Jam The Radar
Bottle Logic Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

I generally do not love fruit in any of my imperial stouts, but this was different than most. It was very smooth and balanced without being overwhelming.

 

 

 

 

Appearance - The beer poured a luscious black color with tan bubbles, clinging to the sides of the glass.

Smell - Chocolate and raspberry were both very prominent in the nose. It was also evident that this beer was boozy.

Taste - There was a lot of chocolate in the initial taste. Juicy raspberries paired nicely with the chocolate. The berries were very realistic with nothing synthetic about them. The barrel had some bite, but also kept it from being too sweet. The chocolate lingered the longest.

Mouthfeel. - The body allowed the profile , on the back of the tongue with the dark, chocolate notes, lingering longest.

Overall - Not usually being a fan of fruited stouts, this was well done.

04/02/24 bottle @ home; 2024 vintage 14.30% ABV

ive been a little underwhelmed by some of the bottle logic heavy hitters, not that they arent great, but just that they arent distinct enough from what others are doing to warrant the hype, and i have long thought that, albeit with just very limited experience with their stuff. that made this one even more striking i think, because as stoked as i was for it, i also had somewhat tempered expectations, but no, this is truly absurd, one of the best fruited stouts i can recall ever experiencing, and frankly its as good as it gets, rightly rated near the top of the heap, i loved every drop of it! big imperial base with some warm alcohol most of the way, more head than expected from the tap, and all the viscosity in the world, close to black but inviting rather than intimidating somehow. i think this is the 2023 vintage, not sure if there is fruit or barrel or nib variance from year to year, but this is pure fire. the nose is roasty with a big dark espresso note, some bitterness against the obvious long boiled grain sweetness. i get some tartness from the fruit, red and black raspberries, jammy decadence too, and some curious mouthwatering tartness suggesting plenty of real fruit was used, love the authenticity, and how forward it is, even though this enormous base beer. nuances of tobacco, licorice, and vanilla, but it doesnt present like a sugar bomb, and the bourbon element is smooth, regal, and woody, all so cohesive in here, unique and highly intoxicating to me. the flavor is somehow even better than the nose, luxurious bourbon abounds with honey and vanilla whispers that flatter the fruit. im amazed at some tartness being perceptible through this, the fruit part is bigtime, and it plays really well with the other elements. the nibs add a nice contrasting bitterness but also play into the overall richness, a warm baked dark chocolate brownie vibe, raspberry is so ripe and real, the darker black raspberries bring a fruit preserves aspect, and there are layers of char, coffee, and velvety cherry cordial. the fruit is so pure, the whiskey so good, the overall stout bringing them both together in such a special way, this is every bit as good as i have hoped all of these would be, and is definitely the best bottle logic beer ive ever had. the texture is weighty and smooth, the flavor is long and constantly evolving, and the whole thing is neither too sweet or too boozy to drink hard on. truly memorable! i finally get it!

 

Poured a black body with khaki head. The aroma gives off notes of woodiness (oakiness?), roasted chocolate and of course some raspberries. Smooth beer despite being fuller bodied, has a strong raspberry sweetness and bitterness along with chocolate in background. These notes balance and work together and the booze is well hidden so this beer is dangerous to drink.

500 mL bottle into a snifter

2017 release

Well, another example of a long-cellared brew, this one on a wine rack in my relatively warm San Diego home office (aka improperly cellared) and it’s still dynamite. I had a 2022 bottle recently and this is better. The oak and raspberry and cocoa have all funneled together into singular flavor aspect that makes it dangerously drinkable. I completely understand why old school beer geeks have taken on an anti-collector, anti-ticker perspective (because they’re mostly annoying af), but the prospect that particular brews don’t improve with age is simply BS.

Find this beer if you can.

 

2021 Release
550ml bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours jet black in color with a one-finger foamy khaki head that reduces to a ring around the edge

S- the glass is bursting with raspberry; raspberry jam, stewed raspberries, probably the most intense raspberry aroma i've smelled in a beer. Undertones of chocolate, vanilla & barrel that adds oak, bourbon a hint of caramel and an enhancing vanilla note

T- sweet chocolate and vanilla up front quickly gives way to bold berry notes of fresh pressed raspberry. Mid-palate brings out some oaky barrel notes that adds a caramel undertone. The finish turns tart with a blast of jammy raspberry, along with caramel and tootsie roll sticking around on the linger

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that turns slightly creamy into a warming finish