SXNW (Brothers' Reserve Series) - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

alpinebryant

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Nice box display, pours a dark coffee brown with a 1 inch head of tan bubbles.

S: Smells of lightly roasted nuts, cocoa and some heavy roast malts.

T: The aroma was underwhelming and slightly less than I may have expected with so many non beer ingredients listed on the label. The flavor of this beer on the other hand actually displayed a lot of these ingredients. Most prominent is the cocoa and a rich caramel toffee flavor. Green chili's at the end and a nice warming chili flavor as well that will make your throat a little toasty. Dark bakers chocolate and cocoa nib flavors that are bittering rather than sweet. The backbone of this of course is a nutty old ale flavor with some pecan presence that is beaten out by the chili and toffee flavors.

M: Medium body with a lot of carbonation that is slightly prickly.

O: Overall, this is pretty tasty and has a lot going on. I am reminded of a chili chocolate bar that I had once that tasted very similar. There are very few unattenuated sugars left behind which is a nice change for a beer of this volume. Well Done

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 17:11:24 | More by alpinebryant

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-21-2013 18:15:23 | More by johntfox

AlTrombley

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I sell this beer. I have waited for a long time for a case to break so I could take one out of the breakage room. It never sounded very good (pecans with Chili's sounds bad) but I figured for free I would give it a try. I was REAL surprised how good it was. Just a hint of heat on the back end.... Very nice!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 02:26:55 | More by AlTrombley

metter98

New York

3.96/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear reddish brown in color and has a light to moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that quickly died down, leaving delicate lacing covering the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of cocoa nibs and pecans are present in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell except that the pecans are a little more prominent and there are also some notes of green chilies, which aren't really spicy, but become stronger as the beer warms up and linger through the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is rather in interesting and has a good balance between all of the ingredients (cocoa nibs, green chilies and pecans) and hides its alcohol rather well.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 02:44:49 | More by metter98

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%

04-29-2013 07:48:17 | More by Kelp

roostor07

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +1.5%

04-28-2013 23:00:38 | More by roostor07

WynnO

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

04-27-2013 16:24:28 | More by WynnO

heresy22

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

04-14-2013 18:39:22 | More by heresy22

drrone

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

04-14-2013 15:11:24 | More by drrone

harrymel

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

04-13-2013 04:54:38 | More by harrymel

dominic4beer

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

04-07-2013 06:32:05 | More by dominic4beer

Twig2848

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

04-06-2013 03:29:29 | More by Twig2848

OMG

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.5%

04-02-2013 15:34:07 | More by OMG

Lantern

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

03-27-2013 10:27:16 | More by Lantern

jmathis

Florida

4/5  rDev +1.5%

03-16-2013 22:35:03 | More by jmathis

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

03-08-2013 15:12:58 | More by SkeeterBoganski

Pencible

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: This poured a clear black ruby with quickly dissipating light tan head.
S: It smelled like earthy chocolate and nutty malt, with some chili pepper and pumpernickel bread.
T: It tasted like earthy bittersweet chocolate and nutty malt, with some pumpernickel bread and chili pepper. It had a clean and bittersweet aftertaste with a bit of heat.
M: It was watery with a little carbonation. Thin body.
D: The concept sounded better than this beer ended up. The scent and body were ok but not delicious. The body was weak, and the finish wasn't super smooth. The alcohol was hidden decently by the spicy character, but it wasn't the easiest to drink. I doubt age would improve it. Simply not a good show of brewing skill. Not a bad drink, but not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 17:01:28 | More by Pencible

kjkinsey

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

02-24-2013 23:44:10 | More by kjkinsey

JRod1969

New York

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

02-23-2013 04:56:29 | More by JRod1969

a74gent

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

02-20-2013 01:18:42 | More by a74gent

squidrobot

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +1.5%

02-17-2013 15:10:35 | More by squidrobot

mactrail

California

3.4/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A handsome brown-tinged red in the tall tulip. The head, alas, doesn't seem to last so well, but the lacing renews itself when you swirl the glass. A little oily in the mouth, but not so syrupy.

This brew has a fair amount of heat with just a twinge of chile flavor. It's sweet but sharp, hot and spicy. Overall, it's a nice blend of flavors without any of them standing out too much. The Mexican chocolate-cinnamon combination is not one of my favorites, but it merges with the dark caramel, roasted malt, and what tastes like dried red chiles rather than the fresh green ones. Between the alcohol and the heat, it's a slow sipping affair.

From the 22 oz bottle bought at Barons Marketplace on Point Loma Blvd.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 06:03:39 | More by mactrail

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

02-08-2013 03:20:46 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

SourAddict

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

01-14-2013 13:59:40 | More by SourAddict

Dactrius

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

01-11-2013 01:41:36 | More by Dactrius