Cuir - The Bruery

CuirCuir

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BA SCORE
93
exceptional
-
412 Ratings
THE BROS
N/A

-
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rAvg: 4.16
pDev: 12.5%
Reviews: 177
Hads: 235

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Brewed by:
The Bruery visit their website
California, United States

Style | ABV
Old Ale |  14.50% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once). bottle (139), on-tap (38)

Notes:
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

No notes at this time.
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Reviews

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Photo of beerwolf77
beerwolf77

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to BeerFMAndy for sharing this one.

Ruddy amber brown with a tiny wisp of beige head. Smells of candied fruits, butter toffee, leather and a touch of hops. Flavors are a mirror of the nose. Super smooth honey drizzled dark fruits, leather, tobacco, caramel and a mild hop bite. To find any trace of the insanely high ABV is impossible. Masterful job of brewing here. Thick and creamy body. I usually am not a fan of old ales but this one was really good.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 18:02:34 | More by beerwolf77
Photo of weeare138
weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to warriorsoul...
Appears a chestnut toned amber with a small beige head that quickly fades into a thin collar. Spotty bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of black grapes, vanilla, toffee, caramel, and bitter citrus.
Taste is sweet of beet sugar, prune juice, raisins, and brown sugar.
Mouthfeel is full bodied, viscous, hot, and slick in the finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 04:11:18 | More by weeare138
Photo of scottfrie
scottfrie

California

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to mjyoung for pulling the trigger on this one.

A: Pours a hazy burnt amber with a thin dark tan head that faded into a long lasting film that left spotty lacing down the glass.
S: Sweet smelling with raisins, toffee, caramel, apple cider/juice, milk chocolate, pear and bourbon.
T: Follows the nose with sweet fruits, powerful bourbon, pears, apricots and a good dose of vanilla. I get a touch of chocolate as well. The finish is sweet with toffee and the aftertaste is full of raisins and warm bourbon.
M: Thick body and a thick and slick mouthfeel that is viscous with alcohol.
O: Strong but easy to sip on. Very potent, sweet and smooth flavors. Thanks again, Matt.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 01:27:55 | More by scottfrie
Photo of Heatwave33
Heatwave33

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle to a Cigar City Snifter.

Color: Dark brown with a tan head.

Smell: Cherry, malts, alcohol (whiskey).

Taste: Same as the aroma. Cherries, malts and alcohol (whiskey).

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, slightly coarse, alcohol presence.

Overall: Great body to this brew. Taste reminded me of a wine a little bit. I enjoyed it very much. Can't wait to try it aged! Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 17:33:33 | More by Heatwave33
Photo of drpimento
drpimento

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Let this warm some out of the fridge. Poured with a nice tan, foamy, thick head that settles down after a bit and no lace. Color is a cloudy amber brown. Aroma is a little on the mild side, malt, sherry, caramel, yeast. Flavor is similar to nose, bittersweet, yeast bitterness. Body is excellent, ditto carbonation. Finish is like flavor, of average length, with heavy alcohol warmth at the end. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 02:09:06 | More by drpimento
Photo of vandemonian
vandemonian

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at ChurchKey in DC. Cuir is a tasty old ale that takes on many of the characteristics of the whiskey who's barrel it was aged in. The alcohol was a little overpowering.

A: Brown and translucent. Decent head that fades to reasonable lacing. 4

S: Alcohol with a hint of raisins. 3.5

T: Alcohol and buttery, almost whiskey, liquor flavour. The alcohol is overpowering. 4

M: Thick. 4.5

O: 4

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 06:02:02 | More by vandemonian
Photo of Beerandraiderfan
Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Fairly muddled brown color with lots going on, some turbidity through the browness, not much in terms of head. Lovely aroma, damn, coconut is forceful more than any other beer that didn't have coconut in the name. Vanilla, oak, char, chocolate after that. Good warming sensation from the alcohol.

Taste, wow, so much better than Coton and Papier as far as hiding the heat. This is a monster beer. More and more layers of complexity are revealed with each sip. Toffee and caramel are pretty substantial. Maybe some molasses and leather as well. Really appreciate the creaminess of this one, helps hide the alcohol quite well, I kept telling myself how amazing this was at hiding the alcohol, very nice. The woody touches are right in the ideal amount.

Really exceeded my expectations with this beer. Time to start adding to my little stash of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 17:19:14 | More by Beerandraiderfan
Photo of Hojaminbag
Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cuir has a dark brown body and at least one solid finger of head in my snifter. The retention is very good, and the lacing is fairly solid. Not only is there a moderate amount of haze from the yeast, but there is also some char from the barrels floating around at the bottom of my glass. The particles didn't change the flavor at all, but it was strange to see.

The aroma is a malt bomb, with notes of bourbon, wood and lots of dark fruit.

This one definitely needs to warm up, I would advise drinking it at cellar temperature. Caramel and toffee highlight a rich, full malt backbone. This one is definitely a malt bomb actually, which I love for an Old Ale. Tons of dark fruit are in there also, with black cherry, figs and dates. A little bit of wood and sweet bourbon come through also. The barrel-characteristics aren't extremely powerful, but they play a very nice complimentary role. There are no fusel alcohol flavors at all, and only a touch of warmth even. One of the best high ABV beers at hiding the flavor of alcohol, and definitely an improvement on the various booze-bombs that I have tried from the Bruery.

Creamy body with a moderate carbonation.

This was an enjoyable sipper, and I'm pretty sure that the alcohol in this one can sneak up on you. This one is definitely worth trying if you get a chance.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 15:23:21 | More by Hojaminbag
Photo of CuriousMonk
CuriousMonk

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bomber into tulip glass. Pours a very dark brown with a medium sized beige head. The aroma is really nice with sweet caramel and chocolate, booze, oak, vanilla, and dark fruits. The flavor is bursting with dark caramel and vanilla, oak, bourbon, caramel, toffee and some alcohol. This beer is warming from the beginning which only serves to increase the oak and bourbon notes in the beer. The dark fruits come through as this warms to add complexity. Raisins and black cherries dominate, but a hint of fig was present. Medium-full bodied with a sticky mouth feel. This is one to be enjoyed slowly and one great Old Ale!

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 22:43:26 | More by CuriousMonk
Photo of steve8robin
steve8robin

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got this bottle on a recent work trip. This sounds like it will be similar to Papier and I though that was a great beer. Let's see. 750ml bottle...

A: A nice deep copper color that is perfectly clear and forms a nice 1 inch tan head that fades at a decent pace. Very good.

S: I get some beautiful caramel and toffee scents upfront followed by a hint of some butterscotch in the middle and finishes with some nice dark fruit. Good.

T: Wow, I cannot believe this is 14.5% ABV! It smells like it will be, but the taste is not as intense. It starts as a carbonated dark fruit with hints of chocolate. Quickly, a subtle wall of caramel sweetness builds toward the finish which is full of a mild tart burn. Good.

M: Full body with a nice carbonation. A creamy sweet finish. Very good.

O: All in all, this is a good brew. There is one thing that The Bruery knows how to do well, and that's BIG beers. You can never go wrong with an old ale from The Bruery.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 03:03:41 | More by steve8robin
Photo of lightindarkness
lightindarkness

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I think this is the thickest wax I've ever had to pry a cap off through. A 750mL at cellar temp into a New Belgium balloon glass.

A - Pours a deep murky mahogany brown with an orange-cream head that hangs on for a while. Generous collar remains with some frothy film well after the pour.

N - A complex and well rounded nose. Notes of date with fresh pear over doughy bread, round caramel and boozy character that's nicely balanced. There's a second layer of tart aroma with some grain and leather behind the more dominant smells that kind of wrestle against the fruit.

T - Wow. A small sip becomes a mouthful of flavor. Tart fruit and raspy grain flavor in front, filled with doughy rich bread and darker fruits in the back. A flat wash of bitterness in the finish. I could spend an inordinate amount of time trying to list every taste in this. Expected notes of leather, damp leaves (at least if they tasted like they smell in the fall), and a tinge of sharp spicy alcohol. A little raw in the alcohol taste at times, not at others, detracting some from the balance of the overall flavor.

M - Filling and round, with a fumy alcohol warmth. A bit chewy, drying out at the finish with a raspy quality.

O - Certainly intriguing and worth a try. It's bigness works against it in terms of drinkability. The more I drink, the more the flavors seem to struggle out of balance, and the strong nose can nearly overwhelm before the sip. Rich and decadent, yet not quite satisfyingly indulgent. A wild ride of a beer, but not one I need a ton of. For the record, warming and airing out really bring out a ton more caramel, toffee, and swell the round balance of the beer together into a rather pleasant overall presentation.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 20:02:01 | More by lightindarkness
Photo of JustinMatthew
JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

First off.. Wow! This 3rd year anniversary beer which is a blend of the anniversary beers that have been barrel aging. Pours a dark carmel color with a thin off white head. Smells like licorice, caramel and strong alcohol. Tastes of oaky burnt brown sugar, licorice, figs, dates, and maple syrup, seems to be changing a lot the more if warms. so much going on in here. With the oak, alcohol, and dark fruits quickly fading after taste. Again these guys are making very unique delicious beers and this has been another pleasant surprise.

Bottle #5775

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 15:59:05 | More by JustinMatthew
Photo of SFLpunk
SFLpunk

Vermont

3.93/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

2011. 750mL brown glass pry-top bottle. Black wax dipped.

Pours a dark brown color with moderate off-white/light tan head that grips the glass with all its might. Nose is of a huge barley wine, wet barley grain, sticky caramel and toffee, some moist tobacco too. I also get some red berries and maybe a little plum too.

Palate is big and chewy, and huge with alcohols both high and low. Lots of fruitiness like red licorice and chewy dark tobacco and fig flavors too. Slick with booze. Long leathery finish.

Notes: This is a big boozy monster of an old ale. Lots of higher alcohols which isn't surprising given the ABV. Not my favorite old ale - think the North Coast and Alesmith Decadence are better.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 03:19:53 | More by SFLpunk
Photo of ssznyter
ssznyter

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Amazing beer. Extremely happy to have had the opportunity to try this beer on tap. I enjoyed it so much I bought 2 bottles to age within the next week. This old ale was served to me in a red wine glass and had a creamy, malty texture. Sweet, caramel and coffee notes could be sensed in both the smell and initial taste. The mouthfeel was incredibly smooth and although it was definitely warm going down you would not expect this beer is 14.5% alcohol. To date this is one of the best beers I've tried. It was my first beer from the Bruery and I look forward to trying much more from this young brewery. Definitely try this one if you get the chance!

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 17:31:11 | More by ssznyter
Photo of amphion1065
amphion1065

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle into a Duvel tulip. Reviewed from notes.

Cutting through the wax with a corkscrew sort of made me feel like one of the (non-murderous) apes from the opening scene of Space Odyssey. After that arduous ordeal, I was rewarded with this beaut. Seriously, other than de Struise, is there another brewer that makes beers this big look this good? The pour is actually much lighter than I expected: it's a soft auburn, with ruby highlights, not quite opaque in the light. A two-finger very light tan head forms remains for a solid three minutes. Pretty minor lacing with no real legs to make up for it is the only reason this doesn’t get a 5.

Tons of rich malt in the aroma. A classic old ale sweetness, this is rich with toffee and figs. Honestly, I could be fooled into thinking that this was -bal aged, as there are some pretty serious alcohol phenols coming out of this combined with a sort of leathery, woody character. That said, for the actual amount of alcohol in this beer, the aroma of alcohol is remarkably restrained.

Like the aroma, the taste is a carnival of malt. Loads of butterscotch. There's a certain old, weathered element to this beer, rich with wood, tobacco, and leather. The alcohol is really, really muted, much more so than in the aroma. In many ways, this actual reminds me of scotch. There is, however, a very evident, medicinal, cough syrup taste in the finish. As the beer warms, this quality only become stronger, and it really detracts from this otherwise delicious beer.

The carbonation is lively, but not detrimentally so. It does seem to detract from the viscosity of the beer, though this is still very thick and lush.

Given the relative youth of this beer and how enormous it is, it is drinking very well right now. Were it not for that off-putting cough syrup flavor, this would approach perfection for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 00:44:21 | More by amphion1065
Photo of Rickythejeweler
Rickythejeweler

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Muddy brown/orange/red, one finger off white head, light lacing.

S - Light fruits and bourbon.

T - Apples, bourbon, rasions, figs, pears cherries, vinous.

M - Thick, smooth, medium-low carbonation, booze sticks to the tongue.

O - Extremely happy about this purchase, worth the 23 bucks!

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 23:34:18 | More by Rickythejeweler
Photo of Haybeerman
Haybeerman

Colorado

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep mahogany color. Poured a 1 finger tan head that dissipated to a bubbly skim. Decanted steadily. Laced the glass in wide rings that washed down the glass.

S: Dark fruit; raisins, dates and figs. Candi sugar, molasses and toffee. Yeast and malt aromas have an earthy, woody character that burns-in with alcohol.

T: Caramel and toffee are up front in the taste - briefly. Transitions quickly to the dark fruit flavors so prominent in the nose. Candi sugar and molasses pile on with alcohol-soaked black cherries. When it can't get any sweeter, musty leather and wet wood mellow the onslaught. The alcohol find its way through, but is fairly well disguised.

M: Medium-to-full body. Moderate carbonation. Coating and very sweet ahead of a earthy warm finish.

O: Fairly tame for a monster. Lots of malt and yeast character. Disguises the alcohol fairly well given the beer weighs-in at 14.5% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 18:52:32 | More by Haybeerman
Photo of Thehuntmaster
Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle 14,5% Abv.
Served lightly chilled in a tulip wine glass.
Bottle 6002

This is my first beer from The Bruery and I paid quite a bit for it; I hope it was worth it.

Appearance: Almost opaque mahogany brown body that transforms into a beautiful burgundy with golden edges when backlight. A rough pour yields a large, creamy, cream coloured head that lasts pretty well for the abv. The receding head leaves minimal lace, but a quick swirl produces some lovely alcohol legs.

Smell: Wow, massive nose on this and actually quite far off what I expected. I'm not sure why, but I expected a "darker" nose.
Wonderful mixture of sweet caramel, vanilla, bourbon, brown sugar and almost belgianesque spiced fruit (peaches, golden apples, figs and raisins). Warming brings out a hint of leather, some wood, brandy and a touch of tobacco.

Taste: Again more Belgian notes - maybe I have gone made? Spiced golden and dark fruit notes combined with sweet caramel, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon and oak.
There is a subtle bitterness in the finish. Great alcohol coverage.

Mouthfeel: Almost a full body, lightly mouth coating with an average level of smooth, creamy carbonation. A little alcohol warmth is felt in the throat, but this goes down a little too easily for a 14,5% beer.

Overall: Not quite what I expected, but non the less a solid brew. The price would stop me getting this one again.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 17:50:29 | More by Thehuntmaster
Photo of Arenbeer
Arenbeer

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into a tulip glass thanks to finewinemike

Bottle number 09806

A- Pours a deep dark reddish brown with 1 finger worth of khaki head that sticks around leaving a rim of big bubbles sticking to the glass. Tons of carbonation streaming up from the bottom of the glass, small head retention but some really nice sexy legs on the side of the glass.

S- Slightly roasted malts with lots of dark fruits like rum soaked raisins, figs, and dates. Also getting notes of molasses, vinous grapes, cherries, fresh leather, toffee, and slight wood notes. Definitely a big boozy note in there.

T- Sweet sweet toffee and caramel up front that is quickly taken away by a strong array of raisins, plums, and cherries. Lots of candied sugar, molasses, brown sugar to help with the sweetness, also big notes of wood, musty oak, and leather. Believe it or not the alcohol is there but very well blended and hidden.

M- Full bodied with moderate carbonation and a nice sweet mouth coating finish.

SkÅL!

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 21:11:10 | More by Arenbeer
Photo of brotherloco
brotherloco

California

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml capped and waxed bottle. Bottle #08969. Served in a tulip. Chilled slightly below cellar temperature since I knew it would take a long time to drink.

Pours a dark and somewhat transparent amber-red. 2 fingers of medium beige foam recede to a thick ring w/ large bubbles. Small amounts of lacing.

Aroma of dark fruits, plums and raisins. Rich sweetness with strong banana and hints of vanilla. Somewhat vinous. A hint of the big alcohol presence.

Flavor starts with the softer banana and vanilla notes from the aroma. A lot of sweet malt. Middle comes on a lot stronger with a vinous tingle and mild sourness. Sweetness gives way to the sour tinge and both flavors linger through the finish. There's a dry woody charcter to the finish as well, perhaps from barrel component. Alcohol very well buried, just emerges a bit in the aftertaste. Overall flavor is pretty similar to Coton, but I think I like this better as it is more integrated.

Medium-full body with a good amount of carbonation. Really drinkable for a beer of this strength.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 01:14:50 | More by brotherloco
Photo of jdhilt
jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 vintage. Pours a two finger light tan head that fades very slowly to a thin layer leaving no lace. Medium carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Deep brown, hazy color with some yeast left in bottle. Nose is dark fruit and alcohol. Flavor is dark fruit, oak and alcohol. Nice old ale but not worth $23.95 for a 750ml bottle from Colonial Spirits, Acton, MA. FWIW the bottle is wax sealed making the cap a pain in the rectal orifice to take off.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 22:29:19 | More by jdhilt
Photo of justintcoons
justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours an extremely dark ruby red which appears to be a borderline chestnut brown. Clarity is good with moderate carbonation streaming from the center. One finger of off-white head dissipates quickly to a single, thick creamy topping. Good thick layer of fine lacing slides down the glass leaving a nice film.

There's the unfiltered part! The second pour is an impenetrable, murky reddish/mahogany color.

N: Concord grape, vanilla, oak, cherry, plum and I am getting some kind of tropical notes. Huge malts and extremely inviting.

T: Huge dark fruit maltiness! Figs, Concord grape, plums, vanilla and oak upfront with a slightly numbing booziness. A huge rush of grape comes in again with some molasses, cherry, candy sugar and a tiny hint of pineapple. Finishes with deep notes of dates, fig and cherry along with toffee, pineapple and charred cocoa.

M: Light-medium bodied, warming, creamy, soft and smooth with a subtle dryness.

O: Easily the best Old Ale I've ever had! Extremely rich, complex, potent and malty. Light touches of oak and vanilla are right on. 14.5%...I don't believe you! Dark fruit and malts galore!

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 23:13:49 | More by justintcoons
Photo of JizackFH
JizackFH

New York

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - This beer pours a dark mahogany color. It has a nice 2-figner fluffy tan head on it. The head has pretty good retention, and it leaves behind some scattered lace on the glass.

S - There is a big smell of dark fruits such as figs, raisin, and cherries right away. There are some wood aromas, as well as some notes of vanilla and a bit of booziness.

T - The taste starts off with some roasted malt bitterness, and a pretty big bourbon flavor. There is also a big dark fruit present. Lots of raisin, fig, cherry, and plum. Some vanilla and wood are also there. There is some booziness present, but it isn't too much. The finish leaves some lingering roasted bitterness, dark fruitiness, and some booziness.

M - This has a medium body and good carbonation. It goes down easy and has a little bit of a chewy quality to it. Overall, it has a pretty smooth mouthfeel. There is quite a bit of alcohol warmth in the finish, but I think it suits the beer well.

O - This has good drinkability. It is definitely a sipper, but the flavor is great. I just looked up and saw that this was 14.5% ABV. I figured by the taste that is was pretty high in alcohol, but it is definitely hidden pretty well for 14.5%. Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. I think it is a great Old ale. I was skeptical about buying this due to the $23 price tag, but I would definitely buy this one again. Try it out!

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 11:59:08 | More by JizackFH
Photo of phichifiji00
phichifiji00

California

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a tulip, did a side by side with the 100% BA version.

Appearance: Mahogany, minimal tan head, light lacing.

Smell: Bourbon, maple, dark fruit,vanilla, toffee and hits of oak and leather.

Taste: Brown sugar, bourbon, maple, toffee, vanilla, hints of leather and oak. Just like it smells.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, rich, decent carbonation.

Overall: Very drinkable, rich, boozy. Of the anniversary beers so far, this was the first time that I felt the BA version was superior to the regular version.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 19:17:48 | More by phichifiji00
Photo of Arbitrator
Arbitrator

California

3.58/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Chilled bottle into a glass. I didn't care for this beer on tap, but I wondered why the hell Overlord liked it, so I tried it again out of a bottle. It's a little better, but it's still ridiculously sweet.

A: Pours a clear maroon-amber body. The initial pour (not even that aggressive) produces 3 fingers of beige head that eventually collapses into a long-retaining film on top of the beer.

S: Lots of candied grape / raisin and vanilla on the initial sniff. Additional aromas reveal toffee, brown sugar, and a touch of leather underneath it all. Quite nice, though sugar-dominated.

T: This is sweet, even cloying, but it's better than the tap iteration was. Tannins have stepped up to provide more balance against the sweetness of brown sugar, toffee, raisin, and vanilla. There is a mild bourbon presence in the finish, but it segues seamlessly into leather and oak once more. Just the same, it's really sweet. My fiancee drainpoured her half.

M: Well-hidden booze. Full-bodied. Cleaner finish and aftertaste than the tap iteration. What changed?

O: I finished my portion, but just barely, and only because I'm damn cheap. I definitely won't buy this again; unless I hear revolutionary things about the next few anniversary beers, I'm giving up on the regular versions. The 100% barrel-aged versions seem to be better.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 01:30:27 | More by Arbitrator
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Cuir from The Bruery
93 out of 100 based on 412 user ratings.