He'Brew Funky Jewbelation - Shmaltz Brewing Company

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a snifter)
Batch 001 bottled 13/6/12
A- This beer pours a jet black body with a tan creamy head that last for a good bit.

S- The earthy wet wood aroma has a soft Flanders red cherry ester note to it with some tartness in the finish.

T- The nice tartness is followed by a red wine character with some caramel and smoke with some walnut hints to it. The sweetness of the finish has bourbon and chocolate malt coming through and lingering for a bit.

M- The medium-full mouthfeel has an alcohol heat and a soft carbonation in the finish.

O- This beer has some good layers and it is interesting how the sour and oak mix well with red wine and Flanders yeast characteristics with softer bourbon notes. It gets a bit too thick and syrupy for me as it warms but it was interesting to drink along the way.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 20:30:32 | More by rhoadsrage

Brenden

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A thick dark brown that's not quite motor oil thick or dark, this beer grows a brown head up to about a finger high. Retention is good, as the head doesn't fade much. Lacing is left in patches to the middle of the glass and a little beyond.
There's lots of complexity in the aroma. A little bit balsamic with caramel sweetness, some rye spiciness and mildly earthy notes, and some dark fruits, it foretells the complexity and depth that will be found in the flavor. Alcohol is well masked.
The flavor opens up even more, and it's such a good mix of a little tart, a little sour, a little sweet, and full of flavor with a great display of skill being shown in the masking of overly alcoholic notes between the high ABV and the whiskey and bourbon barrels. The earthiness and gentle spicy note are just enough underneath, as I imagine it's just what's pulled from those rye whiskey barrels. Delicious.
This is a big-bodied, robust, and smooth beer. A strong ale it is, but it doesn't overwhelm anymore in the feel than in the smell or taste. Even a little crisp, it brings a nice bit of dryness into the finish.
This beer and its overall reviews make me wish more BAs would rather have depth in their beer than just being overpowered by it.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:37:26 | More by Brenden

TBoneJones

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Very dark brown, nearly black. Minor head fades.
Smells of licorice and rye! Like a rye twizzler. Funky cherry too.
Tastes like barrel-aged oaky dark plum, sour cherry in there too, all of the aforementioned not blended in the most appealing way. Interesting dark fruit notes, but the funky aspect here throws me off.
A boldly tart and sour brew of dark fruits that leaves me with the overall impression that im glad to have tried a new barrel aged brew from a solid brewery, yet I don't see myself seeking it again. Grapey sourness with rye. Odd combo for my taste. Too sweet.? If you like sweet & sour rye ales then this may suit you well. It didnt for me, but maybe it will for you.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 00:50:09 | More by TBoneJones

HardTarget

Texas

3.7/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Deep brown glass glows a bit but has no clarity. Halo of tan tiny bubbles holds but doesn't really lace.

Smell: Dark malt extract with a sour cherry twang. A powerful nose gives you bang for buck.

Taste: A real kick in the teeth this one. Sour brett cherry bourbon malt bomb on aisles 4-9. As I get somewhat accustom to the tidal wave, a lot of smokey charred barrel starts to come in, as well as a heady alcoholic slap.

Mouthfeel: Cask to still carbonation drags this back a bit. There's plenty of body to support a little fizz.

Overall: Sour beers don't sit well with me. Love the taste, don't like the indigestion later. Still, was glad to get a nose and taste of this monster. If the Sour doesn't scare you, it's an experience you shouldn't pass up.

Thanks to Illudium for the sample!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 21:03:38 | More by HardTarget

goochpunch

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2

Pours a very dark brown. Kind of cloudy/hazy. Smell reminds me a lot of a Flemish red/brown ale: vanilla, oak, tart fruitiness, and dark malts. Smells awesome. Taste is kind of messy, but kind of interesting, all the same. Odd mix of roasted malt, fruity tartness/sweetness, barrel, and hops. Kind of medicinal aftertaste. Mouthfeel is fairly full with smooth carbonation. Overall this is not that great. I might have liked the flavor more (or truly would have been less disappointed) if the smell hadn't blown me away first.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:08:47 | More by goochpunch

Auraan

Arizona

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a very dark color with a little bit of a thin, off-white head that dissipated quickly. Scent is sweet malt, slight liquor and a hint of soy sauce. Flavor is incredibly sweet malt, hints of chocolate underneath, some slight raisin and sour notes and a bit of woody and liquor flavors from the barrel aging. Mouthfeel is sticky, with low carbonation. It sips pretty, well, but it is almost too sweet, syrup like in most regards. A nice experiment, but it could do with some lowering of the sweetness and a little more roasted flavors and hop character.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 06:06:24 | More by Auraan

DovaliHops

California

3.68/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Batch 2. Pours a pitch black color with a small tan head that goes down slowly. Scent is very interesting. Somewhat tannic notes with some dark chocolate and brandy aromas. Sweet vanilla and coconut with dark malt and oak. Subtle cherry and plums...other dark fruits as well. Smells like this one is going to taste pretty sweet...I'm hoping it's not overwhelmingly sweet. Taste is...extremely sweet. Almost coming close to Dark Lord-sweet. I really wish this beer would have tasted just like it smelled. There is some cloying sweetness and soy sauce flavors here, very similar to Dark Lord. A hint of tartness, I'm assuming from the barrel aged Origin in this blend. That slight tartness is the only thing saving this beer, making it seem more complex and balancing out that intense sweetness. Brandy and whiskey flavors, but not very well-balanced. Drinkability is fair, as this one is too sweet. Small doses. Mouthfeel is a tad thin...could use a little more body and creaminess. Overall, not a bad beer at all...in fact, this one will be highly recommended by me. It is unique and delicious in very small doses. Too sweet to drink a pint or 22oz of.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 05:04:45 | More by DovaliHops

laituegonflable

Australia

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very, very dark colour. Almost black, with a hint of red the only colour to be seen. Head is darkish beige, large bubbles. Looks nice.

Bit of funk to the nose, but also dark roast and chocolatey sweetness. Burnt caramel, bit of organic barnyardy funk, and underripe plum as well. Touch of coconut. Very nice.

Taste is a little too sweet. Slight tart notes, giving apricot, fig jam and plum; touch of cocoa, and then finish is all fruity with slight funk - some mango, caramel and molasses. A bit sweet, but mostly just not enough roast. I think with more bitter roast, you'd have a really interesting beer here, whereas now it's just a bit off balance.

A bit thin, but quite fluid on the body. Not bad.

A bit too much light. Needs more dark. It's a little incoherent. Dark - seriously. I need you here. Why have you forsaken me?

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 05:12:10 | More by laituegonflable

macrosmatic

Florida

4.09/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Had on-tap at Mr. Dunderbak's. Served in a pint glass.

A: Very dark brown, maybe with some hints of red, and nearly opaque. A one-finger light brown head on top, and low visible carbonation.

S: Sweet, boozy, chocolate, a bit of wood, some fruitiness (dark cherry?), and some tart funk.

T: Funky, dark fruity, wood, booze (sherry?), chocolate. Quite tasty, although pretty sweet.

M: Heavy bodied, thick sticky mouthfeel, significant alcohol heat, carbonation sensation on the low side.

O: Tasty, different, but it's heavy, sticky and sweet. I felt pretty much done with it after about 6 oz. worth of the beer, but those first six were quite enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2013 14:57:41 | More by macrosmatic

alk3kenny

Georgia

4.26/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours dark dark some ruby color around the edges not a ton of head . Smell is complex dark fruits candy sweetness wood alcohol. Wow taste is different sour fruit some banana i expected the barrel aging to leave more mellow flavors but you can tell there are aspects of different beers here. Not too hot either I like this.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 01:40:19 | More by alk3kenny

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle into snifter; Batch 1, bottled on 3/6/2012. Pours nearly pitch black; hazy very dark brown color with a 1 finger dense khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, fig, date, caramel, molasses, toast, toffee, dark bread, chocolate, rye, bourbon, vanilla, oak, light pepper, and roasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity, malty, and barrel notes. Taste of raisin, fig, date, prune, molasses, toast, toffee, caramel, dark bread, chocolate, rye, bourbon, oak, vanilla, light herbal spiciness, and roasted earthiness. Lingering notes of dark fruits, molasses, toast, toffee, chocolate, rye, bourbon, oak, vanilla, and roasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice flavor complexity and balance of fruity, malty, and barrel notes; barrel strength is just enough without being overpowering; with some slight cloying sweetness present after the finish, but not bad at all. Light-medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very slick, creamy, and lightly chalky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent barrel blended strong ale! Great balance and complexity of fruit, malt, and barrel flavors; and extremely smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 04:06:25 | More by superspak

abriggs1

Connecticut

2.76/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5

I love Shmaltz, they're possibly my favorite brewery. But this one is a miss. The Hebrew 16 is an incredible beer, and might just be the best beer ever brewed after it ages a few years. But this one is just a mess. Too sweet, and unfocused to the point that it just doesn't satisfy. I wish I loved this beer, but I think there's only so much craziness you can have in a beer before it just gets out of control. Certainly an interesting concept, but if you look at the beers that go into this, they don't really work together. But who knows, maybe if I sat on one of these for about 5 years the flavors would coalesce into something incredible. It's impossible to say. I've collected the Hebrew 14 through 16, and I have no doubt that they will age like champs. This one might, but I'm not willing to risk $10 to find out.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 06:07:46 | More by abriggs1

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

1.8/5  rDev -51.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.75

12 oz.

Pours jet black, tan film for a head.

Smells of whiskey, molasses, cinnamon, figs, caramel, coca cola and nutmeg.

Tastes like grapes, bourbon, oak, soy sauce, cranberries, cinnamon, molasses, chocolate, lemon juice and orange peel.

Medium body with a light tingle of carbonation on the roof of the mouth.

I really want to like this beer and have had and liked several of the component beers that went into this ale blend, but this is awful. Cloyingly sweet and nauseating. The only beer I've ever had that I've had trouble getting down without gagging. I see from the other reviews that I am in the minority here. Maybe I just got a bad one? The bottling date says March 6, 2012, so maybe it just aged poorly. Batch 001 of Case 999. Whatever the cause, this is pretty terrible.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 21:12:28 | More by Cylinsier

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

A thin tan head on a black body.
The aroma is wood, molasses, alcohol and chocolate.
Well, the taste is outstanding. It's amazing that this is a blend of six barrel aged ales and that it tastes this good. Where to begin? There are bits of every one of the six beers in this one beer and they all play together nicely.
The texture is smooth with low carbonation.
Try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:12:09 | More by Fatehunter

ferrari29

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Beer poured from bottle into a Snifter shaped pint glass

A - Beer pours with a heavy motor oil, dark brown colored body; some bubbles subtly sit on the bottom of the glass; quarter finger sized brown colored head; didn't hold for very long; not much lacing

S - Smell dark fruits like dates and figs; whiskey and booze; prunes; sweet brown sugar; syrup

T - Taste of dark fruits is sweet and overwhelming; not much hop bitterness; prunes; sweet brown sugar and syrup; rye; slight touch of toasted malt; oak and moldy wood barrel

M - Medium body; slightly tart at the end of the sip; lingering dark fruit, sweet brown sugar and roasted malt flavor; not effervescent

D - Great Strong Ale; I really liked the fruity-whiskey blend of flavors; its easy to drink and not too heavy; just has a nice strong booze; I really like that you can taste all the unique ingredients in the beer

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 05:25:29 | More by ferrari29

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

2.83/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance. Pours deep brown, pretty much black with 1.5 fingers of tan head.

Smell. Sour cherries, bourbon and sweet chocolate with some tart dark berries and old wood. Interesting.

Taste. Dark berries and fruit, very light sourness, bourbon and caramel, with a little chocolate and barrel and a bit of woody funk. Really sugary sweet.

Mouthfeel. On the lower side of full bodied with medium, smooth carbonation. A little sticky.

Overall. I like the intention of making something interesing, but this just isn't doing it for me. Way too sweet for this guy and a strange blend of flavours that didn't really go together well with that sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 04:29:15 | More by Rutager

whoneeds8

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Batch 001, Bottled 3/6/2012

Poured into a tulip glass deep black with thin tan head.

The nose has strong bourbon scent that is over powering sweet malted barley scents.

The taste is just odd . . . nothing that I can put my finger on other than bourbon and whisky. It tastes just the way it probably should, a mixture of strong beers.

Mouthfeel is dry and low in carbontation.

Overall, this sounded like a good idea on paper . . . but . . .

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 00:21:24 | More by whoneeds8

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I picked up this bottle as part of a Hannukah mixed pack by Shmaltz brewing. The pack is of eight beers (for the eight nights of Hannukah); so expect many reviews to come.

This is a good smelling beer. You get a decent amount of sour presence off the top of this one. I also get some raisins from this one.

The Funky flavor is a very mixed bag. You get an uneven mix of sour and dark fruit. I would sip this one, as a full drink does not play well here.

Jewbelation is a little bit of a challenge. There is lots of stuff going on with this beer. I would sip this slowly for the best experience.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 19:59:54 | More by ummswimmin

Ford

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

Wow. There is a lot going into this one. Hard for me to pinpoint everything down here...except for the bourbon and whiskey..

SIx ales blended and all aged in mostly rye whiskey then the rest in bourbon barrels.

I wanted to love this one and on some sips, it seemed I did, but on others I didn't really enjoy it that much.

As it warmed up I started tasting some sour cherries.

This was fun to try, but in the end not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 02:45:34 | More by Ford

flayedandskinned

California

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 3/6/2012
Poured into a Duvel tulip

Appearance: Pours an extremely deep, dark brown with a finger tall, light cocoa head which recedes surprisingly quick leaving no lacing.

Aroma: Bourbon slaps your olfactory senses immediately. Some sweet and surprisingly tart malt with faint cocoa highlight the bourbon heavy nose. I'll attribute the tartness to the rye whiskey barrels.

Taste: Definitely follows the nose; Big bourbon enriched, sweet malts with an amazing spicy rye character. Very interestingly tart, bitter and dry finish. A chocolate and light molasses character opens up as the beer warms. Surprisingly easy drinking for a 10% brew.

Mouthfeel: Light, yet simultaneously creamy and syrupy with moderate carbonation.

Overall: An impeccably blended beer that has a remarkable amount of quaff-ability for a such a high ABV Ale. I hope they eventually bring out 4 packs/6 packs of this beer. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 07:09:58 | More by flayedandskinned

GPHarris

Alabama

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

3rd night of Hanukkah 2012...

a - poured a two-fingers thick creamy tan head into a tulip glass that left a thick ring and sheet throughout. the body was dark black with some red tinting.
s - tart fruits come through first with a hint of bourbon.
t - bourbon, rye, big malty flavors.
m - very chewy and creamy.
o - loved this beer, really well blended. i am a huge fan of their jewbelation beers and this one was no exception.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 17:15:54 | More by GPHarris

Jeffo

Netherlands

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this at De Bierkoning a few weeks back. Always impressed by He'Brew, so I thought I'd splurg on an expensive one.

From a bomber into a snifter
BA release #6
Bottled 6 March 2012
Batch 001
999 Cases
Six Ales with 73% in rye whisky and 27% in bourbon barrels

APPEARANCE: A brown pour yields a 1+ finger, medium looking, fizzy, tan head with decent retention. Bistre brown in color with lower levels of carbonation evident. Head fades to a good frothy cap. A ring and splotchy wisp remain but leave no lacing down the glass. Fizzy head hurt a bit here.

SMELL: Medium nose of bourbon, whisky, oak, light vanilla and milk chocolate notes. Some caramel, dark fruits and light brett cherries on the nose as well. Quite complex with lots of elements for sure, but it could be a little bigger for the style.

TASTE: This is much bolder and more flavorful than the nose had advertised, and is also much funkier than expected as well. Funky notes of sour brett cherries up front, with some dark fruits and whisky flavors into the swallow. Bold and lingering finish of whisky, oak, light milk chocolate, some caramel sweetness, bitter dark chocolate and sour, brett cherries. Quite complex and much bolder than the nsoe. Good stuff.

PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Just enough weight and very creamy smooth on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly sticky on the palate. Solid.

OVERALL: These guys always impress, and this beer is just another chapter in the story. The barrels, beers and brett really work well together. A creamy palate helped as well. A bolder nose would help bring this one way into the promise land, but regardless, this is a very complex and interesting beer that I was very happy with. Give it a chance if you can. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 15:25:31 | More by Jeffo

barczar

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque deep brown with amber highlights and a solid two inch mocha head that dissipates fairly quickly into a half inch layer of foam, leaving spotty lacing.

Dark cherries and plums dominate the initial aroma, with rye, hints of chocolate, and today malt rounding out the profile. There's some ethanol notes that are offputting.

Flavor is far sweeter than anticipated, almost cloyingly so. Cola, sherry, and lightly roasted malt are at the forefront, accompanied by raisins, dark cherries, and booze. Toffee and rye emerge as it warms, along with perfumey hops. There's a complex vinous character.

Body is syrupy, with minimal carbonation. There's significant alcohol warmth.

Overall, a bit cloying. Interesting sherry qualities, and good dark fruit esters, but the sweetness detracts from the experience. Alcohol content is also not as inconspicuous as it could be. It has some great qualities, but unfortunately also has some pretty significant negative ones. To me, the positives are enough to redeem the brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 06:07:13 | More by barczar

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Maudite snifter. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black in the glass. Thin light brown head that dissipates to a ring around the glass with slight lacing. Aroma of caramel and toasted malt, whiskey, oak, light chocolate and dark dried fruit. A lot going on here. Flavor is dark and dried fruit, cherry juice with a caramel malt in the background, finishing with light, slightly sour fruit, vanilla, whiskey and oak. Nice complexity and the lgiht sour element is just enough to add interest to the other components. Moderate body with light creaminess. An unusual and fun to drink strong ale that I wouldn't mind seeing again. From the great 2012 gift pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 04:53:07 | More by LiquidAmber

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.55/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I purchased this bottle from Berkeley Bowl West in Berkeley CA, and brought it back to Australia where I shared it with @LaitueGonflable and @tobeerornottobe.

Pours a deep, thick, black, with a gorgeously dark head of chunky mocha-brown. Lacing is speckled but forms as the persistent chunky head moves around the glass. Body is thick and heavy, and leaves streaking streams of fine carbonation. All up, it's a pretty damn fine looking beer.

Nose is rich, sweet and deep, split by a pealing bright funk that lends acidity to the mix. Plenty of roast sweetness and a rounded barrel character to carry it through this, however, and it ends up more boozy, rich and sweet than funky or tart. Slight mineral characters round it off, always giving the suggestion that you're not fully aware of its full complexity. Lovely stuff.

Taste is deep and sweet, but again dogged by that persistent mild acidity that weaves its way amongst the barrel-aging, the mild roast astringency and the booziness, so you never really seem to see it out in the open. It leaves a smooth lemon-custard character: probably citric and biting, but also caught up with the sweetness and richness that surrounds it. It's an impressive beer.

Feel is pretty much perfect: smooth, clear and rich, providing just the right amount of weight for the flavours.

Overall, this is superb stuff. It blends all the oddities into a gorgeous, complex but coherent and balance whole. I think this is a step up even from the regular Jewbelations. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 04:36:24 | More by lacqueredmouse