05.05.05

~ Third Tasting ~
May 25, 2006 (1 Year, 20 Days)
Click on a photo for Tasting Notes


Steve Wagner
President & Brewmaster
Mitch Steele
Head Brewer

Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions

Bill Sherwood
Brewing Facilities Manager


( '06 Vertical Epic Ale & '05 Double Bastard Ale also tasted during this session)




Steve Wagner
President & Brewmaster
APPEARANCE:
Mahogany-dark brown, clear and with a tan head that dissipates quickly.
AROMA:
Spicy, phenolic yeast notes with some fruity sweetness. Slight oxidation?
FLAVOR:
Starts with sweet caramel and chocolate malt flavors segueing into a dry, spicy finish (wheat?) and phenolic yeast notes mixed with alcohol and roasted malt flavors.
PALATE:
Medium-bodied and low carbonation.
OVERALL:
Needs more time for spiciness to mellow and balance better with other flavors.



Mitch Steele
Head Brewer
APPEARANCE:
Deep brown with a nice tan head.
AROMA:
 Bready, slight clove spice, touch of sherry, some banana, light roasted malt notes.
FLAVOR:
Malty, toasted grain, with light roasted flavors and light spice notes.
PALATE:
Full and sweet. A little bit of alcohol and some hop bitterness on the finish.
OVERALL:
Super beer! Holding up nicely and developing some nice complex grain notes.



Greg Koch
Chairman & CEO
APPEARANCE:
Brown – really deep and rich looking.
AROMA:
Roasted toffee and spices.
FLAVOR:
Hops, while not super aggressive, jump right out. Clove. Phenolics are present but in check.
PALATE:
Quite smooth but the spiciness and hoppiness keep it from getting cloying. Would be amazing with brisket – if I ate brisket.
OVERALL:
It’s like a brown ale, but way hoppier with a Belgian-influenced character.



Chris Cochran
Marketing & Promotions
APPEARANCE:
Nice amber-red ale, bright with a quickly disappearing tan head.
AROMA:
Fresh bread --- cinnamon apple maybe with a mild spice accent, clove(?) and other fruits…maybe plums or raisins.
FLAVOR:
Roasted bread with a nutty caramel note. Very mild hop bitterness…
PALATE:
Medium-body, and pleasantly vibrant on the tongue with a nice lingering finish.
OVERALL:
Tastes great – can’t believe this is over 1 yr old! Although it seems that it can go much longer…and should.



Bill Sherwood
Brewing Facilities Manager
APPEARANCE:
Deep amber with light foam.
AROMA:
Bread, sherry, and honey.
FLAVOR:
Toasted malt. I can’t help it but it reminds me of waffles and syrup with black tea!
PALATE:
Creamy smooth texture with a slight chalkiness at the finish.
OVERALL:
Really tasty – no flaws and aging very well. Not as much fruit as I expected but the malt is developing a nice complexity.