Reunion - A Beer For Hope 2008

Formerly brewed at Bison Brewing Company
Style: Specialty Grain
Berkeley, California USA

30-Apr-08 (22-oz bottle: Purchased 05-Apr-08 for $4.79 at BevMo in La Jolla, CA) Every bottle I tried of last year’s release was infected, so I’m already having better luck with this year’s release. The nose is very malty, toasty, sweet and caramely and is reminiscent of walking into a homebrew shop. The grassy and floral hops set a significant tone of green weediness in the aroma and flavor that isn’t exactly objectionable, but just doesn’t seem right. The "green" flavor is especially noticeable in the finish. Malts offer notes of sweet caramel up front and toasty rye in the evolution, with a fairly prominent dusty character in the finish. Rye is also evident by the substantial chewiness. Carbonation is medium. With such a full-bodied and malty beer, the hoppy flavor and bitterness in the finish help to cleanse the palate and break up the heaviness for continued drinkability, an important factor when trying to drink an entire 22-oz bottle in one sitting. Amber-brown in color with very good clarity, but unfortunately, the heading is quite small on the pour and fades to a thin ring fairly quickly while leaving no lacing. The weediness of this beer will prevent me from buying another one, but I have to say I still enjoyed this beer.

Dark red color. Aromas of rye, light roast, spice. Flavors of rye malt, light spice, light hops. I did not find much going on with this to tell the truth. Oh well, it’s for a good cause.

650 ml. Deep ruby-copper with a small but lasting head leaving some delicate lace. Aroma of earthy grain, nuts, caramel and lightly peppery spice. Flavor is caramel, nutty grain, oak, tea leaf, a bit of peat, white pepper, some slight citrus, hints of spearmint gum. Near-medium body is smooth and finishes dryish, but at times seems a bit flimsy. Pretty tasty and easy drinking, but it seems to be whispering: "Turn me into a big beer".

Bottle. Pours a brown/amber with a small white head. Aroma of pepper spices, sweet malt, raspberry and other berry fruits. Flavor of initial sweetness with a spicy finish. I also got coffee grounds and smoke in the finish. An odd watery/harsh palate. This was an odd one and kind of wears on you by the end of the glass.

Bottle. Took me awhile to find this in the database... Aroma of sweet, red-fruity malt, some rye. Flavor predominantly sweet, red-fruity malt. Started out strong and rich, but really just not terribly exciting and kind of weak by glass’s end.

Pours a dark red with a small off white head. Lots of rye in the aroma with some hops as well. Palate of rye and some chocolate and is pretty smooth. This one is pretty good and I am drinking for a good cause.

Bottle from State Line. Pours turbid dark brown with ruby highlights and off-white head. Nose is rye wheat, caramel malt, hops, vinous fruit. Tastes caramel malty, with rye wheat matched by heavy hops, vinous fruit, end even a definite cacao note to the flavor here. Body is full, complex, and very satisfying.

Sampled at the St. Pete Craft Beer Fest. An excellent strong American ale. Flavors of figs, honey, and caramel. Would love to get my hands on this again!