Ichor - Sly Fox Brewing Company

Zorro

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled due to BIGsBIF and the kindness of BeerBeing.

750 ML Bottle.

Pours a clear coke a cola colored brown beer with no real head formation.

Smell is slightly spicy with a lot of burnt sugar aroma and the scent of grapes. Alcohol carries the smell of black pepper.

Taste is sweet and spicy with a lot of grape flavor. Taste of fresh crushed black pepper. Not as complex as expected. Fair amount or tobacco flavor makes me wonder if there isn't Fuggles in this one.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Wish I could say I liked this one but not really. Nothing off about the bottle it just tastes too much like grape soda for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2006 00:19:57 | More by Zorro

warriorsoul

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to DarkerTheBetter for this one...
Dark brown in color...mahogany highlights with some natural light.
Less than a half a finger of light tan head...thin lacing forms as it quickly disappears.
Nice aroma...figs and cherries in the aroma with no alcohol detected.
The taste is fantastic...quite sweet with a huge grape/fig flavor. The alcohol is very well masked and finishes sweet, yet also dry...not overly bitter.
Mouthfeel is maybe thin for the style, and the carbonation is low...goes down too easy, but you know to take your time with this one after you start to warm up.
Very impressed with this bottle conditioned beauty from the folks at Sly Fox.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2006 00:56:11 | More by warriorsoul

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured into the chalice clear dark brown with zilch for head, nada, none.

The aroma was fruity with a strong dark fruit impression of raisins and prunes. Chocolate also was present with a dark caramel character. No head and a somewhat low carbonation made the aromas more subdued.

The flavor was fruity with a cinnamon spice and a light peppery character. The flavor was somewhat sweet with a dark caramel and chocolate presence and a strong dark fruit character. The dark fruits, mainly prunes with some raisins, well represented.

The finish was lightly sweet but heading toward dry with a lasting dark fruit and dark caramel presence and chocolate fairly long and lingering into the aftertaste. The body was medium full and the carbonation was mostly nonexistent leaving a fairly still beer. The warming after consumption was very, very high and almost burning which made the beer just a bit difficult to consume. This one would be much better if properly carbonated for the style.

750 ml bottle. Thanks BeerBeing!

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2006 21:21:12 | More by GCBrewingCo

cbl2

New York

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

No best by date. 750 mL bottle.

Appearance:

Pours a very still, almost noncarbonated ruby brown. Mostly opaque, only faint traces of light seep through. No head. No lacing.

Aroma:

Sweet belgian candied sugar coupled with earthen tones of mushrooms, overripe fruit and intense alcohol. I'm slightly congested though, so not 100% on this.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Still, and slightly viscous with a sweet syrupy quality to it. Apples and tropical fruit mingle with a heady alcohol sensation that warms as it trickles down the throat. Definitely a sipping beer, this would make a nice aperifit, as it shares some characteristics with a botrysized wine.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2006 19:52:12 | More by cbl2

Gavage

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: pours a clear browinsh burgandy color with a spotty head. No lacing develops.

Smell: alcohol is immediately detectable, and after the nose gets through that some caramels and chocolate tones are very pleasant.

Taste: loads of roasted malts, caramels, chocolate, prunes, raisins, and alcohol. Some pepper spice is also noticeable. Nice and hearty.

Mouthfeel: smooth from start to finish. Aftertaste is very long as the alcohol, caramel, and chocolate tones last a while.

Drinkability: very tasty beer, but the alcohol tends to overwhelm after a while. One glass is enough in a session.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2006 11:56:29 | More by Gavage

OldSock

District of Columbia

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance – 750 ml bottle purchased at Oak Tree. A bit of a pain to get the cork out, I ended up having to use a wine corker. The head disappeared with the same speed and hissing sound as the foam on a freshly poured coke. The beer is clear brown with some ruby highlights, but the lack of any head or lacing is greatly detrimental.

Smell – Some banana with clean non-fusel alcohol. Most of the aroma is from the fruity Belgian yeast, with small contribution from dark the grains and/or sugar.

Taste – Again the banana is upfront with some dark fruits in the back. The alcohol is subtle, but present. Hops are only present as a mild counterpoint to the extreme sweetness provided by the malt. This just doesn't posses the complexities required by such a strong, dark style that has so many great examples.

Mouthfeel – Syrupy body with almost no carbonation which explains the lack of head.

Drinkability & Notes – Nothing makes this one hard to drink, its relatively balanced and the alcohol is in check, but the flavor just isn't what it could be. Its a solid beer, but in a category that has so many breathtaking beers, this one is lackluster.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2006 16:16:35 | More by OldSock

jaluria

Connecticut

3.55/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a ruby-burgundy color with minimal carbonation and only the slightest bit of head. Aromas of plums, raisins, alcohol, and maple seemed to come out nicely. The taste was sweet with fruity undertones, as might be expected for the style. Very subtle hops in the finish, but not as smooth as might be desired with the flavor profile. Overly dry and yet crisp; the beer didn't seem to flow very well from initial sip to the finish; very disjointed. The sweetness was more like that of a doppelbock with fruit flavors taking a back seat to the malt sweetness. A good beer, one worth trying, but not a great example of the style due to several flaws.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2006 00:50:32 | More by jaluria

TastyTaste

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

750 milliliters received from BeerBeing (thanks again Alex) in Bif 25**.

Appearance: Dark forboding body, maroon/scarlet when held to light, beautiful, but no head on the pour whatsoever.

Smell: Dark fruits, roasted malts, belgian yeast, very nice.

Taste: Wow, a very nice collaboration of flavors, rich and sippable. Alcohol burns and warms, the taste is savorable and sippable. Toffee and more dark fruit throughout, not a rough edge in site, this is a very smooth brew.

Drinkability: Smooth, rich, fruity, and a joy to sip. Something so strong is so smooth is amazing.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2006 15:27:20 | More by TastyTaste

oelergud

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Corked and caged old fashioned brown bottle.
Very dark clear body almost completely opaque at the center. Deep ruby/brown toward the edges and red/copper at the edge.
Lace, head and carbonation are next to non-existant.
Plum, raisen, brown sugar and concentrated molasses make up first impression of the nose. Quite a rush altually and the alcohol detectable in the smell if looked for.
Taste is a dried fruit medley, raisen, plum and a hint of pear and nuts drizzled with brown sugar. A very strong presence to be sure.
Even the aftertaste is malt dominated and fairly short finishing in a nutty and semi-dry sensation. into the mouthfeel which is solid, full and chewable.
Good Drinkability but be mindfull of the ABV.
Thanks to Weeare138 for the bottle.
-Oelergud

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2006 17:08:03 | More by oelergud

Foxman

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It pours a deep clear mahogany, ruby in lighter spots. A mere half finger of light tan head drops promptly away to the lightest of froth traces. There's pretty much no lacing to speak of.

In the aroma, there drifts a thick cloud of roasted grain, densely sweet and partnered with spice, yeast, dark berry, and alcohol. Plum and a trace of anise round things out.

Upon sipping, it's all about raosted toasty malted grain, berry sweet and sherry vinous. The savory earthiness of baked dough joins more sweetness, with plum and cola, to play counterpoint to a sinewy tendon of alcohol. A mild spicy bitterness and yeasty esters carry toward the close before a sweet, residual malt finish. The flavor is a stylistic pleasure with a dash of signature.

Full bodied, the sticky syrupy malt lays like cloying napalm on the palate. Alcohol helps dry the tongue marginally.

the thick, heavy, fruity sweetness is exactly what I'd hoped for from this quad, and even a bit more. It's blended very craftily, and even slyly, if I may, each piece meshing well with the others. The ABV is never shy, and it gives fair and due warning. Wisdon says heed it. If you're looking for crisp and refreshing, look elsewhere. But if you want a hearty, rewarding quadruppel, look no further...you've found it here.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2006 20:41:45 | More by Foxman

Schooly

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pulled the cork and no "pffft" Uh-oh. Hey weren't these just bottled? Gave it a vigorous pour in my Duvel glass and only a tiny ring appeared around the glass. Smells good like a quad should. I'm still hung up on no head though...Tastes good but without the creamy carbonation you would expect from a 10% quad. What gives? Mouthfeel is flat with no carbonation to bring the taste to the top of my palate. It just drains down my throat. I don't know what happened with this one, just released Friday. I hope the bottling didn't go wrong. Maybe the corks are bad?
I have another one, so I can revisit this one after some more 'bottle conditioning' and review it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2006 23:30:18 | More by Schooly

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer is really something different,whats up with the sticky bottle cap?Pours a deep chesnut brown with some ruby hues with no head to speak of.The aroma is of Xmas fruit cake and some alcohol notes.The taste starts out very sweet with some dried fruit thrown in there,its a sweet beer but not overdone.Iam sure I couldnt drink more than this bottle but still a very good,well made beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2003 23:33:08 | More by oberon

Jarod

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

1pt 9.4 oz bottle
Bottle reads: Dark, luscious and seductive. Ichor is a treat for both the body and the soul.
Served at slightly above cellar temperature.
Bottle cap was oozing sweet black gold that when opened the cap refused to separate completely from the bottle, it left a sweet caramel braid that connected the two like two lovers not wanting to say goodbye to each other.
This beer poured a combination of mahogany and chestnut colors that had scarlet tones on the edges when held to the light. It produced a light beige colored head that quickly faded into a simple ring on the outside edges, and left behind no lace. The aroma was intoxicating but not over-powering, aromas of deep dark malts and sweet malts, caramel, dark fruits (black cherry, plum, raisin), soft wood tones, a slight roasted grain and the warmth of alcohol all filled my nose and mouth. The flavors were just as intoxicating, seductive and more pronounced. My tongue tasted rich malts (roasted, sweet), dark fruits (plums, raisins, black cherries), caramel, a warming alcohol, candied sugar, slight bread grains and a hint of spice. The taste that stayed on my tongue - were of the sweet candied sugar, and the warmth of the alcohol. The body of this beer can only described as thick and spoony (at the warmer temperature at which it was served). Very rich and creamy all through the taste, from the first sip to the last. A very complex beer that should be sipped, savored and respected to the very end. The bottle label was correct.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2003 01:46:56 | More by Jarod

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an excellent beer. Fruity, whisky, malty and delicious. It also is high on the alcohol content and you can taste it throughout. A great ale for a nightcap or with chocolate, it warms the tongue and throat. Sip this and let it warm to enjoy the full range of flavors. An excellent Belgian Quad that doesn't overpower the senses too much.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2003 13:59:49 | More by bierman2000

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

The first thing that comes to mind in describing this beer is overwhelming. It has a smack in the face sweetness to it –
I’m sure it comes from the Belgium candy sugar. Intensely
Flavorful, complex and very interesting. Some of this beer was spilled and in 2 minutes my fingers felt as sticky as a movie theater floor. Beautiful dark ruby red color – with a short lived small head. This is a definite sipping beer for me, unless you’re insane and decide to gulp it down. The hops in this beer were pretty subdued and taken over by all heavy malt sweetness and sugars. A nice treat that I would even consider warming up on a cold rainy night, rather than drinking it chilled.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2003 11:55:58 | More by pezoids

beerluvr

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a sticky off white head that finally settles over deep red clear liquid. Nose has a depth of Belgian character to it: sweet candi sugar, strong maltiness, yeast esters. Taste is heavy, sweet at first, and quite alcoholic. Maltiness gives way to some dark fruitiness, rum & brown sugar. A taste of a winey note pops up near the end. Finishes long and heady, drying slightly after swallowing. A good interpretation of a Belgian Quadruple.

A big "Thank You" to rotsaruch for the bottle!

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2003 22:39:53 | More by beerluvr

rotsaruch

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Presented in a 750ml bottle with no date. Surprisingly and pleasantly, that after removing the cap I noticed it was filled all the way to the top. Thank you, Brian O'Reilly, brewer at SlyFox for this additional bonus of this beautiful Belgian Quad.

Pours a dark burgundy, almost a satin mahogany color. Distinct degree of carbonation is noticable with a generous foam of bubbles which forms this delicate tan head that quickly fades. As it warms and I swirl it gently, there is this hint of a sweet, fruity bouquet. As the aroma becomes more noticable, I finally need to accomplish the task at hand and give the poor palate a chance to participate in this splended sensory situation. WOW!! The old tastebuds were blessed with this banquet of dark delicious dates (filled with cream cheese), plums, and red rasberries. I poured some more of this charming concoction and tasted. This effervescence display of bubbles which are released would dance and dart within the tasting chamber providing another unexpected sensation to enjoy. There is this wonderful warming effect with this slight, but noticable, brown sugar-like finish. The finish is dry and sweet, but not overpowering. What a lovely treat on such a miserable, cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2003 05:24:08 | More by rotsaruch

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ichor means "Blood of the Gods", and its appearance is quite appropriate! The body appears almost black at first, but reveals a deep ruby with a mahogany cast when held to the light. Carefully poured it's quite clear, leaving the yeast sediment almost completely behind (it's bottle conditioned). The creamy, one-fingered head is light-tan in color, holds quite well, and leaves some nice lace throughout the glass. The aroma is rich with fruitiness (the skins of dark fruits melded with fresh berries) and a soft yeasty spiciness. The body is firmly medium with an exceptionally fine carbonation that's lightly zesty on the tongue before warming to display a supple creaminess. The flavor is astoundingly rich with mouth coating sweet malt & caramelized sugars wrapped in dark fruit (plum/prune, grape/raisin, fig) and spice. Intense! There's an underlying layer of leafy/floral hop flavor and balancing bitterness. The alcohol is exceptionally well-cloaked and only reveals itself slowly throughout the goblet; but mainly in the finish where it helps to dry, and accentuates the spiciness of the yeast. It's exceptionally well-balanced and the malt and spice linger just long enough to be completely satisfying but not cloying. Very well done and well worth seeking out. This is clearly a beer that will improve with age for some time; drying a bit, softening it's already subtle alcohol, and possibly increasing it's complexity. It may hold for close to a decade as any sherryish notes that arise will only add to its deep, dark, fruitiness.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2003 14:59:32 | More by NeroFiddled

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.45/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a 10 oz chalice glass

Appearance – Pours a deep-deep red nearly brown color. There was a thin white head upon serving which faded to give a moderate level of lacing. While not bad the lacing was less then would be expected for a quad.

Smell – Dark fruits of cherry and plum are mixed in with some more bready aromas. A yeasty and slightly tropical sweet aroma make their presence known but are still quite light in comparison to the dark fruits. At the end of the aroma enters some alcohol smell, while not overpowering it is definitely present.

Taste – The dark fruits in the nose are the first to be tasted. Plums and cherries are most pronounced, but there is also some raisin and apple mixed in as well. These sweeter fruit flavors are next paired with some more yeasty and malty flavors, with a nice does of banana mixed into the taste. There is a good level of alcohol flavor that then comes into play brining the taste to the end. While not huge, the alcohol is a bit on the stronger side. While it is warming, it is just a bit too much at the end.

Mouthfeel – The mouthfeel is rather moderate to slightly above average. While not bad, it is a tad shy of what would be desired for a quadruple. The carbonation is right, but the body is just a bit too thin for the style.

Overall – The beer has some really nice attributes, such as nice strong fruit and malt flavors and aromas, but the weaker body and the stronger alcohol presence keep it from being really good. Not bad, but not really great either.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 00:58:35 | More by Darkmagus82

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours very dark brown with muddy bubbly head and plentiful lacing.

Lots of clove in the nose. Mild spiciness with coriander and some pepper. Creamy banana ice cream and some malty sweetness.

Taste follows spice trail but with more booze. Alcohol is assertive with flavors following and preceding. Some nanners and spice, burnt sugar is nice, then warming booze, then warm bread with musty herb.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and warming.

I don't associate Slyfox with Belgian styles....but this was good!

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2012 03:41:49 | More by TheMultiYeast

russwbeck

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Z Bar in State College

A: A very dark pour with a small white head. Nice lacing from what head remains.

S: Dry, dark fruits mainly. A bit of candied sugar. Very sweet overall.

T: Big candied sugar and dark fruit taste. Little bit of booziness on the backend. Some roasted malts mixed in as well.

MF: Medium bodied with a nice amount of carbonation.

O: Not a great quad, but you can't beat the price!

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2011 23:30:19 | More by russwbeck

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Sly Fox, Phoenixville, PA

Poured a clear, dark cola brown, with patches of white bubbles for a head. Aroma of caramel and alcohol, with a whiff of dark dried fruits. Tastes, well, like a quad, but not quite as complex as some made by the more experienced brewers. Still good though. Caramel and toffee in the taste, alcohol, candi sugar, raisins and figs, and a touch of banana. Finishes a little stale with dry alcohol. Medium mouthfeel, and pretty drinkable, but one serving is enough I thought.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 17:20:10 | More by Rifugium

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

One of my favorite Sly Fox beers.

Pours a clear rich ruby red with very little head or lacing.

Smells strongly of dark fruits and brown sugar with a hint of vanilla and just a bit of alcohol.

Tastes of raisins, plums, brown sugar and caramel sweetness. A bit of alcohol warming at the very end of the finish. Excellent.

Mouthfeel is good if a little light. A little lingering sweetness.

Very drinkable especially for the ABV. Very smooth and delicious with light carbonation.

HV

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2008 14:54:26 | More by sholland119

Brianmerrilyn

New York

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a goblet at David Copperfields. After 2 tries of different style beers,I was more than happy to find out that the Ichor was a quad.

A:Dard brown with ruby accents. 2 finger khaki head with nice ringing laces and perfect retention sticking to my glass.

S: Dark fruits and earthy malts.

T: A powerful sweetness transitioning into a slighy hoppy taste, with candys returning for the finish.

M: Thick,rich and creamy. Carbonation at a moderate level to add to the complexity.

D: Pure bliss with every quaff of this gem. There may be bourbon accents or just that the high abv level really takes off half way through as it warms and the scents grow.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2008 02:04:08 | More by Brianmerrilyn

ROMER79

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer had a brown pour with a one finger tan head. It smelled of caramel, nuts, fruits, and roasted malts. The taste was was great. I could really pull out all the flavors that I mentioned above. The mouthfeel was thin and it left a fresh after feel in my mouth. Not bad for a strong beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2008 14:18:52 | More by ROMER79