Saint Arnold Divine Reserve #4

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

This is a really late review and I can't really remember specifics but this was a great beer. Full of flavor and I do remember a good amount of sediment. Heavy beer too.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Sampled November 2007
A somewhat vigorous pour produces an almost three-finger thick, lightly browned, tan colored head that sits atop an opaque, deeply blackened, concentrated amber colored brew. The beer does show a concentrated, deep, dark, though brilliantly clear, ruby color when held up to the light. Aromas of peat are definitely the most noticeable part of the aroma; salty, smoky with a richly caramelized woodiness. Behind the peat is a solid, more traditional, dark malt character that smells like darkly browned biscuits, brown malt, concentrated caramel and slightly burnt soda crackers. The aroma is pretty nice, but there is a bit too much peat character here; I wish that the underlying malt character played a bigger role.

Concentrated malt notes add a deeply caramelized sweetness up front, the finish though is dried out by salty peat smoke, though even this can never quite shake the rich caramelized malt character. The smoky phenolics add a certain sharpness to the finish as does a touch of underlying hop bitterness. This definitely has a creamy heft to it, which in combination with the rich flavors make this a definite sipping brew; I wouldn't call this syrup-like in any way, but it certainly has enough weight to it to be hearty. The finish has a certain chalky, lightly roasted grain husk, sort of tannic character that tends to linger on for some time. Lots of toasted grain flavors cling to the palate from beginning to end though; browned soda crackers, roasted biscuit malt notes and touches of breakfast roast coffee join flavors of smoky caramel, lightly buttery toffee, and something that is a bit like a non-descript fruitiness.

The aroma is a touch too focused on the peat notes, but the flavor is deliciously complex in its mix of malt & peat smoke notes. While decidedly non-traditional, I really am enjoying the intense, yet not quite overwhelming peat character of this brew. Having said that, I think that this would be better, more integrated, and even more complex if the peat character was substantially reduced.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Pours with a very healthy light tan head....some molasses, burnt caramel aroma...dark ruby red...quite smoky on the first sip, which develops some delicious flavours!...alcohol is very well masked...leaves some great lacing...some will find it abit thin but i find it very drinkable and way to easy to drink, this sixer will be gone very quick!!... ..if you like smoked beers then you might get a kick outta this!!

had again at the 2007 cask release + divine#5 keg tapping.. God, Its even better than when last tried.. Rich smoky flavour with lots of delicious side notes..wonderful stuff!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Bottle courtesy of Bu11zeye: Poured a dark burgundy color ale with a small foamy head with better then average retention. Aroma of dry figs with subtle peat malts is exquisite. Taste is also dominated by some sweet dry figs and raisins notes with some subtle smoke and peat malt. Body is tad too light for the style with some medium-low carbonation. Very well balance overall with the sweetness being well balancer with the peat. This is definitely something I would wish top have more often.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

NorCal tasting June '07 - Received via trade with bu11zeye. Thanks! This was a really nice beer. We had no idea on the style, so it was interesting to see everyone try to pinpoint what they thought it was. Aroma was molasses, lightly smokey and a bit earthy with a roasted malt angle. Appearance was a deep earthy brown color, with a minimal head. Flavor was caramel, some coffee, more of the smoke (not sure, but it seems like hickory), toffee with a really nice finish. I enjoyed this.