[1] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (12/28/2007 9:20:12 PM)
"2005 release, Sampled December 2007
A somewhat vigorous pour only produces a scant, quarter-finger thick, tan colored head. The beer is a brilliantly clear, cherry red color when held up to the light, but otherwise is a very red tinged, deep amber color. Aromas of aged hops and aged malts produces aromatic components of berries, caramelized citrus notes, light sherry, concentrated, caramelized malt and a super malt character that is almost umami like in its richness. Heady alcohol aromatics provide similarities to Brandy and even Scotch aromas.
Sweet, thick and extremely chewy, there is a ton of residual malt sugar left in this brew. The mix is rich enough that the sweetness is not cloying, but man is this a viscous brew. Toasted malt flavors, richly caramelized sugars, richly nutty dark malts and a warming alcohol note in the finish. This is a huge beer, it even tastes a bit like not quite diluted malt extract. I am glad this is only a 12oz bottle, but I could easily see this being one of the few beers deserving of a nip bottle sized serving. Fruit flavors of raisins and prunes combine with the alcohol to give this beer a sort of brandy-like finish. But I keep coming back to how thick and viscous this brew is; it sits on my tongue like it weighs a ton, and it almost seems like I have to work to cram, even a small sip down my throat. Underneath all of this malt, the beer is actually quite hoppy too; it plays a secondary role here and can sometimes get lost in the malt, but I do taste a herbal, sweet citrus character that is clearly hop derived.
While this beer is tasty and complex, it is just a bit too much. The amount of residual, unfermented sugars left in this beer is crazy; it is just so thick and so viscous that it makes it hard to even swallow. This beer is not bad, but it just ends up being too much. Perhaps another ten or twenty years of age would make this more drinkable."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[2] Review by eaglefan538 from DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (6/13/2006 11:14:03 PM)
"Again, thanks Bert! Nice burgundy waxed cap, poured a copper-orange color, small head, ok lacing (pretty good, actually, for the abv). Hoppy aroma of citrus and light pine resin. Flavor was lightly sweet, but balanced: some caramel, brown sugar, and grapefruits with increasing temperature. Mouthfeel was somewhat grainy sugar-like and this thing finishes with an alcohol / citrus combined zing."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[3] Review by E from Spring Mountain, PA, USA who has tried this beer once. (4/21/2006 10:58:37 AM)
"Poured a hazy, reddish amber color with a small, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of dried fruits, rum, green apple, alcohol, caramel, and some vanilla. Taste of sweet caramel, light smoked malts, nuts, wood, and some alcohol in the finish as well."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by aracauna from Adairsville, GA, USA who has tried this beer (1/15/2006 10:19:54 AM)
"I like this brewery and I like this beer. Cloudy, dark brown body with a moderate head. The aroma is complex with pencil wood, figs, raspberries and brown sugar. The flavor heavily malty, but backed up by a sharp bitterness in the back. Sweet, but not overly so."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
6/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure Compared to this brewer's other beers: Not Sure
[5] Review by heemer77 from Savannah, MO, USA who has tried this beer once. (12/17/2005 2:38:16 AM)
"Thanks a bunch for the bottle, Duane. Medium ruby colored body with a thin light tan head. Very sweet with massive caramel and honey. There is also some apples and prunes. Smells absolutely delicious. The taste is rich with caramel and some boozy pears. There is a hint of vanilla and some high quality tea. Very drinkable. I realy like Dark Horse and this beer helps me like them even more. "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
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)
