 Gromit (449), Port Orchard, Washington, USA
Nov 5, 2005
I tried to place the style and the best I could come up with is "Brown with lots of hops," but "Strong Ale" definitely works.
Pours a dark brown with a very full head that left a very nice lace down the glass.
Aroma is far more malt than hops, but it’s there. Dark fruits are present.
Flavor is all malt/dark fruit with some hops in there. Chocolate and coffee are strong. They claim 9 hops, but if so, none are even the slightest bit distinctive; all I detect are bittering hops and none for flavor.
Palate is crisp and bitter from the hops which is nice since this is quite sweet (I’m not usually a Brown fan). Overall it’s pretty nice and worth checking out. I Can’t think of anything else out there that’s a tight match to it so it’s definitely a bit different.
Sephiroth (65), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Sep 10, 2008
I released this into my tulip. It is a deep, ruby, dark brown. The nose is slightly metallic on the first pour, The second is better, with slight chocolate and roasted malt.
The taste is hoppy. Piney bitterness dominates, but the coffee, chocolate, toffee, and caramel malt are all there too. This beer is young for sure.
The mouthfeel is creamy, with small (bubbles), lively carbonation. I will purchase more of these, as they are only $3.99 at the local store.
Serving type: bottle
Reviewed on: 10-14-2005 02:21:18
GuilTTy (459), Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
Jul 19, 2008 Bottle. Reviewing from old notes after I ealized that I failed to post earlier. Mostly clear dark copper supporting a medium light khaki head. Aroma tilts toward sweet malt and mild fruit. Caramel, milk chocolate and a hint of toffee predominate the flavors. Weak hop profile but just enough to maintain balance. Dry finish. Not a bad brew but wouldn’t be my first choice to pair with matzo ball soup.
Thomas_E (5065), Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb 28, 2008 Deep reddish, brown colour with a tan head. Roasted malty, fruity and vanilla sweet aroma with a vague bread note. Roasted malty and dried dark fruit sweet flavor with a vague wood note. Dry and toasted finish with alcohol sweet notes.
Old_Mr_Crow (1043), Seattle, Washington, USA
Jan 18, 2008 ’05 bomber sampled Jan ’08.
Pours dark brown with a modest cream head. Big plum aroma, dried fruit, some smoke, tons of dark malt. Sweet flavor, a hint of smoke, again those plums and dried fruit, again powerful toffee malts. This one is a bit too sweet and sticky for my taste, but otherwise fairly nice.
mike mcneil (640), St Augustine, Florida, USA
Dec 29, 2007 Poured from the bomber a deep, dark mahogny brown; close to ebony. Produced a handsome dense and creamy beige head with admirable retention. No lacing noted. Aroma was that of a typical English Brown Ale but one on steroids. Hefty, assertive notes of roasted malts, nuts, toffee, dark chocolate and dark dried fruits such as figs and raisins immediately fil the nose. Some faint smells of spicy/herbal hops linger gently in the background. Mouthfeel was superb. I personally enjoy big beers of this style having a thick and almost syrpy/oily texture and this did not disappoint. Thick and silky with a very subdued CO2 level. Just adds to the overall richness of a big Impy Stout, Barleywine, etc. Flavor department was rich and assertive with lots of dark roasted malts, dark caramel, toffee, molasses, nuts and dark dried fruits taking center stage. The beer’s overall malty sweetness is nicely tamed by the presence of just a touch of spicy hop bitterness finishing things off. The 9% alcohol is warming but in no way intrusive. This was an enjoyable late night treat.
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