Odin's Raven - Alpine Beer Company

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BA SCORE
91
exceptional
-
56 Ratings

rAvg: 4.15
pDev: 10.6%
Reviews: 22
Hads: 34

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Alpine Beer Company

California, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 10.00% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once). on-tap (13), growler (8), bottle (1).

Notes:
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

No notes at this time.

View: Beers (34) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by Davihaw:

Davihaw

Illinois

3.25/5 rDev -21.7%

12-31-2012 23:01:54 | More by Davihaw

More User Reviews:

moonknight31

California

3.5/5 rDev -15.7%

05-21-2013 21:16:10 | More by moonknight31

Zbeetleman

California

4.25/5 rDev +2.4%

05-15-2013 03:18:51 | More by Zbeetleman

warnerry

Michigan

4/5 rDev -3.6%

05-11-2013 18:42:48 | More by warnerry

DarthKostrizer

California

4/5 rDev -3.6%

05-10-2013 00:48:52 | More by DarthKostrizer

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5 rDev -3.6%

03-24-2013 21:33:45 | More by Rifugium

Cazlo

Pennsylvania

4.25/5 rDev +2.4%

03-16-2013 02:35:40 | More by Cazlo

MichPaul

Michigan

4.5/5 rDev +8.4%

02-10-2013 22:58:23 | More by MichPaul

rand

California

4.33/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From tap to pint...actually did this review at Toronado SD January 20th, 2011

A: Pours jet black, coffee head, 2 inch. Lots of retention and lacing 4.5

S: Huge notes of mocha coffee, touch of spice, lots of alcohol volatiles. Smells like alcohol infused Mochachino.

T. Coffee and chocolate notes up front, followed by vanilla and toffee. Alcohol spices things up as it rolls in, especially as the beer warms. Toasted bread carries things to the finish. Finishes smooth and balanced.

M: Velvety and creamy. Full-bodies and chewy.

N. One of easiest stouts I've had to drink. Smooth mouthfeel makes this completely satisfying.

Serving type: on-tap

01-17-2013 05:41:32 | More by rand

spycow

Illinois

4.25/5 rDev +2.4%

01-12-2013 03:44:05 | More by spycow

SocalKicks

California

4.25/5 rDev +2.4%

01-10-2013 15:38:58 | More by SocalKicks

drewone

California

3.75/5 rDev -9.6%

12-24-2012 08:36:04 | More by drewone

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4.5/5 rDev +8.4%

12-23-2012 17:32:38 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

kojevergas

California

3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

64 oz glass growler with twist lid acquired at Alpine four days ago and served into a Samuel Smith's nonical half-pint in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles. Expectations are through the roof given the brewery. Reviewed live.

Served after a substantial warming period following its removal from the refrigerator. The weight of the growler forced me to pour from right above the glass; no side-pouring was possible.

Paired with raclette.

A: Pours a gorgeous four finger head of beautiful rich dark tan colour, fantastic marvelous frothy smooth cream, ideal thickness, and amazing retention given the ABV; the head holds up for at least three minutes. Body colour is a solid jet black; nontransparent and opaque. Lacing isn't great, but it does exist. No bubble show. No visible yeast particles. This is looking damn fine.

Sm: Dark malts, delightfully subtle caramel, cream, subtle coffee with little roast, chocolate malt, and cocoa. A very subtle nuanced aroma, but surprisingly mild in strength. I don't detect any yeast or alcohol. Espresso on the back end. Fleeting hints of dark fruit when I look for it.

T: Coffee throughout, but joined with espresso and a hint of smooth roast in the second half. Chocolatey throughout, but most notably up front - where it's chocolate, chocolate malt, and cocoa powder all at the same time. Not as rich as it could be, but it's certainly well balanced. Great cream up front and on the finish. Caramel undertones. No real dark fruit; if it's there, it's buried - though I might concede that there's a hint of raisin. No alcohol comes through, not at all - an impressive feat at 10%. No yeast notes. Cold pressed coffee is dominant when I first start drinking - and it lends the beer focus without compromising the balance - but as I continue chocolate emerges as the unquestionably dominant note, and the balance starts to fall off somewhat. Subtly executed, but admittedly not quite as complex as other beers in the style. I will say it lacks any heat whatsoever. Drinks like it's about 7% ABV. Dark malts, chocolate malt, and maybe some biscuit malt form the complementary foundation. Has good body. That's tasty.

To be critical, it is a bit too sweet and chocolatey, but it does seem to be mellowing a bit as it warms.

Mf: Surprisingly smooth and wet for the style, aiding the drinkability but perhaps restraining the full potential of the flavours. Near perfect carbonation if slightly low to aid consumption. There's no carbonation sharpness here; it'll glide down nice and easy. Good presence on the palate, if a bit understated. Good thickness. Complements the flavours quite well.

That said, I'd prefer it coarse and dry to really bring out the bold flavours.

Dr: While it's relative lack of complexity prevents it from true greatness, this remains an incredibly solid and drinkable example of the style. ABV is absurdly well hidden. I'll enjoy finishing this growler, and I'd definitely get it again. Another good beer from Alpine. I can't wait to try the bourbon barrel aged version. Fans of the style will enjoy this one, though I don't know that it's worth going out of your way to trade for. One of the most drinkable beers in this style and at this ABV, period.

High B

Serving type: growler

12-19-2012 04:45:31 | More by kojevergas

Mic-Lee

3.8/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Very dark brown, but not black. Lacing is rather weak.

S: Nice chocolatey smell. Delicate, earthy and warm.

T: Very chocolatey and sweet. Espresso is extremely pronounced as well. Alcohol is well masked. Hardly taste it at all at 11%. Pretty amazing in that regard.

M: Medium body. Goes well with the flavors.

O: This was a tasty stout, but I felt it lacked complexity. I was hoping for more than just espresso and chocolate, but I didn't really get much else. It goes down easy though and is tasty, and those qualities make it an above average beer but nothing stellar.

Serving type: growler

12-06-2012 00:47:19 | More by Mic-Lee