clingman71 (254), Centerville, Ohio, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Oct 25, 2009 pours a deep dark brown with a nice beige/tan head. Aroma of roasted grains, some cocoa, and a little spice. a lot of roasted nuts and chocolate in the flavor, but also a little coffee and dark fruits. A little like a St B 12 with cocoa added. Unique and tasty.
beerchugger (296), Colorado, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 6/10 | 4/5 | 14/20 | Dec 7, 2009 Pours very dark brown with a thick head. The head remains for a little while and even though it mostly diminishes, it never disappears leaving some nice attractive lacing behind on the glass and atop the beer. Chocolate really comes through in the nose followed by some sweet browned sugar, black licorice, a healty dose of nuts, and there’s also a bit of booze that comes through as well. There seems to be a sweet underlying aroma of fruit and some cherries perhaps. The flavor profile really isn’t very noticeable, rather mild on the palate. The chocolate is somewhat noticeable but not as accessible as it should be. Very slight hint of nuts with the alcohol demanding attention throughout. Though this beer is pretty good, I was a bit disappointed that the flavors weren’t a bit brighter and pronounced. This beer is rather smooth and easy to drink. The finish is rather short. beerguy101 (3940), Newark, California, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 6, 2009 Sampled on 12/6/2009 at the Brewery. This Belgian Strong Ale pours a dark brown color from the cask. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is chocolate, nutty and sweet. A medium bodied Belgian Strong Ale. The malts are chocolate and nutty. The hops are earthy. Nice balance. Good balance. I like the interplay between the chocolate, dark fruit and the nuts. Hides the alcohol well. Nice carbonation. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. graham515 (428), Houston, Texas, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 6, 2009 Pours a blackish brown into the glass with an off white head. Aroma has a slight belgian spice to it, but mainly boasts the cocoa that is in the beer. Flavor is an absolutely brilliant blend of spice and chocolate malt. The cocoa really comes through on the finish and makes this beer exceptionally smooth. My first beer from The Bruery and I can see what all the fuss is about! Cornfield (4945), Oak Forest, Illinois, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 | Dec 6, 2009 750ml bottle from the Binny’s in Orland Park, IL: This pours a dark brown body, opaque in the center and clear around the edges, topped by a thick tan head. The aroma is burnt cocoa, alcohol, and lightly roasted malt. The flavor is much better, but I feel its possibilities are buried beneath cocoa nibs. The flavor has an underlying dark fruitiness and a chewy maltiness that blends smoothly with the strong alcohol content. The light touch of pecans is a plus. The nibs detract. "No nibs!" will be a motto of mine from this point forward. Overall a nice drink, but The Bruery fell into the "More is better" trend of so many brewers nowadays. chicagodri (1057), Chicago, Illinois, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 17/20 | Dec 6, 2009 Bottle. This actually is a pretty good Christmas beer. Pours dark brown with a thin tan head. Aroma of spices, nuts, and Belgian yeast. Nice sweet malt flavor that is heavily spiced. Caramel, chocolate. Well done beer. Enjoyable. EricE (464), Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Dec 6, 2009 Dark brown pour with a thin white had. Chocolately aroma with light fruity notes. Touch of yeast. Slightly sweet with lots of choloate. Bitter finish. Swalden28 (1510), McKinney, Texas, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 6, 2009 Bottle thanks to Blutt59. Pours a black with tan head. Aroma of rich dark roast, fresh coffee and malt. Flavor is very nice...Strong maltiness, strong dark roasted grains, some chocolate, some fruit and coffee. Mouth feel is medium-heavy body, smooth beer. Overall, very good shit!!!!!!! danielcurtis81 (905), San Diego, California, USA
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 6, 2009 Served on tap at the 2009 Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival. This is a nice change of pace for a holiday ale. Nice cocoa flavors blend with a roasted pecan with a full malt backing. Nice beer.
|