Cherrytree Amaro
Forbidden Root - Chicago

22 ounce bottle into a snifter. Had on 12/14/16.

Pours a mostly clear medium amber, with a small head and some spotty lacing. Smells spicy- what spices, I haven't much of an idea. Kind of savory, a little cinnamon, dried cherries, tobacco, a little syrup, light smoke and oak. Some earthiness. It's a really nice, and unique, aroma. Cherries take the lead for the taste- dried, maraschino, still the spice melange, light malt, almonds, a bit of oak, a light bitterness. A general herbal flavor and a light- not cloying or excessive sweetness. Smooth, well carbonated, a good, medium body that supports the herbs, spices and Amaro well.

So well blended, it all comes together to provide a very different and interesting flavor and aroma. Everything I've had from these guys has been well worth a purchase, and this is no exception.

 

A: Dark amber, clear, no head
S: Sweet maraschino cherry, almond, marzipan, brandy, red berry fruit snacks
T: Sweet cherry, alcohol, earthy spice, alcohol, almond, marzipan
M: Medium with low carbonation
O: Very unique but not up my ally

 

after tasting my first beer from these guys, i think its bogus there is so much local smack talk about how these guys arent anything special, i disagree after this one, and think its a pretty special beer, haters be damned. cherry amaro, its no doubt a boldy flavored brew, maybe some wood here, but the almond and cherry and spice notes are huge. the fruit is dried and art but enormous, and the amaro is real here, licorice and tobacco and burnt ends on a long smoker, clove and allspice, meat and flesh of dried fruits, wood, booze, so cool. something like this makes me think we havent even begun to scratch the surface of what is possible in beer, i mean, this level of flavor and quality is only new, not something time honored but something revolutionary, i love it. amaro is a weird drink, but this beer pays tribute well by bringing the full spice and syrup bits, but also bittering the finish up enough and making it super interesting. an odd beer no doubt, but a revelation, and worth a whole lot more love than hate, intensely flavored sure, but well done all the way, and about as good as beer like this should be. a more than passable tip of the cap to the old world stuff its modeled on!

 

Dark brown with a reddish ruby highlight.
Smelled like maraschino cherries, syrupy and boozy.
Taste was sharp with more maraschino presence, not a fan.
Added the blood orange elixir to temper the sweetness and heavy maraschino taste.
Low carb with an overbearing sweetness and booziness.
Wouldn't get this one again.