Birth Of Tragedy - Hill Farmstead Brewery

ficknish

California

5/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Black. Great tan head.

S - Oak. Bourbon. Chocolate. Toasted marshmallow. Some nuttiness. Maple.

T - Toasted marshmallow. Oak. Carmel sweetness. Root beer. Slight bourbon. Bitter chocolate.

M - Silky smooth. Slight bitterness. Slight alcohol heat. Sweet.

O - What an amazing beer. I could drink barrels of this stuff. So deep in flavor and well balanced. Will definitely be drinking again. If I can ever get a hold of more.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 03:20:19 | More by ficknish

nkeckhar

New York

5/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

thanks to dtmets84 for bringing this to a bottle share - 2011

Appearance: Pitch black oily, small brown head

Smell: Absolutely beautiful with some spice, vanilla, dark chocolate, sweetness, and barrel.

Taste: Roasty, coffee, vanilla right away...well hidden alcohol. Sweetness from the honey is there.

Mouthfeel: Silky and smooth...good body and round mouthfeel

Overall: Easily a standout in its style, but moreover a standout for me against anything I've drank. We tried this against Black Note, King Henry, and BA Blackout and this one was a consensus winner. I will seek out another bottle of this so more people in my circle can wonder at this marvel.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 19:58:50 | More by nkeckhar

vonnegut21

New York

5/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 Vintage bottle poured into a Bruery tulip.

A: Pours a deep dark black, with minimal head that fades exceptionally quickly.

S: Huge vanilla presence in the nose. Bourbon notes, caramel, a hint of port wine, maybe some sherry as well. Just a great smelling beer.

T: Vanilla, bourbon, port wine, caramel and touch of dark winter fruit. Bakers chocolate and roasted coffee linger in the background.

M: Undercarbonated, but exceptionally smooth. Nice body for a porter. Very drinkable.

O: I think the 2012 vintage is a bit less carbonated than the 2011 vintage, but I really feel like the flavor profile is fuller and more complex than last year's, which I didn't think was possible. Easily the best porter I've ever had. I truly love this beer. Shaun is known for his IPA's and Saisons, but his barrel aged dark beers are exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 23:29:33 | More by vonnegut21

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

4.97/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Alright, every time I think I've found my favorite Hill Farmstead tipple Shaun releases a new beer that is at the top of it's class. Such is the case with Birth of Tragedy. A great thank you to jammalamma for allowing me the opportunity to try this in the bottle. I had this on tap at the brewery on Saturday and then again in the bottle tonight and in each occasion I was blown away.

This beer is dark roasted black in the glass with auburn highlights when held up to the light. A very slight head is formed on a vigorous pour.

Aroma is where this beer becomes otherworldly. Deep vanilla bean, caramel, toffee, candied cashews, clarified butter in the best sense. Fine expresso with a touch of sweet cream, honey, strong agave nectar (think fine anejo tequila) - so much going on!!

Taste is strong on the nuts, agave theme with mocha and honey notes. Outstanding! There more you sip the more you discover! Vanilla and toffee really come to the fore the more the beer warms.

Mouthfeel is spot on for a barrel-aged beer. Light to moderate carbonation with a moderately heavy viscosity that belies the beer's hefty abv.

Overall just a tremendous beer from the get go and here's hoping it becomes a standard yearly release. Well done!!

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 00:17:18 | More by Rochefort10nh

myspoonistoobig

Massachusetts

4.93/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle split two ways, into a Hill Farmstead tasting glass.

Appearance: very dark, thin tan head. Spot on for what I'd expect, though I'd hope for slightly more head retention.

Smell: a knockout punch of bourbon, bittersweet chocolate and molasses kissed with a hint of honey.

Taste: all that and more: roasted malt and coffee notes and it all goes on and on and on...

Mouthfeel: outstanding length, moderate carbonation (again, would prefer just a hint more in that department) and present but restrained bourbon heat.

Overall: beer of the night and the best beer I've had in a while, everything is just hung together in perfect harmony. So glad I have another bottle, but now I know it's going to have to be a very special occasion to bring this out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 20:49:39 | More by myspoonistoobig

Patrickbrusil

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The real deal in a bottle. Look no further.

This one oozes with bourbon, coffee, and honey. A combination that would make a fine cocktail and rallies into an unprecedented porter.

What truly puts this ahead of other dark barrel aged beers is that it had that slight smokey characteristic and lighter body than a viscous stout - and god damn that is AWESOME.

The smell is heavenly. If I could make it into a cologne I would wear it daily. I'd shower in this stuff.

Bravo hill farmstead

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 03:06:48 | More by Patrickbrusil

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: Bottle poured into a Cigar City snifter at cellar temperature. Huge thanks to phingdong for picking up a bottle for me at the release. As a huge fan of basically everything Hill Farmstead brews, I am beyond excited to try this, especially after seeing early reviews.

Appearance: Pours the anticipated midnight black in color with almost no discernable head. I thought the ABV might cut into the pour a bit, but this almost looks flat on the first pour.

Aroma: Nice roasted coffee beans, sweet bourbon, caramel and vanilla bean are all in balance in the nose. The coffee is nice and in the forefront and the bitterness of the beans is perfectly offset by the honey. Not much burn at all from the alcohol. Really complex and pleasant.

Taste: Coffee beans and espresso upfront. The bitterness of the beans are balanced with vanilla, caramel and the sweetness of the honey. I usually don't care a lot for honey in beer but it works as good as I've had here. The bourbon is expertly blended into the base beer and gives almost no additional burn. Really balanced and tasty. Flawless.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and creamy. Just a touch of carbonation, but it works here. Goes down so smooth.

Overall, a really outstanding barrel aged porter and just a terrific overall beer. Really complex and balanced. The coffee is outstanding and this definitely is drinking great fresh. Pop this open if you have it and enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 01:51:31 | More by Gosox8787

lovindahops

New York

4.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On draft at the Hill Farmstead Harvest Festival. Final brew of the fest for us. Poured from Shaun into a HF glass

A- birth of tragedy pours a black body with slightly tan edges ever so lightly clinging to the glass. The thinnest thought of foam almost wants to climb the glass but struggles to emerge. BoT literally gleams as the glass is held up to the sun that castes over the Hill farm

S- WOW! A cocoa nib theme is traced over with a smooth coffee scent. Another layer of sweetness is completely present as the smoothness of bourbon kicks in. Notably, the chocolate, coffee, honey, and bourbon even allow room for a hoppy presence to kick in and make for a symphony of unique flavors

T- essentially a porter to be able to take a on sweet chocolate flavor that is heightened and complemented by the bourbon. So smooth and flavorful that you can't even find the alcohol other than assume its there because if the bourbon. Somehow the sweet honey not only contributes to the bourbon flavors but it also calms it down and perhaps enhances it

M- the syrupy flavor coates the mouth with the aforementioned flavors. So enjoyable because BoT has so much going on and makes for a great mouthfeel

O- Birth of Tragedy was an absolute highlight for us. This is without a doubt the best porter I have ever had. The melody of flavors coming from the 2011 keg made for an amazing experience

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2012 23:01:50 | More by lovindahops

milliCAN

Indiana

4.89/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a tulip. 2012

Zero head even after a decent violent pour. A little film forms around the edge of glass. Beautiful black color and inpenatrable even held up to bright lights.

The smell is mosly traditional porter with little booze but as you drink it the booze comes out more which I absolutely love.

The taste throughout is sweet start to finish in the best way possible because it's so balanced with a perfect milk body.

Perfect mouthfeel. Perfect is good right?

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 03:12:47 | More by milliCAN

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Enjoyed on tap at the Hill Farmstead release. Sweet mother of mercy.

A - Poured into my Hill Farmstead wine glass a deep, dark black...as black as brown can get with a creamy one finger mocha head that leaves lots of thick, creamy side lacing.

S - Oh...my...god. My nose is assaulted with rich bakers chocolate, oak, carmel, burnt sugars, vanilla, and some of the smoothest bourbon I've ever smelled.

T - My goodness, this is...can BA go higher than a 5? Tastes of rich chocolate, complex oaks and vanilla and carmel. And this bourbon...my goodness. Stuff drinks like its already had 5 years on it to mellow and smooth out.

M - Almost no carbonation on the tongue. Its super creamy though and nicely thick. ALOT of mellow, smooth bourbon.

O - Overall this is one of the best beers I've ever had, easily the best porter by a landslide. This sure is a rare one and wish I could have bought more than 4 bottles. For those who didnt go and only have reviews/numbers to go off of, this really is THAT good. Be prepared to spend big if you missed this one!

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 00:49:52 | More by rudzud

jsm1289

New York

4.85/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Well wouldn't you know it, i had finally got my hands on an HF . Funny how these things tend to work out. One day I don't even know anything about HF, the next day I dream of acquiring any and all HF goodness. So after a lovely trade with a very nice fellow, I held in my hands BOT. Now to me, a 9% barrel aged porter is going to have very similar qualities to so called imperial stouts, so i am writing this review wholeheartedly comparing this beer to the likes of kbs, parabola, bcs etc.

There was absolutely no head upon pouring, and it poured so thick i thought i was drinking bcs for a moment. Smell was godly, huge bourbon, honey notes, rich chocolate/coffee aroma, only negative here was I kept detecting a sharp alcohol note, but im not sure if my mind was playing tricks with me here and it was actually the bourbon, so i wont deduct points here. Funny thing is I kept smelling it and sometimes I would get a nice fresh coffee note and no alcohol, sometimes i would get the alcohol with no coffee, go figure.

the taste is where this really sets itself apart. massive complexity, smooth as a baby's butt and as delicious as gods nectar. It was really amazing . Huge huge flavor and as drinkable as water. I cant believe how awesome it was.

for those who can visualize it, i will say it tasted and smelled like bcs crossed with a solid hint of KBS. ....mmm !

I will say, of all the stouts/porters/whatever you want to call it, only KBS can stand up next to bot, and I will say kbs is slightly better in my opinion. Everyone other stout bot wins no question !

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 19:27:24 | More by jsm1289

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Certainly the highlight of beers yesterday at Armsby Abbey. Of course, that is saying a lot as this line-up was truly unreal.

Served in a Hill Farmstead tulip glass with no head at all. No lacing to follow. A very shiny deep brown/black color. No light getting through.

Aroma was fantastic. Vanilla, bourbon, and an almost dank malty chocolatey aroma. (nice, not negative)

Before I had this, we had one of the Twilight of the Idols which someone said was the base beer for this. That was a very nice beer. This was a very special beer. Great balance and depth. Chocolate, bourbon and vanilla meld to create an awesome flavor. I get quite a bit of brown sugar from the malt bill here and really en joy it.

Silky smooth, satin like on your tongue. Medium to bold while not being as thick as Imp Stouts. Extremely light carbonation… if any.

Great beer. It’s just that simple.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 19:15:23 | More by Reagan1984

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer pours a nice brownish black color with minimal head. the smell is heavy upfront with bourbon followed by a hint of coffee. the flavor follows through(though it is a little muted in comparisson to the tap version) with one of the smoothest least burning bourbon flavors I have ever had in a beer, It is truly amazing how well the bourbon melds into this beer, the coffee is a nice little side note in the flavor, the bourbon is followed by sweet rich and chocolatey notes. the mouthfeel is full, but not syrupy full. carbonations is low to low medium, which compliments the beer nicely. overall i would say this beer is better on tap but still excellent out of the bottle

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 18:06:01 | More by rowingbrewer

DaveHS

California

4.72/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours pitch bloack with a thin, bubbly coffee colored head. Sticky lacing.

S-Big roasty coffee aromas, followed by bittersweet chocolate, toffee and toasted marshmallow.

T/M-Exceptional on every level. Thinner bodied than the base beer (Twilight of the Idols) with a concentrated, thin caramel sweetness. Round, oaky bourbon goodness washes over the palate, fading softly into a slightly phenolic, dry warming finish. For a beer with such a nice bourbon character, it's not all that sweet.

O-Every aspect of this beer is harmonious. Wouldn't change a thing about it. I don't even know that aging would do anything for it, as it is drinking perfectly now. Another winner from Hill Farmstead.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 01:32:55 | More by DaveHS

GonzoHomebrewer

Massachusetts

4.71/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

One of my favorites...

A- Jet black, but no head whatsoever, a few bubbles...maybe something you could call in passing, a "thin lacing" but no, no head.

S- Epic richness. Gobs of various layers of vanilla followed up by deep roasted coffee notes, some sweetened mocha...just fantastic

T- Doesn't seem quite as well rounded as the nose just yet; dominated by the bourbon vanilla sweetness with some signs of the coffee poking through

M- this is pretty flat and some bubbles would help make this more drinkable...but why would you want to drink it any quicker? Sip and Savor. I honestly think it doesn't detract really, just makes all the flavors stick to your palette.

O- I never get tired of this beer. I could drink it all day

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 05:00:16 | More by GonzoHomebrewer

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.71/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Thanks to David for this bottle!
2012 Vintage poured in to HF Stemmed Tulip.

A - Deep black with half a finger of light brown head and good retention.

S - Sweet bourbon, oak and vanilla up front from the barrel, followed by a big hit of espresso, chocolate fudge and molasses. A fantastic nose!

T - Charred oak, sweet bourbon and vanilla flavours give way to chocolate fudge, molasses and dark roasted coffee and a light dark cherry flavour. The finish is somewhat dry with a lingering vanilla sweetness and charred oak flavour.

M - Medium body. Creamy. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 16:19:01 | More by TheSevenDuffs

SubpoenaDeuces

California

4.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: The appearance has that classic imperial porter sheen to it, like the coat of an alcoholic panda bear. Black and slick in all the right places, it beckons to slippery asphalt and car crashes that New Englanders no doubt survived in obtaining this succulent potation. As a side note, my bottle had hardly any cabronation, wah wah, here comes the wahhhmbulance ready to pick some nits.

S: This has a crazy powerful bouquet that smells like melted chocolate, toffee, boozy vanilla extract, and a mild hint of bourbon heat. There is a sweetness that is perfectly balanced by mild alcoholic heat, just like your old bus driver.

T: This is an incredible porter and I know that I ride this brewery's jock like its jock will soon be discontinued, but it's really that good. Top 5 porter and guess what, one of the other spots is held by, that's right Barrel Aged Everett. I can't get over this brewery, like the haughty 14 year old girl, who just wont accept that her 22 year old boyfriend wasn't really in love with her. Ok so, it has a nice sweetness that enters and has a set allowing the alcohol waft to permeate and suddenly you forget that you are at a drive in, then a mild coffee pick me up before the bourbon mellows it all out. Just ridiculously pleasant, koala foot massage pleasant.

M: It is thin, like a porter should be, no fat ass imperial stouts up in this mix. It is just light and coats just enough to be rewarding but then hammers its point home. The alcohol is like a stage director in all black watching every movement, making sure that the pilgrim chocolate kids dont miss their entry cues. Holy mixed metaphors.

D: This is incredibly drinkable, I am trying to tame myself from powering through the entire 500ml bottle with little success. It is thin, hot, and sweet, oh wait here's a patently obvious female entendre. Nope, keeping it classy here. It is totally drinkable and I wish it came in sick sixers or at least tall boys to take up to the lake. PSYCHE. This beer is meant for hearths and post skiing discussions, luge comparisons and other highbrow Vermontean prose.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 06:22:40 | More by SubpoenaDeuces

TWStandley

Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at the Prohibition Pig (also from a bottle, thought they were close).

Appeared an oily black color with very little dark brown head. Very "dead" looking (ie. no carb).

Smell is great. Definetely some strong Bourbon scents, lots of vanilla and sugar. Some plum and raisin notes in the nose as well.

Taste is incredible. First sip is very much bourbony. Then comes in the sweetness. The taste is so rich and layered that even the smallest of sips produces a sensory overload. Wow. Vanilla, plums, raisins, bourbon, coconut...just delicious.

Loved the mouthfeel. Very smooth and soft. Barely any carbonation - both from the bottle and on draft.

Overall this is a treat. Glad I have a few bottles in the cellar to see what some additional time and blending will do. Very rich and complex - extremely sweet. The bottle was consumed while playing some trivia games while it snowed outside - perfect atmosphere for this one IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2012 02:03:57 | More by TWStandley

Psychmusic

Rhode Island

4.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased 12/20/12 after a somewhat stressful 4 1/2 hour drive through often treacherous snow covered roads.

Appearance: Pours a deep black... somewhat shiny and oily looking. No trace of a head at all, some bubbles around the edges from a relatively vigorous pour, but they disappear fairly quickly. Some dark brown around the edges of the glass.

Smell: Sweet chocolate, vanilla, coconut, complimented by nice warm round coffee notes. After a few whiffs I started getting excited again despite the apparent lack of carbonation- the smell is incredibly enticing.

Taste: Much as the nose would suggest, the taste starts with sweet milk chocolate and coconut, fading into a smooth bourbon followed by roasted coffee and darker chocolate. These flavors are precisely what I'd hope they'd be. The already incredible base beer is completely elevated by the barrel aging, and in the taste category this is one of my favorites.

Mouthfeel: There is some very slight carbonation here, but I think it's fair overall to say this is flat. The body is relatively light given the hefty flavors, not syrupy as I would have expected given the smell. Overall, I'm conflicted about the mouthfeel. The flavor profile can definitely stand up to very light carbonation, but I think I'd like more in the end.

Overall: If this beer had very slightly more carbonation, it would be in a league of it's own as far as I'm concerned. As it stands the aromas and flavors are such that it is still one of my very favorites regardless of the carbonation issues.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 05:40:18 | More by Psychmusic

Gushue3

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A Pours dark ark brown into my Hill Famestead big bulb glass. No heat at all and no lacing to speak of. but I can already smell it.

S The majority of the smell I get is bourbon but doesnt kill everything. Some chocolate and a tiny roast but I'm getting bourbon. nice scent

T Wow.. bourbon is present upfront but somewhat subdued. Light vanilla, chocolate, and sweetness from the malt? Lots of stuff going on and this beer is nice and complex. very well done.

M Medium mouthfeel with small carbonation which makes this really smooth and easy to drink.

O I cant take it, this is so good. Taste is perfectly balanced and so easy to drink. I wish I grabbed more of this. Thank you Shaun.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 02:54:08 | More by Gushue3

Damian

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank on-tap at Armsby Abbey, Worcester, MA
Served in a Hill Farmstead stemmed glass

Deep brown/black and slightly watery in appearance. The liquid was topped by a thin film of large, caramel colored bubbles.

The aroma was intense. Amazingly rich and smooth with super strong notes of bourbon. Loads of vanilla and brown sugar sweetness. Chocolate fudge. Dark roast coffee notes came through as well. Tons of caramel and roasted malts. One of the most amazing smelling beers I have come across in quite a while.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose. Bourbon notes were immediately apparent. Lots of brown sugar on the front end. Super smooth, French roast coffee notes came through strong. Tons of vanilla and sweet cream. As the beer warmed, the vanilla intensified. Just a touch of espresso on the finish. For such a bourbon-forward beer, the alcohol was remarkably well buried.

The mouthfeel was lighter bodied (particularly for a beer of this magnitude) and contained a super fine and mild amount of carbonation. By the drink's end, the liquid felt nearly flat.

Birth Of Tragedy is a very sweet, rich and intensely flavored beer. Aside from the disappointing mouthfeel, this was definitely the most impressive porter I have ever tried.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 19:01:26 | More by Damian

kidkarma1971

4.68/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

This brewery simply has the most elegant and well proportioned beers, I have not had better stouts and porters anywhere. This one even in a bottle delivers essential expectations on what an American Porter needs to be. I love the way the deep undertones of malt and sugar linger, plus gorgeous smaller bubbles.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 18:25:07 | More by kidkarma1971

jvillefan

California

4.66/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Very black body with an extremely minimal mocha colored head that disappears very quickly.

S: Sweet roasted malts with notes of bourbon running throughout the aroma.

T: A dark chocolate flavor starts off the flavor nicely. It then transitions to a sweet bourbon flavor then finally becomes the flavor of deeply roasted malts.

M: Perfect viscosity and creaminess but this beer is under carbonated.

O: Amazing beer. My one problem with it is that it is not a porter. It's a stout.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 03:06:29 | More by jvillefan

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks Robert! Pours black with a medium, sticky mocha foam head. Nose is roasted malt, lightly charred, with a strange sweet liquor that's pretty interesting, blackberry like. Light coffee and bourbon, vanilla. Pretty tight and integrated with that weird spirit edge. Mouth is pretty thin, opens with dry cocoa powder, light char, unfolding into vanilla, this very unique fruity liquor quality, and a long finish with alcohol and vanilla. Soft up front with a sharp dark fruit quality as it lingers. Very unique brew here, the barrel treatment is awesome.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 01:39:50 | More by JAXSON

claaark13

Indiana

4.65/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Brought this to a tasting and got to try an ounce. Intrigued, I was able to track down more. Thanks to the guys that have provided these bottles. Poured slightly too cold into a HF tulip. Warmed and consumed with happiness.

A - Very dark with a very, very slow rising low head. Slight lacing remains. Decent, certainly not spectacular. It sticks well to the side.

S - Coffee, a slight amount of sweetness, likely from the honey. The coffee is a smooth aroma, nothing burnt/harsh. Pretty well rounded. I can't tell if I am smelling the honey or faint vanilla.

T - Coffee, very light yet smooth vanilla. A little bit of dryness tries to come out towards the end but is subdued so well. The finish provides for the sweet coffee to return. There is almost a cocoa or cinnamon poking through the backbone. Chocolate comes out more as the tongue gets coated after a few sips. The barrel is pretty faint and seems to add a couple favorable notes. Great balance.

M - On the thicker side of medium. There is pretty low carbonation, but I somehow still really enjoy the feel. Any heaviness on the tongue seems to be due to the very low carbonation.

O - I love this beer. It presses the barrier between a Porter and a RIS. The barrel seems to be there just complementing and guiding along the base flavors. Very well crafted. I can't imagine a Porter getting any better.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 00:43:49 | More by claaark13