 Rastacouere (5196), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
May 4, 2008
Objectively speaking:
A beefy anniversary ale that adopts the bigger is better philosophy and fortunately fails at it.
I like:
Firm rich mouthfeel, albeit a bit loose. Fair fit between the strong brown ale like malt base (roasted caramel, chocolate, vague fruits, almond, stouty...) and the herbal, leafy concluding hops. Well concealed alcohol - quite impressed with that. Soft smokey whispers. By far my favourite from the Hebrew line. Sweetness kept under control.
I dislike:
Almost headless. The whole gimmicky obsession with number 11. Not as complex as its recipe. Hops lacking in aromatic definition.
uhclem (104), Loveland, Colorado, USA
Jul 6, 2008 22oz bomber. Pours a rich, deep black with a substantial head and bountiful lacing. Nose is malt, caramel, coffee, vanilla and toffee.Taste is malt, chocolate and coffee, with a hint of citrus and pine. A note of earthiness plays through as well. Mouthfeel is sumptuous, yet clean. Finish brings out the hops and finally lets the alcohol shine through.
tjthresh (1242), LaPorte, Indiana and Belton, Missouri, USA
Jul 6, 2008 22 ounce bottle. Pours a dense fudge brown with a thick and creamy light brown head. Aromas of walnut fudge, toffee cookies, oily pine hops, and a bit of roasted character. Very chocolate. Kind of an oat flavor. No-bake cookies come to mind. Hops come off as fruity and pine, and the bitterness would be huge if not for the massive malts. Alcohol is mild, but a player in the character. Very heavy, full bodied and mouth filling. There’s a bit of a gritty feeling as well. Balanced finish. This beer is really good, but certainly not appropriate for July 6 in Missouri.
aceofhearts (1373), San Francisco, California, USA
Jul 5, 2008 Bottle. Plenty of wheaty ryeishness, alcohol, aggressive malts. Almost opaque black, thin head. Some coffee but not nearly the strength of the "STRONG" coffee at my place of employment. Finish that really sticks with ya with some chocolate notes.
kevd193213 (293), Coventry, Rhode Island, USA
Jun 28, 2008 Bottle. Dark medium bodied pour with a thin creamy head. Aroma of hops and pepper with some chocolate and caramel present. Taste of peat, burnt coffee with a dry hoppy finish.
PhatB420 (33), Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA
Jun 15, 2008 A great ale, smooth to the tounge, smooth going down, nice finish, great surprise. Well done.
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