Evil Twin Ashtray Heart - Evil Twin Brewing

kfargo

Illinois

2.7/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A -- This is a pretty good looking beer. Very dark brown to black, with brown head. I didn't get much of a head, but I don't really mind that.

S -- I was surprised at how smoky this was. I was expecting coffee, chocolate, vanilla, etc., normally found in an RIS, but got tons of smoke that kind of overpowered all that. Is it possible that this beer is miscategorized as an RIS?

T -- Really intense and complex. Kind of reminded me of Expedition Stout, with some strong dark fruit flavors. But there was a dominant flavor that I found very, very off-putting. I would describe it as kind of a sour flavor, but not in the sour beer way (which I actually like). Unfortunately, I cannot describe it better than that. I just found it very unpleasant, and could not get beyond it. Perhaps it was the smoke?

M -- This beer has pretty solid mouthfeel. Rich and creamy. Unexpectedly so, as a matter of fact. To me, this was the best part of the experience.

Overall -- I bought two of these, and probably won't buy any more. I will throw the second one in the cellar for a year and see if the flavor changes for the better.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 00:52:22 | More by kfargo

andrewinski1

Maine

2.73/5  rDev -27%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a tulip. The color is black and there is a thin tan head that only showed up after an aggressive pour.

The aroma is full of char and smoke, hinting at salt and olives.

The taste is full of charred wood, with a bitter char finish. This is very smokey, with the stout elements taking a back seat. The after taste seems a bit salty. I'm not sure I love the balance here, but it could fill a niche.

The mouthfeel is oily, and the carbonation mellow. The body is pretty big. This one drinks slowly.

This was okay, I'll have to try another, less polarizing style from Evil Twin. I could imagine smoked beer fans loving this.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 18:14:37 | More by andrewinski1

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 5 | overall: 3

11.2oz bottle to snifter. $9.00 for the single. Sampled 10/14/11 with a best before date of 2015.

A: Pours with a small 1/2 finger head made of compact foam, medium dark brown in color and quick to disappear. The body is as dark as brown gets before reaching black. Spotty lacing.

S: As the name would suggest, the nose is completely owned by smoke, roast and otherwise burnt aromas. Very honest and unabashed....but definitely over the top. Chocolate manages to make a brief appearance, as does light pine, a little leather, earth and finally some ambient dark fruit aromas.

T: Flavors include smoke, charcoal, tar and, well, ashtray. Subtle notes of briny meat and soy. Mildly port-like on the finish.

M: Like a malted milkshake, this beer is super thick and very creamy. The body is as full as full can be. The silky smooth texture is enhanced by the gentle carbonation which keeps the beer rolling nonchalantly over the tongue. Wow. What a mouthfeel.

O: Several Evil Twin beers deep now, I'm starting to feel that these guys are talented brewers but are extreme for the sake of being extreme. After a couple of expensive purchases - and not being too thrilled with any of them - it's going to take a GREAT experience with an inexpensive draft pour to get me back as a consumer.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 12:36:05 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.88/5  rDev -23%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Wah. Poured this at a good temperature with a massive, tan, foamy, frothy, fluffy, creamy head that settles after a bit and some lace. Color is an opaque black brown. Aroma is smoke, malt, molasses, a little red wine. Flavor is the disappointment - a little sour, I believe it's turned, and hard to get around it. Otherwise it's like nose, plenty of bitter and the sweet is offset by the sour. Body is good, I think, but again the sour leave high points that I don't think would normally be there. Finish is like flavor and I cant drink anymore.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 03:52:14 | More by drpimento

deapokid

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed on 9/9/2011. Reviewed from notes.

Visually, this smokey stout has a latte brown foam, jet black body and moderate carbonation. The head is initially huge, but calms over time, leaving a light, off-white lacing. Look is rich and sweet, but not as commanding or impenetrable as you'd expect.

Scent profile features sweet cream, nuts, smoke, vanilla, chocolate, licorice, coffee and a hint of alcohol. It's surprisingly light, despite the bevy of aromas on display.

Flavor wise, this is a big head scratcher. The smoke is right there up front, which is nicely pronounced and reminiscent of backyard, charcoal-grilled flavors. Unfortunately, the delicious opening is stopped dead in its tracks by a strange, powdery, condensed milk flavor. Imagine not stirring a hot chocolate well enough when mixing in the powder and you're getting the picture. There's also a mild, cigar-smoke dryness on the back end and fleeting hints of vanilla, but I simply can't get beyond that odd, artificial tasting sweetness.

The mouth is quite dry front to back with a tingle in conclusion. The concluding flavors are a bit too big to allow anything else to make an impact.

This was a bit of a disappointment. I think the idea was exciting; combining heavy, woody smoke with the sweet moments of a milk stout. Sadly, the execution doesn't match the brilliance of the idea.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 00:23:26 | More by deapokid

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pitch black, half finger mocha head, decent lacing, carbonation bbbles along the bottom of the snifter.

S - Dark candi syrup, smoked malts, meat, light hop undertone.

T - Dark candi syrup, smoked malts, meat, semi sweet chocolate syrup.

M - Syrupy, light-medium body, low carbonation.

O - Eh...This was boring at best, totally opposite of the delicious and complex Biscotti Break from Evil Twin.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 21:17:38 | More by Rickythejeweler

antique

Virginia

3.3/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a very dark brown with a thick, beautiful half-inch cocoa brown head that dissolves slowly. Leaves behind many lines of lacing.

Smell is powerful: cocoa, some malts, dark fruits, and a good hit of smoke that pokes through too (not as much as one might expect given the name however).

The taste is kind of powerful at first--heavy chocolates, lots of malts, and a strange, near-immediate fruity tartness that almost threatens to overpower these other flavors. A hint of bitters hits afterward before all of this slowly disappears, making way for that smokey flavor the beer promises. Like with the smell, the smokiness isn't a huge factor, but it's definitely there. Given the title of the beer (ashtray heart), the smoke flavor is surprisingly mild, and I'm not sure how well it works for the beer overall.

It's a very sweet imperial stout, and isn't big on bitter flavors, instead vying for the smokiness and dark fruit backdrop, which is fine, but for me kind of wears thin about halfway through. It's lightly carbonated and feels a bit syrupy in the mouth, but it finishes with a nice warmth that lasts for a while, and lingers with a distinctive licorice aftertaste.

Overall it's a slightly adventurous brew that I'm ultimately glad I tried, but I don't think I'd be anxious to pick it up again any time soon. Just a bit too sweet and unbalanced for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 01:54:06 | More by antique

Sean9689

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Local Option.

A - Pours black, tan head, thin collar, no lace or retention.

S - Nice level of smoke, roast, some caramel, malts, chocolate.

T - Smoke, roast, oak, dark fruits, vinous notes.

M - Medium, a little too light, good carbonation, creamy finish.

O - I would actually liked more smoke on this one, but not all that bad. The vinous notes detract from the beer, IMO. Not a bad RIS, but nothing great.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2011 18:59:29 | More by Sean9689

gford217

Georgia

3.45/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz bottle.

Pours a deep chocolate brown, really close to black actually. The head is huge, fluffy and tan, leaving a small thin cap and spotty lacing.

Aroma is smoked malts and roasted coffee beans with some dark chocolate thrown in. Smells like a campfire with s'mores close by.

Dry, roasty taste up front with some lactose sweetness. It's got a weird tartness mixed with what tastes like fresh hops. Some vanilla and leather as well.

Mouthfeel is super smooth and creamy with strong carbonation.

The aroma is excellent but the taste doesn't quite come together for me. Interesting beer but not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 04:00:14 | More by gford217

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.48/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Ashtray heart has a jet black body and a solid slab of brown head. The lacing is great. After drinking most of this, I would have to say that the body is actually a very dark brown color, because I spilled a good bit of the glass on my white shirt.

The aroma has lots of chocolate to it, some fruit, some roasted malt, but not really much smoke.

Once again, chocolate seems to be the most prominent part of this beer, followed by some roasted malt. Dark fruits and a hint of anise surface next. The finish does has a puff of smoke in it, but not nearly what I expected from it. The finish has a good amount of warmth, but nothing that is overpowering or unpleasant.

Very thick body, with a nice, full mouthfeel.

Based on the price, it's pretty tough for me to recommend this one. It is a solid big stout with a light to moderate amount of smoke. I do love the name though.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 13:44:38 | More by Hojaminbag

mystikyle71

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a heavy and black with a slightly tan head.

S: I have had Yin and enjoy smoked beers, but this beer's nose seemed less than exciting. It wasn't bad by any means, just not mind blowing.

T: My thought on the smell followed suit here on the taste. It is a solid beer, but non-phenomenal. I again thought back to Yin and wished I had picked up two those instead.

M: Creamy, rich but not too rich.

O: This is a good beer. If you like smoked stouts you will likely dig this one, but might not opt for it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 20:37:13 | More by mystikyle71

oline73

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap at Max's during Baltimore Beer Week. Poured in to a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours black with a finger of thick tan head. There is a good amount of retention and nice lacing. Very good looking beer.

Smell: Very roasty with some mild herbal notes. Hints of port and a malty sweetness.

Taste: Exactly what I would expect from the name. Roast and smoke bitterness crushed the tongue. Mildly sweet dark fruit notes with a bitter, burnt finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium to thick body with smooth, tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is what I expected and not bad at all. I don't think I could have done much more than a small pour due to the intensity.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 21:40:45 | More by oline73

Bung

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz. Thick black pour, but there is almost no head on this one. A few bubbles around the edge eventually.

Aroma, There is a strange mustiness to me. Wet wood. Behind is some smoke, peat, roast malt. Some vinuous fruits.

Taste, quite a bit of fruit here, port like, that fades into more stout like qualities. Roast, dark chocolate and some complementary smoke. Not quite smoked bacon. Smoke is fairly understated.

It's slick bodied, light side of full. Alcohol is pretty well hidden. Some more carbonation could really help this one I think.
This is a different one, maybe worth trying, but the price point gets a little tough.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 02:16:13 | More by Bung

metter98

New York

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Rattle 'n Hum, New York, NY

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a half finger high creamy dark beige head that died down and left lacing down the sides of the glass and a thick ring of bubbles on the surface around the edge of the glass.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of cigar smoke and car seat leather in the nose.
T: The taste is quite complex and has flavors of roasted malts and smoked cigars with notes of chocolate. It is very much reminiscent of what’s left over in an ashtray.
M: It feels medium-bodied, very smooth and somewhat creamy on the palate with a moderate to high amount of carbonation. The flavors melt in your mouth in the finish.
O: The beer has some interesting flavors but isn’t one that is easy to drink with the flavors of cigar smoke.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2011 16:27:06 | More by metter98

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.

A: Very deep brown on the pour with auburn and ruby hues. A massive four fingers of pillowy brown head swiftly rises atop the beer and does not budge and inch. A thick collar of lacing is left in the wake of the head as the beer is consumed.

S: Milk chocolate, brown molasses, charcoal. Juicy berry esters are hidden tightly. A blanket of bacon and campfire loosely covers it all.

T: Milk chocolate, bittersweet dark chocolate, woody and nutty tastes and a tight juicy berry ester are perceptible for only a moment. Then the smoked malts absolutely bulldoze everything. Extreme char, highly ashy, intense smoke. Soot, campfire, jerky and bacon. The smoked malt onslaught subsides just enough to let bitter black coffee and bitter dark chocolate poke through on the finish and ride it out with a lingering ashy sensation.

M: The body sits on the heftier side of the spectrum, though it isn't too weighty. Full, creamy, and well-rounded. Modest level of prickling carbonation. Good.

O: It grew on me a little toward the end, but this is one hardcore smoked beer. Absolutely not for the faint of heart. It is aptly named; it gets so smoky that it really does call to mind a full ash tray. Evil Twin went a little overboard with this one. You'll really need to love smoked beers to justify the $10 single bottle price tag and the ensuing, borderline masochistic palate stomp.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 04:47:48 | More by ryan1788a5

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.74/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

330ml bottle. I highly doubt that the 'placebo effect' alluded to on the label has anything to do with the legally mandated ABV value detailed in close proximity.

This beer pours a solid, colour sucking black void, with sliver-thin, glowing basal mahogany highlights, and a spillage-tempting rising tower of billowing, loosely foamy tan head, which leaves a few wayward specks and one rising blurry sea monster of painted lace around the glass as it eventually recedes.

It smells of roasted, mildly meaty caramel malt, soft bittersweet cocoa notes, somewhat zingy black fruit, ashy tobacco leaf, and some growing whiffs of medicinal alcohol. The taste is more charred caramel/toffee malt, fleshy smoke that has passed at least somewhere near a seaside fishery, chalky dry chocolate, stale black licorice, singed citrus rind and forest floor leaves, and a warming, subtly prickly booziness.

The bubbles are relatively spent after their initial petulant outburst, the body a robust medium weight, and a bit too tacky and edgy to wave the smoothness attribute banner all that fervently. It finishes off-dry, the cocoa malt sweetness still having its hands quite full with the lingering smoke and soused fruitiness.

A generally well-rendered RIS, not too sweet or boozy, but instead, of course, smoky. The effect isn't overpowering, but it does cast a spell over the proceedings - all constituent components seem to be touched by it. If you like that idea, then have at 'er. And to re-address the marketing schtick from the bottle label - placebo is just a so-so 90's indie band, man.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 02:25:48 | More by biboergosum

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a teku)
best before 2015
A- jet-black body with a dark tan-brown body with a fizzy head that pushes above the glass and last as a thick sheet. There is a wall of micro-bubbles.

S- The aroma of graphite pencils and black malt has a smoked sausage quality and slightly earthy and sweaty quality. The finish has a slight endive bitterness in the finish with more hop character coming out as the beer opens.

T- The dark fruit and raisins flavor fades to a sweaty black malt flavor with a dandelion green bitterness and a slight tang to it and an inky black note that lingers.

M- The medium-light mouthfeel has a tight fizz in the finish but no real alcohol heat.

O- The head is amazing with an interesting blend of smoke and malt with a bit of an odd bitterness. The black malt and roasted barley has a strong brassy flavor this gets a bit to strong as it warms.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 21:15:21 | More by rhoadsrage

illidurit

California

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle shared at the September iteration of the Santa Cruz tasting series. Pours black with clear red corners and a cocoa head. Peaty chocolatey aroma, sweet and moussey. Flavor is well-balanced with equal parts dark chocolate, sugary coffee and smokey meat, with a boozy bitter finish. Not a very aggressive stout, subdued overall but a good blend of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 07:22:23 | More by illidurit

shanblur

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased on a recent trip to St. Louis. Best by 2015 printed on the label. Poured from 330ml bottle into a snifter. A - Dark, with a faint tan head which quickly recedes leaving only some bubbles. S - Roasted malts with the usual chocolate and coffee notes. The smokiness comes through on the aroma. T - Roasted malts and dark chocolate with the smokiness also coming through on the taste. M - Light to medium body with little carbonation. A nice beer. I can imagine the smokiness being nice for a beer pairing with food. Not your average stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 01:33:05 | More by shanblur

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.94/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle at Torst. Big smoke, ash smell. But its great as I like the style. Ashtray, in the best way. Peaty, however that's in the secondary perhaps muted over time aged in a bottle. In that way, stands out from classic smoked beers.Lacy with a bit of head. Middling mouthfeel. Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 12:33:41 | More by northyorksammy

thagr81us

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from bottle into a Unibroue La Fin du Monde tulip. Poured pitch black with a minimal light tan head. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of roasted malt, charred malt, smoke, and subtle dark fruit. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark fruit, smoke, dark chocolate, and charred malt. It had a heavy feel on the palate with very low carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. If I am completely honest, I never would have guessed that this one was a RIS by smelling it or tasting it alone. Now that I know it is, some of the flavors I got make a little sense (dark fruit). While this was pretty good it was just a little too bitter for my liking with the charred malt flavor I got. Worth trying if you get the chance for sure despite this fact.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 14:53:28 | More by thagr81us

CloudStrife

New York

4.01/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle split and poured into mini pilsner glasses. Best before 2015.

A: Pours a deep brownish black with a large puffy khaki-tan head. LIght gets through about a 1/4 inch. A spot or two of lacing. Head remains as a covering on the top throughout the experience.

S: Smokey rauchbier campfire aroma. Reminds me a bit of a bandaid. Almost like a smoked meat too.

T: Almost like a blend of a dopplebock, stout and rauchbier. A dark fruitiness comes through, roasted malt and of course a heavy smoked flavor. Lingering smokey aftertaste. Bit of a milkstout aspect as well. Just a touch of metallic flavor.

M: Medium body with average carbonation. Has a bit of velvety mouthfeel to it. A touch on the sticky side. Isn't too hot considering the abv.

Overall an interesting variant to the RIS style. The smokiness is well done and adds some complexity. Would be great with some smoked meats.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 02:42:16 | More by CloudStrife

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out pitch black with a giant tan head. The head seems to last forever and leaves pretty decent lace behind.

Daaammmmnnn. A very nice smoked hickory (?) BBQ scent with some roasted malts following.

Heavy smoke, chocolate and booze lead the taste. Surprised by the booze because it ain't that heavy to begin with (8.9%). Not that it tastes bad. I get some caramel sweetness around the middle, sticky finish.

Worth a try for sure. A super solid, tasty, smoked DIPS.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 01:03:36 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

nickfl

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours with one finger of tan foam on top of an opaque, black body. The head settles rapidly but leaves thick lace on the glass.

S - Coffee and lots of peat with notes of cigar smoke and caramel.

T - Smoky chocolate up front with hazelnuts and peat. Smoky caramel in the middle with a finish of peanuts, spicy chocolate, and lingering peat smoke.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - Really smoky, but oddly drinkable. The peat is intense, but not unpleasant or bandaid like as it is in so many other beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 04:57:47 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: single finger tan head with nice lacing on a jet black body.

S: espresso, roasted malt, smoke, some peat, campfire

T: very smokey but so good. Mesquite and campfire notes, capturing all of the smokiness you can handle which I can see how it may be overpowering but a vanilla and chocolate sweetness to the finish provides some balance.

M: medium to full body and moderate to high carbonation.

Overall:really smokey but doesn't linger. Well balanced for me. A must try if you like this style.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 04:57:55 | More by kylehay2004