 ClarkVV (3545), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Jan 17, 2008
Draught tulip at Sunset Grill on 11/17/07
Dark copper-tinted mahogany with some garnet streaks. Small, but modestly well-retained dark beige head leaves little lacing. Clear.
Soft, inviting smoke suggestions in the nose are comingled with sweet caramel and toffee malts while light medicinal/peppery phenols and juicy green (grassy/leafy), but lightly crisp hops (in light quantity) assert themselves on the finish to provide a well-balanced, American interpretation of a rauchbier. Hops continue to give an interesting edge to the beer, on the finish, but chocolate, vanilla and even light coffee appear through the middle. Some slight "hardness" for lack of a better descriptor, that I always associate with Left Hand. I don’t know if that’s pasteurization or extensive filtration, but it never seems overly fresh and yeasty. A touch of alcohol warmth emerges towards the end of the glass, after it’s had plenty of time to breath. The smoke stays well integrated with the malts, as well. No flaws.
A big shot of toffee and thoroughly rich woodsmoke (with definite meaty suggestions) develops in to a more balanced phenolic pepperiness, with some medicinal notes that ride on the carbonation and give the beer a crisp ending. Sweet, but not too much so, with juicy green hops on the finish that do not impart much bitterness (unlike the smoke jumper, which was just obnoxiously over-bittered). Malts are a bit hard, again, not soft and supple, though the sugars do soften things slightly (and begin to chip away at the crisp finish, replacing it with some syrupiness towards the end). Carbonation is moderate and somewhat loose at times. No alcohol in the flavor, no flaws. Caramel/toffee, woodsmoke and lightly juicy hops linger on in to the finish.
BrewDad (1528), Olympia, Washington, USA
Jul 3, 2008 750ml Bomber - 99 Bottles - Federal Way, WA
Aroma – Big aroma lots of malts and the smokey aroma was lingering quite nice.
Appearance – Brown in color, light head clear.
Flavor – Smoked malts was the flavor. Huge malt flavor with very little backing this beer up. Some hops and fruitiness to follow.
Palate – Nice Mouthfeel, Very good texture with a good dry finish.
Overall – This was a nice beer. I was expecting this to have more of a Smokey flavor. Was a tad disappointed and also amazed at this big beer. Too much cost for this beer.
Jonpol (1231), Sasquatcho, Arizona, USA
Jul 2, 2008 Pours like an old copper penny w/ a tall lasting head and finally a full fluffy ring. Smoky aromas prevail like an August desert wind. Full nectar w/ superb carbonation. This is a malt bomb as expected w/ a defined sweetness. The mild smoky character lends some depth. I’m getting some jerky, alot of stonefruit like nectarines, and a little hickory. The finish lingers smoky and sweet like a good ham.
Jonte (307), Gothenburg, Sweden
Jun 30, 2008 Bottle. Brown color with a beige head.
Aroma and taste is sweet and malty with notes of caramel, roasted malt, tobacco, alcohol and a hint of smoked meat.
The_Beer_God (2791), Newport News, Virginia, USA
Jun 29, 2008 Bottle - corked and caged. Murky copperish brown pour. Nose is smoked malts, smoked sausage, caramel, and sweet malts. Taste is meaty and malty with smoked malts, smoked meat notes, strong caramel, light spicy notes and light hops notes. Body is creamy, soft and smooth. Soft carbonation throughout, Finishes with more smoked malt and smoked meaty flavors atop a strong caramel and sweet malt backbone. Soft spices, fruit and hops back everything up here as well. Very nice!
Cybercat (362), USA
Jun 19, 2008 When I opened my bottle, it popped and fizzed like New Year’s champagne, so be careful and have a nice big thirsty towel ready!
Aroma is rich and malty with a strong hoppy undertone and hints of spice and fruit. It pours a delicious-looking, cloudy mahogany with a thick, buff-colored head that is fairly persistent. Flavor is rich and mouth filling - mainly malty, with a hint of hops, some smokiness, a touch of caramel, a little sweetness and a little bitterness. Texture is lively and sassy. Give ’em a (left) hand!
|
