Busted Knuckle Ale
Big Woods Brewing Co. / Quaff On! Brewing Company
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- From:
- Big Woods Brewing Co. / Quaff On! Brewing Company
- Indiana, United States
- Style:
- Porter - Robust
Ranked #43 - ABV:
- 7.2%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #17,813 - Avg:
- 3.86 | pDev: 12.95%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 21, 2021
- Added:
- Nov 07, 2010
- Wants:
- 6
- Gots:
- 53
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
This is our signature ale. Busted Knuckle is a hybrid ale, most similar to a “light” porter. We say “light” because, while it does have complexity, it is also a very smooth and approachable beer.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.2/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by CBlack85 from South Carolina
12 oz bottle, poured into a DFH shaped pint glass
Pours dark brown, nearly black, nearly opaque, with just a few mahogany highlights. About a fingers worth of tan head, and leaves no lacing.
Initial aroma is rich and chocolatey, with hints of coffee, vanilla, and roasted malts.
More chocolate than anything, with some molasses, raisin, toasted bread, and just a bit of coffee. Nice and full bodied, moderately carbonated and smooth.
I first tried this beer several years ago, and it is one of the few beers that I always look for when I am traveling to Indiana.
Dec 21, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by CBlack85 from South Carolina
12 oz bottle, poured into a DFH shaped pint glass
Pours dark brown, nearly black, nearly opaque, with just a few mahogany highlights. About a fingers worth of tan head, and leaves no lacing.
Initial aroma is rich and chocolatey, with hints of coffee, vanilla, and roasted malts.
More chocolate than anything, with some molasses, raisin, toasted bread, and just a bit of coffee. Nice and full bodied, moderately carbonated and smooth.
I first tried this beer several years ago, and it is one of the few beers that I always look for when I am traveling to Indiana.
Dec 21, 2021
4.07 by runlikeakenyan from Indiana on Dec 19, 2021
3.98/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Pivopijak from Washington
bottle into glass
IBU: 27
Very dark brown, with no light transmission and a bit of caramel color highlights, at bottom at edge of glass. Subtle, molasses and caramel, in a semi-sweet way, with a bit of a dark malt aroma. Taste starts off with a blackstrap molasses, some dark roasted grain, in an off-dry manner, with a little brightness, initially, that quickly yields to the richer flavors. Finishes with a bit of dark malt and mainly, dark roasted grain, in an off-dry and subtle fashion.
Nov 14, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Pivopijak from Washington
bottle into glass
IBU: 27
Very dark brown, with no light transmission and a bit of caramel color highlights, at bottom at edge of glass. Subtle, molasses and caramel, in a semi-sweet way, with a bit of a dark malt aroma. Taste starts off with a blackstrap molasses, some dark roasted grain, in an off-dry manner, with a little brightness, initially, that quickly yields to the richer flavors. Finishes with a bit of dark malt and mainly, dark roasted grain, in an off-dry and subtle fashion.
Nov 14, 2021
3.86 by Danzifer from Ohio on Aug 11, 2021
3.69 by Latarnik from New Jersey on Jul 04, 2021
3.83 by Fubudu187 from Illinois on Dec 25, 2020
3.84/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
by BucBasil from Rwanda
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into an imperial pint.
A: The beer is a dark brown with cola-like reddish brown tints coming in at the sides. Head was two fingers, fizzy tan with a minute or so of retention, leaving a residue at the top of the beer.
S: Sweetness, vanilla, caramel, toasted malt, brown sugar.
T: Cola, roasted malt, brown sugar/molasses. Finishes with a slightly metallic or watery note that kind of negates part of the taste.
F: Light and carbonated
Overall, this is a good porter. It has a great aroma and checks a lot of boxes. However, it left me wanting a little more when it came to feel and was missing a certain "fullness" that I like in porters. I can see what they mean by "light." A solid brew, and I'll try more from this brewery, but might skip this one in the future.
Nov 29, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
by BucBasil from Rwanda
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into an imperial pint.
A: The beer is a dark brown with cola-like reddish brown tints coming in at the sides. Head was two fingers, fizzy tan with a minute or so of retention, leaving a residue at the top of the beer.
S: Sweetness, vanilla, caramel, toasted malt, brown sugar.
T: Cola, roasted malt, brown sugar/molasses. Finishes with a slightly metallic or watery note that kind of negates part of the taste.
F: Light and carbonated
Overall, this is a good porter. It has a great aroma and checks a lot of boxes. However, it left me wanting a little more when it came to feel and was missing a certain "fullness" that I like in porters. I can see what they mean by "light." A solid brew, and I'll try more from this brewery, but might skip this one in the future.
Nov 29, 2020
3.7 by indydrummer from Indiana on May 05, 2020
4 by ovaltine from Indiana on Nov 11, 2019
4.8/5 rDev +24.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
by steamart from Indiana
Hands down the best dark beer I have ever had.
Oct 06, 2019
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
by steamart from Indiana
Hands down the best dark beer I have ever had.
Oct 06, 2019
4.05/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
Black in color with very little light penetration. There’s a fingernail of beige around two-thirds of the rim and covering a third of the top. The aroma is of roasted nuts and caramel. I’m tasting roasted nuts, caramel, toffee, and hint of smoke. The mouth is lightly sticky chewy.
Aug 25, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Franziskaner from Missouri
Black in color with very little light penetration. There’s a fingernail of beige around two-thirds of the rim and covering a third of the top. The aroma is of roasted nuts and caramel. I’m tasting roasted nuts, caramel, toffee, and hint of smoke. The mouth is lightly sticky chewy.
Aug 25, 2019
4.29 by slheinlein from New Hampshire on Aug 18, 2019
3.35 by Dope from Massachusetts on Aug 04, 2019
3.87 by Curt3 from New Jersey on Apr 24, 2019
4.29/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by cwm51662 from Indiana
I'm starting to get a taste for "coffee" beers and this is a good one. First smell is hard to place- Laurie thought it "vinegar", but I think maybe more like an apple about to turn, then washed away by the roast smell. No head, taste is black coffee with a hint of cider.
Apr 06, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by cwm51662 from Indiana
I'm starting to get a taste for "coffee" beers and this is a good one. First smell is hard to place- Laurie thought it "vinegar", but I think maybe more like an apple about to turn, then washed away by the roast smell. No head, taste is black coffee with a hint of cider.
Apr 06, 2019
3.79 by gobuccos from Ohio on Dec 01, 2018
3.28 by PhillyStyle from Georgia on Oct 20, 2018
4.24 by Mjtebbe from Indiana on Sep 01, 2018
4.62 by dtevans5 from Tennessee on Aug 27, 2018
3.75 by robotic_being from Florida on Jul 18, 2018
4.33 by Tammyyogi1 from Indiana on Jul 13, 2018
4.7 by Wildbillpb from Indiana on Jun 21, 2018
4 by dwlemen from Indiana on Jun 18, 2018
4.45/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
by RichRobinson from Indiana
They call this a Porter but it's close to a Dark Ale. Very drinkable with flavor. Right now, this is one of my favorites in bottled craft beers.
May 08, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
by RichRobinson from Indiana
They call this a Porter but it's close to a Dark Ale. Very drinkable with flavor. Right now, this is one of my favorites in bottled craft beers.
May 08, 2018
4.42 by Evanlwiggins from Wisconsin on Mar 04, 2018
4.58 by Troy6181986 from Indiana on Mar 04, 2018
4.51 by pwilmot from South Dakota on Dec 13, 2017
3.99 by MGoeltz from Tennessee on Nov 16, 2017
4.73/5 rDev +22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
by Bigdaddyclayclod from Indiana
My number two favorite beer. Excellent dark yet very drinkable beer. Coffee flavor is outstanding.
Nov 08, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
by Bigdaddyclayclod from Indiana
My number two favorite beer. Excellent dark yet very drinkable beer. Coffee flavor is outstanding.
Nov 08, 2017
5/5 rDev +29.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Pandora1975 from Indiana
Love it's smooth texture and hint of coffe taste!
Sep 24, 2017
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Pandora1975 from Indiana
Love it's smooth texture and hint of coffe taste!
Sep 24, 2017
4.08/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by IvoryFoxhole from Virginia
Bottle at Rathskeller in Indianapolis.
Very cool porter/ale mashup. Has a molasses/cinnamon thing going on, but carbonation and pineyness make it very drinkable. Really like.
Aug 12, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by IvoryFoxhole from Virginia
Bottle at Rathskeller in Indianapolis.
Very cool porter/ale mashup. Has a molasses/cinnamon thing going on, but carbonation and pineyness make it very drinkable. Really like.
Aug 12, 2017
4.82 by Tactical_Spatula666 from Kentucky on Jul 31, 2017
3.11/5 rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by Beerbubby from Indiana
Good beer ... high alcohol content not noticeable in taste ... not highly hopped ... not overly sweet like many strong beers
Jul 23, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
by Beerbubby from Indiana
Good beer ... high alcohol content not noticeable in taste ... not highly hopped ... not overly sweet like many strong beers
Jul 23, 2017
3.75 by kylehay2004 from Illinois on Jul 04, 2017
3.85/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Tsar_Riga from Indiana
Nice brown body, mostly opaque, dark, with minimal head and lacing, tan in color. Nose is roast, caramel and earthy hops. Solid malt flavors, bread and molasses, with a brisk and spicy close. Decent.
Jun 23, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Tsar_Riga from Indiana
Nice brown body, mostly opaque, dark, with minimal head and lacing, tan in color. Nose is roast, caramel and earthy hops. Solid malt flavors, bread and molasses, with a brisk and spicy close. Decent.
Jun 23, 2017
3.77/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Had on-tap at the Yard House in Indianapolis. Poured into a pint glass.
L: Clear dark mahogany brown pour. Nearly black with 2 fingers of foamy tannish head. Solid lacing.
S: Classic roasted malts and chicory. Dark sugars.
T/F: Toasted malts and sugars.... mild coffee and cocoa. Baked raisin and singed bread. Surprisingly light in body. Well carbonated. Finish is roast and mild hop bitterness.
O: A nice light porter. Complex flavor, tasty and enjoyable.
Jun 15, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by EMV from Pennsylvania
Had on-tap at the Yard House in Indianapolis. Poured into a pint glass.
L: Clear dark mahogany brown pour. Nearly black with 2 fingers of foamy tannish head. Solid lacing.
S: Classic roasted malts and chicory. Dark sugars.
T/F: Toasted malts and sugars.... mild coffee and cocoa. Baked raisin and singed bread. Surprisingly light in body. Well carbonated. Finish is roast and mild hop bitterness.
O: A nice light porter. Complex flavor, tasty and enjoyable.
Jun 15, 2017
3.68 by Phoodcritic from Michigan on Jun 03, 2017
3.74/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by WoodBrew from Ohio
I tried this beer at BW3s in Fishers, IN. It poured an opaque dark with no head and no lace. The scent had hints of earth and chocolate. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink. The mouthfeel medium in body with smooth carbonation. Overall is a decent beer.
May 07, 2017
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by WoodBrew from Ohio
I tried this beer at BW3s in Fishers, IN. It poured an opaque dark with no head and no lace. The scent had hints of earth and chocolate. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink. The mouthfeel medium in body with smooth carbonation. Overall is a decent beer.
May 07, 2017
3.58 by Nunya from Ohio on May 07, 2017
3.68 by West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio on Apr 02, 2017
Busted Knuckle Ale from Big Woods Brewing Co. / Quaff On! Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
161 ratings