 kp (6200), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
May 11, 2008 Date: 05/03/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party
Appearance: clear dark brown, wispy beige head, streaks of drippy lace,
Aroma: smoked chocolate aroma with a touch of dark caramel sweetness,
Flavor: rich chocolate flavor, lots of smoke character leaves with an earthy bitterness, caramel sweetness enrichens the chocolate, long bitter finish rises out of the smoke
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: ***/4
Rastacouere (5344), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Feb 16, 2008 A weird beast this one. Almost black. heavily sedimented: repelling big white flashy chunks at the bottom of the ebony snifter. Indeed smoky, but also in a bloody type of way with rare meat notes. A bit metallic in its roastiness. Otherwise, a rather vinous, thick example that leaves the realm of drinkability. The aforementioned notes reduce the cohesiveness of the ensemble. Sweet all throughout, though the roastiness procures sufficient bitterness and dryness. Neglectable hops. Slightly astringent finish. Well concealed alcohol. Medium bodied, biting, perhaps exagerated carbonation. I happily bought this bottle seeing the good initial reviews, but after finishing my glass, I felt caught in a dark beers hiding their faults scheme.
CaptainCougar (4663), Rockville, Maryland, USA
Feb 17, 2008 Pours a transparent amber mahogany with a well-lacing froth of light tan head. Aroma of sweet dark caramel malt and some ashy earthy smoke. Body starts with some good caramel and dark chocolate sweetness, along with some decent smoky character, but has a strong, peppery bittering hop finish that seems out of place. Otherwise, a decent smoked porter, but could use a little more woody smoke and less bitterness.
muzzlehatch (4424), Burlington, Vermont, USA
Jan 14, 2008 22 ounce bottle from City Market in Burlington, VT (January 2008) and served at cellar temperature from a Corsendonk Christmas Ale glass. A small to moderate light tan bubbly head tops the translucent dark maple body, leavign flecks of foam as it decays....nose is decently smoky, though I’d say licorice and port are the dominant fragrances I get; as it warms it gets a bit spicy, rather like a lightly smoky Anchor OSA, which is not a bad thing at all..... body is full and silky, moderately roasty, lightly burnt throughout growing quite charred and rough at the finish, chocolaty and rich throughout with faint notes of the vine, though alcohol isn’t really felt....carbonation seems just a bit too strong and fizzy, but not enough to seriously corrupt what is undoubtedly one of this brewer’s best beers yet. Well done and highly drinkable despite its intensity.
DocLock (4170), Lower Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, USA
Jan 15, 2008 Bottle from Capone’s. The pour is deep brownish black, with direct light needed to see any real dark brown, and a 1-finger or so khaki head. The aroma is nice, a solid rauchy nose coupled with dark malt, some molasses, mild cabernet, and noticeable hops. The palate is a bit hefty, and at various times this one evolves and throws differing flavors at you. Initially, I got a lot of dark malt, molasses, and subdued smoke. As it warms, the hops emerge, matched by a subdued yet effective rauchy malty flavor, and even more molasses and vinous fruity notes. A bit more balance and polish would have thrown this one into the stratosphere. As it stands, it is still a very good example of this style.
|
