Cuir - The Bruery

sdderek

California

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a 10oz pour in a tulip on tap at Sea Rocket Bistro for their 3rd anniversary party.

I almost bought this beer but decided the high price tag was worth waiting. I'm glad I did. It's definitely a very well made and interesting brew, however I won't be paying the >$20 for a bottle.

Appearance is great with a full head and a dark reddish brown color.

Smell is boozy with hints of molasses and vanilla.

Taste is crazy sweet with blasts of brown sugar, nutmeg, toasted malts, and vanilla. And booze.

Mouthfeel is medium with a slight booziness (is that even a word?).

Overall I think it's definitely worth trying, but I wouldn't sit at home and drink this 750ml bottle alone.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2011 03:13:05 | More by sdderek

Spider889

Ohio

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle was left for us Columbus BA's by Arbitrator.

Poured into a Lost Abbey tulip.
Bottle #01502

This is a dark, chocolatey looking beer. Good clarity. Nice tall balsa colored head with good retention and leaving spotty flecks of lace.

Smells of thick gooey black strap molasses at first. The name means "boiled leather," and leather is really big in the aroma. Sweet pipe tobacco, toffee, and mild ripe fruit make this a potent, but interesting brew.

The flavor here is really complex. Sweet molasses and tobacco. Brown sugar and snickerdoodle. Chocolate and oaky tannins are also fairly prominent. I don't get much bourbon influence - I can only imagine how delicious the 100% barrel aged version is. Sweet but not unpleasant.

Very dry with a bitter finish. A little sticky from all the sweetness.

Overall I was quite impressed.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 17:38:16 | More by Spider889

cjacobsen

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to sweemzander for bringing this one by.

(A) Opaque, somewhat brown but mostly dark ruby red. The head was pretty foamy at first but it quickly disappeared.

(S) Fig and raisin stand out the most to me. There are hints of booze and wood.

(T) It's not really boozy, but the alcohol is evident. There's a decent amount of dried dark fruits, some fig and plum. The oak comes out more in the taste than it already did in the nose. There is a bit of raisin along with a fine amount of other sugars.

(M) It's a bit toward the medium side as far as body goes. It's lighter and somewhat thin and ends dry.

(O) This one stands out with that signature Old-Ale taste. It's a good beer but I would wonder how this would be after some time. I think I might like it more with some age,

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 13:12:45 | More by cjacobsen

cosmicevan

New York

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Figured I would open my bottle of this to check it out while it is still a plenty on the shelves. That and we are wrapping up day 4 with no electricity post hurricane.

a - beer poured a deep reddish purple with not much head to speak of. Fairly murky. Damn they make you work to get it open though.

s - smells pretty sweet with a bit of an oak bourbon barrel tingle. Malt and some brown sugar with a bit of candy.

t - yum. Starts off with the malty brown sugar then a slap in the face of booze which settles into a slight oak bourbon barrel sweet. A little english barleywine-esque but more grape flavored. Dark fruits galore, classic old ale with a punch you in the eye alc assault.

m - alc tingle. Medium bodied.

o - overall a very hot beer. There is deliciousness in there behind the heat. I am a bit on the fence if I should get more of this to sit on since if the heat mellowed it would be spot on. Kind of like coton (which I really dug) but with way more heat.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 00:56:40 | More by cosmicevan

nickfl

Florida

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours with one finger of light tan head on top of a clear, deep amber body. The head settles at a moderate pace and leaves decent lace.

S - a spicy aroma of plums, sandalwood, leather, smoke and anise.

T - sweet caramel and brown sugar up front with a distinct, fruity note of plum. Cherry and oak in the middle with some more dark fruit character. The beer finishes with more oak, some vanilla and a smoky cherry note that lingers with a slightly warming alcohol.

M - a thick, syrupy body, moderately high carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D complex and enjoyable, this beer is even bigger than I expected. While it was nice, I couldn't help but think about the statement in the bottle that suggested cellaring the beer for up to 20 years; not only does that seem reasonable now that I've tasted it, but I expect that it could actually improve for 15 years if given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 05:58:52 | More by nickfl

sidetracked

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear deep ruby/mahogany with lots of deep tan head from the initial pour. Head dissipates quickly leaving just a little to linger on.

Aroma is sweet with light bourbon and wood, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, and a little raisin-like fruitiness. Light alcohol heat.

Upfront taste is sweet toffee mixed with bourbon and some raisin-like fruit sweetness. Bourbon is more prominent in the finish. Woody flavor. Noticeable alcohol.

Medium to full bodied with light carbonation. Syrupy but a clean, slightly bubbly finish. Alcohol heat at the finish.

A very enjoyable sipper with a nice bourbon presence.

8/12/2011

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 23:50:50 | More by sidetracked

Proteus93

Virginia

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up as part of my New Years Eve celebration, but it ended up being too big to even think of cracking... so it will keep me company for the first night of 2012 instead...

A: Hazy mahoghany or cherry wood brown... a good finger plus of thick head topping it all.

S + T: Some darker, sweet fruits come through first on the nose (plum or raisin), complemented with a pretty notable woodiness... lots of oak and a good whiff of the vanilla that comes with that. Some big toffee or ever-so-slightly burnt brown sugar, accompanied by some alcohol spiciness.

M + D: A huge bodied beer, big and thick and sticky. A nice little bite of carbonation keeps it from being a sticky mess. Alcohol warmth is very apparent... and it adds a nice touch to each sip.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 01:27:15 | More by Proteus93

Treebs

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml waxed bottle, # 04494. Served in a mini tasting snifter. Thanks to danielnovak3 for the share.

A: Pours a solid plum color with some light brown mixed in for good measure. A thin white film is left after a heft pour and it recedes quickly a slight ring.

S: The smell is of sweet grapes, dark figs, dark malts and a very earthy and nutty scent.

T: The taste is much of the same. Nice fruity and grape sweetness with a more dark figgy flavor as well. This combines with a walnut like nuttiness and some earthy leather.

M: Slightly heavier bodied with mild carbonation. A residual sweetness is left on the palate.

O: This was good, but it doesn't even hold a candle to the BBA version. Having this just makes me want to go have the BA version again....

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 16:02:35 | More by Treebs

zep9865

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into New Belgium snifter in another badass tasting with aasher. Pours a dark brown with a slight shade of ruby. The 3 fingers of foam head are white with some shades of red.

Smells buttery and malty with some hints of cherry. Some kinda pastry that just came out of the oven.

Taste is similar to the smell for once with my review. Sweet dark malt with a tart slightly hoppy backbone.

Bombers like this are expensive for a reason...They're really good

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 05:26:25 | More by zep9865

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep clear reddish brown color with a good three finger head that lasts a good long time but leaves very little lace in its wake. First pour gave lambic like sour cherry aromas that subsided as the beer was allowed to breathe. Smells of caramel, brown sugar, alcohol and lots of tart fruit. Taste is sweet with a bit of an alcohol burn. Brown sugar coated raisins and cherries toasted then dipped in light rum sums this one up for me. Sweet sticky mouthfeel, medium body and carbonation level. I liked this one, its a bit harsh with alcohol right now, but I think with a bit of age this one will mellow quite nicely.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 00:31:33 | More by johnnnniee

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle. Didn't take note of the bottle number. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Deep red that looks brown. Vigorous pour yields a nice tan head with good lacing, which is amazing at this ABV. The second glass I poured had almost nothing. Hmm.

Smell - Apples and booze. Some earthiness that manifests itself as leather. Apples aren't my favorite, but this smells nice.

Taste - Apples again, but still good. Much stronger bourbon in the taste than the smell. Leathery and earthy, which I loved.

Mouthfeel - Thin, really, for the ABV. A bit dry, probably explaining the apples. Not as boozy as I'd expect at this ABV.

Overall - Very good, but dominated by the damn apples. Still delicious from the other flavors that come through. Hardly tastes 14.5%.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 01:33:13 | More by Alieniloquium

hopsbreath

Oregon

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought at Beaumont Market for $20. 750ml bottle poured into a pair of Portsmouth snifters and shared with TulipSnifter.

A: Murky prune juice body with a finger of Jelly Belly toasted marshmallow hued head that dissipates quickly to a thick wisp ring. No lacing. 3/5

S: Boozy fruits of the sweet vinous kind. Currants are huge along with cherries and figs. A little bit of sherry lends evidence that the solera method is contributing some interesting oxidation. 4.5/5

T: Minor hints of barrel, massive booze, some vanilla, more rich fruits, yeasty esters (banana), and heaps of brown sugar make this a winner. 4/5

M: Moderate body, spritzy carbonation, tongue numbing alcohol, and a sticky finish. All signs of a good Old Ale. 4/5

O: Solid stuff. Not my favorite Old Ale (that distinction goes to Adam), but it's a good beer none the less. It's better fresh then Coton was and has far less heat. 100% BA Coton was one of my favorite beers of 2010. After tasting this, I have high hopes for the all -bal version for this year. 4/5

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2011 04:32:25 | More by hopsbreath

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Bruery Provisions in Orange, CA on 7/6/11

A - Poured a dark amber colour with a small amount of off-white head.

S - Brown sugar, burnt caramel, some noticeable alcohol. Very sweet nose.

T - Very sweet overall yet not overly sweet. Caramel, brown sugar, oak and some vanilla. Some noticeable alcohol as well. Complex.

M - Medium body. Smooth. Chewy. Light carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2011 15:44:10 | More by TheSevenDuffs

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Shared this one with beeruser, funkydelic, StayWhatYouAre2, 67couple, and others at a recent tasting graciously hosted by beeruser! This was tasted side-by-side with 100% BA version! Served from bottle into a Duvel Parra tulip. Poured a deep red brown with a half finger light tan head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was of sweet malt, dark fruit, fig, and subtle wood. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark fruit, subtle wood, and subtle banana. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Ovearll this was a pretty good brew. The flavors and aromas on this one were not very complex. This was further enforced when smelling and tasting the 100% BA version. They tasted like COMPLETELY different brews. This was a still a nice brew that I could definitely drink more of, but I would choose the BA version given the choice hands down.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 17:57:15 | More by thagr81us

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle purchased somewhere localish, probably Yankee/Sturbridge. Black waxed cap.

Poured into a DFH snifter, formed a 1" tan head over the cloudy reddish brown brew. Head lasts way more than you'd expect for a BA brew, with leggy sticky lacing. Aroma is tartness and bourbon.

Taste starts with tart cherries, rich depth in the middle, and closes with ample bourbon character and a return of the tart. Slight numbness on the lips. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth, and drinkability is interesting, piques your curiosity to see how it will change over time. Wish the tartness was a bit more sedate, but overall a good brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 01:32:02 | More by ppoitras

lightindarkness

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
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

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from Whole Foods on S Las Vegas Blvd in Vegas, 750ml bottle into some tulips.

Dark brown with some redder tones, not much in the way of head retention and lace. Nose has grapes, leather, nuts, dark fruits, spicing with a touch of liqueur. Taste has sweet caramel, dark fruit notes, earthy and nutty. Mouthfeel is huge, alcohol is detectable although I didn't think it resembled that listed. A definite sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 19:54:10 | More by liamt07

FosterJM

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

518th review on BA
Bottle to Bruery Tulip
750 ML Capped & Waxed
Bottle # 3256

My 1,000th different beer
Consumed 5/27/11

App- A watered down bronze color with dark brown highlights running through it. A big fluffy two finger head. A ring of lace all over and some dotting lace as well.

Smell- Very sweet at first sniff. A lot of dark fruits more leaning towards the dark alcohol laden cherry.

Taste- This was good from the word go but it seems to all run together, hence the 4 not a 4.5 or 5. It was very smooth with a nice blend of vanilla, booze, oak and cherry.

Mouth- Just felt right on the palate. It was a medium body with a medium carbonation and a little bit of thicker fruits. Bubbles on each sip. Quite nice.

Drink- Call it homer pride or whatever you will. I have had more Bruery beers than any other Brewery and pretty much have liked them all except a couple. The third year is over and they came out swinging with this one. Very good. Can't wait for the full BA Cuir.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 04:10:43 | More by FosterJM

Phelps

Arizona

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle number 03937.

Cuir marks The Bruery's third year in operation (Cuir is French for leather, the traditional gift of the third wedding anniversary). It makes use of the Solera method, a process for aging booze by fractional blending so the finished product is a mixture of ages, with the average age gradually increasing as the process continues over many years.

It works like this: In the first year, a collection of oak barrels is filled with beer and allowed to age a year. At the end of the aging interval, the barrels are tapped and most of their contents put into bottles. These partially-empty barrels are then refilled with a new batch of beer of the same recipe, and the new batch mixes with the old.

The original anniversary ale, Papier, was brewed as an English-style old ale using The Bruery's house strain of Belgian yeast. Coton, the second anniversary ale, is the same recipe as Papier, but was blended with the older, aged brew. Cuir is, again, the same recipe, this time mixed with the Papier/Coton fusion that had been aging in oak barrels since Coton's release. Since none of the barrels is ever fully drained, some of the beer from previous years will always remain in each container, allowing the older beer to lend its maturity to the young and developing intricate, multifaceted flavors.

Poured into a tulip glass, Cuir shimmers a deep, opaque burgundy. A full two fingers of fluffy sandy tan head caps the liquid, but high alcohol content rarely allows bubbles to stay for long. The head soon pops away, becoming a thick and silky top layer.

The aroma is your first hint of the complexity Solera blending can deliver. Brown sugar, brandy and maple syrup dance among light hints of hoary oak, vanilla, figs and dark rye. The flavor expands further on this storyline. Take a sip and you're awash in brandy-soaked raisins, brown sugar, chocolate syrup and leather. The sweetness of the beer, paired with buttery notes and an impressive amount of booze, combine to remind of sugary bread pudding.

Lovers of port or dessert wines will appreciate Cuir -- it's a beer that lets you know it's boozy. The alcohol hits like heartburn, burns through the nostrils and numbs the tongue. Matching the intense ABV is an equally substantial body. Its full, buttery softness is a delight to roll across the tongue, letting the beer's minute bubbles massage the tongue before the swallow and long, sweet, tangy finish.


Cuir's bold flavors will overpower most dishes but would stand up well against the rich meatiness of roast duck or lamb. If you feel like breakfast for dinner, the beer would play perfectly off pancakes. Layered with flavors of dark fruit, vanilla and burnt sugar, Cuir's an excellent stand-in for fruit-based syrup. 

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 05:31:58 | More by Phelps

sweemzander

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750mL bottle poured into a snifter.

(A)- Pours a deep mahogany; almost crimson color. Produced a rather large tan colored frothy head that stuck around for awhile. Some lace too; very impressed considering the ABV.

(S)- Nicely rich and sweet. Bits of honey, toffee, brown sugar, and candied figs. Some boozy warmth and dry oak in the background.

(T)- Very similar to the smell. Wonderfully rich and sweet with layers of honey, fig, dry oak, and some nice darker fruits that remind me of a sherry or tawny port.

(M)- A mellow carbonation level. A nice balance too of rich/oak/and sweet fruits. The booze is there, but nowhere near like 14.5%ABV.

(D)- I am impressed with this one. I had serious doubts after the massively disappointing 2nd Anniversary(Coton), but this one has turned out to be far superior. Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 04:12:11 | More by sweemzander

Scrumtralecent

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a snifter.

A - A light brown pour with a rose colored tinge to it. Off white head that lingers.

S - Plenty of old ale smell in here. Toffee, caramel, candied malts, and what reminds me of a musty forest, but in a good way. Not much bourbon on the nose.

T - Lots of caramel with notes of toffee, malts, brown sugar, and plum. A nice sweet taste that does a good job of being bold but not overstated. For the ABV, it isn't sitting as hot as I expected this fresh. Bourbon still not coming through on the taste however, but still delicious for an old ale.

M - Kind of silky for an old ale which usually sit pretty heavy. The bourbon can be felt here with that bourbon lining the cheeks and lower lip. Kind of welcome actually and adds to the silkiness for me.

O - From slightly cold to room temperature, I like this beer. Tastes are ever evolving with some coming to the forefront with the temperature. I have one aging and interested to see how this beer will meld.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 03:17:10 | More by Scrumtralecent

steve8robin

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
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

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My 1,000th review!

Bottle # 00370.

Pours a murky dark brown with a 1 inch foamy tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form randomly around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, dark fruits, caramel/toffee, vanilla, oak/wood, and some bourbon aromas. Taste is of dark and slightly sour fruits, burnt toffee, vanilla, and oak/wood. There are also some leather and tobacco flavors that come out more as the beer warms. There is a noticeable alcohol warming in the back of the throat with each sip. This beer has a light level of carbonation with a slightly thick mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer but not as good as I was expecting it to be. I definitely enjoyed the aromas coming off this one more than any of the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 04:50:17 | More by UCLABrewN84

MbpBugeye

Ohio

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

This bottle was left in my care by Arbitrator with instructions to share it with the members of my tasting group. So I shared with Spider889, Schwaeh and Ryan011235.

Appearance
Deep mahogany red with plenty of tobacco brown. Its capped with a short, slippery parchment colored head. Not much lacing, but some glasses sat looking more like a brandy than a beer.

Aroma
Malty, but perhaps not as malty as I had expected. Cinnamon-raisin is big. Vanilla, coconut and leather are there in spades as well. Bourbon aroma is light, giving off only disjointed notes commonly associated with it.

Taste
This is very rich and extremely smooth for a beer this big. Its sweet and sugary, getting dangerously close to sugar bomb territory. Sugared dried fruits, vanilla, and oak. The cinnamon-raisin is back and I like it. Figgy fruits soaked in rum bring lots of sweet alcohol. Sweet tobacco, some dried orange and toasted coconut.

Mouthfeel
Full bodied and quite chewy. This beer is sugary and you can even feel it. There is a noticeable grittiness. The beer is hot, but not as bad as I had thought. The alcohol is actually well kept in check.

Overall
I think I liked this much better than Coton. This beer is mellow and smooth. Easy as hell to drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 18:19:27 | More by MbpBugeye

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Half finger of offwhite head, red-brown cloudy body. Swirly surface memory.

Plum on the nose, dark fruit, faintly sour grape.

Taste is sweet with some hops to balance it. Some dark fruit and powerful malt. Peach and fig? Dates. Faintly tart. Some alcohol burn, faintly. Similar to Samichlaus, but less sticky and sweet.

Smooth mouthfeel, decent for the style.

Overall a nice American strong-- paired with Fritos Flavor Twists.
Overall decent

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 00:59:24 | More by zaphodchak