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From the brewery that brought me The Omen comes this beverage. What is it? Well, it's an ale. I had quite a few glasses of this beer while I was in Pittsburgh recently, and I remember it being good enough that I wanted to take one home to accurately review it (my history of trying to review while out and about isn't good). Fortunately, they had one in a bottle for me to buy, and buy it I did. I'm kind of upset that I didn't have the chance to buy a cool brewery-specific glass with it, but I can deal.
I chose a stemmed stout glass, as I remembered the ale being kind of dark, and the glass makes it look even more so. In reality, this didn't need to be as dark as it looks in the picture, but it's a pretty dark kind of mahogany color. The head is really strange. It comes out and goes away just like soda bubbles. If it weren't for the aroma, I might mistake it for a Cherry Coke. However, it does have a smell - and it is overwhelming. It has a heavy alcohol, but it is wine-like in its fruitiness and esters. I remember nothing of the beer when I had it before, and I am loving the presentation so far.
First sip is a wallop. It has a bunch of smoke combined with berries, alcohol, and the overall effect of a wine-derived beverage. It is quite the onslaught of flavors - to the point that I'm now questioning if this was even the beer that I had while I was there. Surely, I would have remember something so boisterous, even if I enjoyed the company more than the beer (Hi Cede and Joe).
Tip-in is moderate carbonation over elderberries and strawberry wine. The middle becomes filled with dark fruit and smoke as cherries and dark currants join the mix for a smooth and boozy center. The finish is a smoke show with charred wood and berries nestled together for the trail off.
Bottom Line: Unique and flavorful.
3.75/5
