Bo & Luke (Habanero & Serrano)
Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse

Bo & Luke (Habanero & Serrano)Bo & Luke (Habanero & Serrano)
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From:
Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse
 
Kentucky, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
14%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.11 | pDev: 11.19%
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
31
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 22, 2015
Added:
Sep 23, 2013
Wants:
  26
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jaasen64:
Photo of jaasen64
Reviewed by jaasen64 from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle poured into HF fest glass. Third beer of Don's birthday tasting, third of the set. Thanks Don for the share.

A- Same as regular Bo & Luke- dark brown, slight mocha head, very light lacing.

S- Smells fairly similar to regular but with a nice subtle spicy pepper balancing with the smoke, bourbon, and barrel. Maybe not quite as aromatic as the other variants but a nice balance.

T- Nice smokiness with a bit of smoked ham (not as much as regular), some charred wood, finishes with a nice pepper presence that brings a nice spiciness that isn't overpowering and complements the base beer nicely.

M- Similar to regular, nice carbonation, a bit thin, very smooth, palate burns just a tiny bit from peppers, very drinkable though.

O- This was a very nice variant on B&L that was much better then the tea version. The peppers balanced nicely with the base beer and added a nice presence. I wouldn't necessarily say it is better then the regular but it was at least just as good and was unique to try.
Dec 07, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Nov 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ralerwen from Illinois

Nov 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.32 by Kramerbarthomer from Colorado

May 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by nathanmiller from New York

Jan 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.34 by Brihon from South Carolina

Jan 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.75 by jtladner from District of Columbia

Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by pmarlowe from Virginia

May 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by AlexFields from Tennessee

May 11, 2014
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4.08/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The "kick in the balls" variation of the infamous imperial smoked stout does so with inspirations from chipotle- with serrano and habanero taking center stage.

Darker and richer than ever, the addition of peppers hardly makes a mark on the original Bo & Luke- it's jet-black pour was dark and ominous as expected. As its fine bubbles calder from below, they rise to form a frothy mocha head, full of tightly woven bubbles- compromised only slightly by the peppers oils, lacing lightly an intermittently.

The aromas of the smoky beer wrap around the slight vegetative pepper scent and temper its campfire and meaty character slightly; yet allowing the bold roast coffee and charred fruit character of currants, grapes and berries to blend with delicate tobacco, peat and mesquite. Supporting burnt toffee is dry and doesn't compete with the beer's spicy tone.

Its burnt sweetness is roasted while black-strap molasses, espresso, and bitter chocolate quickly turn to the sharp spiciness of peppers to complement its smoked meat, charcoal, and grilled fruit. Charred berries, currants, plumbs, figs, and grapes weave into peppery spice and vinous flavors and are then further complemented with fine oak and bitterness that extends with bourbon-like alcohol sweetness, vanilla, coconut and tobacco.

Incredibly, the beer rests upon its robust malt body that facilitates early spicey-sweetness with creamy and bready texture. But as the beer extends develops across the middle palate it intensifies its spice and alcohol to finish with light ash, plaster and wood spice.

The smoke of the base beer begs for this kind of pepper flavor and feel. But a more well-rounded taste from the pulp and flesh of the pepper would sell its taste even better; reinforcing the flavor of the vegetable, and not just its spice.
Mar 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Nolen12 from Kentucky

Mar 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by jkball01 from Kentucky

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bsuedekum from Missouri

Mar 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by dkw0063 from Texas

Mar 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by MaseFace from Kentucky

Mar 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by brian44556 from Kentucky

Feb 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by HopsMatt from Kentucky

Jan 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by beernads from Florida

Jan 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Mike from New Hampshire

Jan 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by ADTaber from South Carolina

Jan 04, 2014
Bo & Luke (Habanero & Serrano) from Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 31 ratings