Boatswain H.L.V. Ale (Heavy Lift Vessel) - Minhas Craft Brewery

timjg14

1.75/5  rDev -47.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I had high hopes upon looking at this beer. A bit of nice foam atop a dark, but not-too-thick body (once poured into a glass). It's hard to know what to expect from it, as it really gives no indication of what type of beer it is, other than being an ale. But I'd compare it most to a porter, a style that I'm not all that fond of in general. As for the flavor, I found it pretty undrinkable. Very malty and bittersweet. But if you like porters, don't hesitate to give it a try. It was at Trader Joe's at a reasonable price ($2.50 or so for a 650-ml bottle).

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 08:12:31 | More by timjg14

scaliasux

Wisconsin

2.08/5  rDev -37.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Appearance - Dark brown. Appears clear. Medium height tan head with some persistence.

Smell - Light dark roasted malts. Mild nutty chocolate.

Taste - Quite sweet and quite dark. Hot chocolate with a resiny finish. Lacks any depth of flavor - like flavored sugar water. Cloying.

Mouthfeel - Full and creamy.

Overall - I wouldn't have guessed it from the beer's other characteristics, but this beer has one of the worst flavors of any beer I've tasted.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 02:44:39 | More by scaliasux

Danny1217

Florida

2.3/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance is dark brown with a small tan head that disappears rather quickly

Smells of roasted malts, and some other things I can't really put my finger on. Kind of a strange smell

Tastes Way too sweet for something claiming to have 80 IBU. I taste roasted malts, some faint hops, alcohol, and syrup. Yes, syrup.

Mouthfeel is sticky with medium body and carbonation

Overall for the $2 I paid it might be worth buying simply as a way of getting messed up if you're tired of cheap malt liquor. Otherwise, it's really not even worth $2 that could be put into some decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 19:12:16 | More by Danny1217

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.3/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a pint glass on 4/28/12

Dark brown, but distinctly brown nonetheless. Two finger head reduces to a thin skim. A few swaths of lace.

Smells of toasted bread, herbal hops, earth, toasted sugar and a hint of molasses. Soapy overtones. Taste of doughy, dark bread. Herbal hop bitterness, toasted sugar, burnt nuts and sunflower seeds. Fruity hints. Medium body with moderate, puffy carbonation. A tad coating on the finish. Earthy, bitter residuals.

Overall, this is ok and a decent enough value.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 05:49:26 | More by Ryan011235

ChugMan

Washington

2.44/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - Dark, bloody red, nice. Low head reduces to patchy froth which left some fine lacing.
S - Molasses, cough syrup. Overabundance of toasted malt. Dark cherry.
T - Fairly heavy fruit flavors: Cherry, orange. Metal.
M - Flavors are muddled and ultimately ruined with a strange cough syrupy quality. Pervasive metallic sensation dominates as well
O - Starts off pretty good, but rapidly wears out its welcome. Perhaps a decent stepping stone to better beer, but difficult to recommend.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 07:34:35 | More by ChugMan

HalfFull

California

2.5/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

New breed from Trader Joe's Minhas Line and poured into a large wine glass. A bit of a mystery from the label and still so after checking a few reviews. Pours a clear brown with crimson highlights. Half inch of tan foam offers moderate retention.

Nose of light hops with roasted malts and some light chocolate. A bit of alcohol is evident and some cinnamon spice. Quite thin and aimless overall however, rather reaching.

Flavor is thin as well. Some caramel and light chocolate up front and a bit of alcohol and light fruitiness on the finish. Finish is malty yet chalky and offers a rather brief finish of dark chocolate powder.

Warming enhances the experience here to some degree but the finish remains too brief to keep things interesting. A bit of a harsh wanderer with no real direction or redeeming asset..

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 04:30:51 | More by HalfFull

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.63/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

22 ounce bottle - $2.29 at Trader Joe's in Roswell, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown body, yielding hints of garnet against the light, underneath a tall, sudsy, beige head.

Smell: Roasty, chocolaty malts, though they're not at all effusive, nor is the scent particularly inviting. Slight dark fruitiness alongside a sting of wafting alcoholic fumes.

Taste: Roasted malt, some light, lackluster bittersweet chocolate. Lowly sweet. Scant fruitiness. Not too terribly much hop flavor, though the bitterness is there. A bit of a flat taste with a singe of alcohol from the first sip onward. Dry, malty, warm finish. Lingering nuttiness and spirits in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: I've appreciated the Trader Joe brews (Mission Street series and the yearly Vintage Ale) for being fairly decent and always getting a decent bang for your buck, but this one wasn't particularly enjoyable at all. It didn't satisfying in the malt or hop department, delivering instead a cutting alcohol presence.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 19:33:14 | More by ChainGangGuy

BeerManDan

California

2.75/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The color when poured into a pint glass was of a medium dark brown with a reddish hue and very little tan foam, with no lace on the side of the glass. The smell of roasted malts and hops were evident in the aroma. The taste was of roasted malts, bitter hops and a hint of candied fruit. Overall, the bitterness killed any outstanding flavors and left me with a acidic feeling on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 03:35:31 | More by BeerManDan

Murrhey

Montana

2.79/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Poured from a standard pressure-cap bomber into a conic pint glass in high elevation Kalispell, Mont. Reviewed live.

A- One finger khaki-colored head with rapid erosion. Walnut-color with little light poking through. Alright looking.

S- Chocolate, slightly boozy, fairly tasty.

T- Grainy, some chocolate malts. Not a lot here.

M- Medium bodied and dry.

O- Mehhh. Nothing stands out. Very plain brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 04:33:51 | More by Murrhey

hreb

Washington

2.83/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

22oz bottle served in pint glass. Beer pours dark brown with a hint of red, and a medium head, lighter brown in color. Aroma is big and malty, but slightly estery.

First sip shows a big malt bill, with caramely notes and a little bit of roast. Unfortunately it goes on to reveal serious flaws. Slightly spicy (not necessarily bad), but also cloying sweetness (bad) on top of rotting fruit (worse). Unlike the other Boatswain beers I've tried recently, there's definitely some flavor in here, unfortunately it's not very good, even if it gives the impression the guys at Rhinelander tried...though not too hard. Well, maybe considering the price. Oh well, I've learned not to be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 05:08:06 | More by hreb

SolaceBrewing

California

2.84/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75

22 oz bottle from Trader Joe's

Appearance - dark red/brown; head disappears in about a minute; clear

Aroma - slightly malty; no detectable hop aroma

Flavor - sweet, light toasted malt, and light-medium hop bitterness; slight alcohol burn in the finish; little to no hop flavor

Mouthfeel - good carbonation level; balanced and smooth on the tongue

Overall - about what I would expect for a $2 beer; a decent strong brown ale; nothing noteworthy but nothing horrible; after drinking a bottle of this, the lasting bitterness and alochol bite in absence of anything else means I wouldn't buy it again

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 21:35:03 | More by SolaceBrewing

brewcore

South Carolina

2.85/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

A: Pours a dark nearly opaque brown. Reddish tints come through if held up to the light. Aggressive pour yields a two finger, soapy light tan head that dissipates quickly. Good lacing.

S: Dark roasted malts, slightly chocolate. Dark bitter fruits.

T: Dark roasted malts somewhat burnt. Again there is a bit of chocolate in there but it is very subdued. Slight odd sourness. Lingering bitter finish.

M: Very thin for a beer I expected to be heavy (I guess I fell for the name). Moderate to high carbonation.

O: I bought this beer for the price so I did not expect much and I found what I expected. Not terrible but not great. Great price but probably won't visit again.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 01:04:09 | More by brewcore

wedge

North Carolina

2.93/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear dark chestnut under a slender off-white head. Smells kind of homebrew-ish...flowers, creaminess, dark fruit, raisin bread, and a little oxidation. Malty, semi-sweet, moderate chocolate and coffee roast, light black malt char, and molasses. Medium-thin-ish mouthfeel. Not awful, but I won't be getting this again.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 00:57:13 | More by wedge

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a pint glass. Poured a dark brown color, produced a tan head. Retention was average and it left a nice amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma of this American Brown ALe consisted of roasted malt, chocolate malt, and coffee. The taste of this American Brown, medium in body, the flavor of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and a slight hint of bitter hop flavor. Dry finish. Overall, it is a very mediocre example of an American Brown- It will do i a pinch but I would not seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 01:58:07 | More by GossageBrewery

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz bottle served in a New Castle scooner glass.

L - brown with a beige head that thinned to a light layer leaving streaks of lacing.

S - roasted malt and hints of coffee.

T - fairly malt forward with notes of chocolate and coffee, there is some slight bitterness on the finish and the alcohol is somewhat noticable.

F - medium bodied with good carbonation.

O - an average beer worth a try for the price.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 15:52:43 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

Beermazter310

Nevada

3/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

very dark brown, dark amber when held to light. smell a little sweet with a a liitle hops And a little chocolalte. tastes sweet with only a little hops. mouthfeel has low to mild carbonation. overall just a little too sweet. too chocolatey for my taste and for an ale. No off tastes, for 2 bucks at trader joes it was worth a shot. didnt expect too much, but wont buy again.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 04:51:00 | More by Beermazter310

coylefoto

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

i bought this beer for two dollars at trader joe's. a guy i talk to who works there pointed it out to me. at first glance i saw the price. 1.99. after looking at it, the deal was sealed. after opening it, i had no regrets. it looks like something i would drink at a bar all night on special. the crazy thing is that it smells and tastes pretty good. definitely something i could drink any time. the feel follows in those tracks. a little think, but still something 'on special' esque when all is said and done, it seems like they were trying to make a good beer that everyone could get. i'm sure it has to do with the cost of making it, but even at that, it's a million times better than getting a cobra 40oz. so take that at face value and enjoy this 1.99 something other than malt liquor for what is, because it's worth it.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 05:02:38 | More by coylefoto

beertunes

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Another brew in the hated 22oz format. My bottle said made by Rhinelander, while listed here as Minhas. Poured into 10oz goblet. Poured a dark red-brown color with over a half-inch of khaki head that OK retention, it quickly fell to just a ring that held up well, and light lacing.

The aroma was mostly sweet malts, with a bit of yeast tang as well. The flavors weren't particularly notable either, a malty sweetness dominated the front and there was just a bit of a hop kick at the back.

The body was medium, not really "Heavy", and had a bit of a sticky finish. While the drinkability was decent, I wouldn't have more than one 22 at a sitting. Overall, a decent beer for what it is, a cheap, strong bottle at Trader Joe's.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 18:10:37 | More by beertunes

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

With the defiance of any style perameter in mind, this umbiguous ale shares traits of porters, olde ales, brown ales, and Scottish ales and does so without preference. It makes the think that this is how European (likely English) ales would have tasted prior to the industrial revolution.

With its dark brown color and near opaqueness, the beer looks much like porter- not viscous as stout but with a firmer visual texture than brown ale. A creamy head billows to the rim before proceeding to a patient slide toward a liquified sheet that coats the beer's surface evenly with islands of lace that stick to the glass.

The nose breams with rich aromas of burnt caramel, almost-toffee, and the scent of spent coffee grounds. Toast and lightly charred woods give a dry impression just as the alcohols release a semi-fusal and estery display of cherry, plumb, and black currant.

Medium-sweet flavors come in the form of over-cooked molasses, powdered sugar, malted milk, and light aspartame. Yet, the dry taste of toast, wood, coffee, and cocoa overshadows the sweetness and takes firm command of the beer. Fleeting sweetness allows for a woody and charred taste to grow in the long linger of earth and rich flavor.

Richly textured, the residual sweetness of malt and saccharine-like tact latches onto the mouth for an indefinite development toward any would-be dryness or closure. Slightly astringent with the aid of roasted grain husk that provides a mild ashy bite to accompany hop bitterness. Alcohol warmth hides behind the unsettled sweetness for a malty-dry finish.

Root beer, cola, and artificial sweeteners come to mind as the truer malt flavors and hop bitterness sway. The residual flavors quiver and refuse to go away or develop into firmer beer flavor. Despite the beer's fundamental problems, it remains fairly rewarding in its balance and boldness.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 03:53:40 | More by BEERchitect

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Really a ruby red in color, somewhat obscured in the dark amber. Nice head and good retention.

Taste is a lot like a big Red Ale, though more malty. Some fairly severe bitterness comes on stage. Fairly sweet, with a sugary taste. Some sort of fruit cocktail flavor going on, heavy on the peaches. Sort of of an Old Ale taste.

The sweet and bitter combination is not one of my favorites, though it pairs well with toasted cheese and jalapeno potato chips. How cheap this is makes you want to question the price structure of the entire craft beer industry. However, I would recommend one of these and two 40 oz of Crazy Stallion for a nice mixed drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 06:06:03 | More by mactrail

Spikester

Oregon

3.1/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Pours dark brown with one finger of tan head. Modest amount of lacing.
Smell is raisins, molasses, some candied fruit.
Taste is sweet and dark. Lots of molasses, brown sugar, some fruit, chocolate, and bitterness from the hops.
Mouthfeel is full almost syrupy. Carbonation was just enough. Finish is sweet and bitter. Kind of like eating some dark chocolate.
Overall an excellent beer for the price. Just not my usual style.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:20:52 | More by Spikester

ATLbeerDog

Georgia

3.13/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From Traders Joes in a 650ml brown bottle

Pours an attractive amber color with a small off white/beige head that recedes quickly leaving an average amount of lacing. Smells of booze, overly ripe dark fruits and yeast comprise the nose. First sip is a tad disappointing but not surprising based on the aroma. There’s a spice notes, those dark ripe fruits present but nothing too interesting here. Carbonation is fine making the mouthfeel stand out in a beer where not much else does. Not a bad beer but there is so much better out there to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 16:51:15 | More by ATLbeerDog

samie85

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A-Pours a very dark, translucent brown with a finger and a half of thick head.

S-Smells of chocolate and roasted malts with fragrant orange and pine notes.

T-Mostly fruity hops with some roasted malt but finishes with hot alcohol notes.

M-Very slick with low carbonation and a hot alcohol finish in the mouth and throat.

D-Very nice beer with the exception of the alcohol heat which kind of ruins the beer for me; its a cheap vodka kind of note that really is unfortunate as this is an otherwise solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 03:39:08 | More by samie85

Flightoficarus

Washington

3.16/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Never seen this brewery before, but decided to give this one a shot due to the very cheap price. Let's see how $1.99 fares!

A - Pours a deep, almost porter like dark brown, with a minimal tan/off-white head, that leaves moderate lacing.

S - Smell is of faint caramel, roasted malts, and a slight metallic scent. Not much of a strong scent for a stronger beer, strangely.

T - Taste is of sweet, bready roasted malts and caramel, nuts, and a slight hop balance in the finish. The overall flavors are good, but the malt heavily dominates over the hops, if a bit too much so (cloying sweetness).

M - Full bodied, with mild carbonation, and a slick, smooth feel overall.

O - Overall, I wasn't expecting a game changer for $1.99, but for the money, it's not bad. If you're looking for a super malty beer, this one may be worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 16:12:40 | More by Flightoficarus

TheSixthRing

California

3.18/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a dark, rusty amber brown with a 2 finger head, excellent retention, and results in a lace that's thick and sticky.

Smell - Not a whole lot in the way of smell; somewhat earthy, with hints of copper.

Taste - Follows up with the smell. Very little flavor. What is there is metallic, with a dull copper character and a sharp bitterness that peaks well into the aftertaste. If there's any caramel character, it's very subtle, and only when the beer is near room temperature does the slightest hint peak through.

Mouthfeel - Despite the lack of flavor, the mouthfeel is solid. Medium bodied and moderately carbonated. Fairly silky and smooth going down.

Overall - I really don't know what to say about this beer. It's drinkable, in the least. There's nothing much in terms of flavor to look forward to, so it's probably not going on my 'buy again' list.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 00:23:05 | More by TheSixthRing