He'Brew Messiah Bold - Shmaltz Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not quite opaque dark walnut with a generous infusion of ruby and blood orange highlights at the edges. The head is the color of wet sand and is decently firm, falling first where it makes contact with the the glass. Sea foam lace adorns the vertical surface in random patterns. A good look.

The nose is in line with the style, but isn't quite as dark or a cocoa-like as expected. I can appreciate toasted malt, lightly spicy hops and nuts; although which nut(s) I couldn't say. The aroma could use a bit more character.

Back on track. Messiah Bold is much more assertive (more bold!) on the palate with a more heavily toasted maltiness and notes of dark caramel, cocoa and oven-roasted pecans. While it doesn't trend anywhere near porter territory, it occupies the upper reaches of the English brown ale style for sure. Spicy and slightly citrusy hops balance out the malty sweetness quite nicely. This is one harmonious ale.

He'Brew Messiah Bold is a wonderful version of a style that I don't think about much. It brings plenty of bold flavor to the table, never a bad thing in such a well-brewed beer. I'm sure that I've had better nut browns, but this one is worth your money. L'Chaim!

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2005 16:07:45 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Well here we go again. It seems I get something intresting a couple times a day lately. Picked this one up when I got the Bittersweet Lenny last week and had it sitting in the fridge awaiting me. Figured with the chicken and rice tonight, it would be a good time to bring this one out. Label was very intresting, as are all the Schmaltz labels. About ready with dinner so this one is gonna get poured...

The our was quick and effortless. A wonderful dark brown, with a touch of a ruby tone filled up the glass rather quickly. A smallish head was lifted up onto the top, but this was quickly replaced by a thin layer of film across the top. Carbonation was visible in the very clear brew. Lots of bubbles working their way up. A bit of lace was left down the glass, but nothing spectacular or particularly noteworthy. Most distinquished trait of this one would be the great color.

The smell was rich and sweet. Predominant aroma was a caramel with a touch of an earthy malt. A light feeling was released by this, so you really did not think you were going into anything too terribly heavy. As it warmed you could pick up a roasted or burnt smell coming though as well as a touch of a hop note rounding out the back. About time for a sip...

First impression was that of an easy drinking brown ale. Very good feel made this an easy drinker. Decent carbonation allowed you to be able to explore the flavors as they hit the palate. Did not come off too thin or too thick, just about right. Biggest flavor right off the bat was a caramel that you caught right up front along with a burnt or roasted wood flavor. Almost had a touch of oaked flavor in it. Some hoppiness in the finish, but nothing distracting from the primary notes. A good solid brown ale flavor as best as I can describe it. Finish was a little nutty and dry.

Overall this was a fine example of the style. This brewery continues to offer pleasant suprises for me with each turn. This was no exeption as it is put together wonderfully. Very sessionable, low abv makes this a definate drinker. Not too heavy so it is remarkably tolerable on a warm day. Another winner.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2007 23:17:48 | More by mikesgroove

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle for $1.79 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Clear, dark brown body with some slight ruby hints at the edges and a thin, ivory-colored head.

Smell: Roasty, nutty, chocolate water with a hint of caramel and spicy hops with just the faintest bit of citrus.

Taste: Pale malts with tastes of dark caramel, toasted nuts, and semi-sweet chocolate. Earthy, lightly citrusy hops with a medium-low bitterness; just enough to balance the malts. Thin, watered down roastiness and, well, finishes about the same. Lingering, mild chocolate flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Just a hair over medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A fine, flavorful brown ale that remains keenly drinkable as well as reasonably priced.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2009 01:20:01 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours an coffee brown color with ruby highlights; a one-finger head, but it stays the distance, leaving nice lacing

Smell: Typical English Brown aroma, with bready elements, some chocolate and coffee, caramel malt and a touch of vanilla

Taste: Starts out bready, but then becomes progressively sweeter with some raisin and caramel flavors at mid-palate; at the same time, there is a developing piney bitterness that reaches its apogee after the swallow and provides a welcome balance; some coffee roast at the very end

Mouthfeel: Just on the thin side of medium-bodied with plenty of carbonation

Drinkability: A very approachable and drinkable brown; perhaps a touch sweet but enough balance to make for a brew to which I will return

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2005 22:57:55 | More by brentk56

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer was only ok with me. Seems like everyone else is quite fond of the brew. Looks pleasant with a struggling head retention and lacing, but full of carbonation. Smells richly of caramel, toffee, malts, nuts, and chocolate. And it has an initial flavor to match. However the flavors quickly give way to a yeasty, plastic-y flavor that came off a little artificial, earthy, and cola-like. The body never really got there for me, hovering just above bland and watery, all the while allowing a grain flavor and grain hull bite-ey feel in the throat. Fair in the finish and aftertaste with an artificial sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2006 12:39:38 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown with a light but oddly creamy looking head that disapates pretty quickly,aroma of roasted nuts and caramel but its on the lighter side.Appetizing flavors going on buttery and lightly sweet with a roasted nut flavor very prevelant in the finish.Really like the mouthfeel of this brew full and hearty,I think a good cold weather brew sustaining and flavorful.Alot better than I thought it would be a better than average brown here.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2004 22:14:25 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, deep-mahogany body with a ruby cast beneath a tall head of frothy light-tan foam. The retention is quite good and it holds well, maintaining a thin cap throughout the glass and leaving some thick streaks of lace. The nose is clean but somewhat uneventful considering the rich color of the brew, and it's slightly fruity but only hints at the dark malts beneath. In the mouth, its medium body combines with a fine, moderate carbonation to give a gently crisp start that warms to become somewhat creamy and smooth. Very nice! The flavor delivers a clean, lightly fruity and mildly caramelish malt with a hint of chocolate. It's well-balanced by a low-key bitterness that leads to a refreshing, short and dry finish. Well-brewed and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2003 12:13:52 | More by NeroFiddled

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

Dark, caramel-y brown in color, with reddish foot and side, with a good, 1/4 " faint-tan head of foam with sticks it out for a bit.
Aroma: led by notes of nuts and toffee, rich and malty, but still well-hopped and full of character.
Taste: powerful carbonation on this one, bubbly through the mouthfeel, texture is tasty, toasty, dark. This is a lively brown ale, smooth in the extreme, ultimately drinkable. Gets a bit too sweet and cola-ish for my own tastes.
but if you're merely searching for an easily drunk, enjoyable-enough beverage to drink the night away with, the Messiah will do.
Thanks go to Gusler for providing the sample.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2003 01:54:59 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.08/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours a dark brown color with a thick off-white head. The aroma is average. It has a small amount of malt scent and has a dry watery smell to it. The taste is average as well. It is a dull brown ale. It is full of mostly pale malts with a side of light crystal and roasted malts. It's dry and fairly hoppy. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a low/medium bodied beer with good carbonation. It drinks fair. It's a brown ale with not a lot of flare or originality. This is worse than some macro browns I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2004 01:16:08 | More by WesWes

Mora2000

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark brown color with a cream-colored head. The aroma is a mix of chocolate and roasted malt. The aroma is a little more subtle than I would have liked, but there is nothing objectionable about it.

The flavor is more complex and more enjoyable. I get some chocolate and roasted malt, as well as some cream notes. Overall, the beer is very nutty and tastes a lot like a nice nut brown ale. I also get a little bit of coffee in the flavor, but it is subtle.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 05:53:57 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a dark brown color with a foamy, tan, one-finger head. Left a little lace.

S - It smelled of malt, caramel and toffee.

T - It had a bold malty flavor with a strong dose of nut-like taste. Also, a subtle grassy/hoppy flavor.

M - It was creamy and soft. A medium-bodied beer.

D - Pretty good brown ale. I like the nutty and malty flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2007 00:48:42 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is very dark brown in color (some amber is visible at the bottom of the glass when it is held up to the light). It poured into a pint glass with a thin tan head that quickly dissipated into a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass and some lacing in the center
S: There are light aromas of brown sugar and caramel malts in the nose.
T: The flavors in the taste are similar to the smell and are a bit nutty with a slight amount of sweetness. Some hints of chocolate flavors are perceptible.
M: It feels medium-bodied, smooth and a bit watery on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer goes down smoothly and is rather easy to drink, making it sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 14:58:37 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A vigorous pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a two-finger thick, darkish, tan colored head. The beer is a concentrated amber, dark brown color that shows a brilliantly clear, full ruby hue when held up to the light. Quite fruity smelling with notes of raisins, a bit of prune and dried berry notes. These notes have a backdrop of toasty, browned, whole grain bread crust and toasted saltine crackers. A serviceable aroma, that is not bad, but not all that remarkable either.

Lightly sweet tasting with a definite fruitiness that makes it taste like washed out raisin juice with a touch of prune thrown in. This finishes with some bitter toasted malt and hop notes that provide a touch of balance to the sweetness, though the sweetness does a good job of lingering on the tongue after the beer has left my mouth. Fairly light bodied, definitely quaffable, but the residual sugars to contribute a light viscousness that keeps this from being anywhere near water. Toasted grain flavors with just a touch of roast character to it at the back of this beer and some light toffee notes join the caramelized malt notes that are more at the front of each sip contribute to the malt focus of this beer.

A decent brown ale, that is focused on the malt and not much in the way of hop character. Not bad, I just don't seem to have a lot to say about it, which seems to be what detracts from this experience.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2008 01:47:15 | More by Gueuzedude

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.08/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours chest/nut mahogany with a 3 fingers+ sand colored head. Some lacing average head retention

S: Deep malt & nuttyness

T: Sweet malt, breadyness& a slight grainyness up front. Choclate & nutty notes follow. Finishes rich malty & choclatety

MF: Medium bodied, mildy carbonated & possesses good balance

Drinks very easy, not a bad brown, but a bit pricey at $8.50 a sixer

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2006 03:44:49 | More by russpowell

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

Gavage

New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: clear orange in color with a 2"+ head. The head falls quickly to a thick surface foam. Nice lacing paints the glass. Tons of carbonation bubbles rising from the botton of the glass.

Smell: only a very mild caramel tone is tough to pick up by the nose.

Taste: a dull combination of caramel, slight nuttiness, very mild bitterness, hints of ripe sweet fruits, and a soft metallic tone is wrapped around it from start to finish.

Mouthfeel: mildly crisp at the start and finish. Medium bodied. The caramel and metallic tones linger very briefly on the tongue after swallowing.

Dinkability: very average. Not exciting, and overall a lite version of a brown ale. Not worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2006 00:22:49 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

2.53/5  rDev -26%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours dark brown with some rubyish highlights. A thin off-white head tops it off. The head is thin, but stays around, leaving a bit of lacing.

The smell is of brown sugar with slight metallic notes. Some vague, mild dark fruitiness in the back.

The taste is of brown sugar and some caramel. An almost artificial dark fruitiness backs it up. Iron/metal is interwoven in an interfering way. Slightly nutty. Sweet, abrupt finish.

Thick side of medium-bodied. Problem is that the fullness doesn't pan out since the flavors are not "bold" enough to stand up and deliver. A prickly carbonation that is out of place here wipes away much of what little flavor there was and leaves a trace of "wet cardboard".

Not too impressed here. Not a "drain pour", IMO. Too many irritants, however, make one of these enough. Ironically, the over-carbonation which almost kills it helps its drinkability/smoothness. Won't be seeking this again...

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2007 00:47:10 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It's Yom Kippur...as good a time as any to crack one of the Chosen Beers...and a purportedly 'Bold' one at that...

This beer pours a very dark chestnut brown hue, with slight mahogany highlights, and one finger of foamy light beige head, which leaves a few hanging layers of lace around the glass in its wake. Ok, it has a Boldly dark appearance. It smells of brown, nutty bread, and earthy, musty hops. Nice, but not quite Bold. The taste is softly roasted malt, buttery nuts, a bit of mocha, and mild earthy hops. Like the aroma, appealing, but not really in the realm of the Bold. The carbonation is moderate, the body medium weight, smooth, and solid. I'll give it a Mulligan for Boldness in mouthfeel. It finishes fairly dry, the nutty malt giving way to a dry musty, floral nuttiness. Nothing too Bold going on there.

Ok, so it seems that we have a less than Bold offering here, if we are to judge against the marketing shtick. But since it's He'Brew, we know to largely ignore their riffs on Jewish culture, and stick to the beer - and that said, this is just one pleasant, easy to drink brown ale. Not bold, but also certainly neither schlock nor dreck...

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2010 03:12:30 | More by biboergosum

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brown body and tan head. Its a pretty color, too bad the foam is gone within a minute. Smells of nutty and chocolate malts. Relatively light flavor for a brown ale, but its not bad for the English style, more nuts and light chocolate. Little to no hops. Smooth and easy drinking. Not a bad session beer at all.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2006 02:41:31 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: This one's unique pours with a massive sized tan head chunky texture to it sort of marshmallow like sounds weird I know this is a new phenomenom opening up this beer. Well the the body appears a deep ruby brown very nice appearance lacing is even webbed patterns all around nice. Aroma: Caramel tones from the malt with a nut finish in the air not bad at all. Taste: Creamy fruit tones with a nut finish this one is "Bold" has a great amount of well balanced flavors, awesome taste. Mouthfeel: Nice fluffy texture slow carbonation perfect mouthfeel silky smooth. Drinkability: Suprisingly very good I could buy a six pack of this stuff and enjoy each one of the beers thoroughly.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2003 15:42:07 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark brown. Tan head. Nose is woody caramel. Flavor is malty and a bit caramel laced...well more than a bit. A lot of bark is on there as well. I just find the flavor profile robust and deep and very mature. Feel is a bit thick and meaty on the liquid with a thick carbonation as well. Very drinkable. Good example of the style and a good brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 17:17:08 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

Poured a dark, dark brown with little head. Nose is roasted malt and a bit of nutmeg along with some other dry roasted nuts. Taste is overly nutty with a bit of hoppy character and buttery as well. I liked this beer, and I would have several in a sitting, but not the best example of this style.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2009 06:00:52 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

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

Ruby, dark brown color that allows only very bright light to shine through. Good one-finger head that leaves a thin ring of lace on the glass.

Mostly chocolate (sweet); some chaulkiness; subtle alcohol in the background; no notable hop.

More neutral malt than any other flavor. Some chocolate with a soft hop swallow and finigh (short-lived). Not a big beer. I do like the body which I would describe as "round", meaning that it is rich without having a heavy viscosity.

After a weekend of sampling brown ales, I'd say this would fall in the middle of the pack. There are no flaws and it's easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2008 22:03:57 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

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

Pours a dark brown color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy tannish head, which leaves some small islands and sticky lacing. The nose is malty, roasty/nutty, some toffee/caramel. The taste is malty, nice touch of roasty/nutty, and some toffee/caramel. Medium body. Very drinkable, this is a pretty tasty Brown Ale, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2008 01:17:35 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a two-finger light tan head that leaves a good lace. Deep amber color. Light bodied almost watery, soapy nose. Starts sweet and finishes slightly bitter but with the sweetness lingering. $1.80 for a 12oz. bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2004 22:35:25 | More by jdhilt