[1] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer many times. (12/14/2007 10:19:49 PM)
"Sampled December 2007
A vigorous pour produces a fat, one-finger thick, amber tinged tan colored head. The beer sits in my glass a dark amber hued, brown color, but shows an almost brilliantly clear, cranberry color when held up to the light. The carbonation is visually slight, with only a few lonely bubbles working there way through the glass at a time. The aroma has quite a dusty malt character to it, with lots of toasted grain notes and browned artisanal bread crust aromatics. It still has a sweet smelling character to it, which definitely accentuates fruit notes of berries and perhaps some raisin like aromas. The hot alcohol that was in this beer when I first had it seems to have toned down significantly as it just plays a role in the background; it produces some aromatics notes that make me think of molasses rum. The aroma has a bit too much of a grain husk like sharpness to it, but it still has vastly improved.
Sweet and viscous feeling, this beer definitely has a creamy mouthfeel to it. The slight carbonation adds just a touch of a sparkle towards the finish. Dark, toasted malt flavors play a big role here; sharp, roast grain husk notes, toasted bread flavors, something that almost seems wood like at times. This is still a bit hot in the finish, the alcohol definitely supplies ample warming character here, which isn’t actually all that bad on this uncharacteristically cold, AZ night. Slightly fruity, though not as much as the aroma would have suggested, flavors of raisins, a touch of berry notes and at times a hint of cherry. These notes are joined by complimentary flavors reminiscent of toffee, a hint of vanilla and molasses. The alcohol, along with the fruit notes provides something like the finish of a brandy. A solid, yet initially unnoticed because of all of the malt sweetness, bitterness is found in the finish, it lingers a bit and slowly wins out over the malt sugars. Most definitely a chewy, sipping beer; thick and rich, a beer to be savored slowly over an evening in front of the fire.
This has definitely vastly improved ; initially it was something I would only just want to drink a full glass of. It still has a ways to go though, and I still think that it will improve for at least another year, if not even significantly longer. The beer still needs to soften up a bit, and a bit of oxidation should add some needed complexity.
Sampled October, 2005
6/8/8/6/6 total of 3.4
Pours a clear rich amber color and is topped by a frothy amber tan colored head. The aroma is fruity and malty; a mix of sticky toffee, cherry, and sharp alcohol. The aroma seems a bit too strongly towards the alcohol side of the spectrum, at least initially.
The taste is quite sweet and full in the palate, and the finish has a strong, hot alcohol note to it. In the finish is also a roasted astringency that has notes of coffee. As my palate becomes used to it the beer loses its initial sticky sweetness; it still tastes strongly of caramel and toffee but becomes a bit more richer. This beer is definitely on the young side, in fact this needs at least 6 months, but probably more like 2 years before it comes into its own. This beer actually has quite a bit of potential, but I wish that the brewery had brewed this two years earlier for this 10 year anniversary. I expect my ratings for this to go up as time passes.
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 750ml @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[2] Review by Clash from Chattanooga, TN, USA who has tried this beer once. (5/24/2006 3:23:00 PM)
"A brown appearance with a huge malty aroma. Lots of dark fruit, brown sugar, molasses, whiskey, and cherries in the flavor. Complex to the say the least. The finish is sweet and syrupy. Great stuff! "
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
10/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.3)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[3] Review by aracauna from Adairsville, GA, USA who has tried this beer once. (5/22/2006 5:01:07 PM)
"A dark brown body with not a lot of head. The aroma is very big caramel and the fruitiness of overworked yeast. Prunes. Dates. This is a very malty, very alcoholic beer."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure Compared to this brewer's other beers: Not Sure
[4] Review by bfeldmann from Wilmington, DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (5/1/2006 8:42:18 AM)
"Thanks to eagle for this one. Poured a brown with redish edges to it small head which left okay lacing. Aroma was of caramel aocohol. Flavor was the same with some wood maybe oak in there. Good beer, expected better though. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[5] Review by doulos31 from Middletown, DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (5/1/2006 12:21:46 AM)
"Wow, I really enjoyed this. Thanks to eaglefan538...he shoulda just poured me the whole thing, as I liked it more than he did. ;) Another dark ale with a caramel base...but a lot going on in this one. Some chocolatey notes, some dark fruit and a nice hop finish. This was what the Stone 8th was trying to be. I need more AleSmith!"
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.2)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
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(3.4)
