 Ernest (4197), Boulder, Colorado, USA
Oct 10, 2005
2004 bottle. Virtuallly no head. Body is dark reddish-brown, bottle conditioned. Aroma is heavily malty (caramel, chocolate), with notes of raspberry, cherry pie, sherry. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly acidic. Finish is moderately sweet, lighlty acidic, lightly bitter. Medium body, watery/syrupy texture, soft/flat carbonation, lightly alcoholic. This is a far better beer to smell than it is to drink. The nose is like a freshly baked pastry, very caramelly and chocolatey and enticing, but the mouth experience disappoints after that. Kinda watery, with little balance for the sweetness. This is neither rich nor decadent in the mouth experience. I know many will groan when they see this, but what can I say...this had a very nice nose and hid its alcohol well, but otherwise wasn’t remarkable at all.
nhorween (502), New York, New York, USA
Aug 13, 2008 thanks cmubeerman, 04 bottle. Aroma of chocolate, raspberries, and dark fruit. Amazingly interesting and outrageously smooth. Flavor is dominated by raspberry, chocolate, and rounded toasty malt. Some alcohol, cherry, and fruit in the finish. Inspired.
illidurit (386), Santa Cruz, California, USA
Aug 9, 2008 Bottle at the RBSG 08 Grand Tasting. Pours the color of black cherry skin, no head. Aroma is heavenly and port-like, with raspberry puree, vanilla, sherry, and fudge. Flavor is dead-on raspberry hard candy, with chocolate and vanilla accent. Basically like drinking a raspberry cordial milkshake. Long lingering finish demands the next sip. Amazing dessert/nightcap/sweet-tooth beer.
AgentSteve (736), Livermore, California, USA
Aug 5, 2008 Man, this one was a sipper! More than that would overwhelm your senses! Attractive solid red pour with zero head. Nose is all over the place, with raspberries, vanilla, caramel, chocolate and cherries(?) The flavor matched in all the influences. Thanks to seaoflament for this taste at the RBSG.
Alldaydrinker (457), Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
Jul 31, 2008 Courtesy of Pepsican via mysteryswap 3.0. Pours a murky red hued brown color with light carbonation. Nose is pungent, vanilla, caramel, raspberries, other red berries, chocolate, candy and some red wine characteristics. Initial taste of caramel, fig, raspberries and vanilla-oak. Mid palate displays a touch of chocolate cake and alcohol. Finishing with tangy, raspberry, sweet caramel. Excellent palate duration. Body is medium body, velvelty smooth with touch of syrupy texture mouthfeel. Very interesting stuff.
jarspag (503), San Diego, California, USA
Jul 31, 2008 2004 bottle from UGH sampled on 7/30/08. This trade took place over a year ago! Thanks dude, been waiting to crack this at the right time, my birthday. Ridiculous nose on this thing, long, soft, soothing, arrogant..just so potent and mellow at the same time. Nose of heavy caramel, toffee, OAK, choco-raspberries. Palate is super full and velvety. Flavor was still pretty sweet with caramel, oak covered raspberry, port, and sherry like nuances. Finish was still pretty warming. Aromas were a touch over the flavor...can’t help but wonder if the age on this has taken something away. Nonetheless, pretty damn epic beer... nice.
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