Heyya dude. OK it's taken me a little while to get this far, randomly I did CBBaron and PseudoChef's in one night, and it took the wind outta my sails. But here I am. I'm a bit tipsy still from drinking experimental beers all day, but it's been about an hour since I sipped my last sample, and I'm in a good mood, and - rarely enough - in the mood for something dark and heavy.
So now's better than never. I uncapped your bottle and am letting it warm just a tad. It was just at 49*F but I want to see it just a bit over 52.........
*two songs later*
Okay. Where were we? I love this countrytechnotrancehousegospel music. It's great. RIS. Right. Tasting. 56*F now.
Oooooookay.
olllllo's 08-08-08 RIS
Bottle: 12oz unmarked, very attractive Rabbit & Coyote label. Appropriate fill level, no discernible "hiss" upon uncapping. Or I have the technogospel too loud.
A: Given your prior notes re: low carbo, I poured the hell outta this beer. It rewarded me with about 1" of dense creamy ice-cream head. Almost Guinness head. I love these RISes because I get to use my fave descriptor, "inky black", for all of them. When held to my supa-fine flashlight, I get tons of ruby highlights. Very attractive beer.
A: First whiff is powerful Old Ale attributes, fig, raisin, plum, all sorts of darkness. But continued huffing reveals a subtle chocolate and whiskey tone underneath. Very bready, very malty, very reassuring and solid. After I get past the whiskey and the dark fruits, it almost turns into a cocoa-y dark chocolate Swiss Roll aroma. Mmmmm.
F: Chocolate up front. Huge port-like presence in the initial sip, but it subsides almost immediately. Left with a great velvety chocolate taste palate, with just little hints of oak and whiskey and prune. Subsequent sips are great chocolate roasty coffee goodness. Very nice flavor. Compared to Old Rasputin, for example, this seems under-hopped ---- but I find it pleasant in that fact. I almost prefer it to showcase the chocolate and bread characters. At times, I almost get a smoky note. It's very charming.
M: Oh my god velvet. Seriously, this coats like none other I've ever tasted. It's brilliantly good. I keep telling myself to slow down, and I keep taking bigger sips because I just cant' help myself. No noticable defects. No noticable contribution from water profile. Just f*ing brilliant bready velvety silk in a glass.
O: I like this with the lower carb levels. I'm completely satisfied with this beer. It's just such a rich, velvety experience that I can't stop drinking it. You're lucky I haven't chilled your others yet, or they'd be in great danger of extinction. I can't wait to taste this again sometime around New Years.
All in all, Thank you. I'm glad to have tasted your example.
And thanks again for the button, it's made its permanent home on the kegerator.