Theory Of Chaos
Chaos Mountain Brewing

 

 

From the right side of the label, near the mountain logo, in white print: "12 15 18"
The bottle I have is 12oz and the label says "18% ALC. BY VOL."

Appearance: The body is a very dark brown with a short head that looks tan with a hint of dirty yellow. It forms a head quickly and just as quickly fades out to a very thin ring. There are spots of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: A prune aroma mixed with notes of strong alcohol enters the nose.

Taste: The flavor profile on this beer is fantastic. It has a sharp prune flavor followed by a strong toffee and brown sugar flavor. It finishes with a nice coffee character and a hint of carbon. Fruity alcohol flavors are present as well. It is packed with very strong flavors and it is very rewarding to drink. Each sip seems to bring a different combination of flavors in slightly different order.

Mouthfeel: It is a pleasant beer to sip. The body is full and smooth with that slightly thin pinch as is moves across the palate that is often present in high alcohol beers. It feels well attenuated with low carbonation.

Overall: It is a very enjoyable beer to drink. I would highly recommend it to both those who enjoy Belgian Strong Dark Ales and Barleywines. I would drink it again. My favorite part of the beer would probably be the strong flavor assortment.

I had this beer at the Blacksburg Taphouse....it was a 9 oz pour and is actually 18%ABV. The pour was very dark and the head was almost nonexistent. ToC had a very intense and sweet taste. It was thicker than even Belgian strong ales but not syrupy. The addition of Belgian candi sugar was evident. Even though it was a high alcohol beer, there was no alcohol wang. This was definitely a sipping beer and true to the Belgian style of dark, strong beers....very little noticible hoppiness and a very malt-forward taste.

 

 

 

On tap:
Pours dark, dark burgundy/chestnut but obviously clear. Head was never much, but disappears completely at some point (this is a sipping beer, didn't pay close attention).

Nose is raisin mainly, with a faint hint of alcohol - almost like a BA beer which this is not purported to be. Plum is also noted. There's a spiced bread note as well - all chocolate mobbed a nice dessert bread. In certain whiffs, there's a little leather note.
Note: After reading the other review, a Concord grape note kinda is noted.

Taste leans a little more towards the tart notes from the nose, but I get a little of all of them save the bread note. Feel I think is part of this, it's thinner in heft than expected, but very full in body. More plum, grape, raisin; a little spice and alcohol bite; lightest note of tobacco mid taste and a strawberry ending. Very interesting.

This was a fun beer to drink and I'm surprised I liked it so much. Fairly complex, I might argue it could fit better as a Quad, by I'd be very not-picky (does lack a little body for me for that style, bit it's got a little tart versus sugary note of a dark ale). Actually it doesn't matter, forget I mentioned it. Sit back, take your time, and enjoy this offering.

 

 

 

 

Released February 6, 2016.

Pours a hazy dark brown to burgundy in color. A 1 finger tan head leaves almost no lacing as it quickly recedes to a thin film over the surface and a ring around the glass. Held up to a bright light, the beer appears more like a thick, tropical punch. No carbonation is visible.

A very rich, fruity and spicy, aroma. Grapes and prunes. Maybe a hint of cherries. Allspice? The alcohol is definitely apparent. A bit of musty yeast.

Very sweet and fruity in taste. Do I imagine a whiff of caramel? Very winey in character as BSDAs often are.
Alcohol is prominent, but not overpowering. The 2nd glass gives me more fruity caramel and a bitterness that hints at dark chocolate,

Mouthfeel is full bodied and luscious. Lays creamy and smooth on the tongue with a prickle of carbonation and a sting of alcohol. Syrupy and flavor retentive. Warming.

A great beer! The best I've had in awhile. I started out giving it straight 4s, but in the end it grew on me. Complex, and full in both flavor and aroma. Elegant in body. A bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. A great winter brew, and appropriate for the chill of this early spring night.