Big alcohol notes, including some fusel, come up in the initial aroma. Fortunately, the rum and dried fruit esters overcome the alcohol and are joined by caramel malt. A faint and rather nondescript spicy phenol peeks through as it warms up.
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Latest Reviews
Explore The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's database of most recent beer and cider reviews as evaluated by our panel of judges in the Official Review.
Reviewed by: Rick Franckhauser
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Reviewed by: Rick Franckhauser
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Chocolate malt aromas are first to greet you, followed quickly by alcohol and dark fruits characters of raisins and prunes.
Reviewed by: Jim Koebel
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
There are big piney and citrusy aromas in this American IPA.
Reviewed by: Rodney A. Tillinghast
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
6 / 10
Overall Impression:
15 / 20
Fruit-flavored IPAs have come to the forefront of the IPA craft movement lately, fueled by the sweeping success of beers like Ballast Point’s Grapefruit Sculpin. Today’s sample featured... Read More
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This beer pours the darkest brown imaginable (almost pitch black) and is opaque. A low, brown head is very thick and creamy with great retention. The bubbles don’t lace the glass, however there are legs that form from the liquid when you tilt the... Read More
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
After pouring, I'm greeted by a light brown beer that's clear around the edges but otherwise difficult to see through. The head is off-white and drops low, then sticks around, lacing the glass nicely. Roasty initially with an earthy coffee aroma... Read More
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This beer is a light yellow color that forms a medium-sized white head with good retention. There is some haze that detracts from the appearance slightly.
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
This clear, yellow beer displays a low, white head with tight bubbles and great retention. Some corn, biscuit and a noticeable pine resin are first encountered in the aroma. The hop aroma level is about half of what you would expect from most... Read More
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
This nice-looking pint feature a gold, fairly clear, low, white head with good retention and lace. Lots of pleasant hop aroma jumps out of the glass at me. I smell fresh grapefruit, pine, resin, zest, spice and a bit of tropical fruit.
Reviewed by: Mike Castagno
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Intense notes of dried fruits are immediately apparent upon pouring: raisins, currants and figs with a touch of dates. A moderately oaky character melds with caramel, toffee and a bit of chocolate to create a pleasantly complex bouquet. Hints of... Read More
Reviewed by: Mike Castagno
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
32 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Low notes of chocolate, espresso, dates and prunes are expressed through the aroma when poured. There is a spicy alcohol note when cool that becomes quite aggressive upon warming, such so that it begins to overwhelm the other characteristics of... Read More
Reviewed by: Mike Castagno
Aroma:
19 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20
The malt takes center stage over the hops in this Double IPA. Honey, biscuit and caramel stand out while a slight oxidative note creeps in. Underneath that are some light, herbal hops with a hint of orange and a subtle floral note to follow upon... Read More
Reviewed by: Mike Castagno
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Full of roast, this stout packs a punch. While cold, the roast notes are ashy with a bit of coffee to follow through. A moderately high spicy hop character accompanies. Moderate bitterness balances the soft sweetness in the finish.
Reviewed by: Jason Johnson
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
The beer pours a crystal clear ruby red color, similar to cherry soda, with a well-formed but low pink head. A low, wheaty malt presence pops up in the aroma but it gives way to the typical (though surprisingly subdued) lactic characters and a... Read More
Reviewed by: Tracy Hensley
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Aromas start out tart, with low vanilla pod and clean alcohol, followed by maple syrup, brown sugar and whole grain toast.
Reviewed by: Graham L. Barron
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20
Following a loud pop of the cork, this beer quickly forms a massive, rocky, foamy white head that fills up half the glass, indicating a higher level of carbonation that's appropriate for this style. The liquid underneath glows an appealing,... Read More