Bottleworks Imagination Series 6th Anniversary Ale

Formerly brewed at Far West Brewing Co
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Redmond, Washington USA

mesa gathering. graciously provided by hopheadinaz. my clear favorite of the day....pours a cola color with a small tan head. aromas abound...wood molasses, brown sugar, rich malts, vanilla and bananas. (bananas frikken foster!) more bananas in the flavor with molasses, dark dried fruit (figs and dark raisins), chocolate, dark soy,yeast and spiciness, nuts, cola/root beer and possibly licorice?. the list could go on but i was too content to write anything else at that point. creamy texture with big acidic carbonation. dry finish with some lingering dried fig flavor. it leans on the sweet side but it’s certainly not sticky or unwelcome. reminds me of a mix of dunkle/baltic/belgian...very unique...thanks again.

Very deep and dark pour with a generous white head that diisipates to a thick and lasting ring.The nose was oxidized at first, but after being allowed to breathe for a few minutes it cleared and was rich with banana, clove, chocolate, and yeast. The flavor continued this theme, and added notes of fig, graham cracker, toffee, and even rummy overtones. It is a very dense flavor, with a body to match, and still quite sweet after three plus years, but in a wonderful way. This is perhaps the sweetest beer I’ve ever been in love with, and I think Tom Munoz of the sadly defunct Far West Brewing did a remarkable job of recreating the legendary Rochefort 10. Yes, it’s not quite as refined, but the liveliness, and good sharpness of the flavors (which are impeccably balanced) compensate for that deficit. In fact, I actually prefer this version over the original, because it has more defined "edges" IMO.

There was a thought I couldn’t get away from as I drank this... chocolate banana. It honestly may have thrown off my tasting but I swear it was there. Having said that, this was mighty good, a great appearance, great mouthfeel that I’m sure will improve with age, and a flavor that constantly seems to be changing in the glass. Buy two, one for today and one for next year to celebrate bottleworks 7th.

This beers claims to model itself after Rochefort 10, and I dare say it might even be better! An amazing brew! Beautiful dark red to brown color, incredible head retention. If you’ve had Rochefort 10, this truly is a similar brew. Definitely has the fig/banana/chocolate aroma and flavor. Very soft, strong alcohol content I’m sure, though not overpowering (bottle doesn’t say what the alcohol content is). If you’re in the Seattle area, get to Bottleworks and get one, but don’t take them all before I go back! Truly an incredible offering!

Beer pours a beautiful red mahogeny color. Aroma is replete with dark fruit, sweet malt and alcohol. Flavor is rich, swet dark malt, dark fruit, yeast, and alcohol. Mouthfeel is wonderful and velvety. Delicous valiant effor at replicating such and awesome beer as Rochefort 10.

Date: 04/29/2005
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Dark Lord Day, 2005

brown, big tan head, rich malt aroma, big spicy rich malt flavor, fumey, nice ripe fruit character
-------- /> Date: 06/18/2005

huge sweet fruity malt aroma, light bitterness, lots of carbination,
-------- /> Date: 07/01/2006
Score: iii to iiii
Words: Bottle
Words: Trade

a loud pop of the cork followed by a quick pour before agressive form can rush fourth from the bottle, clear dark ruby red, big foamy beige head even with a careful pour, solid foam lace, big yet lively body, rich fruity aroma of figs and dates and a hint of alcohol, big malt flavor, tons of rich ripe fruits that just keeps getting richer and richer, perfect sweetness, only a hint of alcohol in the final sip

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 10/10; Flavor: 9/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 19/20
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Drinkability: 9/10
Score: ***4

C&PLYFOTD: Bottle, courtesy hopscotch. Dark red brown pour, creamy full amount of lacing, head. Nose is slightly tart with some raspberries, cherries, massive oak notes and caramel, and slight chocolate. Rich and full of delicious dark fruits and creamy chocolate flavors, sweet, brown sugar, molasses. Full-bodied, balanced well, held up quite well. Yummy.

Pours dark brown, with a large tan head. Aromas of dark fruit, spice, wine, banana, and malt. Flavor is sweet malt, banana, chocolate, wine, and dark fruit. The alcohol isn’t hidden, but it doesn’t take anything away from the beer. An amazing brew, and it should age well.