Eerie Von's XXX Spiced Apple Ale
Burnt Hickory Brewery

Pour from a shared bomber bottle.
Smells a bit like apple pie and tastes even more similar.
Fairly high carbonation sometimes seems to high.
Excellent lacing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple pie in a bottle. I can't wait til they mass produce this wonderful beer. part cider part brown ale . Clearer than you would expect knowing that they used cider.

 

 

 

 

 

Somehow, even at this late point, the body of legitimate heavy-metal inspired christmas music is laughably thin, if not totally absent. There exists nothing that manages to approach the depth of Fahey's pristine arrangements, the charged simplicity of Aimee Mann's originals or the comprehensive virtuosity of Ellington's Nutcracker Suite, any attempt at genre addition ultimately sounding tonelessly parodic or wiltingly insipid. Unfortunately, it is precisely in that Trans-Siberian Orchestral realm that Eerie Von's XXX Spiced Apple Ale wallows, far too self aware for its own good and too cloying and unpalatable to really justify a repeat experience.

 

Unlabeled, green-waxed 22oz bottle given to me by one of the brewers during a chance encounter at State Line Liquors in Maryland. Thanks man, I owe you some Heady Topper!

Pours nearly opaque, very dark brown, with a finger and a half of cream colored head that settles slowly and leaves patchy lace. Somewhat cidery aroma with apples and apple pie spices popping out nicely. Tastes very much like an apple pie but with very restrained sweetness. If anything finishes a little on the bitter side, but not hoppy bitter, more of a powdered spice and ginger bitterness. The flavor is all apples and spices, cloves and cinnamon and allspice. Very modest tartness. Faint aspect of pie crust that's very subtle and adds an appealing softness and complexity. This isn't a Southern Tier-style take on an apple beer; it's fairly elegant in its execution and doesn't clobber you with candy sweetness or even excessive spiciness. Well done.

Body is medium and carbonation is too. Finishes semi-dry with lingering ginger and apple notes fading away slowly and pleasantly.

I know these guys are doing all kinds of awesome punk and metal inspired barrel aged beers, including a Corrosion of Conformity beer, which sounds awesome. Hopefully one day I'll get to try some of their other creations. For now this was a unique and generous gift introducing me to a new and definitely unconventional brewery.