Papier - The Bruery

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle at The Ginger Man. Black with little faint lace dots. Faint bourbon aroma. Like a chocolate burboun barleywine. Rich, but a sipper, and would need a whole meal. Not so drinkable right after work. A characteristic is that it is a bit syrupy, slick oily.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 05:10:07 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thrilled to get to pop open this black wax capped 750 last night. I seriously needed this one after a mentally trying evening. Served at cellar temp into a snifter, this one was consumed on 10/06/2009.
 
The pour was what I had heard about so I expected the flatness and stillness of it. Dark garnet brown in color with only a small amount of bubbles on the side of the glass that quickly faded themselves leaving a motionless and still liquid in the glass. As I sipped though it did leave some nice touches of foam down the sides of the glass so that made me happy. Aroma is very sweet, lots of vanilla and butterscotch on the nose right away. Caramel and other sweet notes dropping in behind a touch of vanilla. Very well put together I have to admit. Warming brings out a subtleness that is just sublime I have to admit. I go in for the for the first sip and a wave of toffee and butterscotch coat the tongue, again just what I am looking for here and really very nicely done. Rich notes of vanilla and caramel, earthy with a fine touch of woody flavor as well. Seemingly endlessly complex a light booziness now starts to take over. Not flat at all, just very lightly carbonated and this actually really worked quite well for me here. ABV well hidden despite the high strength and this only served to further the delightful experience.
 
Overall this was just what I had wanted. A finally crafter old ale that really just hit the spot. I am continued to be impressed with everything I try from the Bruery. Top notch for sure.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2009 15:09:26 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.8/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I've had this beer many times, but finally giving it a review.

A: The beer pours a murky dark amber color with very minimal carbonation.

S: The booze has really settled down in this. You can actually get some of the caramel, toffee, brown sugar, and molasses. The vanilla and bourbon still come through. Quite a lot of oak is still present.

T: Lots of oak, vanilla, and bourbon are quick to hit your tongue. Still a bit boozy, but not annoyingly so. Caramel, toffee, and maple syrup give the beer its trademark sweetness.

M: Medium to full in body with a low level of carbonation.

O: Amazing how much better this beer has become in a couple years.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 02:19:32 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes. Beer was about a year old when consumed. Thanks to bmanning for pulling this out.

Pours a nice caramel tan color with a slight head that dissipates somewhat quickly. Fairly impressive that it was there for as long as it was. The nose brings forward a bit of booze, dark sugars, caramel, nice fruits, and some toffee. The taste really integrates everything quite well--the booze is there but there is some nice sweetness and great fruit notes in addition to some toffee. Medium feel with really nice warmth. A very nice beer that is aging quite well.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2010 02:46:47 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours out a very dark brown body with a few large, migrating bubbles on top that quickly evaporate.

Smell: Rich, expressive aroma. A veritable deluge of sweet-scented notes, everything from caramel sauce to chocolate powder to those lil' charred crème brûlée tops. And such a wealth macerated fruitiness, too! Why, it's a real treat to be sniffing around this glass.

Taste: Sweet fusion of deep, dark caramel and vanilla beans with burnt, cauterized sugars and a good pinch of Dutch cocoa. The brew warms the palate nigh instantaneously and this easily makes way for the crashing waves of oaky, bourbonesque flavors to roll on in. And this one has quite a pronounced fruitiness (not that it was a surprise given the nature of the aroma) -- plenty of juicy figs, raisins, plums, and sweet cherries. Perhaps there's maybe even a small hint of smokiness in there as well. Certainly has an abundance of sweet fruitiness on the warming, heady, oak-laden finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Mild carbonation. Lightly sticky, almost chewy mouthfeel.

Drinkability: A slow, but oh-so satiating sipper. Plenty of oak character, but also heaps of bourbon barrel character as well even though it only represents 25% of the blend. Definitely give this one a try if you come across it!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2009 18:06:47 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -16%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Bottle #2269

Appearance: Pours a carbonation free burnt caramel that leaves no lace

Smell: A boozy blend of brown sugar, oak, bourbon, vanilla and a range of dark fruit

Taste: Opens with a boozy blend of bourbon soaked dried fruit (raisins and prunes), cocoa powder, bruised apple, cherries and vanilla that gets hotter by mid-palate; after the swallow, the bourbon elements add increasing complexity and linger into the finish

Mouthfeel: Thick, viscous and chewy, but flat

Drinkability: Maybe this will improve in a few decades (per the label) but right now the flatness and booziness makes it hard to enjoy; I don't think the lack of carbonation from San Diego breweries is a trend that has any legs

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2010 01:06:44 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.23/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle pour at the Bruery Reserve Society initiation party at The Phoenix Club in Anaheim, CA.

Pours a murky dark brown with no head and no lace. Smell is of malt, fruits, wood, and bourbon. Taste is of malt, dark fruits, wood, and bourbon flavors. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good old ale and a nice first anniversary beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 23:18:48 | More by UCLABrewN84

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's pretty clear to me that this is what an Old Ale should be. A lot of complexity that derives from not-so-pretty starting elements but evolve to become rich in its maturity, varying in its age, and beautiful in its art.

The beer decants with a rusty mohogany, ruby haze, and garnet hues. Very, very low carbonation is a testiment to long term storage but does render the beer somewhat lifeless. Though carbonation, head formation, and retention are terse (to say the least), the beer shows classic brandy lacing on the glass, thus changing my mindset to expectations of port wines or liquors.

Extremely rich and bursting with flavors. The evidence of this is noticed in the heavy alcohol, fruit, and rubustness of the nose. Plumbs, figs, dates, raisons, bruised apples, grapes, cherries, prunes, and raspberries all come to life along with a rich rum-soaked fruitcake complexity, sweetness, and heartiness. Soy sauce and sherry notes give rise to the maturity of the beer and add even another layer to the unwaivering variety- virtually a new flavor with every sip. Throw in a hint of cocoa here, a dash of dustiness there, and a sprinkle of spicy cinnamon and nutmeg all about and we have a beery song that will rival the hokey pokey.

With all the flavor and smooth textures, it's easy to dismiss the low carbonation- the beer is just that good. Still, rich and lightly velvety with an unforgettable warmth and numbing to the mouth. Substantial bitterness seems part hops and part astringency from grain. Finishes with a long sweet linger of dehydrated fruits and sherry.

As wonderful and powerul as this beer is, the lack of carbonation leaves a pause mid way through that seems a bit void of vibrancy and life- maybe a bit of carbonation would help out here to help the beer making a transition from initial flavor to the long lasting aftertaste.

Thanks jlindros!

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2009 04:05:59 | More by BEERchitect

Mora2000

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to bman1113vr for sharing this bottle.

Bottle No. 1,377 of 4,777. The beer pours a dark brown color with a tan head. The aroma is dark fruit, oak, vanilla, chocolate and alcohol. The flavor is caramel, toffee, oak, vanilla and bourbon. The alcohol is very well hidden for a beer that has nearly 15 percent alcohol. This is one of the most drinkable high alcohol beers I have tried. Low carbonation and medium mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2010 02:06:59 | More by Mora2000

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Got this one from HopStoopid120, cheers Tony!

Bottle 3589 pours a semi-murky chestnut with a sliver of mocha colored head. Nice viscosity to this along with some shreds of head retention

S: Prunes, raisins, cherries & oaky booze, loads of port notes

T: Dark fruit, woodyness, cherries, a touch licorice schnapps & much dryness up front, some leafy hops & figs in the mix. Chocolate covered cherries, boozey figs & dryness dominate as this warms. Finishes with much oak, a little cherry, a bit more booze, & just a bit too much dryness to give 4.5, close

MF: Chewy as all get out, fairly still carbonation, pretty warming indeed

Drinks a touch slow, but spot-on for style & ABV. Maybe I should've waited, would love try this in about 4 months when the weather should be at least 35 degrees cooler; but curiosity & my sweet tooth was calling. Not bad, but I'd love to have a case or 2 of this & just see how it gets better. Not bad at all for its young age as it is...

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 02:21:50 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 1-12-10. Papier poured out as a light brownish color with a thin head on top. There wasn't a lot of lacing going on here. The smell was giving off a heavy amount of barrel aged aromas. I wasn't able to pick up on much bourbon though. The oak aromas overpowered most of the brew. The taste of the beer was flavorful but didn't really do much to impress me. To me this tasted a lot like a typical barley wine. The mouthfeel wasn't too bad. It had a good amount of body for a beer that's almost 15%. Overall I feel that I should have aged this brew or something. I have a feeling that it would have been much better after a year or more.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 20:42:24 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at The Bruery's 1st,

A: Pours brown with a soft bubbling of light brown bubbles.

S: Smooth and refined, with great notes of oak and vanilla, almond, noticable banana the last time I had it, quite interesting.

T: More barrel aged goodness in the flavour. Chocolate and a light roasted note. The heavy brash tannic character is done away with in the aging with some great oak notes, vanilla, caramel candy.

M: Smooth, full-bodied, viscous, though only mildly alcoholic at this high ABV.

D: This is really good just by itself. I've already gotten to try some of Papier in other barrels and am lucky to have a bottle of each to try on their own. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a bottle of the regular Papier soon, just outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2009 23:28:30 | More by Halcyondays

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a real murky and clouded brown. This one is mildly hot on the flavor, but certainly not as much as you might expect. The vanilla tones are nice, and I feel like they're the most pronounced of all the character, though nothing is really screaming at me here. This is a nice sipper. I have to be honest and say that I expected more from this one. But overall, it was nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 01:47:55 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a deep amberish brown color with good carbonation. Nose is dark fruits and smells like an instant bowel movement. Taste is bourbon, vanilla, figs, raisins, prunes, and caramel. Mouthfeel is hot and thin to me with bourbon notes. A bombradment of messy flavors. Not an Old Ale I would return too.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 16:49:23 | More by barleywinefiend

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle, # 1499. Picked up at Belmont Station. First beer in our mega Bruery tasting.

Pours a murky brownish/ruby red, some nice highlights, very opaque, thin light tan ring forms and slowly settles to a big bubbles layer on the glass, no real lacing, looks neat.

Smell is intense, tons of rich toffee and raisin, dates, brown sugar, booze, some wood, grapes, light vanilla, very juicy, light whiskey and brandy, pretty nice.

Taste is similar, quite rich and sweet up front, big toffee and raisin, brown sugar, light molasses, dates, grapes, alcohol, light oak and vanilla, decent bitterness in the finish, keeps this from being cloying.

Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, very full bodied with low carbonation, warm and buttery going down. This is a nice English barleywine. I bet it'll kick some ass with a couple years on it.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2010 15:35:32 | More by Viggo

glid02

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at the Bruery.

Pours a purplish-black color with a very thin tan head. The head recedes into a thin ring around the glass leaving almost no lacing.

Smells of bourbon with good amounts of caramel, dark fruits, vanilla, and hints of toffee. As it warms very small whiffs of milk chocolate escape the glass.

Tastes great. Bourbon and vanilla flavors start things off but soften as caramel and butterscotch flavors join in. Midway through the sip the dark fruit flavors - figs and plums - manage to sneak in before a syrupy finish leaving a bourbon and toffee aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is very good. It has a very nice thickness with light carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my (admittedly small) glass and could have another (as long as it were no larger).

Overall this was a very interesting beer and I hope to try the 100% BA versions at one point. This is worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2009 20:34:18 | More by glid02

DoubleJ

California

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the source in an 8 ounce serving, on to the beer:

Dark chestnut color in appearance with no head on top. The beer's aroma hits the nose with a fruity porfile at first, but then with hints of oak and vanilla. There is some alcohol felt in this beer, but this beer hides much of the 14.5%. Oak and vanilla flavors tease the palate at first. As it warms, it starts to have a more dark fruity flavor profile.

A good beer for sure. A sipper, make sure it warms up and you'll be in for a good time.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2009 05:14:07 | More by DoubleJ

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

-75% Oaked aged ale, 25% ale aged in burbon barrel. 2009 anniversary ed. Bottle #3211 14.5% abv.

A: Poured a murky, dark mahogany with a sparse soapy/bubbly head that failed to cover the surface and quickly dissipated to a polished surface.

S: The nose is filled with dry burbon with alcohol soaked vanilla bean. Hints of oaky barrel woodiness is evident coming through nicely along with sweet dried molasses. Dark fruit of prunes and whiskey soaked raisins also prevail. Overall a boozy scent with sticky dried caramel sweetness and a dry burbon finish makes for a good warming start.

T: The flavor is big and boozy with a caramel sweetness and dried burbon alcohol adding warmth. The booziness really comes through strong that transcends from the mouth to the pit of the stomach. The complexity is abundant here with a strong showing of burnt dried molasses, whiskey laced prunes and raisins, vanilla bean, creamy caramel and a oaky dry woodiness providing a deep warming sensation to go along with the boozy 14.5% abv. The finale is a big intense alcohol warming of boozy burbon that was dry and well lingering (4-5 seconds) topping things off.

M: full bodied and silky smooth, like velvet on the tongue. No carbonation was present as the beer slides effortlessly around for a very smooth experience.

d: Good drinkability but at 14.5% abv it will make an honest sipper out of you. A bomber may be a bit much and is best shared with a friend or two. No need to rush through this one, it took me an hour to tackle this behemoth monster by myself, just sit back, relax and feel the warmth and complexity, just make sure you don't have to work the next morning. The label says this beer could age for decades, no complaints there, so I would suggest at least 5-10 years to take the edge off a bit making for a more smooth and rounded experience. My advice, treat yourself to two bottles one now and one for aging, it will be worth looking forward to.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2009 22:39:52 | More by beerthulhu

HopHead84

California

4.1/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked this up at the Bruery on Saturday. I decided I'd drink a 750ml 14% beer tonight. It's not going to be good for tomorrow, but so be it.

Poured into my Darkness snifter, the beer is the color of Cabernet Sauvignon (it's roughly the same alcohol % too) with a small fizzy and tan head that quickly recedes.

The aroma is toffee with plum notes and dried fruits. There's a lot of brown and candied sugar in the nose, as well as a hint of molasses. A swirl of the glass really reanimates the aroma, bringing out vanilla, maple, oak, and almonds, as well as some tannins. There's just a touch of Bourbon in the nose.

The flavor is initially sweet. In fact, it's just sweet, not just initially but throughout. Notes of Belgian candied sugar and brown sugar are evident, as well as angel tears and toffee. Nutty and boozy, the flavor oozes with dark and dried fruits. It exhibits oak character and tannins. At 25% of the blend, the Bourbon is barely noticeable but it's there nonetheless, screaming in defiance, yet barely audible. This is very hot right now. The alcohol is something to be reckoned with. You taste every bit of the 14.5% right now. I need to get my hands on one more to cellar. The heat is holding back the flavor rating, but I have no doubt that will change in a few months.

The beer is medium bodied with a low level of carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth and vinous.

Congratulations to Patrick and The Bruery on an amazingly successful first year. They've made remarkable progress in a very short time. I'm going to have to lock up my Rye and Brandy versions of Papier and throw away the key or I'll drink them tonight.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2009 04:38:47 | More by HopHead84

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into snifter.

Pours very little head. Color is a slightly hazed caramel brown with a shade of ruby in it.

Aroma: Caramel and toffee stick out the most. It is very malt forward. It has oak and vanilla with bourbon, but nothing nearing the 100% bourbon version. Has a bit of dark fruits as well.

Taste: Very similar to the nose. It does have the bourbon, but it is so faint compared to the 100% version. The oak, however, stands out more. Caramel, toffee, vanilla, and a light amount of chocolate here. Very malty, again.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, warming, and creamy. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends a tad dry.

Overall, a really nice old ale, but I still prefer the 100% -bal aged beers. It is good, no doubt about that. Great series.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 19:49:48 | More by mothman

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 shared with the boys a couple weeks ago at Ditmier's house.. Picked this up in Denver during the GABF.. Thanks for hosting Eric.

Bottle #1962

Hazy deep chestnut brown... no real head... dark tan head showed with a good glass swirl... so do some EtOH legs..

Boozy.... burnt sugars... solvent alcohol... pretty hot really... some dark dried fruit seems to work it's way in... rich raisins and plum/lite prune.. deep caramel...

Palate follows the nose with some figgy sweetness and pureed golden raisin.. lite cocoa helps.. some vanilla mid palate with lite oaky tannins that milk the finish as it combines with some pretty heavy booze that helps cut through the sweetness.

Not as much carbonation as I would have hoped for... but I believe this is a keeper... a long time cellar keeper... the body is on the heavy side, but this will age like a champ.... now I just need to get more. :-)

3.5/4.5/4/4.5/4

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2010 07:36:34 | More by JohnGalt1

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had bottle #3755/4777, corked and waxed, at the Gingerman in Manhattan, split with a friend. This was the first time I've found the beer, and it was waaaay better than expected. It poured dark reddish brown with no head, just a few random bubbles on the surface. The aroma was really impressive, damn near perfect. It smelled more like a port wine than anything else, just so good that I couldn't stop from sniffing. Rich and redolent, dark fruits and caramel, absolutely delicious smell and taste. Holy crap but this is in the top tier of all beers I've tried, the real deal. Lots of sweetness in the taste, plums and raisins, and also the light burn of alcohol but not too much to really hurt the drinkability. The body is thick but it fits the flavors well. Very little carbonation but again this fits the overall style, at least it felt right. A very impressive beer that I was glad to find, worth the $25 at a fine bar.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2010 03:51:49 | More by TurdFurgison

tpd975

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice blackish brown hue with a small creamy head. It shows okay retention with some spotty lace.

S: Malt forward with strong notes of oak and light vanilla.

T: Brown sugar and molasses sweetness up front. The barrel comes in somewhere in the middle. Fresh oak, vanilla, and hints of booze. Light chocolate and caramel underneath.

M: On the fuller side of medium, medium carbonation which carries the flavor nicely.

D: Tasty, bold, smooth. The Bruery has turned into one of the best in the west in no time flat.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 16:46:49 | More by tpd975

FosterJM

California

3.25/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1287th Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet/Wine
750 ML Black Wax

@Toronado SD

Split with JazzPatel, Ehammond1, MrHirschybar

**My 1st words when tasting this..DAMN IT**

App- A creamy dark brown with a bit of crimson around the edges and a bit of red in the center. Zero bubble activity with Zero cling or lace. Pretty flat.

Smell- I really felt this was losing its steam. Take a dubbel minus the yeasts. Had a lot of dark fruits with a healthy dose of raisins and caramel behind it.

Taste- Really not a whole lot to say about this one. The essence of the Old ale is pretty much gone. I got a creamy lifeless dubbel really. It was tasty but I have a feeling in another year when I do my 5 year vertical its just not gonna be good. Bourbon, vanilla are gone and its fairly sweet now.

Mouth- A creamy lifeless medium body. A low carbonation level on this one with the residual fruits and molasses taking over.

Drink- Not at all what I was hoping for. Really starting to show its age.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 17:08:34 | More by FosterJM

LilBeerDoctor

New York

1.5/5  rDev -63%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Reviewed on 11/28/2009. Bottle thanks to j12601. Pours dark brown with absolutely no head (although a lot of sediment in the bottle...). Aroma of raisin, prunes, sweet sweet malt. One of the worst smelling beers I've encountered. Kind of makes me want to vomit...Flavor is so sickly sweet, sticky, and boozy. Wow, this is an absolutely awful beer and even one sip is painful. One of the worst beers I've encountered in quite awhile.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2009 04:49:53 | More by LilBeerDoctor