End Of Days - Pipeworks Brewing Company

dgugliuzza

Illinois

1.5/5  rDev -60.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Poured from the bottle into a tulip

Pours black with a bubbly tan head. A steady stream of carbonation shoots up from the center of the body. Very strange that the carbonation only appears in the middle of the glass.

The smell is head scratching. Stale and funky followed by spice and heat. Green apple smell is also present. The beer smells as if it may be infected.

Wow, there is a lot of heat coming through right off the bat. A lot of funk and off flavors after that. Diacetyl and green apple are most evident.

Thin and watery mouthfeel with a burst of misplaced carbonation. Like the smell and taste, the mouthfeel is off. Difficult to drink.

Overall this beer was a let down, especially after the high bar that Ninja vs. Unicorn set. This beer was lacking any roasty or malty qualities. granted, this bottle seems to have been infected due to the off flavors and carbonation. Oh well, here's hoping the Pipework's third release mirrors the first one.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 02:51:45 | More by dgugliuzza

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

1.73/5  rDev -54.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

From notes.

The beer itself is a brown color, nearly black with a bubbly off-white head. The bubbly white head is the first sign of problems for a stout.

Chiles, or more realistically, chile oil pops out into the nose. I may be imagining it, but a little bit of chocolate and roasted malt would be the only thing behind it.

The taste is pretty bad. The flavor is really flat, with no real milk stout character. There is some chile and oil, with just a bit of roasted malt in the back.

This is thin, kind of dry, oily, watery, and spicy to the point where it overwhelms the other flavors.

This is the poorest, ok the homeless man’s Hunahpu’s. If you are looking for a beer that is dark like Hunahpu’s but you want a terrible beer instead, this is the beer for you. 5 of us could not finish a bottle of this. It is hilariously bad. I can’t finish a sample-sized pour of it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 18:43:32 | More by KickInTheChalice

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

1.9/5  rDev -49.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Thanks to Alex (Masterski) for providing this one.
Bottled 2/25/12

Thin fizzy dull tan head fades as quickly as it builds. Dark brown with lots of light near the bottom of the glass getting through. No lace.

Aroma is medicinal with a hint of chocolate syrup. After a few more whiffs you can discern some pepper here.

Pretty spicy in the finish. The spice is there and the pepper is quite in your face. Nothing really below this to support either. There still is an off flavor here that you can’t really discern due to the spices and heat. Not really working for me. Finish is merely a prickle in your throat.

Body is fine for a milk stout and carbonation is overtaken by the spice.

Not a winner here, that’s for sure. Always fun to try new beers, don’t think I’ll have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 20:55:16 | More by Reagan1984

AgentZero

Illinois

2.23/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Second offering by Pipeworks. After Ninja vs. Unicorn, I pretty intrigued and somewhat optimistic about this.

A - A mahogany colored beer, with an off-white head. Left some minor stick on the sides.

S - Smells of cinnamon, some chili, some raw cocoa nibs, maybe a little chocolate and cocoa. It's kind of a mess and there's nothing really good in the aroma.

T - Beer pretty much crashes here. Tastes kind of like dirty water with some cinnamon flavor and a little bit of cocoa. Slight raw nibs taste. I get a slight bit of heat from the anchos, which helps to cover some of the other stuff up. Regardless, this is not good.

M - Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, maybe it's the taste but somehow it seems a little thin/watery.

O - Was hoping for something good after the raised expectations by their first release. Unfortunately this is not a good beer by any stretch. Maybe 3rd time will be a charm.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 15:37:01 | More by AgentZero

Sean9689

Illinois

2.33/5  rDev -38.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottle from WLV Liquors and poured into tulip.

A - Pours a brown color, light cream-colored head, thin collar.

S - Chilies, chocolate, light roasted malts. It doesn't smell like much of anything, kinda watered down. The chilies just weren't well-integrated and the milk stout base is just simply muted.

T - Tastes like a lightly sweetened chili water. It's just too light, even for the style, and there's just something charred and "off" with this beer. Finishes like a chili dumped in water mixed with an ashtray.

M - Way too thin, light carbonation, watery finish.

O - Quite a disappointment for me on this beer. After Pipeworks blew it out of the water with Ninja vs. Unicorn, this beer was a bad experience. Not even sure if I want to send the other bottles I bought as extras. I love you Gerrit and Beejay, but this beer is a pass for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 16:14:14 | More by Sean9689

CuriousMonk

Virginia

2.88/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from bomber (batch #2) into tulip glass. Pours black with a thin tan head. Cinnamon sugar on the nose, milky with a peppery heat and a lightly charred dark malt base. Taste isn’t quite as pungent--cinnamon graham crackers, chocolate, with a peppery heat that shows up near the end and lasts through the long finish. I am not a big fan of chile in beer. Very thin and watery mouthfeel which hurt this beer. Overall, not impressed with this one of the Pipeworks bunch.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 17:17:05 | More by CuriousMonk

bengore

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Purchased a bottle from Binny’s South Loop location. Pours deep black with minimal head. Aroma is definitely coffee with a little bit of chocolate. I definitely taste the coffee in this one and the spiciness is enjoyable as it lingers in your mouth for a bit. Overall a decent stout, but I would like to see the cacao nibs stand out a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 00:25:09 | More by bengore

smakawhat

Maryland

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

What is it with me and milk stouts? Anyway, pouring this into a nonic pint glass slowly.

A fairly decent looking beer off the pour, but the head snaps and falls very quickly after its formation. Head has a nice cocoa brown coffee color to it, very sudsy and soapy looking. Body color is quite dark nearly black, but it's almost got a very faint red hue to this around the edges. Looks a little like cola.

Nose smells of a powdered cocoa, sweet cola soda, and some hot red pepper. Nice aptly described on the bottle and delivering.

A very wet body even for a milk stout. Cola like feel but also brings the nose characteristics out nicely. Very hot peppery finish and even on the mid palate. Mixes well with the bitter chocolate angle.

Overall the flavors are there, but the beer tastes and feels too much like soda.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 19:08:55 | More by smakawhat

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Shared by starrdogg. Thanks Matt!

The beer is dark brown with a thin beige head. Real shocker. The aroma brings pepper, roast, hints of chocolate and vanilla. The flavor imparts a huge dose of pepper - whoa! Calm down on the pepper. Unbalanced and a bit overdone. This beer is not shy. It's a "you're fat and I have no tits" beer. Light to medium bodied. Overall, worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 07:12:43 | More by Huhzubendah

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown color with a nice fluffy beige head.

Smells of cocoa and char with a light cinnamon spice.

The taste is just strange, to say the least. The cocoa is nice, but the peppers contribute an overwhelming vegetal and earthy flavor. This beer has a spicy heat in the finish unlike any beer I've had before. It leaves my tongue stinging ever-so-slightly.

Mouthfeel is a little prickly for a milk stout. It's not terrible, but milk stouts are usually silky smooth and this is not.

This was a little dissapointing for my first beer from them, although I'm expecting much better with future offerings. The chiles just threw this way out of wack.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 23:05:20 | More by Vonerichs

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.35/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

650ml bomber. Bottled on Feb 25, 2012.

It pours a dark brownish black with a multi-hued fizzy tan head that quickly dissipates with no lacing.

The smell is definitely reminiscent of Mexican chocolate. I think closer to the mass-produced ones but with an extra hint of dark fruit coming from the anchos.

The flavor is decent. Very spicy but not hot spicy, with just a tiny bit of heat in the throat. Mostly cinammon and even what is liek a nutmeg flavor. Bitter cocoa and coffee are the main flavors though. There is a hint of fruitiness but not too much.

It is a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 03:08:44 | More by crossovert

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.4/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle from Shane. Consumed April 21st, reviewed from notes.

A: Pour brings out a dull opaque mahogany body with a fizzing mocha head. Head then diminishes into a thin ring. Can see some of the carbonation showing at the surface.

N: A bracing nose of vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon. Roasted malt and coffee. Spice from the anchos shows upon closer inspection. Hints of caramel.

T: Heavy spice from the anchos. There's a moderate mixture of sweetness from the malts and some hop bitterness. However, there isn't quite enough here to stand up to the chilies and that's a shame.

M: Oily, medium mouthfeel. Milk stout lends a pleasant smoothness and alcohol is hidden.

O: A decent beer, but it doesn't explode with flavors like I'd hope. I get a lot of pepper and not much of the ancillary flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 21:16:56 | More by writerLJBerg

quirkzoo

Colorado

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

Thanks to rmalinowski4 for this one.

Pours pitch black with 1 finger of dark tan head that recedes to a thin cap.

Roasty stout aromas, cacao nibs, dried red chillies like a New Mexico ristra. As it warms I get a bit of vanilla and caramel sweetness.

Some chili pepper heat up front, a bit tingly, other than that similar to the aroma but more muted.

The mouthfeel was thin, especially for a milk stout. Carbonation was spritzy which accentuates the spice and plays down the vanilla and chocolate.

Overall this is an interesting beer and worth seeking out if you like chili peppers but it doesn't taste much like what I think of when I think of a milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 16:57:07 | More by quirkzoo

Docrock

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz Bomber poured into a Pint glass

A - dark brown with a small head that rapidly dissipated, there was evident carbonation but retention was lacking a bit.

S - roasted coffee and bitter chocolate is the first thing that hits you, a following of spice and cinnamon at the end.

T - the chocolate is the first flavor followed by the roasted coffee. a slight dryness or burning in the throat hints at the chili.

M - body seems a bit light for the style, carbonation was adequate, but the pepper aftertaste was a bit off for me. might be an interesting beer to cook with.

O - overall i would say this is an average beer that needs some refining. needs a bit more body to hide the chili a bit more. their two batches were quite a bit different, maybe next batch will be better.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 17:14:18 | More by Docrock

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Batch 29 bomber with blue wax poured into a tulip. The brew appears black in color with a thin film of light brown head that fades back to a thin film atop supported by a few rising bubbles. Around the edges is a thin film of lighter brown clarity. As the cap fades, it leaves some spots of lace sticking to the glass. It takes a rough pour and a vigorous swirl to bring less than a finger of bubbles back to the surface.

The aroma includes some roasty grain elements that are quite enjoyable that meld into some cocoa/chocolate aspects. At times there is almost a cola element to the way this brew smells. The vanilla is faint but it is present and really assists in making the chocolate aspect pop. I can't really tell if the cocoa aspects I am smelling are coming from nibs or the roast of the grain. Regardless, it is enjoyable. As the brew warms up, the first signs of the peppery quality shines through along with a faint spice of cinnamon. You really got let this one breath to pick up on all the nuances.

The taste brings the cocoa and vanilla quite strong upfront. Mid-palate there is some roasty grain inclusion and a mild touch of almost fruity alcohol. Just like the aroma hinted, there is a bit of a cola-type of feel to this almost like root beer but not quite. The finish screams chillies and their warmth. The spice of this brew is not hiding at all but it isn't over-done either. The aftertaste presents a tingly warmth of spice and peppers that is quite enjoyable and it gets a bit exaggerated by the alcohol inclusion which is mildly numbing. For the amount of peppery spice, I am surprised by how much I dont pick up on any earthy peppery flavoring until the brew gets warmer. This is really a tride and true milk stout with a very unique twist.

This is a medium bodied brew with a moderate to lower level of carbonation. The alcohol is noticeable in this but it works. A really nice arrangement of flavor and enough restraint on the pepper that it isn't obnoxious but also isn't subtle by any regards. The alcohol at times pokes through with a fruity ester that seems misplaced but isn't so much that it would be distracting. This is an interesting brew and worth a try. To sit down and just enjoy a beer, I probably wouldn't reach for this again. But to have paired with some food would be brilliant. The strange cola aspects of this really threw me for a loop.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 01:01:14 | More by stakem

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Chicago Bears shaker pint glass.

Alright, onto the second beer from these boys. Bar has been set decently high... It pours a nearly opaque black-brown topped by a finger of charcoal gray foam, which sort of blazes out in a fit of fizziness. The nose comprises roasted malts, earthy chiles, mild dark chocolate powder, and a touch of coffee. The taste starts off with a straightforward roast-and-cocoa flavor, but then a blast of chile greenery and heat comes rollicking in. Right on. Then, as things are settling down, some mild cinnamon and even milder Irish cream make themselves known. The overall combination works out pretty nicely. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a moderate carbonation and a dry, champagne-like finish. Overall, a nice beer, but a tad thin and fizzy for my tastes. Beyond that, a solid peppery milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 17:27:46 | More by TMoney2591

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a snifter

A: Pours opaque, oily black. There is a light tan head the quickly fades to nothing. Lacing is minimal bordering on non-existent.

S: Some mild chocolatey malts are the first thing I smell, followed quickly by some cinnamon. There is some faint spice as well.

T: At first the taste is similar to many milk stouts. Mild milk chocolate and some roasted malts, vanilla and brown sugar. Then the spices start to assert their flavors. The cinnamon comes through and adds a nice flavor to the beer. The ancho chilies complement this very well. The mild heat they provide almost seems to come out of the cinnamon flavor.

M: Fairly light for such a dark beer and a little bit watery. Carbonation is minimal.

O: Standard milk stout with the interesting addition of spices. Cinnamon and chilies are the most prominent and give a delightful spice.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 04:04:41 | More by WankelEngine

jeonseh

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into a FFF tulip

A - Dark brown that poured with a quickly disappearing head. It had a ton of carbonation that was jumping out of it. Given the color and carbonation, it actually reminded me of a glass of coke.

S - Dark chocolate and roasted coffee with a slight vanilla hint. There is also a slight chili and cinnamon spice that you catch near the end.

T - Light chocolate and vanilla are the first flavors. As the beer continues, the cinnamon spice and pepper heat pick up to give the beer a kick. The roasted coffee comes in on the end to add a level of complexity with the spice. Overall, this has more of a kick than I expected

MF - Light and slightly watery with medium carbonation. It has a bit of a tingle and heat that remains on the tongue from the peppers and cinnamon.

O - End of Days is a good pepper and cinnain stout that reminds me of a less robust version of Huna. It has great spice and light heat but the base stout is less flavorful and robust that you find in the best of this style.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 02:24:06 | More by jeonseh

areich6

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours pitch black with little head. The head that is there recedes quickly.

S: Smells pretty good, the cinnamon is very evident. Roasty malts are also prominent.

T: The roasts and cinnamon are quite forward in the beginning, tastes a little sweet. The burn of the peppers this is brewed with lingers in the back of the throat. Pretty unique.

M: This absolutely ruins the beer. It is as light as water. This style of beer, coupled with the flavors that are present, should be much thicker. The lack of viscosity manages to detract from the taste in my opinion.

O: This beer would be pretty good if it was only
thicker.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 02:14:42 | More by areich6

homebrew311

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is medium brown with zero head. Aroma starts with ancho and is followed by deep cocoa character with a significant dry quality. The taste doesn't scream stout base. The ancho chilies are forward with a considerable amount of heat. Molasses and cocoa comes next. The heat lingers for quite some time one the palate. Body is heavy with minimal carbonation. Overall, a nice pepper forward stout. The cocoa and stout character are subdued, but still very good

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 04:48:11 | More by homebrew311

MasterSki

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by Chris (spycow). Served in a Hill Farmstead tulip.

A - Tan foam settles to a wispy partial cap, thick collar, and minimal lacework. Very dark brown body. 4.0

S - Ancho chiles and overwhelming cinnamon. There's a bit of cocoa nib in the periphery. This is dominated by the adjuncts and I don't get a very good sense of what the base beer is all about - that being said it'd be reasonably pleasant if I didn't dislike cinnamon so much. 3.5

T - Things seem to have taken a wrong turn here - intense earthy and charry flavors, some green cocoa nib, pepper, spice and cinnamon in the finish. I think the beer is too small to support all these adjuncts, and Sean's description of 'chile water' is reasonably accurate. 2.0

M - A tad watery, but not excessively so for the listed 6.1%. Some minor warming from the anchos, but fairly mild chile burn. Unobtrusive carbonation, and a slightly gritty texture. 3.0

D - The mess of a flavor pretty much negates the other redeeming qualities here. I've heard that future batches will be higher in alcohol, and I'm hoping that means more base beer and body. I imagine cinnamon-loving masochists may find this really exciting. Slightly embarrassed to have sent this to a regular trading partner. 2.5

UPDATE: So I had the more recent blue waxed Batch #12, and it's a significant improvement. Appearance is largely unchanged.

S +1.0
A nice medley of vanilla, cocoa, and sweet malts, with better integration of the cinnamon and chiles flavors. Potent and enjoyable.

T +1.5
While this still suffers from a bit too much char and ashy bitterness in the finish there is significant more heft and balance, with sweet malts, lactose, vanilla, and chocolate making an appearance, as well as a slight vegetal chili flavor.

M +0.5
Still a tad thin, especially considering it was bumped up to 8.2%. Otherwise it's pleasant, with a smoother texture, pleasant carbonation, minimal alcohol, and some building chile heat on the back of the throat.

D +1.5
A massive improvement of the Batch 2 bottles. I'm glad I took a chance and picked this up, as the tweaks implemented by Pipeworks have turned this into a solid and enjoyable beer that is far more consistent quality-wise with the rest of their offerings. I suspect as the next batch will be even better.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 06:59:03 | More by MasterSki

ehammond1

California

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle (2012)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, DLFarris!

Black and somewhat thin in body with a moderately sized dark brown head that doesn't stay around for too long. This leaves irregular spotting of lace down the glass.

The aroma is an interesting, signature aroma of earthy chiles, mild chocolate, a bit of cinnamon spice, and some roast. It comes together nicely, and could already see this pairing nicely with Mexican desserts.

The flavor too is nice and appropriate for the style and aim. The earthy, though not at all spicy, flavors of the chile, cacao, and cinnamon play nicely with the body of the beer. This is nice, though I wouldn't want to drink a ton of it.

Somewhat thin in body with low carbonation.

A niche-filling, tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 14:46:56 | More by ehammond1

Khazadum

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Decent appearance, thin collar, not too sticky. Mohogony body.

Big cinnamon. Sharp ancho spice, bits of light toast, where is the vanilla. Chocolate?

Tastes... Weird. Bright cinnamon, burning ancho heat, finishes capsaicin. Hot, burning. Green vegetal pepper and dirt.

Thin, long lasting cinnamon and ancho spice. Decent carb. vlots of heat. Sensitive ninnys need not apply.

Not as good as previous release, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 03:14:44 | More by Khazadum

MIA4IPA

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a black body with a tan finger head that has diminished with nice lacing. Smell is Vanilla, cinnamon cookie and spiciness. Taste resembles the smell I get a lot of the Cinnamon and vanilla up front and towards the end the chilies let me know they're here. Great mouthfeel, Overall a good Milk Stout and like the theme of End Of Days. The vanilla and the chilies are a nice combo!

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:03:45 | More by MIA4IPA

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz, bottled 3/29/13
The Bruery tulip

A: Deep dark brown color. Not a lot of light getting through. Light tan head. Specs of lacing. Good carbo.

S: Milk chocolate. Sweet lactose. Creamy. Not catching too much spice on the nose.

T: Touch if spice. Milk chocolate. Some bitterness from roast and coffee.

M: Full bodied. Creamy.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 15:54:00 | More by inlimbo77