The Falconess - Relic Brewing Co

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a Relic growlette into a Thomas Hooker Brewing pint glass.

A: Hazy, dark-brown amber color beneath a one-finger head of tan foam which left a bit of soapy lacing on the walls of the glass. Head retention was decent and bits of sediment floated about the glass.

S: Complex aroma of sweet, roasty and nutty malts with derivatives of of cocoa and tea-like scents coupled with a fruity, spicy profile of hops and herbal esters.

T: Flavor mirrors the complexity of the smell, with sweet doses of caramel malt, toffee, coffee and maple syrup paired against a spicy, slightly boozy and fruity array of tastes. Bits of tangerine, plum and raspberries creep across the palate which holds a bittersweet, roasted and spicy character right through the slightly boozy, satisfying finish.

M: Medium-full bodied strong ale with just the right balance of sweetness and hop bitterness to rinse away the complex, fruity sweet cloy of the brew.

O: The Falconess presents imbibers with just the right blend of roasty, fruity sweetness to bolster the 7.2% ABV, which is warming. But, it also exhibits the hoppy bitterness one expects in an American Strong Ale. With such a broad category to fit into, the Falconess could best be described as a very malt-forward, strong IPA. Another Relic classic!

Serving type: growler

01-16-2013 22:37:46 | More by Gambrinus1184

nebula1999

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

"....prototype batch of this American Strong Ale single hopped with Nelson Sauvin, and orange blossom honey..."

Pours a clear deep copper color with an off-white head, fading fast.

Aroma is strong and flowery. I agree with the lavender observation. A hint of oranges in there too, but very subtle.

Taste/mouthfeel is velvety, smooth, yet sharp and hoppy. Much hoppier than expected for a strong ale. Not exactly true to style. I'm thinking malt, and I get hops. But, really, I am not complaining. Relic does hops well. Moderately dry finish, with some smoothness from the honey.

Overall a nice brew, and I look forward to seeing how the brewer tweaks it more towards the maltier side.

First available 11-9-12

Serving type: growler

11-17-2012 01:02:54 | More by nebula1999

Durge

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Falconess is one of Relic's latest creations, single hopped with Nelson Sauvin and finished off with orange blossom honey. It's a cloudy brown colored ale with a decent foamy off-white head and good lacing. The nose hit brings a honey, vegetable, lavender-malt combo. This is unique with a capital U. I swear that this lavender theme is common to most of the Relic brews but no complaints there. This aroma is delicate and tasty for sure with vague milk chocolate prune for good measure. The flavor includes a grainy vegetable-dark fruit medley. I also get some pear-grass tartness and light cereal grain. Not what I would automatically think of as a strong ale, but I do like it. The body is medium and the feel is pretty glassy with a subtle but very effective carbonation. The overriding theme is the vegie-fruit over cereal grain ale. I like it but it might be a bit of a surprise or challenge to some palates. Kudos Relic!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:04:09 | More by Durge