He'Brew Messiah Bold - Shmaltz Brewing Company

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

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

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Messiah Bold has a dark brown body and a brown head. The retention and lacing are both good.

The aroma has sweet malt, roasted, and a bit of chocolate.

This is definitely a dark brown ale. Strong roasted malt followed by muted coffee. Dark bread and a little bit of caramel round things out. Just a little bit nutty. Definitely a malt-forward American Brown Ale.

Medium bodied and a little bit creamy with a well-done carbonation.

This is a solid brown ale, considering it's called Messiah Bold, I'm surprised that it isn't especially bold, but it is solid.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2011 19:37:13 | More by Hojaminbag

donniecuffs

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A: Deep dark brown, with a thin tan head that didn't lace well.

S: Overpowering roasted malt aroma. A little caramel and dark chocolate as well.

T: Identical to the aroma. Not much complexity in this one.

M: A little too thick of a body for a brown ale, at least for one that didn't have much flavor.

D: Not a beer that leaves you begging for more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2009 03:13:56 | More by donniecuffs

haningj2

South Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I was somewhat disappointed with the beer, yet enjoyed it. The initial taste is most lacking although, the aftertaste is the saving grace of this brew.

Appearance is great. Great dark brown color and sweet aroma. Very enjoyable.

Mouthfeel and drinkability is also lacking but at least give the brew a chance.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2008 01:36:53 | More by haningj2

abfraser

California

3.13/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This review is for the Messiah Bold on Rye, drank at Toronado in SF on 8/28. 13oz tulip glass. I'm not worthy enough to add a new beer, so until then it'll appear under the regular Messiah review.

A: Dark black, little head.

S: Vanilla, lots of oak, a little bit of funk

T: Vanilla, coconut, this has definitely been in an oak barrel for awhile. A bit of nuttiness and sour. Good refreshing afterstaste given the complexity.

M: Average carbonation, aftertaste is one of oak flavors and sourness, leaving the taste to linger

D: Surprisingly refreshing. A little too much oak, but the acidity helped balance it out.

Not really sure what style this is--aged oak, sour dark brown ale? Either way, a okay beer, not one I'd seek out but worth a try if around.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2008 05:30:02 | More by abfraser

hunteraw

China

3.8/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: very dark, not quite opaque, with some dark red highlights. Good head and lacing.

Smell: lots of dark chocolate, and some caramel. Not much in the way of hops.

Taste: chocolate, caramel, enough bitterness to back it up. Nutty finish. A little bit on the sweeter side.

Mouthfeel: rich and creamy, very nice, but light enough to be drinkable.

Drinkability: could easily be a dessert beer. a little too sweet to be a sessioner. Better than the last couple nut browns I've had in brewpubs.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2006 02:17:19 | More by hunteraw

jaluria

Connecticut

2.88/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a dark, dark brown with little head and no lacing. I detect roasted malt and a bit of nutmeg along with some other dry roasted nuts. The taste is overly nutty with a bit of hoppy character and buttery as well; but enjoyable. Little aftertaste; very mild. I liked this beer, and I would have several in a sitting, but not the best example of this style. What this beer lacks is a stronger hoppy backbone and bit more dryness and less of a nutty taste upfront.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2005 23:22:58 | More by jaluria

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

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