Kuhnhenn Braggot - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

superspak

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into signature tulip glass; Winter Solstice 2011 bottling. Pours very hazy dark reddish brown color with a small foamy light khaki head with poor retention, that reduces to nothing as expected. Minimal lacing on the glass. Aromas of big caramel, toast, molasses, toffee, chocolate, raisin, prune, honey, biscuit, tobacco, light nuttiness, floral, and dark earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of malt and honey notes; with hardly any alcohol presence. Taste of big caramel, toast, toffee, molasses, honey, raisin, prune, biscuit, tobacco, leather, light nuttiness, floral, herbal, and dark earthiness. Lingering notes of caramel, toast, toffee, dark fruit, molasses, honey, biscuit, tobacco, leather, and dark earthiness on the finish for a while. Fantastic complexity and balance of malt flavors with honey; with hardly any cloying sweetness present after the finish. Light carbonation and very full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and syrupy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden for 16%, with only a slight warming noticed after the finish; definitely a slow sipper though. Overall this is a fantastic Braggot style! Incredible complexity and balance of malt/honey flavors; and insanely smooth to sip on for being 16%. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:00:01 | More by superspak

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.24/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle from 2011 poured into a pint glass at cellar temperature.

L – Deep amber color with a thin layer of tan bubbles that dissipates rapidly. Because there’s barely any head, there’s no lacing. The beer is hazy with no appreciable bubbles. There’s definitely some legs on the side of the glass.

S – The most noticeable aromas are honey and grapes. Upon looking closer, dark fruits like figs and raisins become more noticeable.

T – The taste is sweet all the way through with honey, brown sugar, grape, raisin, and fig flavors.

F – Medium-bodied with not much carbonation, a sticky and mouth-coating feel, and a sweet and slightly dry finish. There’s definitely some warmth from the alcohol at the finish.

O – This is my first braggot, but it seems to fit the description of the style very well. It was definitely a tasty and unique experience and was very drinkable given the high ABV. It seems like they’re pretty tough to come by, but I’d like to try some more examples of this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 19:49:59 | More by BlackBelt5112203

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.59/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a Kuhnhenn snifter. 2011 bottle.

Appearance - Pours with very few bubbles. Deep red brown. Thin collar of white foam.

Smell - Lots of honey. Fruity. Carmel. Not a great deal of complexity. Mostly honey here.

Taste - Much more depth to the malt flavor. Very sweet, but coupled with caramel, fruity malts, and a touch of smokey malts. Finishes a little bit buttery.

Mouthfeel - Doesn't taste anywhere near 16% alcohol. Not really boozy at all. Sweet and slick. Medium low carbonation.

Overall - The style doesn't lend itself to much complexity in my experience. The honey flavors mask most of the dimensions of the beer. Amazingly smooth though.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 02:10:05 | More by Alieniloquium

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.26/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Alright here we go

Poured from the bottle right down the middle of a snifter, very murky brownish amber color with maybe a hint of purple? ahh probably not....

Smell - Is very sweet, a lot of caramel, sugar plums, a lot of candy like sweetness coming through. Smells kind of like a sweetened version of a Old Ale.

Taste - a lot of sweet rasin, plum, caramel a little toffee, all around really good stuff.

Mouthfeel is medium, thought it would be fuller based on the pour, Carbonation is there but you really have to look for it, somehow it works though.

Hard to believe that this is 16%.... Based on taste and mouthfeel I would have guessed right around 9%.

Well this is my first Braggot and it won't be my last (assuming I can actually find someone else who makes on, that I can get in my neck of the woods)

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 00:31:55 | More by nickapalooza86

Etan

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle, 2011 vintage, shared by Marco. Thanks!

A: Pours a reddish brass color, no head.

S: Beautiful waxy honey aroma. Deep and sweet. Hints of apple and whole wheat bread.

T: Honey, bready grain, slight warmth, a bit vinous. Drinks like it's 7%, not 16%.

M: Thick, slightly syrupy body. No hint of alcohol.

O: Definitely one of the better American braggots I've had. The honey aroma and flavor is deep and satisfying and the alcohol is incredibly well-hidden.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 06:47:31 | More by Etan

alpinebryant

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy dark Chestnut brown with no head and a few bubbles appeared right when poured. Small hiss when opened.

S: Aroma of a sweet plum pudding with honey, toffee, fusel alcohol wildflower blossoms and caramelized sugar.

T: As expected, this is a sweet bomb. While there is tons of plum and wildflower honey flavors, one place that this does not disappoint is the variety of flavors that are in here. There is a nice dash of caramelized sugar, toffee, pecan pie, molasses, and cotton candy mixing with tropical fruit and black cherry flavors. Wildflower flavors are the base of this braggot and being the first of this beer style that I have ever had, I am really enjoying it for its different flavors. It is surprisingly similar in some characteristics to Kuhnhenns Old brune which is one of my favorite beers period. Sweet black cherry flavors with a similar mouthfeel. There is some fusel alcohol flavors which are a 'flaw' however I am willing to forgive this slightly more in a 16% beer that is made with honey than a Russian Imperial Stout.

M: Very light in body with no carbonation detectable. Slight hiss upon opening.

O: Color me impressed. I will be seeking out more Braggot's in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 00:25:10 | More by alpinebryant

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Humulus5883 (Reddit) for this, I've been really excited to try it. 2011 vintage.

Pours not head at all, and I mean nothing, not even a thought of one, with a semi hazy maroon mahogany cranberry reddish color.

Nose definitely has some mead characters, nice honey, floral like, light sweet malt, little caramel and molasses like malts, some fruits with fig, apple like, etc, little nutty and candy like, and lots of booze.

starts syrupy and thick, big malts and honey too. Honey is thick but more background like with a bit of floral fruity honey. Then syrupy thick malts, a little nutty and caramel molasses candy like. Booze is there but not 16% like, but there is some fusel and phenolic flavors from it, as well as a light glue like solventy flavors. Fruits bring more fig, date, little apple and other sweet like fruits. Light bitterness as well cutting in. Finish is still a bit sweet but it never gets really sweet, some warming booze lingering, more dark fruits, nuts, syrupy candy, and a bit of honey as it dries a lot later.

mouth is syrupy, fuller ish bodied, almost no carb though, some warming booze but doesn't feel anywhere near 16%.

Overall interesting, unique, a big beer with lots of dark fruits, malts, syrupy candy flavors, and plenty of additions from the booze itself. However, the mead portion seems to be drowned out a bit too much, but still tasty and good.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 05:28:35 | More by jlindros

ehammond1

California

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2011)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, whartontallboy!

(Aged for 1 year)

Cloudy dark brown with dark ruby edges and a very thin khaki colored ring of small, tight bubbles, leaving the glass oily and slick on the way down. I don't expect much lace on a drink of this hefty ABV.

A sweet, fruity, and earthy aroma: red grape skins, plum, honey, scorched caramel, and dirt. Some alcohol, but that's expected.

The flavor is similar with honey and grape skins dominant, along with earth and alcohol warmth, especially in the back of the throat upon swallowing. Rich, sticky caramel and honey along with a nutty component as this warms fully.

Medium bodied with very low carbonation--slightly oily, though very drinkable.

Though I'm very new to the style, I enjoyed this very much.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 22:23:49 | More by ehammond1

Greywulfken

New York

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: 2011 winter solstice bottling at 16.0% abv poured a deep barely translucent burgundy; no head to speak of - just some errant bubbles around the collar. If I knew what braggots should look like, I might've given it a better score, but I found it to be unremarkable in appearance

S: sweet dark fruits, caramelly malts

T: sweet balance of honey and malt creating a kind of brown sugar taste; some spice notes - I dunno - makes me think of clove or nutmeg and the kind of sugary dessert spices you find in Christmas and Thanksgiving pies and such - reminds me a lot of the Samiclaus Bier I had a while back (which was categorized as a doppelbock incidentally)- in the mouthfeel, too...

M: very thin and slick - how they hid such a high abv is beyond me, but I don't detect it at all; leaves a nice sweet holiday dessert spice aftertaste - like I had plum pudding with brandy

O: another one of those (for me at least, never having had mead or a braggot before) really unique beers. I thoroughly enjoyed the drinking of it - it was so innocuous and easy-drinking, but at the same time, I probably would go with a barleywine just as easily. Don't get me wrong, though, if you are a true beer advocate, it is worth the buy.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 17:36:14 | More by Greywulfken

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into an Old Engine Oil snifter. Thanks to whoever opened this at the tasting.

A: Flat, clear mahogany body. Meh.

S: Sweet honey, dark fruit, and some faint meatiness. Light booze. Quite nice.

T: Strong and sweet, with some honey, toffee, candied fruit, and booze. Tasty.

M: Still, sticky, and smooth. Ok.

O: One of the best Braggots I've had, this one really did combine the best of its beer and mead elements into something special. Killer concoction from Kuhnhenn.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 01:27:24 | More by woosterbill

SteelersX

New York

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A bit of a funky bret like character in this beer That I wasnt expecting. Also some high alcohols that are not surprising considering this beer is 16 percent alcohol.

It is sweet but not cloyingly so. Overall a very tasty beer but maybe not exactly what I was expecting. Kuhnenns always pleases in some fashion.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 23:27:59 | More by SteelersX

webmanspidey

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From the 2011 Winter Solstice. Bottle poured into a snifter. According to the bottle, this checks in at a whopping 16% ABV. It is a deep dark brownish color, slightly translucent with little to no carbonation. Smell is extremely sweet and alcoholic, with a lot of brown sugar and molasses-type aromas. Taste is very sweet with an interesting mix of woody off-flavors. While alcohol is definitely present, it is hidden pretty well for 16% ABV. There is very little carbonation here. This is probably my first braggot, but despite not having anything to compare to this is an enjoyable heavy beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 00:19:49 | More by webmanspidey

BigPlay1824

New York

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed in a snifter

A: pours a very very hazy deep brown with a slight mahogany hue and absolutely zero head, which as i understand it is typical for this brew, leaves no head either
S: dark fruits, prunes and raisins come to mind but also a slight woody character is underlying
T: woah, this is a drastic and ridiculous brew, that being said it is nice, very dark fruits from the onset where they begin slightly sweet through the end where they become more syrup or molasses like, molasses lingers on the palate long afterwards, also a very slight black licorice
M: smooth, extremely thick and syrupy no alcohol burn which is nice, the character is there in the taste but not the mouthfeel
O: a nice sipping beer and at 16% thats all id recommend you do with it, very unique and complex on the palate, extremely deep and really lingers on the palate for a long time

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 01:18:04 | More by BigPlay1824

cosmicevan

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

picked up locally, 2011 vintage from the winter solstice. poured 12oz into hill farmstead oversized wine glass.

a - a hard pour yields a still lifeless liquid in the glass. looks purple in the glass but to the light, ruby highlights are revealed. no lacing to speak of.

s - oh wow. rich and complex. big banana and bubble gum. some lighter spicing like clove and sage. honey and lemon. smells rich and chunky. i really don't know what to expect.

t - just as much going on in the flavor. banana, bubble gum, same sage i find in the smell and honey. weird and different, but good. sweet, but not cloying.

m - little to no carbonation, but it seems to work. doesn't really seem like a beer, perhaps more of a liquore or cordial?

o - overall, didn't really know what to expect with this one. i've had a braggot or two before and it is an odd style (top braggot is rated at 3.91 so not something universally loved on BA). going into this one with no expectations, the end result is a big strong alcoholic drink that doesn't feel like one. i really don't get any of the booziness. there is some sweetness, but nicely balanced out with some sweeter saison-like flavoring. no mistake that this is different. probably a great one to bust out after a dinner party and give everyone an ounce or two. a bit pricey, but i suspect that i'll pick up another one of these while they are around. a very cool and unique drink and something that would be fun to break out to rave reviews.

kuhnhenn continues to impress with their huge beers that carry a nice flavor and are beyond drinkable with hidden booze.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 03:40:43 | More by cosmicevan

brystmar

New York

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Kuhnhenn's 2008 imperial bourbon barrel aged braggot was among the best beers I had last year, so I've got high expectations for this one.

Split this 2011 bottle three ways. Zero head or lace from the dark caramel colored body. Looks like we poured a spirit instead of a beer. Honey, spices, yeast, malt, booze, and caramel in the nose.

Malty and sweet; honey really shines through. Dark and oaky too. Lots of other spicy nuances that I can't finger give it complexity. Sticky, medium body with zero carb.

Careful though: you can barely taste the 16% ABV, even at room temperature. Literally *zero* bite and only very mild alcoholic warmth as it descends. I enjoyed this one, but at $12 for a 12oz it's only for special occasions.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 04:49:53 | More by brystmar

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Part of the Blind BIF 6

A - Pours a very dark chestnut brown with ruby highlights when i hold my glass up to the light. There was absolutely no foam whatsoever except now there is a ring of tiny bubbles around the glass.

S - The aroma is sort of faint. I'm picking up some sweet malt, maybe a bit of coffee or fruit or something?

T - Now i'm getting it more, it reminds me of Ludens cherry cough drops. And thats how it tastes as well. A slight mix of cough syrup and maltiness. Not really something that i'm liking very much, though I did used to eat those cough drops like candy when I was a kid. As it warms I start to pick up a bit of chocolate in there as well.

M/D - medium bodied, almost still, very syrupy. I wouldn't say its hard to drink, its just not enjoyable. I keep trying it thinking it will be different but nope, this is what it is.

As for a guess, i could guess Mad Elf, that beer has the same cherry type flavor but not as bad as this. So i'll just rip off the paper to reveal...
Kuhnhenn Braggot

now that I read about it, I can pick up the honey more. I just don't think this is my style. As it warms, it definitely has a different flavor and its growing on me, but in the end I don't think its for me.

3/3/3.5/3/3.5

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 05:59:50 | More by mikereaser

HopHead84

California

3.03/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Shared by Floydster at The Bruery Reserve Society party. I believe this is the March 2008 vintage. It's dark amber with a diminutive head of bubbles. The nose is earthy, with notes of sour fruit candy, raisins, heather, and honey. The flavor is earthy and slightly sour, with notes of heather, honey, and a dash of chocolate. This was cloying and I didn't finish my small sample.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 08:08:56 | More by HopHead84

MasterSki

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle purchased at '08 Winter Solstice - says March 2008 on the label however. 13.5% is the ABV for this batch. Served in my Darkness goblet.

A - There's a half finger of late-rising foam that dissipates to a ring. Dark brown that reveals transparent red-orange highlights when held to the light. I wasn't expecting much in the way of head from such a high-gravity brew.

S - Smells like Concord grape juice and honey, with some raisin and darker fruits notes and a hint of the trademark Kuhnhenn chocolate truffle as well. Very sweet, with well hidden booze even as it warms.

T - Taste has more presence from the chocolate malts, with some burnt sugar character as well. The honey isn't quite as overt - this is not mead in disguise. There's still some of the fruity grape flavor, and the alcohol is again very well hidden. Thankfully not trace of the sourness detected by some of my colleagues.

M - This is where the alcohol becomes noticeable - there's a nice heat after swallowing. Full bodied, with low carbonation and a roasty, surprisingly unsticky residual feel.

D - It gets a tad sweet and the ABV is ridiculous, but I never felt like I wanted to give up on my 12oz pour (although I did ask my wife for help). Surprisingly drinkable for what it is...

Wow - a Winter Solstice '08 beer that isn't infected - I should go buy a lottery ticket.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2009 01:42:40 | More by MasterSki

gford217

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle courtesy of hoppymeal poured into a snifter.

Pours a deep, clear copper with a small short-lived off-white head that leaves a tiny collar and no lacing. There are definitely some boozy legs that cling to the sides on the way down.

The aroma is an interesting mix of sweet honey, caramel malts and a slight sourness lingering in the nose as well. It's definitely dominated by the sweetness though and pretty close to what I expect from the style.

The taste has a quick tart apple sweetness that gives way to the much bigger honey sweetness with some caramel malts thrown in. There is definitely an alcohol burn in the finish with a slight sour and cardboard twang. Not too bad though and the taste was pretty good overall....just hot.

The carbonation is fairly low, which is fine, but the overall mouthfeel is a little thin for the style and really hot with the alcohol.

I was definitely expecting a bit more body with this one and the sourness was slightly offputting, though it wasn't enough to ruin the beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2009 02:42:35 | More by gford217

pwoods

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to polomagnifico from RB for this nice extra!

12oz. brown bottle poured into a Delerium Noel Tulip.

A: Pours a deep deep ruby, opaque. Short head, maybe a half inch, not very much retention. Some lacing.

S: Plenty of sweetness from the honey but some added toffee notes in the back. Some spices that remind me of Christmas sweets and spicy cookies. Maybe some grassy hops in the back. A bit of mineral in the back.

T/M: Soothing alcohol all around. A touch too much sweetness for my taste but it's definitely on style with the big honey notes and deeper rich sweetness from the malts adding some toffee. There is a flash of hop bitterness and maybe more of the grassy, flowery hop flavor. Alcohol really booms right on the swallow and even more as it warms. Body is medium full to full and very smooth from the low carbonation. Surprisingly not syrupy.

D: It's unseasonably cool right now but this is definitely a winter brew. ABV is big time but would make a nice warming sipper during the cold winter.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2009 01:00:16 | More by pwoods

aforbes10

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of kkulacki. Pours a dark brown mud color with hints of red and with good clarity. Thin layer / ring of light brown bubbles. Laces wetly and slowly. Aroma is very sweet and figgy, with lots of strong honey reduction and a bit of alcohol. Flavor is intense, as i have come to expect from Kuhnhenn. Big, tangy bitterness, with lots of oaky tannins. Honey is sweet, almost overwhelming, but the high alcohol and malty base manage to reign it in. Full bodied, definitely approaching syrupy. This is definitely a sipper. Hooh-ah, Kuhnhenn makes some big ass beers!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2009 00:26:44 | More by aforbes10

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle purchased at the Solstice Party this year.

Pours a clear dark ruby red, almost brown away from the light, thin tan head forms, settles to a nice collar around the glass, some lacing sticks, looks pretty nice. Smell is neat, very floral, caramel, fruit, raisins, alcohol, light ammonia which I noticed with the braggot I made, biscuits, lots of malt, neat honey character. Taste is neat, although the flavour it a bit thin and hot, some floral honey character, fruity, alcohol is in your face, some caramel, apples, some spice, ammonia again, pretty interesting although can't say its very enjoyable. Mouthfeel is light bodied, pretty thin, with low to medium carbonation, some big heat going down. Way too thin, light sourness, lots of heat, not as rich and full bodied as I think a braggot should be.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 02:02:16 | More by Viggo

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I am not normally a fan of the style, but when it comes from
these guys, you just got to jump right in. Served chilled to
cellar temp and poured into an oversized wine glass, this one
was consumed on 02/22/2009.

The pour was nice enough with a rich dark amber color that
was somewhat hazy and cloudy. A nice head of white came up
over the top and settled down into a thin veil that stayed on
top throughout the session. The aroma was loaded with grains,
nice light fruit notes, hints of honey and a light bit of
alcohol. Nice sharp bite as I take my first taste, rich
flavor here, more so then I have seen in the style before.
Nice flavor of honey soaked oak that came across the tonge
very quickly. Smooth, mellow carbonation really let the
flavor explore the palate as light noted of fruit, peaches
and nice touches of light grain and spice. Very intresting
and very smooth with almost no hotness even with the very
high alcohol in this one. Overall another really big winner
from the guys up north. This one was one of the better of the
style I have ever had. Top notch and I would go for it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2009 03:47:42 | More by mikesgroove

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got this one at the Kuhnhenn Solstice Party 08. Clear, deep chestnut with ruby highlights and a thin layer of fine, beige bubbles. There was a thin collar too, which provided some spotty lacing. Caramel and floral honey in the aroma, along with unrefined sugar, mild dark and toasted grains, and a hint of higher alcohols. Low bitterness, plenty of sugary sweetness. Some caramel and quite a lot of honey flavour, a bit of fruit character as well, plum and cherry. Mild alcohol flavour with moderate warmth. Very fine carbonation, a bit on the low side, with medium body, quite smooth. Quite tasty and very drinkable, a nice change of pace when you're looking for something out of the ordinary.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2009 03:33:43 | More by DrJay

prototypic

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of hoppymeal. Thanks, Derek. You're the best, man.

Appearance: It's a darker brown color with a strong red hue. Almost looks like a deep cherry color. There's a very light haze in there. The head was white and disappeared soon after it arrived. It barely covered the surface. No lacing was left to speak of. I do like the color quite a bit though. It's unique and carries the day.

Smell: The nose is kicked off with a strong cherry scent. It's very sweet smelling. Maybe even a hint of brown sugar in there. Smells like there's some sweet chocolate malts in the mix. There's a distinct leather aroma that emerges and adds an interesting dimension to it. Alcohol is noted, but doesn't present itself as strong. My bottle indicates abv is 13.5%. The alcohol is actually somewhat artful, if you can imagine that. Very nice, classy smell.

Taste: A strong cherry flavor is the focal point. It's more candy-esque than medicinal though. Nicely done. Chocolate malts add some sweetness and give it a well-rounded flavor. It is a little leather-like and earthy in a way. That's a subtle feature that's far from strong. Alcohol is masterfully blended. For a 13.5% beer, it's not all that noticeable. It's far from hot or boozy. Very impressive. Braggot has a nice flavor. It's not exactly flashy or full of pizzazz, but rather a classy, flavorful beer.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: It features a heavier medium body. It's nice and smooth. Carbonation is there, but it's just enough to keep it from being flat. It's not exactly lush, but smooth enough. Drinkability on this one is okay, but limited by the extremely high abv. I'll award extra marks for its deceptive nature. But, I know the truth.

Braggot's a good beer. Kuhnhenn did a nice job with this interesting style. This is my first go with a Braggot and I'm pretty impressed. As I alluded to earlier, it's very artful and classy. I feel important as I'm drinking. Dammit, a beer that makes you feel important is a good beer. Thanks, Derek. Very thoughtful selection.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2009 02:56:54 | More by prototypic