Brother Adam's Bragget Ale - Atlantic Brewing Company

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.56/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

650 mL bottle poured into a snifter. 2007 bottle.

Appearance - Deep amber. Almost nothing by way of head. A few wisps. Sugary legs on the swirl.

Smell - Honey and lots of oxidized sherry aromas. Deep malt character. Burnt caramel.

Taste - Brighter honey flavor. Slight light fruit flavor. Still oxidized. Lots of honey. Some of the deeper malts come through, but less than the nose implies.

Mouthfeel - Boozy, but not too intense. Low carbonation. Oxidation is pleasant.

Overall - It's pretty good. Nothing terribly exciting, but nice flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 00:24:28 | More by Alieniloquium

sommersb

Tennessee

4.29/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Tasted On: 04-10-2013
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Nonic pint
Purchased: Received in a trade

My first braggot, thanks to DrewShal9!

Appearance is a semi-clear and dark amber colored beer, with a small offwhite head, showing a fair amount of retention and decent amount of lace.

The aromas start with a blast of honey, and then reveal caramel malts, plus bready and floral characteristics. Very enjoyable nose, it reminds me of an English brown ale with an addition of honey.

Taste starts out pretty sweet, with a big honey flavor, then adds malt sweetness and notes of molasses and maple syrup. As the beer warms up, the sweetness subsides and has a pleasing alcohol warming affect. Full-bodied, with a chewy mouthfeel. The finish is malty and has more sweet honey character, but is not cloying.

Overall I really enjoyed this braggot. It reminded me of an English old ale or barleywine. I think they pulled off an excellent marriage in the flavors of honey and malt. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 04:23:02 | More by sommersb

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.31/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Ambery light brown with a super fleet head that is gone in seconds. Splashy sea foam lace left by a hearty half moon collar retention.

Very floral, spring-timey aroma. I can pick out honey (duh) and golden pear particularly.

Honey and pear up front with chewy caramel and a foul antiseptic, alcohol in back. I like the earthy, floral elements that carried over from the aroma but that back end is pretty gross.

Wifey and I picked this up during our honeymoon at MDI and saved it for a snowy day. Made some fine Blizzard Nemo drinking in the dark.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 22:00:04 | More by donkeyrunner

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a clear but dark honey color with some maroon like highlights, nice carbonation, good white cap and pretty good lacing. A good looking brew overall.

S: All honey on the nose, subtle but prominent. There is a note of some flowers and faint Earthiness

T: Initial big honey sweetness but not like someone just poured honey from the jar, this was much more subtle but still dminant in taste. A nice booze sting greets the palate as does some stickiness, light roast, hint of Earthiness, subtle fruits as well. Very nice.

M: Medium bodied, sweet but not overly sticky like I expected. I personally felt the heat was rather tame as well.

O: Fantastic! One of the best brews of the tasting which included some killer beers. My first bragget was indeed a treat and I wish i could get more of these.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 23:19:17 | More by barleywinefiend

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aged since 2007...my first Braggot
Poured from 22oz bottle into crooked stave glass. Pours a brown/orange with much more carbonation than I expected. Slight ring of head. Lots of dried fruit and figgy raison aroma, with a huge dose of booze. Very similar flavor, figgy dried fruit, slightly sweet, and lots of peppery heat. Not overly done, but a great great brew. Very similar to an aged barley wine, and just awesome. Worth the wait.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 00:25:52 | More by DrinkSlurm

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Roughly 1.5-2 years old, picked up at Julio's and poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Well, not sure what this is supposed to look like but its pretty awesome. Crystal clear dark honeyed amber with a big two finger off white creamy head that faded to leave a very nice, thick, quarter inch blanket.

S - Not much initial booze with lots of honey, faint sweetness. As it warms past cellar temp though the alcohol becomes very noticeable.

T - Woah, booze much? Lots of alcohol here, not burning alcohol thankfully but well, booze. Nice amounts of honey sweetness. A faint hint of dark fruits and belgian esters along with old hops.

M - Mouthfeel is pretty solid. Surprised how decent it was. Light, slightly prickly carbonation.

O - Overall, this was a decent enough beer from a somewhat readily available brewery. Still though, far too much booze/heat for being roughly 2 years old.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 17:53:07 | More by rudzud

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a slightly murky looking gold color with a really nice white head on top. The head was foamy and soft looking, it also had a good retention but not much lacing. The smell of the beer is of course an assault of honey aromas with a touch of malt in there too. No hop aroma at all. The taste of the beer betters as it warms up but at no point in time does this beer disappoint in this category. The beer is more malty when it's cold, as the beer warms the honey profile really shines through. The mouthfeel is very smooth, it's soft and very easy to drink, low carbonation but just enough to keep it alive and the booze comes out a little more as the beer warms. Overall I thought this was a very nice example of a Braggot, I would personally enjoy aging this beer and seeing how it evolves over time.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 19:09:12 | More by Knapp85

merc7186

New York

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Id like to thank Sandman3479 for sharing this bottle.

I had this beer poured from a bomber into a snifter glass.

A: Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, White Head Ring, Minimal Lacing

S: Honey, Raisins, Mild Sweet Malts

T: Honey, Sweet Bread, Mild Raisins

M: Average Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Semi Sweet

Overall, a nice easy drinking Braggot that wasn't too sweet or sugary. Honey flavor seemed pretty genuine.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 11:33:43 | More by merc7186

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this in December 2011 and was recommended to hold onto it for a while. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into my Duvel tulip. 2011 vintage.

a - Pours a very dark brown color, with a reddish tint to it, two inches of light tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks pretty good.

s - Smells of honey, sweet dark fruits, sweet fruity malts, and toasted malts. Very sweet, but very nice.

t - Tastes of honey, fruity malts, sweet dark fruits, toasted malts, bready malts, grains, and light alcohol. Nice but the alcohol is still there quite a bit. A step fown from the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Body is pretty smooth from the honey.

o - Overall a pretty nice beer. The honey is there and makes the beer smooth, but some alcohol is pretty prevelant in the taste. Think some more time would have done this one well, but still a pretty nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 03:54:59 | More by mdfb79

Etan

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle into a snifter.

A: Pours a woody amber with a small light tan head.

S: Raw honey and dark fruit esters. Sweet but a little drying.

T: Not quite as full as the nose. Dry vinous notes and semi-sweet honey, big solvent alcohol in the finish.

M: A bit thin, light carbonation.

O: The thin body and booziness detract, although the beer is interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 00:52:33 | More by Etan

Cavanaghty

Maine

4.88/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

As many beers as I have tried this is the first one I have sat down and actually studied it to review it. So bear with me on my first review.

This was a 2011 vintage, the servers at the brewery said that this beer taste better with age, and must be at least one year old before it can be bottled and served. Poured from bomber into a pint glass.

Appearence: Reddish-brown, little head and lacing, and did not notice much carbonation.

Smell: Very fruity smell, almost like a good wine, very similar smell.

Mouthfeel/Taste: One of the smoothest beers I have ever tasted. Slight hint of alcohol present. the brewery also told me that the older it is the more alcohol can be detected when tasting it.

Overall: it was a very enjoyable beer, I was so impressed I bought a 2007 vintage to try on with family during a special event. By far one of the best beers I have ever had.

*Just adding that I had my 2007 vintage, not much a difference in the beer excpet a much more noticable alcohol flavor, still remains one of my top favorites.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 23:43:35 | More by Cavanaghty

kojevergas

California

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with foiled-over pressure cap served into a conical Guinness pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high. This is my first beer in the style. Thanks to Adam for the bottle.

Served refrigerator cold and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

The cap is magnificent; I really like the design.

A: Pours a one finger head of beige colour, nice thickness, pretty good cream, and good retention for the high ABV. Colour is a murky pale copper with red tinges. Nontransparent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Honey, rich plum, awesome dark fruit and biscuity yeast, caramelized clean and amber malts, and ripe cherry. Very fresh yet musty and inviting. Complex. and intriguing. A mild strength aroma.

T: Bright plum, ripe vibrant fruit, some honey, cherry, clean malts, tea, berry, light vague floral hopping, and pleasant caramelization. Some hints of grape. Fantastically balanced, featuring full complexity and striking subtlety. Built very well; I quite like it. Nice biscuity yeast. No alcohol comes through.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Nicely thick, if a bit filling. Nicely carbonated. Suits the flavours well.

Dr: Drinkable and enjoyable. I quite like this and look forward to trying more beers in the style. I'd love to age some of this. It's somewhat port-like in its sheer fruit brilliance.

B

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 04:44:26 | More by kojevergas

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4.19/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

After noticing the ABV on this beast, I figured I better have it on a night I don't have to go to work the next day.

Allow me to make this disclaimer: this is my first braggot, most likely I won't know what I'm talking about.

Into my chalice:

A: red/brown/copper colored body that leaves a small off-white almost light tan film of a head with lumpy valleys, some ever so small bubbles trickle up making a clear ring around the top.

S: sweet, its mainly the honey that comes out very strong. Some yeasty wheat tones come out as well. The alcohol comes out in the smell.

T: honey once again trying desperately to block the alcohol, but I definitely notice the alcohol in the taste.

M: smooth and wet, a good medium carbonation feel yet a slight harshness on the tongue

O: though I can feel the alcohol burn going down, this is almost hard to believe this is a beer. This is definitely a dessert beer for two reasons: 1) the sweetness 2) the abv will help you sleep. I would definitely get this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 02:28:07 | More by kangarooAdam59

macrosmatic

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks for ActonBrewer for this one. Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber (into a glass? Didn't write it down).

A: Pours a reddish brown copper color. Forms only a ring of foam with minimal active carbonation visible.

A: Sweet, yeasty, with a wheat aroma also.

S: Flavors of grain/barley, with a sweet, slight fruity (apple? banana?) flavor also. A bit vinous with alcohol burn near the end.

M: Round, smooth mouthfeel. Alcohol presence is enough to detract a little from my enjoyment.

O: A good and drinkable brew, whether it's a Honey Ale, Braggot or Barley Wine.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 21:38:56 | More by macrosmatic

weizenbob

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This 22 ounce bomber was received in a trade with BA umfskibum. Thanks Josh. There is no date on the bottle but I have had this bottle in the cellar for the better part of a year. Atlantic Brewing's website gives a lot of useful information on the brew. Brother Adam's is described as a Belgian-style ale brewed with pale malt and wildflower honey and is cellared up to a year before bottling. The cap and neck of the bottle were wrapped in gold foil. It is being served at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cap was removed and the bottle was partially poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Less than a finger of head forms atop the brew and quickly disappears. Lacing? Forget about it. The brew is deeply copper colored with only a hint of effervescence visible through the glass (the initial pour was fairly clear though the remaining pour was quite hazy). It looks like a high gravity barley wine. Other than the nice deep color, it caries little added distinction

Although this beer is likely two years old, it still smells incredibly alcoholic. If it was brewed with equal parts honey and barley as the label says, the alcoholic aroma should come as little surprise. Still, I would have thought some age would have mellowed it out. Sweet aromas of caramel and plum waft from the brew, as does the impression of candy sugar. In that regard, it smells like a cross between a British old ale and a Belgian quad. The combination smells quite similar to paint thinner. The complexities are compelling, but unfortunately the very forward alcohol overpowers the proceedings.

The flavor is very good. Though the alcohol is very immediately noticeable, it is much more in balance with some other very strong flavors than the aroma would imply. Maple syrup is an obvious reference. Hints of raisin and plum add some complexities. Woodiness emerges in the finish, filling the nostrils with a pleasant aroma. Hoppy bitterness? Forget about it. It is very sweet: both sugary and alcoholic. The overall effect is quite delicious and a dead ringer in flavor for a fine British old ale.

Despite the great taste of this brew, the real kicker is the mouthfeel. Being half honey, there was a lot of sugar available for fermentation. So although this has a lot of the flavor and complexity of an old ale, the body is surprisingly light. Though it's actually medium bodied, it has more flavor than anything in its weight class which is cause for deception. The carbonation is unsurprisingly mild. Though purists may call foul, I find this beer to be easy drinking and somewhat refreshing while still being intensely flavorful. And though the alcohol manifests strongly in the aroma and flavor, there is no burn going down and minimal warmth overall.

My general impression of Brother Adam's Braggot is quite positive. I don't know what this normally costs but I recall trading off the shelf local beers to acquire this bottle; as such, I'm compelled to declare it to be an excellent value. The alcohol content is not listed anywhere on the label or Atlantic Brewing's website but considering the aroma and taste I think I can safely assume this is 10%+ ABV. This is perhaps the best combination of high gravity and easy drinking that I've encountered. 22 ounces is more than enough to share with one or more friends. This is easily accessible for many palates and highly recommended.

---

The Two-Schlitz Scale: (reference my profile for an explanation)
I easily give two Schlitz for this great bragget. I'm glad that I waited until the winter months to consume this bottle, though it is light enough in feel for year-round consumption.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 01:11:23 | More by weizenbob

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a snifter glass.

A: The beer is a dark golden brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin on the glass.

S: The aroma contains honey, caramelized malts, fruit, alcohol and some hops.

T: The taste starts out with a boozy alcohol sting followed by sweet flavors of honey, caramel and fruit. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and the hops presence is mild but complementary creating a decent balance. The after-taste is sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, very strong kick, good representation of style, this is a solid stronger beer to sip on for a while but there are other high-ABV beers that I would pick first.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 03:47:14 | More by TheManiacalOne

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours medium brown with a surprising white head that reduces to a ring. No true lacing, some alcohol tears.

Toasted malt, some maple-y aromas, some brown sugar.

Nice complexity hat plays tricks with you. First sip is sweet from the honey, then bitter from a brown breadcrust element, then it dries out, with a punch of alcohol. Some vanilla, some woody notes. A long lingering alcoholic bitter toasted malt finish. No herb nor spice notes like you get in some versions of the style. Clean and enjoyable, like a honeyed, dried out barleywine.

Fuller bodied, but not over-thick. Light carbonation. A better sipper when this warms up a touch.

I really liked this one, and the best of the style (from my limited experience).

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 02:02:43 | More by OtherShoe2

Urbancaver

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky brown, lots of nice white head.
Pretty enjoyable beer. High alcohol, very sweet lote of honey but overall a ll balanced beer. This one will get you drunk. Overall this is a really enjoyable beer and one i would have again for sure. Thanks!

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 01:09:53 | More by Urbancaver

Thads324

Connecticut

4.68/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

"aged since 2006"
A : pours a slightly hazy ruby color with just a tiny hint of white bubbles that disappears quickly to nothing.
S: very intense sweetness like a brandy. Dark dried fruit and a heart aroma. The alcohol is reminiscent of vodka.
T : starts sweet like the smell. A hefty flavor full of honey, grapes, other dried fruits and and underlying breadiness. A bit of clove in the middle. Very sweet. Very much like a red wine. As it warms it almost gets a woody oak flavor. Finishes with some heat and caramel flavor.
M : full flavored and low effervescence. Sharp flavors, good linger like a red wine

A really well aged beer. Not at all like when it's fresh. Very intense and complex, but ultimately similar to a red wine in flavor and drinkability. A really really good bragget. Need more now

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 03:56:22 | More by Thads324

skibumma70

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is of sweet malt and light honey. Appearance is of a dark honey color, almost reddish. The taste is of sweet honey, almost sugary bread, light butterscotch, spicy mix. As it sits on your palate after a sip, it warms, probably from the higher alcohol content. Overall, this was very good. I had this with a good cigar, and it was the perfect compliment. It was pricey at $11 for a little over a pint, but it was delicious. I would buy a few of these if I come across them again, and put them away for a good drink with a stogie. I bought this after a tour of the Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor last weekend.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 18:55:11 | More by skibumma70

ToasterChef

Maine

3.6/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A chilled bottle of the most recently released batch (so probably brewed last year) is poured into a pint glass.

The beer is translucent and an orange/brown color. The head is also brown, and foamy. It settled quickly to a skim of foam. Swirling the beer lives a slick coating behind.

The aroma has notes of honey and apple cider, as well as a few sugars. Spices like cinnamon and clove are present.

This is a tasty beverage that does not drink like one that is nearly 12% ABV. It begins sweet and spicy with some honey flavors. As I swallow, the alcohol becomes apparent. Slightly warm alcohol and mild bitterness lingers.

This is a full bodied beer with low carbonation. This coating is thick, flavorful and slightly boozy. My lips are tad sticky after a few sips.

This is an interesting and fairly rare style of beer, so it is hard to judge. It is similar to barleywine, which I prefer more. And if I wanted something strong that tastes like honey, I'd pour myself some mead. Despite this, I would recommend this beer to anyone visiting the area, as you can often find it on the shelves around here.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 01:06:11 | More by ToasterChef

foogerd

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Definitely looks like dark honey and some ddish ambers.

S- Sweet malts, some light booze, seems a bit subdued for all its flavor.

T- Sweet sugary breads drizzled with honey, rich butter pound cake with raisins.

M- Full smooth with moderate carbonation.

O- Tasty brew. It was my first Braggot so I was expecting something very different it didnt satisfy in terms of that.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 03:09:11 | More by foogerd

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly cloudy reddish orange amber color with a decent fluffy white head that has moderate retention. Smells of honey, sweet bready malt, caramel, butterscotch, slightly spicy with a hint of oxidation. It really screams English ale to me if that makes any kind of sense. Taste is malty and sweet. Lots of ripe fruit mixed with a honey bready thing. Slightly spicy most of the way through, but finishes with a twinge of alcohol and a lingering earthy bitterness. Medium to thick body, light carbonation, sweet almost sticky mouthfeel. I found this quite complex, but I feel the flavors are still competing, maybe this needs some time. Its good now, but I suspect it might be great with some age.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 23:20:35 | More by johnnnniee

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to my father for sharing this bottle. The beer pours a hazy brownish-orange color with a small white head. The aroma is full of honey, but I also get some light floral notes. The flavor is more complex than the aroma. The honey and floral notes are present once again, but I also get a ton of sugary sweetness and some dark fruit notes. The alcohol is very noticeable. Medium mouthfeel and low carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 19:59:11 | More by Mora2000

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 1 pint 6oz. bottle into a pint glass at low altitude.

A: Pours a completely translucent dark copper color with a thin cream colored head that dissipates after a few seconds. This one looks like it's got some heat to it.

S: Smells sweet like honey with some prevalent malty notes in the background. A little bit of booziness comes through right away, and becomes more and more prevalent as it warms.

T: Honey notes up front with a nice amount of malt to balance. As expected, there's quite a bit of booziness to that becomes more noticeable the more you drink.

M: Thick mouthfeel with boozy dryness.

D: Pleasant overall, but quite strong. It would probably take me a couple hours to down a bottle of this by myself.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 03:53:58 | More by schlimenhaumer