Coney Island Human Blockhead - Shmaltz Brewing Company

ADZA

Australia

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a murky red copper hue which leaves a very creamy two finger head with a few dimples and stays with also sporadic lacing,the smell is sweet caramel and toffee,honey,boiled candy and marzipan,the mouthfeel is just under medium bodied and a touch resiny with tastes of sweet toffee,marzipan,resin coated piney hops,candied oranges and finished with a nice twist of grapefruit and caramel and overall for me this was abit of a suprise packet as its not totally true to style but thats how coney island rocks and yeah i would buy again cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 04:48:44 | More by ADZA

bluHatter

Michigan

2.88/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Thick muddy/cloudy red, poured with a healthy head, strong lasting lacing. It looks like it means business.

S: Apple, heavy booze, caramel

T: Hard booze, bitter, strong rich hops. Malty finish. It tastes a lot stronger than the stated 10% ABV on the bottle.

M: Good carbonation, thick, harsh

O: This one is a bit difficult to drink. It comes in a big bottle, so come prepared with someone to share it with. Sipping lager that feels like driving a nail into your head. Always fun!

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 23:04:37 | More by bluHatter

BeerManDan

California

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a above average Imperial Almerican Bock Ale. Poured with a medium amount of tan foam. The smell or roasted malts and mild hops, with a hint of sweet candy and alcohol was evident in the aroma. The taste of sweet roasted malts, mild hops and a hint of alcoholic sweet candy put a nice buzz if you are on an empty stomach. Still a nice balance of compontents.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 23:47:08 | More by BeerManDan

enzocc

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Medium brown color, with an standard head.

S - The first kick is the alcohol, then honey wheat with some roasted barley.

T - Roasted barley, honey wheat, a hint of nutty. you get notice the alcohol.Dark sugar with some fruits.

M - Starts balanced. not so watery and not so heavy, but at the end leaves you with an sticky sense.

O - Not my style of beer, first Doppelbock I try. Has a lot of body, big flavors with a crispy feel.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 18:09:07 | More by enzocc

shand

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After enjoying the -bal aged Human Blockhead so much, I had to try out the base beer. Poured from a bomber into a Sam Adams perfect pint. This hit the shelves of the local beer store after the -bal aged, so I know it's a fresh brew.

This brew pours a nice deep red-amber color crested with a nice head that retains very well. The aroma is a bit muted, but primarily consists of nutty roasted malts, with a bit of sweetness and dark fruits. The taste is good, it's quite a strong beer with strong sugary, nutty malts and a decent amount of hops and dark fruits. This is quite the huge lager. The mouthfeel is nice, it's a thick brew with a nice amount of carbonation. The drinkability is also very good. Overall, this is a very enjoyable lager. I'd recommend picking a bottle up.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 03:03:36 | More by shand

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 3" slightly yellowed yead. Body is a clear dark reddish amber. Smells of medium malt and light hops. Taste is far bolder than I expected, almost more of a Belgian tripel than a lager. In fact the only lager aspect to this beer is the crisp finish, otherwise look, smell, and most of the taste seem like some other beer entirely. Still, it's a good beer, and I always like the funky Coney Island poster style labeling from Schmaltz.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 11:52:30 | More by MoreThanWine

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

happened to find this on tap one day at a local beer bar (from notes)
A - Clear amber, creamy tan head, lacing all the way down with each sip
S - Strong buttery toffee, leafy and piney hops, along with some alcohol heat
T - Nutty and molasses malt dominate, fresh leafy green hops, black licorice, earthy and spicy finish
M - balanced smooth feel for such a high octane brew, drying out with the alcohol on the finish
O - unique and big in flavour, very impressed, I'll likely try a bottle to see if its any different

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2011 04:51:51 | More by joemcgrath27

jdense

Oregon

3.35/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz. bottle from Fred Meyer Hollywood PDX, shared with neighborhood beer buddy in Chimay chalices 7.21.11.

Light amber brown body, small trails of tiny carbonation rising from off center of class when examined closely, one finger white head, medium dissipation with acceptable lacing. Big hoppy presence in the nose, a lot of floral note along with Northwest hops, grapefruit, and a bit funky ryeish aromas to boot. Taste is really hoppy for the style, perhaps to much so, despite big malt bill this is a hop monster, the Hallertaus dominated. Mouthfeel is medium, pretty dry finish due to use of oats, and way, way boozy to drink more than one. An interesting take on the style, though far outside parameters of traditional Dopplebocks,, good value for ABV, but this was just too boozy to be enjoyable. I had a hard time finishing my glass.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 14:48:44 | More by jdense

avalon07

South Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a mug. Had a brownish color and a slightly cloudy consistency. There was an inch and a half of foamy, long-lasting head. Average lacing.

S: A sharp smell of malt, caramel and alcohol.

T: Tasted like it smelled: Some caramel, lots of malt, and a sugary element. The alcohol was definitely noticeable, which is a bit of a turn off. Not a bad flavor.

M: A decent amount of carbonation with a prickly, kind of hot finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This beer does have some drawbacks (e.g., the alcohol presence), but is an alright brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 12:08:30 | More by avalon07

SDtastentune

California

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Why does the bottle say brewed & bottled by Saratoga Springs, NY and here its from California?

Anyway on to the review..

A - Lighter saddle brown/tan, not much head or lacing.

S - Kinda brown sugar, toasty bread with hints of alcohol.

T - Taste is interesting.... Up front is a balanced sweet alcohol'ish slightly malty thing goin on, Almost a little smoky but not. Aftertaste is bourbon like alcohol malty/kinda smoked.

M - Medium/more carbonation and great aftertaste, a little on the hot side.

O - Overall a good interesting beer, not sure on the style because the bottle says lager, and BA says dopplebock? Nice hints of malts, alcohol, and some smoky sweetness

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 23:12:58 | More by SDtastentune

Bung

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tap at Macs, bartender told me this was an "imperial black", hmmm.
Very amber pour with an off white head. Sticks ok.

Aroma, a bit boozy. Behind that is very malty, burnt brown sugar, some oak, earthiness.

A nice malty blend of caramel, toffee and some cocoa. Earthy peat, light vinuous fruit which is amplified by the booze.

Mid bodied and nearly creamy carbonation. Very warming, a bit hot really.

The booziness really held this down for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 01:59:04 | More by Bung

jgurley

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Wine World. Medium brown with a finger of head and good lacing. Too cold to have much on the nose. Good dark fruit and malty flavor with a crisp finish. Very drinkable for the ABV. This will be a go-to when I'm at Wine World. I liked it. I drank two.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2011 04:38:07 | More by jgurley

Pencible

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured a clear mahogany with lots of tan head.
S: It smelled like honey wheat and prune and raisin, with some roasted barley and sweet caramel.
T: It tasted like sweet caramel and raisin and honey wheat bread, with some roasted barley. It had a bitter metallic aftertaste with lots of alcohol.
M: It was watery with moderate carbonation. Decent body.
D: This had a fantastic smell and nice taste, and ok body. But it wasn't very clean, with a harsh aftertaste and lots of alcohol, so it wasn't very easy to drink. Age may help mellow this out. Maybe a lot of age. Fresh it really wasn't bad, but it was quite rough around the edges.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 21:29:02 | More by Pencible

unibrew

New Hampshire

4.72/5  rDev +29%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've passed by this beer in stores since the first time I saw it. Why? I just don't go for lager's anymore, so, I didn't really even give it a 2nd look. Yesterday, I found myself at the Schmaltz micro-micro brewery on Coney Island, and received a sample of this "lager". Now, there's no way it's a lager, but, it is considered a double bock/strong lager. Clocking in at 10% APV, it's a sipper, but, I find it hard to sip. This bomber will disappear in 30 -40 minutes. It's taste to me is somewhere between a double bock/barleywine/strong ale. No matter, it's pure deliciousness comes through. The alcohol is there, but, mostly hidden. It reminds me of the Jewbelation 14, but, at only 10%, it's not going to knock me out as fast! It's sugary, raisiny, malty, and with a touch of bitterness at the end. It won the Silver at the 2010 World Beer Championships, and deservedly so! This is my first bottle, and it won't be my last, especially for the price!

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 23:18:39 | More by unibrew

dtreindl

Virginia

3.23/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

At 10%abv you can't expect a light refreshing beverage. But this one seems to strive to achieve the feeling of the human blockhead on the label, with a nail in his face. Because this lager has a strong feel of alcohol fumes and an unpleasant bitter aftertaste that overwhelms any good qualities I might have otherwise noted about this beer. The good front-end flavors disappear before you have a chance to savor them.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 23:40:19 | More by dtreindl

lonestar4lunch

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy red/orange with a head that quickly disappears. The aroma is of sweet malt and booze.

The first sip is a slight punch in the face of malt and alcohol. I really enjoy taking a big whiff of the beer and then enjoying a sip. There is a light toffee that carries over from the aroma to the taste. This would be great with some pork just to throw that out there.

The finish is clean and very mellow. The booze is somewhat strong but I am really enjoying this. With the label I guess I was expecting something a bit different but this did not disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2011 02:41:00 | More by lonestar4lunch

Mitchster

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

$5.99 for a 22oz bomber @ BevCo. Brewed with specialty 2 row, Munich, Vienna, Wheat, Crystal Rye, Rye Ale, Pale Crystal and flaked oats. Hopped with Warrior, Tettnag, Crystal, Liberty and Cascade. 10% ABV.

Pours out to a thick and syrupy dark amber, forming a thick yellow head with superior retention and nice lacing. Mild carbonation. Big nose of figs, white raisins, dates, mild floral hops. Mouthfeel is syrupy, smooth, clean with a huge dense body. The taste is a recap of the aroma...a huge malt body with mild bitterness, akin to a triple bock, black tea, toffee, almost rum-like. Alcohol is warming. A touch of rye spiciness. Reminds a bit of Zhiguly Grande 12 or Before-After...those odd brews from Lithuania that are redolent in their syrupy sweet maltiness.

An interesting warmer of a beer. I would buy it again, and look forward to trying the other beers in this lne-up.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 00:29:00 | More by Mitchster

MAB

Alberta (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ka-wowsa! What a nice surprise to find this on-tap at Hop In Brew last night (April 20, 2011).

Slightly deeper brown than a regular ale, this one fits the Doppelbock profile even though it was compared to a Barleywine for me by the server.

The alcohol is up front and contributes first to the sweetness and then to the mildly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is very much like a barleywine; slightly thick and caramel-like.

Spectacular, in a word.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2011 19:30:52 | More by MAB

metter98

New York

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear brownish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high dense beige head that slowly faded away.
S: The smell is very malty and has notes of alcohol, caramel and raisins in the aroma.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell except that the alcohol is well hidden. There is a light to moderate amount of bitterness and spiciness in the finish; the initial taste has some hints of malty sweetness.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and a bit dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. Warming from the alcohol is present in the finish.
O: This beer seems to resemble a hybrid between a doppelbock and a barleywine; this characteristic and the high alcohol content make it beer to sip next to the fireplace on a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 00:54:17 | More by metter98

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark ruby red, finger of beige head with solid retention and nice sheeting lacing.

S - Dark fruits followed by caramel, toffee and a touch of citrus hops. The ABV heat is detectable on the nose.

T - Much like the scent, the dark fruity notes come through along side the caramel and toffee. Quite sweet indeed with some molasses and black licorice flavours also detectable. Touch of espresso is oddly detectable on the finish. The ABV is reasonably well hidden, though could come across as a bit rash.

M - Medium bodied ale that goes down smooth, especially given the ABV heat.

O - A very tasty doppelbock, full flavoured and unique. Goes down smooth and smashes you in the face. I would definitely order this on tap again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2011 17:04:16 | More by andrenaline

ktrillionaire

Florida

3.43/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - It pours a deep and radiant chestnut-mahogany hue, it is capped with plentiful off-white head and deposits sheets of chiffon lace.

S - The nose has very little presence, which is surprising given the style and depth of flavor found in this brew. What is there is a bit of scorched toffee, some hazelnut and booze.

T - The flavor is quite nice, comprised of boozy and dark fruity notes, especially of mejool dates. There is some light canella spiciness, as well. As the booze impression subsides, some sweet toffee and some woody hop becomes discernible.

M - The feel is pretty decent. It is a bit more viscous than medium-bodied, and has a slick feel to it, but it is softly and amply carbonated which serves the brew well.

O - This is one of the best Schmaltz brews I've had to date, but that really isn't saying much.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2011 05:16:20 | More by ktrillionaire

JizackFH

New York

4.18/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - This beer pours a clear rust ruby color. It has a big fluffy 3-finger off-white head. The head has good retention and leaves behind some nice scattered lacing. There are some visible rising carbonation bubbles as well. A beautiful looking beer.

S - The smell is of lightly toasted malts and some caramel sweetness. There are also notes of light earthy hops, bread, some light dark fruit notes, and some citrus. also, I am getting just a touch of booze at the end of the nose.

T - It tastes much darker than the smell suggested. It starts off with roasted malts and a big sticky caramel sweetness. There are some big dark fruit flavors here such as figs, plums, and raisins. Other notes I am getting are brown sugar, some grassy hops, and some light spices that I can't put my finger on. The finish has some lingering roastiness and sweet caramel flavor. Also there is also a slightly sharp booziness as well.

M - This has a medium to full body and prickly carbonation. it is smooth, goes down easy, and has a bit of a chewy quality to it. There is some lingering bitterness as well as a bit of a sharp booziness and alcohol warmth.

D - The drinkability here is good. It goes down easy and is damn tasty. I really am enjoying this beer. It is my first beer on the Coney Island side of Shmaltz brewing, and I'm pretty impressed. There is quite a bit of booze presence here that makes it a bit more of a sipper, but I think the strong booze presence is actually kind of nice. I recommend trying this. I'd definitely pick up another bottle of this.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 12:06:07 | More by JizackFH

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

1.98/5  rDev -45.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Got this back in September at Amity Wine & Spirits in New Haven CT for $5.99. No date or code noted. Glad I've had it sitting around for a while since other reviews suggest it might benefit from age. Served at 50F in a pint glass at the same temperature.

A: Clear deep ruby-orange brew with a fair amount of carbo floating lazily upward. Modest 1/2" of tan head settles to a thick single layer that hugs the glass a bit. Decent lace.

S: Sweet, burnt caramel, a bit of solvent-like fruitiness, cherry and/or strawberry. Very thick in the nose.

T: Solvent and EtOH heat up front. The sweet thickness tries to cover it up but doesn't quite succeed... the huge roaring peppery alcohol is barely tempered, let alone hidden. That's about all there is to it... peppery alcohol, semi-fruity solventy fusels, and a bit of burnt caramel.

M: Very thick and viscous, sticky sweet. The only thing that keeps it from being cloying is the solvent/ EtOH heat. I can feel serious EtOH vapors on my breath.

D: Good for getting bombed and that's about it... but there are tastier, much cheaper, and less disappointing ways of doing that. Not one to savor or analyze. Yesh, what a boozebomb trainwreck of a beer.

Yes I notice my review is way lower than the average, but I calls 'em like I sees 'em, and this is crap. D+ is what it gets.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 00:44:56 | More by BeerNinja007

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber at 42 degrees into a pint glass.

A: This pours a murky brownish-red color with a half-finger of off-white had that slowly dies down and recedes to the edges.

S: Booze, caramel, dark fruits, maple, and citrus.

T: Candi sugar, dark fruits, smoke, a surprising citrusy finish and notes of lagering. This is very sweet.

M: It has a pretty thick body with low carbonation and a little stickiness on the back end.

D: The biggest issue with this is the alcohol content; it is quite potent and noticeably so.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 04:59:25 | More by bucklemyshoe

Mora2000

Texas

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to my brother for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a hazy brown color with a tan head. The aroma is very strong. I get a lot of toffee and dark fruit along with some alcohol.

The flavor is more of the same. I get a lot of raisin and fig notes as well as some alcohol, caramel and toffee. The alcohol content is high enough that the drinkability suffers a little bit.

Thin to medium mouthfeel and slightly watery. Low carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 03:03:44 | More by Mora2000