Old Saint Chongo - Bear Republic Brewing Co.

popery

California

3.06/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours murky and brown. Small head. I'm normally pretty easy on appearance but this one is sorta ugly. Looks thick. Smells sweet with molasses, caramel, dough, milk chocolate, but there's also a funny medicinal note that I'm not enjoying. Taste is quite sweet in a cough syrup like way. Lots of that band aid flavor in the finish. Kind of a gummy, syrupy feel. I'm just not a fan of this beer. The flavor combination doesn't work for me. It needs some sort of a balancing note at the very least. An unusual miss from bear republic.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 02:27:03 | More by popery

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a sample glass at the brewery.

A: Dark, opaque maple. Light tan head.

S: Roasted-sweet malt. Brown sugar.

T: Sweet, sweet brown sugar and hint of chocolate. Rich and rewarding. Lightly spicy.

M: Smooth and exciting.

O: Solid winter warmer. Engaging and tasty. Well-made and recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 01:00:53 | More by AgentMunky

GRG1313

California

4.38/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Bear Republic 12/31/11 and listed as "This year's winter warmer." Made with cocoa nibs and Mexican chocolate.

The appearance is black with a medium thick dark khaki head that is retained for longer than most. Nice looking.

Nose is rich "chocolate malt," assertive roasted sweet coffee and malted milk balls. There is a chocolate/banana character to the nose and it is very inviting and appealing.

Mouthfeel is creamy, rich and bold with nice carbonation and you don't want to taste this one as "really drink it."

Flavor profile is what really wins the day. This beer, simply put, is delicious. There is a rich chocolate malt/banana sweet character that first really seems sweet and chocolaty, but it then goes to an appealing lightly sweet/bitter chocolate/roasted grain/coffee character.

Finish is all chocolate/coffee/rich roasted grain with hints of sweet and undertones of bitter espresso.

I'm one who is drinking less and less of these kinds of brews. However, this one is a winner that I'd gladly drink anytime. Really a nice effort and the highlight of our "full list" tasting at Bear Republic over the New Years weekend.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2012 04:32:24 | More by GRG1313