5 Golden Rings - The Bruery

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

750 ml bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.
11.5% ABV, cellaring and serving directions on back label.

A - Pouring hazy golden straw color, this shining beer has a modest off-white head that slowly descends to a skim of foam and ring of tight bubbles with dots of lace left collected on the glass.

S - 5 Golden Rings has a heavily yeasty aroma that bursts fourth with dry, earthy esters of clay, white pepper, lemongrass, hay field, and coriander. Cinnamon sticks swirl the beer into a spicy frenzy with a dash of nutmeg and clove while the pineapple juice adds residual sweetness giving it a moist white cake nose but any trace of the fruit itself is buried deep. Faint warming alcohol doesn't come across quite solvent-like, but it's definitely evident in the nose, though pushed to the back.

T - Spice heavy like the aroma, this beer blends overwhelming yeast esters with more added spice and piles the sweetness on top of that. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove swirl in with the yeast spice of grey clay, coriander, lemongrass, and a touch of bubblegum. Citrus emerges but pineapple escapes me, again leaning towards white, moist cake with sugary vanilla frosting. With each passing sip, this tastes less and less like a beer and more like...something else.

M - Carbonation is here but surprisingly low for the style, which gives the beer a fuller, robust feel as opposed to a crisp, lively one. The sweetness, in conjunction with the fuller feel makes this beer quite cloying, only balanced by a bone-dry spicy finish with a trailing touch of floral bitterness. Warming alcohol penetrates the chest slowly and can be picked up lightly though retro-nasal breathing; a good attribute for a winter brew!

O - An awkward blend of spice and sweetness vying for attention throws one for a loop but I must admit, the lack of alcohol perception in this beer is quite incredible for it's boastful 11.5%. So, 5 Golden Rings is a bit unattractive - ok, average - fresh but, then again, I didn't really buy my bottles to have them fresh. I have faith the two bottles sitting in the basement will mature nicely, developing over the next few years for an epic culmination of aging. It's always good to reflect on where the aged beer has come from though, and this one could certainly stand some age improvements.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 01:58:14 | More by BeerFMAndy

ADTaber

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +5.6%

05-21-2013 00:03:05 | More by ADTaber

baybum

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -15.5%

05-19-2013 20:16:58 | More by baybum

jakeox

Illinois

2/5  rDev -43.7%

05-18-2013 23:34:05 | More by jakeox

drgonzo2k2

California

3.25/5  rDev -8.5%

05-18-2013 17:47:08 | More by drgonzo2k2

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -8.5%

05-17-2013 15:29:43 | More by twenty5

ajzy

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +12.7%

05-16-2013 00:20:05 | More by ajzy

moonknight31

California

3.25/5  rDev -8.5%

05-14-2013 22:08:05 | More by moonknight31

TysonA

Washington

3/5  rDev -15.5%

05-12-2013 15:19:42 | More by TysonA

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.65/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

This pours as a decent golden color with a white head on top. The retention is thin, no lacing on this one. The smell of the beer is a little fruity, boozy and spicy. The taste of the beer is loaded with spice, very Christmassy, not really the greatest tasting beer in my opinion. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, decent carbonation and smooth drinkablity. Overall this beer isn't the greatest. I just wasn't impressed with some of the flavors it had. It's an ok beer but I just don't care for it.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 02:56:53 | More by Knapp85

chinchill

South Carolina

2.44/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5

5 Golden Rings poured lightly hazy from a bomber bottle. Amber in color, with a small but durable off-white head. Vinegar (or similar) in the very sour aroma: smells like a good marinade ... or a bad beer. Well, the taste is similar and no better. There is some pineapple and ginger in the very tart taste. Medium bitterness.

O: brewer’s description sounds wonderful; the beer is not. Hard to drink despite some attractive aspects.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 03:45:19 | More by chinchill

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%

05-10-2013 22:56:34 | More by mikeburd1128

drlovemd87

Colorado

3/5  rDev -15.5%

05-10-2013 14:25:41 | More by drlovemd87

FUwolfpacker

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +5.6%

05-10-2013 12:27:11 | More by FUwolfpacker

Compton25

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -29.6%

05-10-2013 03:32:28 | More by Compton25

kemoarps

Washington

2.5/5  rDev -29.6%

05-06-2013 23:54:12 | More by kemoarps

Honus1

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -8.5%

05-06-2013 01:58:32 | More by Honus1

josephwa

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +19.7%

05-06-2013 01:54:54 | More by josephwa

DarthKostrizer

California

2.25/5  rDev -36.6%

05-05-2013 17:30:28 | More by DarthKostrizer

danwho

California

2.75/5  rDev -22.5%

05-05-2013 16:46:03 | More by danwho

JISurfer

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +26.8%

05-05-2013 04:26:39 | More by JISurfer

dtivp

West Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours a hazy golden amber with a two plus finger egg shell white frothy head that recedes very quickly into a thin ring with moderate lacing.

Aroma of tart citrus fruit , spice and some alcohol after the swirl.

Taste dominated by the pineapple, hints of sweet banana, ginger and the booze is not hiding.

Mouth Feel medium body, light carbonation, sweet, sticky, with some alcohol bite.

Overall, the beer is a little over powered by the sweetness and then the alcohol hits you. Glad I tried it, not my favorite Belgian pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 20:52:21 | More by dtivp

Magery

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%

05-03-2013 18:47:07 | More by Magery

HopsMatt

Kentucky

1/5  rDev -71.8%

05-03-2013 02:25:23 | More by HopsMatt

MaseFace

Kentucky

2.5/5  rDev -29.6%

05-03-2013 02:24:26 | More by MaseFace