 Rciesla (712), Brick City, New Jersey, USA
Jul 8, 2008 1L swing top. Pour and amber body, lots of sweet malt, sugar, some toffee, etoh, citrus hoppy pine as well but mellow in comparison to the dark fruit and raisin.
theisti (1045), Leawood, Kansas, USA
Mar 24, 2008 22 oz. hand bottle, 2007 Vintage, courtesy of MrBendo, shared with afer4ever and hogfodder. Pour is orange amber with no head too speak of. Aroma of bright fruit hops, woody, dry rounded and sweet. Taste is citrus hops and biscuit malt. A bit of spiciness in the finish. Palate is mouth coating, and very nice. Really nicely rounded and full in flavor. Thanks for sending this one my way Todd, nice work on the HB, this was in great shape.
after4ever (1717), Brier, Washington, USA
Mar 21, 2008 22, handbottle, double waxed. Thanks, Theisti! Crystal clear medium amber with bright golden highlights. Rich fruity sour cherry nose. Medium, slightly oily body. Orange pith on the mid-palate, along with wood and some dark pitted tree fruit. Long resin finish.
JCB (1012), Durham, North Carolina, USA
Mar 18, 2008 22oz hand-bottle from MrBendo - thanks, Todd! Immediately on the pour I get a lustrous hop aroma that screams Bigfoot. The body is a deep and handsome amber, with a nice fluffy head that’s impressively lasting. Deeper into the nose, you get an overtone of nuts that promise a nice union with the hops. The mouthfeel isn’t as active as I thought it would be, given the evident carbonation, and that seems to suit the beer well. It allows the complexity to come through more than it otherwise might - a bit of a burn from the alcohol (though it’s generally well-hidden), some pepper and spice from the hops, and a nice lingering finish of dates, nuts, and honey. Strong one, and I’m much obliged to Todd for giving me the chance to try this one out.
Ughsmash (2999), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Mar 16, 2008 Thanks to Todd for the ’07 hand-bottled bomber! Poured fiery reddish-orange with a short cap of toffee head. The aroma was sweet and intense with darker fruits and caramel on the malt front with spicy, floral, and perfumey hoppage surrounding.. alcohol amplification and really nice balance. The flavor carried through that sweetness, with caramel, honey, and a little grapefruit meat at the core.. spicy and floral bitterness surrounded.. alcohol warmth was apparent, but it never got in the way.. long, strong impression on the finish. Heavier-bodied, warm, and grainy on the palate with enough carbonation to keep it moving.. sticky, hot finish that warmed the belly.. alcohol was held in check as well as you could hope for considering the ABV. I’d gladly drink this again!
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