Black Tuesday - The Bruery

ms11781

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage. Reviewed on 11/23/2012. 750ml bottle poured into a snifter.

Despite the name the beer pours a deep brown color. It looks closer to black once it settles in the glass but it's still not quite there. Surprisingly, given the ABV, a slight head develops leaves a bit of lacing. Nothing remarkable in general but decent for an 18.2% ABV beer.

The nose is huge here. At first the bourbon comes across and makes it seem extremely boozy, which it is, but once you get past that some nice aromas really open up. There is a great vanilla note that seems to be present throughout. There is some nice dark fruit that peeks its head out. Very raisin-like. There is a bit of some wood as well. Really nice oak character that opens up as the beer warms.

The taste actually seems less boozy than the nose but there is a lot more that comes through. There is still a huge bourbon note but it blends extremely nicely with some vanilla, toffee and oak, some dark fruit, think raisin again, and bit of some chocolate. Aside from the bit of chocolate the rest of the flavors seem to be here in equal parts. Really impressive.

The mouthfeel is huge, as expected. Each sip coats the mouth and sends a slight burn down the throat. That being said, it is also incredibly smooth. The carbonation is low and it is somewhat sticky.

This beer definitely lived up to the hype. It's pretty amazing that a beer this big can feel as smooth and drinkable as it does.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 04:31:34 | More by ms11781

ajzy

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-25-2013 16:56:39 | More by ajzy

Evan

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-25-2013 02:18:25 | More by Evan

plumcrazyfx

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-24-2013 14:09:00 | More by plumcrazyfx

velcrogrip

Florida

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-22-2013 18:23:18 | More by velcrogrip

grover37

District of Columbia

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-22-2013 04:22:11 | More by grover37

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -33.8%

05-22-2013 01:05:36 | More by mikeincharleston

aleman39

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-21-2013 21:20:12 | More by aleman39

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-21-2013 04:09:29 | More by CosmoHopHead

beefmental

Iowa

4.83/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

2012 vintage (19.2%) served into a snifter.

Aroma – I pick up massive bourbon and alcohol. I'm having trouble picking up much else. If I closed my eyes, I'd swear it was an actual glass of bourbon I smell.

Appearance – A quickly dissipating head, opaque, a bit murky. This beer is actually leaving fingers on the sides of my glass.

Mouth feel – full, but not as thick as I was expecting, medium carbonation, coating the inside of my mouth, warming as I swallow. I think my tongue is a bit numb like it is being anesthetized.

Taste – I pick up "the usual suspects" for an imperial stout – dark fruits (plum, cherry, raspberry), vanilla, cocoa, fudge, caramel. Aspects of the taste reminded me of the goo you get from the inside of a chocolate covered cherry. There is also wonderful bourbon / oak flavors along with a touch of leather (in a non-sexual way). I pick up some hops, but the beer finishes with a candy sweet aftertaste.

Overall – there are controversies about this type of imperial stout, but I absolutely loved it. I split this bottle with my wife and we took approximately 90 minutes to finish it. The experience was worth every minute of that 90. We drank a toast to Kevo2007 (the wonderful BA who sent me this bottle), the FedEx driver who delivered the package, the brewer at The Bruery who created this beer, and everyone else in between.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 13:33:13 | More by beefmental

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-20-2013 03:24:30 | More by Kmat10

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-19-2013 15:08:40 | More by ShawnMH

dcloeren

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-19-2013 14:06:50 | More by dcloeren

haknort

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-19-2013 03:30:56 | More by haknort

chrisp450

Minnesota

4.49/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First actual review, and it will be brief. Blame TMTOBA.

750ml bottle, 2012, served in a snifter.

A: black and thick. Not super thick or syrupy.

S: bourbon, burnt sugar, chocolate.

T: bourbon/booze but not overbearing for 19%. Burnt sugar coated raisins (light raisin taste) mix with chocolate and a dash of vanilla.

M: not super thick, but definitely sticks a bit. Feels a bit hot, and should be sipped. Swig at your own discretion.

O: I'll be honest, initially I was thinking not the best. About 2 sips later it improved. The further I got into this baby, the more I appreciated it. For a super boozy beer, this is top notch. You will definitely notice/taste/smell the booze, but for 19% or so, I think it blends VERY well. The more I think on this beer, and miss the flavor, the more I admire it. Definitely share a bottle with 2-3 others (even if I did not do the same...yikes).

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:38:59 | More by chrisp450

Mayo2323

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-18-2013 02:58:10 | More by Mayo2323

lunarbrew

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-17-2013 23:48:12 | More by lunarbrew

singingninkasi

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-17-2013 20:43:43 | More by singingninkasi

myersk27

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%

05-17-2013 03:48:16 | More by myersk27

IpeeA

Missouri

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-17-2013 03:03:29 | More by IpeeA

Flipmytop

Indiana

5/5  rDev +10.4%

05-17-2013 00:45:35 | More by Flipmytop

smk8nig

Colorado

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

Fist of all, I could be happy just smelling this beer for hours. I had the 2012 batch (twice) and both times it was incredible. Chocolate and coffee notes, nuttiness in the middle, great hop and malt balance - a true whale. It will linger in your mouth forever, so don't plan on drinking anything else for the rest of the night.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 21:14:12 | More by smk8nig

carlosega

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%

05-16-2013 18:30:58 | More by carlosega

Rainblows

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-16-2013 14:38:43 | More by Rainblows

moonknight31

California

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%

05-14-2013 22:09:06 | More by moonknight31