Shed Hell Spawn

2006 draught samples at Kennett Fest on 10/7/06
Orange-copper-blond colored beer is quite hazy, showing tiny bubbles rising at the surface to create a cascade-like effect of colors and carbonation, leading to an enamel-colored, dense head that shows medium to high retention and light lacing.
Highly fruity hops in the nose are pungent and very aromatic. No immense hard resin or obnoxious grapefruit overdose here. Bright and crisp for sure, but softened, somewhat, by a modest amount of caramel-honey sugariness. The malt and hop combination produces cherries and ruby red grapefruit notes, with some coniferous suggestions on the very end as the hop acids mix with the alcohol esters. By no means is it overly alcoholic in the nose, however (which is impressive for this abv). You can almost smell the texture, which just seems like it is going to be rather thick, comforting and fully supportive of the hops. Some nectarine and lemon zest notes, on the back of a very pungent spruce note really shows interesting complexity. Not just another mango, grapefruit, pine concoction.
The flavor really impressed me the most, however, being sweet, or as it sweet as it needs to be to balance, but seemingly going no further. Caramel and light honey, with some touches of bread/dough suggestions, immediately form a supportive texture and are attacked by the bitter grapefruit-like sharpness. It almosts reminds me of lemon juice, the hops being very dry through the middle and extremely pungent (almost sour). But as quickly as it comes, the caramel malts wash it away (mostly, anyhow) leaving flavor combinations of cherries, raisins, marmalade, sweet strawberries and sweetened limes in its wake. A snap of alcohol warmth and/or hop acidity closes it out and malt sugars comfort the palate until the next sip, not allowing any significant acidity (relatively speaking) to build.
Carbonation was quite appropriate, though low and mostly engaging. I think a little bit more would have even been beneficial though, as the malt seemed to take the upperhand slightly, by the end. Still, at this IBU and ABV, it’s remarkably well-done and not sloppy. Missing the near-perfect balance/attenuation of Pliny the Younger and PP Hop 15 and perhaps some more pils malt in place of the caramel malt would make it seem a little brighter. Still, this is fantastic stuff and a very difficult beer to accomplish (triple IPA).

Multiple half-pints sampled draught at American Flatbread in Burlington, VT. Solid, scintillating apricot juice color with a lasting wisp of head and bit of chunky lacing....nose is all luscious fruits, grapefruit dominant but sweet cherries and apricots making themselves known as well, hints of caramel and maple subtly insistant but the fruits continue to dominate....the body is even nicer, just as sweet and fruity-jammy, very very malty which helps cut those immense IBUs into something manageable (this sample has a few months on it, anyway) with a round, thick, oily feel in the center and only at the very finish showing its IIPA mettle as serious woody dry hops belt you mercilessly; with warmth the hop attack dominates midpalate more but it never becomes less than drinkable, and the alcohol simply isn’t present at all. So so glad I got to try this before it disappears forever!

Draft @ KSBF:06 Small tan head, good retention and a fair amount of sticky lace hanging around. Lightly hazy amber/orange glow. Nose is big, citrus, grapefruit, pungent hoppiness, a touch piney. Body is full, oily and resiny, sticky. Lots of hops in this beer! Fruity, citrusy, with notes of melon, over ripe peaches, juicey and a hint floral. A massive hop bill! Hidden caramel malts come around as it warms as does some alcohol flavors. Finish is big and fruity, hoppy with a massive hop bite. Nice hop juice! Enjoyed several samples of this monster. My fave at the fest!!

KSBF 2006. Pours a bright orange mostly clear with a slight haze and a nice fluffy white sticky head. Aroma is sharp hoppy citrus and mango with some pine, sappy, resinous and a piney- almost warrior-like hop character. Sticky piney hops in the flvor with mor ecitrus, a bi tof mango and other wierd fruits, some thcik sweet malts and a strong sharp bitterness that almost becomes prickly in the back of the throat. Dman this was good. Had to go back for at least 3 refills during the VIP session. Freakin awesome!

KSBF 2006. Pours a translucent golden amber with a foamy off white head. Aroma of grapefruit, various citrus, light pine and some caramel. Very hoppy aroma...loved it. Flavor has lots of citrus, grapefruit, major up front hops but a very nice body.