John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale - Cold Spring Brewing Co.

techfed87

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very little head. Color is pitch black. Smells of sweet caramels and dark-roasted grains.

First sip is a bit mellower than what I was expecting. Usually when breweries are so bold as to market a beer as aged in bourbon barrels, it comes off as something a bit more intense, like a Bourbon County of a Kentucky Breakfast. Maybe the fine details are in the statement "aged ON Bourbon Oak Chips" and not specifically "bourbon barrels". Either way, the beer is still very nuanced and has a great body to it. In fact, I might recommend it over some of the other beers, as this may be much more palatable than the rest to someone who's never tried such a style before.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 01:00:28 | More by techfed87

whatname

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

06-18-2013 02:58:35 | More by whatname

DMarlinJ

Michigan

4.14/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Strong pour into a nonic pint glass to get a one finger head that dissipated quickly to eventually nothing. Color is rich dark brown and had some sticky lacing.

I picked up the roasted malts smell and some raisin also hints of vanilla and oak. Mostly the caramel roasted malts.

The taste is great! These are flavors I love and not overpowering, well balanced. Not too sweat for such a malty beer. I do notice the heat from the alcohol but it fits and I like it. The raisin and vanilla are what stand out to me. Yes, the oak is there but not dominate. Just a bit of bitter to keep it from being too sticky. Did I say I really like this taste? Pour another right now! (reminds me of Kuhnhenn's Dark Heathen Triple Bock, just not as meaty and with more carbonation)

The feel could be better if it were a little thicker and chewy. Just a bit thin and watery but still above average. If it were thicker I think it would add to the taste and make this exceptional but on the other hand it could become to sticky. So? Still nice carbonation and clean feel. No lingering unpleasantness.

Overall for the price and ease of drinking, I plan to come back to this one and will try the other John Henry offerings. Nice job on this one. After having another I had to come back and rate it higher on taste. It does not have to be complex to very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 00:23:18 | More by DMarlinJ

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -18.7%

05-28-2013 14:12:00 | More by ShanePB

pk18

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +8.4%

05-27-2013 22:27:47 | More by pk18

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

05-27-2013 09:31:50 | More by jimmah120

bkonk10

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

05-27-2013 02:47:59 | More by bkonk10

FrostyJenbaJuice

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

05-26-2013 16:29:40 | More by FrostyJenbaJuice

InfernoBoss

California

3.25/5  rDev -11.9%

05-22-2013 22:01:01 | More by InfernoBoss

nick_asian

Nevada

4/5  rDev +8.4%

05-19-2013 07:15:01 | More by nick_asian

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

05-15-2013 16:30:03 | More by ColdWaffles

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

05-14-2013 21:14:02 | More by InspectorBob

BMart

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -18.7%

05-13-2013 17:04:39 | More by BMart

BucannonXC5

California

4.21/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Firestone restaurant pint glass
From: Cherokee Market Beer & Wine in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $9.99 for a 4-pack
Purchased: May 11, 2013
Consumed:May 11, 2013
Misc.: N/A

Poured an almost pitch black color with two fingers of pillowy tan head. Not as much lacing as I’d thought there would be, average with sporadic spots. Very nice retention of tan foam all the way down.

Smelled chocolate, toffee, caramel, oak, chocolate milk, faint coffee and bourbon. Very malty.

Tasted similar to the nose, just so smooth. Got toffee, caramel, tobacco, oak, chocolate, bourbon, chocolate milk, vanilla and faint coffee beans. Touch of bitterness, but smooth.

Medium-to-full body. Slick texture. Average carbonation. Long, warming, smooth finish with just a tad bit of bitterness.

A very good beer and I think a great price at $2.50 a bottle. Would love to try it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 06:50:50 | More by BucannonXC5

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle purchased as a single from somewhere localish.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" light brown head over the cloudy brown brew. Head recedes gradually, with lasting lace. Aroma is sweet and oaky.

Taste starts chocolatey sweet with a touch of fusel upfront, creamy in the middle, with a lightly boozy close and a lingering aftertaste, . Mouthfeel is pretty smooth, and drinkability is alright. Doesn't quite all come together as well as I would hope, but not too bad.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 01:39:36 | More by ppoitras

jabo134

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

05-06-2013 01:56:08 | More by jabo134

CaptainNomihodai

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

04-27-2013 05:09:58 | More by CaptainNomihodai

aaronblain22

Michigan

4/5  rDev +8.4%

04-27-2013 00:43:44 | More by aaronblain22

jdkitchi

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

04-27-2013 00:35:03 | More by jdkitchi

kguard

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

04-25-2013 04:04:33 | More by kguard

bulldog91

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

04-21-2013 04:01:05 | More by bulldog91

browniewithnuts

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +8.4%

04-18-2013 20:22:26 | More by browniewithnuts

jniagar1

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +8.4%

04-14-2013 00:36:58 | More by jniagar1

schoon

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

04-08-2013 00:10:26 | More by schoon

oneeyedhoolie

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

04-01-2013 20:38:50 | More by oneeyedhoolie