The Sixth Glass - Boulevard Brewing Co.

Vixie

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice rich red color with a huge tan head. This is a very pretty beer, and I am surprised at the amount of head, given the ABV.

Lot of fruit in the scent, raisins, prunes, followed by a hint of spice, and just a slight bit of coffee.

Taste is a bit fruity, with a touch of pepper. I can detect a bit of a Belgian candy sugar taste, but it's much more subtle that a true Belgian quad. The alcohol is well hidden, its presence mainly is a bit of warming at the finish.

The feel is probably the weakest point of this one. it is a bit on the thin side, not horrible, but below what I expected.

Not a bad beer, just not one that blew me away either. it is very drinkable for the alcohol level, I would just prefer a bit more complexity. Still, a nice beer, and I wouldn't mind trying this one again.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2010 00:18:12 | More by Vixie

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle, my last souvenir from volunteering at this year's ACBF. It's got a best by date of April 2013, and was allowed to warm some before being poured into my Duvel tulip.

Sixth Glass pours something in between maroon and more of a brown color, but it fades to a clear ruby when held to light. The cream colored head is almost out of control, more than four fingers tall and threatening to spill out the glass. Head retention is solid, but the complete lack of lacing is a major letdown. The nose is a bit higher on peppery phenols as compared to dark fruits than usual, but there's also a nice background note of overripe banana that I don't always find in quads. The flavor just can't hang with the best of the style. The most important thing for me in a beer like this is to have a solid sweet fruity base to hold the rest of the beer together. While there are certainly notes of plum and figs, they aren't nearly potent enough to keep the pepper and clove yeast notes from, together with a generous warming sensation from the alcohol, running roughshod over the brew. The body ends up on the light side for 10.5%ABV, and the carbonation is middle of the road, and just a little bit dull. In the end, the beer captures neither the creamy texture (despite a dry finish) nor the expressive carbonation of a world class quad. I had high expectations for Sixth Glass, having really enjoyed my previous Boulevard offerings (including BBQ), but this goes to show just how hard brewing a top notch quad is.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 05:09:12 | More by axeman9182

vkv822

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into tulip snifter.
Best By Date: 10/7/12
great extra sent by pittsburghkid66, thanks man!

Pours a cloudy amber-orange hued brown with a frothy light toffee colored head.

The aroma is fairly complex, with sweet caramel and sugars upfront, with some fruit towards the end.

The taste follows the nose, with more brown sugar upfront, and followed by dark fruits and faint green apple tartness. Very light phenol notes.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with fairly strong carbonation, a bit much at times really.

Fairly sweet overall, with a bit heavy carbonation but still a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 04:37:29 | More by vkv822

andrewinski1

Maine

3.58/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter. The color is amberish brown with golden hues. There is a fluffy off-white head that all but disappears.

The aroma has nice plum and date to go with a bit of melon rind.

The malty sweetness turns into a nice fruity finish from the yeast. There is some of the same fruity flavors indicated by the aroma.

The body is medium to full with lots of crispy carbonation.

This is pretty good. I would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 04:41:39 | More by andrewinski1

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.59/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

a deep amber with some slight hazy sediment mixed in. finger of off-white head and great retention. smells of sour grapes, raisins, cloves, banana, booze. the flavor is very boozy, lots of banana, brown sugar, pears, a slight bitterness takes place in the aftertaste. a medium-full body beer with medium carbonation.. a sipper, but the high carbonation makes you want to drink faster.

i gotta say i'm not a huge fan of this one. i like the boozy warmth in the chest, and it's not a bad beer, but i am just not sold on it. i'm not mad i tried it at all, it's just the style i can't really get into.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 00:40:08 | More by facundoCNB

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Atlanta Ale meeting. This one is funky, with apple juice as the predominent taste, and cloves, toasted caramel, candy brown sugar, fruit, above average mouthfeel. Lacing. High alcohol is there.Looks like a quad,Drinkable but not my go-to quad. Is this bottle right?

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2008 02:05:48 | More by northyorksammy

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Apperance: Pours a clearish, mahogany-hued body sporting a ring of tiny, white bubbles.

Smell: Malty aroma crammed with dark caramel overlayed with alcohol-soaked plums and cherries and wrapped in a light, delicate yeastiness.

Taste: Full maltiness and a strong Juicy Fruit bubblegum taste and a little pinch of acidity. Some spiced bananas, a pinch of crushed rock candy. Slight yeast character. Hint of toast. Warming finish with a lasting taste of fruit-flavored bubblegum.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: A decent quad and pleasure to have tried it, but one is enough for me, thanks.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2008 21:03:12 | More by ChainGangGuy

Goliath

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dense and foggy amber color with a one inch light tan head sitting on top. Decent retention and no lacing.

The nose is ok. Notes of banana and spice confront you. some dark fruit and tons of booze also appear.

The taste is not that great. Dark fruit and banana are easily evident. The spice is there, but in small doses. This one finishes really boozy. It gets worse as it warms. I suppose it would be a cellar candidate though. There is definitely room to tone down the heat and carbonation.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and overly carbonated. It's hard to even move it in your mouth without all turning to foam. Too much tingle isn't fun to drink! Obviously as it sits open and warms the carbonation mellows a bit making for a more enjoyable time

Drinkability is moderate. The flavors are decent, but the alcohol is very and apparent as well as the mouth being overly carbonated. I was really hoping for something great out of this one, but I"m slightly disappointed. Perhaps the Tripel and Saison will be better?

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2008 22:02:30 | More by Goliath

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Batch S8312 in caged and corked 750ML bottle.

This pours a clear deep red with a 2w finger head of foam that starts to shrink quickly.

The smell is roasty and caramel malt sweet and has a fruity tartness to it. Maybe even a little Brett? Strange smell for the style but when I add up the components, it's pleasing my nosebuds. It actually smells more like a Saison to me.

The taste is a nice mix of caramel malt sweetness and fruity tartness with a heaping helping of pepper and a light funkiness or maybe it's more of an earthy flavour. There's also a pronounced bitterness here that I feel is out of place for the style. This is also pretty "hot" as the alcohol is more than just noticeable; lots of warming during and after the swallow.

The mouthfeel is on the upper side of medium, the carbonation is medium, and it finishes with a tartness and spicy pepper kick that does slow me down. I think the pepper here is overdone...

Drinkability? Lots of goodness to this brew but...the alcohol and pepper overkill in the taste just doesn't make it all that drinkable. This will be a tough brew to rate, me thinks. I'm certainly glad I tried it though.

Btw, head retention is very good as is the lacing.

As a side note, what is up with the batch numbers???? I have no clue! I see most saying it starts off with a 6 but my bottle looks more like an S. BM me if you have any insight, please.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2009 23:28:43 | More by Bitterbill

jcartamdg

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a amber brown with a 1 finger head that lasts into my ccb snifter. Aroma of fruity figs and raisins, bready malts with a heavy yeasty nose. Taste follows the nose with sweet fruits, malts and yeast. Alcohol is present more than other quads but still fairly smooth. I would love to try this in a corked and caged 750, bottle conditioning in a larger bottle makes a big difference.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 00:58:52 | More by jcartamdg

heysuz

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Intro: 750ml in a tulip glass

Appearance: Abundant (Phenomenal) light tan head that lasts with a reddish nutmeg colored body and good carbonation.

Smell: Sour fruity aroma like citrus, not as rich or layered as some quads, more simple.

Taste: Burnt citrus flavor with a slight aftertaste that lingers. Some sharpness and almost bitter notes on the front end, but better flavor on the back side of the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Strong alcohol in the mouth along with a citrus burn.

Overall: Some of the sharp citrus mellows as it warms, but begins to taste rather flat. Really good appearance but lacking in the taste department.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 14:55:43 | More by heysuz

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy deep amber to orange-ish color withh a tan head. In the aroma, sweet dark fruit and a bit of alcohol. In the taste, licorice, dark fruit, a small sweetness to dryness, and a alcohol note all the way through. An Alcohol bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry small licorice and alcohol like aftertaste. Quite muted flavors, but nice flavors and a mellow alcohol throughout.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 14:04:57 | More by OWSLEY069

tpd975

Florida

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to hwwty for this one.

A: Pours a nice brownish orange hue with a nice bubbly head. the head dies to a nice lilly pad and some spotty lace is noted.

S: Big bold dark fruit aromas. Tons of raisins and figs. Touches of cinnamon and nutmeg really come thru along with some alcohol burn.

T: Taste matches aromas. The raisins really stand out. There is a nice blend of spice and a hint of bitter zest. The alcohol is very noticeable as is a touch of oak. Did this one spend any time on the barrel?

M: Medium in body, The carbonation was noted in appearence but not so much in mouthfeel.

D: I drank the entire bottle but is was not easy. As a pint I love this one, but 750ml it becomes a bit sweet and boozy. That being said it is a very good brew, from a brewer that is new to me.

Thanks!!

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2008 18:00:36 | More by tpd975

bennetj17

Arizona

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle from 2007. Hazy, caramel-orange color, with thin foam. The foam doesn't hold well leaving just a ring and a few suds. The aroma is pleasantly sweet and sugary with some nice esters. Don't get any note of the alcohol really.

The taste is also quite sweet. I very much get a flavor of pancakes with maple syrup. Not alot of balance to this, would have liked some more of the estery fruit character to shine through in the flavor and add some complexity. There is an herbal-like earthiness in the mix. The alcohol is not too hot, probably due to the age? Mouthfeel is actually quite light. The carbonation is decent, but should be more rich and creamy with the foam.

Overall a little too one-dimensional with it's sweetness. I unfortunately have to compare it with some pretty great examples of the style, and it just doesn't stack up to its true Belgian counterparts. A decent value...

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2009 06:22:43 | More by bennetj17

jampics2

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The fifth beer in our "Super Boulevard Beer Tasting" for the Saints world championship victory!

I cellared this since it's purchase in late 2008. Halftime and the Who is on - time to crack it open!

Looks nice - nice lace left on the glass from a dark brown beer with plum edges. Great appearance from an American quad, too bad I thought this beer peaked in terms of attribute ratings before it reached my lips.

Bready with raisins and caramel in the nose. Figs and some mild brown sugar. Bit too hot. Nothing classic but nothing offensive.

Taste is kindof "meh" to me after a nice wind-up, this pitch is in low and inside, but not in the dirt. Plum, raisin, fig, bread. I notice some alcohol bite.

Mouthfeel is syrupy and a bit disjoined, I think the alcohol is making this feel like 2 separate liquids in my mouth.

This is a strong beer. The cherry bourbon quad blows it out of the water. But it's not bad, just the worst I've tasted in a stellar lineup. Kinda like Nick Swisher on the Yankees. Still Major League business but not even on the same level as Jeeter (Saison Brett) and A-Rod (BBQ).

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2010 19:42:45 | More by jampics2

beertunes

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Batch # 610050, dated 02/13. Poured into16oz goblet. Poured a barely translucent dark ruby color with a tall, thick, rocky head that had great retention but light lacing.

The aroma was pretty typical for one of my favorite styles. Rich fruits, some spice and earthy yeast all are present in the nose. All those aspects are also on the tongue, along with a sharp alcohol bite.

The body was a bit thinner than I like for this style. Drinkability was good, but again, this is one of my favorite styles, so I'm predisposed to like it. Overall, a pretyy good, but not great example of the style. Worth a shot if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2010 05:11:50 | More by beertunes

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Chinay goblet. It's a hazy deep amber-red color with a small head and good lacing.

It has an alcoholic bubblegum smell to it. Pretty good but the other flavors don't come through as well. The more I stick my nose in it there is a little caramel in there.

The taste is better, sweet fruit flavors with a little hop spice.

It's very bubbly with a strong alcohol flavor.

Pretty good but not my favorite of the Smokestack series.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 21:58:40 | More by theboozecruise

Bookseeb

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance has a cloudy amber color supporting a fine thick head leaving little lace. Smell of rich caramel, prunes, raisons having a slight buttery note. Taste follows the aroma with the caramel, dark fruits with a peppery spice that balance with the hops. Mouthfeel is medium with a good spike of carbonation. A good quad, but nothing to exiting.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 01:20:45 | More by Bookseeb

mltobin

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle pouted into a Duvel tulip.

Appearance is red-brown with an off-white head. Its` nose has caramel, dark fruits, brown sugar and raisins. A fairly typical aroma for a quad. The taste is sweet malts, alcohol, more of the raisins and caramel. Mouthfeel is medium with a sweetness that lingers. All in all, a pretty good beer, a nice attempt at a quad from a US brewer.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 01:24:13 | More by mltobin

herman77

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
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

klewis

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a murky brown with a huge porous head. The beer clears up by the end of the glass. Light lacing.

S: Fruity, yeasty aromas with a bit of bananas and phenols.

T: Slightly sugary with a musty tropical fruit taste and a bit of rubber. A mild alcohol presence.

M: Full-bodied with medium-high carbonation. Dry and clean in the finish.

D: Pretty decent, but this one fails to impress me. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2009 12:40:33 | More by klewis

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

thanks to goatgoat for the trade

750ml w cork and cage. batch 68256. tasted in late april/may 2009.

dark brown amber, clear under the light. huge, light beige head, slowly recedes to relatively stable 2mm layer. thin but consistent rings of lace all down the glass.

aroma: fruity figs, dats, with light anise and licorice notes. grassy, herbal hop note. candied caramel. mild phenols, and also a slight fusel character in back.

taste: similar fruit and candied caramel, with grassy, hay-like hop giving moderate bitterness. some spices come out with the phenols and alcohol, which are a bit more than i'd like, however.

light to medium body, with some astringency, esp from the phenols. creamy, fluffy carbonation but ends up accentuating the phenols further.

are there people that really just enjoy phenols? i wonder...

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2009 04:52:49 | More by tai4ji2x

charlesw

New York

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Decent sized head over a murky brown/orange/red base. Lacing to last a lifetime but most of the head is gone quickly enough. Sad to see the murkiness.

Smells of plums, port, brown sugar, sweet fruitiness...

Tastes all of that. A bit of bitter astringency which is normal enough for the style but still a fault, if you asked me. Bitter orange peel (not-quite-ripe blood orange juice). Some spiciness... Hints of anise.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2009 22:09:33 | More by charlesw

Bfarr

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Dark mahogany swirled at the bottom of a deep amber hue on top with a thin tan frothy head with excellent retention. Dirty yeast and bold floral hops. Colder, this had a very molasses/medicinal cod liver oil evil up front. Warmed a determined floral hop flavor is backed by a subtle sweetness that interplays with the hops and some pepper. Well blended alcohol makes its appearance in the end with a slightly bready dry finish. Mouthfeel is high carbonated foamy and slightly mouthcoating.

I don't say it too often but this is a beautiful looking beer. I really didn't find this too complex but a pleasant beer overall. It is a fairly fresh bottle as the best before date isn't for another 3 years so at $9 a bottle I may grab another to age a bit. It was certainly a fine companion for watching the end of Dexter season 3...

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2010 16:20:38 | More by Bfarr

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- 12oz bottle poured into my Chimay goblet and a brown body. A large creamy off white head forms and retains very well, foams up above the glass about 2 fingers. Spotty lace around the glass.

S- Strong aroma of fruit, banana, raisin, dark sugar and yeast spice.

T- Right away I notice a strong abrasive flavor of alcohol and bitterness, intense. Also dark fruit, raisin, brown sugar, apple, white grape, bread and yeast spice. Slight metallic as well.

MF- Fizzy, highly carbonated body. Ends warm from the alcohol and bitter as well.

Kind of starts off a bit harsh but ends up balancing out decently with warmth. I think it is a bit alcohol heavy and somewhat medicinal, although not enough to call it a wasted effort.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 02:48:21 | More by cbutova