Reunion: A Beer For Hope 2011
Shmaltz Brewing Company

Reunion: A Beer For Hope 2011Reunion: A Beer For Hope 2011
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From:
Shmaltz Brewing Company
 
New York, United States
Style:
American Brown Ale
ABV:
7.3%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.8 | pDev: 12.63%
Reviews:
132
Ratings:
198
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 02, 2017
Added:
May 13, 2011
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  8
An Imperial Brown Ale with chocolate, cocoa nibs, vanilla & chili peppers.
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Ratings by elgiacomo:
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Reviewed by elgiacomo from Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle, served at around 55F.

Pours clear dark brown to black with red highlights and a one finger light tan head that leaves some sheets of lacing and recedes to a light wispy cap.

Aroma is chocolate/cocoa, roasted malts, grain, hint of vanilla and chillies, some mild oxidation. Good strength.

Flavor starts with nice chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted malts, and coffee, the chilies move in with a touch of heat, some vanilla, moderate sweetness, mild bitterness, chilies come back on the finish with some warmth and spice, but not overly hot. As the beer warms the chili finish diminishes and is replaced by more chocolate instead. Flavor is much more robust than the aroma.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, somewhat creamy and sticky, light to moderate carbonation.

Took me longer than I anticipated to try this...had it stuck away in the cellar and forgot about it. Pretty good. Never tried the Terrapin version, but I heard this one was better anyway. The chocolate is the star here, with the chilies and vanilla playing just minor supporting roles.
Dec 23, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.59 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Oct 02, 2017
Photo of pat61
Reviewed by pat61 from Minnesota

3.22/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
From tasting notes L: Pours bright dark chestnut under a frothy, sudsy tan foam collar. S: Strong cocoa and vanilla aromas. T: Vanilla and cocoa flavors overwhelm the malt creating the impression of a cloying vanilla chocolate water sweetened with malt and alcohol. Some pepper heat and vegetal taste on the finish. F: Medium light body, medium carbonation. O: Hard to finish the whole bottle and would not buy again.
Aug 04, 2015
Photo of Jadjunk
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia

3.44/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
"This year's beer is a dark, complex ale brewed with cocoa nibs, vanilla and chili peppers. It was inspired by a fantastic dessert that we used to share with Virginia at our favorite restaurant. This brown ale leads with a sweet and subtle spicy aroma. The flavor begins with complex malt overtones and quickly gives way to a chocolate and vanilla mix of satisfying bliss. Just when you thought it was over, the heat from the chilies sneaks in and coats your tongue with tantalizing heat." Brewed in the style of an American Brown Ale with Cocoa Nibs, Vanilla and Chili Pepper added. Available in 12 oz. bottles and on limited draft.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a tulip glass. Served above 54 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a crisp frothy foam head of a cinnamon cream complexion over a dark brown body with soft ruby highlights. Retention is above average and lacing is light and spotty. 3.5

(Smell) Toasted caramel grains, bread crust malts, modest cocoa character, lesser vanilla and chili pepper aromas. Potency is moderate. 3.25

(Taste) Strong malt character, with bread malts, caramel syrups, flavorful chocolate character which overpowers the chance of picking up vanilla flavors. Finishes with toasted caramel and chocolate, with subtle chili flavor minus the heat. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) Texture is slick, lightly viscous, mildly chewy, moderately dry. Carbonation is light, generating a moderate frothiness and a lightly crisp finish. Body is medium/heavy for the style, medium/heavy overall. Balance is slightly sweet over earthy bitter. Alcohol profile is mild and there are no off characters. 3.5

(Overall) Still a very enjoyable ale years following its initial release, Reunion Ale '11 brings lots of decadent chocolate flavor to compliment a robust malt body, although the subtleties of vanilla and chili have not sustained over the years, I appreciate the cause and the effort behind brewing this beer. You may be hard pressed to find a 2011 vintage, but the series is worth seeking out, as it is currently brewed and packaged again through Shmaltz as of 2014, but not Terrapin. 3.5

Shmaltz Brewing Company's
A Beer For Hope: Reunion Ale '11
3.44/5.00
May 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ethanmc12 from Illinois

Nov 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.68 by Keene from Washington

Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by afsdan from Colorado

Sep 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Howlader from Canada (AB)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by GClarkage from California

Jul 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by SkinniePost from Wisconsin

Apr 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by jeff1973 from California

Dec 30, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by mrebeka from Michigan

Aug 10, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

Aug 04, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by ADTaber from South Carolina

Jul 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaminjohnson from Canada (YT)

Jul 10, 2013
Photo of jkeefe1800
Reviewed by jkeefe1800 from Massachusetts

3.99/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle poured into a tulip glass. Smell is great sweet faintly spicy really setting up for what is to come. First taste is cleaner then I would've thought the vanilla comes through as sweet slight pepper on the finish. Carbonation isperfect helps the beer finish clean makes u want to take another sip.
Jul 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by kingmaker from Louisiana

May 21, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by lucasj82 from Indiana

May 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by vonnegut21 from New York

Feb 23, 2013
Reunion: A Beer For Hope 2011 from Shmaltz Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 198 ratings