Libation | St. Boniface Craft Brewing Company
Brewed by:
St. Boniface Craft Brewing Company
Pennsylvania, United States
stbonifacebrewing.com
Style: American Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
In ancient times libations were drink offerings poured out to deities. This Double IPA combines a variety of hop flavors balanced by a malty sweetness. We offer you our Libation, a drink truly fit for the gods.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 137 | Reviews: 34
Reviews by Tarheel219:
4.06/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
More User Reviews:
3.94/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2-23-18
Revisited my former review from last year and upped the overall score. This batch has a much more peppery, bitter citrus bite on the backside, more alcohol presence with some heat, and I swear some Mosaic hop character. Much better than I remember it and enjoying this batch way more.
A - Pours a medium to medium dark copper hue with a generously thick layer of light toffee colored creamy, sticky foam. Very sticky on the sides of the glass.
S - Juicy, fruity aroma with a touch of caramel at presence.
T - More balanced than anything, caramel malt base throughout with a hit of sweetness up front before getting buried with pink grapefruit and pine bitterness that lingers. The ending bitter bite packs a healthy punch, and has a slightly unrefined harshness on the back end. The 8+% ABV is well hidden.
M - Medium body with a dry finish.
O - Very balanced up front and very bitter on the back end.
920 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2-23-18
Revisited my former review from last year and upped the overall score. This batch has a much more peppery, bitter citrus bite on the backside, more alcohol presence with some heat, and I swear some Mosaic hop character. Much better than I remember it and enjoying this batch way more.
A - Pours a medium to medium dark copper hue with a generously thick layer of light toffee colored creamy, sticky foam. Very sticky on the sides of the glass.
S - Juicy, fruity aroma with a touch of caramel at presence.
T - More balanced than anything, caramel malt base throughout with a hit of sweetness up front before getting buried with pink grapefruit and pine bitterness that lingers. The ending bitter bite packs a healthy punch, and has a slightly unrefined harshness on the back end. The 8+% ABV is well hidden.
M - Medium body with a dry finish.
O - Very balanced up front and very bitter on the back end.
920 characters
2.73/5 rDev -29.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
4.25/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.87/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz can of unknown vintage
Smell is a bit muted, yet complex - I'm having difficulty separating the notes
Taste is a little on the malty side, but not sweet. I find it enjoyable. There is a bit of lingering of mild bitterness on the tongue.
Seems like there is a lot of solids floating in the beer. Is this can conditioned? Carbonation was fine
360 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz can of unknown vintage
Smell is a bit muted, yet complex - I'm having difficulty separating the notes
Taste is a little on the malty side, but not sweet. I find it enjoyable. There is a bit of lingering of mild bitterness on the tongue.
Seems like there is a lot of solids floating in the beer. Is this can conditioned? Carbonation was fine
360 characters
4.24/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.46/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Shared crowler at ASMF.
West Coast style DIPA with a fruity and floral aroma.
Smooth body with a bit of hop bite from the extravagant hop load.
Strong floral hop flavor in the aftertaste.
187 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Shared crowler at ASMF.
West Coast style DIPA with a fruity and floral aroma.
Smooth body with a bit of hop bite from the extravagant hop load.
Strong floral hop flavor in the aftertaste.
187 characters
4.21/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
3.78/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Saint Boniface Craft Brewing Co. "Libation"
12 fl. oz. can, no apparent freshness dating
$2 @ Wegmans, Collegeville, PA
Appearance: Hazy deep-gold/amber body beneath a creamy head of white. Decent enough head retention and OK lacing until it drops, then nothing.
Aroma: Grainy malt with grassy/leafy and fruity/citrusy hops.
Flavor: As the aroma suggests. Lots of orange in the mix, but also apple and a bit of grapefruit. Tea-like and leafy/grassy but also a touch spruce-like. Some clear alcohol lends a bite - it's a touch harsh. It has a balanced, solid bitterness given the malt component, and it finishes dry with a spritz of alcohol.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full in body and crisp.
Overall: There are better made and better balanced double IPAs out there, as well as ones that move away from "formulaic" or "cookie-cutter", but this is by no means bad in any way. It lets you know it's a double IPA from start to finish, and it delivers the goods. The word serviceable comes to mind but I think it may be even better than that.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Saint Boniface Craft Brewing Co. "Libation"
12 fl. oz. can, no apparent freshness dating
$2 @ Wegmans, Collegeville, PA
Appearance: Hazy deep-gold/amber body beneath a creamy head of white. Decent enough head retention and OK lacing until it drops, then nothing.
Aroma: Grainy malt with grassy/leafy and fruity/citrusy hops.
Flavor: As the aroma suggests. Lots of orange in the mix, but also apple and a bit of grapefruit. Tea-like and leafy/grassy but also a touch spruce-like. Some clear alcohol lends a bite - it's a touch harsh. It has a balanced, solid bitterness given the malt component, and it finishes dry with a spritz of alcohol.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full in body and crisp.
Overall: There are better made and better balanced double IPAs out there, as well as ones that move away from "formulaic" or "cookie-cutter", but this is by no means bad in any way. It lets you know it's a double IPA from start to finish, and it delivers the goods. The word serviceable comes to mind but I think it may be even better than that.
1,034 characters
3.34/5 rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.9/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) can into a conical pint glass; canned on 02/13/18.
A: Pours a hazy orange-amber color with dramatic head formation, ultimately leaving little more than a quarter inch, orange chiffon head which resolves leaving spotty lacing. Big bubble formation leaves little remnant.
S: Aromas of lemon chiffon, caramel, orange, and toffee predominate.
T: Semisweet and fruity. Palate largely follows the nose with a nicely blended melange. Moderate to strong bitterness very nicely complements the sweetness and fruitiness.
M: Medium bodied with moderate effervescence after decanting. Very smooth.
O: Enjoyable and very drinkable. Could see it as an alternate to summer shandies.
704 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Decanted from a 12 oz (355 ml) can into a conical pint glass; canned on 02/13/18.
A: Pours a hazy orange-amber color with dramatic head formation, ultimately leaving little more than a quarter inch, orange chiffon head which resolves leaving spotty lacing. Big bubble formation leaves little remnant.
S: Aromas of lemon chiffon, caramel, orange, and toffee predominate.
T: Semisweet and fruity. Palate largely follows the nose with a nicely blended melange. Moderate to strong bitterness very nicely complements the sweetness and fruitiness.
M: Medium bodied with moderate effervescence after decanting. Very smooth.
O: Enjoyable and very drinkable. Could see it as an alternate to summer shandies.
704 characters
4.12/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Had in the can. Smelled like citrusy hops, and the first sip confirmed this. As I continued to sip, this turned into a very clear grapefruit flavor- it seemed as though I was drinking grapefruit juice with a slight hint of hops. Very good, and will likely drink again soon.
276 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Had in the can. Smelled like citrusy hops, and the first sip confirmed this. As I continued to sip, this turned into a very clear grapefruit flavor- it seemed as though I was drinking grapefruit juice with a slight hint of hops. Very good, and will likely drink again soon.
276 characters
3.96/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.59/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I tried this beer because it's a local craft brew. I drank a can that was in the fridge for 4 hours and thought it was nasty. I drank this beer at cold cellar temp, about 48 degrees and loved it. I had it at room temp about 60degrees. And liked. I would recommend drinking this beer at 45-55 degrees. Poring it into a Pilsner glass, it has a big head, takes a little time to go down then I pour the rest in. By the time I get to the bottom of the glass there appears to be a whitish settlement which I don't drink, not sure what it is.
535 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I tried this beer because it's a local craft brew. I drank a can that was in the fridge for 4 hours and thought it was nasty. I drank this beer at cold cellar temp, about 48 degrees and loved it. I had it at room temp about 60degrees. And liked. I would recommend drinking this beer at 45-55 degrees. Poring it into a Pilsner glass, it has a big head, takes a little time to go down then I pour the rest in. By the time I get to the bottom of the glass there appears to be a whitish settlement which I don't drink, not sure what it is.
535 characters
3.75/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a semi-cloudy/muddled dirty orange color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a mild pace. Lace, seemed well, somewhat stringy but messy.
The aroma had some orange peel, pine and a balancing malty (somewhat like caramel/toffee) sort of blend going on.
The flavor was moderately sweet blending all of those prior notes in somewhat nicely. Mild aftertaste of the malts, pine and the orange peel.
The mouthfeel was just a touch under medium bodied with a somewhat sessionable sort of feel about it. Carbonation did feel fine. ABV felt appropriate. Nice mild escaping sort of malty smoothness gliding along my tongue.
Overall, as an old school DIPA, I'd say this one works, but don't expect this to be one of those New England/non-carbonated hop bombs. I'd have this again.
831 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a semi-cloudy/muddled dirty orange color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a mild pace. Lace, seemed well, somewhat stringy but messy.
The aroma had some orange peel, pine and a balancing malty (somewhat like caramel/toffee) sort of blend going on.
The flavor was moderately sweet blending all of those prior notes in somewhat nicely. Mild aftertaste of the malts, pine and the orange peel.
The mouthfeel was just a touch under medium bodied with a somewhat sessionable sort of feel about it. Carbonation did feel fine. ABV felt appropriate. Nice mild escaping sort of malty smoothness gliding along my tongue.
Overall, as an old school DIPA, I'd say this one works, but don't expect this to be one of those New England/non-carbonated hop bombs. I'd have this again.
831 characters
3.25/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.75/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.53/5 rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a beige color with a 1 inch head. Smell is of hops, pine. Taste is well balanced hops and malts, some pine, a hint of tangerine, mild bitterness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall a good beer, but not the hop bomb I usually associate with this style.
291 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a beige color with a 1 inch head. Smell is of hops, pine. Taste is well balanced hops and malts, some pine, a hint of tangerine, mild bitterness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall a good beer, but not the hop bomb I usually associate with this style.
291 characters
Libation from St. Boniface Craft Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.88 out of
5 with
137 ratings
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