He'Brew Messiah Bold - Shmaltz Brewing Company

templar316

Pennsylvania

3.44/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep cola colored body with a kahki head that's gone as fast as it appears. Some roasty nuts come out in the nose: cashew, maybe hazelnut . Not much going on in the flavor the malts don't really develope, I get more tea then hops. There's a little of the hazelnut in the finish but it's not enough to save this one from being average. A nice smooth finish though so you can drink a couple.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 03:07:54 | More by templar316

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.41/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer was served on tap at The Old Toad in Rochester, NY. It arrived in a Blue Point pint glass, glowing a cola brown coloring. It held a one and a half finger head of big creamy light brown bubbles, showing great retention. Spidery patterned lacing was left around the glass as slowly disappeared. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared average. The aroma gave pale and light caramel malts, cooked caramel candy, light honey syrups, and a soured mash of rye, dried barley, soured yeast, and lime and lemon citric hops. With warmth came creaminess and lactic acidity to play off the sweeter, oily hoppiness and sugary cherry fruitiness. Our first impression was that sour flavoring dominated along with stark roastiness for a more tangy and bitter beer than expected. The flavoring opened with roasted brown malts, chalky bitterness of barley, and dried cherry and pears. Mixing to the peak was the drying chalkiness of powdered candy, plastics, grassy hops, bittering yeast, lemon rind, adjuncty grain, and bittered choke cherries. The finish came with those same bitterly roasted malts from the beginning, with big drying chalkiness of grain, grassy hops, booze, synthetic cherry pits, light vanilla esters, and all of the bitterness of clove without much of the spice. The body was thin, and the carbonation was medium. There was decent pop and smack, but minimal slurp and cream to the lip. There is actually significant dryness from the chalkiness, giving a dirty, gritty feel to the lips and tongue, and a palpable stickiness around the mouth. The abv was fine, and the beer drank decently.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was the look and the aroma. There was a beautifully creamy head, with nicely retaining froth and lacing. The nose followed with a fresh blend of fruit, sugars, and hops, for an interesting take on a brown ale. The flavoring, however, fell short, as the bitterness impeded those aromatics from being translated into solid flavoring.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2013 01:04:24 | More by TheBrewo

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark, lightly hazed brown with moderate cap of off-white head. Scent brings notes of dark caramel, but lightly sweet, toasted grains and nuts, faint notes of cocoa powder. Taste a bit more assertive, taste moves from toast into roast territory, hops give firm bitterness but not much flavor, some light fruit notes accompany nuts, caramel and cocoa. Medium bodied, maybe a bit too carbonated. Bold, but not necessarily complex.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 16:09:37 | More by rfgetz

TCMike

Minnesota

2.6/5  rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Produced a 3 finger light beige head. Dissipated slowly. The beer color is a medium mahogany.
The smell is weak for a brown. Slight Bread, and nut smell.
Taste is reveals more flavor than the nose. Malt, slight caramel, and nut. A little bland, but not bad tasting. Low carbonation, and a mouth-feel on the low side of medium.
I wouldn't buy this again, but it's drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 23:04:33 | More by TCMike

mdfb79

New York

4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this tonight at Honky Tonk on the UES in NYC. 12 oz. bottle poured into a Lagunitas mason jar.

a - Pours a very dark brown color with one inch of off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of caramel malts, chocolate, roasted malts, toasted malts, tofee, and as it warms up some light dark fruit.

t - Tastes of caramel malts, tofee, chocolate, burnt malts, toasted malts, roasted malts, and some sweet dark fruits in the end. More fruit than the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Very easy to drink

o - Overall a very nice brown ale. It was super easy to drink and the nose had a ton of great toffee/caramel and chocolate, while the taste had those and a little fruit. Would definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 03:41:57 | More by mdfb79

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Rich malt aroma. Not too sweet. No real hop presence.
Small head. Very dark color with garnet highlights
Flavor also rich in malt character. A little less intense than the aroma and holds a slightly thinner watery quality.
Carbonation is rather high, which cuts the smoothness from.
A solid brown ale. A touch thin, but full of robust malt flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 01:46:06 | More by garymuchow

TheSixthRing

California

2.78/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Pours brown with a reddish tinge when held to light. Head is off-white and about finger width, decent retention, resulting in a sparse lace.

Smell - Malt forward - caramel with slight notes of toffee. A dry euro hop undretone. All fairly faint aromas.

Taste - Taste is slight toffee and a touch nutty, but lacks any real redeeming qualities. Slightly watery.

Mouthfeel - Watery light body. Very little carbonation. ends up drinking like flat diet soda.

Overall - Similar to the Messiah nut brown that's offered, only considerably worse. A little more dry hop but with less flavor, and replaced by a watery mouthfeel. Bold? If by "This is bold in that we're selling you watery beer and we know you'll buy it at least once" kind of bold, then yeah. You got me. It was a bold move selling me on sub-par beer named after it's better (though average) brethren. It won't happen again. Unless I read more a lot favorable reviews for beers I've yet to try, I'm done with this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 08:00:29 | More by TheSixthRing

hosehead83

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark tea/cola color, with a nice, two-inch head of tan foam.
Aroma-Faint chocolate
Taste-Chocolate, coffee, subtle hazelnut, nice little hop note. Very well-balanced and quaffable. Good flavor and balance. A fine match for a grilled burger or a chunk of aged Gouda.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 16:28:24 | More by hosehead83

nimrod979

Maryland

2.98/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz brown bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance - Brown with amber hues. Very thin off white head that fades as quick as it began.

Aroma - Malty. Chocolate and toffe notes. Nutty and toasty. Brown sugar.

Taste - Muddled malts. Caramel and toffee flavors. Slighty toasted and nutty. Notes of brown sugar and some slight hops bitterness on the backend.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied. Low carbonation. Dry mouthfeel. Kind of an odd finish. Its very average and a bit boring. I've definitely had better Browns.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 22:17:43 | More by nimrod979

raszputini

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From a single....pours a rich, dark brown with a camel fluffy head the dissipates quickly. Smell is malty with a light hazelnut essence. Almost smells like a German-style dopplebock. Taste includes hazelnut, brown sugar, maybe molasses, maybe caramel. Finishes with a light hop crispness. Very clean finish. This is a very easy drinking ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 22:07:38 | More by raszputini

harrymel

Washington

1.25/5  rDev -63.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Bottled: unk
Pours brown with a sheet of cream foam. Smells of sweet malts, a slight grape, prune smell on the nose, not really becoming of a brown ale. Empty flavor of sweet malt, grape artificial flavor again and some dirt. Very, very thin beer, oddly thin with sharp assertive carbonation. This beer is a huge fail, I can't believe a brewery is built on this kind of beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 15:32:16 | More by harrymel

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.4/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black with brown edges. Thin light brown head that dissipates quickly leaving a ring but no lacing. Aroma of roasty malt and molasses. Taste is mild roasted malt, coffee and some chocolate. Body and flavor are thin, but what flavor is present is nice. Needs a bit more robustness to be "bold". Pleasant, but average.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 03:34:24 | More by LiquidAmber

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a dark cola brown with a finger width of foamy beige head.

Smell - Caramel, vanilla, hint of plum, slight hazelnut.

Taste - The nuttiness and sweet caramel are the boldest flavours coming through, supported by the vanilla undertones. Nice bittersweet flavours.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Nice smoothness and refreshing qualities.

Overall - A refreshing brown ale by Shmaltz. I enjoyed the mild nutty flavours, complemented by the other sweet flavours.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 03:54:45 | More by leaddog

crhensel

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

(12 oz. bottle into dimpled mug) Pours a dark brown with a paper thin head and no lacing on the glass. Nose is heavy of caramel malts and a little toffee and maybe cocoa. the taste is average for a brown ale, with a little less sweetness than I am used to, so this detracts a little for me. There is a bit of the nut and cocoa flavor at the finish, which helps redeem this a bit. Overall a nice, refreshing drink, but nothing overly remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 02:36:33 | More by crhensel

Samp01

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

dark brown hue with a medium tan head on the pour. Aroma and Taste is of sweet roasted caramel malt, some toffee presence with some slight cacao flavor, nuts and some light spiced hops. Palate is a medium bodied with a sweet sticky mouth feel. Finishes with sweet roasted caramel malt, a bit of nutty notes and some toffee and cacao flavor with some lightly spiced hops for balance. Overall a good, enjoyable and balanced brew, easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 19:53:54 | More by Samp01

Murrhey

Montana

2.17/5  rDev -36.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Reviewed from notes.

A- Finger khaki head. Decent retention. Dark brown color and well carbonated. Nice lacing.

S- Honey and lighter malts. Light smell for a darker looking beer.

T- Very sweet, honey and light flavors. Sickly sweet.

M- Medium bodied, ok carbonation.

O- It's alright. Nothing I'd go back and try again.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 21:19:37 | More by Murrhey

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Fifteen-year anniversary edition (lacks the moniker "bold" but I assume it's the same thing); poured chilled in ale glass

A: 1.5-finger head; very dark brown; good carb action
S: malty, carmelly; roasted grains come through; medium intensity
T: sweet nut-brown ale; medium-to-low complexity; low hop profile; roasted grains are there
M: not as buoyant as I would like

Pretty decent beer, overall

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 02:17:45 | More by Arithmeticus

ONUMello

Ohio

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

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Dark translucent reddish-brown
S: Caramel, cream, roasted grains, a touch of coffee. Fairly muted, though.
T: Roasted malt and caramel. Somewhat bitter.
M: Medium-bodied and smooth.
O: Pleasant dark beer, easy to drink, though average.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 17:50:43 | More by ONUMello

kjritt

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

served from a bottle into my beard glass.

a. very dark brown, but clear once held up to a light. good brown head and lacing and does not totally disappear.

s. malty, caramel, some nuttiness and even a bit of hop in there. pleasent.

t. perhaps heavier than most brown ales, and quite rich, bordering on sweet. strange aftertaste of citrus.

m. this is the tricky part of this beer. too carbonated, and something seems a bit, shall i say, scratchy. thick though, which is enjoyable.

o. not a bad beverage, better than the score it has been given by most. certainly not as good as he'brews lenny bruce r.i.p.a but few are. a quality brown ale that i would have more often were i more fond of brown ales.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 00:10:31 | More by kjritt

2378GCGTG

Texas

2.8/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip at 48 degrees, in all fairness this bottle doesn't have a date on it, and I'm just guessing here but I have to say this has aged on the shelf for a bit. probably

Appearance: Brown in color, lets light through especially at the edges. Pour gave a 1 inch pure white head with little retention and disappointingly little lacing.

Smell: The nose is full of caramel, figs, dates, and a heavy grape note, with a sweet/sugary finish. This smelled a little too fruity, was hoping that wouldn't be evident in the taste

Taste: Fruits, grapes and dates, figs, raisins, no hop character to speak of maybe a slightly pecan/nutty finish. This is certainly a clean beer, but I was expecting some more malt support.

Mouthfeel: Light body feel with a rather unpleasant amount of carbonation for the style. I think it is closer to a fruity saison than a brown ale.

Overall: This is an interesting beer in its own right. I could be wrong on what a brown ale is supposed to be, but this certainly isn't one to me. For the price it's definitely worth a try if you can buy a single bottle as it is pretty unique, but I have no interest in trying this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 14:01:29 | More by 2378GCGTG

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer poured out as a deep dark brown color. The head was thin and tan, the retention was minimal along with the lacing. The smell of the beer was malty and had some light roasted notes to it. The taste of the beer had some roasted nut flavors with a bitter finish. The mouthfeel was light and dry with a moderate carbonation. Overall this beer wasn't the best or worst but I wouldn't really have to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 00:45:12 | More by Knapp85

oline73

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at Max's. Served in a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear brown with some red showing up when the light hits it. There is a layer of light tan head that fades to a ring around the edge of the pour and leaves some lacing.

Smell: This beer has a mild smell overall. Sweet malt with some mild dark fruit notes. It's a bit nutty.

Taste: This isn't a very sweet brown ale. The malt is bready and mildly nutty. The finish is slightly bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a finish that is a bit dry.

Overall: I would have liked the bitterness in the finish to be a bit smoother and blend with the rest of the flavors. Not bad, but I don't think I'll need to revisit this one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 22:23:11 | More by oline73

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up as part of the holiday pack.
Appearance: dark brown, light tan head. Not hideous by any runs but run of the mill.
Smell: Sorry to say this has almost no nose at all. I'm picking up some faint roastiness but other than that nothin.
Taste: Much better than expected from the nose (a pattern that's proven true in all the holiday samples so far).
Overall: the weakest of the holiday pack so far. Still a tasty brown.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 00:10:30 | More by cindyjeffsmith

smakawhat

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Time to crash the Shamltz GIFT PACK! And on the 2nd/3rd?day of Hanukkah I had the Messiah Bold, into given gift glass which appears to be a small 8 oz half shaker pint I would say.

A light brown/tan head of small bubbles, perhaps two fingers, forms but slowly, manages to keep a good puck and collar though. Body is a very dark chestnut brown with red hues. Looking good, even some nice collard lacing.

Nose is mild toasted dark malts, but even a little small sweet banana. Light and alright.

Taste has some light toast, even some faint mild hop bitter on the finish. Texture brings a light sense but without a watery feel. Fair good chew, but sort of subdued.

Overall, a nice simple take that I would say is better than average for the style. Nothing ordinary, but not exceptionally great either, but easily drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 21:58:08 | More by smakawhat

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

355ml bottle poured into tulip21/12/11

A cola with some ruby hues when held to the light, a finger of mocha foam doesn't last long but leaves two distinct rings of lace

S some cold coffee, a little nutty and some dark toffee

T a little molasses to go along with what I smell and a little burnt malt, pretty sweet but manageable

M medium bodied with a creamy feel after the bubbles pop up, a little sticky on the lips and a mellow but long nutty toffee aftertaste

O I'm not blown away by this one but it's respectable, I'm not sure if I'd want a 6er but I'd drink a second

considering the cost of my Holiday Gift Pack there better be some winners in there because this is not up to par with a 45$ 7 pack, candles, a glass and an empty bottle are not going to make up the difference at this rate

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 17:02:04 | More by wordemupg