Beer For Dealing With Your Family
Off Color Brewing
- From:
- Off Color Brewing
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- Malt Liquor
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #17,307 - Avg:
- 3.99 | pDev: 8.77%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 7
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 29, 2026
- Added:
- Oct 03, 2022
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Our winter warmer (malt liquor) is meant to be enjoyed with both loved ones and tolerated ones around the fireplace this holiday season. Fragrant notes of plum, ripe strawberries, and rose petals on the nose, while a nip of booze fades on the first sip and transforms into sweet grape and cherry. Bread crust sprinkled with cracked pepper rounds out the finish. You won't feel the full extent of the burn until it is in your chest. But once you feel it, being forced to listen to conspiracy theories won't feel as dreadful.
One of our highest ABV beers to date, a combination of alcohol-tolerant yeast selection, low mashing temperature, an all malt wort, and a boost from a “fancy adjunct” (amber candi syrup) added as a secondary fermentation made this malt liquor dry as Apex Predator but almost twice the alcoholic strength. The dry finish allows us to minimize hop usage (as there is little sweetness to balance) and tread gracefully into high-proof, malt liquor territory.
Malts: Pils, Vienna, Roasted Barley
Hops: Nugget and Tardif de Bourgogne
Secret Ingredients: Amber Candi Syrup
One of our highest ABV beers to date, a combination of alcohol-tolerant yeast selection, low mashing temperature, an all malt wort, and a boost from a “fancy adjunct” (amber candi syrup) added as a secondary fermentation made this malt liquor dry as Apex Predator but almost twice the alcoholic strength. The dry finish allows us to minimize hop usage (as there is little sweetness to balance) and tread gracefully into high-proof, malt liquor territory.
Malts: Pils, Vienna, Roasted Barley
Hops: Nugget and Tardif de Bourgogne
Secret Ingredients: Amber Candi Syrup
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by branko7:
Reviewed by branko7 from Illinois
4.04/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Nice fluffy head which dies down. Looks a golden reddish brown. Tastes nice and malty, not too sweet, some nice hops, though a bit too much alcohol in the taste. Nice smooth mouthfeel. Definitely gets you buzzed. Good, but not great IMO.
Jan 09, 2024More User Ratings:
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana
4.04/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance - The beer was the color of pink paint water with some haziness.
Smell - That knows was somewhat for me, like an alcoholic Christmas cocktail.
Taste - The test profile had a Belgian quality. Cherry was very noticeable as was orange to a lesser extent. It was heavy, and the alcohol was noticeable in each sip. It would help with family gatherings.
Mouthfeel - The body was heavy, coding the tongue, and lingering.
Overall - The can was hilarious, especially a angry red hat, wearing mouse on the right side. He was clearly ruining the gathering. This was enjoyable.
Mar 29, 2026Smell - That knows was somewhat for me, like an alcoholic Christmas cocktail.
Taste - The test profile had a Belgian quality. Cherry was very noticeable as was orange to a lesser extent. It was heavy, and the alcohol was noticeable in each sip. It would help with family gatherings.
Mouthfeel - The body was heavy, coding the tongue, and lingering.
Overall - The can was hilarious, especially a angry red hat, wearing mouse on the right side. He was clearly ruining the gathering. This was enjoyable.
Reviewed by Qbert from Illinois
2.93/5 rDev -26.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
2.93/5 rDev -26.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
Beautiful amber in color with a tan head. Aroma is fruity with some hints of bread. Taste is pretty much all alcohol. The bread and fruit are in the background but mostly this tastes like a shot of vodka. A total scorcher.
The Mrs. liked it and I liked the idea of a craft malt liquor, but for me, it was a fun idea gone wrong.
Nov 29, 2025The Mrs. liked it and I liked the idea of a craft malt liquor, but for me, it was a fun idea gone wrong.
Reviewed by ChicagoJ from Illinois
4.31/5 rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.31/5 rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
1/31/25 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased November 27, 2024 at Beer on the Wall Park Ridge for $3.98 including tax. Refrigerated upon returning home before opening this evening. 16 oz,, no can date but distributed earlier in the week I purchased. 12.0% ABV Malt Liquor. Malts: Pils, Vienna, Roasted Barley. Hops: Nugget, Tardif de Bourgongne. Secret ingredients Amber Candi Syrup, Sugar. High Gravity. Brewed and canned by Off Color Brewing, Chicago, Illinois.
Appearance: Poured just over half the can into a shaker pint glass, yielding a crystal clear tan beige base and creamy egg white head that leaves nominal lacing but a nice creamy cover. Faint sustained carbonation after the initial pour burst. Looks nice. 4.0
Aroma: Malt and barley front and center, with strawberries and fresh French baguette adding a nice touch. 4.25
Taste: Consistent with the aroma, but dialed to eleven/ Malt and barley like a jackhammer to the taste buds and roof of my mouth. Nice red wine, cherry and strawberry complementary flavoring, guessing the Candy Syrup is the source. Let this warm a bit, and either I'm just getting used to it, or it improved with the proper temperature, as I am settled in and enjoying vs. my initial bitter beer face. 4.25
Mouthfeel: Drinks strong from Go!, as expected with the high ABV. Sweet malt flavors and candy offset by bitterness and a good hop balance, but still sweet as expected though within style expectations. Gentle carbonation, medium to full body, sugar adds depth and a bit of stickiness. Cherry malt baguette finish. 4.5
Overall: If my first sip was my experience, then no. But once this breathed, I grew accustomed, the shift toward room temperature made this a very enjoyable experience. I am not a fan of many malt heavy styles, but appreciate a good Malt Liquor, and this definitely rates highly for me. Candy perhaps making the heavy malt more accommodating to my hop preferred palate, but I would buy these in the future, and hope it returns for future holiday seasons or anytime. I love you Off Color! 4.25
Feb 01, 2025Appearance: Poured just over half the can into a shaker pint glass, yielding a crystal clear tan beige base and creamy egg white head that leaves nominal lacing but a nice creamy cover. Faint sustained carbonation after the initial pour burst. Looks nice. 4.0
Aroma: Malt and barley front and center, with strawberries and fresh French baguette adding a nice touch. 4.25
Taste: Consistent with the aroma, but dialed to eleven/ Malt and barley like a jackhammer to the taste buds and roof of my mouth. Nice red wine, cherry and strawberry complementary flavoring, guessing the Candy Syrup is the source. Let this warm a bit, and either I'm just getting used to it, or it improved with the proper temperature, as I am settled in and enjoying vs. my initial bitter beer face. 4.25
Mouthfeel: Drinks strong from Go!, as expected with the high ABV. Sweet malt flavors and candy offset by bitterness and a good hop balance, but still sweet as expected though within style expectations. Gentle carbonation, medium to full body, sugar adds depth and a bit of stickiness. Cherry malt baguette finish. 4.5
Overall: If my first sip was my experience, then no. But once this breathed, I grew accustomed, the shift toward room temperature made this a very enjoyable experience. I am not a fan of many malt heavy styles, but appreciate a good Malt Liquor, and this definitely rates highly for me. Candy perhaps making the heavy malt more accommodating to my hop preferred palate, but I would buy these in the future, and hope it returns for future holiday seasons or anytime. I love you Off Color! 4.25
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.79/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.79/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
I don't drink malt liquor (only 2 and panned both.) But Off Color is my favorite brewer. And this is a good joke on siblings.
In fact, it is such a good joke that I bought two four packs and gave them away as Christmas gifts to siblings, nephews and friends known to have sibling issues.
While this Beer Looks exquisite in my Off Color tulip and radiates the setting sun just after The Epiphany, Smells are more fire than sweet malt. And while I'd have to say that Tastes are balanced given all the sugar used, I'm not getting any clear flavors except ABV. And while that is the obvious point about this Beer, it makes it better to sit down with a friend and enjoy the joke than to sit by myself and enjoy the beer. Glad I gave the other cans away as gifts; that was the maximum utility of the ABV. P.S. Bring back the Tripel, Sibling Rivalry from several years ago.
Jan 08, 2023In fact, it is such a good joke that I bought two four packs and gave them away as Christmas gifts to siblings, nephews and friends known to have sibling issues.
While this Beer Looks exquisite in my Off Color tulip and radiates the setting sun just after The Epiphany, Smells are more fire than sweet malt. And while I'd have to say that Tastes are balanced given all the sugar used, I'm not getting any clear flavors except ABV. And while that is the obvious point about this Beer, it makes it better to sit down with a friend and enjoy the joke than to sit by myself and enjoy the beer. Glad I gave the other cans away as gifts; that was the maximum utility of the ABV. P.S. Bring back the Tripel, Sibling Rivalry from several years ago.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.65/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.65/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Released 11/14/22; drank 11/29/22 @ the Yarchives.
Mostly opaque brown/orange appearance.
A rough pour yielded a big khaki head; strong lacing.
Root beer hard candy, mild cherry, mild booze heat & faint allspice notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Clove & mild brown sugar flavors up front; booze heat & mild cherry notes on the finish.
Boozy quad vibes here; it's good but not great. Worth trying.
Nov 30, 2022Mostly opaque brown/orange appearance.
A rough pour yielded a big khaki head; strong lacing.
Root beer hard candy, mild cherry, mild booze heat & faint allspice notes in the nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Clove & mild brown sugar flavors up front; booze heat & mild cherry notes on the finish.
Boozy quad vibes here; it's good but not great. Worth trying.
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
4.05/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
As a malt liquor, it’s glorious. Stylistically it’s more of an amber ale boilermaker. Roasty and sweet, husky grains, baked apples, shot of apple schnapps.
Reddish amber color, ample foam, spotty lace. Aroma is roasty and grain forward. Taste is nutty roast barley, shot through with apple esters and straight up booze. Retronasal honey and vodka shots. Big and sticky, could be a little more integrated. A velvet sledgehammer.
Nov 24, 2022Reddish amber color, ample foam, spotty lace. Aroma is roasty and grain forward. Taste is nutty roast barley, shot through with apple esters and straight up booze. Retronasal honey and vodka shots. Big and sticky, could be a little more integrated. A velvet sledgehammer.
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