The Sixth Glass - Boulevard Brewing Co.

CA_Infidel2o9

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz to a Tulip

A- dark reddish orange w/ floaties, 3/4" khaki head

S- dark fruit, brown sugar, grapes, bubblegum, toffee, slittly boozy

T- follows the nose, except the booze is more apparent and there's acidic after taste

M- medium body, crisp carbonation, alcohol heat

O- A pretty good brew. Sadly there's rochforte 10 & st. B 12 to compare it to, and it does not stack up. The smell is nice and the brown sugar is a plus, but it's way to boozy. IMO the way a brewery can hide this is a main staple when deciding on the quality of it. It's decent but i wont be buying it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 18:33:58 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

Gobzilla

California

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: poured amber brown in color with yellow highlights and nice fluffy thin head that left a little lacing sticking to the glass.

S: nice dark fruit aroma upfront in the nose such as raisin, dates, and plums with belgian yeast sweetness and hints of brown sugar.

T: the belgian yeast character was more prominent on the taste alongside raisins, plums, brown sugar accents, lots of malty sweetness, slight booze and a touch of pear fruit.

M: the brew was medium in body with a fair amount of carbonation which had a sweet, dark fruity, yeasty, malty, and sticky finish.

O: really was digging this beer and was a good interpretation of an abbey quad.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 01:16:14 | More by Gobzilla

Winston_Smith

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is my first step into the Quadrupel, Trappist-ish realm. I was very curious about it, and wasn't disappointed.

Appearance: Pours a deep, murky amber color with a shallow head that disappears quickly. The head was initially very grainy-looking. It calms down, becomes thin, and forms a camouflage-style patchwork. There are small to medium sized chunks of suspended particulates in it too. I guess it's supposed to be that way.

Smell: The scent wasn't particularly strong overall, but what's there is complex. A malty, rich smell. I can't identify it all.

Taste: Lots of malt, and little else, as far as I can tell. There are supposed to be dried raisins and other flavors, but I'm having trouble finding them tonight. My palate ain't bad, but ain't the most refined, either. Tastes good, I can say that.

Mouthfeel: This was the weakest part of the beer for me. It's a medium-bodied brew, but the booziness makes it feel a little thinner and kind of prickly. Maybe the carbonation is responsible for that too. It's honestly more carbonated than I expected. Like I said, this is the first quad I've tried, and I don't really know what a good one is supposed to be like.

Overall: I'm glad I tried it. I think I'll carry on sampling some other quads before I come back to this one. It tastes good enough, and will definitely make you very jolly in a good hurry. I felt warm after two sips. The price was also very good, even compared to the same beer in different areas. I paid $8.25/4-pack. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 05:48:09 | More by Winston_Smith

brureview

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a snifter. The beer poured a beautiful honey color with a 1 finger head.

There was an intense clove- lemon- honey aroma to the head, but not overwhelming and lightly pleasant.
The beer was very carbonated which didn't detract from the other tasting characteristics of the beer.
There is a solid alcoholic finish as the beer warms up. Less cloves and lemon are masked by the alcohol. A colder temp makes the alcohol less intense
This is an intense quad due to its alcohol presence. Its lemon clove finish makes it a complex beer which changes dramatically with temp change.
The beer is a sipper which I won't drink often- it's too intense.
4.5

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 02:25:33 | More by brureview

Nitro-Boy

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Ok, I get it everybody rates beers on the same old rating system... Bla...Bla .. Blaaa. Its a beer .... not a Ferrarri...LOL!
This is an amazing beer. Yes its quite boozeee,But hey it is a 10.5 beer. Thats the point! But it is very, very drinkable. One of the best beers if had. like it. I like everything from stouts to barley wines. I cant write the same old ... Mouth feel ... Smell... Taste....etc. Buy this stuff !!! give it a try and say WOW! That guy was right
A+++ Must Try!!!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 01:03:29 | More by Nitro-Boy

dag_gum_garrett

3.75/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is my first ever beer review, so some feedback would be okay!

A- Drank from a bottle so I couldn't see it.

S- Raisins, smells of a Belgian strong ale.

T- Banana, cloves.

M- Chewy but semi thin.

O- I really like this beer. This is my first Quad and the first time with this beer, but overall I enjoy it. Doesn't feel as boozy as a Belgian strong.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 08:10:40 | More by dag_gum_garrett

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pale amber colored body with a frothy beige colored head. Head leaves lacing along the sides of the glass.

S- Raisins, hazelnut, pear, Belgian yeast, raisin bread.

T- Raisin flavors come through with the yeasty bread flavors. A nut presence is there too, making this almost taste like raisin nut bread. The finish has more of a ripe fruit taste of grapes and tree fruits.

M- Full bodied, medium-high carbonation, bready, frothy.

O- Solid take of a quad. I think I like the Long Strange Trippel slightly better, but this is another solid offering from Boulevard.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 01:12:55 | More by stephenjmoore

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. Best by 8/7/14, which I assume means bottled 8/7/12. Served in a Wild Heaven snifter.

Pours dark murky mahogany with two fingers of pale manilla head.

Smells of sweet candied apple, brandied cherries and toffee like malts.

Taste follows the nose. Brandied dark fruits, sugar cane, caramel and toffee.

Medium body with fairly heavy carbonation. Sweet stone fruit finish.

A good all around quad and further evidence to me that Boulevard knows what they are doing.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 03:07:23 | More by ThickNStout

Celtics76

Rhode Island

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thought I'd try this while waiting for my cod to cook in the oven. I think the only other quad I've tried is Harpoon's.

This pours a dark amber with a quickly settling head. An impressive nose - plums and other dark fruits, accompanied by some caramel and toffee. As for taste, somewhat alcoholic , though at 10.5% I expected it. It does not overpower the core flavors though. In addition to the dark fruits, a strong fig newton presence is felt. I love fig newtons, so this is welcome.

This is delicious, a slow sipper for sure with complex flavors. I recommend drinking this without food accompaniment as there's a lot going on here.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:11:38 | More by Celtics76

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into pint. best by 5/18/14.
Pours a burnt amber brown with a slight head. Some dried fruity malted aromas...mixed with a trappist type aroma.
Wow..boozey in your face right away...super intesnse...followed by sweet figgy dried fruit, chocolate malt, banana, and toffee notes. Lots going on here...
Its a bit harsh..boozey, and just intense with flavor, and very very sweet. Nice brew that would likely benefit from some aging to mellow this out. I usually like my quads a bit darker and mellow, but this is a good interpretation.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:32:41 | More by DrinkSlurm

Durge

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A deep, hazy, rusty brown color with a healthy light tan layer of foam on top and generous lacing. The aroma notes brown sugar and maple sweetness, caramel and some grassy bite. Pretty heavy duty but compelling for the sweet tooths out there. The flavor follows suit with a murky blend of grass hops smothered in clove malt and more brown sugar, somewhat cloying with a hint of fruit nougat sherry. The body is pretty much full with a nice, velvety feel. Carbonation is smooth and full. This is a classy brew for those that can handle a little sugar shock.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:16:57 | More by Durge

Zorro

California

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

Clear reddish brown colored beer with a tall tan colored head.

Smells sweet and sour with a strong herbal scent. Scents of brown sugar and ginger with a little allspice.

Starts out little bit sweet with brown sugar as an after taste. Phenols give a faint bubblegum taste. Slight banana flavor.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall good but not world clase.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 23:54:42 | More by Zorro

tdm168

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - dark amber with a thick, big, off white, brownish head

S - baked apples, candy sugar, caramel, Belgian yeast

T - candy sugar, clove, allspice, caramel, yeast, baked apples

M - full bodied, smooth, a bit crisp

This is a really solid beer. It's complex and delicious. The ABV is completely hidden and the crisp carbonation lightens the body making this very drinkable. I will definitely have this Quad again.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 20:10:35 | More by tdm168

claspada

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle best by date of 11/2012, just made it, although I've never met a Quad that wasn't better after some age and this was bottled sometime in 2010 so I think it will last/has lasted.

Pours a very light copper color (much lighter than most Quads) with a small immediately dissipating off-white head that fades into a still murky slick looking beverage; minimal spotty lacing.

Aromas begin with some minimal dark fruits and a bit of lightly-sweet bready maltiness. As it warms there is a hint of caramelized sugar, phenolic yeast esters and some boozy alcohol but really not much else, kind of a let down.

The tastes follow the nose with dark fruits, highlighted by plums and cherries, then some light alcohol and a bit of sweet bready/toasty malt. As it warms the yeast spices and esters really start to assert themselves and salvage the flavor profile.

Mouthfeel is medium body with a surprisingly low amount of carbonation for a Belgian ale, regardless of the ABV.

Overall, this beer was a pretty big letdown after saving it for 2 years. Maybe it was better fresh, but in my experience strong Belgian ales are best at about 2 years. Anyway, the beer lacked the super dark caramelized sugars and other darker fruits that are necessary for a stellar Quad. This is almost like a Belgian Barley Wine or a Belgian Strong Amber Ale (I know that doesn't exist as a style but it's not dark and it's not golden). A disappointment for me considering the high rankings on this site, as per usual, so fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 00:17:36 | More by claspada

UCLABrewN84

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by 8/7/14.

Pours a murky orange-brown with a foamy orange-tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy patches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, dark fruits, and some spice aromas. As the beer warms up, there is an aroma of caramel covered bananas. Taste is much the same with a pretty intense alcohol kick and a medium spice bitterness that lingers on the palate after each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer but it's pretty strong alcohol wise.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 03:51:30 | More by UCLABrewN84

kojevergas

California

3.5/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Decided to grab this one from the fridge because I'm a huge fan of the style and I'm really in the mood for a good quad. I think this is my first special series beer from Boulevard. I don't remember what I made of their other offerings. Best by: 08/07/14. 10.50% ABV confirmed. Expectations are high given its current ratings. Reviewed live. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a New Belgium goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, California.

Fresh and cold from the refrigerator. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated. Not paired with food. Allowed to warm over the course of consumption.

A: Pours a two finger beige colour head of nice cream and thickness, and good retention for the high ABV. Smooth and frothy. Lacing is pretty good. Body colour is a nontransparent understated auburn ruby. Looks best with some light behind it. Some yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Looks as a quad should. When the head reduces after a couple minutes, there's still a pleasant glistening floater atop the beer. I'm excited to try this one.

Sm: Floral hops, biscuit malt, caramelization, bready malts, spice, dark fruit - plum and fig, dried fruit, rich layered amber malts, a hint of vinous character, and fermented raisin. A delightful aroma for a quad. I'm really looking forward to it. It's more of a dried fruit aroma than a dark fruit one, but it remains appealing and pleasant. No alcohol comes through. Not acidic or too sweet. Not too earthy. A subtle complex aroma of average strength and presence. Slightly yeasty.

T: A lightly bready caramelized dried fruit body. Some spice from the yeast. Certainly raisin and fig come through, not getting as much of the plum as I'd like. It has a good rich malty backbone that helps balance its more refined notes. Hopping is minimal, with some light floral notes but mainly just preservative function. Has a lightly vinous undertone. A bit of alcohol comes through, manifesting mainly as a warming sensation in the stomach but also in the flavour. Biscuit malt makes an appearance as do well layered amber malts. It's consistent throughout and nicely balanced, though it lacks the depth I'd expect from a great example of the style. Caramel and prune come through. Ripe fruit blossoms on the climax, with a slight sweetness in the second act as well. A hint of peppercorn in the early second act. My main problem with it is the overdone sweetness on the finish, which really holds the beer back.

As I sip more and more on it, the alcohol heat builds in my stomach.

It does come off overly sweet. The dark fruit would do better dried and refined. All around a well balanced beer of high complexity. I quite like it. Just what I'm in the mood for. A well built quad.

Mf: Warm, lightly creamy, and not quite dry enough. Certainly too vinous and thick in the late second act through the climax. Could use a bit more coarseness as well. It certainly doesn't lack body; it's very filling. Not at all astringent. Well carbonated. Good presence on the palate, though as noted above it does lack a depth of flavour to accompany its full body. Suits the flavours well but doesn't seem custom-tailored to them. A light stickiness is apparent.

Dr: Very drinkable for the high ABV but that alcohol does make it something of a sipper. ABV is poorly concealed here. It's meant to be enjoyed slowly, and gets better as it warms. Boulevard has impressed me with this one and I look forward to trying more of their beers. A good effort for the style. Fans of the style will not be disappointed.

I get some heat on the burp.

A pretty good choice for aging, but that said there are better (likely cheaper) options in the style.

Serve after a period of rest from the refrigerator. She gets better as she warms.

Pair with fig newtons and/or plain unsalted pretzels.

Drank fine out of a goblet. I'd recommend a goblet or teku as the ideal serving glass.

With a reduction of the third act sweetness and better concealment of the ABV, this would easily rise to at least a B. Further honing the mouthfeel might raise it to a B+. More depth of flavour - especially insofar as the fruit is concerned - could bring this to an A-.

High B-

**I manipulated the "overall" section to give the letter grade I wanted in the interest of maintaining the integrity and consistency of my reviews.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 05:39:34 | More by kojevergas

ikantspel

California

4.65/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

poured into a duvel tulip
best by date of 8.7.14

pours a chestnut brown color with a slightly tan head. a healthy bulbous head nearly foams out of the glass

essential belgian yeast smell. clove, pepper, tons of sweet dark fruits

starts off right away with some malty goodness. a spice/alcohol tone develops right away. kind of starts off a little too strong but slowly mellows away leaving your mouth with a sweet aftertaste of dark fruit and a hint of caramel

an amazing take on a belgian style. simple and it works. no trick or gimmicks in this one. SOLID

bought this 4 pack for 11.99. great value. excellent beer

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 03:47:23 | More by ikantspel

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I have recently review the Dark Truth Stout which was a very good beer. This is my second from Boulevard and im hoping the quality is just the same.]

A: This beer pours a deep copper color with a solid 1 in, soapy white head that leaves some significant lacing.

S: Smell is of sour fruit like dates or raisins with a malty character. Also get hints of molasses and dry yeast.

T: Sweet flavor from the dates and figs that is blended with a mild touch of hops. Has a dry, bread-finish with a hint of caramel in the after taste.

M: A bit of a unique flavor of what I havent had much of. Sweet and sour with the taste and smell, not quite sessionable, but better for a sipper.

O: Not a bad beer at all, a little different than what im used to, but a nice twist of flavors for me overall. The high ABV is noticeable, but not extreme. Would get this again as a holiday sipper.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 02:31:44 | More by SouljaSaia17

BeerTwigs

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up this beer in MA, not sure if its available in NY. Awesome brewery. Poured a 12 oz best by 5/18/14 into an oversized Duvel tulip.

A - Pours amber and very hazy. A 2 finger pour with very light lacing

S - Definitely pick up on the dates and figs as described.

T - Sweet up front from the dates/figs. Pretty well balanced with a nice finish. The alcohol is well hidden by the Belgian attributes

M: Medium body, good carbonation. Good fell for a 10.5% beer.

O: Really good beer, highly recommended. Not a huge quad fan, but this beer is well done. It was definitely better as it warmed up. Go out and find it. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 00:18:54 | More by BeerTwigs

Halcyondays

California

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a dark amber with a medium soft fizzy white head. Solid Belgian-style head retention, no lace.

S: Dark fruit, dates and raisins, some toffee malt.

T: Sweet dark fruit, tons of date juice. The sugar is hampered from going haywire at the mid-palate by a swift hop attack. In the end the beer is dominated by a soft estery dark malt which is very reminiscent of Belgium more than America.

M: Soft easy carbonation, very elegant, gorgeous soft yet crispy carbonation. Very impressive from an American brewer, this is really well done.

O: Fans of Achel Bruin and St. Bernardus Prior 8, if you can find this you will love it. I know I'm blending categories, but I think I'm right on this one. Easily one of the best American-made quads I've had. Just a really good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 05:12:47 | More by Halcyondays

DovaliHops

California

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a murky ruby reddish color with a large cream-colored head that goes down quickly. Some floaties floatin around in there as well. Scent is quite lovely. Very similar to a true trappist Belgian quad. Great malt aroma blended nicely with spicy Belgian yeast aromas. Dark fruits and fresh bread with some pepper and light banana. Very lovely and inviting aroma. Taste is just as good. Great Belgian yeast flavors with fresh dark fruits. Great plum, raisin, and date flavors. Peppery, spicy finish on the tongue. The high ABV is there, but it's not overwhelming at all. Very well-balanced. Mouthfeel is full bodied, creamy and crisp at the same time. Tingly, spicy finish. Drinkability is high for such a big beer. Overall, this is one of the better American Quads out there. Very tasty, and I'm so glad Boulevard comes to California now!

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 06:09:36 | More by DovaliHops

herman77

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark and cloudy auburn orange with a off white head with tons of tiny bubbles. Decent retention and lacing.

S: Figs, dates and apricots right away. A bit of molasses sweetness. Rich carmel malts and some dark nutty bread.

T: Tons of malty sweetness. Lots of dark fruits (raisins, prunes and dates come to mind). Ripe red apples. Dark bread, a bit of spice and hopiness near the finish. Sweetness is all the way through.

M: Medium to fuller body. Active carbonation with lots of little bubbles, but it still feels fairly smooth.

O: Can't tell its 10.5%. Decent drinkability for a quad. Not my favorite style, but this is a pretty good interpretation for an american brewery though it is lacking in complexity.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 00:25:49 | More by herman77

oberon

North Carolina

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

Good to see Boulevard here in NC.Poured into a chalice a deep auburn (just like the bottle says) with a large but pretty quick to fade off white head atop.Dark fruits abound in the nose along brown sugar and sweet alcohol.Cakey flavors like that of christmas cake that has soaked in alcohol for awhile, toffee, and a faint shot of yeasty spiced notes as well.It's a little hot but it doesn't hinder the beer much.A solid quad it's not a big complex monster but it has all the components of a solid quad.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 20:19:11 | More by oberon

rapidsequence

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle Chris brought up from Raleigh.

Appearance: Clear amber red beer with thin head and no lacing. Pretty boring for a Belgian style beer.

Smell: Boozy raisins and yeast bread. Smells good, but not approaching the complexity of really good quads.

Taste: Big dark fruit flavors of raisins and dates. Quite boozy, but not hot. Rich bready flavor in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Thinner than expected. Nice heavy finish though with lasting sticky sweetness.

Overall: Nothing much bad to say, a very solid quad, but lacking in some complexity. May improve with some age.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 01:29:56 | More by rapidsequence

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

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

Appearance: not very dark amber. Some messy lacing that disappears pretty quickly. Mostly clear, a slight haze.
Smell: funky, fruity, spicy, yeasty though subtler than that sounds. Nothing is obtrusive.
Taste: very much as the nose indicates. More subtle than would be expected from a 10.5% quad.
Overall: Quite good, not great. Easy drinker for a big beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 22:34:50 | More by cindyjeffsmith