The Sixth Glass - Boulevard Brewing Co.

brdc

Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks udubdawg for this one. Large corked bottle, and a difficult cork to pull, poured into a goblet.

The presentation is nearly flawless; somewhere between a deep burgundy and a very dark orange, with a lightly yellow creamy head, and that head drops to a thick, fluffy collar that lasts all the way to the end, and coats the sides of the glass beautifully. Very very nice.
Aroma is predominantly sweet, candy in the forefront, followed by spiciness, some dark fruits, perhaps some tartness.
Full bodied, it is again predominantly candy sweet, sweet dark fruits, spicy alcoholic notes providing most of the balance, but always pending to a sweet side.
I think this one is probably has aged differently than others sampled around here; not as much tartness, a lot more fruity sweetness.
Nice, but a bit too sweet to go the whole bottle; you need help.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2008 01:39:37 | More by brdc

midaszero

Washington

3.4/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Hazy amber with one finger of white head with not lacing

S - Strong boozy dark fruit (raisins) and sweet brown sugar

T - Boozy raisins and dark fruit. A little bit of banana

M - Medium body with high carbonation

D - Wish it was less boozy but enjoyable otherwise but rather grab other quads in the end

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2008 19:33:59 | More by midaszero

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

Pours brown with red tones. Tan head. Nose is perfume and dough. Flavor profile brings lots of caramel, a full plate of spices, a good amount of dough. Just a slight touch of alcohol there, but it's really balanced. Feel is smooth on all aspects. This is really nice to drink. Good complexities and a good American interpretation.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2008 16:09:27 | More by RblWthACoz

prototypic

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to csmiley for splitting the 750.

Batch #67283

Appearance: It's very hazy and a darker caramel brown color. Due to some light getting through, there are a some scarlet highlights. Carbonation is very active and yields a large two and a half finger head that's a nice looking tan color. There's a few light chunks of sediment floating around. Due to continuous carbonation buzz, it stuck around a long time. A sticky coat of lace clung to the glass.

Smell: The nose initially smells like brown sugar and is very sweet. It is a little spicy and features some pepper and other spice aromas. I can't quite identify the others. There's a distinct tobacco smell to it and perhaps even a little leather. Some light dark fruit aromas are present (raisin and plum). Alcohol is lightly noticeable on the nose, but it's not overpowering. Very impressive for a 10.5% abv beer. The ever impressive Belgian yeast aroma emerges toward the end, adding a stamp of authenticity.

Taste: It is moderately spicy up front. Pepper and some other spice flavors are noted. There's a nice berry fruit flavor that adds some character. Some earthy flavors follow it up. It's mostly tobacco, but there is something that resembles leather. Dark fruit flavors are present and are much more prevalent here. It is raisin and plum. They take an active role and add quite a bit of flavor. Very impressive. Alcohol is noted on the tail. But, it's well balanced for a 10.5% beer. You wouldn't really guess that it's that high. It finishes sweet and a little spicy.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: The mouthfeel is pretty thick and it's very creamy. This is one is very lush and appeasing. Carbonation is very active, but it in no way detracts from the ultra-smooth feel. Drinkability is astonishingly high for such a strong beer. At 10.5%, it's too strong for a lot of drinking. But, it's very easy drinking. I'm really enjoying this beer. I'd have no trouble tackling a 750 by me onesie.

This is my first experience with Boulevard and it's been very impressive. The Sixth Glass can easily compete with some of the top Quads out there. Given that it's brewed here in America only makes it that much more impressive. I can't really identify any material flaws here. This is a very good beer that's worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2008 03:23:41 | More by prototypic

csmiley

Ohio

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

Thanks to jtrockchalk for sending this my way.

A - Pours a brownish-red color and looks murky. The red that comes through in tbe light really pops and gives off a brightnes that starts to look closer to a ruby color. The tan head is very nice and shows good retention. It recedes to a very thick tan cap that doesn't go away. Lacing is average.

S - Dark fruit aromas come through first with raisin and plum. Gingerbread and yeast quickly follow. Alcohol is evident and has a warming effect. Some spices like pepper and cinnamon come through midway. The end is sweet with notes of caramel and coffee.

T - Taste is complex. Several flavors are equally present and just seem to play off each other with no one flavor taking any kind of commanding lead. Fruit is cherry and raisin flavored hard candy. Caramel also has a showing. Granola and wheat bread are both present with a hint of yeast that comes in behind. Alcohol is present and is fairly warm.

M - Full bodied with a nice level of carbonation that compliments the beer overall. Finish is sweet and cleaner than expected. Kind of warm with the high abv but it works for this brew.

D - Drinkability is good - approaching very good. The 10.5% is pretty easy to get through. Still, one bottle is enough. Starts to get boozy about half way through but not completely in a bad way. Nice complexity and very smooth. This is my first experience with the Smokestack Series and it is a good one. Easily recommended as this is a nice example of the Quadrupel style.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 23:15:15 | More by csmiley

sd42790

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this one in the cellar for the past nine months or so.

A- Dark red-brown with a big old two-finger head. Bubbles are dense and thick, almost frothy. Lacing holds well.

S- estery banana and pear, dates, caramel, and an alcohol bite on the exit. Tasty

T- Similar to the smell, but multiplied in intensity. More pronounced cherry cola-ish sweet taste but done just right. Not sickly sweet. Perhaps the aging calmed the brash sweetness a bit compared to the fresh ones I've had. As it warms up the alcohol and hops become more apparent and the 10.5% ABV starts to become evident, but not too much. Everything stays well balanced throughout the entire session. Overall the taste could be described as "warm." Perfect for winter.

M- A great balance of heavy thickness evened out by the dry alcohol finish, low-moderate carb.

D- Not for the average beer drinker, and the alcohol could be a turn-off for some, but in the Quad style this is to be expected. One of these is definitely good for the whole night.

Overall- Easily my favorite offering from Boulevard. A great take on the Belgian style, and, in my opinion, on par with the Chimay, though not quite on the sublime level of goodness that Westvleteren and Rochefort have achieved. Looking forward to the Bourbon-Barrel edition.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 08:17:11 | More by sd42790

RedChrome

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Extreme haze to a very dark tea colored brew. Two inches of light tan colored tight head faded over a few minutes. Tiny carbonation bubbles rising fast at edges.

Sweet dark fruit aromas blend with a strong aroma of earthen malt. Prunes and plums are the main scents. Hops offer a bit of bitterness. Alcohol is present, but not overpowering.

Dried date and plum mixture was dominant on the tongue. Most of the other flavors a quite subdued by comparison but include a light bread like flavor mixed with husk taste. Hops bitterness and an alcohol presence are evenly matched.

Nice thickness without being syrup like. Carbonation provides a pleasant effect on the taste buds.

A quality brew. Would work well with a thick sauced meat dish. A great brew in style from the states. Makes me look forward to finding others from the brewer.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2008 04:37:47 | More by RedChrome

rhinos00

Colorado

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

Much thanks to Tyler (LordofTime25) for this great brew! Poured from a 750mL bottle into a snifter. Batch #68081.

A- Poured a very nice amber color. Revealed a three finger off white / cream head that slowly dissipated as the beer was consumed.

S- Nice smell of sweet malt, figs, prunes, and alcohol.

T- As this beer warms, the taste becomes more complex and even better. Upfront the fig and prunes really make their presence felt. As the beer finishes, a nice sweet malt flavor and alcohol warms the throat, along with a slight bitterness.

M- Medium to full bodied. Smooth and slick and coats the tongue very nicely.

D- At the beginning it took a while to get used to the unique taste. As the beer warmed, it truly felt more like a quad and became highly drinkable. Drinking a 750mL bottle of this will definitely put you under, but the taste is wonderful.

Overall, a wonderful quad. Not only did I get to try a local beer from Missouri, but I got to try my first quad made in the U.S. This is not only worthy of a try, but it should be compared with Rochefort, Pannetpot, etc. The only negative is that it just seems to be missing that "it" factor that the other European quads have. I can't explain it, but still an awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2008 04:17:20 | More by rhinos00

AChamberlain

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Purchased from Hyde Park Market, 10.99.

A: Poured hazy orange with a nice fluffy off white head. Thin head stayed throughout, very nice.

S: Dark fruits, raisins, spicy, really quite nice. I was not expecting so much. Straight from the pop of the cork; a rush of aromas. Booze.

T: Sweet, candy sugar. Dark fruits and spice again in the flavor. Good maltiness as well.

M: Very smooth. From what I have read, I thought it was going to be more zesty, but it is pretty smooth drinking and going down. Medium body.

D: A very good quad. I can not find any faults really. One I will be going back to many times I am sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2008 19:43:35 | More by AChamberlain

peabody

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours out a really nice hazy brown with two fingers of off-white to brown suds. Creamy looking also and lacing is here in abundance.
Smell is mellow malt and a belgian yeast strain.
Sugar and and grain alcohol are here too.
As it warms it becomes a little more complex.
Taste is very mellow and sweet malts with a slight bitterness then the alcohol warms the throat and BAM< you have a very drinkable beer from Boulevard Brewing. I think the Tripel and this Quad are the best of the series. REally a great tasting drink that goes down suprisingly goes down easy even with the high abv.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2008 00:54:21 | More by peabody

SPLITGRIN

Kentucky

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Massively carbonated as four fingers of honey comb tan head reaches the top of the glass and fades crackling to a half an inch in minutes. Body is a deep burgundy brownish amber, very beautiful. Nose is zesty and spice filled with tones of fresh cut wood, vanilla, pepper, soap and carmel. Enters the mouth with a pillow like soft creamy feel that rides a zesty carpet of even spicyness. Vanilla is big and sweet up front on the palate. Spice feel is a bit peppery but really very smooth. Toasty phelonic feel is so soft and consistant. Mouthfeel thickens on the back of the tongue as you continue to drink. This is a hugely drinkable beer at 10.5% alchol, which is superbly well hidden. This is a sleeper of a brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2008 18:22:55 | More by SPLITGRIN

Vancer

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Murky amber/mahogany she be in the ol' Corsendonk tulip, anything but an easy pour produces a massive foamy tan head - but no lacing to speak of. Sweet dried dark fruits in the aroma.

The quaff is not that impressive, a semi-boozy blast of a cloying cherry syrup. No Belgian yeast, just an over carbonated brew that doesn't drink that well. A mediocre stab at the Belgian dark ale, I won't be after any more of this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2008 18:06:46 | More by Vancer

srandycarter

California

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a dark, murky orange pekoe. Large thick orange hued, off white head. Coating, sudsy lacing.

S - Big banana, alcohol bores a hole through, sweet candy.

T - Sweet deep malt, banana, some spice, bitter finish.

M - A little too carbed for me. Creamy, not fully balanced.

D - Would tire easily, but a nice one to try.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2008 04:01:56 | More by srandycarter

maximum12

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Houston, we have a gusher! (and many thanks to turbine2475 for shipping this one as an extra!)

This monster foamed up & took a good ten minutes to calm down enough for me to take a sip of its cloudy, dull orange self - & we only poured about 3/4 of the bottle. Nose was sweet sweet sweet, with dollop of bubble sticking to the end of my smelling aparatus.

Taste is sweet & fruity, but not light, which is odd, & there's a definite lowering of the alcohol boom in the background. Nothing light about it, in fact, this is a big, ball-buster of a quad. I like it. I've had plenty of Boulevard over the years, & while they're a solid brewery, I haven't had anything vaguely like this beer.

Did I mention the sweetness? I could sip this all night. First class brew, & now I'm eager to try the other three from the Smokestack series. Excellent!

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2008 00:26:57 | More by maximum12

MarzenMan

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Nice thick head and good lacing.

S- Spicy and slightly raisin.

T - Nice creamy mouthfeel. A little frutiy with some a little sweet malt. Finishes with a touch of spicincess from the yeast and some alcohol.

A good beer. Reminds me of the Long Strange but a spicer and not as sweet. A little goes a long way.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2008 00:00:10 | More by MarzenMan

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a cloudy amber color. The head is a massive, billowy three inches, and recedes very slowly into a thick cap that lasts until the beer is gone. The aroma is of anise, dates, prunes, and figs. The taste leans more towards the dates, figs, and prunes than it does toward the anise. The is also a sharp alcohol burn in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is full bodied with a velvety texture and lively carbonation. Overall, this is a very good quadrupel. In fact, I can't think of a better American made example.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2008 21:56:22 | More by KarlHungus

daledeee

Iowa

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

Boulevard is making specialty, small batch beer. Hmmm. It is worth a try. A nice display at the entrance of the beer room at my local store was enough to entice me.

I popped the cork. It made so much noise I was afraid it would boil over before I could pour it. This beer poured a medium cloudy brown with a nice off white head. Lace and edging stayed around. It is too bad I don't have someone to share this with.

The nose is fruity and malty.

The taste is fairly strong with dark fruits and molasses being the featured flavors. The first few sips seemed rather unbalanced but after the beer aired for a few moments, it got easier to drink. The aftertaste is very profound with caramel, molasses and prunes.

Mouthfeel is rather sticky.

This is a good attempt by a Midwestern brewer at the Quad style. I think this beer would be even better if it were shelved properly.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2008 21:59:53 | More by daledeee

kenito799

New York

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a flared pint glass.

Hello--this brew really looks the part. Pleasing haziness to this chestnut-brown liquid, topped by an active, foamy tan head. A bit of wispy lacing.

Aroma is very nice, again solid Belgian quad aromas of warm sices, fruity yeast, caramel. On the paate the active carbonation really conveys the Belgian bottle-conditioned moutfeel perfectly. Taste is rich and complex, just a touch on the sweet side but balanced well with acid and hoppy bitterness. The midpalate's nutmeg and colve combine with fruitiness to give a perfect impression of warm spiced pumpkin bread. The finish is long, long long, a rewarding sipping experience.

Probably the best non-Belgian quad I have had, I thik they nailed the style here. I am quite impressed and hoping to try more from this KC brewery.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2008 13:54:33 | More by kenito799

roblowther

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml corked & caged, out of the fridge long enough to sweat a bit. My mouth is watering. It's cloudy copper brown with an active light tan head that starts very frothy & then settles into a thin creamy layer. The smell is cinnamon, raisins, sugar, with an appealing peachy flowery smell. It has a nice underlying chalky note. Taste is wonderful. It is peppery at first, with a nice biscuity malt, and then melts to a rich caramel. Maybe a touch one-dimensional on the finish but that one dimension is delicious. Maybe a bit too sweet in the aftertaste, but that's a nit to pick another day. The mouthfeel is chewy & a touch sticky, with nice carbonation throughout. Drinkability is good, with the alcohol just a pleasant warmth down the gullet. I'd definitely buy it again & its a welcome good example of the style from a US brewer. Evidence that not EVERY beer brewed in the US is brewed for hopheads. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2008 23:58:10 | More by roblowther

KeefD

Minnesota

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

Poured into a Westmalle chalice a hazy brunt orange/light brown color with two fingers worth of foam that recedes semi-slowly, leaving behind some decent lacing. Candi sugar, yeast, candied fruit, and hints of caramel in the nose. Taste is fairly sweet in the front, flavor of cherry cordials, burnt sugar, some fruitiness, maybe some orange flavors that creep up and then disappear, some caramel, slightest hints of chocolate, some green hop character in the background, slightly spicy and peppery. Very complex, and that's definitely a good thing. Nice, creamy mouthfeel, but enough carbonation zip on the tongue that makes this one bright and extremely drinkable for the high ABV. Alcohol warming can be felt, but its fairly well hidden for the amount. A fantastic Belgian Style Quad. I've been impressed with the Smokestack series so far, and out of the three I've tried, this one has to be my favorite. Looking forward to the Bourbon Barrel Quad w/ cherries to come out.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2008 04:30:40 | More by KeefD

mynie

Indiana

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

Hard to tell much about a quad from its pour. This one's got a real nice big head, for example, and while that's typically a good thing that could be a sign there being just a wee bit too much yeast in this bottle, which would hamper the drinking experience. As is, it sure looks pretty. So I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Smells very solidly fruity, good straight up spicy yeast, no off nodes whatsoever. I hope you'll forgive me for saying that this smells like it's actually from Belgium, and from an American brewer west of New York and East of California that is no small feat.

Tastes like a darn good quad. Big punch, in here. Loads of fruit start things off, mostly sour, some mushy and over ripe. Pears and plums dominate with some solid nodes of raisins. This gives way to a really nicely spicy yeast profile the bends somewhere in between white pepper and something I can't quite put my finger on. Cilantro, maybe? It's odd, yes, but it's faint and it works.

Kudos to Boulevard.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2008 03:10:06 | More by mynie

1fastz28

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

this is the 2nd out of this smokestack series from boulevard, and holy tap-dancing christ, they must of kidnapped half of the brewers in belgium and forced them to make beer in KC. Out of the bomber, pours a very dark red amber colored brew with a nice ivory color, smell is fantastic, a very spicy aroma hits you first,the alcohol is noticeable in the nose, but overall its a yeasty, spicy aroma. taste is awesome, a full spicy, flavorful journey of a beer. well worth the 8 bucks for the bottle, it is comparable to alot of your true belgians which cost far more for far less beer. so its a good value. just an awesome beer, one of the best belgians i've had, as well as one of the best domestic beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2008 02:27:09 | More by 1fastz28

Kempleton

Pennsylvania

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

poured from 750ml corked and caged into a Silly Scotch tulip.
Cloudy brown russet color, topped by a great pillowy head that doesn't quite last as long as the beer.
Smells great withh dark fruits taking center stage. I pick up some raisins and plum aromas.
Taste is more of the same, dark fruits. along with the fruits there is a definit presence of alcohol in the taste.
Thick and effervescent mouthfeel. This one could defintly benifit from a litte swirling.
the drinkability is low only due to the high ABV and pronounced boozieness of this beer.
I would love to get my hands on a few of these to cellar. This seems like one that will be absolutly great with a bit of age on it.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2008 19:59:12 | More by Kempleton

scottoale

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml. cork/caged brown bottle. Batch No.:68100

Poured into a Duvel tulip a dark amber with orange highlights and a three-finger plus head of ivory froth. Great looking brew with lively carbonation and good head retention.

Super sweet fruity nose with spice, yeast and vaporous alcohol coming through. Sweet fruity complex flavor with a hint of black licorice and a yeasty spiciness. Just enough hops pull through to keep the sweetness in check. The finish is spicy sweet with a warmth from high alcohol, which let's it's presence be known.

Big body, big ABV...tastes like a fine Belgian Quad, great quality brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2008 19:34:31 | More by scottoale

BeenJammin

Kansas

4.22/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Enormous head with a great lacing and good retention. Deep Amberish Red in color.

S - Very strong sweet and spicy aroma

T - Very fruity and sweet taste which is very strong. Tons of alcohol taste present as well.

M - Thick and full bodied, with a creamy texture

D - Bad ass beer but it is very strong tasting and with its high abv it isn't too suitable for a high volume in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2008 22:39:50 | More by BeenJammin