Blasphemy - Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

phisig137

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a deep amber copper color, with a one finger head. Pour retention leaves only trace bubbles behind. I swear, I think that Weyerbacher's labels get tackier and worse every time they have a new item... Great beers from these folks, but good lord do that have some ugly labels.

Aroma is chock full of alcohol, sugar, vanilla, and bright fruit.

Flavor is much the same... sticky sweet malt and sugar flavors from front to back, huge vanilla overtones, and a searing alcohol finish. Not incredibly well balanced, but not quite poor either. The alcohol could be a bit more tame, but after the first half glass, you don't notice it as much. Mouthfeel is creamy and slick. Drinkability is fairly low.

I do love Weyerbacher, but this one is a little odd. This is better than some of the other wood aged Weyerbachers (like prophecy). I think this may also be the one occasion that this is better than the unoaked version. I'll be curious to see what this does with some age on it...

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2007 02:45:08 | More by phisig137

Fish113d

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pouring into a tulip from a 22 oz chilled bottle.

Pours a slightly ruby/honey color with a creamy, tightly-packed eggshell colored 1/2 finger thick head. Clings to glass and sustains well. Aroma is quite interesting: Bananas right away is very prominant, while I also detect some cloves and (is that?) pineapple? Very interesting! A bit of alcohol touches my nose as well. For 12%, aroma is quite mild in respect to the alcohol. Carbonation is light in this full body. Flavor is quite mild at first, with the flavor of plums, bananas, and other tropical fruits (pineapple). However, the alcohol really comes in and wallops my palate killing off much of the flavor. I have a hard time believing this is only 11.8%! A bit of bourbon flavor here, with a drying finish, but not much oak flavor as I expected. Actually, after thinking about it, the finish has a little medicinal flavor that doesn't settle well with me really. I enjoy drinking anything Weyerbacher, but this is definitely a one-bottle sitting brew. Anything more, operating "heavy machinery" is out of the question. ;)

Actually, I prefer the Quad over this, but I still am enjoying this one. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2007 00:49:18 | More by Fish113d

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Weyerbacher- Blasphemy

Appearance- Dark reddish brown with a big thick foamy head.
Smell- Strong tropical fruit. Pinapple, coconut, banana. Light woodsy aroma. Wood chips.
Taste- Very mild with a strong alcohol bite in the end/ aftertaste. The body is comprised of a "malibu" type flavor- coconut, pinapple, cranberry, banana/ cloves. Slight oak wood chip flavor comes through at times.
Mouthfeel- very smooth and mild, almost bland. Finishes off boozey- strong with the alcohol. This is 11.8% but definitely doesn't seem so.

Overall- this might sound like Blasphemy but this beer was a letdown. Just bland and boring. I guess an aged bottle's flavor would kick it up a level or 2. Buy this and age it- thats my take!

sidenote- I "aged", if you can call it that, this beer for 1 whole month!!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2007 00:05:20 | More by NJpadreFan

Crosling

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle. Tremendous tasting beer. Chewy dark fruit flavors, with hints of vanilla and a lovely sweetness overall. The oak component is nearly undetectable. It provides an extremely light toasted wood flavor, hints of vanilla, but no bourbon. In fact, I wouldn’t think this was oak aged if they didn’t mention it. Unfortunately, it’s not the most aromatic brew, but it’s still great. Weyerbacher is a really great brewery, imho.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2007 13:06:34 | More by Crosling

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Poured into my Stoudt's Y2K Ipa Tulip glass. Fleecy but massive head that evolves into a moderate 2 finger head that allows a decent skirt of lace. Brilliant deep garnet with a copious amount of bubbles that rise and settle into a band of pin sized globular bodies. A smooth tan head adorns the liquid resembling frosting.

Aroma - Subdued at first, the smell over overripe bananas and caramelized sugar is evident. Boozy, slightly woody sweetness pervades.

Taste - Estery, creamy and spicy roundness in the first sips leads to a relaxed smooth maltiness. Creamy and syrupy as oak seeps from the nose of this fine ale while it begins to warm. Slightly sour cherry acidity, and somewhat tannic qualities with hints of light brown sugar. A tinge of saltiness is felt along with alcoholic warmth in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Chewy, round, warming booziness. Mellow spiciness with a subtle creamy quality. The alcohol is evident coating the mouth with a sugary dryness. Incredible feel with above average carbonation to match the strength.

Drinkability - A blend of sweetness and booziness dominate this fruity and slightly spicy quad. A subtle woody effect and pleasant mouthfeel allow this strong ale to unleash the vigor and suppleness in equal measure. A very drinkable beer that lets you know it is a contender up front.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2007 05:27:48 | More by Slatetank

scott

Ohio

3.4/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

V.07
Very nice look - medium head that quickly finds resolve. Light perpetual carbonation, with a beautiful deep bloody amber resin-esque look, much like a barleywine/olde ale.
Nose is lacking, but I can't detect 11.8%, so that's a plus. Earth, fruit, bread - with hints of butter & vanilla.
Tongue is lead by the nose - sweet, but not overtly. Smooth, rich appeal, with a nice oak backbone.
At $8/22oz, far from outstanding. As a drink alone, it's just okay. Nothing to gush over, and nothing to run out and get. I was expecting a bit more from this troupe.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2007 01:08:08 | More by scott

NoLiberty

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

App: Pours from a 12oz. bottle into a wide bowl-shaped margarita glass. I know, maybe not the best vessel for this beast but it definitely allows for the full body of the beer to waft throughout my face. Rich, coppery and dark; this quad glows from deep within a reddish belly. Head stands up tall and proud, doesn't settle for several minutes and provdes an active lacing through the drink.

Aroma: Big, alcohol, fruity, noxious and sweet. Belgian strong? Triple? Doppel? Oh yeah, BARREL AGED QUADRUPEL!!

Taste: Starts out strong like upripe fruit, slightly tart and bold. Aggressive. Simmers down to enormous raisin. Yup, big. Follows through candy sweet and like an after dinner drink happy.

Mouth: Light and snappy for the size of this beer. Oh damn, it pours over my entire mouth coating everything. Despite drinking a Stoudts Mai Bock, Ommegang Abbey, Anchor Steam Bock, and Arcdia Double IPA this beer holds tough and dominates.

Drink: Hm. It's good. I'd like more. But that's the problem.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2007 02:50:54 | More by NoLiberty

Gavage

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: a lot of high alcohol beers usually pour with a short and brief-lived head. But this one is different. Nice reddish orange color with a one finger head that lasts several minutes. Mild lacing developed during the session.

Smell: big vanilla, oak, candy sweetness, and alcohol are bold and easy to detect well outside the glass.

Taste: this follows the nose as vanilla, oak, candy sugars, overripe plums, prunes, cherries, and nice bitterness are wrapped in a warming alcohol blanket. Improves as it warms.

Mouthfeel: heavy in body. Smooth from start to finish with a long flavorful aftertaste.

Drinkability: definite a slow sipping beer. One bottle was slow to finish on my own, I wish this was in 12 oz bottles. I think this may mellow nicely in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2007 11:56:00 | More by Gavage

hoppymeal

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours brownish copper, mostly clear, with a small cream colored head that fades quickly. Aroma is soft and sweet, like a nice banana custard, some spices and bread, and a dose of alcohol. Taste is at first soft and sweet up front, spiced dessert bread. A slightly tannic oak comes in and mixes into the drying finish along with a major bite of alcohol that is warming and somewhat harsh. Medium to heavy in body, the beer is easily cut through by the large alcohol presence and the dry oak character. I enjoyed this beer, I liked its large bite of alcohol although its richness and strength would prohibit too much. Will definitely like to see if age mellows this or if it thins out.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2007 02:02:56 | More by hoppymeal

cbl2

New York

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

3/19/2007 $6.99 22 oz. 11.80% No best by date.

Appearance:

Pours a beautiful clear brown with ruby red highlights. Topped by a thin wispy film of tan head that rapidly settles.

Aroma:

Rich heady, overripe dark/tropical fruit. Hints of cherries, figs, raisins with a whiff of alcohol, and just a touch of oak.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Chewy mouthfeel accompanies intense vanilla and oaky flavors alongside a burst of ridiculously hot alcohol. Ripe cherries appear in the finish, but the fruitiness is dominated by the alcohol and a touch of wood.

This ones needs a while to settle down. It's not undrinkable as it is now, but it will definitely improve by some softening, which only age can provide. I picked up a few bottles, and I'll give this one another go next year.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2007 19:48:57 | More by cbl2

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

We were told in the tasting room at the brewery that the barrels used to oak age this beer were from Jack Daniels. Poured from a 12oz. brown bottle purchased fresh from the brewery. Poured into a snifter glass. Appears a dark mahogany toned amber with about a finger of fluffy off-white head. Smells of whiskey soaked oak, sweet caramel, and vanilla. Tastes of whiskey soaked cherries, vanilla, candy, crisp fruit and alcohol. Rich and full bodied with nice carbonation. A very warming beer that is certainly a sipper. Well done Weyerbacher.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2007 15:41:47 | More by ClockworkOrange

kpantz

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Executive Summary: I was one of the first at the brewery on Saturday to get my hands on Blasphemy straight from the blasphemers...and I wasn't disappointed. We did some side-by-side tastings with the Quad there, and - simply put - holy crap, Blasphemy is some tasty stuff. Beautiful display of what barrel-aging can do. I'd say this one rates up there with Insanity in terms of best Oaked Weyerbacher (Heresy is close behind, with Prophecy trailing the pack).

This review is done using one of the 12 oz. bottles I purchased, not from the tasting itself.

Appearance: Copper/ruby pour into my tulip glass. Moderately fluffy head that's only about a finger thick at its peak, rather quickly dying back to a film. Lacing is pretty, but not overly clingy.

Smell: Bourbon, oak, Belgian yeast notes, cherries. Some alcohol in the nose as well, but it doesn't detract.

Taste: Initial sweetness never really disappears; rather, it is swarmed by a deep malt profile, characteristic yeast flavors, oak/vanilla notes and a heck of a swell of alcoholic warmth at the conclusion of each sip. The oak and vanilla linger nicely well afterward. There is an element of bitterness here that I would hope to see erode with age. I'll definitely be setting a few down for at least 8-12 months.

Mouthfeel: Slightly thick, pretty sticky. Moderate carbonation - in fact, I would have preferred a little less fizz here.

Drinkability: The intensity of aroma and flavor in this one makes it a great afterdinner drink (let's make it "Blasphemy and cigars" after dinner), but you probably wouldn't have more than one of these in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2007 02:10:55 | More by kpantz

Ego

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

beer math for today:
Quad + Oak barrels = Blasphemy

eyes...
sizzle is audible on this belgian fajita, off white head rises to one full finger in my trusty duvel tulip, good steady flow of carbonation takes it's time wandering up from the depths, light chestnut in hue with hints of burnt orange. pretty nice...

nose...
first hint is alcohol, there is also a fruity character in there, something like pears or a mild apple scent, in the mix is a bit of a doughy character, even deeper is just traces of some sourness (like a lambic actually). this smells really nice, nothing is totally dominant and after sniffing it now for some minutes the alcohol punch I originally sensed has faded, this belies the alcohol content, if you can try hard enough you can pick up a pinch of the oak.

taste etc...
very sweet on the first try, and the alcohol makes itself known down the gullet, hell, this is already warming my entire digestive tract, woah boy! the carbonation is pretty prickly here, almost distracting for the style, because as soon as the prickle exits mouth left you are barraged with the sweetness, this is pretty thick, actually thicker than you think it is while you are sipping it, it leaves behind syrup on your tongue, I find the flavor perhaps a bit too aggressive, this one needs to mellow out, right now it drinks like a tidal wave, sure, you like water but not 30 feet of it.

verdict?
the oak is there so it adds a nice touch but this is a tough one to handle right now. I'd pick up another bottle and sit it down for another year.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2007 03:21:30 | More by Ego

dragonWhale

New York

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2007 on tap at the Gate..dear sweet baby Jesus..

A bit lighter than I expected for a quad, amber with a miniscule head, the lightest trace of lacing on the glass. But before the beer can even be examined properly, the bourbon and booze pop out and punch me right in the f'in face. This thing is out of control, no settling down in the 4 years on it, a definite rolling stone. Shiit, well, bourbon and some fusels in the aroma, a little bit of pitted fruit aroma, mostly dates and plums, a bit of fig, very nice background, but the dominant aroma is too too much. In a very daunting Rihanna kind of sexy way. Like I don't know if I can even touch this thing.
And yet, I do..big punch of booze to start out with waves of dates, figs, and plums. Still bringing some heat after all these years, but it does manage to get down. The heat refuses to die the entire glass, a constant reminder of the likely damage being done inside my body. Hot mouthfeel that tingles and burns in a way that I feel a bit uncomfortable about. Like watching porn with your uncle. No, your uncle.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 15:22:41 | More by dragonWhale

metter98

New York

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is a copper-amber color with no head
S: The nose has a strong, intense aroma of bourbon mixed with hints of other flavors
T: There are lots of malty sweet flavors.
M: There's a smooth body with a bit of dryness in the finish.
D: I could definitely have more than one of these in a single sitting

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2010 17:11:13 | More by metter98

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber bottle.

Poured a deper orangish color with a large sized off white head. Aromas of oak and bourbon with some fruitiness, and vanilla. Tastes of vanilla, bourbon, dark fruits, woody, and caramel. Alcohol burn in the finish.

Notes from: Jul 12, 2008

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2009 00:57:13 | More by hopdog

soccerman7

Vermont

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Holy Smoke - never seen it in this form.

Appearance - Nice deep copper color bordering a brown.
Smell - Intense. Can smell the malts with a hint of hops and definitely the bourbon.
Taste - Started off really nice with the malts and whisps of oak, but then the bourbon and oak came on too much to really taste the beer. A touch of heat from the 11+ abv hit.
Mouth - Average honsetly. A bit dry and the oak lingered over everything.
Drinkability - interesting brew and nice, but the oak was a bit much for me even though i love oaked beers.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2008 15:41:17 | More by soccerman7

Billolick

New York

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Blind Tier Ale Hse in NYC a few weeks ago and reviewed from notes. Pours cloudy darkish, smoky almond, minor light tan head and leaving a tiny bubble film and fine light lacing. The nose here is boldly of crisp spicing and alcohol. One sip and its obvious that this a strong, heady and complex brew. Notes of currents, rum, brandy, burnt grains, alot going on here, not for the faint of heart/palate, not for quaffing, and not for fans of pissy yellow beer. Fine night capper/late night sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2007 14:14:05 | More by Billolick

cichief

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this on draft at Friscoe's Grille, Columbia, MD.

Pours a deep brown, somewhat hazy, with a big, light-brown head. Smells very spicy, yeasty, with hints of ripe fruit. Taste is very powerful, yeast, spice, raisins, and a lot of alcohol, too much alcohol. Very sweet. It is medium on the tongue, with a dryish finish. The alcohol burn makes this less drinkable than I would prefer, but all in all an occassional treat.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2007 03:21:42 | More by cichief

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this beer on tap the other day at Mahaffey's.

The beer pours a very good looking darkish brown color. Very impressive looking beer with excellent head retention and good lacing. The nose is not huge, but one gets a sense of sweet spices and oak on the nose. On the palate this beer is quite sweet with candy, cherries, vanilla, chocolate, licorise and raisens. The alcohol is pretty noticeable in this one, making it not the most drinkable of beers. Definitely a sipper, but a good beer for all that. The beer finishes moderately well; sweet with a bit of crispness/dryness at the end. A very good beer from Weyerbacher, albeit not the easiest beer to drink given the high abv.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2007 12:42:41 | More by johnmichaelsen