 SwedeDog (364), Windsor, Connecticut, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Aug 14, 2005 Dark, clear ruby with a good initial head that dissipates, but can be easily summoned with a little agitation. When chilled, the first aroma is somewhat metallic ... my bad! It shouldn’t be chilled. Very resinous, vinous and musty (almost dirty) aromas with a slight hint of hops and dark chocolate. As it warms, a great spiciness takes over and invites some dark fruits (mostly plum and raisin). Very full and satisfying mouthfeel. Like the aroma, the flavor is very vinous and winelike. This is very reminiscent of an abt. With warmth comes a surge of baker’s chocolate, spices and brown sugar. It finishes dry and bitter with an astringency (pretty much like all Stone brews)
ElGaucho (1730), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 19/20 |
Aug 9, 2005 I had read a few luke warm reviews of this brew shortly after it came out, and therefore perhaps my expectations were low. But boy, does this renew my respect for Greg Koch as a brewer! This is perhaps the best Belgian Strong brew I have ever had, and I didn’t have to travel to Belgium or shop the import aisle to get it. (I did have to travel to California, however) Not a real strong aroma. Belgian yeast notes are evident, however, as is some roasted malt. Dark ruby red body with lots of visible carbonation. Thick consistency visually. Large, tight bubble, tan head. Tart, sour and salty with dark raosted malt flavors. Alcohol profile is subdued making this brew imminently drinkable to the point of being session-like. Wonderful. No flaws.
3daddict (139), Portland, Maine, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 |
Aug 7, 2005 Dark brown ruddy pour with quickly vanishing head. Has all the scents, looks and taste of a fine Belgium beer, minch meat with a graham cracker crust. But what really took me was the smoothness and lack of undue carbonation that most of these beers demonstrate. We are teased off the label about cellaring this release but it is an undue concern since they nailed it. This is perfect right off the shelf as is!
Kevin (1918), Colorado, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 5/5 | 16/20 |
Aug 7, 2005 dark brown with a red tint, it is almost black with a huge grey brown head. sweet molasses nose, this smell reminds me of a quad with spicy alcohol and dark fruits. taste is strong malt and sugar, wow, like a belgian barleywine, should be better in a few years when this sucker mellows. nice chocoloate, plum, biscuit, buttery finish.
sloth (1662), Ceciltucky, Co., Maryland, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Aug 7, 2005 Medium sized light brown cap, large bubbled, good retention with minimal lacing thats spotty. Color is dark brown with a red glow. Good clarity, an attractive brew. Nose of dark fruits, plummy, raisiny with hints of clay, peppery spiceyness and a bit of vanilla. Body is med/full, smooth textured. Dry malt flavors, lightly earthy, dusty. Ripe fruits coming through, cocoa and a light roastiness, bananna and alcohol flavors showing as it warms up. Dry, fruity finish. A keeper that will be interesting to age. Once again, Thanks to SDbruboy for a couple bombers of this fine elixer!! Thanks Cliff!
mds (2112), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Aug 6, 2005 bottle. brownish-mahogany body with a small off-white head. great aroma of raisins, prunes, rich malt, and sugar sweetness. decadent full body with lots of rich sweet malt and dark fruit. chocolate and alcohol finish. I’d like to pick up a few bottles to put away for a few years to see if it gets any better. Very nice.
Hangover (765), Atlanta, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Aug 4, 2005 Dark amber pour with a quickly dissipating head. Fruity aroma with cloves and spice. Taste features heavy bourbon notes, a little bit of chocolate, more cloves, cherry... very spicy and has a nice alcohol bite to it. I really like this one... too bad I’m too impatient for wait for it to age, I’m sure it would be even better.
igneous1 (1374), Davenport, Iowa, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Aug 4, 2005 dark reddish brown color, head is beige and very thin. banana and some chocolate with some spiciness in the background. flavor is more banana (although not as much as the aroma would forecast), more chocolate, some spicy and earthy hops. alcohol is not overpowering. really quite good.
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