The Mountains Of Instead
Breakside Brewery - SE Taproom

 

 

 

Bottle from Boise Co-op. Dark amber, opaque, spotty head. Aroma is sweet malt with a hint of savory spice. Taste brings out the spice notes more, floating on a solid malty base, just shy of a barleywine. Mouth coating and lingering warmth.

 

 

 

Pours a clear russet color with a thinner but pretty well sustained off white head atop.For me the aromas were intoxicating,the apply brandy barrels give off a slightly tart and sweet element along with some buttery notes,just love the mix of beer and brandy going on.The barrel doesn't hit you over the head but lends a richness to the palate,caramel apple and brown sugar mixed with the brandy makes for a rich and pretty sweet flavor.I really liked this beer,I love apple brandy and I hope more brewers utilize them for fall/winter beers like Breakside.

 

 

 

EBF Last Saturday Slightly hazy dark brown with hints of garnet at the edges and a thin off white head that persists. Rich toffee and caramel with bits of spice and nice okay apple jam for the barrel. nice beer.

 

 

 

Poured into a Reuben's Brew small snifter. Pours a medium to dark bronze amber with a quarter finger, off-white head that dissipates to a thick film with light lacing. Aroma of semi-sweet dark malt, apple brandy and dark dried fruit; intriguing. Flavor is lightly caramel malt, apple brandy, apple, plum and dates with sharp woodiness. Finishes with dark fruit and oaky wood. Medium bodied with light creaminess. A unique winter beer, almost a cross between a dark fruit cider and bock beer. The apple brandy notes are clear and both flavorful and seasonal. This was a great idea well done. Reminiscent of a hot toddy, but definitely a beer; nice combination. Warming, but ABV well covered. I liked this a lot on a cool windy winter's day. Different and worth checking out.