Retribution - DuClaw Brewing Company

hdofu

Maryland

4.8/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I had just about lost hope of ever trying this beer after it ran out on the second day of the premiere party and a subsequent visit to the pub when they just ran out. I was in the liquor store when I happened upon a bomber of it and decided to pick it up. The bottle I picked up was from barrel 10 of the 20 from 3/11/11

The thirst think I noticed with this beer was a punch in the face with molasses from the smell, the kinds you get from fresh fudge. The beer poured dark brown with a thick but small head that almost looked like a frosting. Taste was no holds barred a supper sweet taste of chocolate and molasses initially finishing in dark chocolate... however as it heated up the chocolate got darker and darker making it even more enjoyable. This was a full bodied beer that did not try to hide the heat from the alcohol.... which I respect and like in a imperial stout. I'd honestly say this was a perfect beer, though not an everyday beer so I had to take off points in the overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 03:05:23 | More by hdofu

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-18-2013 23:36:07 | More by jakeox

SPRichard

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

05-13-2013 21:23:24 | More by SPRichard

russwbeck

Virginia

2.85/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: The beer pours out like motor oil, but only yields about a finger of fizzy brown head. The head doesn't lace at all, nor does it stick around for all that long. 2

S: The aroma is pretty boozy, but chocolate and vanilla also play large roles. The bourbon is there, but isn't as prominent as I would like. It smell like the taste is going to be very sweet if it wasn't for the booze. 3

T: The taste is very boozy, but the sweetness that I thought would take over, doesn't. The booze is cut by a nice amount of chocolate and vanilla. The bourbon and some oak come out at the end. Overall, the taste is good, but doesn't stand out in the style. 3

MF: The body is a bit too thin and undercarbonated for my tastes. The balance is good, but it's missing an aspect to make it stand out. 2

O: I wanted this to be great, but the flavors just aren't robust enough. The beer hints at being great, but isn't there yet. I enjoyed it, but not for a style that boasts some of the best beers I've ever had. 3

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 22:20:38 | More by russwbeck

Magery

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

05-07-2013 19:42:26 | More by Magery

Robyn

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

04-28-2013 15:55:03 | More by Robyn

Savarese85

Maryland

5/5  rDev +21.7%

04-24-2013 15:22:02 | More by Savarese85

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.21/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz, Bottled 9/21/13
5oz mini snifter

A: Pours out a deep reddish brown. After having all 3 Speedways before this, it's certainly thinner than them. Not a ton if carbonation. Not a lot of lacing, but still a good looking stout.

S: Cocoa puffs. Vanilla. Oak. Definitely nice bourbon character coming through on the nose. Seems likes it's meshed in there nicely.

T: Dark chocolate bitterness on the tip of the tongue. Then that integrates nicely with the vanilla from the barreling in the mid-palate, giving you a sort of cocoa puff like flavor (delicious though). Taste a hind of charred wood and roasted malts along with that deep chocolate flavor. Dry finish with lingering barrel character.

M: Full bodied.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 14:26:40 | More by inlimbo77

TomG2751

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +15.6%

04-19-2013 17:44:22 | More by TomG2751

ShemRahBoo

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

04-08-2013 16:26:32 | More by ShemRahBoo

Rand_ale_Thor

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-31-2013 22:17:26 | More by Rand_ale_Thor

pcarney8

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

03-29-2013 12:34:24 | More by pcarney8

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-27-2013 19:45:23 | More by ShanePB

slay

Delaware

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-25-2013 00:07:57 | More by slay

Texasfan549

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

03-19-2013 23:26:18 | More by Texasfan549

kjkinsey

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-19-2013 22:50:37 | More by kjkinsey

DruRho

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

03-19-2013 01:01:17 | More by DruRho

andthevolcano

Delaware

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-12-2013 01:43:12 | More by andthevolcano

AngusOg

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%

03-09-2013 03:46:16 | More by AngusOg

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.7%

03-07-2013 19:36:15 | More by orangesol

bum732

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

S: Bold bourbon with strong coffee notes. Sweet oak, some cherry, vanilla.

L: Thick, black as night. Tan head that dissipates quickly.

T: Sweet chocolate-like malt with lots of bourbon sweetness. Alcohol-like bitterness with some bitter coffee-notes. Finishes with some rich chocolate along with some alcohol. Some earthy cocoa as it warms.

M: Medium full bodied, somewhat chewy. Alcohol definitely present, but not too overwhelming. Medium low carbonation.

Really solid, similar profile to BCBS, but a touch sweeter and boozier. Heavy on the chocolate and bourbon sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:57:44 | More by bum732

doc17325

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%

03-07-2013 00:14:13 | More by doc17325

AndrewMichael

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +9.5%

03-06-2013 20:39:05 | More by AndrewMichael

Drtfinelli

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -2.7%

02-26-2013 02:32:03 | More by Drtfinelli

acurtis

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -14.8%

02-24-2013 03:34:44 | More by acurtis