Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Smells like your back yard if you happen to live in heaven. Musty, earthy, yeasty with floral notes and a hint of spicy pepper, a very nice nose like rolling in a wet pasture. Pours a hazy pale amber body with a rocky sightly off white head that lasts and provides great lacing. Great full mouth feel with lots of tingly tight carbonation. Complex yet smooth flavor, grassy notes, over-ripe pear, sour and yeasty with a VERY dry finish, a remarkable finish really. They say saisons are a heavily hopped style but I don't really detect that here, perhaps its my ignorance but this is not piney, not very citrusy, and not very bitter. INHO at around 8 the bottle this beer blows away 50 dollar champagnes and I am dying to find a place with this beer that sells good oysters.... I think that would be heaven indeed.

Aroma: 2 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 2 | Overall: 3

If you have even the smallest soft spot in your heart for Saisons do not taste this Shite! As this is brewed in my home state and as they have several other brews that have just appeared at my local vendor and I am a big fan of Sasions, I had so hoped this would be tasty but alas! Ok, thats out of the way so on with the review. The pale resemblance to the nose of a good Saison is the best part of this beer; clove predominates and not much else there. Terrible Terrible appearance; a pale yellow body (reminiscent of Bud, Pabst, etc) is not topped at all; no head, almost dead still in the glass, zero lace Mouth is very light, some tingle, not slippery. Flavor is clove followed by clove and finishing with clove. No malt, tiny bit of hops bitterness, the initial taste is close to right for a Saison but thats all there is; no barnyard funk, no grass, no fruit, no sour...OK that might rate a three but this gets a two because it ends with an awful chemical medicinal nastiness that is just awful. (yes I think this beer sux!) My local supplier has two more of their brews which, as I grabbed this six, I had hoped to review in the future. Now the thought of buying 6 of anything from these folks scares the hell out of me. Maybe I can talk them into selling me a mixed 6. Oh yes,one more thing, a Saison at 4.8 ABV....WTF!

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

From 2 hour old memory. Look its hard to make an American Saison. Scent as expected, cloudy dark amber body over an off white head with OK retention and a bit of lace. Medium mouth not as slippery as I would like, carbonation OK. Like most US saisons (in my experience) there is just too much bubble gum although this one is not as offensive as most. Certainly don't use this to introduce the style to anyone, best I can say is not as offensive as most US Saison's.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Grass, clove, cardomom, bubble gum in the nose. Beautiful looking beer medium gold body slightly foggy, Rocky egg white head lasts forever with amazing lace. Mouth is full, creamy, not quite chewy. Flavor is good the original is a subtle kiss this is a smack in the face. Cardamom a little clove a little bubble gum a little banana, sour finish not unlike a good hefi. Would be great with a nasty cheese and some stinky meat.

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

Toasty chocolate malts predominate in the nose but some citrus notes detectable, its a very inviting nose! Beautiful frothy pale carmel colored head with decent retention sits atop an deep ruby body that is almost black and not quite opaque. Good lacing. My first experience with a Schwarzbier didn't know such things existed. Nice slippery mouthfeel, much fuller than most lagers. Good flavor, chocolate is there as are toasty malts, a really solid malt profile but balanced with nice amount of hops lending just a bit of tartness and citrus to the sweet body. Ends clean and fairly dry. I would not have minded a bit more alcohol presence but it really is well balanced.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Initial pine in the nose gives way to some nice roasted malty notes. Pours a VERY dark brown with just a hint of ruby, and a decent short lived off white head with very little lacing (perhaps the weakest aspect of this Schwarzbier.) Mouthfeel is a bit lighter than the medium one would expect. Flavor is mild but well balanced. Hints of chocolate start the taste with some fig/ ripe dark fruit, hops kick in fast and they are citrusy. Finish is very dry and clean, the flavor profile is quite well done, a touch of chemical in the after taste.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Added this beer as it does not appear to be the same as the Black Isle Scotch Ale, the abv on that is 4.5, this export is 7.9 Aroma of toasted carmelly malts, cotton candy, and some vinous notes. Deep brown body with ruby hints that is not quite opaque topped with a moderate head that is off white and leaves a long lasting skim coat with little lace. The mouth if fairly full, slick and tingly, carbonation nicely done, really fills the palate.This is a sweet beer with a clean finish, quite well done. Leaves hints of coffee at the end with some tobacco. Up front its ripe dark fruit and toffee. The hops are minimal and indistinct but they balance the flavor nicely. Not normally my cup of tea but this is a very nice beer. Alcohol a bit present as a warming in the finish. Suspect this profile will round out and be a bit more complex as it warms. Well done!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Vanilla, prune, and citric acid in the nose. Pours a clear very deep ruby with an offwhite head with god retention and no lace. Mouth is creamy with a full body. The unbeerlike flavor is appropriate for the style. Vanilla and chocolate dominates with a nice hop tingle at the end, alcohol is warming, pretty nicely done although not my cuppa.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 6

I poured this beer quite cold. It had a soft head that very rapidly disappeared to a quite minimal collar. Aroma was pleasing but not very powerful. My wife said it smelled like bread and I don't disagree; a definate scent of sweet yeast mixed with perhaps a very light berry. I really didn't like the first taste, it seemed thin and slightly "chemically" tasting. My impression was astringent and uncomplicated. As it warmed a bit it got a bit better, still a bit chemically to me but a bit more complex now with a pleasing sweetness developing in mid-taste and then the tingle of chipolte in the finish. Definately a dry finish. Some say they don't taste the pepper at all but it is there in the tingle at the back outside edges of the mouth. I frankly can't tatste the smokiness from the Chipotlte that soe describe but I', a smoker so maybe I am desensiitized. I think there could be a good beer in these ingredients, or at least a beer that I would like but I don't think the balance is quite right. Its just a bit too thin and harsh. I would perhaps malt it a bit more or cut down on the hops a bit. It tastes too much of hops and too little of hops, that is to say if they are not going for a predominantly hops flavor then it is too hopppy and and if they want a hoppy flavor they should go for it.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Pours a very dark brown body with a hint of deep violet within. Mdoerate dirty grey head that is short lived but leaving quite nice lace. Nose is all pine with maybew a hint of some other floral detected. Smells like a nice version of lysol. Mouth feel is foamy, slippery, and then tingly... theres a lot of feel to the mouth which is rather enjoyable. Flavor has a lot of hops in it and a lot of carmel sweetness...it hits astringent pine and pepper then goes a bit sweet then finishes quite dry, leaving hte mouth coasted with a charcoal aftertaste. It also tastes a bit like Coca-Cola but not in a bad way.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Smells Belgium, must be the yeast. Lots of ripe fruit, banana, some clove and a bit of bread in the nose. Pours dark copper with nice white head and some lace. Full mouth, carbonation is spot on. This is a sweet beer, not overly hopped at all. Good carmel tasting malt background, some banana and clove but its mild, chillis barely detectable. Stars sweet finishes clean, alcohol very well masked. Gets a bit sour as it warms.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

Zero nose detected, here we go again, whats up with this, two nights in a row 2nd beer had no nose. Ok minute later nose developing. Floral hops, pepper, hint of sweet malt, maybe a hint of chicory, prunes. Dark brown almost opaque body, frothy short lived carmel colored head, moderate lace. Mouth is too thin, carbonation OK. Not a real special flavor profile going on here. MIght get better as it warms. Very little in the front end, follows with a bit of bitter chicory flavor, then chocolatey malt on the end with a slightly sweet finish. Like DFH a lot, not impressed with this.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Remarkably little nose, maybe some dark cherry. Nice black opaque body topped with toffee colored head that is sizable and short lived with good lace. Mouth is a bit thin but Ok for style. Flavor is fairly subtle, some dark fruit, some sweetness, and a slightly bitter at the finish, pretty well done.

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

Nice growler of fresh Stout. Mild nose of raisin chocolate and hints of pine. Deep brown body with moderate Carmel-colored head, fair retention and very little lace. Mouth is a bit thin and carbonation is on the low side. A fairly sweet Stout. Notes of chocolate and prune with an interesting Sourish finish. A bit of a nice flavor at the end. Very drinkable.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Nice big stout nose, prune, chocolate, coffee, bread crust. Opaque darkest of dark brown body pours a frothy burnt umber head with minimal retention leaves a bit of skim, no lace. Creamy mouth, great tingle, slick and coating. Taste is sweet caramelized sugars, prune, plum, a hint of chocolate, bit of bitter coffee in the aftertaste, leaves mouth coated not clean. Alcohol masked, a hint of cough syrup going on in the end.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Vinous nose..... Prune cocoa bread orange peel. Deep brown opaque body topped with a nice caramel colored head. Leaves typical nitro skim code on side of the glass. Sick mouth is nicely carbonated somewhat slick and mouthcoating. Flavor quite similar to Murphy's. Chocolatey malt at the forefront, bitter in the middle, with a long finish that is slightly sweet. Notes of espresso throughout and also hints of tangerine. Quite drinkable.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

Gentle nose of coffee chocolate and vanilla slightly burnt. Poison opaque almost black body with slightly warm brown overtones and a beige head with good retention and little lace. Pretty sick mouse creamy and foamy but in a good way. Damn this tastes good! Fairly complex and with a long finish. Hits with chocolate coffee combination some vanilla bean playing in the middle along with deeply roasted malts. Perfectly bittered great balance The vanilla bean almost plays as lactose really dry clean finish one of the best stouts I've ever had. (Amazing grain bill: Maris Otter Pale, Chocolate, Caramel 40L, Roasted Barley, Midnight Wheat, Caramel 80L, Flaked Oats.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

WEll really, can you enjoy a black and Tan that comes in a bottle? Where is the visual appeal? This pours a not quite opaque dark brown with Ruby highlights, a decent beige colored head with OK retention and very nice lace. Nose is surprisingly hoppy for a combination of an "irish stout with an all-malt German style amber lager". Lots of pine and cirus notes, not much toasted malt in the nose. Mouth is a touch thin and a touch slick, not too bad really but maybe a touch under-carbonated. First taste didn't have much flavor but it was too cold, its filling out some now, will take a break for 10 minutes or so. Now I am noticing a big fruit flavor at the finish which is preceded by a bit of chocolate and rounded out with pine and citrus hop notes. A bit creamier mouth as well. I am not sure this should be classified as a stout, its an odd duck. Does not much resemble a traditional Black and Tan, a bit watery for a stout, not as sweet as a porter but pretty easy drinking.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

I have a bit of allergies going on so may have to revisit this but I get almost no nose, what there is malt. Pours a clear, medium, copper colored body with minimal head and moderate retention, some lace and malt evidence floating on the top of the brew. Mouthfeel is medium and fizzy in a good way. Coasts the mouth well.First taste is sweet malt and alcohol which dissapears slowly into pepper, and a touch of pine. Gets nicely bitter in the end, hops are well done. No masking of alcohol here, its an integral part of the flavor and its really quite a nicely balanced flavor. Nice warming in the aftertaste which is dry and clean. I wonder again if its my nose and not the beers nose. I will revisit as this would get very high marks if the nose was better (and I would love a nicer head and lace.)ReRate 8/20/08 Nice nose, malt, vanilla, ripe dark fruit of cherry or fig with some floral hops as well, maybe even a great nose, and the lacing is real nice as well.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Ok, reviewing from memory after an afternoon on the Hudson starting with Brown Sugga, followed by Hampton Double White, and ending with DogFishHead 120 minute, amazing I can still type! jesus 20.04 abv it really is amazing I can type! OK they set sail here for a really big beer with really big hops and they didn't fail. Decent head cosidering the ABV sits on a orangish body, clean medium mouth well carbonated. Major hops flavor but somehow not overpwoering, nicely done for a real hophead brew. Good balance good complaxity considering its aimed at 2 notes, hops and alcohol. Alcohol at 20 abv is really well masked. Excellent oddball that is very drinkable! This beer is all it claims to be.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

I really like this beer! Soft, floral nose also has lots of fruit in it; figs and cherries. There is also malt in the nose with some carmel notes. Huge merangue head thick and frothy that lasts. the lace is large, not fine, but nice. Cloudy pale golden-amber body. Mouthfeel is full with lots of satin slipping around, not chewy but quite enjoyable. The flavor is unique; half hefe and half imperial IPA---its an interesting battle and the brewers have pulled it off nicely! Flavor is very complicated. Lots of fruit, black cherry and orange. A bit of piney flavor as the aroma hits the tongue that quickly dissolves into a decent malt backbone. There is a bit of honey in the initial taste as well. The whole thing is nicely heated with the small presence of alcohol (mot of it nicely masked.)The finish is VERY clean but leaves a sour aftertaste.

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

Lots of molasses, brown sugar in the nose, and the flavor. Nice deep redish brown body with good head and retention. Thick in the mouth, sweet in the flavor with fairly clean finish. One trick pony.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cheers for a brew in a good old court bottle! Major pine in the nose, and its a big nose, also orange and cotton candy. This is a great, long-lasting nose! Medium gold body does not hint and the flavor wallop this thing packs. Topped with a nice white head that lasts and laces. Mouth is medium and creamy with good carbonation level. Flavor, yup its got flavor! Bitter orange, pine resin, lightly roasted malts, some rye in the profile, cotton candy in mid taste, finish is bitter and sour and just a bit wet. (prejudice review, I loved Brown Shugga). This ones aces!

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 5

Scarey nose befitting of the ABV..... smith bros fought drops, menthol, figs...scents I associate with very big beers. Moderate orange body, nice moderate off-white head with very good retention and hints of lace. Mouth slightly thin yet chewy. I am following Sip of Sunshine with this brew so I am gonna have a nibble or two and come back to it. OK, back at it. I have great respect for Lagunitas, for all there bold out there experiments, but sometimes you have to know when to holed, know when to fold them. Alcohol doesn't always have to be completely masked but hey, grain alcohol as the dominant flavor just does NOT work for me. Flavor follows the nose... a sweet cloying flowers followed by some bitter herbal notes lots of rubbing alcohol and a syrupy finish.......... Right now this is, to me, like their Brown Shugga gone bad.OK, this might get better a bit warmer...I'll be back. >...............OK, its warmer now. Its better now but only in the sense that it has grown less alcohol dominated and that flavor has now become cough syrupy.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Surprisingly floral nose with bread notes and slightly roasted grain. Strong nose. Pours a very dark copper body with a nice beige head with good retention and little lace. Mouth is a bit thin and very fizzy. Flavor....GRAIN! they ain't kidding!!! Burnt oatmeal, sweet dark fruit, licorice, some bright lemony hop notes, astringent bitter finish, alcohol well masked, aftertaste is sweet licorice. A big beer that is complex and well balanced. Kick top the appearance and mouth and this would be a real winner but great fun to drink regardless.