Ichor - Sly Fox Brewing Company

kenito799

New York

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

8 oz pour at South Philly Tap Room.

The caveat with this richly complex brew is that the keg seems to have gone flat, so the beer might not show nearly as well as possible. I liked it enough that I will certainly give it another try if I come across it on tap or in the bottle, when I get the chance. The sample I had was delivered to me with no head at all. A very dark beer with maroon and purple highlights when held to the light. Good Belgian quad aromas of root beer, cola, cherries and spice waft from the glass. Carbonation not absent when drinking, but certainly subdued, and at least a bit more would have elevated what is a rich, heavy style. The bright spiciness and winey cherry fruit kept the beer surprisingly drinakble, however. A wonderfully complex interplay of rich flavors. I hope to try a better sample someday.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2008 14:22:45 | More by kenito799

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I reviewed a bottle of this earlier and was quite disappointed, but after enjoying a hand-pulled pint of this at Zeno's in State College, PA, I'm thinking I got a mishandled bottle. This beer has all the characteristics I listed before for the nose, but appearance, taste, mouthfeel and just the overall drinking experience were far superior to my last encounter. I love the rich complexity. The high alcohol is well hidden by its fruity and malty sweetness, and as big as this beer is it is surprisingly easy-drinking. If I hadn't known better I'd have had a couple of these and not been able to drive home safely. A wonderful beer and I really enjoyed.

Serving type: cask

04-08-2008 17:11:40 | More by ski271

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A snifter-sized glass poured at Iron Hill West Chester's Belgium Comes to West Chester.

A: The ale is a muddy creek brown color, brownish with a lot of haze. As I drank the ale, the haze became more concentrated in the bottom of the snifter.

S: The aroma is malty sweetness with a fruity aroma that highlights darker fruits.

T: The flavor is full-bodied malts, thick and chewy and not shy on the alcohol. As the ale sits on the tongue, some prunes and raisins stick out, providing a nice malty fruit base. Some bittering hops shine on top of the malts, but the malts are the star here. The flavors finish long and climax in a nice yeasty thickness.

M: The alefruits are delicious, providing a darker depth to the strong malts.

D: I wrote this beer off after an earlier tasting but clearly that was premature. This is a strong quad, full of malty strength and a very nice product. Thank God for second chances!

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2007 01:43:35 | More by akorsak

maybrick

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Brian's quad. Awesome. Deep, dark, malty, carmel, every big beer lovers dream. The head holds on, the mouthfeel exceptional and the complexity and balance are truly remakrable. This stuff is not for light hearted the ABV is well over 10. As it warms the characteristics become more refined and this is a truly remarkable and memorable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2003 18:41:20 | More by maybrick

IrishRedRock

Pennsylvania

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

This is one I've been waiting for. Poured in front of me straight from a quarter keg, a deep brown, nearly black with only a thin, darker than white head that did not hang around. Strong aroma of alcohol and dark fruits. I figured the alcohol would be prevalent in the flavor since it was in the nose, but it was quite well hidden. I thought the ABV was somewhere near 10 (which it is), but was so well hidden that I went and double-checked right then. I was at the Kennett Brewfest, by the way.

Smooth and delightful in the mouth...as it warms there the flavors come out. Plums, spices and a rich malt character make this one a winner.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2003 21:29:01 | More by IrishRedRock