Craftsman Cabernale

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Pasadena, California USA

Purplish colour with a thick purple head. Rich cab nose with light beeriness and some pepper. Dry and hugely vinous - a big expressive beer. Nice round beery body, finishing very dry with a huge grapey character. Crisp, fruity finish.

Tap @ PP Carlsbad. Poured a slightly hazed deep red color with an off-white head. The aroma was vinous with red wine notes. Vinous Cabernet flavor from the middle to the finish. Sweet fruity malt start. Light to medium body.

Medium orange color. VERY large white foamy head. Aroma is malty and orange, touch of wine like tartness. A medium bodied strong ale. Malts are fruity and somewhat sweet. Grapey would be a good description. Sweet without being overly sweet. Well balanced. Very smooth. This would make a good session beer if it weren’t 8%, as there is no trace of alcohol. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and crisp. Aftertaste is slightly sweet with a touch of tartness.

Draft @ Stone World Bistro on Saturday 1/26/08 day before the winter storm begins. Pours purply red with a small pink head. Nose was sweet and sticky with a vinous quality. Taste was sweet and slightly sour with a wine like quality to it. Alcohol was well hidden, overall interesting beer, not sure how I ultimately feel about it.

Glass thanks to Mark at Craftsman. Pours a hazy purple to red color with a very generous white head that stays for the duration. Aroma is a bit spicy, and vinous with grapes. Taste is very nice, with a bit of tart grapes (albeit not sour), and some nice Belgian yeast esters that add a bit of spiciness. Smooth mouthfeel. Light carbonation. Pleasant beer. Very well hidden alcohol if it really is 8%.

On draught at O’Brien’s in San Diego. This beer pours a deep reddish-purple color with a medium thin and fizzy pinkish head that burns away steadily. Spotty lacing on the chalice. Vinous aroma with notes of sweet malt in the background. Medium, dry body with tart cabernet grape and malt flavors, along with a bit of spice. The finish is fruity with a lingering fermented grape aftertaste. Interesting and pretty enjoyable overall.

Aroma of cabernet grapes. Purplish red in color. Very fruity and nice. Not alot of "beer" flavor. Smooth and drinkable and very unique. Apparently it was brewed with 1000 lbs of grapes. At least that is what we were told.

Bottle, special from brewery. Bright magenta with corresponding pink head. A slight bit of sourness in the nose, distinct wine aromas. Flavors are especially grapey with a bit of fun funkiness. Slight yeastiness in finish. Loads of potential in this artistic brew.