He'Brew Origin Pomegranate Ale - Shmaltz Brewing Company

chocosushi

Oklahoma

3.4/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle->Duvel Tulip
A ~ Pours a promising deep maroon w/ a lush eggshell white head. Splotches of non uniform patterns of lace adorn.

S ~ Pomegranate juice, breadcrust, corn syrup, & powdered sugar...more of a pomegranite seed smell as it warms up.

T ~ Pomegranate following through w/ layers of Bready malt & Red grapes, finishing w/ Blended POM-like flavors. Faint plum & Candi sugar upon warming.

M ~ Nice fine carbonation. Goes down smooth, yes, but w/ an odd Ester that clings to the sides of the tongue.

D ~ Nice to try, a long awaited want! Thanks Crabbicus!
This is exactly how it sounds: A Strong Ale w/ Pomegranate juice, so it's one & done, but one you'll be glad you tried. Check it out if that's what you're into!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 00:58:43 | More by chocosushi

Drinkerofales

California

4.13/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clear copper with a fluffy medium khaki head with some great lacing.

Smells of warm and sweet malts, but not much pomegranate.

Taste is another matter though, as it starts out with tart fruity pomegranate, not overpowering. Some of the sweet malt hits in the middle rounded out by some piney hop characters. Feels nicely balanced, as all aspects come through, none over powering the other.

Feels light and crisp, very refreshing. It does have a bit of a sting, but it's a nice one, and a great dry finish. Light to medium bodied and very enjoyable.

What a surprise this was, I have seen it along time at every store, but I hadn't been inspired, but finally gave in on a big shopping trip. Very nice and drinkable.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 18:19:43 | More by Drinkerofales

shand

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

This beer has been on my hit-list for a while, it's only recently that I finally found a bottle. It's not too much to look at, it pours a deep amber with a small head. The aroma is sweet and tangy, with malts dominating, and a little bit of the pomegranate hiding in the back. The taste is good, it's got a nice strong malt thing going on, with a bit of a hoppy presence, and the pomegranates doing their thing throughout the whole thing, adding a slightly sour fruity edge to the whole deal. It's not exceptional, but it's still very good. The mouthfeel is good, it feels just about right for the strength of the beer, and the drinkability is good. Overall, this is was a good beer that presents something different in the fruit beer field. I'd give it a try, but don't get your hopes up for something fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 02:38:32 | More by shand

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Somewhat sweet malty aroma has a decided overtone of pomegranate - and I do like pomegranate! Pours a clear, slightly ruddy copper with a fairly thick and fluffy light beige head. Malty, woody aroma has a firm pomegranate note and hints of caramel and horehound. Smooth texture has about average body and fizziness, and leaves a fruity, slightly hop-bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 01:46:03 | More by Cyberkedi

aasher

Indiana

2.55/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

12oz bottle, part of their Holiday pack.

This beer pours a light bodied amberish orange in color with a soapy lacing around the glass. The aromas are of faded amber malts with no fruit at all. The flavors are very sweet and malty, but again not reminiscent of any pomegranate or fruit juice. It's weird. It could be an extract. It drinks pretty light in body and doesn't have appealing flavor at all. It's odd and disjointed. The pomegranate doesn't show itself, and if you strained to believe that it was, then it's forced. This one is definitely a beer to avoid.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 04:12:48 | More by aasher

Giggy

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark amber with a redish tint, clear, cream colored head, one finger.

S: Slightly fruity, sweet malt, citrus, fresh bread.

T: Sweet with a bitter finish. Sweet bread, light fruit presence. Surprised that it isn't fake fruity like other fruit beers.

M: Medium body with moderate carbonation.

O: enjoyed it

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 21:22:26 | More by Giggy

adman08

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Pours with lots of very fluffy white foam that leaves a nice layer on the surface of the beer. Slightly reddish amber color and very clear.
S-Light, bready aroma with a distinct scent of pomegranate. Overall the aroma is very sweet.
T-Very malty, lots of grainy bread flavor with a big hit of pomegranate in the middle. Mild hop flavor upfront with just a hint of tartness and a hint of spice.
M-Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. A fairly sweet beer. Noticeable alcohol.
Overall, a very tasty beer. This is something I'd buy a 6-pack of(if they made it in a 6-pack) and just sip it all day. I love the pomegranate, it's there but it blends in, it doesn't overpower the beer. Could have some tweaks here and there but I really like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 19:16:02 | More by adman08

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - a clear burnt orange with two fingers of tan head the retained extremely well with thick lacing
S - sour fruit, toffee, and toasty, and some booziness
T - rich amber malts of sweet toffee, mild citrus hops, some tropical juice accent, and some alcohol heat
M - medium body with that starts sweet and somewhat rich, but turns prickly and finishes dry
O - solid amber characteristics with the feature ingredient on the subtle side but it works, the ABV is a little noticeable but not a turnoff, an interesting brew worth a try

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 04:51:27 | More by joemcgrath27

Ratman197

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Total Beverage Westminster poured a clear reddish amber with a lastng creamy ivory head. Aromas of carmel, earthiness and pomegranate. Mouthfeel was light bodied and crisp with a smooth dry finish. Flavors of pomegranate, earthiness and light carmel with a smooth dry lingering pomegranate finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 23:43:33 | More by Ratman197

tdm168

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light orangish-ruby-amber with a quarter of an inch of off white, dense, foamy head that has decent retention. The nose has notes of caramel and candy apples up front with faint pomegranate undertones. The flavor is similar; baked apples and caramel up front with some fruity sweetness in the finish. This is lighter than expected in body but smooth and it has light carbonation.

In flavor this is more like juice than beer. The flavor in my opinion was good but nothing special. I probably wouldn't go out of my way for this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 18:24:54 | More by tdm168

pzrhsau

District of Columbia

4.03/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer pours a nice rich golden color with some hints of ruby red. The beer also has a nice crisp white head.
S: Very fruity citrus aroma of dark fruit (cherries and cranberry) and pomegranate with a hint of hops.
T: The beer has a rich flavor of pomegranate but this is not overwhelming. There is also a nice resiney sugar and pine flavor. You really sense the seediness of the fruit with great complex flavor from the hops and malt.
M/O: Great fruit beer with a lot of complexity given the way you would have thought this beer would taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 18:22:08 | More by pzrhsau

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out as a hazy amber color with a big foamy head on top. The lacing on this is pretty good. The smell of the beer had a little bit of the fruit on the nose but not too much. The malts were the main focal point on the nose here. The taste of the beer has a nice sweet malt base in the beginning and then it fades into the fruity tartness in the finish. The mouthfeel of the beer was pretty good, semi-thick feeling body and a decent amount of carbonation. Overall this beer was pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 01:36:54 | More by Knapp85

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the Holiday pack.
appearance: Orange, copper. Light, off color head.
smell: I must confess I wouldn't know from pomegranate. I'm guessing the citrus, almost orange smell is that.
taste: The pattern for these Shmaltz beers, for me, is the taste is better than I expect from the nose. The flavors just come together and balance. A light bitterness that is then balanced by what I think is pomegranate in the finish.
mouthfeel: Full and creamy.
overall: Nicely done. Unusual twist but nuthin over the top.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 23:12:59 | More by cindyjeffsmith

smakawhat

Maryland

4/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. The Hanukkah pack crashing continues in earnest.

A very light off white barely two finger sized head is formed from the pour. Very good retention, almost sort of frozen in place. Body color is dark red brown and I say purple, definitely a sense of pomegranate I would concur! Very opaque though.

Nose is a good fruit sense, kind of almost borderline ESB territory with hints of marmalade. Juice, and quench seems to be coming. But it does hint of red fruit no question.

Taste is a juicy fruit and hop sensation. Chewy but also hints at cherry juicy fruit, mixing with a good noticeable bitter. Malt body seems to just be a small backboard that just lets you focus on hops and fruit. Almost vinous texture but luckily the chewy malt sensation gives it some more depth. Some small sense of prickly carbonation.

Overall pretty interesting, quite enjoyable, rather dig this. This is different and unique and I call success!

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 21:29:53 | More by smakawhat

mactrail

California

3.3/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Nice fruity nose with hard-to-identify aromas. Rich winey flavor with woody flavors, some sugar, and plenty of malt. Attractive amber with plenty of lacing down the wine glass. Tastes like there is some pomegranate pith in with the juice. Gets more bitter as you sip, and eventually becomes quite unpleasant as the malt and fruit fade away.

I haven't seen this lately, but it showed up as a 12 oz in the current sampler pack. I thought this was an old bottle at first, as the flavors seemed murky, but apparently not. Maybe the least successful of the usually good Shmaltz offerings.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 03:50:08 | More by mactrail

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

355ml bottle poured into tulip 22/12/11

A very hazy dark orange with a dark reddish tinge, short lived finger of foam leaves no lace

S lots of toffee with a little fruity aspect but pretty faint, a little grainy too with some booze

T a bit of a malty mess here, not much of the pomegranate as advertised but lots of caramel, pretty basic but not offensive

M quite thick and syrupy with a bit of a burn, very sticky on the lips and the bubbles cream it up a little

O nothing special but easy enough too finish, a little more fruit on the finish but not what I was expecting

yet another underwhelming brew from an increasingly overpriced Gift Pack, I want my money back

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 03:45:54 | More by wordemupg

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2011-11-10 in Columbia, PA

A - Completely-hazy orangeish brown, with almost no head and very light lacing.

S - Yeasty, fruity pomenranite, a little sour. Pretty nice smell.

T - Not the pomegranite spectacular I was hoping for. You can taste the pomegranite pretty well in the foam but in the liquid; not so much. Kind of musty with lots of earthy malt and a bit of the tartness you'd expect from pomegranate but little of that signature flavor. Dries pretty well and the aftertaste is good.

M - Light-medium body and light carbonation. Pretty crisp.

O - It's like on Iron Chef when they say but where's the theme ingredient?

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 23:09:08 | More by Tucquan

bluHatter

Michigan

2.73/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Deep thick cloudy red, very similar to apple cider. Pours very thick, rich.

S: Booze, sugar, some wood notes, and a hint of dark fruits

T: Sweet, with some caramel corners. Hoppy. Can barely taste the pomegranate influence in the back of the throat. Very boozy finish.

M: Good carbonation, maybe a little too much. Kind of thick. High acidity.

O: I can't say I really love this ale. It's just a little too strong tasting for only being 8% ABV, without a lot of interesting character to match. I would like to taste the barrel-aged variety, because that seems like it's exactly what this needs to really round it out perfectly.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 04:08:36 | More by bluHatter

tony223366

California

3.9/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From my beer journal. Reviewed on June 11, 2011.

A: Deep red amber. Clear. Big fluffy head that actually lasted throughout most of the glass. I can definitely appreciate that.

S: Malts and a light fruity smell. The alcohol can come through. Not bad but not great.

T: Caramel and malty up front and quickly moves to a sweet flavor. This fruitiness is probably pomegranate but to be honest it's tough to tell. Finishes with a nice bitterness. Carbonation helps to cut the sweetness and bitterness.

M: Lightish body with lots of carbonation.

O: I enjoyed this beer. I was expecting it to be worse than it was so that helped.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 07:28:29 | More by tony223366

BeerNemesis

New York

2.85/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

He'Brew Origin Pomegranate Ale | 650 ml. | 8.0% ABV | 2011

Brewer: Shmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew)
Style: American Strong Ale
Glass: crystal mug

Appearance:
Dazzling orange-amber under light, with a foamy, frothy head.

Aroma:
Musty fruitiness and caramel hops.

Taste:
Caramel malts are most prominent, but I'm sure you're wondering about the pomegranate. Well it's there, but it tastes medicinal. Only in the aftertaste do I get a sort of bitter-sweet fruity essence.

Mouthfeel:
Too carbonated I think.

Harmony:
Sort of cacophonous, and the pomegranate taste could have been stronger. What if this had been a pomegranate lambic?

Would I get it again?:
Nope

Bottled: ?
Served: October 15, 2011

Price = $5.99 at Whole Foods (NYC)

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 21:38:39 | More by BeerNemesis

match1112

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

a: orangeish brown in color with a off white head that fizzes out rather quickly and leaves minimal lacing.

s: bready malts, pomegranate flavored cough medicine and alochol.

t: slightly bitter mostly sweet from malts and flavored cough syrup.

m: thin body with decent carbonation. left my mouth feeling a little dry.

o: the pomegranates did not shine in this beer, which is a shame. hopefully someone makes a chocolate pomagranate stout, that would be delicious. like i already said, it tastes like medicine to me.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 03:04:38 | More by match1112

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle, Imperial Amber Ale brewed with luscious pomegranate juice.
Wanted to try a different fruit beer for a hot afternoon on the patio, so had to give it a try. A bit pricy at $9.

This beer pours clear red-amber color, lots of bubbly carbonation. Good head retention with thin, sticky lace. Smell has fruity sweetness and some malty aroma. Good malt taste to start, fruit sweetness follows. Ends with good level of hoppiness, and some alcohol warmth.
Strange blend of sweet, tart, and bitter all at once. Not alot of pomegranite fruit sweetness like some fruit beers. Medium to full body and mouthfeel. Interesting flavor, as it warms up the alcohol takes over.
Happy to try it, but once is probably enough.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 03:52:10 | More by BigBry

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz. bomber shared with brewslut on 8/15/11.

A - Poured the color of the middle of a red plum with a frothy off-white pillow of foam on top that reduced to a bubbly retention and some stringy lacing.

S - Sweet and mildly tart pomegranate character with a mild backdrop of floral and perfumy notes reminiscent of wildflowers and fleshy, pulpy tree fruit.

T - Bittersweet fruit with just a hint of tartness, followed by light floral and perfumy hop notes. Juicy but not overly sweet. The pomegranate character is really prominent, perhaps a little too much overall.

M - Medium bodied with a syrupy texture and very subtle carbonation, giving the mouthfeel a soft, almost oily character. Finish is bittersweet on the palate.

D - Not a bad fruit beer overall. I like pomegranate because it tends to impart a hint of tartness, which adds some depth to the flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 12:57:19 | More by ffejherb

beerman21

California

2.3/5  rDev -34.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a copper red color with a pretty nice soap sud looking head, thickness is marginal with decent clarity only slightly hazy.

Smell- sweet beady malts, yes pomegranate, however very subtle. Still smells like a beer not a fruit cocktail. Would compare the aroma to maybe fruity rum cake.

Taste- Again more pomegranate, a little boozy for being 8%, Ive had beer 13% abv and taste less boozy then this. However i could be getting the pomegranate flavor mixed up. It does kind have a tart wine like flavor to it. More sweet maltness with minimal hop bitterness. Tasting some juicy fruit, rum cake, alcohol warmth finish.

Overall- unbalanced, boozy dry tartness. Maybe bring down the ABV a bit tone it down a notch it might be more palatable. Probably wont buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 22:41:21 | More by beerman21

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A very nice thick half inch of head atop of what seems to be a hazy dark amber colored beer. Head turns to a slight lace ring.

S - Naturally smells of Pomegranate but not as tart which is nice and a bit of sweet malts with a bit of caramel malt in the back end. No booze alcohol smell to speak of

T - I do get tones of pomegranate but could use a bit more tart since it's almost completely covered by a slight boozy strong ale with a sweet caramel taste. Overall it is very enjoyable.

M - Surprisingly it doesn't taste too boozy leading to moderately pleasant body and drink ability.

Overall for what I paid ($6.99) I am impressed. Didn't really want a tart monster (Like Blushing Monk) just wanted a bit of fruit flavor and it covers the boozy aspects of this imperial red nicely. One of the best beers I ever had from Shmaltz.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 03:40:07 | More by DrDemento456