Heresy - Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. Big thanks to SteveFinny for this. Not sure on the vintage.

3.5 A: Black color. Two fingers of frothy light brown head. Retention is about average and a moderate amount of nonuniform lacing is left.

4.5 S: Great balance between the bourbon and rich maltiness. Lots of vanilla from the barrel along with coffee, chocolate, and caramel from the stout. The result is a creme brulee of sorts and it smells marvelous. Roastiness, sweet and succulent maltiness and oak to round things off. I can't believe it took this long to smell this beer as a PA resident for so long. It's truly wonderful.

4.0 T: The taste doesn't have the same depth or complexity of the nose, but it's still damn good. Oak is a lot more powerful in the taste and it suplants the vanilla as the strongest barrel component. The bourbon is lightly leathery and with the stout gives the same creme brulee vibe - coffee, chocolate, vanilla, caramel. Sweet rich maltiness. Very good.

4.5 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Exceptionally creamy, especially given how light it is. Very good here.

4.5 D: Damn tasty beer at a very reasonable price.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 22:30:39 | More by DavoleBomb

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep black color with a small tan head that settles down to a thin band quickly. Nice, creamy-looking lace. Roasted, almost charred quality to the nose, oak, anise, chocolate notes emerge. Trace booziness.

The flavor is pretty much in line with the nose; there’s an assertive roastiness, burnt sugar and molasses; oak; hints of vanilla and anise, a bit of chocolate; decent sweetness. Surprisingly not as bold in overall flavor as I would have guessed. Tasty, but not huge; well-balanced. Barrel characteristics are fairly tame.

Medium body, slight sticky; average carbonation. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more heft to the mouthfeel. Overall a nice barrel-aged stout and an affordable, 12 ounce one to boot, but falls short of truly exceptional flavor for my palate. Glad to have tried it but I don’t know if it’s something I’ll need to buy again.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 03:58:42 | More by tobelerone

jmaharaj

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- dark brown. Aggressive, fizzy, head that dissapears almost immediately.

S- alchohol hits the nose straight away. Sweets malts, a little molasses, vanilla.

T- perhaps the slightest bit of oak, medium vanilla flavors, but the maltiness takes charge from the start. Its a little syrupy sweet, but a subtle and surprising spicyy hoppiness keep this beer from ending too sappy. Flavors linger well, although the vanilla starts to dominate the more you drink.

M- a little thin and too aggressively carbonated for an imperial stout.

O- very average overall. Pleasant although sappy and dull malt profile. Not too much roast or other complexity.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 23:24:02 | More by jmaharaj

RuckusDu

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - About a finger of cappuccino head. Body is black and dark. Some moderate lacing.

S - A very good sweet. Vanilla, chocolate, and slight dark fruits.

T - There is good balance between sweet and bitter. Nice milk chocolate, some coffee, and caramel.

M - Great full body and decent carbonation. Not a whole lot I would change here.

O - Wow, a very nice surprise. I wasn't expecting junk, but this is very good. Wish it was distributed here because it is right up my alley.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 04:11:37 | More by RuckusDu

rlee1390

Indiana

4.13/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Black (although pouring, it seems deep ruby/brown). ONe finger brown head that doesn't last.

S-Oak, chocolate, licorice with some roasted malt and vanilla.

T-Chocolate, oak, licorice, roasted malt, some coffee and vanilla.

M-Medium bodied, a little carbonation, smooth but slightly watery.

O-A nice RIS, sweet. The vanilla is a nice touch, if this beer had a slight increase in coffee it would be complete.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 03:41:27 | More by rlee1390

tdm168

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours like motor oil; jet black color with a little black head that fades quickly

S - licorice, chocolate, roasted malt, faint oak, vanilla

T - licorice, alcohol, vanilla, chocolate, roasted malt, moderately bitter finish

M - full bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This was a delicious, very full-flavored, enjoyable offering. I would have this again in a heartbeat.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 00:16:14 | More by tdm168

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.15/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Got this one in a recent swap with bsuedekum. Cheers for all the extra effort in this one man.

From a bottle into a snifter.

APPEARANCE: A black pour yields a small, medium looking, tan head with good retention. Head fades to a half wisp and ring. Black body with no carbonation at all. A slight ring remains until the end but leaves no lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Roasted malts, milk chocolate, and some definite tart cherries. A hint of oak as well, but the tartness is definitely in the forefront. Doubt that's intentional, but it does smell quite appealing.

TASTE: The tartness is not as dominant as it was in the nose, but it's still there. Some caramel and sweet malts up front with more caramel and toffee flavors all the way to the swallow. A hint of oak, vanilla and milk chocolate at the swallow, as well as a light hint of tart cherries. Relatively sweet, some tartness, but not much bitterness as balance. Decent.

PALATE: Medium-thin body and medium carbonation. Quite light on the palate, goes down fine and finishes slightly sticky. Too light and thin for the style. Needs more weight.

OVERALL: This was alright. I'm not sure if the tart cherry aroma was intentional, but strangely enough, it worked really well. In fact, I was a little disappointed it wasn't more pronounced in the flavor, which was otherwise a little too average. The feel could use some thickening up as well. A decent beer, but nothing to write home about. Thanks again for the trade bsuedekum.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 15:24:44 | More by Jeffo

MacQ32

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a deep rich brown, pretty much black into my 25cl allagash glass. Solid finger of really nice mocha dense/creamy colored head, very good retention and decent lacing as well.

S - Sweet vanilla/chocolate, oaky and roasty toffee aromas are present as well. Very appealing. Maybe some fig/dark fruit aromas as well.

T - Exactly as it smells with an initial emphasis on dark fruits (raisins/figs) and oaky flavors. Eventually the dark fruits mellow out and the chocolate/vanilla/slightly roasty flavors come through. Really no alcohol detectable.

M - Heavier bodied, mild carbonation, very very smooth. Not a total sipper but closer to a sipper than anything else

O - Very tasty, in a perfect world i would bring out more vanilla/chocolate/roastyness and go much easier on the dark fruits but a very very tasty brew regardless.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 00:06:11 | More by MacQ32

WesM63

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a large snifter

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black with a small very small , almost non-existent head. Minimal retention and lacing.

S: Smells of oak, vanilla, maybe some coffee, chocolate and roasted malts.

T: Pretty much on the nose. Oak, vanilla with some coffee bitterness and malts. Finishes a bit thin almost watery. Does leave a ever so slight alcohol burn at the very end.

M: Full body, medium carbonation.

O: Very solid, oak aged RIS. You can taste and smell the oak aging although it does finish a bit thin/watery for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 03:24:51 | More by WesM63

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

3.58/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm imaging the date I read on the bottle is the "best by" date. November, 2012 so I made the cutoff, Horray!

A - Dark brown, about black. Solid kakhi colored head that retained very well and kept it's lacing throughout the 13oz Tulip I poured it in.

S - Typical RIS, chocalate, roast, hints of vanilla and obviously, Oak.

T - All the same as the nose including those dark malts, but the oak begins to take over and lingering in the finish, and well after the finish also. Weird thing about that finish is that it reminded me of stale cola...but not in a bad way if that makes any sense. Much better when approaching room temp than cold, as a BA would assume.

M - Well, it's 8%. Drinks like 6.5% or 7%. It's a bit overcarbonated. Tad bit thin, but very easy drinking and booze is nowhere to be found, very well masked which is where the 4 comes from.

O - Nice to have tried for the first time. Nothing that will knock your socks off but a nice change of pace with the oak component.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 02:49:03 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big oak coming through on the nose in the guise as vanilla and something reminiscent of cherries. A massive combination of booze and sweetness assaults your olfactory sense immediately. Wonderful smell!

Beautiful beer! It's pitch black with not even the faintest highlights. I can see my reflection in the obsidian liquor. The head is a medium tan brown which was fluffy at first but thinned out quickly, yet never fully disappeared. Sadly, no lacing.

Chocolate pudding and vanilla are the predominant flavors here. Raisin, fig, and sweet balsamic are other parties contributing to the flavor profile here.

Silky smooth, low carbonation, and full bodied. This beer is boozy as hell! It drinks like a 10% ABV beer, which worries me a bit. Overall though, I really liked this one, especially how smooth it was.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 03:08:28 | More by tlazaroff

Dope

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I don't see any date, but I'm guessing at 2 years old on this bottle.

A: Pours black with a medium-sized chocolate milk colored head. Fades fast, leaving almost no lacing at all.

S: Nice bourbon! Caramel, toffee, molasses and a bit of oak. A bit of roasted malt is hiding in the background with some coffee, char and chocolate. Mostly the bourbon though.

T: Bourbon up front with again, toffee and a bit of caramel. Nice vanilla with the oak as well. Roasted malt comes through with lots of chocolate mainly. There is a touch of coffee bean too. Vanilla in the finish is prominent and delicious. Lingering coffee bean rounds out the aftertaste. No alcohol heat at all.

M: Fairly heavy, smooth.

O: Damn, this one took me by surprise. It might be the 2+ years on this bottle but this one is great. Lots of vanilla mixed with tasty bourbon and a solid stout base. This really was a pleasant beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 06:30:21 | More by Dope

chodinheaven

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Deep brown in color, opaque black in the glass with reddish-brown highlights around the edges. Big dark tan two finger head foams up and dissapates at a medium pace down to a thick and bubbly cap. The aroma is intoxicating, with deep, rich notes of chocolate mingled in with an roasty, oaky, boozy character. So inviting and warming, just from the smell. Hints of bold coffee from the dark roasted malts also mingle up with the other smells. This is one fine smelling impy stout.

The taste is not quite as bold as the aroma actually, but comes up with a solid richness of dark roasted coffee with a definite mocha like quality. There is a lactic sweetness up front that is quickly dispelled by the coffee and chocolate flavors. Dark chocolate is definitely the only way to describe the chocolatey flavors here, rich and flavorful with a bittersweet character. The oak aging definitely plays its part, adding a boozy and bourbon like layer of complexity that is so inviting, and not at all too hot. It brings out the roasted oak like qualities that make this beer better than your average imperial stout. The hops add an earthy bitterness that ties in all the other flavors, keeping the richness from running away with this one. The mouthfeel is smooth and it goes down easy for 8%, making this dangerously drinkable. Maybe a tad too thin, but it seems to support the flavors well.

This beer has layers of complexities that make it work incredibly well. Bold and flavorful, fronted by an awesome aroma. Kudos to Weyerbacher for this one. I recommend and will certainly be back for more.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 05:02:00 | More by chodinheaven

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle served in a snifter.

pours a cola brown, sits an opaque black; aggressive pour yields ~ 1" khaki toned head. middling retention but outstanding lacing. great presentation. nose is most of what you look for in an imperial stout, ingredient-wise. roasted malt, coffee, bitter chocolate. secondary notes of oak and vanilla. ultimately it's a very good aroma; my one criticism would be it could be a little bolder.

flavor is right in line with the nose. not overwhelmingly good but very solid with the coffee, chocolate, and roasted malts all pulling thrugh. the oak and vanilla are muted but present also. mouthfeel is easily the worst element of this beer. very thin, surprisingly so. not what you expect in a RIS.

overall this is a solid RIS, but also a flawed one. personally i look for my (russian) imperial stouts to be bolder and thicker, more robust.

originally reviewed: 04-12-2011

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 22:17:58 | More by BostonHops

lnashsig

Texas

4.85/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

#BOTG 59! Thanks to Mike for the chance to taste this one. Poured from bottle into CBS snifter. Paired with brownie a la mode! Poured a pitch black color, nice thickness, nice rich tan/brown color head. This looks like an evil one. I like. Smell- roasted toffee, some coffee, milk chocolate, dark chocolate. Taste- vanilla from the oak, milk chocolate, roasty notes. This is so smooth, and so mellow. I also cant believe how well this pairs with the brownie, esp the vanilla ice cream. The vanilla notes and the oak is really what makes this stout a standout. The complexity of the roast, oak, and coffee/chocolate that you get from a RIS is all there, but this is unique. This is a home run. Fantastic, getting a 5 on most fronts.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 01:39:15 | More by lnashsig

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: The beer poured a two finger mocha head. Head has reduced to a thin layer now too. it is pitch black with some signs of bubbles at the top near the layer of foam.

Smell: mocha, roastiness, bready, vanilla, oak, earthiness, maple syrup, molasses, some dark fruits, and a little alcohol too.

Taste: all of the above blended nicely. Tastes really good. You got the flavors of a typical RIS that is matured with the flavors of oak barrels.

Mouthfeel: silky and creamy smooth, full bodied, a little chewy, somewhat dry, medium carbonation, and easy to drink.

Overall: A nice RIS to add to the mix. Happy to have picked up this single a few weeks ago. Could have aged it, but drinking it sooner than expected on this nice muggy night in Boston is well worth it. The beer got more taster and more aromas as it warmed up.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 03:10:36 | More by Flounder57

TenHornsProud

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a thick, black with a tan head.

Smells of oak, chocolate, slight dark fruit and oats.

Taste is oak up front that mixes with a slight roasted character before going into a boozy/oak/wood plank middle before ending on a astringent oak character. This is not great fresh, far too heavy on the wood taste.

Heavy body with low carbonation and warming alcohol all are good.

Really woody, chocolate forward stout...might be good with some age.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 23:55:54 | More by TenHornsProud

gfreed

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Don't be mislead-- there's nothing heretical here. In fact, it's a nice tame, conforming beer. As an RIS, it has all the basic features: dense, roasty-toasty, somewhat bitter but not overly so. The oak adds almost nothing; it might be that letting this sit for a year or two would bring out some oak characteristics. Not worth buying another bottle to find out, however.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 11:07:51 | More by gfreed

pisano

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: pours as black and opaque as I've ever seen with a beautiful tan one finger foamy head that dissipates quickly

s: chocolate, vanilla, the oak is subtle and there's a hint of bourbon when swirled

t: dark roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate, slight oak but the flavor is fleeting. I feel that this beer lacks complexity.

m: medium body, good carbonation, slight alcohol burn with a fairly dry finish

o: not bad but could use more complexity and depth for an imperial stout

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 01:30:40 | More by pisano

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Opaque black body with just the slightest espresso head that dissipates quick.

The smell is subtle vanilla and toasted marshmallow.

The oak is very subtle in the taste, too. There's some notes of espresso and chocolate, then black licorice.

Mouthfeel is creamy and rich, with a slightly dry finish.

This is a very enjoyable RIS. The oak aging doesn't do much, but it's good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 02:14:43 | More by Vonerichs

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours jet black with a thin, sticky tan head that fades quickly. The beer's nose is a thick, syrupy sweetness underwritten by a subtle vanilla and biting alcohol. Strangely I am remind of pancakes & maple syrup when I take a deep whiff. The taste is much the same with a big roasty stout body, subtle vanilla and a molasses, lingering sweetness.
The beer is not as full-bodied as I would have preferred, and the taste doesn't coat my palate as expected. I believe it's slightly over-carbonated as well.
This beer is great and definitely a sipper. The vanilla (without being barrel aged) is an interesting contrast to a beer that's normally defined by bold notes of coffee and chocolate. Worth trying, especially to support a great "local" brewery such as weyerbacher.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 00:54:57 | More by ThePorterSorter

julian89

Georgia

3.2/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into pint glass.

Appearance- What a great looking beer. Dark chocolate brown with a tan head and creamy lacing. The viscosity is in-between lager and molasses.

Smell- Smoked wood, chocolate, and the barrel aging in oak (a lil' whiskey smell).

Taste- This is where I wasn't surprised. I didn't age my bottle like I see some people do. I've had substantially better RIS before. This one was not as balanced as the smell should suggest. The alcohol was very strong and the maltiness overtook much of the other flavors. It's almost like a light dark malt whiskey rather than a beer. I was looking for a little more of a smooth earthy boldness of a beer.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Medium body and carbonation. Overall it's okay to drink but I have several far better alternatives, maybe I'll return to later, or better yet try on draft if I can ever find it.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 12:34:55 | More by julian89

Immortale25

Florida

3.89/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a pint glass. No freshness date.

A- Pours an intensely opaque black color with an 1/8 inch dark tan head that immediately subsides to a thin ring around the edge of the glass and minimal surface foam. Lacing is decent with a mostly full and resilient sliver on the glass.

S- Incredibly roasty and a bit boozy bringing bourbon to mind. A bit sweet but mainly a dark chocolate note prevails and a little bit of raisin.

T- Surprisingly smooth given the heavy nose. Deeply roasted malts plus oak at first and then a wash of metallic flavor but with a chocolate aftertaste. Notes of coffee and molasses as well as plenty of wood and more bourbon. In the end, it's just malt pounding down on the palate, which is OK if you're into some darkness.

M- Dry and biting. Medium-low carbonation and a massive body. Probably my least favorite part about the beer.

O- I liked this better when I had it on tap. I think I'm gonna cellar my last bottle to see if some age can do it justice.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 01:02:28 | More by Immortale25

SawDog505

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 20 oz Duvel Tulip. Pours a very dark brown, with a two inch tan head, leaves minimal lacing. Smell is bourbon, vanilla, oak, chocolate, figs, molasses, and roasted coffee. Taste is very similar, but less bourbon than the nose would have you expect. Body is thinner than my favorites, not much carbonation, not overly dry, and drinkable for what it is. This is a nice, wanted more out of it for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 23:59:01 | More by SawDog505

YouSkeete

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very dark brown with a black appearance, frothy mocha-colored head with nice retention. Lots of really dark aromas like licorice, wood, molasses and roasted malts with some touch of white chocolate and black cherries. Big punch of bitter chocolate, coffee grinds, dried wood chips, anise and vanilla on the first sip. While the chocolate and cacao bitterness and wood flavor lingers, the malty body turns flatter and less malty. Medium sized overall body with a sticky, creamy mouthfeel, slightly carbonated. Just above average in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 23:34:26 | More by YouSkeete