Living The Dream?!
Spellbound Brewing

 

an enormously delicious beer, my first from these guys and a real treat this time of year when the days are all short and grey and the evenings are all windy and cold, this is just gorgeous no frills stout, as well crafted as they come, very impressive for a brewery i had never heard of before! its coal black, matte, dense but not overly viscous, and holds about an inch of tan head in the glass, pillowy and peaky and pretty. aroma of sturdy roast, no oxidation despite some age on the bottle, minor black licorice, permanent marker, fusel alcohol, and cola. i love that there appears to be no cocoa, vanilla, barrel, lactose, nothing in here, just a darn good stout! it looks like they do some variants on this, and im sure they are fire, this is a heck of a base to start with, but i like this a lot without anything in it. some light char to it, but its not particularly bitter in the flavor, unbrewed but fresh ground coffee, baking chocolate, and even black tea notes to this. its smooth and protein forward, oaty and frothy feeling, and bubbly for a big beer, not too much alcohol coming through despite it being there in the aroma. long linger to this, nice as a nightcap, i taste it for a long time, chocolate and roast layers alternating, even a woodiness without a barrel. a well layered and nuanced grain base, a little bit of bready old world tasting ale yeast, and an apparent high level of refinement. this is a great winter time stout, i will be on the hunt for more beers from spellbound!

 

 

 

 

I had this on draught at Passion Vines in Somers Point. It was served in a wine glass. It pours a dark walnut - almost black - with 1.5 fingers of mocha-colored head and extensive lacing. Unfortunately, it was served much too cold and I had to let the glass warm awhile. The smell improved as the glass warmed: cocoa, vanilla, nuts, and noticeable bourbon. The bourbon is evident in the first sip, along with roasty chocolate, nuts, and some nice dark fruit. The bourbon is strong. This stout has a pleasing, creamy mouth feel with lite carbonation, and you can really feel the 11.5% ABV. Overall, this Imperial Stout is very nicely done. The flavors blend very well and the strong bourbon presence doesn't distract from the taste. I've been impressed with every offering from Spellbound that I've tried. They don't have the same notoriety as some other New Jersey brewers but their beers are well worth seeking out.

 

**
06/16/17

On tap at Uno's

LOOK: dark black, thick look, no head.
AROMA: Toasted Malt
TASTE: Toasted Malt. molasses, sweet raisin and plum. Woody bitter finish.
FEEL: Thick. No carbonation.

Tasty beer. Reminds me a bit of Great Lakes Blackout Stout with a little less fruit character.

**

10/14/17

Central Jersey Beer Fest.
On Tap to 2 oz. tasting glass.

Without the benefit of accessing my previous rating I gave this the same #'s I did earlier.

Good stuff from Spellbound.


**

 

 

Currently a brewery only release, (also bottled for the brewery's 2nd anniversary.)

A deep, dark, thick Russian Imperial Stout. A real chewy mouthfeel. The alcohol is hidden
well. At 11.5% you can get in trouble in a hurry with this onel.

Well balanced...not too sweet, not too dry. This is the sort of beer that would be perfect
to enjoy in front of a fireplace with a good book.