text:
Woodie Gold - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Not Rated.
Woodie GoldWoodie Gold

Educational use only; do not reuse.

66 Ratings
no score

(send 'em beer!)
Ratings: 66
Reviews: 43
rAvg: 3.35
pDev: 16.72%
Wants: 3
Gots: 3 | FT: 0
Brewed by:
Karl Strauss Brewing Company visit their website
California, United States

Style | ABV
German Pilsener |  4.60% ABV

Availability: Year-round

Notes & Commercial Description:
Beer added by: scottoale on 03-20-2006

This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

No notes at this time.
View: Beers (74) | Events
Beer: Ratings & Reviews
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Ratings: 66 | Reviews: 43
Photo of LXIXME
3.36/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an inch or so above the glass gave me a small to medium sized white head above a clear golden colored beer.

A very light hops with maybe a bit of grain malt in the aroma.

The taste has more malts coming through with about the same amount of the subdued hops remaining.

A light bodied beer with a light mellowing aftertaste.

This beer is what I think they make to pacify the Bud and Miller drinkers and I think this beer is better than anything those two make.

Photo of Merkur
3.14/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the San Diego Airport's Karl Strauss.

Beer pours a nice golden color without much head at all.

No real smells to detect other than a slight bit of bready yeast.

Beer has a very crisp flavor with a bit of hop bitterness, but not very much.

Very crisp and full of carbonation flavor.

Average pilsner

Photo of kojevergas
2.02/5  rDev -39.7%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a N'ice Chouffe beer flute glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are mediocre.

A: Pours a half finger head of no cream, bad thickness, and terrible retention. Colour is a clear yellow-gold.

Sm: Malt, straw, and stale cream. A mild strength aroma.

T: Quite malty, with stale cream and some straw. Simple and bland. It doesn't taste good - that's for damned sure. What were they thinking? A wretched pilsner. Imbalanced and badly built.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but entirely too thick for the style and flavours.

Dr: Hard to drink because it tastes so bad. It's really an awful take on the pilsner style. It might be better on draught, but as is I have no plans to try this again anytime soon.

Photo of HopHead84
3.55/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Karl Strauss.

A: Burnished gold with a large white sea foam head. Much lighter in color than, say, a coy fish, which is more of a majestic orange rather than light gold and transparent. Another aptly named beer.

S: Biscuit, grain, and toasted bread blend with a light noble hop presence that's floral and somewhat grassy.

T: Grainy with light toasted notes and a low bitterness. This is very clean. Elegant and innocent in its simplicity.

M: Light in body with high carbonation. The mouthfeel is dry and crisp.

Overall: This grew on me. It's another somewhat simple but well executed beer that a man could drink pitchers of if afforded a comfortable seat with an advantageous view.

Photo of gregshead
3.22/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Medium golden color w/ less than half finger of head.

S: Lots of light wheat. Some good hints of banana aroma

T: Lager yeasts adds nice banana flavor. Very light/crisp malt. Very light bread taste. Little bit of hops at end but not that much.

M: Low in carb, disappointing

O: Its just alright. Had some highlights and lowlights. Wouldn't be the first of its type I'd grab, but also not the last either.

Photo of ehammond1
2.23/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

On Tap

Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Carlsbad, CA

Clear golden and yellow with a thin white head. Spots of lacing left down the glass.

An appropriately grassy and biscuity aroma with a mild floral hop presence, though there's an unwelcome aroma of butter and margarine pushing everything else to the side.

The flavor is dominated by the unmistakable flavors of margarine and butter.There's a bit of earthy and grassy hop character, but the flavor of butter is dominant. Unpleasant.

Medium bodied but oily and buttery.

Not good.

Photo of NickRivers
3.56/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A&S - Pours an obvious golden blonde, with a slim white head, tons of bubbles coming off the bottom even 10 minutes after the pour. Smell is mostly covered up but hints of light malt, light hops, light bready yeast.

T&M - Extremely crisp and light, goes down very smooth and tastes very refreshing. Finishes with the slightest stickiness and hop presence. Mouthfeel is light bodied.

O - A great session beer, and one of my favorites from KS.

I might consider this to be my go to pilsner for summer hang-outs, next to things like Longboard Lager. Its a shame they advertise more of Red Trolley than anything else. RT didn't live up to the hype in my book but I highly recommend you check out Tower 10 IPA and Woodie Gold, tastes better in SD where the beer and air is fresher! Stay thirsty my friends.

Photo of ThreeWiseMen
2.95/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Sampled this on-tap at a Karl Strauss outpost in the San Diego International Airport.

Served in a 20oz. imperial pint glass.

Appearance: Upon arrival, this beer sported a half inch of white fluff, though that quickly decayed to a splotchy film, leaving blankets of lacing in its wake. Body is golden and lightly hazed. Decent head retention and lacing. Not bright nor crystal clear though.

Smell: Leafy Noble hops come through as dew-covered vegetation. Smells sweeter than anticipated. A more subtle lager yeast aroma also makes its way into the mix. Not a whole lot of complexity here. Hops definitely reign supreme.

Taste: Once again, those leafy Noble hops are the main players. Lager yeast adds some pleasant bitterness/sourness (I never know which word to use when describing this), though the flavor profile is decidedly blunt and hop-centric. I also get a touch of salt, which occasionally comes through as an oat-y flavor. The finish is sweet and resinous with lots of lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium in body, moderate-to-high in carbonation, and resinous/sticky. No clean finish here folks! The feel isn't disruptive or unpleasant, but it certainly misses the mark style-wise.

Overall: A bold, American interpretation of a delicate German beer. I can see what Karl Strauss was going for here - a light-bodied, hop-forward lager for the SoCal masses - but I'm just not that into it.

Photo of Phelps
3.36/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the tap into a shaker pint.

Perfectly clear pale gold, with a one-finger frothy head of off-white. It soon becomes a thick, soapy top layer that lingers forever.

Very little to pick up in the aroma. Biscuits, eggs and very subtle hops.

The egginess, which seems now rather odd, shows up the flavor as well. Along with lightly spicy hops, I get biscuits and scrambled eggs. It’s like breakfast! A crisp, clean finish rounds it out.

Medium fizzy carbonation, very bubbly as it moves. The medium-light body leaves the palate with a crisp snap, as it should.

Aside from some weird sulfuric flavors, this is a fairly standard pils. Not bad, not great.

Photo of ejimhof
3.85/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a clear yellow with no real lacing to speak of.

Smell - just a slight whiff of hops and not much else detectable.

Taste - crisp with just a slighlty bitter hop presence.

Mouthfeel - smooth and drinkable.

Overall - above average pilsener could easily drink several of these in a session.

Photo of srandycarter
3.6/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

A - Pours very clear, very light honey. Some small near white head, leaves instantly.. Some cling lace near the surface.

S - Very light malt and the hint of very light hops.

T - Light crisp.. maltier than I expected giving it some nice structure. Bittering is evident at finish. Not much needed, not much given.

M - Well carbed and balanced.

D - No offensive or tiring flavors. Easy stuff.

Photo of domtronzero
3.26/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Very clear straw yellow with a short, long lasting fizzy whitish head. Very little lacing.

S - Light grainy, bready malts. Subtle floral hops. Otherwise clean. Not much going on.

F/M - Again, light bready malts, somewhat grainy and a little sweet. Floral, earthy hops with a medium bitterness. Clean and dry finish with a lingering sweet corn-like grainy malt flavor. Medium light bodied with moderate carbonation.

D - Quite easy drinking. Light, dry, clean and refreshing, the least they could do is can it so I can take it along with me on our mountain bike rides.

Photo of GarthDanielson
3.17/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap in downtown San Diego at the Columbia Street brewpub. The beer was poured into a pint glass with a bright, pale golden-yellow color. The beer had no head. There were light and soft malt smells, with very faint hints of hops at the end. The beer has flavors of light, musty pilsner tastes, with a balance of malt. It has a smooth finish, and is extremely light in mouth, but overall uneventful. Decent beer to down on a hot day of yardwork, but not if you are expecting anything of substance.

Photo of 1realbeer
4.55/5  rDev +35.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was just excellent. If you are looking for a flavorful, refreshing, go-to beer for the summer, this is it. I've just finished my second six-pack and plan to add another sixer to the wife's grocery list.

It has a distinct, yellow tint. The head is not particularly huge or long-lasting, but is that what you really want on a hot, summer day? The best description of this beer is "well-balanced." Mr. Strauss seems to know what he is doing. I detect malt, citrus, and a gentle hop note that puts a smile on my face.

If you like "hop water" instead of beer, then this is not your beer. Go grab an IPA or your neighbor's home brew instead. If you are a San Diegan who needs a huge, hoppy brew, buy something from Stone instead. Otherwise, San Diego, you have a winner in Woodie Gold. Mmmm...

Photo of sergio1va
4.77/5  rDev +42.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured to a yellow hazy color on my glass. This beer carries a hoppy aroma with a hint of apricot aroma. The head on this pour was very mild but did not take anything away from the great taste of this beer. The overall taste is of a beer that is not over the top bitter and not so mild. I think its a well balanced taste that makes Woodie Gold an instant winner on my list. Love them Pilsners!

Photo of Jayli
3.85/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed 6/13 at Redondo Beach Brewing at LAX airport
Served in a pint glass

A: This beer pours a murky yellow with a 1/4 inch of white head. Head recedes immediately leaving wispy lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is somewhat fruity, grain, and hints of grassy hops.

T: Taste pale malts on the forefront, hints of wheat and grain through the middle mixed with mild honey fruitiness. Finish is of a light grassy hop note.

M: Light body, moderate carbonation, nice crisp body with a dry finish.

D: Goes down easily, somewhat tasty, not much of a kick. This isn't a knock your socks off beer, but it's pretty simple and nicely balanced. Nice enough flavoring and a nice ABV to make this a sessionable beer.

Photo of TheQuietMan22
2.92/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is a clean, clear light gold. It's a little darker than straw. Two fingers of foamy white head developed and dissipated quickly to leave a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.

Smell: Much like Karl's Amber Lager, though there's not as much caramel. Bready corn malts that are toasted a touch. Honey and a little butterscotch.

Taste: Not as good as the smell. Buttery and bready smooth. Mostly adjunct corn -- though higher quality than the usual macro fare -- and a very awkward hop bite. It's not the usual, crisp pilsner bite, but something more sour that tickles the cheeks.

Drinkability: It's okay. Karl wanted to make something drinkable for all of SoCal's elevations. It did so, but the result is nothing memorable.

Photo of glid02
3.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at George's in north San Diego.

Pours a clear golden color with a half-finger white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of light pilsner malts, diacetyl, and grassy hop aromas, in that order. The diacetyl isn't overpowering but it also isn't pleasant. As the beer warms the hop aromas turn slightly citrus but remain on the grassy side.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Crisp pilsner malt flavors kick things off before being joined by moderate amounts of buttery flavors. The diacetyl isn't quite as pronounced as in the nose, leaving room for more robust hop flavors. Grassy, earthy, and slightly lemon-like hop flavors join in midway through the sip and carry through to a mildly crisp ending.

Mouthfeel is OK. It's got a nice thickness however the carbonation is a bit on the heavy side.

Drinkability is also OK. I finished my glass without a problem however I'm not sure about another.

Overall I hadn't heard anything terribly good about this brewery and this beer confirmed it. Not a terrible offering but not one worth seeking out.

Photo of froghop
2.75/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

pours a clear golden yellow with a small white head, and some lacing.

smell is of wheat, citrus, some nuts, a little corn, and some spice in the back.

taste is weak, wheat, corn, and some lemon, ends a little tangy.

overall for a pilsner it was not that bad, but as a beer it was just average.

Photo of deruiz10
3.42/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - One finger white head has no retention to speak of. Pour is a clear yellowish gold.

S - Honey and some breadiness, but really not too much there.

T - Slightly sweet breadiness with some honey and caramel notes in the finish as well as a faint tartness.

M - Mild carbonation and fairly watery.

D - A decent session brew, but there are others with more character.

Photo of fsimcox
2.84/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 12 oz brown bottle.

Pours a nice clear golden straw color. White foamy head that dissipates quickly. A little lacing.

Smells of breed and a little hops, perhaps a hint of corn.

Hop notes up front, some metallic hints, finishes dry with a little metallic after taste.

Mouthfeel is good. Has some dry sides to it after the hops blast.

I'd heard some good things about Karl Strauss, but compared to the many German Pils I've had, this one disappointed me.

Photo of jeffjeff1
3.37/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This was a pretty good beer.

Appearance- golden color, nice head

Smell- bready

Taste- smooth, bit of hops

Mouthfeel- smooth, light

Drinkability- pretty drinkable, I would drink it again. It's a pretty good summer beer, good for outside working on a hot day.

Photo of barleywinefiend
3/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at LAX
Poured a solid straw color with decent amount of head. Taste is mostly a good dose of sweet malt with just a bit of hop bitterness there. I see it classified as a German Pils", but I would probably say it's more like a Helles with a little more hop punch. Lots of bready flavors in there. Nothing awesome, but very highly drinkable and somewhat interesting for a good session brew.

Photo of birdypowder
3.42/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Woodie Gold produces a thin white head, maybe a finger width at most that dissipates not quickly, but confidently leaving a thin veneer of white bubbles encasing the top of my beer. Bits of lacing that apparently did not want to be part of the protective layer of foam faithfully following my beer down the glass remain stuck to the sides like shy people at a club avoiding the dance floor.

Grainy and toasted malt aromas greet my nose with some slight hop aromas that I am not yet talented enough to identify.

The color is golden yellow of course but a deeper shade than the macro pilsners like Bud and Coors. The carbonation also seems lighter then the aforementioned heavyweights of pilsner.

Slight malt sweetness greets my tounge with a faint backend bitterness. A very drinkable beer but not one you would tell your friends they have to try. If this beer was a person, you would never be close friends but you would always get along.

Photo of yesyouam
3.16/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This is a slightly sparkling light golden lager with a small, soft white head that leaves really good lacing. The aroma is a very light breeze of fruity hops. Perhaps a note of tangerine. The medium light body is more than I expected. It is soft and forgiving on the tongue but it retains the zazzle from the carbonation. There is a little citrus and a little noble hop action going on in here. The taste quickly fades and ends up a tad watery. This is a beer your dad would drink.
(rated Apr 26, 2007)

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Woodie Gold from Karl Strauss Brewing Company
78 out of 100 based on 66 ratings.


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text:
Collaboration No. 3 - Stingo - Boulevard Brewing Co.

Not Rated.
Collaboration No. 3 - StingoCollaboration No. 3 - Stingo

Educational use only; do not reuse.
very good

423 Ratings
no score

(send 'em beer!)
Ratings: 423
Reviews: 107
rAvg: 3.85
pDev: 10.91%
Wants: 12
Gots: 57 | FT: 2
Brewed by:
Boulevard Brewing Co. visit their website
Missouri, United States

Style | ABV
English Strong Ale |  8.50% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once)

Notes & Commercial Description:
Beer added by: sjverla on 08-03-2012

This beer is retired; no longer brewed.

Collaboration #3 Stingo was brewed using traditional English ingredients. A variety of ale and specialty malts from Yorkshire are at the forefront; their pronounced roasty aroma and flavor contain hints of toffee, cocoa and bread crust. English hop varieties contribute subtle herbal, peppery qualities. The beer was brewed in batches; some was fermented on oak, some was fermented normally, and some was allowed to sour in the mash tun before being transferred to a fermenter. Boulevard’s brewers, along with Dann and Martha Paquette of Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project, then blended the batches until desired levels of wood and tartness were achieved for the final product.

35 IBU
Beer: Ratings & Reviews
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Ratings: 423 | Reviews: 107
Photo of pat61
4.54/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Has a chocolate and prune nose that suggests a dark, moist freak fruit cake. It pours barely translucent chestnut to mahogany under a 2” light foam cap that slowly dissipates. This has an intensely creamy, foamy palate with chocolate, prune, dried fruit, sherry, and treacle with a very light funk. It is very effervescent – almost like eating a foam or very light mousse. It becomes more creamy as it settles down and a slight alcohol warming becomes more apparent. Boulevard should brew more of this.

Photo of mactrail
3.86/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours a handsome dark amber in the big Duvel tulip. Nice foam and plenty of froth sloshing around the glass. Aroma is nutty with a band-aid nose. Sudsy and watery with some malty body.

Toasted malt flavor with fruity, leafy hops. It's a somewhat murky sort of flavor, but complex and interesting. Some cocoa and apple flavors, with a touch of burnt sugar and butterscotch. The bitterness is modest, and there is more of a woody dark taste than hops. Some scorched baked apple with hints of hard candy and roasted chestnuts.

This is truly weird but done well. The buttery flavor mixed with the slight acidity, grilled pears, and bitterish hops is a piece of work. It's all totally drinkable, it just requires re-thinking into another place and time of brewing.

I am quite fond of the Pretty Things "22nd November 1838" ale in this style, so I'm glad to see them as the collaborator on this batch.

Photo of fourstringer
4.02/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a cork & caged 750 mL bottle in to a Brewer's Art goblet. Moderate hand. Label reads, batch 2012-3. Best by 03-2013, but I'm not too worried.

A: Dark reddish-brown with 1 finger khaki head. Ok retention. Light lacing. Pretty nice.

S: A bit light overall, but malty fruit, raisin, dried cherry, slight spice. Quality is nice, but subdued. Maybe the age?

T: Nice tartness up front with cherry tang and mild spice notes. Some cracked pepper. This yields, somewhat late, to a smooth, kinda oaky, roasted malt with a semi-dry finish. Nice chocolate in the finish and aftertaste. Some lingering tartness which is very nice. Admittedly fairly boozy for 8.5% ABV, but I don't mind. Seems appropriate.

M: Moderate carbonation with moderate body. Neither here nor there, but pretty smooth, I'd say.

O: So, I was a bit skeptical out of the gates, but this one definitely grew on me. Thinking back, it was the same with the Samuel Smith Stingo. I takes a few big pulls to really get into these, but in the end I thoroughly enjoy the mildly sour/malty fusion. I wish more breweries put these out.

Photo of flagmantho
4.04/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from 750mL corked & caged bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: rich, dark amber-brown hue with ruby highlights. Body appears to be relatively free of haze and the head is a thick finger of pillowy tan foam with a nice retention. Quite lovely.

Smell: raisins, prunes, pears, raw tobacco, dust and alcohol. I'm completely sold!

Taste: kind of tart and astringent at first; the deeper, darker flavors appear on the palate over time and in the aftertaste. Dank and appealing, though not quite so much as the aroma.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a decent carbonation and creaminess. Not as nice as I would have liked, but good nonetheless.

Overall: a tasty beer, although I do wish the flavor were a little bit more like the aroma. That wonderful aroma!

Photo of barleywinefiend
3.69/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a deep, muddy brown with a nice but short-lived tan head on top. No lacing observed

S: Deep woody/earthy notes with bits of tart cherry, chocolate, caramel, and toffee. Smells like fruitcake

T: The best way I can describe this is chcolate, fruits, toffee, bready...literally like liquid fruitcake

M: Medium bodied, well carbonated for the style.

O: Good representation of the style but not as great as Sam Smiths Stingo.

Photo of kojevergas
3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Collaboration No. 3; a collaboration brew with Pretty Things. 8.5% ABV confirmed. "English Style Ale." 1 pint 9.4 fl oz brown glass bottle with hood-and-wire cap (aka cage) over a cork acquired at me local bottle shop for $9.99 USD yesterday and served into a Cantillon stemware in me gaff in low altitude Austin, Texas. Reviewed live. Expectations are well above average given the brewery, which makes some wonderful beers. "Batch number 2012-2. Best by: 03-2013." Reviewed as an English Ale; the label's description identifies the style as a "Stingo," which was purportedly an English style in the 17th century.

Served cold, straight from me fridge, and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

The cork doesn't pop very easily by hand; it took some effort.

A: No bubble show forms as I pour.

Pours a one finger wide head of light khaki colour. Decent creaminess and thickness. Some decent lacing as the head recedes. Head retention is slightly below average - between 1.5 and 2 minutes.

Body colour is a dull drab brown. Nontransparent and very nontranslucent, but not quite opaque; some light does get through near the bottom of the glass. No yeast particles are visible.

A lackluster appearance overall, but I'm optimistic given the brewery. By no means unique or special, but there are no egregious flaws.

Sm: Plenty of toffee. Biscuit malt. Brown malts. Tart fruit - cherries or raspberries perhaps. Caramel. Some acetic character. Light oak maybe. Cocoa dust. Bready malts. No obvious hop presence. No alcohol either. Clean yeast. Some lactobacillus, even. The malts definitely lend it an identifiably English character, but I'm not used to an English style beer with obvious souring yeast. It takes some getting used to, but I'm liking where it's going so far.

A pleasant, perhaps unique aroma of mild to moderate strength.

T: The first thing I notice is the brief touch of sourness on the climax, which plays nicely against the backdrop of light acetic oak and tart fruit. But I do think it clashes somewhat with the English malts; the British brown and biscuit malts do not play well with the lactobacillus yeast. No hop presence is notable. Toffee, caramel. As it warms, I notice more fruity notes emerging - especially stonefruit; likely plums or grapes. Raisin, fig, cherries, dried red apples, berries. A bit vinous. On the sweeter side.

Some might fairly call it medicinal or identify a wet cardboard note. I wouldn't argue with the contention that there're traces of off-flavours here.

The balance just isn't here; it's not gestalt and doesn't come together like it should. It almost achieves a fair cohesion, but then the climax hits and the vinous/dry fruit notes tear it apart. My palate doesn't feel "stung," but maybe a bit more tartness and sourness would effect** that (and help the beer).

Decent complexity. It certainly tries; there's obvious inspiration here. Okay subtlety.

Mf: The third act is considerably more dry and coarse than the two preceding acts, to its detriment; it's a somewhat jarring effect. Smooth and wet otherwise. Decent body and thickness, but neither ever feels quite right. A biteen overcarbonated; was this bottle conditioned? I doubt it. Decent presence on the palate, but far from ideal. Doesn't feel custom-tailored to the taste by any means. Could be softer. Unrefreshing. Has a light astringency, to its detriment. Also somewhat tannic. The vinous character makes it a bit rough on the palate, which is unwelcome.

Not oily, boozy, or hot.

Dr: Downable - especially for the ABV - but wanting. I wouldn't get it again or recommend it to friends, but I'd sure be interested to try it with some age on it - who knows how this would develop? I always applaud efforts to exhume archaic styles, but this beer doesn't quite have the refined execution of something like New Glarus' Brown Porter. I don't know that I'd even call it unique. I'll finish the bottle alone without trouble, but this isn't Boulevard's strongest work - or Pretty Things' for that matter. I don't know that it's worth trying at this price point, per se, but I'm glad I gave it a spin. Worth giving a go if you've got the wherewithal. A swing and a miss from the two breweries involved.

**Yes, this is correct grammar.

Photo of LittleDon
3.86/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Batch 2, 2012, Best by 3-2013
I was a bit concerned since, according to the "best by" date, this beer was 6 months past its prime. Overall, however, it didn't appear to suffer. Dark brown and opaque, the carbonation was sufficient enough to produce a healthy head. Lots of toffee, both smell and taste, along with dried fruit and molasses. While the hops might have been gone, there was still a slight sourness on the finish along with some pepper and a bit of alcohol. Reminds me of what a drier version of a Wee Heavy would taste like. Medium heavy bodied and mouthfeel leaning toward the soft side.

Photo of Slatetank
3.89/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked this bottle up at State Line Liquors in Elkton MD, corked and caged bottle shared with octopus87 in a snifter and wine glass.

The color is dark brown eith murky look yet has a thick creamy light beige head which has a fine bead and confetti of lace sticks. The smell is good with fruity yeast ester and toasty malt with mild sweet scent and light caramel with dark sugar and mild alcohol aroma. The feel is moderately full and has mild sweetness with medium carbonation and low bitterness with gentle roast texture an light alcohol in the finish.

The taste is not far apart from the aroma with some mild fruity flavor which brings plum and dark berry to mind with a light nutty and light caramel malt flavor which emerges more as it warms with a dark sugar flavor. There is a gentle spice and moderately toasted taste with slight alcohol and gentle tinge of tangy wort in the finish which has a mild tannin perhaps of wood or apple skin-taste in the background. Overall a pretty top notch English Strong ale with very fruity and mellow warming effect which is perfect for the onset of Autumn w/ mild chill in the air. This might be a good candidate for cellaring.

Photo of TMoney2591
2.82/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

I don't fully remember the Yorkshire Stingo Sam Smith gave me, but I do remember vaguely enjoying it. I think. Hopes raised for this one, especially given the pedigrees of both brewers. It pours a clear sunset bronze topped by a finger or so of khaki foam. The nose comprises dried maple syrup, toffee, light dark fruits, light toast, and a hint of earthy greens. The taste holds notes of dry toffee, light cardboard, dried honey, brown sugar, and a strong vein of plastic, wild rice, Tylenol (in pill form), and vague sourness. The two segments do not cooperate, but rather clash indefinitely on my tongue, creating a rather poor-tasting din. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, a huge letdown here from these two brewers. Even if I didn't hold them in such high esteem, this beer just tasted very off and strange to me. The lack of enjoyment here is staggering...

Photo of TheManiacalOne
3.57/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

On-tap 7/1/13 at Battleship Brewhouse in Fall River, MA, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep brown color, with a short dense off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, honey, maple and a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of honey, licorice and maple. Then a hearty malt character comes in along with a mild alcohol sting. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is sticky.

O: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are better choices in the style.

Photo of BEERMILER12
3.99/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a ruby red color with 2+ fingers of bubbly tan head that fizzles down to nothing after a few minutes

S: Quite complex. Starts off with some roasted malts and peppery, earthy hops and goes into a good bit of woodiness, toffee, and fruits. Also get a light tartness throughout

T: Starts off a little spicy with a hint of banana and other lighter fruits. Slowly transitions into toffee, roasted malts, cocoa, and wood while maintaining a bit of tartness. Lightly acidic, but the alcohol is very well hidden under the multiple layers

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation

O: I've definitely never had anything quite like this before. There is a nice woodiness to go along with an underlying tartness that really balances everything out. A good mix of spiciness, fruitiness, and maltiness really ups the complexity. Pick some up if you can

Photo of superspak
4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle int tulip glass, bottled in 3/2012. Pours slightly hazy very dark reddish brown color with a 1 finger dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, apple, pear, caramel, toast, toffee, floral, pepper, oak, brown sugar, clove, light roast, light nuttiness, and toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of malt and fruity yeast notes; with good strength. Taste of caramel, raisin, apple, pear, fig, toast, molasses, toffee, biscuit, floral, nuttiness, oak, light chocolate, light roast, and toasted earthiness. Lingering notes of light and dark fruits, caramel, toast, molasses, toffee, biscuit, light roast, light chocolate, nuttiness, and toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Damn nice balance and complexity of toasted malt and fruity ester flavors; with zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a slick and creamy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent English strong ale. All around nice balance and complexity of malt and fruity ester flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Photo of Knuckles_Nuclear
3.41/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

750ml corked bottle poured into a pint glass. Poured an opaque brown with a firm head that disappeared quickly. It smelled sour and boozy, with earthy rye and coffee notes.

This one tasted exactly as it smelled. I caught a heavy boozy flavor amongst coffee, rye bread crust, and perhaps some dark chocolate. Very complex. I could enjoy one of these every once and awhile.

Photo of Hopprof
3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Served on tap at the Five Seasons Prado in Sandy Springs in a tulip glass. This was one of the brewery's guest draughts. At first sip I detect copious toffee, caramel, and candied flavours. There is somewhat of a peat and herbal feel to it. There could be a bit more of a hop profile, but no complaints. I would liken this to a Scotch ale. It is very easy drinking and not a hint of booziness, which is great. I am quickly discovering Boulevard is like the little girl with the curl: when they are good, they are very, very good, but when they are bad, well....People's Exhibit A, Single Wide.

Photo of hardy008
3.27/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Opened the bottle and had a gusher to clean up. Luckily I didn't lose too much.

Pours dark brown with ruby highlights, and a tan 2 finger head, which quickly fades to a small collar, and leaves nice lacing. the aroma has cherries, figs, plums, raisins, brown sugar, and toffee.

The taste is both sweet and bitter with roasted malt, bread crust, alcohol, cherries, figs, plums, raisins, brown sugar, and toffe. The roasted malt, which I could not smell, took over the majority of the taste. I don't think it should have been added, and am of the opinion that the dark roasted malt negatively affects the taste of the beer.

Medium bodied with average carbonation. Finishes dry, and has a roasted malt aftertaste. This beer has too much going on and is a bit of a mess, in my opinion.

Photo of Alieniloquium
3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.

Appearance - Murky reddish brown. Not much of a head. Some wisps remain. Some clinging to the glass occurs.

Smell - Big fruity nose. Dark fruits, plums and such. Caramel. A little bit yeasty, maybe? Some esters coming off.

Taste - Similar to the nose initially. Lots of plums and cherry. Some faint acidity. Caramel in the middle, but gives way to a bunch of oak in the back. Some darker malts prevail as well, lending a bit of chocolate.

Mouthfeel - Low carbonation. Dry oaky finish. Medium body, maybe pushing medium heavy.

Overall - I was expecting a bit more of the oak tang, but the flavors are nice. I'm enjoying it.

Photo of tronester
4.02/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a dark mahogany, with a velvety smooth tan head. Smell is of dark cherries, and a bit of oak. The flavor begins with some tart cherry, then a hint of vinegar, then a little chocolate, and a slightly sour, woody finish. Mouthfeel is good. Overall an excellent beer.

Photo of facundoCNB
4.01/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

a nice looking brown pour with 3 fingers of creme colored head which dissipated slowly. scents of nuts, toffee, caramel, prunes, brown sugar. the flavor feels a bit rusty/copper-like. nuts, caramel, lots of sugar, dark roasted malts, slight hint of grassy hops. light to medium body with a creamy mouthfeel, high carbonation. really refreshing tasty beer, and a new style for me. a great arrangement from these two excellent breweries.

Photo of dbossman
3.87/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown with a huge frothy tan head; lacing is okay

S: Grainy and nutty; sweet malts, brown sugar and toffee; this is sweet and malty and grainy with some booziness but is a bit subdued in the finish

T: Much more going on in the flavors--robust malts, nutty with some booziness in the finish with some vanilla and whiskey in the finish

F: Medium body with a creamy finish

O: This is a malty, slightly boozy beer; not my favorite sting that I've had but it's solid

Photo of SHODriver
4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a deep brown with a three finger off white head that slowly fades into a tulip pint glass
S: smells like an english brown with notes of light chocolate, some toasted malt and a bit nutty
T: toasted malt profile with a bit of caramel, slight tartness, a bit of chocolate and some nuttyness, hint of fig like fruit flavor as well. swallow brings some alcohol, a slight caramel flavor, some nuttyness and a bit more toasted malt
M: carbonation starts off sharp on the palate but subsides to just slightly tingly creating a mouthfeel on the upper side of medium. slightly drying finish
O: very interesting and complex beer. good flavors and a well rounded profile. a well made beer but I wouldn't expect anything less from Pretty Things or a Smokestack Beer from Boulevard.

Photo of scruffwhor
3.56/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Solid two finger, beige, head after the pour. Great head retention for all 750 mls. Deep ruddy, rusty garnet and cola color. It's a little difficult, but when you get the right angle of light, the bubbling is very nice for an English style beer in my opinion. This beer looks great!

Robust, yet subtle malt aroma. Heavily toasted biscuits add some caramelized plums and apricots. Smells savory and like a good sipper.

Starts yeasty and toasty. Lots of plums. But the blood and band-aid flavor starts to dominate from the middle through the finish. There's a little alcoholic heat, that I think would blend well with the flavors at the front of the palate. But in this case it just adds to the bitter blood and band-aid flavors.

Dry, chalky palate with some blood and tin. Maybe I let it sit too long, but this beer is not something I would buy again if it was available.

Photo of Hefty_Boss
4.58/5  rDev +19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Cloudy deep-brown, with a thick tan head.

Smell: Caramel and roasted malts on the nose, hops don't really come through

Taste: Beautiful. Rich and complex with caramel, nuts, leather, all that good stuff. It was slightly sweet but well balanced.

Mouthfeel: Very rich, low carbonation made it stick around awhile with a bit of alcoholic warmth.

Overall: A rare style wonderfully executed. I love this beer, and want to attempt a clone. Great for winter. Would go great with a rich stew.

Photo of 94Sip
4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - pours a nice dark brown and has a nice creamy tan head which dissipated over time. Not as dark as a stout but darker than a brown ale.

Smell - poured into a tulip glass and it has a very unique smell - smells tart. Very much unlike any other dark beer. Doesn't smell like a brown ale and doesn't smell like a stout. More like a dark bread - perhaps somewhere near a rye or pumpernickel.

Taste - I really liked this beer as it warmed up. Uniquely complex tastes that stick around in your mouth for awhile. As it warms up it gets nice and malty, which I prefer. Not quite as roasted as a stout or porter, but moreso than a brown ale. You don't pick up the coffee or chocolate flavors which dominate a stout.

Overall - I keep referring to this as somewhere between a brown ale and stout across many of the categories. That is the best way I can compare this. I definitely enjoyed it on a cool night when I was not necessarily in the mood for a stout but was wanting something "different". I would buy this again and look forward to it. I kept setting it down thinking I was done with it but kept going back to it for another sip.

Photo of barnzy78
4.12/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bott;e, shared with a friend, pours dark brown with a tall, ivory head that holds decent retention. Aromas are very malty and sweet with brown sugar, molasses, bread, caramel, earth. Tastes are malty sweetness, caramel, toffee, molasses, earth, brown bread crust, nice not too bitter finish. Body is medium and creamy. Overall, I have not had much from this style category, but this is what I'd expect - very good!

Photo of Pencible
4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This poured a cloudy mahogany with moderate tan head.
S: It smelled like earthy roasted barley and nutty malt, with some copper and smoke.
T: It tasted like sweet toffee and earthy roasted barley, with some smoky nutty malt and biscuit.
M: It was slightly thick with moderate carbonation. Decent body.
D: This was a nice British ale with good scent and taste. The body was ok, and the alcohol was decently hidden, so it was pretty easy to drink. Curious how it would age. Good fresh, but not exceptional.

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Collaboration No. 3 - Stingo from Boulevard Brewing Co.
87 out of 100 based on 423 ratings.

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text:
Boon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait - Brouwerij Boon

Not Rated.
Boon Oude Kriek Mariage ParfaitBoon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait

Educational use only; do not reuse.

386 Ratings
no score

(send 'em beer!)
Ratings: 386
Reviews: 139
rAvg: 4.18
pDev: 9.33%
Wants: 52
Gots: 80 | FT: 6
Brewed by:
Brouwerij Boon visit their website

Style | ABV
Lambic - Fruit |  8.00% ABV

Availability: Year-round

Notes & Commercial Description:
Beer added by: rastaman on 09-11-2002

No notes at this time.
View: Beers (22) | Events
Beer: Ratings & Reviews
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Ratings: 386 | Reviews: 139
Photo of Jacobob10
4.06/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

375 mL bottle. 2011 vintage. Batch #41692. Best before 2033.

Clear, bright red, with a tall, persistent, pink head. Cherries dominate with a light sourness in the flavor. Medium-light bodied and the ABV is extremely well hidden. Higly carbonated and effervescent. Delicious kriek and an excellent value for the price.

Photo of sjccmd
4.42/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is horsey, barnyard with rich dark cherries. Nice almond cherry pit. Vanilla and some oak. Wet hay, grassy, rustic funk. Nice balance of lambic and fruit character. Acidity is notable.

Pours purple with ruby red highlights. Frothy pink head that is surprisingly sizable. Fizzles away quickly but leaves about 1/2 cm of head. Even has some lacing.

Brightly acidic on the palate. Tart cherries and lactic acid. Earthy funk and oak character. Not quite as much rich cherry character as in the aroma, though it is present with that lovely almond lingering in the background. A good amount of fruit character is present though leaning a bit more towards cherry pie cherries than the rich cherry flavor I've had in other krieks. Lactic acid, little or no acetic.

Light body with high carbonation. Enough acid and even some tannic qualities to keep it from seeming fizzy. Mouthwatering acidity.

Solid balance of fruit and lambic character. Not my absolute favorite, but considering the price and availability, you can't go wrong.

Photo of bowzer4birdie
4.29/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

375ml bottle, 2011.

Lovely tart cherries! I don't pick up much if any funkiness to this. Of course, you've got that mouthwatering acidity. Cherries through the finish!

Photo of Jack_Malts
4.88/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Yuuuuup this is a goddamn kriek. Delicious as shit!

Photo of clayrock81
4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light purple body with one finger pink head that left little lace. Aroma is tart, acidic, little bit sour but this isn't a sour ale aroma and there are cherries and hints of oak in the aroma. Smooth, easy to drink thanks to oakiness, the tart cherries are not too sharp but flavorful enough to give off acidic crispness and a little bit of sweetness. Good balance and great drinker.

Photo of Stevedore
4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

375ml bottle, 2008 harvest date. Poured into a geuze tumbler 12/1/2014.

A- Dark purple body, vinous in appearance, light pink head consisting of about one finger's worth, nice retention time, not a lot of lacing. [3.75]

S- Rich tart cherries as expected. Fair amount of funk; leather and musty oak come to mind here, but certainly not as funky as some of the other Belgian lambic blenders produce. The cherries are strong here and deliciously so. Sour wheat and dry oakiness as well. [4.25]

F- Sharp cherry tartness, leather, sharp and dry oak, sour wheat. Cherries all the way with a dry, cherry tart-filled finish. Good complexity, a bit less funk than I'm used to but with a very nice mouthwatering acidity. [4.25]

M- Medium bodied, crisp and refreshing, nice carbonation. Exceptionally mouthwatering in terms of the acidity which is not bracing but brings a very nice dimension. Strong tart cherry flavour permeates the finish here. [4.25]

O- Very nice complexity in an Oude Kriek; plenty of acidity that isn't bracing, a ton of tart cherries and a nice funk. I enjoyed this one and for the price, I would easily get this one again. [4.25]

Final score: 4.22

Photo of Roguer
4.21/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Extremely dark purplish-black brew, topped by a foamy but firm pink head. Good retention for the style. Maintains a 1/4 finger head throughout. Almost no lacing.

Musty funk comes through in the aroma before cherry pits, accompanied by a noticeable oak bite.

Flavor reverses the dominance, with cherries up front, followed by a very nice funky element, and finished with a vinous, tannin-soaked edge. Just a hint of sweetness; a little sour; more of a musty funkiness with cherries than anything else.

Very light mouthfeel; not a substantial amount of puckering; a little fuller than most Kriek lambics, but nothing to hint at the 8% ABV. Almost creamy.

This is an excellent Kriek, especially for the more available brands like Boon. Nothing incredible or world-beating, but definitely a very good beer.

Photo of Brabander
4/5  rDev -4.3%

Had a bottle with Uncle Jimbo and some other beefreinds last night @ the Kulminator. THis was a 1983 bottle...... I am not a lover of this style but this one was nice to try...

Photo of MattSweatshirt
4/5  rDev -4.3%

2012 bottle

Big pink head erupts before fizzing away to a thin covering immediately. Deep red body.

Sour cherry right off the bat. One of my favorite smells. This should be good. Some vanilla. Not much funk going on.

Taste is quite delightful. Tart cherry pie filling and crust going on. Not much depth of flavor though. Basically straight tart cherry and berry notes

The Mariage Parfait beers are easily the best Boons.

Photo of antott0523
4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Opaque, dark ruby with the appearance of black cherries. Foamy head with an orange-pink hue that sticks around. Carbonation is barely visible.

S: Black cherries with spicy oak, cola. Damp funkiness that I can only describe as a slightly off putting BO type scent.

T: Sweet cherries and oak up front followed by waves of palatable acidity. The finish is buttery, with notes of oak, vanilla, white wine.

M: Moderate body and a dryness that very closely resembles a dry white wine.

D: I'm having this right after the Boon Kriek 2012. It is far more complex than the former. From start, where it is opaque and not translucent, to the finish, where it is more acidic, woody and has more diverse sweet notes, and a dryer finish. Overall, a very nice ale, and I will be buying more for the cellar.

Photo of Chico1985
3.95/5  rDev -5.5%

2009 vintage with a best-by date of 8-17-2031. 375ml bottle purchased at The Beer Trappe in Lexington, Kentucky.

Healthy pop from the cork followed by a dark red pour into a tulip glass, pink head retains nicely. Sourness and acidity is on the tame side, but good mix of cherry juice, woodsy mushroom funk, pleasant tartness, white wine grapes, wheat. Great mouthfeel, easy-going, drinkable and refreshing for a lambic, no hint of that 8%. A great subtle sour, nice mixing of sweet cherries, tartness, funk.

Photo of putonyourwalkingshoes
4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

A: murky reddish brown. Super thick. Awesome for a kriek. Carbonation albiet little.

S: deep cherry and raspberry. Very nice.

T: Cherry sweet and slightly sour. Not too acidic and lacks vinegar for a Belgian kriek which is good. However there is a mineral component that comes in that is somewhat unpleasant.

M: holds very well. Not too sour and not over the top sweet. Good after taste.

O: great sour. Second bottle I have had and both were good. Very satisfying but that mineral component at the finish could be better but still almost sessionable for this relatively high abv kriek.

Photo of JLSIV
4.19/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from 375mL bottle, into balloon glass, cloudy, deep red color, with a pink head, very little lacing.

Aroma of musty cherries, cellar like, with a fruity wine-like nose, definitely cherry. Some wild yeast smell up front.

First taste is wine, then oak wood, with a tart cherry finish. I think the distinctive taste is the wild yeast used to ferment it.

Mouthfeel to me was dry, and sharp, nicely carbonated, more champagne like than beer or ale, extra dry finish. I would like someone with serious wine chops to give it a taste and see what they get.

Overall, my first Belgian Oude Kriek Lambic ale. I felt I needed to try this type to broaden my tastes a little, which it did. Not sure I would order it up in place of other types, but definitely different, and the taste profile lived up to what the Beer store said it would. I would rate it outstanding based on it's merits, but it is not my type.

Photo of Alieniloquium
3.73/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

375 mL bottle poured into smell in. Best before 2033, but I don't know the exact year because server took the cork.

Appearance - Deep pink body. Nice light pink head. Retains well. Nice pink collar.

Smell - Cherry. Not sweet smelling. Very woody. Acidic smelling
A little lemony. Very little funk.

Taste - Cherry is very nice. Wood immediately. Wood continues throughout and into the finish. Moderate lemon sourness. Kinda grainy. Drops off in flavor in the back end.

Mouthfeel - The flavor drops off in the back end, but it's otherwise very drinkable. Medium body. Well carbonated.

Overall - Better than expected from Boon. Very tasty, but not as complex as its more illustrious brethren.

Photo of stephens101
4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My palate for sours is still evolving, but I enjoy trying new things, so looking forward to this. At five years, this would be the oldest beer I've ever rated. I just can't seem to keep them around very long.

Purple with some light red hues and a thin, tan head.

An array of overly sour fruits (chiefly cherry) float soft to the nose, followed by a deep, musty character and notes of brett. Someone left the fruit cart out in the sun too long, or perhaps just right.

Taste is refined with slightly sweet and tart dark fruits (cherry, plum, prune, grape), some fruit skin, and a bit of grain and yeast.

Medium bodied, smooth and dry with no alcohol noticed.

To quote Burroughs, it's "...the most decent, most deeply sour beer I have ever known!" Or something to that affect. Either way it's the finest example of a lambic that I've had, so these beers just might be growing on me.

Photo of avalon07
4.06/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a tulip glass. Had a blood red color and a thick texture. There was an inch of foamy, pink-colored, long-lasting head. Not much lacing.

S: Not surprisingly, a lot of cherries in the aroma, along with an earthy quality as well.

T: Sour cherries dominate flavor. There's also a funkiness, along with the earthy quality. Apples also make an appearance. This is a very well done flavor, one that's more sour than sweet, but that's not a problem.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a sour finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is a very solid, well made lambic. Definitely drinkable.

Photo of papat444
3.99/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

***2009 Vintage***

Poured from a 375ml bottle, best before 17.08.2031.

Pours a blood-red pink body with a head that is unmistakably pink. Cream, sour cherries in the aroma. Flavor has a nice balance of sweet and sour cherries. Feel is a touch acidic, next to no carbonation, oak is light. Enjoyed it but not quite up to par with some other Krieks IMO.

Photo of MarcWP
4.68/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured into Cantillon taster.

Appearance is crimson red with dark ruby highlights. Active small head settles to a decent size ring. Spume is in rosey pink to light purple color range.

Aroma is the typical cherry nose of krieks with other berries also playing off the cherries. Oak, candy apple, and a touch of earthy funk also present.

The taste brings a very earthy, funky kick up which is only light on the nose. You can tell this is a younger Kriek as the sourness is very subdued. Also the cherries used must have been low on acidity as the kind used can influence the PH profile quite a bit. Instead, the cherry flavor is deep, earthy, fleshy but not really sweet or acidic. I love the depth of flavors here, farmhouse musk, oak, pasture reside along the other fruit flavors you get like sweet cranberry, over ripe blood orange, merlot grape, and even some plantain action going on.

Mouthfeel is light. Carbonation is beautifully soft but active. Awesome dry finish, perfect if you ask me, you get the sweet character from the cherries but no residual sugar aftertaste.

I just want to mention that this is further evidence that Boon is up there with Cantillon and Drie Fonteinen for top lambic producers. Between this and their standard Mariage Parfait they prove to be to producing top notch stuff. Would love to see some other fruit variants added to the Parfait range. Would be awesome!

Photo of itsscience
4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 harvest

Pours cranberry juice red with a finger of pink head that quickly subsides. The nose is clean and sweet with the smell of green apple skins, cherries, a little bit of barnyard, and a little bit of lactic acid. This is a delicious beer: it starts off with a sour bite, melding into sweet natural cherries and ending with another huge surge of sourness with grassy, lemony notes. I get a nice dose of vanilla in the aftertaste. It's never artificial and never over-the-top sour. The body is light with high carbonation.

Photo of wedge
4.48/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Deep ruby color with a soft, creamy pink head. Super smooth, mellow cherry creaminess in the nose. Sour black cherry, a bit of sherry, and a really delicate touch of vinegar along with spices. Big tart cherry flavor...there seems to be a lot going on, but it keeps everything corralled into a nice, tidy flavor profile. Much more sourness coming through here. Just enough sweetness, nice acidity, woody spice, must, and some sort of potpourri-like element. Astringent and puckering, but far from offensively so. Oh man, very satisfying. I'll try to keep my hands off the other bottle for a few years if I can.

Photo of tastybeer
4.47/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very dark burgundy red with a delightful pink tightly foamy head. Aroma is ultra smooth. Awesome cherry pie, softly tart, sweet, and fragrant. Creamy with something vanilla-like, plus musky wood. Taste is tart and smacky. Woody, musky, tart dry berries. Grape skins, astringent and puckering. Very well combined concoction. The word encrusted comes to mind... Very dry, implosively so, brightly and smoothly carbonated, almost chalky texture. Very nice.

Photo of dcmchew
4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2008 vintage. Pours dark ruby, huge fizzy foam at first that pops away very fast, leaving a small lacing.
Strong smell of sour cherries, oak, green grass, big tartness, lemonade, specific funk.
Huge sourness up front, a mix of cherries and lemon zest. It might be a lot at first, but you get used to it after a few more sips. Musty red grapes also, low sweet berries, tartness, balsamic vinegar, high quality lambic notes. Lots of funkiness, wild yeasts really did a number here. Barrel notes are strong, there's an earthy feel, but lots of wood and an overall cellary feel (oak chips aplenty, charcoal towards the end). Green notes are fresh and big, giving off lots of fresh hay, green grass, lemon tree leaves and light tobacco in the finish. Sweetness is felt later on, and doesn't surpass the other elements. Hoppy finish with quite a bitter punch.
Body is almost creamy, with a constant low fizz, closely reminding of a nitro poured Guinness. Alcohol is warm and solely enriches the flavors.
Great kriek lambic, i really like the ruggedness of these Mariage Parfaits.

Photo of macher0
4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2009 Bottle to tulip

A: Dark ruby red. Poured 2 finger reddish head that treats to a reddish rim and slight head. Fine bubble carbonation. Some lacing.

S: Moderate fragrance. Sour yeast and bretts. Tart cherry. Neutral oak. Fairly complex but well defined.

T: Tart. Sour yeast. Tart cherry. Hints of plum. Neutral oak. Not at all sweet.

M: Very smooth. High, fine carbonation. Very light bodied. Slightly syrupy, but not over the top.

O: An excellent sour kriek. The appearance is absolutely amazing and should be used as a standard for kreiks. This is way more sour than sweet. The cherries come through very dry and subtle. This is in my rotation constantly.

Photo of orangesol
3.86/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Drank this one with Thanksgiving dinner this year.
'08 375ml bottle.

A - Pours ruby red with a fizzy half finger tall white head, dissipating down to nothing at all, leaving no lace at all down the glass. Much like the geuze, it went totally flat within minutes.

S - Smells of ripe sour cherries, damp earth, basement must, bit of barnyard funk, lactic sourness, oak and some wet grass. Not as earthy as the geuze thanks to the addition of the cherries but it still just doesn't jump out at me like others in the style.

T - Starts off with the sour cherries quickly giving way to a mix of sharp lactic sourness, musty funk, grass and a touch of sweetness help round it all together. Finish is quite dry, lingering long after the finish. Liking how much the cherries come through here compared to the nose.

M - Medium body with spritzy carbonation. While the geuze was more tart this is a bit more sour, still has plenty of dryness after each sip.

O - I enjoyed this one a bit more than the geuze but it still wasn't worth what I had to pay for them. I think their are better examples of the style but if the price was right I would definitely pick up another bottle.

Photo of Axnjxn
4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

375 ml bottle into a fw snifter. vintage 2009

dark cherry red with a big head. smell seems skunked and off...hmm. taste though is amazing though...tastes exactly like cherry pie...like exactly. really easy to drink. light bodied almost with mild carbonation, ABV not detectable.

overall a great kriek!

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Boon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait from Brouwerij Boon
93 out of 100 based on 386 ratings.


text:
Irritated Koala - Two Brothers Brewing Company

Not Rated.
Irritated KoalaIrritated Koala

Educational use only; do not reuse.

67 Ratings
no score

(send 'em beer!)
Ratings: 67
Reviews: 10
rAvg: 3.7
pDev: 10.81%
Wants: 1
Gots: 8 | FT: 0
Brewed by:
Two Brothers Brewing Company visit their website
Illinois, United States

Style | ABV
American Black Ale |  6.10% ABV

Availability: Limited (brewed once)

Notes & Commercial Description:
Beer added by: barnzy78 on 06-10-2014

No notes at this time.
Beer: Ratings & Reviews
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Ratings: 67 | Reviews: 10
Reviews by jgunther71:
More User Reviews:
Photo of chinchill
3.65/5  rDev -1.4%

22oz. bottle.
Medium deep amber; Very good and durable off-white head.

Medium-Light body with appropriate medium carbonation.

Aroma: Hops with a faint malt base.

The flavor is well balanced, with the well chosen hop load dominating. Fruity and floral. Refreshing mildly hoppy ale with a low bitterness level. Good sweet/bitter balance with near equal levels.

Photo of secondtooth
4.03/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had to try this one as a serious tea nerd as well as beer nerd, so seeing it on Beef O’Brady’s menu had me excited.

Appearance: Dirty tea brown and amber. Light head and limited lace.

Aroma: Sweet tea and a hint of fruitiness. Really impressive and very unique.

Taste: Very much a musty black tea. A little hint of hops is present, but this is the penultimate hybrid of tea and beer. Description as “black IPA” on beefs menu seems inaccurate. This, to me, is a wholly new style of beer.

I would gladly buy a sixer of this one.

Photo of WoodBrew
3.71/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

The Irritated Koala is one heck of an interesting beer. The beer poured a dark clear amber with white head. The scent had smoke, piney hops and slight tea presence. The taste was smoke in the front and back with piney hops in the middle. The mouthfeel was light to medium in body with good carbonation. Overall this was an interesting offering....but it would be tough to drink more than one of these at a sitting in my opinion. Definitely worth a try!

Photo of larryarms847
3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Pours a very light brown with a slight red hue about it. No head to speak of, looks just like iced tea.

The aromas of black tea are very prevalent, but not overpowering, like a smooth cup of tea.

There is hint of sweetness coming from somewhere, but I can't quite put my finger on it, the bitterness of the black tea is well hidden.

Mouthfeel is light and way too thin for my taste. I don't really want to feel like I'm drinking tea while pounding back a cold one.

Overall, no I would not buy this again, but yes it is worth sampling for any tea fan.

Photo of mfnmbvp
3.88/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date present. Another new bomber from Two Brothers, this one a proclaimed 'smoked tea black IPA'. Not entirely sure what to expect. The label tells us that this beer is brewed with Lapsang Souchong, a smoked black tea.

Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.

A - It pours a dark reddish mahogany colored body; more of a dark red ale than a black ale in appearance. Two fingers of frothy fluffy off-white head that leaves some nice thin lacing. Looks pretty nice.

S - The smell is a little faint, but the smoke / char / wood / licorice character seems most dominant. Some earthy piney hops & bready caramel malts buried beneath that.

T - The taste follows the nose - lightly smokey / char, earthy piney / grapefruit hops, and some bready malt.

M - The feel is smooth, fluid, and creamy. Medium-light bodied, with good carbonation. Very easy drinking.

Overall, a unique approach at a smoked beer / IPA hybrid type beer, but I'm not entirely sure "black IPA" is the right descriptor. Either way, the beer gets props for uniqueness, and good drinkability. Well worth the try.

Two Brothers Irritated Koala ---4/5.

Photo of TMoney2591
3.25/5  rDev -12.2%

Served from tap in a snifter at Bigby's Pour House - Rolling Meadows.

I had to try it. How could I not? Anyway, it pours a clear smoky topaz topped by a finger or so of glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises dark tea leaves (didn't come across as Lapsang Suchong to me, at least compared to the leaves I've got in a tin in the kitchen), mild pine resin, and light toast. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some sweet biscuit, mild treacle, and greens. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a silky-ish feel. Overall, an interesting black IPA, one that didn't rub me the same wrong way as most black IPAs do, but one that still didn't do it for me. It's not bad, but the flavors don't work well enough for me to ever want to have another any time soon.

Photo of hosehead83
3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

Dark tea color with a relatively short head of bone-white foam.
Aroma-Citrus hop note, faint tea
Taste-Upfront dark tea essence, smoky, citrus, herbal hops, rather flat finish.
Unique flavor and complexity, but doesn't quite tie it all together.

Photo of LovingCup
4/5  rDev +8.1%

Quite good if not great. I could taste the tea, my less koalafied friend could not. Unique black ipa. Thanks to Chris for gifting me this.

Photo of mschantz
3.34/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Perhaps biased by the name, but to me the color reminded me of dark ice tea. 1/2 inch of nice head that stuck around a while. Again the smell as that of a sweet tea. Taste followed but with a nice slight bitterness. The hops imparted citrusy lemon flavor that resulted in a taste not unlike an Arnold Palmer with s bit of smoke. One of those interesting beers that I am glad I had but not one I need to enjoy more than once.

Photo of barnzy78
3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle, no apparent freshness date, but fresh on the shelves this week
L - hazed copper-brown color with a thin, foamy beige head
S - tea, faint smoke, tropical citrus, caramel, toasty grain; different
T - tea, smoke, brown sugar, caramel, toasted grain, tropical citric hops, some roastiness is somewhat coffee-like as it warms
F - medium body, ample carbonation, finishes semi-dry with the smoked tea flavor lingering
O - just ok for me. I like its uniqueness, but I was hoping for more black ale qualities - darker in color, roasted barley and more dank bitterness - coupled with the addition of the smoked tea. Maybe expectations were set too high, but it was a bit of a disappointment as far as American Black Ales/Black IPA's/Cascadian Black Ales go.

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Irritated Koala from Two Brothers Brewing Company
84 out of 100 based on 67 ratings.


text:
Allgäuer Cambonator Doppelbock - Allgäuer Brauhaus AG

Not Rated.
AllgÃ¤uer Cambonator DoppelbockAllgÃ¤uer Cambonator Doppelbock

Educational use only; do not reuse.
very good

96 Ratings
no score

(send 'em beer!)
Ratings: 96
Reviews: 88
rAvg: 3.83
pDev: 11.75%
Wants: 1
Gots: 0 | FT: 0
Brewed by:
Allgäuer Brauhaus AG visit their website

Style | ABV
Doppelbock |  7.20% ABV

Availability: Year-round

Notes & Commercial Description:
Beer added by: xlperro on 02-25-2002

No notes at this time.
View: Beers (37) | Events
Beer: Ratings & Reviews
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Ratings: 96 | Reviews: 88
Reviews by IchLiebeBier:
Photo of IchLiebeBier
4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark chestnut, big head, long lasting

Aroma: Malty, sweet, fig-like

Taste: Starts sweet and malty, then finishes dry and hoppy; pretty well balanced overall

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time, so please disregard those scores

More User Reviews:
Photo of RoyalT
4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance  Dark brown in color with good carbonation and a decent head that didnt last very long but left some cool lacing.

Smell  Beautiful, rich aroma of yeast, toasted malts, and butter. This one smells very creamy and rich yet has the classic burnt nose.

Taste  This one is a mouthfeel. The super-rich toasted malt and yeast flavors are out in force here. This is exactly as it should taste  just like a bock only bigger. Theres just enough alcohol to be noticed, and the caramel-infused creaminess is out of this world.

Mouthfeel  One of the smoothest, creamiest dopplebocks that I have rated thus far. This one had an exceptional mouthfeel. It is full-bodied with very light carbonation and, did I say, very smooth and creamy.

Drinkability  This one had me talking German. Ive had some disappointing offerings from this brewery, but this example was excellent.

Photo of Billolick
3.97/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Typical midsized bottle, no freshness dating, Nice wintery scene artwork on the label, but no freshness dating to be found. Pours dark almond amber, slight off white head and only minor lacing. Nose is of currants, and pleanty of toasted malts. Flavorful and strong brew, notes of molasses, toasted nuts and malts, burnt fruits. Complex, strong and tasty version of a heady and usually quite enjoyable style, well worth a try.

Photo of Thrasher
4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Handsome brown with nice gentle head. Is quite good at a cooler temperature as well as gaining complexity when it warms. This is a roasty doppelbock, a bit closer to some porters than other doppels I have tried. Not as sweet and toffeeish as other doppels. This is more austere and woody, a little reminiscent of varnish. I think this would serve more as a restorative on a crisp dry winter day rather than a warmer for a damp spring evening - as I have used in this case. The finish is pretty dry and does not cry out for more. I had an insanely pleasurable experience at Zum Schneider in NYC with a basic helles lager of Allgauer's... I wish I could find more products of theirs to bring home, this doppel is the only bottled brew I've found.

Photo of anders36
3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice dark brown colour with a nice big head that disappears quickly though. It has a little sweet smell and some roasted smell, evem some fruity smell. The taste is also a little sweet, but not to sweet for me. It also has some roasted taste with a hint of fruit and caramel. This is a bockbeer i could drink more of. It leaves you with a nice warm feeling. I have been to Kempten a couple of times and this beer will make me go there again.

Photo of MrVonzipper
3.46/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear cola brown with a 2 finger light tan frothy head. Very nice retention and good lacing. Substantial yeast sediment.

Dark malt and light caramel on the nose. Along the typical average smell of the style.

Flavor is predominantly just euro dark malt. Faint Caramel notes. Pretty rich. Faint dark fruits like raisin and figs.

Full bodied mouthfeel with medium carbonation.

Overall it's pretty good. Average drinkability. Nothing that'll blow any minds but a good cold fermented dark beer.

Photo of pmcadamis
4.34/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First of all, what's up with the name? (In an Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) "I'm duh cambonator ....I'm he-ah to save John Conn-ah ...I'll be bock!" Get it....BOCK. Ok. I apologize for my crappy sense of humor. Anyhow...

This one pours dark and flat black with a deep purple tint when held up to the light, and the lable shows a quant German village buried in snow.

A half-finger tan head only stuck around for a minute before dissapearing almost entirely, but some suds re-appear when aggitated. This brew looks flat and boring in the glass, but the bottle is very, very cool.

The scent is caramely, malty, milky, and sweet. Hints of milk chocolcate and vanilla flavored coffee creamer also.

Damn! This is one sweet beer! Sugary and malty, this one feels very full and smooth in the mouth. My first impression is of chewy caramel candy... the kind that yanks out your fillings and sticks around in the cracks in between your teeth for days. This is follwed by big bitter chocolate (that really develops as the beer warms) and a nice alcohol kick in the back of the throat. I'm also picking up some very slight dark fruit flavors too ...like a super-ripe plum.

This one is heavy and sweet like that bitter dark chocolate that my mom used to cook with (she told me not to eat it plain...but I did anyway and sort of liked it). I enjoyed the full, sweet, thickness that is presented here, but the overly bitter dark chocolate character eventually becomes a little too much. I feel that one is definitley enough for now, but I will most likely come BOCK to this one some other time...maybe in the winter (like on the neat bottle)!

Photo of NeroFiddled
4.27/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Its clear, very dark mahogany body reveals hundreds of tiny, steadily rising bubbles if you look closely enough; and its frothy tan head drops shortly to a wide, creamy collar and whispy surface covering yet continues to leave splashes of lace throughout the entire glass. The nose displays a dark, caramelized malt that expresses slightly fruity toffee, cocoa, and a bit of light molasses. It's body is firm and its carbonation is very fine and moderate, leaving it creamy in the mouth. The flavor is much as the nose suggests, although a healthy dose of alcohol and some solid bitterness help to thin it a bit and keep it from becoming sweet. It's clearly grainy beneath its caramelized layers; and it displays some floral and spicy hop character as well. It finishes dry with a lingering note of bitterness, some subtle residual maltiness, and a wash of alcohol that gives it a nutty (walnuts, peanut skins) and woody character that leaves the palate wanting more. It's quite enjoyable with perhaps a greater drinkability than some of the sweeter versions.

Photo of nickd717
4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Gourmet Haus Staudt.

Pours cloudy dark brown with a lasting beige head and some lacing.

Aroma is sweet and malty with caramel, toffee, brown sugar, and dark fruits.

Flavor is also malty and sweet, but not too sweet for the style. Caramel, toffee, syrup, and brown sugar. Lots of great dark fruits, particularly raisin and date.

Fairly full body with a smooth mouthfeel. Not at all boozy.

This is a very good doppelbock overall.

Photo of russpowell
3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an effervescent brown-hued chestnut with 3+ fingers of creamy sand colored head. Above average head retention & average lacing

S: Slight breadyness & roasty malt, plus a bit of licorice

T: Slight caramel, toffee with a some alcohol & a modicum of peppery hops up front. Leafy hops, boozey warmth, & slight pecan sweetness as this warms. Finishes with leafy hops, dark fruit, toffee sweetness, breadyness & some metallic hops, a warm boozey edge & gingerbread

MF: Medium bodied with low carbonation, a bit of slickness present as well

Drinks alright, wish I could've tried this at the source. I had a few of their biers von fass in Deutschland & they were pretty good. his one didn't travel too well IMO. A decent, not great Dopplebock. Got better as it warmed, but it was poured fairly warm

Photo of shbobdb
4.68/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

To be fair, I am on a kick right now where this beer fits perfectly. You know how it goes: you get into a certain beer-drinking groove and you find something that really just fits within that particular arena.

This beer is doing that for me. Despite its dark ruby color, the majority of the taste of this beer comes from nice, light, sweet pils malt. A nice distinctive, sweet blast mingled with that pronounced sulfur bite. Like a very good pils, but supersized to the extreme.

But that is just the start of this party. Well, not the "start" really, the pils malt is the host. It is there most noticeably at the beginning and ending, but the whole experience is undeniably affected by it. Now, if I know pils malt, it was hoping for a low-key party, you know, a couple of pils buddies sitting around listening to indy rock, maybe smoking a bowl, and then everybody goes home.

Unfortunately for pils, one of his buddies called Munich malt and told him about the party. Munich I called munich II, and the whole deal went cat-in-the-hattish quite quickly. Nice juicy summer fruits play a huge role in this beer, mmm, more plum than anything.

So, after Munich I and Munich II crashed the place, some crystal malts show up. Really just a nice layer of ineffably sweet complexity added on top of everything. If it wasn't already crazy enough, this guy really wrecks the party and makes it totally insane.

But then that damned fish starts nagging everybody. That's right, the alcohol makes its presence known in the end and cleans everything off. The sweetness fades, everybody is gone . . .

And you are again left with the pils malt, now alone and sad. He starts to wave goodbye, but he is really awkward about it and really clings onto that farewell. So, you feel sorry for the guy and have another sip . . . and the whole mess starts over again!

Photo of Stubbie1
4.13/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This doppelbock is dark brown in color with a slight ruby huge. Decent but fast fading head at the top of the glass. Aroma is sweet, caramel, molasses, and malt. Taste of sweet malt and burnt caramel come to mind. Smooth and creamy in the mouth and easy to drink. A fine Doppelbock

Photo of MuenchenerKindl
4.42/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a .5L bottle to a tall .5L glass. Try as I might I can't get this beer to produce a head during the pour. As the bottle empties about a 1 finger head rises slowly from an intense dark liquid. The head fades just as slow leaving almost no lace.

The smell is of Malt deep dark roasted malt with a very lively selection of dark fruit. Lost of dates, plumbs and figs. I anticipate something like a Weihenstephan Kobinian.

The taste very fruity indeed, Chocolate and some coffee notes also enter the mix. The malt is very very intense and the extensive complexities are intriguing. This lager also hints of licorice in the finish that all but totally covers the alcohol. This offering is also very sweat in its tastes, drying with some bitterness only in the finish. Each slurp leaves you quite unsatisfied. I started with a few slow sips but this really grows on you fast, and I find my self filling my mouth with large gulps trying to engage all of my taste bubs.

The mounthfeel is great. The feel is thick and coating, a very full body drenches the mouth full of flavor. The carbonation awakes within the mouth adding to the taste sensation. The finish is superb just a slight alcohol taste. Very nice, what I look for not the staleness I get from so many cheaper dark ales.

The drinkability is very high, This DB goes down very easy with no objections. Prost und Zum Wohl! MK

Photo of hotstuff
3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dayton, OH AleFest:I really enjoy drinking and rating Dopplebocks and even though this is not the best Dopplebock that I've had to date, it was not too bad.The appearance was a small sized tan head with fine sized bubbles that quickly diminished.The body was clear, uncarbonated and the hue was reddish-brown.The nose of this Dopplebock was malty along with some caramel.The flavor was sweet tasting and malty.It has a very smooth mouthfeel and is light-medium bodied.There was a fair amount of lacing on the sides of my glass.

Photo of DaveBar
3.77/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Purchased at the LCBO as a sell off for $3.85 for a 500ml flip top bottle. Served at 4deg C in a tulip.

A- Opens well and pours a tiny head that is gone in seconds. Very dark brown. Clear

S- Good hops as expected from a doppelbock. Touch metallic

T- Very smooth and good malt backbone. Touch of heat. Nice blend all around.

M- Creamy good.

O- Pretty good beer. Enjoyed it a lot and am glad I had a taste of it

Food Pairing

This pretty good little beer went well with..... Roasted chicken with potatoes dusted with Italian seasoning

Photo of avylover
4.37/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

very dark purplish brown. This the dopplebock for the light drinker. Very smooth yet full taste, but immensely drinkable. color id dark & foamy, with an aroma that is very vinious. Grapes andraisins reign supreme. Are we sure this is not a wheat beer? Very smooth malty/graint taste, with some fruity esters. Slick smooth mouthfeel and as I said earlier drinkability is ridiculous.

Very good

Photo of Darkale
4.17/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Decided to depart from my "east coast of the United States" mindset, and pulled this beer out of the specialty cooler at my favorite beer store. Started out the afternoon -- a nasty mix of sleet and snow is pelting the windows, so a beer tasting session seemed like a good idea -- with a 2002 SN Celebration Ale (not too many left in Feb of '03), and then moved on to this Cambonator. As far as the appearance of the label is concerned, I cannot improve upon the only other review of this beer that mentioned the label, save to say that it depicts the sort of scene that would make one want to have a dopplebock, which would seem to be the point.

Sweet malt smell very evident after opening. Short, dense, off-white head that settled down to a thin rim of white in a few minutes. Very small pearly bubbles in the head. Color is quite dark, hardly translucent; putting a bright light behind my glass shows a beatiful deep cherry color.

Round and sweet taste improves with slight warming. Slight bitterness at the tip of the tongue. Toasty, and again, very sweet! Mouthfeel is slick, leaves a slight, pleasant aftertaste at mid-tongue, almost fruity. Not as brutish as an Optimator; more subtle and thin (with no offense intended).

Photo of TLove
3.87/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

(From Notes)

Underrated, big time. 500 ml bottle to Chimay goblet.

A nice, light brown color renders a creamy, light tan head and a little bit of lacing. Smells of dried fig, roasted chestnut, and caramel, with a strong emphasis on the high ABV (7.2%). Taste is emblematic of smell in this case, with more sweet and round tastes than smoky. Round figs come through with dark fruits and sticky, soft texture of this doppelbock.

Medium to heavy carbonation. Crisp and a touch watery in the mouth, but finishes nicely, rounding out the flavor balance in the back of the mouth.

Photo of Boilermaker88
3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presented in a 500ml bottle just like the one in the pic and served in an imperial pint glass. This d-bock had a really dark chestnut color. A low level of carbonation and a modest pour still managed to produce a firm off-white 1" head that left some nice lacing on the sides.
The nose was all about malt...lots of caramel aroma and sweet toasted malts. Around the periphery, some lightly burnt grains and a hint of herbal hops lent their aromas to the mix. But the main player here was malt.
The taste had more balance than what the nose would indicate. Sure, Cambonator was loaded with the flavors of carmelized molasses and brown sugar up front but as each taste progressed the toasted malts took the edge off what could had been a very cloying taste and feel. Then a mild herbal finish further balanced things out, making for an enjoyable brew. The feel was full and chewy, really filling, and smooth.
Allgäuer's Cambonator is a big, hearty doppelbock that's quite appealing. A real malt-bomb. Nicely drinkable and the best of the Allgäuer line-up, at least those that I've had to date.

Photo of JohnGalt1
3.87/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

17 oz picked up this weekend at Tres Bonne Cuisine in Boise for $3.25.. poured into my small weizen glass.

Nice khaki head drops leaving spotty lacing over a very clear polished dark chestnut brew.

Aroma is all malts.. some toastiness... doesn't smell as "dark" as some of the doppelbock's I've had recently... a very lite chocolate nose is also present as it warms.

Flavor mirrors the aroma but with a viscous slightly chewiness to it. Thick malt palate is the only real game in town.. just enough bitterness and lite dark fruitiness to keep things interesting... subtle fig flavors appear as the brew approaches room temperature... Good body and a creamy overall mouthfeel.

Another winner from TBC... Boise BA's must check this place out... Barbara is great... I love her accent... it's endearing.

Photo of rallison
4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy dark brown with a 1 finger off-white head that leaves a touch of lacing.

Smells of dark fruits and dark candy. Nice.

Taste is very good. Dark fruits and toffee are the most prominent flavors. Dates and molasses are also present. Love the fruit in here. Seems to have a touch of hops to balance out the sweetness. Relatively complex flavors for a doppelbock. I like it.

Mouthfeel is just right - somewhat creamy with a nice level of carbonation and a slightly sharp finish.

Drinkability is very good on this.

Photo of largadeer
3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle into a tulip. Appearance is dark brown with red highlights. A solid off-white head forms and retains well.

Fairly mild aroma, nutty and caramelized, slightly metallic. A bit of date-like fruitiness.

Toasted and caramelized malt flavors wash the palate first, follower by raisin-like fruitiness and a touch of roasty astringency. Full bodied, rich, fairly dry and bitter in the finish.

Photo of Proteus93
3.83/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Chocolatey brown, very deep amber pour - mild head, longer lasting than other dopplebocks tried. Caramel coloured, a little lacing. Nice pour.

S: Mild caramel & toffee, oats, grape/raisin + prune... several different notes, but they are difficult to make out with a modest aroma. Unfortunately, that costs it.

T: Quite heavy, compared to the smell. Rich dark fruits, caramel flavours, a surprising hops taste (to what I was expecting, at least - not to be taken for any sort of intense hops), with a dash of cinnamon, toasted oats, nuttiness. A zesty fruit finish, with a dash of spiciness. Rather good, and perhaps not the best I've had, but a very intriguing and complex brew.

M: A little heavy and thick, a little closer to what I might expect from an eisbock. Coats the roof of the mouth, and albeit a little overdone, still a reasonably decent drink.

D: An interesting brew, this is one I would like to try again simply for the purpose of tasting again and getting a better feel for. Not the most spectacular thing I have had, but still quite good and it will hold my attention.

Photo of edskirk3
3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 ounces of what I hope to be delicious doppelbock.

Pours into a pint dark brown with red highlights. Little bit of head, about a half-finger.

Nose of dark bread and figs like a Pumpernickel Fig Newton, perhaps.

Tongue-coating maltiness. Semi-dry and smoky. More figs and other dark fruits, though not very juicy flavorwise. A slight licorice finish.

Save for the dry character, a textbook doppelbock. If offered, I would imbibe again.

Photo of Gusler
4.3/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer after its escape from the 500ml brown bottle in to my Leute Bock beer glass sets a deep brown with ruby high lights; the head is smallish and bubbly in texture, the color a nice tan, the resultant lace a thin curtain to drape the glass. Nose is malt sweet, caramel, hints of yeast, a bit musty I must say, start is sweet, thick malt presence, top is middling to almost full in its affect on the taste buds. Finish is has an imperious acidity, the hops noticeable but pleasant, aftertaste droughty and lingering upon the palate, a very nice doppel bock, a style I wish there was a bazillion of.

to view more.
Allgäuer Cambonator Doppelbock from Allgäuer Brauhaus AG
86 out of 100 based on 96 ratings.


text:
Place Ratings: jessehd09

Beers: 0 | Wants: 0 | Gots: 0 | Places: 27 | Reviewed: 0
Reviews 1 to 27 (out of 27): [ sorted by Date Last Reviewed ]
  Date > Place Location Rating rDev
-10-15-2013White Rabbit Brewing CompanyAngier, NC, US3.5-12.5%
-10-15-2013Yard HouseRaleigh, NC, US4-2.9%
-10-15-2013World of BeerRaleigh, NC, US4+2.8%
-10-15-2013The Flying Saucer Draught EmporiumRaleigh, NC, US3.75-12%
-10-15-2013The Raleigh Times BarRaleigh, NC, US4-1%
-10-15-2013Lonerider Brewing CompanyRaleigh, NC, US3.25-20.3%
-10-15-2013Busy Bee CafeRaleigh, NC, US4.75+8.2%
-10-15-2013Big Boss BrewingRaleigh, NC, US3.5-13.2%
-10-15-2013Zero Gravity Craft Brewery / American FlatbreadBurlington, VT, US4-6.5%
-10-15-2013von Trapp BrewingStowe, VT, US3.25-14.7%
-10-15-2013The Vermont Pub & BreweryBurlington, VT, US3.75+0.3%
-10-15-2013The Bobcat Café & BreweryBristol, VT, US4-5.4%
-10-15-2013Lost Nation BrewingMorrisville, VT, US4.25-2.3%
-10-15-2013Crop Bistro & BreweryStowe, VT, US3.75-3.6%
-10-15-2013BottleMixxRaleigh, NC, US4.5+6.1%
-10-15-2013Top of the Hill Restaurant and BreweryChapel Hill, NC, US3.5-4.9%
-10-15-2013Carolina BreweryChapel Hill, NC, US4+7%
-10-15-2013Fullsteam BreweryDurham, NC, US4-1.5%
-10-15-2013Deep River Brewing Co.Clayton, NC, US3.5+16.7%
-10-15-2013White Street Brewing Co.Wake Forest, NC, US3.75+1.9%
-10-15-2013Trophy Brewing Co.Raleigh, NC, US4.25+3.7%
-10-15-2013Sub Noir Brewing CompanyRaleigh, NC, US2.5-32.1%
-10-15-2013Raleigh Brewing CompanyRaleigh, NC, US4.5+10.3%
-10-15-2013Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co.Raleigh, NC, US3-23.5%
-10-15-2013Crank Arm BrewingRaleigh, NC, US4.25+9.8%
-10-15-2013Tasty Beverage CompanyRaleigh, NC, US5+5.9%
-10-15-2013Boylan Bridge BrewpubRaleigh, NC, US3.75+7.4%


text:
Moderator: slothrob

Postby Shaft42 » Fri Aug 22, 2003 5:50 am

The last two beers that I have entered into competition have both had comments that oxidation was evident. Both brews were extract with specialty grains and were full boils. I use the Auto Siphon to transfer to various vessels and suspect that it could be a cause of possible aeration (seem to remember bubbles when I transferred). Also, both beers tasted awesome when I bottled them, but did not taste the same (lost flavor) after bottling/min-keg conditioning. I know this is limited information, but any ideas what I am doing wrong?

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Postby Mesa Maltworks » Sun Aug 24, 2003 7:37 pm

Well, unless you are unable to detect the oxidization in your finished beer (different people require different levels before detection due to palate differentials) pre-bottling, you have to be picking up the oxygen when transferring from the last sealed vessel to your priming/bottling tank or/and when you are actually filling the bottles.

Some if the possible sources can be air sucking into the beer stream at connection points, air being agitated into solution by not filling the tank from the bottom up and with minimal splashing, splashing the beer when filling bottles or too much of a headspace in the bottles themselves. (.75" is optimum). You can reduce a normal (but not excessive) amount of oxygen that will evolve out of the beer into the headspace by using oxygen absorbing caps.

Hope you find it!

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