He'Brew Funky Jewbelation - Shmaltz Brewing Company

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

alamode

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

05-21-2013 00:58:54 | More by alamode

kingmaker

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

05-21-2013 00:49:35 | More by kingmaker

gritz147

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +7.5%

05-17-2013 00:45:44 | More by gritz147

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

lucasj82

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-15-2013 00:21:48 | More by lucasj82

BuddyE

Louisiana

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%

05-14-2013 14:58:36 | More by BuddyE

ThatCracker

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

05-14-2013 14:53:28 | More by ThatCracker

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

JackMcAwesome

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

05-11-2013 23:06:51 | More by JackMcAwesome

Jasonrm72

Colorado

2.5/5  rDev -32.8%

05-11-2013 01:20:07 | More by Jasonrm72

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

1/5  rDev -73.1%

05-09-2013 23:51:28 | More by tommyguz

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

Grinky

Illinois

4/5  rDev +7.5%

05-06-2013 02:32:30 | More by Grinky

bundy462

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -19.4%

05-05-2013 06:07:08 | More by bundy462

brotherloco

California

4/5  rDev +7.5%

05-03-2013 21:55:49 | More by brotherloco

gtermi

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

05-03-2013 04:21:48 | More by gtermi

NWer

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%

05-02-2013 21:23:07 | More by NWer

keenanite21

Colorado

4/5  rDev +7.5%

04-30-2013 03:59:47 | More by keenanite21

DruC4

Michigan

4/5  rDev +7.5%

04-30-2013 01:43:40 | More by DruC4

Gagnonsux

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%

04-28-2013 22:12:54 | More by Gagnonsux

asafarc2

Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev +21%

04-22-2013 02:03:11 | More by asafarc2

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

RichD

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

04-17-2013 04:54:44 | More by RichD

lunarbrew

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%

04-16-2013 15:02:20 | More by lunarbrew