Coney Island Barrel-Aged Human Blockhead - Shmaltz Brewing Company

AltBock

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

22oz. bomber bottle with a life like drawing of a man with a handlebar mustache. This man has a nail in his nose and a hammer in his hand. Behind the man is a wall of hammers and nails. Off to the left of the blockhead in a circus font is where they tell what kind of barrels it was aged in. On the neck of the bottle is another label. This where they tell you how many cases were bottled, the batch number, and bottling date. This is from batch 2 and bottled on 25 May 2012. 1002 cases were available.

When poured into a simple Pilsner glass, this Doppelbock was a semi clear dark cherry amber with some faint sun yellow highlights at the bottom of the beer. A part of me really enjoyed the color of this beer. The head of foam wasn't as impressive as the color of the beer. The initial head of foam was a tab bit over the 1/4 of an inch line. As for the color of the foam, it was a light tan color or what I like to call a dirty white color. The retention was too fast for my liking. It fizzled away into a tiny string of rings and if you're lucky, a spot or two of lace.

When the cap came popping off, out came a strong whiff of caramel, roasted malt, and charred oak. When it settled in the glass, those aromas were in there and more. But every aroma had a sweet alcohol undertone to it. Besides the strong aroma of alcohol, there was roasted malt, sweet caramel, a touch of dark chocolate, a dab of coffee, a drop of black cherry, and a little charred oak and bourbon at the end. Even though this aroma loved the booze, there was a variety of aromas in here that slightly evened out all the booze.

The taste started off tame with the roasted malt and a dash of black cherry. Immediately after the cherry, in washes in like a hurricane a strong taste of alcohol. The taste of the alcohol lasted for a while before it let anything else through. Intermingled in with the alcohol was the sweet caramel, dark chocolate, and a drop of coffee. After the alcohol had its fun in the sun, it then let through a little charred oak and bourbon. It was clearly the alcohol that reigned supreme in the taste. It the alcohol had been toned down a little bit, this would have been a killer Doppelbock taste.

This was a full bodied Doppelbock that had a good level of carbonation and an alcohol based aftertaste. Like everything in the aroma and taste, every aroma/flavor had an alcohol undertone to it. I got roasted malt, coffee, dark chocolate, black cherry, and some more charred oak and bourbon. This isn't one of those beers that was going to mess around. It wanted you to feel the strong taste of alcohol. I guess you can say that the aftertaste was a tab bit on the boozy side.

You'd think the year this beer was aged, the alcohol would have calmed down. Nope, age didn't do anything to the alcohol. It's actually not a bad Doppelbock. The bourbon barrel aging was a nice touch. It could have been the barrel that added to the strong taste of alcohol. The only thing this beer has going for it is that its an affordable bourbon barrel aged beer. Would I drink this version again. Probably not. Cool label though.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:16:07 | More by AltBock

cvm4

Mississippi

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz'er bottle 5/25/2012

A - Pours a "tea" color to almost brown with a one finger light tan head.

S - Caramel malts, sweet vanilla, bourbon (not overwhelming) and some dark fruits on the backend.

T - Sweet, sugary bourbon to start off. Develops into dark fruits, slight oak character and has a vanilla/brown sugar ending.

M - Full bodied, medium carbonation. Really coats the mouth without being cloying or overly sticky.

O - This is a beer I always pick up if I see it. The barreling melds wonderfully with the base beer to give it though bourbon characteristics without being overpowering. The only complaint is that it can be a bit sweet to start off until one gets used to it.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 14:25:32 | More by cvm4

Jonada

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22oz bomber bottled on 5/25/2012. Served in a DFH signature glass

Appearance: Pours dark amber in color with 2 fingers of a light tan head.

Smell: Lots of sweet malt, caramel, bourbon, dark fruits, vanilla, coconut

Taste: Big kick of sweet bourbon, raisins, figs, toffee, oak. Lots of sweetness in the finish, which lingers into the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, soft mouthfeel. Medium fine carbonation.

Overall: I liked it. The barrel characters work well with the base beer. The sweetness can get a bit cloying after a while, but that's really my only complaint. Pick up a bottle if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 05:03:28 | More by Jonada

sleuthdog

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottled 5/25/2012 poured into Kuhnhenn tulip

Pour: Clear brown with a reddish hue and a finger off white head. Lacing is modest and alcohol legs are present.

Smell: Nice sweet caramel malts, tons of dark fruits (raisins, plums, figs), toffee, vanilla, bread notes, and butterscotch. Bourbon notes are here in moderation and do not overpower the nose. Very well balanced smelling beer.

Taste: Up front sweet, sweet, sweet dark fruits like in the nose mixed with toffee, brown sugar and caramel. The oak and vanilla are forward as well with the barrel notes just complementing everything. The alcohol does create a bit of heat and a warming sensation.

Mouthfeel: Slick and pretty full. Coates the palate and lips with it's sticky sweetness. Carbonation is medium-high.

Overall: This is my first offering from this brewery and will say that this is good. Much better as it warms up, though.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 02:48:04 | More by sleuthdog

Bfarr

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear dark caramel color with strong red highlights and a tan, moderate foamy head. Big bourbon vanilla and sweet barley with hints of cherry and rye. Sweet caramel up front with vanilla, spice, oak and fruit and a lightly hoppy finish. Strong warming. Lightly slick feel and a semi-dry finish.

Great bourbon beer accenting a lot of flavor from the barrel. Light feel and smooth it’s like a low alcohol bourbon but as a beer it is certainly pretty warm. I love the flavors here and it’s a great sipper though I wonder just how much is the beer and how much is the barrel.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 19:41:07 | More by Bfarr

sendsilk

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked this beer up for my wife since she really enjoys their Jewbelation series. 22 oz. bottle for $8 or $9, I don't really recall. I figured barrel aged, even a Bock should not be too bad. It's usually not my style but I went in with an open mind and clean palate.

Very nice lacing on the glass. I let is warm up for a little while and it really smells great! Bourbon, caramel, cinnamon, malt, some slight spice, wood and maybe a little vanilla.

Nice lacing on the glass with a sticky film for a head lasting for a while.

Holy crap, this beer rocks! The bourbon REALLY comes out nicely in this beer. Somewhat sticky, it's Slightly sweet with a wonderful flavor to it and a great warming feeling to it. This was bottled in May of last year but I don't think Smaltz 'Flies' off of shelves so I should be able to pick up some more and glad to do it.

If you can try a bottle, please do. As I stated, I'm normally not a fan of bocks, but this is seriously the best bock I have ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 01:27:48 | More by sendsilk

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.78/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Coney Island Barrel Aged Human Blockhead has a thick, frothy, tan head, a clear, copper appearance, with bubbles sticking to the sides of the glass, and some thick, sticky lacing left on the glass. The aroma is of sweet, strong bourbon whiskey, wood, and a touch of vanilla. Taste is of the same, with some fig and dates, a slight bitterness, alcohol, and sugar. Mouthfeel is medium to thick and syrupy. Coney Island Barrel Aged Human Blockhead finishes semi-dry, strong, alcohilic, and sipper-oriented. Overall, this is a fabulous, rich, and complex beer, and I think it is outstanding!

RJT

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 13:50:13 | More by RonaldTheriot

Dennoman

Belgium

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Batch 2 bottle, 10.83% ABV

One of the bottles I've had in my cellar since this summer, so it felt fitting to crack it at a tasting with a beer geek buddy. Bocks are usually not my thing as I find them too sweet, but I figured if I was going to like bocks at all, something like this might persuade me.

A: An attractive orange amber, vivid, but not artificial.

S: Caramel, toffee, wood, parmezan cheese (wtf).

T: Bourbon vanilla, caramel and honey sweetness, dark fruits, port, raisins, dry hoppy finish.

M: Light to medium carbonation, thick and smooth with bourbon warmth. Nice. No booze whatsoever, extremely dangerous ;)

O: This is without a shadow of a doubt the best bock I've ever had. And that's saying something coming from someone living in between Holland and Germany. The bourbon mellows out the typical bock sweetness perfectly, and all factors together mix into a beautiful flavor explosion that's very mellow and subtle at the same time.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 19:03:16 | More by Dennoman

harrymel

Washington

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 2, bottled 25MAY12
ABV: 10.83%

Pours a lovely crimson with a touch of mahogany, nice tan sheet atop this one. Smells, mmm, good. Caramel, nougat, some crystal malts, some hints of toffee, a little vanilla and Jordan almonds - lovely nose. Taste is candied walnut, a hint of alcohol, some nougat, some bread (hawaiian rolls), a little touch of oak and bitterness. Medium bodied with light carb and a numbing after affect. This is a real surprise. At $7/bomber - hard to pass up now that I've seen it... Might go buy the rest of 'em.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 08:19:43 | More by harrymel

larryi86

Delaware

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 bottle, batch 2, poured into a snifter

A- A deep ruby red with a two finger off-white head.

S- Bourbon, oak, dark fruits, caramel malts, some chocolate, definitely what you would think when you hear barrel aged bock.

T- Bourbon, caramel malts, chocolate, oak, vanilla. Very tasty.

M- Medium to full, slightly harsh from the bourbon.

O- Very tasty and well done. Definitely will pick this up again and would love to find more bourbon barrel aged bocks.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 01:48:32 | More by larryi86

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a tumbler.

Looking to both drown my sorrows over a Purdue loss (to the Irish, no less...) and augment my enjoyment of this get-together. Barrel-aged bock it is! This stuff pours a clear sunset amber-sienna topped by a short finger of wan off-tan foam. The nose comprises sweet caramel, vanilla, light bourbon, brown sugar, and a touch of oloroso sherry. The taste really brings the focus to the barrel, with the mil bourbon, vanilla, caramel, and light oak taking precedence over the honey, sherry, and sweet biscuit notes of what I perceive to be the bock itself. The combination is damn tasty, I must say. The body is a flexible medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a smooth feel. Overall, a highly enjoyable beer, though one that is meant to be sipped, enjoyed over a period of time. Get some!

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 15:08:01 | More by TMoney2591

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-dark caramels and a thin white head

S-smells like a barley wine. Dark fruits. Caramels. Definitely some oak. Good strength

T-comes in with a strong taste f vanilla and oak. It's a really good and lasting flavor. It has a decent woody dryness to it. It's definitely a bit boozey as well.

M-medium dry carbonation with a dry finish

O-it started out pretty awesome but it was quite the sipper. The flavors stayed but this drank like it was 15% more so than 10% even. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2012 15:53:23 | More by AdamBear

r0nburgundy69

Texas

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a - poured dark brown, small head that disappears quickly.
s - bourbon and dark fruits
t - follows the nose, figs, bourbon and oak
m - carbonated sufficiently
o -decent barrel aged doppelbock, heavy barrel notes, good for bourbon fans

good beer, apparently my review does not have enough characters here are some more

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 04:21:54 | More by r0nburgundy69

rfbenavi80

Missouri

4.93/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Batch/Cases- 002/1002
Bottling Date 5-25-12
Bottle poured into a tulip.

A- Pours a clear amber/brown color with 3 fingers of light tan head that has awesome staying power and leaves chunky lacing on the glass.

S- Smells just like it should, a doppelbock aged in a bourbon barrel. It smells amazing. Dark fruits such as figs and plums, mixed with bourbon and oak aromas. Plenty of sweet caramel malt is also there. Smells like liquid bread dipped in bourbon. WOW!

T- Follows nose to the T. Wow, what a wonderful beer. Sweet liquid bread dipped in bourbon. Smooth and mellow, this one is an easy drinker but then again its also the perfect sipping beer.

M- Nice and smooth the 10% ABV is well hidden in this one. Mouthfeel is nice and creamy with a moderately low amount of carbonation.

O- Easily one of the best beers I've ever had. This one takes all the wonderful qualities of a sweet, malty doppelbock and adds the flavorful qualities of oak and bourbon. Spend the 11 dollars for a bottle, you won't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 01:18:49 | More by rfbenavi80

MissMoxie911

Delaware

4.93/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Omg. Fan-freaking-tastic. Easily in my top 5 beers of all time.

A: Perfectly clear chocolate brown with a beige head that lingers.

S: Chocolate, Figs, Caramel, Vanilla, Everything good and right in the world. I'd wear this as perfume.

T: Mmmm. If you err had Chocolate Astronaut Ice Cream as a kid...that's a pretty dead-on comparison. This pretty much follows the smell. Chocolate, Vanilla, Light Bourbon Notes, Fig, just plain OMG. The 10.83% ABV is very well hidden. Just warming. Never had a beer like this in my life.

M: Slick, almost oily, perfect carbonation and a slight warming sensation

I: BUY THIS NOW IF YOU FIND IT. OMG. If you don't like it, I'll drink it for you.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 02:09:54 | More by MissMoxie911

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a murky brown with a bit of orange around the edges and a finger of frothy khaki-tan head atop. The head fades down fairly slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of vanilla, oak, and bourbon with some roasted bready malts, dark fruit, brown sugar, molasses, and some booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of sweet bready malts with some vanilla and brown sugar. Through the middle, the oak and Bourbon comes through with some roasted malts and molasses. The finish is a mix of sweet bready malts with some oak, vanilla, Bourbon, brown sugar, and booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a warming and sweet finish.

D - Very drinkable. Good Bourbon flavors comes through on top of a nice malty doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 02:29:54 | More by ngeunit1

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.73/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 002

A: Deep burnt orange/rich mahogany. Quickly dissipating head. Looks like liquid caramel.

S: Bourbon, vanilla, sweetness. Mild hint of ripe fruit in there too.

T: Phenomenal. I am really blown away by the taste of this beer. The bourbon elements in this are among the smoothest, sweetest, and most flavorful I think I have ever encountered. Also in the mix: rich creamy caramel, definite vanilla, slight hint of banana, some figs and dates. No real hoppy element to this one and I don't get a lot of woodiness at all from the barrel aging either. It is almost reminiscent of the topping for a bananas foster w/o the cinnamon present. Absolutely delicious.

M: Easy drinker. Alcohol is very well hidden. So smooth. Not overly syrupy either. Could be dangerous.

Overall, this is an amazing brew. Shmaltz does an incredible job with barrel aging. I don't think they get enough credit for that. This one and the Vertical Jewbelation are among my all time favorites. Period. Seek out and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:22:05 | More by bcostner1

alk3kenny

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Looks great dark ruby color can't see through this at all... not much head so I dinged it for that but then again that might be caused by the aging. Smells sweet, bourbon notes, roasted, raisins. Flavor is sweet def a sipper but I don't mind that at all... candied fruits, raisins, bourbon is pleasant not at all overwhelming or over powering... slightly boozy but not nearly as much as you'd expect from 10 percenter. I'm a huge fan of regular blockhead and buffalo trace bourbon so mixing the 2 seemed like a great idea on paper and it works in reality too. Coney Island continues to push the envelope and I'm usually impressed.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 04:31:54 | More by alk3kenny

SHODriver

California

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a deep amber brown with a small off white head and minimal retention
S: smells of bourbon with some notes of caramel and vanilla along with toffee and slight banana
T: bourbon notes of caramel and slight oakiness along with a bit of vanilla, and toffee. very nice maltyness that plays well with and complements the bourbon flavors. aftertaste is slightly boozy with more bourbon goodness and some more toffee sweetness.
M: soft carbonation and a somewhat full feel in the mouth but not too heavy
O: pretty impressive beer. it isn't something that you'd think to toss in a bourbon barrel but it works and tastes pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 03:30:12 | More by SHODriver

CloudStrife

New York

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz split and poured into a snifter. Bottling date 5/25/2012.

A: Pours a clear ruby with a 1 finger off white head. Dissipates within a few minutes. Some real tiny bubbles are visible in the body. Definitely not a stout!

S: Hits you with some bourbon, oak and vanilla right off the bat. Roasted malt reminiscent of fig.

T: Upfront bourbon, great oaky notes too. Can certainly see the difference between this and a bourbon stout. It has much more molasses, carmel and dark fruits. Very sweet too.

M: Has a creamy mouthfeel, pretty decent carbonation. A lingering stickiness. Real nice warming effect to it.

Overall a great barrel aged beer, love the lighter body of a dopplebock mixing with the bourbon. More of a scotch ale effect, but certainly not taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 00:21:36 | More by CloudStrife

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - There is a finger of light beige head on the pour. When I look at the body, I see a deep amber with hints of red. Clear. The head quickly falls but leaves a nice lace.

S - It's sweet and just what you would expect from Shmaltz. Slight bourbon and bready biscuity-ness. Maple syrup on the artificial side.

T - Again some nice maple. Definite vanilla and malt, like a malt ball. It end with a weird hop flavor that doesn't fit. Hopefully that would fade.

M - Such a thick beer with lots of carbonation. A little syrupy.

O - It doesn't come together well. Nice sweetness and flavors, but a little over the top, like most Shmaltz. Late hops don't fit.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 01:33:08 | More by RuckusDu

woosterbill

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Prime 16.

A: Clear dark amber body with an inch of creamy, super-fine tan head. Strong retention, ok lace. Nice.

S: Sweet, oaky bourbon and vanilla. A bit of spicy maltiness, perhaps a touch of earthiness and some dark fruits. Nice.

T: Bourbon right up front, with some figs and other dark fruits following close behind. A bit of caramel malt and vanilla toward the end, and some spicy booze on the finish. Tasty.

M: Frothy medium body; a bit thin, but ok.

O: I honestly didn't remember that this was a Doppelbock when I ordered it ("Barrel Aged" was enough to make me take a chance), but it makes perfect sense. Well-done brew.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 00:22:46 | More by woosterbill

mactrail

California

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've always liked the regular Blockhead, so I was eager to try this. "Wow," is the general response. Hugely flavorful, hot, and driving nails into the brain, as the label suggests, gives you the general idea.

Clear coppery brown in the Orval chalice. Finely carbonated on the tongue, though. Lots of vanilla in the first sip. A whoppin' bourbon barrel flavor. Extroverted is the style. Nutty and rich. Crazy aroma of expensive hooch and leather sports car seats.

Chocolate and fruitcake might stand up to this stuff. Otherwise, it's you, the big leather chair, and swirling your snifter. From the 22 oz bottle from the Grapevine in Denver.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 05:23:25 | More by mactrail

abrand

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

23 ounce bomber split with friend. poured into a pint glass

This pours a cola brown color with a nice very white 2 finger head and great retention. As soon as this is opened you can smell the bourbon. Also hints of cherries, raisins, grains, and toffee. Some complexity but very bourbon forward. Taste is also full of bourbon flavors. Backbone of dark fruit and malts. Medium bodied and decent carbonation. Overall I think some age will do wonders to this. Too much alcohol on the palate which overpowers the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 12:25:11 | More by abrand

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from bottle into a Boulevard tulip. Poured a yellow brown with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, milk chocolate, wood, and vanilla. The flavor was of sweet malt, roasted malt, dark chocolate, wood, subtle sweet alcohol, and vanilla. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. If I am honest here, I never really have gone into any brews from this brewery with much confidence. This one was no exception… However, as far as the flavor goes on this one I was pleasantly surprised with what I found as it was quite complex and very nice. The barrel definitely imparted a very nice complexity to this brew that made it quite enjoyable on the flavor. Wish the aroma would have brought it’s a-game as it felt a little subdued in comparison. Worth trying for the flavor alone if you have not done so already.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 10:52:20 | More by thagr81us