Figgy Pudding - Block 15 Brewery & Restaurant

merc7186

New York

4.18/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to metalgdog for sharing this bottle.

A: Dark Brown Hue, Passes Mild Light, White Head Rimg, Some Lacing

S: Figs, Brandy, Mild Sugar

T: Brandy, Figs, Sugars, Mild Bourbon

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Boozy, Mildly Sweet

Overall, a nice sweet molasses based beer with definite brandy barrel aging in it.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 05:56:40 | More by merc7186

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.2/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Evan for this one. 32oz. counter-pressure filled growler into a snifter. Shared at a tasting 12/8. Reviewed from notes.

Light cream colored head. Beer is clear, dark brown. Spotty lace with thin legs. Decent considering the style.

Nose is fresh and candied figs and fudge. Very sweet and fruity. Really unique. Fig notes are super robust.

Opens fig, grown sugar, fruity. jam. Slight booziness. Molasses. Nutty and mildly bittersweet. Fig skin finish with fig seed and skin on the aftertaste. A pretty polarizing flavor profile but I like it a lot.

Medium bodied with low carbonation. Smooth and oily in the mouth and warm going down. Messy finish with a long, lingering, spicy aftertaste. Nice.

I didn't really know what to expect from this beer but suffice to say, its very aptly named. Fig presence is very apparent and it works well with the other flavors present here. A unique and delicious brew in every sense.

Serving type: growler

12-09-2012 17:13:54 | More by SpeedwayJim

kscaldef

Oregon

4.23/5  rDev +6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Counter-pressure growler filled 2 days ago

A: Chestnut colored, slightly cloudy. Not much head.

S: Even straight from the fridge, this is pretty intense with figs, brown sugar, cake-y malt, and gingerbread.

T: Taste follows up the smell with Christmas spices and molasses, moderate sweetness, and a hint of bitter chocolate on the tail end.

M: Low carbonation, but enough.

O: Maybe the best vintage of this beer yet -- definitely better than last year -- and a pity that they weren't able to bottle any this time around.

Serving type: growler

11-20-2012 03:17:32 | More by kscaldef

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 6 oz. pour from one of very few 1/4 barrels that left Corvallis - this one courtesy of NoPo's finest, Hop & Vine. Served in a petite wine glass.

2010 - First Release

A: Murky tawniness, an opaque and leather-colored liquid. Stubby white head, a fraction of a finger that settles soon to a star-shaped film and ringing cream. Droopy bands of lace hang like 'legs' in a fine glass of wine.

S: Malts meet the nose right away with a nutty and praline-like toffee sweetness. Served pretty cool, so the nose isn't quite as pronounced, but it's enticing nonetheless. Sitting a while helps some, eliciting a bit more pit fruit and port wine.

T: A fruit cornucopia: muddled figs and raisins, apples and dates. There's a thicker, darker spiciness working here - molasses and rum cake - and enough toasted woodsiness and barrel-char to offset all the sweetness. Cocoa, then vanilla, then cocoa again - wow. A complex and vibrant Old Ale with substantial character now and potential for more...

M: The creamiest feel: refined carbonation that coats gently and warms (somewhat) gradually. Lingering spices and a lasting cocoa dust bittering. Not exactly 'hot', but the alcohol here is pretty notable. A fortunate twist brought a cellarable bottle or two, so we'll see where this one goes.

D: No doubt this is fine and interesting today. Sure, it's a bit boozy now - nothing that a few months more in a cellar can't resolve, however. Review and scoring will be revised as necessary when the day comes that I open a bottle. For now, just seek out a bottle (or a pour: only 64 cases produced and limited kegs) - you won't be disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2010 00:19:32 | More by msubulldog25

djbreezy

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this one at Belmont Station in Portland, OR.

appearance - dark cherry and brown in appearance, short white head, streaks of lacing

smell - spice, fig, brandy

taste - fig and brandy intertwined with aromatic spices, very complex

mouthfeel - medium/full bodied, quite warm

drinkability - such a complex feat of delicious brew, a sipper's beer

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2010 18:25:57 | More by djbreezy

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Belmont Station the other night.

The beer pours a fairly dark brown color with very good head retention and nice lacing. The nose is likewise impressive, showcasing considerable molasses, caramel, cherry and vanilla. This beer smells rich and sweet, and I get the impression it will likely be pretty potent as well. As good as this beer smells, it tastes even better and is more complex on the palate. There is considerable vanilla and fig flavor, along with the caramel and molasses. The flavor components seemed to improve and become more complex as the beer warmed in the glass, and I picked up some sweet melon, hazelnut and butter as well. The beer is pretty viscuous, with the carbonation dialed down fairly low. That seemed to add to the rich, soft, heavy cream mouthfeel to this beer. While the beer is not at all hot, heavy or tiring on the palate, you can tell the alcohol is definitely up there, and that along with the sweetness makes this beer very much a sipper.

Glad I had a chance to try this one. This is really a very nice Winter Warmer, and would probably not be something I would enjoy any other time except in the dead of Winter. Regardless, this is an impressive effort from the folks at Block 15.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2010 17:06:30 | More by johnmichaelsen

squaremile

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Lucky to try this elusive brew. Pours a ruby/dark brown, head stays around the edge with no lacing. Smell is vanilla, figs, tobacco, and booze. Taste is excellent. Figs, apricot, vanilla, maple syrup, and leather dominate, with some alcohol bite and mild bitterness to balance an enduring sweetness. The mouthfeel is where this shines, exceptional medium body and smoothness. Drinkability is good with the booziness and the abv preventing more consumption. I would love to have a bottle of this aged. The best Block 15 beer I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2010 03:37:48 | More by squaremile

bbb099

California

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a deep mahogany brown color. Nice and foamy mocha-colored head.

S - Sweet and fruity aroma. Figs, molasses, and toffee.

T - Syrupy sweet taste of dark fruits. A little amount of bourbon and licorice.

M - Small amount of carbonation, medium to full bodied.

O - Incredibly sweet beer. Great taste for the high amount of abv.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 01:55:51 | More by bbb099

scottfrie

California

4.38/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks a ton for sharing Brian! Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a hazy dark ruddy brown with a thin soft dark tan head that faded into a soft fuzzy film. Great head retention, spotty lace.
S: Figs! Or dates. Sweet dark fruits at least. I get some notes of alcohol warmth, spices, and a touch of dough. Definitely sweet. I’m not smelling any cinnamon or nutmeg, but I’m definitely getting a touch of nutmeg. Sweet smelling, not much brandy, bit of spice.
T: I get strong flavors of molasses and fig-like dark fruits, with a finish that is sweet and has flavors of warming brandy that is way more present than the nose. Molasses is strong alongside the dark fruits. I pretty much get molasses, fig, brandy, vanilla chocolate and cinnamon in that order. I’m still not getting nutmeg. Sweet overall, and boozy.
M: Medium-full body, low soft carbonation, with a clean and sweet mouthfeel.
O: Drink great. Sweet and fruity but the brandy balances well. Fig is there but not overwhelming. I liked it. Thanks again bbb099.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 02:48:41 | More by scottfrie

robbrandes

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml poured into a tulip.

pours a hazy deep brown, amber hints. minimal, tan head, recedes to a thin film. nose is dark fruit, plenty of woodsy-brandy, just a whiff of spice.
taste - big malts upfront, the figs come through in perfect balance with the warm alcohol. reminds me of a well-done belgian dark.

i'm always nervous about spiced beers, but this is exceptionally well done.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:34:24 | More by robbrandes

maximum12

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks (& a little bit of love) goes over the airwaves tonight to bfg75 for this long-desired treasure. This fine trader made me giddy - then crushed my tiny heart when Block 15 said they wouldn't bottle it - then got me a 32 oz. growler. It was like a high-school relationship. Split with my wife.

Before the pour, there is the wrestling match with the cap, which was secured with molten lead - a big pliers is finally employed to remove the beast. Now I'm really thirsty. Pours a mahogabrown with a little head, which is nice to see after its thousand-mile journey. The smell, oh Santa, the smell. Wonderful brandy notes, sweet sugar brown, dark fruits. One of those smellers. I mean, why bother to drink it?

OK, OK. Figgy Puddy is, in my wife's words, "like nothing I've ever had before". I agree. The figs are intensely, uh, figgy, & cut with the advertised spices. This could veer into traditional winter warmer territory, but the brandy cuts in mid-palate with a lovely warming chop, then an argonaut of sweetness & fruit swells & takes over from there on out. Nip of sharpness at the end, which is most likely the oak. Half a small growler? No sweat.

This is a beer that rides the short bus - special. Never had anything like that, & in this case, that's a compliment. Wonderful use of figs, great barrel presence, unique, complex, tasty. What more could one ask? Excellent beer.

Serving type: growler

12-07-2012 03:33:32 | More by maximum12

ElGordo

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a pretty amber color with orange highlights, without much of a head. Sweet aroma of pale malt, candi sugar, a whiff of molasses and brandy, and tons of sweet, ripe figs. Palate is sweet throughout - molasses sweetness and candied figs, with a hint of cinnamon. Body is rich and pretty creamy, with some very light carbonation to provide a little lift. Finish is sweet and warm from the considerable alcohol content. Very tasty and complex, although I'd like to see what a few months in the cellar could do for it.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2010 18:36:28 | More by ElGordo

corylew

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had the '11 on tap

Pours muddy brown with a thin tan head that forms into a ring around the tulip glass halfway down.

Smells fruity with a malty toasty nose that swims amongst molasses and spice.

Tastes malty foremost. Lots of spice and fruit characteristics. A slight sweetness but only in a flavor aspects not in density.

Mouthfeel follows Belgian guidelines. Spritzy.

Overall this beer was a crowd favorite. Packed with flavor yet light. Absolutely wonderful.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2011 03:43:22 | More by corylew

cosmicevan

New York

4.5/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Notes from a tasting on 8/15. thanks to hannont for the trade.

a - almost maroon in color with a nice creamy head.

s - brandy. figs. molasses.

t - brandy. figs. molasses. a bit sangria like. caramel. extremely tasty. some toffee.

m - smooth and easy to drink.

o 0 REALLY enjoyable. great meld of flavoring. almost like a barleywine. i really loved it.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 02:55:19 | More by cosmicevan

dwaz

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Robbrandes for sending this, 2011 vintage.

A: Pours a dark reddish brown with small white head

S: Strong smell of sweet cherry and figs with slight whiff of brandy that becomes more pronounced as the beer warms

T: Just like the smell, strong taste of sweet cherry and figs upfront with a nice brandy flavor on the back end, a nice sipper. Didn't really pick up any cinnamon or nutmeg flavors

M: Medium carbonation and body

O: A really nice treat for Xmas morning, gave to my wife as a present and she wanted to open it immediately. Fortunately for me, she shared the bottle and it didn't disappoint, great Christmas beer. Again, thanks Rob for making this happen.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 18:27:29 | More by dwaz

Gobigvt7

Oregon

5/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Part of 8-Tap Block 15 Takeover (+Imagine, 2 years of Pappy's Dark, Caves Saison, Pale Ale, Super Nebula, and La Ferme De Demons) 12oz tulip at The Hop & Vine (Portland, OR)

Pours a gorgeous figgy (go figg-ure) brown, chestnut around the curves. Fine frothy head, reduces fairly quickly to a thin, off-white cap.

Sweet caramels on the nose, raisin, plum, bread. Faint cinnamon, allspice. Hops a non-player.

Wow. Wow. This tastes SO good. Exactly like a dark raisin bread, dessertlike and rich. Sugared dates, cinnamon and a little barrelly nougat. I could drink this every day of my life and die happy.

11% but hides it well. Tastes like cake but, somehow, not cloying. Big, robust body but not filling. I should have let this warm up (i'd drink this hot in a mug in a heartbeat) but didn't have the patience. Strong carbonation from first to last.

We're edging up on hyperbole here, but I freaking love this beer. The 5 I'm about to give it puts all the recent 4.5's I've rated to shame, and that includes Pliny the Younger. I wish I could afford to drown in it. Please, mommy, can I?

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2012 00:36:43 | More by Gobigvt7