 willblake (1952), Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
Apr 20, 2006
04.20.06 750ml bottle. After having a few samples over the last six months or so, I’m ready to give it a go. Thanks to sprinkle, I think, for supplying the bottle. Pretty pour on this stuff, it’s ruby brown with teakwood highlights and the slowly fading khaki head leaves sturdy islands of lace. Aroma is now spot on what I most crave in big old ales and english-type barley wines - it’s full of rummy raisins, melting brown sugar in an iron pot, the slightest of brine, and a damp autumn waft through the woodshed rafters with the season’s slight dust and molding bark. Okay, that may have been over the line, but the smell is damn fine. The anticipation is of a sweet and full brew with touches of mineral and a finish of old wet wood. In fact, the beer does not disappoint. Sherry and wood port notes bloom across the palate in the warmth of potent alcohol, which has finally retreated from its youthful power play. Entrancing stuff, and entirely intoxicating. The finish comes around slowly, and it’s dry, maybe too dry as temps rise, but a bounty of dried fruits temper what could be unpleasant and further mask any alcoholic unpleasantness. The body never gets around to the thick and really full feeling that I’d hoped for, and in fact seems at times at odds with the drying finish. It’s good, but I think it might still get better.
kramer (1956), Sunbury, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 31, 2008 25 oz bottle, consumed Aug 2008. Pours a beautiful clear amber to dark copper body with a small fizzy beige head that faded to a thin ring. Lotsa carbonation visible. The nose is richly malty with dark caramel, burnt toffee, cocoa, figs, and marzipan. Some very light sherry like oxidation, and a touch of alcohol. Reminds me in alot of ways of aged North Coast Old Stock. The flavor reminds me of NC Old Stock as well. Big rich and deep toffee and caramel maltiness with perfect attenuation, it’s not cloying or tiring on the palate at all. I really love the aged character of this, it has really mellowed and smoothed out incredibly from when it was fresh and rather hot. The alcohol is reallty minimally noticable. Finishes with a little cocoa and fig fruitiness, maybe even a touch of coffee. The feel of it is just so smooth and easy drinking it’s extremely hard to believe that this is 10% ABV. Sometimes I’m a big stickler for carbonation and the soft gentle nature of this suits it well. I had to break out an 04 NC Old Stock to drink side by side with this, and while the OS is a bit darker and has a bit more toffee, the comparison has some validity. Wish I had more of these to cellar.
Wasatch (187), Layton, Utah, USA
Oct 25, 2008 A - Pours a very clear ruby red, not much carbonation, tiny head, some island lacing.
S - Scents of plums, sweet malts, raisins, caramel, and slight alcohol.
T - The taste is kinda sweet/tangy, slight caramel, nice warm feeling in the throat, due to the alcohol I’m sure, finishes dry.
M - Medium body, Well rounded brew.
D - Drinkable. I let this one sit for quite a few months (8-9 months). Very tasty, watch out for the 11% ABV. AleSmith is one of my favorite brewers.
SpringsLicker (1846), Tennessee, USA
Oct 18, 2008 Thanks to Beer Hawk for sharing this one!
Pours a clear dark amber with a lasting off-white head.
Complex aroma dark fruits, caramel, raisin.
The flavor follows the aroma.
Very tasty sipper that is holding up (improving?) very well.
Yummy.
BeerHawk (801), Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Bottle. Poured brown with an off-white head that settles out with time. Good mix of caramel malts and fruits with a slight hint of alcohol. The flavor finds caramel, chocolate, and some fruits with a very slight alcohol presents. Medium to full body that is sweet up front and bitter in the end. Very nice!
MI2CA (1101), Noblesville, Indiana, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Sample at J Gumbos Aug 2008 Indy tasting - I’ve been holding this and the BA version for the right tasting and this was it. Aroma of prune, plum, dark malts, chocolate, caramel, toffee and alcohol. Flavor matches with some tobacco on top. There’s a lot going on. Palate is sticky. A tasty brew for sure.
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