the chocolate didn’t come through very well in the aroma department and overpowered the coffee. Still, a solid beer that’s worth a shot.

Serving type: growler

07-07-2011 02:18:30 | More by glid02

Gtreid

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap during the "Wide awake it's morning" release. Poured into a tasting glass.

A: Dark brown color. The pour dropped a foamy head that retained well, but didn't leave much lace.

A: Rich dark, milk, and bitter chocolate up front. Followed by a lactose and vanilla sweetness. I do get some bittering hops as well.

T: Again, really big chocolate at first. Then the vanilla takes over. The madagascar vanilla is very strong, it really overpowers the brew. It finishes sweet, no hint of ABV.

M: Medium body. I actually thought this was a bit light, but good carbonation.

O: Good brew, but I think the vanilla needs to be dialed down a bit. I would have liked to see the chocolate and dark malts shine a bit more. But nonetheless, a very good brew, and one I would have again, just couldn't have too many due to the sweetness. Skal.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2011 12:01:56 | More by Gtreid

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.65/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to greg for sending me this one, thought i had missed my chance, but alas i was lucky enough to have this little growler hit my porch today.

Dark as night with a towering head of tan that came up and over the top of the glass and coated everything with a thick, sticky layer of brown lacing that was not going anywhere.

Aroma is filling up the room with huge notes of coffee, chocolate, touches of vanilla and a warming, boozy note. Bringing it up to room temperature really starts to bring these out even more. Huge notes of roasted and lightly smoked notes coming up towards the surface. Rich, creamy and full bodied feel dump into the wonderfully large stout. Huge notes of coffee, cocoa, roasted malts, some light boozy notes, hints of vanilla and touches of oak and almost bourbon like booziness. Warming brings hints of light molasses and cookie dough to the equation now. Really just a great beer.

Serving type: growler

06-26-2011 04:59:55 | More by mikesgroove

AgentZero

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to dimenhetfield for sharing this.

A - Brownish beer with an off-white head that left some sports on nit.

S - Cocoa, vanilla, fudge, coffee, really has a nice mixture of flavors going on here.

T - The taste is right about where you would expect it to be with the nose that it's got. A nice mixture of vanilla and coffee with some chocolate in there for a very full and rich taste.

M - Medium bodied, and creamy as expected.

O - Really good beer, I've been very happy with Funky Buddha's offerings, and this one is no exeption.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 22:03:14 | More by AgentZero

DosBeerigos

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on draft at the Funky Buddha.

Strong chocolate nose and flavor dominates this beer.

The smell and taste are on point. Out of all the chocolate beers this is one of my favorites that are available.

The only thing that I would change about this beer is add about this beer is the mouthfeel. While it is solid I would like more of a thicker consistency.

Overall one of my favorite Buddha Beers that have been released so far.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2011 14:22:58 | More by DosBeerigos

MasterSki

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to dimenhetfield for sharing yet another Funky Buddha offering. Served in a Russian River tulip.

A - A finger of white foam settles to a thick collar and spotty lacework. The body is dark brown with reddish glints to it.

S - Cocoa, and of the lightly green authentic nib character rather than syrupy or overly saccharine. Caramel, vanilla, and cola character come through as well. There's some light roast character from the base beer too, which I assume is Pitii Porter (the ABV is the same). As it warms up, it gets a bit sweeter and a bit less earthy.

T - A hefty does of chocolate and vanilla are present - more porter and less "cola" flavored than the aroma. Cocoa nibs impart a slightly earthy, peppery note that is hard to characterize. It's definitely sweet, but I'm not sure if there is actual lactose added to this.

M - Smooth medium body that's appropriate for the ABV. Lower carbonation, and a lightly sticky finish.

D - Another beer from Funky Buddha that I'd love to have again. The cocoa nib flavors in this beer are really unusual and and seem more green than other beers I've had that are made with nibs. Somehow manages to be impressively sweet, but not cloying. Could definitely have a few glasses of this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 20:38:45 | More by MasterSki

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Massive thanks goes out to beeruser for sharing this one at our weekly tasting! Served from growler into a Mikkeller flute. Poured pitch black with a two finger light tan head that subsided to one finger slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, powdered chocolate, oatmeal, cream, and vanilla. The flavor was of sweet malt, milk chocolate, cream, dark chocolate, and vanilla. It had a heavy feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. The nibs were definitely smuggled in this beer. However the smuggers didn't do a good job hiding them as I fear that they would have gotten caught during an inspection. Really great aroma and flavor going on here for a Milk Stout. I was surprised how well everything in this one worked together in unison and pulled the entire beer together. Damn nice brew and I would love to have it again!

Serving type: growler

06-10-2011 18:23:05 | More by thagr81us

GbVDave

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 32oz FB growler into two pint glasses. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist! Extra special thanks to HollyAnn for the amazing hook up!

A: Pours a rather lifeless looking cola brown. Not the beers fault, but I think this spent a day or so too long in the growler. Very murky with tons of fine little floaties. Loads of particles for the flavors to ride on!

S: Here we go! Killer aromas of organic cocoa, espresso, fudge brownies, and chocolate covered hazelnuts.

T: Like above with chocolate milk, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, and a hint of pepper.

M: Insanely smooth and creamy with just the slightest peppery bite. Just spicy enough in the finish to ever so slightly cleanse the tongue.

O: What can I say. Another homerun from the Buddha! I love the experiments they've been performing on their porter. Keep 'em coming!

Serving type: growler

05-25-2011 01:08:18 | More by GbVDave

OakedCanuck

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is the 4th Funky Buddha beer I have reviewed and I gotta say, all of their stuff has been solid. I gotta give a huge shout out to my generous trading partner for hooking me up; thanks Casey (dimenhetfield); looking forward to many more trades.

Anyways, unlabeled 22oz bottle poured into cervoise.

A - Dark brown to lighter black. Tannish head that had weak lacing. Small strong bubbles.

S - Lots of chocolate, coffee, sweet cream, vanilla

T - Wow, this is delicious and I am not surprised. The main thing I pick up out of this is fresh coconut, awesome! I have strong supporting flavours of light brown chocolate, some bitter cold coffee, vanilla, and, oddly enough, macadamia nuts!

M - Decently smooth, slight carbonation bite, medium, balanced

O - Another fantastic brew from Ryan and the guys at FB. Really "deep" flavour profile with multiple layers. Looking forward to whatever else these geniuses come up with. Thanks again Casey and keep up the good work Ryan...

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 21:21:53 | More by OakedCanuck

dimenhetfield

Florida

4.68/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On draft at Funky Buddha. What a great way to spend a Thursday night, Cinco De Mayo no less. Dark color, black with a thin off white head. Good lacing, carbonation and retention. Aroma is full of chocolate, vanilla, and little bit of spiciness as well. Chocolate flavor with a nice bitter finish. Another stellar beer from the Buddha crew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2011 01:49:52 | More by dimenhetfield