Kuhnhenn Solar Eclipse - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

Jasonrm72

Colorado

4.69/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

2008 vintage
pitch black, no head.
Strong bourbon scent, strong bourbon flavor. Finishes with a bourbon booziness (redundant, but saying it once doesn't do it justice) . Incredibly smooth, Full mouthfeel, a bit sticky. For not being barrel aged, this is as good as it gets. This is what I look for in a stout.
Edit: Whew, 18% ABV, didn't say it on the bottle. That explains some things.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 04:44:41 | More by Jasonrm72

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.21/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

2007 Vintage

A - the name is a misnomer, solar eclipses are generally brighter than this beer, a big fizzy brown head that fades quickly

S - whoa! the age has brought this beer to powerful heights! bourbon, oak, some vanilla, even some dastardly dark fruits, the aroma is pervasive, from feet away even

T - some beers pack a punch, this one packs a shotgun blast! big alcohol, and definitely bourbon, with some vanilla derived sweetness, toffee or burnt caramel. Some tartness makes me pucker , but its soooo worth it!

M&D&O - smooth and ass-kicking all at once, sor puckering for just a moment, then sooo good. smooth,layered, complex, and challenging,. I miss Kuhnhenn!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 00:17:55 | More by sinstaineddemon

WorldWideStout

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2010 vintage.

A: Quite thick and dark as it is poured out, and no head whatsoever. Obviously.

S: As I am pouring the beer, my nostrils pick up what at first smells like pure alcohol. Luckily, more in depth sniffs reveal molasses, dark fruit, chocolate, and brown sugar, with alcohol fusels in the background, not dominating.

T: I get the booze right away, which is an oddity for me, as I usually don't taste the heat until the middle of the sip. There are also some notes of unripe plums and molasses that come in soon after. The dark fruit pervades the middle, turning a bit tart, truth be told. The beer gets even odder towards the end, with a cherry cough medicine taste taking over at the very end of the sip and comprising the entirety of the aftertaste which lingers for at least 10 seconds, much longer than preferred.

M: More carbonated and less thick than I would have expected. It does feel fairly creamy when sloshed around in the mouth, but not that heavy.

O: A peculiar beer. I have another that I will age for a few more years, but I fear that the medicinal aspects of the beer will only become more prominent.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 04:30:34 | More by WorldWideStout

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I can't think of a better occassion to drink this beer than. . . a solar eclipse. Popped open at the fiftyfifty solar eclipse party. Wasn't all big bad black in the appearance, was equal parts black and brown actually. Aroma was just pungent alcohol and yeast more than anything else.

Taste, powerful alcohol, a yeasty dominance, you can pull out some oak/wood and chocolate malt notes if you really search and get acclimated to the strength of the beer. A little more sweetness to the beer may have helped cover up the alcohol heat. A little bit of that dark fruit sensation is there, but this is a relatively straightforward beer, probably two yeast strains and just gobs of alcohol all over it. Enjoyable for what it is, a novelty.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 16:10:07 | More by Beerandraiderfan

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2010 vintage

A - Pours a pitch black with no foam but a ring of tan bubbles around the glass
S - I'm picking up alot of dark fruits, some soy sauce, brown sugar some roastiness.
T - Hit with a big amount of plum, really sweet brown sugar, very sweet, there is no roastiness at all. There is also a bit of a soy sauce flavor to it but its not distracting. The sweetness almost becomes cloying which is weird. I've never had a RIS this sugary. Maybe it should have sat longer.
M/D - smooth and slightly creamy. almost thin bodied. The alcohol is actually starting to take effect on me. The sweetnes limits this one so far and the alcohol hits you pretty quickly.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 03:31:20 | More by mikereaser

billab914

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008 vintage poured into my CBS snifter. It poured black in color with a fine tan lacing sticking to the edges of the glass. Very dark and still.

The aroma has a lot of dark fruits in it. I get fig and plum mixing with a brown sugar and molasses sweetness. Decent amount of booze is there as well. Just a hint of roasted malts. Very nice aroma to it.

The taste shows a lot of the sweeter dark fruits to it throughout. I get a little chocolate and roasted malts in the finish along with some caramel and alcohol. Lots of malty, fruity sweetness to it. Very flavorful beer overall.

The mouthfeel is thick and a little syrupy with carbonation being low. Overall it was a pretty good beer. It has a lot of dark fruit, sweeter, malty flavors to it and seemed to lean towards the old ale style a little to me. Pretty smooth and flavorful, especially given the abv %, but it also seemed a little overly sweet and one dimensional at times as well. A very enjoyable beer to sip on though this evening.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 02:47:12 | More by billab914

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2007 vintage.

Pours a dark chocolate brown color that appears pitch black and completely opaque in the glass with a one finger beige head that quickly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Streaks of lacing left behind.

Sweet, boozy aroma with with subtle dark fruit accompanying the sweet and roasted dark malts. Huge ethanol/alcohol presence overpowers things a bit too much for my liking hiding the malt character. Underneath all of the booze there are hints of chocolate, coffee bean, toffee, fig and raisin. The malts become more prominent as it warms but the alcohol still dominates the nose.

Medium bodied and slightly oxidized with tight carbonation lingering throughout. Lots of sweet, boozy heat but more complex than the aroma suggests. Slight smokey presence with a subtle roasted malt character that counters all of the sweetness. Hints of dark chocolate, coffee bean, char and oatmeal provide some nice bitterness as a counterpoint to the booze, chocolate malt and dark fruit notes. This beer has calmed down a bit in four years but there is still a ton of alcohol flavor. Sweet booze overpowers the other flavors but the ABV is relatively well masked. A decent amount of heat in the finish but not harsh and it's surprisingly easy to drink. It's definitely still a sipper but I finished the bottle way faster than expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 07:20:26 | More by corby112

Gfunk720

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2010 bottle, out of my CL tulip.

A- Pretty black, though not completely. I expected it to be really thick, but it looks fairly average. Nice tannish head, with some light lacing.

S- Dark roasted malts, sweetness, and licorice. Hints of brown sugar, some soy, and a touch of booze.

T- A rather robust and sweet RIS, strong roasted malt flavor. Brown sugar and caramel, and again with the soy. A hint of hops on the back end and some heat. A bit cloying, but surprisingly drinkable for the ABV

M- Despite its appearance it is quite syrupy. There is a light level of carbonation, but it is pretty fitting for the style. The sweetness gets to be a bit much.

O- Overall this was a decent sipper. Very sweet, and the flavor was a bit over the top. About half way through it, I really started to have a hard time drinking it. Wish I split it with some friends.

-GFunk

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 03:45:38 | More by Gfunk720

EgadBananas

Louisiana

2.45/5  rDev -37.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

2007 vintage. Alcohol roasted malts and dark fruits aroma. Some licorice. Black, some brown edges. Surprisingly nice tan head. Alcohol taste, faint chocolate and roasted notes, light coffee. Not very dynamic. Carbonation is extreme for the style and very stingy and prickly. Fairly full bodied, but hard to enjoy with the carbonation.

Very disappointed in this this.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 16:02:54 | More by EgadBananas

flexabull

California

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2010 bottle courtesy of jrallen34, thanks again.

Pours thick and dark, flat black, with a small tan head that quickly faded, no lacing. It looks really still in the glass.

Aromas are boozy, with notes of dark chocolate, dark bread, and coffee beans.

Taste is of dark and slightly bitter chocolates, espresso, with some nice brown sugary sweetness. Finish is warm, boozy, but not overly strong from the high alcohol level.

Mouthfeel is very nice. Really full, smooth, with good body.

Overall this is a very nice Imperial Stout, it just isn't very pretty to look at.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 00:26:59 | More by flexabull

Spider889

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got to sample this at a little tasting at The Brick Store Pub back in July. Sorry I don't remember who brought this...

This is from the summer solstice 2010.

Black, thin, with a short khaki head and large soapy bubbles.

Smelled really fruity - raisin, fig, dark cherry aromas all present. There was a nice maltiness to this too, and not much alcohol was discernible from the nose.

Tastes really sweet, with some light char in there. The biggest flavor component was fruit, as in the aroma. Fig and rum raisin are bold and very tasty. There's some nice warmth to the beer, and the finish has a subtle vanilla quality to it.

The mouthfeel is warm but not hot. Sticky, but with a thin body.

Overall the abv works very well in this brew. Quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 18:56:51 | More by Spider889

ChadQuest

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Black hole of a liquid with some nice legs that get me excited, i love good legs on a beer. The head receded quick but we both knew that wasn't going to last.
The aroma has some heat too it but not alot, really. I saw the bottle and made a verbal remark of disbelief. Kuhnhenn does high alcohol so well.
The flavors contain many layers of chocolate that contains milk chocolates and then dark chocolates that have elements of roasts and coffee withen, and a slightly under attentuated body that goes nicely with the heat from the alcohol within this snifter.
Mouthfeel is medium-full viscosity.

Very nicely done Kuhnhenn, i realy like what i have seen so far from you.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 04:46:38 | More by ChadQuest

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled at a private tasting.

*2010 Vintage*

A - A nice deep dark pour with a surprising head. considering the ABV.

S - Pretty good RIS aromas here. Some light dark fruits and chocolate.

T - Taste isnt that bad. Sweet malts (carmel) and dark fruits along with a little roasted chocolate. ABV is nicely hidden.

M - Alright mouthfeel. Not quite as creamy as I'd like. I agree with others that this is like a more refined WWS.

O - Overall, this is a tasty beer. Wouldn't mind getting one and tossing it in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 03:05:55 | More by rudzud

jsanford

Georgia

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Tulip Glass.

Poured a dark, inky black with a thick, creamy mocha-colored head that fades to a thick cap, leaving spotty lacing. Big aromas of dark malt, bitter chocolate, dried stone fruits, and caramel with a bit of alcohol on the edges. Taste follows the nose pretty closely, with huge chocolate notes that dominate the palate and linger for some time. Reminds me a bit of a liquor-soaked chocolate cake of some kind. Bit of dark fruits, caramel, and coffee are present as well as a touch of alcohol. Still, surprisingly smooth given the 18% ABV. Mouthfeel is pretty full, with a big, creamy body and low carbonation. Overall a very intense, big beer that reminds me a much more refined DFH World Wide Stout. Seriously, how is an 18% Stout so darn drinkable!?

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 22:27:35 | More by jsanford

r0nyn

New York

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

32 oz growler from New Beer Distributors. Poured into a Duvel tulip and shared with a fellow beer lover.

Probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, getting a growler of an 18% abv stout, but for the price, it was a steal. And I can't let good beer go to waste.

Pours a dark, mahogany brown with minimal carbonation. Murky in the middle, but with touches of light scoring the edges. Smallish head is the tone of milk chocolate, with lots of spotty lacing as it's swirled. The legs on this brew are ridiculous, but that's par for the course given how much heat this thing is packing. The nose is, naturally, full of booze. Underneath that solid layer of ethanol is a bouquet of dark, dried fruits. We've got the cornucopia here with raisins, dates, figs and prunes, maybe even a little dried apricot. There's a sweetish malt backbone as well. Quite the unique nose for such a big stout.

The taste is pretty much exactly like the nose, with the very prevalent alcohol taste sitting heavily on the tongue. Fruity notes follow, along with very subtle nuances of baker's chocolate and a little bit of peppery spice. Nice malt component on the back end to round out a very interesting taste. For how much booze this bad boy was packing, it was really really easy to drink. The heat is never oppressively heavy and the smooth, silky mouthfeel aids in its consumption. Even as the beer warms, it's still amazingly quaffable, despite the increased alcoholic kick. The body is somewhat on the lightish side, especially for such a potent stout, but still manages to maintain a nice, velvety feel.

Solar Eclipse is a big, big stout. That 18% is definitely there and you'll feel it. You won't necessarily taste it, however, given how smooth and balanced it is, even at warmer temperatures. Quality stuff, but you'll definitely want to share it with a friend.

Serving type: growler

08-04-2011 04:01:26 | More by r0nyn

brystmar

New York

3.43/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

64oz growler from New Beer Distributors.

A: the first glass poured two full fingers of creamy tan head; the second yielded precious little. Mild, beady lace forms raindrops on the sides of my glass.

S: disappointing, as it's very subdued with dark fruit and booze being the only two items I can even detect. There's precious little here to savor, even from the first pour with plenty of head. Gets boozier as it warms.

T: plums, raisins, figs, and other dark fruits surprised me up front. Booze and roasty malts bring up the rear. Dry finish with plenty of alcoholic warmth, but really not harsh like I expected. Easily the fruitiest RIS I've ever consumed.

M: big, creamy body helps with the drinkability. Slippery and smooth on the tongue. This is as good as it gets without nitro.

D: pretty drinkable for an 18%, but I'm not sure I can stand more than one glass at a time. Definitely easier to drink than a fresh pour of Bourbon County Stout -- despite being nearly 50% stronger -- but still quite far behind other big boys like Dark Lord, 120 IPA, or DFH Fort. An enjoyable brew, but not one I'd purchase again.

Serving type: growler

08-02-2011 02:50:53 | More by brystmar

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 winter solstice edition, now opening it 7 months later as I thought it could use some age after reading reviews and considering the 18% ABV.

This pours dark, more brown than black and with zero head. STRONG aroma of dark fruits and alcohol, sweet roasted malts and toffee/molasses. Like liquor soaked plums or raisins would smell.

It tastes very strong too, with a fairly strong burning feeling after each sip. Initially sweet, lots of dark fruit like figs/raisins/plums and plenty of malt. Thick bodied and viscous, nice match for the overwhelming flavors.

This defines a sipper beer, more like a night cap than a poundable beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 04:34:37 | More by TurdFurgison

Wadsey

Indiana

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Solar Eclipse, vintage 2010

Served in DFH signature glass

A: Pours extremely deep dark with a minimal light brown head, which is surprising, given the 18 abv of this beer. When the glass is held up to a bright light and angled, the beer is revealed as clear and amber. 

S: Alcohol, port/fortified wine, dark cherries, raisins.  Additional aromas include very toasted grains, caramel and red grape skins. 

T: Alcohol is more subdued but still present. Sweet, but I expected that. The caramel is stronger on tongue and mingles nicely with notes of port, dark cherries, and raisins. Medium-light bitterness. Finish brings rubbing alcohol tingling and numbness. 

M: Heavy body and light carbonation. Flows in mouth like water but has velvety feel and sticks to every surface it touches, in particular glass and lips.

O: Solar Eclipse drinks like a much more refined World Wide Stout. Stouts that showcase dark and dried fruits rarely rate well for me, but this is an exception. Very well tuned.  

The alcohol does become much more obvious as the beer warms, bullying other aromas and tastes. I'm curious if another year or two will tame the alcohol a bit more. Until then, I suggest thoroughly chilling beer before consuming. 

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 03:09:47 | More by Wadsey

metter98

New York

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are moderate aromas of alcohol and chocolate malts in the nose, which intensify as the beer warms up.
T: Similar to the smell, the chocolate malts stand out in the taste, which is quite malty and also has raisin flavors.
M: It feels full-bodied and smooth on the palate with a low amount of carbonation. There is a moderate to strong amount of alcohol warming in the finish.
O: The beer is remarkably drinkable considering its strength because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Note: 2007 vintage

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 01:45:10 | More by metter98

kirok1999

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Romulux for a nice extra.
Pours absolutely black, no visible head or carbonation and it leaves nice legs on the side of the snifter.
Smell is nicely sweet and a ton of alcohol comes through. This is boozy as hell as an 18% beer should be. There is a faint spice note, maybe cinnamon? Yep, that's it....cinnamon. Go figure. Tons of dark malt with just bare hints of chocolate and coffee. Mild vanilla as well.
Taste is sweet and creamy, smacking of dense malts, vanilla, milky coffee and bourbon. Leaves a bit of a burn on the throat, which I like. Sticky and close to cloyingly sweet, the sweetness starts it off, the spice comes in the middle and it finishes with a clingy sweetness.
This thing is dense and smooth. The lack of carbonation suits the sweetness well. It coats the palate and it is only possible to take very small sips.
Overall a very nice stout and one I wish I could get on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 01:31:44 | More by kirok1999

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad!

2007 vintage

The beer appears a deep, dark brown with a thin head that leaves a fair amount of lacing behind. The nose brings a heavy dose of roasted malt and alcohol. The flavor is big and bold. I'm sure age has tamed the beer to a certain extent, but it still packs a heavy punch. Flavors include roasted malt, booze, brown sugar, chocolates, dark fruits. The feel is heavy with plenty of booze. I guess it is 18% abv, after all. Overall, a pretty good beer, albeit a slow sipper. A few ounces was plenty for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 22:59:50 | More by Huhzubendah

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Split a small bottle with a couple friends. This could be the best 18%+ stout I've had. Yes, there was a touch of sharp alcohol, but it wasn't overly rough or thick with residual sugar.

If you told me this was a Belgan take on the style I'd believe it. The dark berry fruit esters are unmistakable up front. This is followed by smooth caramel and mellow roasted barley. Overall this was a great sipping beer. A fine drink for a snifter on a chilly day.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 01:36:33 | More by tempest

mentor

Colorado

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle of 2008 brewery aged version. Pours almost no head over a pitch liquid. Smells chocolate, roast, dark fruit, anise, carob, scorched caramel, lemon, black patent sour, and clean alcohol sting. Strong cappucino.

Tastes very nice. Strong malt sweet with dark fruits, gentle black malt sour, and clean stingy alcohol. Malt is thick chocolate and mild roast. Fruits are prune, fig, lemon, and . Salty. Hazelnut and sour jordan almond. Nice soured caramel oxidation from aging. End dries just a bit from the alcohol and salt.

Thick with mild astringency in the finish. Very mild carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 09:00:11 | More by mentor

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Kuhnhenn Solar Eclipse, 12-oz bottle purchased at Spuyten Duyvil Grocery in Brooklyn, New York. $14!!!

Appearance: Served in a Sierra snifter, pours very thick, like black oil or liquid chocolate, European style. Surprisingly, it produces a sizable head, almost one finger. Good retention, a tan rim remains around the glass. Lacing is quasi non-existent.

Smell: Chocolate, burnt sugars, booze (bourbon) and wood. Also some savory/nourishing aroma, like pork belly simmering in a stout reduction sauce. Coffee, grapes, plums.

Taste: Surprisingly thin for such a gigantic beer, but still very tasty. Chocolate all over, sugary sweetness (never bad or overbearing, though). Smoke, dark fruit again (this time pureed and filtered), more bourbon and booze. Tingly and dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Very creamy and smooth, dry finish. Full flavor and body, low carbonation. Satisfying and well-balanced overall.

Drinkability: Incredibly high. The only point of comparison I have is World Wide Stout, that other 18% crazy stout. WWS knocks me out and I'm a big drinker, but Solar Eclipse is fine. Just a nice buzz and rosy cheeks.

I love this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 23:11:36 | More by DoubleSimcoe

foogerd

New York

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 Vintage
A- Pouring it out of the bottle it looked like milk chocolate, turned out to look like dark hazy chocolate mix. No head.

S- Chocolate fudge, chocolate covered coffee beans, some figs, no booze in sight.

T- Chocolate laced with booze, some smokey flavor as well, dark fruits.

M- Thinner than expected for this big of a brew, hardly any carbonation at this point.

D- As drinkable as it gets for 18%. I havent seen anything this well masked. Tasty, worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 09:06:41 | More by foogerd