DOS of Hazard
Cycle Brewing

 

 

Bottle Date: 2017
Palate Contaminants: none

Let's see, "Drink Fresh! DO NOT AGE."

Huh.

Oops.

Well, the packaging and brew type both usually mean otherwise.

Very dark brown color, with a minor amount of medium brown, fine head. Of course, there's no seeing through this one.

I got a boozy scent as soon as I cracked it open. Moderately sweet. Dark fruit, with prunes leading the way, but raisins and figs fighting through to be sensed. It's also slightly herbal, with fresh cilantro. Raisins rule as it warms.

The fruit is dialed back a bit in the taste, and it's joined with a pleasant amount of smokiness. Sweetness is dialed up, although it's not overbearing. Alcohol is absolutely detectable, and it bugs me a bit that I can't find the ABV. If it's this high, it starts to matter.

Weight is medium, even if the flavor is heavy. I do wish the alcohol weren't so present. Smooth, foamy carbonation. Aftertaste is more bitter than the taste.

 

650 mL bottle. Black body. Smells of fudge, oak, smoke, bourbon, nutty malts, and raisins. Tastes a little fruity up front, whiskey, then chocolate and fudgy sweetness. Light smoke in the back end. Heavy and slow to drink, but I enjoy it.

 

 

Black color with tan head. Aroma has dark fruits, chocolate, caramel and a bit of toffee. Taste has whiskey, dark fruits, jam, dark chocolate and toffee. More bitter and roasty on the finish, even a hint of smoke. Medium plus body with medium carbonation. Another really good imperial stout from Cycle.

 

A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer topped by a finger of dense light tan head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of roasted malts, charred wood, bitter dark chocolate, and espresso with some slight bourbon barrel and molassess
T: Taste is smoke and charred wood followed by some dark chocolate, coffee, light molasses note, caramel, vanilla and oak. Fairly smoky throughout but it is not overpowering. The swallow on this beer is more smoke and roasted malts with lingering chocolate, vanilla, and some slight charred wood.
M: This beer is thick and creamy on the palate with a full mouthfeel. Carbonation is low, but adequate for the style while the beer has a drying finish.
O: Overall this is a really well executed beer. The barrel flavor and the smoke is not overpowering and adds some nice complexity to the base beer. Fairly enjoyable and the alcohol is well hidden. Definitely a beer to sip and savor. Overall worth a try if you can find it but not worth more than retail.