 changeup45 (563), Orlando, Florida, USA
Jun 28, 2008 Updated: Aug 24, 2008
The oak chips are really noticeable, even more so than I thought and definitely adds a different element to the beer, although AB itself is one damn fine beer. Hazy deep amber color with a nice tan head with lacing. Aroma is oak, vanilla, fruit (cherries?) and roasted malt and this part is more enjoyable than the original. I get the wood chips right away in the flavor with some smoky maltiness, a little sweet and tart with a dry hop finish. Seems perhaps a bit more mellow than the original AB which is probably the aging. I may prefer the standard AB, which is a little more in your face but they are both excellent and very well done.
The_Jester (474), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Aug 29, 2008 355 mL bottle. Appearance is the same rusty-brown as the unoaked, with the same sticky head. The aroma is milder, although still quite hoppy. The hops are milder in the flavour as well. The malt seems a little sweeter, and there is the subtle vanilla from the oak. Not bad, but I prefer the unoaked.
malrubius (417), USA
Aug 25, 2008 12 ounce bottle in pint glass. Dark reddish brown with lasting flat head and lace. Sweet cherry and brown sugar aroma. Very sweet brown sugar cherry flavor with subtle wood notes and slightly hoppy finish. Medium-full body and medium low carbo. Too sweet and cloying. Not quite redeemed by excellent soft mouthfeel.
verymerrymonk (200), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Aug 23, 2008 Pour is a dark mahogany with a thin but persistent tan head. Aroma is quite subdued in comparison to the regular AB - just some mild hop characteristics. Flavor is smooth, smoky and malty, with bitter hop pungency. Some pineapple. Slightly soapy and definitely sticky.
awiseman01 (10), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Poured dark orange/amber. Smells of hops, fruits, woody oak, sweet/nutty malts, burnt caramel, and black licorice. Taste dominated by dry wood chips. Also some dry hops, with a slight alcohol hint and smokey bitter finish. Slight carbonation but mostly smooth. I prefer the unoaked version, however this is a very interesting variation. One was great....two may be too much.
BillKismet (1401), Seattle, Washington, USA
Aug 15, 2008 Beautiful mahogany amber adorned with rich, thick, hop-pocked amber crown. Reflective of the appearance, is a richly hoppy and malty aroma with some apparent oak notes and grapefruit. Over-ripe grapefruit flavor, oakiness, almost overpowering citrusy bite. Certainly not subtle.
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