Kuhnhenn A Few Shillings Too Many

Brewed by Kuhnhenn Brewing
Style: Scotch Ale
Warren, Michigan USA

12 oz. bottle from Winter Solstice Dec 2008. Pours a hay deep copper color with a small fine beige head. The aroma had a slight sour cherry note that hit just before the caramel malt, toffee, and slight tobacco. I didn’t get the sour cherry when I had this on tap prior to the Solstice party so I’m thinking it is slightly infected. The flavor does not show the sourness as much. Very slight sour cherry, but dominated by chewy caramel malts, other dark fruits, slight tobacco, and a touch of alcohol as it warms. Mouthfeel is smooth, but viscous. This is another beer from Kuhnhenn that has two identities: on tap it is first class and in the bottle you had to drink it early or risk getting something that is infected. My rating will reflect the combined score from both.

12oz bottle, December 2008 bottling, from alexsdad06--thanks! Murky brown with a 1/2 finger beige head that faded to a thick ring and thin rather quickly, despite a vigorous pour. Why does this smell sour? Another infected Kuhnhenn beer from the Solstice release? You’re kidding! Sour cherries and light vinegar are up front in the aroma, with a fair amount of sweet caramel and rancid malts behind. No bourbon, but I do get a little salty tobacco. As this warmed up, the sourness did become a little more restrained. And in the flavor, more restrained yet. There were some cherries, though more of the fruit sense and not really tangy. Still plenty of caramel malts, not really too rancid anymore, and the aforementioned salty tobacco. Light generic chocolate notes are present. The finish has bitterness around a 2 with not too much of an alcohol burn. Minimal carbonation with a big thick body. Big disappointment--no way I can stomach this whole bottle. . .

Bottle thanks to polomagnifico!
’08. Transparent chestnut with a moderate yellow-beige head. Caramel, bourbon, and malt nose, very sweet, and with a hint of wood. Lots of bourbon in the flavor, overriding what could be a nice malt complexity. The tartness others speak of is there as well. Rather thin mouth but coating, a unique finish in some dry wood. Not bad, but Alesmith’s Wee Heavy is far superior. Given the weight and overwhelming bourbon notes, this is not an easy drink.

12 oz bottle, Dec 2008. Murky brown with a beige skin. Nose is boysenberry, brown sugar and cola. Full bodied, almost coating, but lightened with tight zesty carb. Taste is Concord grape, blueberry and toffee. As it fades, scotch and quinine. Dry woody finish with tobacco and a touch of bourbon. Great stuff.

Bottle from FlandersNed. Thanks! Pour is dark brown with a nice brown head. Aroma is sweet malt, caramel and a little fruity. Flavor is ok, but odd. Has some sweet caramel and followed by a little tartness and cardboard. Don’t get any bourbon. This may be going down hill already. Not a bad beer but drink them now.

12oz bottle from Hoppymeal - thanks, Derek!!! A translucent amber pour, with a very mild carbonation. Its stillness seems to suggest aged port wine more than anything. The nose is extremely fruity, with some tannins and a modest malt in there as well. The flavor is quite piquant, with leather and wood subtly underpinning the dried fruits and - yeah, I guess - a barely detectable bourbon flavor. Long lingering finish, but there’s something about the tartness that just doesn’t do it for me.

12oz bottle (thanks Derek for getting this one off my want list!). 2008 Vintage. After spending a couple hours at ’Bingo Bash’ for my little one, I needed something strong to numb the pain so I reached for this one. Poured a deep and dark orange/amber color, almost brown with a smaller sized off whtie head. Aromas of wood, earthy, peaty, and light bourbon. Tastes of woodiness, bourbon, caramel, dark fruits, brown sugary, vanilla, and toffee. Sweet with a very light dark cherry tart finish. Alcohol content well hidden. I got to say, this one was very nice and I’m going to have to get some more!

2008 bottle. Aroma has notes of dark dried fruits, caramel, and bourbon. Dark brown hue with a small off white head that fully diminished and left no lace. Flavor is sweet and malty with a bourbon finish. Palate is medium/full bodied and soft. This gives backwards bastard a run for it’s money. Fantastic brew.