Certified Evil - Lucky Bucket Brewing Co.

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pitch black body with a one finger frothy brown head.

Aroma: If I didn't know better I'd think this was a Porter or Stout. The chocolate malt and near coffee-like aroma suggests a different style. However, the signature fruit esters of belgian yeast are there underneath it all. A touch of vinegar as well.

Taste: Definitely an interesting flavor combining both Imperial Stout and Belgian Ale styles. Starts with dark malt flavor (almost a belgian candi syrup) that stays very light by not contributing any bitterness. There is also a light grassy hop character that fits in well with the flavor complexion. Flavors of pear, green apple, and fig compliment the dark malt nicely. Then the flavor shifts in an interesting way giving bitter dark chocolate and roasted malt flavor during the finish and lingering in the aftertaste. An interesting hint of vinegar long after the finish that adds to the overall mystery of what this beer was intended to be. In true Belgian fashion the 9.6% ABV is very difficult to locate in the flavor.

Mouthfeel: Between medium and full in body with effervescence that gets close to usual Belgian levels but not quite as overly fizzy. Average drinkability.

Final Thoughts: Lucky Bucket's Certified Evil is definitely not your typical Belgian Strong Dark Ale. It has a mix of both Belgian and Stout influences that combine for a pretty good beer. If you like either of the styles mentioned above then give it a try if you come across it. Would I drink it again? Sure, not seeking it out though.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 03:09:40 | More by JamesMN

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this beer is a freak. huge huge huge. it pours thick and dark, more like an American stout than anything Belgian, sludgy looking too, viscous. a few inches of tan head last the while glass. the nose is a little confusing, the dark malts are front and center no doubt, there is some dark chocolate and molasses sweetness in here too, and some sort of interesting yeast that doesn't ring the Belgian bell to me, but perhaps this is classified incorrectly. the chocolate flavors really expand as it drinks, not sweet chocolate, but that bitter dry raw cocoa that so many beers strive for but few attain. some real nice oak in the finish, not wine or bourbon or anything, just wood. the alcohol is amazingly well hidden, and I unfortunately consumed this like it was in the 5% to 6% abv range, and it definitely got me humming. super smooth in texture, glides right down the throat effortlessly, no burn at all, and the huge body somehow satisfies me, like a milkshake or something. good thing this beer doesn't come in milkshake sizes. overall an impressive offering from lucky bucket, far superior to their wheat. looking forward to finding more of their beers, this one is profound.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 18:12:13 | More by StonedTrippin

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

My past experience with Lucky Bucket was not too exciting. This beer is excititng? Is this a quality beer? I think so. Do i like this bitter brew? Not really. I like maltier sweetness. However, this beer looks nice and has a nice faint aroma.

The flavor is quite complex and ends bitterly on the palate. Let's transitions into . It's really fizzy. That may be a benefit.

Miles Davis Live Evil cd is a good pairing !!!

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 00:41:14 | More by frankiepop

PalatePilot

Colorado

2.7/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured bottle into a tulip glass

A- Looks nice and dark, a promising opacity

S- A lot of malt, some sweetness, a little heat ( alcohol ) a little hop

T- Not what I expected, astringent, alcohol, bitter, did not get the sweetness that I smelled and that I expected from color. too much going on in here without enough balance.

M- Overly carbonated, made the astringency burst. when the carbo dies down its got a decent feel

O- I had heard some good things about this beer, and I was a little disappointed, too much going on and the flavors did not go well together for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 16:27:37 | More by PalatePilot

devlishdamsel

Washington

2.63/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I had this last night with a friend. It poured a dark brown almost black color with thin to medium viscosity. The scent was that of a typical strong ale of its kind. It had a very complex flavor, which i found to be unappealing. There was too low of an attenuation with this one, I do not feel the sweetness complimented the very smoky flavor. The hops also seemed to clash. Overall i found this to be very unbalanced on the palate. Sure it looks pretty, nice lacing, mouth feel and color. However the overall flavor profile suggested bitter sweet maple bacon. the aftertaste lingered for awhile, and left me feeling unimpressed.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 20:31:07 | More by devlishdamsel

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Lucky Bucket "Certified Evil"
12 oz., no apparent freshness date

Woah! I was told this was a Belgian golden strong ale but I was misled! Let me take a look at the label... ... ... "a dark, ominous and oak aged creation..." - well that's just my style :) Let's see...

It pours an opaque black body beneath a dark-tan, chocolate head that drops shortly and leaves little lace behind. Hmmm, that could be disappointing... I'd like to see a better head on it.

There's chocolate in the aroma, and a little bit of fruit: cherry, apple, and perhaps date; all atop a solidly dark-chocolate maltiness that's sprinkled with coffee-like roastiness and cocoa.

Quite often, the flavor of most beers simply mimic the aroma, and that's the case here except that it's amplified - this is one rich beer! Fortunately, it's not overdone. It teems with dark malt chocolate and near-coffee, but it doesn't become overpowering - perhaps because the malt base is kept in check: it's medium-full / full-medium in body but still fermented through, and dry. It delivers a little bit of yeast in the nose, along with and followed by the roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes that are slightly accented by a light sugary note. Hops work their way in, but they can gain only equal footing at best, mainly appearing across the middle and then mostly in the finish, which is dry, chocolatey, woody, somewhat roasty, and threaded through with bright red berries and a gently vinous note. Wow! Nice finish - this is where it's complexity lies. As it fades, it becomes darkly bitter and acidic, showing a lot of its oak, but also brightened by its fruitiness (which saves it from going too far to the dry side).

An impressive strong dark beer that packs a whollop! I'd suggest you let it warm up slightly to get the most out of it.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 01:35:57 | More by NeroFiddled

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pitch black beer that appropriately represents the darkness of Evil. CE has a single tone tan head that drops rather quickly. Chocolate, light burnt roast and spice in the nose. Nose is not assertive but that could be the fan in the bar. Flavor jumps out strong with a heavy burnt chocolate and malt taste with earthy hops spreading along the side of the tongue.

The beer lingers nicely and has a bit of a punch, betrayed by the light legs on the side of the footed glass from the 9.1% alcohol. Very good beer and is better on site than the bottles I've tried in the past. Fine beer to be the top of the line for Lucky Bucket.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2012 02:14:31 | More by FightingEntropy

UCLABrewN84

California

3.93/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Benny for sharing this one at his tasting.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, and citrus zest. Taste is much the same with a mild roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 01:42:36 | More by UCLABrewN84

Beerlover

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer is odd. not bad, just different. smells of smokey sweet bbq... thats right bbq. which automatically make me LOVEIT! tastes salty with hints of wine and smoke. minor bittersweet chocolate. very heavey flavor, definatley one to sip but for the 9.6 % alcohol the booziness is well masked. this is just one you gotta try if you love beer like me!

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 03:51:44 | More by Beerlover

augustgarage

California

3.25/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Harriet tulip.

Opaque bistre body with a dark tan head - short but creamy and lasting; pasty lacing, superior retention.

Sour nose with burnt sugar and roast malt in the nose. The oak aging overwhelms the base malt, adding tart vinuous flavors throughout. Mild bitterness...hints of stewed fruit and (noble?) hops. Finishes tart and somewhat smokey.

Medium-full bodied, effervescent, and chewy mouthfeel.

I wasn't expecting a "sour," though this crosses into that territory. Complex, but maybe more interesting than pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 04:27:55 | More by augustgarage

Dope

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a very dark brown with a tinge of red. Large very light brown head sits atop it. Fades slowly, leaving nice lacing behind on the glass. An island of foam permanently resides in the brew.

S: Very malty. Lots of caramel and raisin. There is some leather and ginger too - maybe cinnamon. Almost like a gingerbread cookie. Smells a little like wine too. Odd combination of aromas that's for sure. Not a bad combination, I enjoyed it!

T: Lots of wine, almost to the point of being sour. Some oak. Heavy leather mixed with some caramel, molasses, raisin and brown sugar. Spices linger in the aftertaste, mostly ginger again.

M: Pretty heavy as expected for the ABV.

O: One of the most unique brews I've had. Crazy variety of flavors that honestly do not meld that well. Regardless, it is heavy, complex and the flavors are balanced well, despite everything. It's kinda like drinking a wine barrel aged winter warmer with a belgian twist. How do you ever categorize that?

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 04:55:44 | More by Dope

gregy55902

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a murky brown color; looks totally opaque black in the glass. One finger of fizzy tan head that slowly recedes leaving decent bubbles and lacing.

S - Brown sugar, alcohol, various malts, Belgian yeast.

T - Oak barrel notes, malt, some smoky char flavors. Cardamon and buttery clove. Mehh.

M - Decent carbonation. Alcohol is present but not overpowering.

O - Meh. A far cry from the top tier belgian dark ales (e.g. any Chimay or Delirium) but it's not terrible either. Won't be busting down the doors of my local shop to get any more though.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 03:02:19 | More by gregy55902

oline73

Maryland

2.35/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Poured from a bottle into a goblet.

Appearance: Pours an almost opaque mahogany/dark brown. The beer seems to be pretty murky. There is a half finger of tan head that goes away completely.

Smell: Very malt forward with some dark fruit like sweetness. I'm also picking up a slightly tart fruit note. The grain is the dominant smell here.

Taste: Lots of peppery oak along with a tartness that I'm not 100% sure was intentional. Malt makes its presence known, but it isn't very sweet. The finish has a tart bitterness to it that I'm not really digging.

Mouthfeel: The body is just on the thick side of medium with very aggressive carbonation. The finish is very dry which seems to be fitting with the strong oak presence.

Overall: Not a very good beer. The flavors that were there just didn't mix very well for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 23:05:18 | More by oline73

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured black, opaque with a thin khaki head that left eminent lacing. Smell is of semisweet chocolate, sour cherry cordials, herbal hop. Taste is all over, roasted chocolaty malt, lactose, vinous, grassy/herbal hop, subtle milk chocolate, slightly sweet. Finished a little bit sour and astringent. No notice of the ABV. Body is fairly light, mouthfeel hints at being creamy but is certainly lighter than expected. Overall it's got a broad mix of flavors, as i think the label hints at. I don't find it to be overly imposing or big. Decent enough and I'll enjoy the other three bottles.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 05:48:17 | More by JackieTH

onewetpaw

Tennessee

4.05/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip.

A- Lemony, slight roast character.

A- Pure black with a this off white head.

F- Lots going on here. Its hard for my palate to separate this out. I do appreciate some roasty, mildly astringent flavors up front. Not fruity at all. Perhaps a little pepper flavor. No hot alcohol or solvent flavors.

M- Lots of body with a gentle carbonation that helps lighten it up slightly in the end. Overall pretty light given how big a beer this is.

O- A interesting beer. There's a lot going on here. I don't taste the fruit notes I associate with a belgian yeast. I'm not that well versed in this style, which seems to have a pretty broad definition. I do like the beer. To me it's definitely a sipper, probably a good thing due to the ABV.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 00:16:33 | More by onewetpaw

Greggy

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours pitch black and pours like motor oil. The head is 2 fingers of thick creamy cocoa. Lacing is good.

S- Nice... Chocolate, a bit of coffee, pine, oak, a bit of wine comes through as well.

T- Starts off with big chocolate, and hoppiness (pine and marmalade) and some winey tannins. A little acidity is present transitioning to the finish which is strightly astringent and oaky.

M- A little to much carbonation here, I think. Overall though a good mouthfeel, everything esle going on keep this @ a 4.

O- A very interesting brew. A lot going on. Definitely recommend trying a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 05:30:16 | More by Greggy

warnerry

Michigan

2.98/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours dark brown with two fingers of airy light tan head. Decent retention and some lacing.

S - I swear the first aroma I got after pouring this was similar to those Wet Ones wipes, kind of soapy and chemical. Luckily, subsequent whiffs are more promising. Some raisin and plum, and herbal hop presence. Maybe some chocolate and wine. There is a lot going on, but it never really came together for me.

T - Again, many elements of a BSDA, but with an herbal hop presence, some wine, and a faint tartness. Not sure if this is in the early stages of infection, or just odd. I wish there was a little less acidity to let the fruits and chocolate shine through. Finishes with some hop bitterness. Not sure what to think of this. It seemed like after each sip I was pretty sure I didn't want any more, then a few seconds later I was intrigued enough to go back for more. Does that mean I like it? I can't seem to convince myself of that. Still, while it is not particularly appealing, it isn't bad tasting either.

M - Medium mouthfeel with some tartness and a somewhat bitter, dry finish. Seemed a little thinner than it should have been.

O - Points for originality, and some good things going on, but can't see myself wanting this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 00:15:56 | More by warnerry

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Opaque black pour from a 12 oz bottle. Full finger's worth of head is short lived but yields some clumpy patches and stringy lacing.

Smells of raisins and prune juice, coffee, and berries, which I can only assume is imparted by the wine barrel. Cardamom was evident immediately upon opening the bottle, but is swarmed under once this beer hits the glass.

In a word: different. Swirled on the tongue, the vinous tingle of red wine is prickly and washes over the palate. Tart berries, coffee, raisin, pruney malt driven surprise. Hops dance along in a rag tag procession. Really an odd mish mash of flavors and ingredients. Yeast is present but understated, which is most definitely appreciated by this guy since big yeasty flavors are the gross.

Finishes dry with really no hint of alcohol.

Overall, this was an oddly enjoyable beer that seemed to evolve and encourage further exploration. Appreciative of my boy steepH20 for tossing this in my bag on the way out the door after our last visit.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 00:34:23 | More by BarrytheBear

AllenJasper

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured during the chorus of Pantera's 'By Demons Be Driven' and it was very fitting.

A: nearly opaque black even under bright lighting. One finger of light brown head, mild carbonation.
In the middle of the glass, there is some darker head, like I had sprinkled some cinnamon on it... not sure what that's about, but it's cool.
Edit: Sediment at the bottom

S: Oak, molasses, roasted malts, brown sugar

T: follows smell, a lot going on.

M: Thick and a little sticky, with a sugary tingle.

O: I'm really glad I have three more of these. Remember what the bottle says about the swirl sip scheme.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 01:46:43 | More by AllenJasper

Zaimejs

Nebraska

4.53/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of the most flavorful and potent beers I have enjoyed on a regular basis. I was lucky enough to win 24 of these at a fund raising auction not realizing how special the brew was.

It is incredibly dark and rich. The beer lives up to its name. Do not drink it and then expect to enjoy any other beers without a thorough cleaning of the palette. It overwhelms the senses with a full flavored beginning and a hoppy finish. It's hard to describe. It's not nutty or malty, but it's huge.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 00:04:41 | More by Zaimejs

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.65/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle gifted by drabmuh. Thanks Matt.

The beer is a near black shade with a small beige cap that leaves ample lacing on the snfter.

The aroma offers oak, sweet malt, roast, an assortment of dark fruit, to include raisins, figs, prunes.

The flavor brings a heavy charred roast character, followed by sweet malt, dark fruit and a hint of booze. Oak character emerges more and more as the beer warms. Dark fruit and a vinous character throughout. On the sweet side for the style, and lacking the delectable yeast character I associate with the style.

Medium bodied with adequate carbonation. Alcohol hidden pretty well.

Overall, this beer has some really nice things going for it, but lacks a couple of the major things I look for in a Belgian strong dark ale. Still, a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 04:25:43 | More by Huhzubendah

shivtim

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Andrew for picking this up for me.

Dark brown/black/coffee. Thin brown head.

Nose is phenomenal. Almonds, sweet molasses, hops, sweet malts. Nutty/hoppy/malty deliciousness. Wow.

Taste is strong sweet malts. Lingering hops and alcohol. Oak. A mishmash that somehow works.

Great beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 05:00:50 | More by shivtim

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, little stamp on the bottom of the 4-pack container says best if used by 7 15 12. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown with about a half inch tan head that went away quickly. There's a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is weak (but nice), the beer smells like dark fruit, molasses, and a bit of coffee and chocolate. The brew tastes like dark fruit (figs), red wine, roasted malt, coffee, dark fruit and a little bit of honey and tart berries. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy and coating and is well carbonated. The soft carbonation makes it easy enough to drink. The longer I drank this, the more and more I liked it. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 23:21:17 | More by bluejacket74

olympuszymurgus

Minnesota

1.45/5  rDev -59.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

From a bottle, into a snifter.

Dark brown with a quickly passing head. Smell is mostly hops and sulfur, some fruit and roast. Some earthy must, but nothing delicate or intriguing.

Taste is dominated by astringent bitterness. I think the combination of roasted grains, orange peel, and too damn many hops are making it quite unlikable.

Head drops fast, body is oddly thin and I get none of the Belgian yeast flavor.

Best thing I can say? I didn't pour it down the drain.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 03:36:01 | More by olympuszymurgus

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.38/5  rDev -34.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

we sampled from 2 bottles which were substantially different from each other. Overall, poured with a large, tan, thick, foamy, frothy head and loads of lace. Color is an opaque black brown. Flavor falls down some, tart on top with some toasty malt, dark ripe fruit, yeast, molasses. Body has some high points that dont fit, carbonation is ok. Finish is like flavor, on the short side, no hint at all of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 02:42:39 | More by drpimento