Observing Reason
Trillium Brewing Company
- From:
- Trillium Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 13.9%
- Score:
- 95
- Avg:
- 4.42 | pDev: 6.79%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 6
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 08, 2024
- Added:
- Nov 05, 2019
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Collaboration with Bottle Logic Brewing
After years of admiring what Bottle Logic has done with vanilla beans, it was only plausible that when we had the opportunity to collaborate for the first time in the days surrounding Field Trip, we were going to brew a massive imperial conditioned on a considerable amount of Bourbon Madagascar vanilla beans. Observing Reason pours a glass-coating deep black with hickory highlights and a mocha-colored head. Mouth-watering aromas of warm baked goods, from brownies to frosting-coated chocolate cupcakes are immediately present. Notes of marshmallow, vanilla, and a hint of peanut play their complementary roles on the back of the palate. Mild sweetness and thick mouthfeel round out this truly indulgent Imperial Stout.
Observing Reason pours a glass-coating deep black with hickory highlights and a mocha-colored head. Mouth-watering aromas of warm baked goods, from brownies to frosting-coated chocolate cupcakes are immediately present. Notes of marshmallow, vanilla, and a hint of peanut play their complementary roles on the back of the palate. Mild sweetness and thick mouthfeel round out this truly indulgent Imperial Stout.
After years of admiring what Bottle Logic has done with vanilla beans, it was only plausible that when we had the opportunity to collaborate for the first time in the days surrounding Field Trip, we were going to brew a massive imperial conditioned on a considerable amount of Bourbon Madagascar vanilla beans. Observing Reason pours a glass-coating deep black with hickory highlights and a mocha-colored head. Mouth-watering aromas of warm baked goods, from brownies to frosting-coated chocolate cupcakes are immediately present. Notes of marshmallow, vanilla, and a hint of peanut play their complementary roles on the back of the palate. Mild sweetness and thick mouthfeel round out this truly indulgent Imperial Stout.
Observing Reason pours a glass-coating deep black with hickory highlights and a mocha-colored head. Mouth-watering aromas of warm baked goods, from brownies to frosting-coated chocolate cupcakes are immediately present. Notes of marshmallow, vanilla, and a hint of peanut play their complementary roles on the back of the palate. Mild sweetness and thick mouthfeel round out this truly indulgent Imperial Stout.
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Reviewed by Beersnake from California
4.27/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I need to preface my review with the fact that this was bottled in January of 2019, and I'm not certain about the cellar conditions as I just got it from a friend a few months ago.
Poured at fridge temp. Pours a very thick black with pretty much zero head. The nose is full of vanilla, roasted malts, chocolate, light caramel, blueberries, and raspberries. The taste is really nice despite almost 6 years in the bottle! Still getting vanilla, along with lots of bitter roasted malts. This definitely comes across as an traditional imperial stout with a bit of vanilla. This would be the perfect balance for those who like bitter RISs and someone sweeter stouts. Lots of both. Also getting notes of marshmallow, chocolate, oak, black licorice, cola, berries, and slight tobacco.
Mouthfeel is thick and creamy, with a chocolate and black licorice aftertaste. Very enjoyable. Would have loved to try this fresh as I bet it was even better.
Dec 08, 2024Poured at fridge temp. Pours a very thick black with pretty much zero head. The nose is full of vanilla, roasted malts, chocolate, light caramel, blueberries, and raspberries. The taste is really nice despite almost 6 years in the bottle! Still getting vanilla, along with lots of bitter roasted malts. This definitely comes across as an traditional imperial stout with a bit of vanilla. This would be the perfect balance for those who like bitter RISs and someone sweeter stouts. Lots of both. Also getting notes of marshmallow, chocolate, oak, black licorice, cola, berries, and slight tobacco.
Mouthfeel is thick and creamy, with a chocolate and black licorice aftertaste. Very enjoyable. Would have loved to try this fresh as I bet it was even better.
Reviewed by Damian from Massachusetts
4.75/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.75/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Drank from a 25.4 fl oz (750 ml) bottle purchased at Trillium Brewing Company, Boston, MA
11/01/19
Served in a tulip
Medium bodied, dark brown appearance. Slightly shy of black. The liquid was topped by a small, bubbly, mocha colored crown that quickly broke apart. A thin collar encircled the liquid. Small, odd-shaped patches of lacing stuck along the glass.
The aroma was fantastic. Powdered cocoa was immediately apparent. Some roasted malts as well. Seconds later, the vanilla appeared. Freshly vanilla bean for sure. The vanilla became even more intense as the beer warmed, as did the cocoa. Vanilla spiked brownie batter came to mind. Touch of alcohol. High quality Bourbon vanilla extract perhaps. Really spectacular.
The flavor was solid but a bit rougher around the edges initially. Rich and roasty on the front end. Raw cocoa notes were apparent. The roast intensified on the back end and in the finish. There was a slightly acrid, metallic quality as well. As the beer sat, the metallic notes dissipated and the aroma became much more rounded and complex. The powdered cocoa presence intensified. Chocolate cupcakes came to mind. Brown sugar was also noticeable. Bourbon vanilla notes came through strong in the center. Bit of roast and boozy warmth on the finish. For nearly 14% ABV, however, the alcohol was remarkably well buried.
Excellent rich, creamy, frothy mouthfeel. Medium-full bodied for the style. What the beer lacked in fullness, it more than made up for in plushness. The liquid contained an ultra fine, fairly aggressive effervescence that fluffed up beautifully on the palate.
Bottle Logic’s legendary Fundamental Observation is a terrific beer, but Observing Reason is perhaps an even more pure expression of a vanilla-infused imperial stout. I can only imagine how good the bourbon barrel-aged version of this will be when it is released.
Dec 21, 201911/01/19
Served in a tulip
Medium bodied, dark brown appearance. Slightly shy of black. The liquid was topped by a small, bubbly, mocha colored crown that quickly broke apart. A thin collar encircled the liquid. Small, odd-shaped patches of lacing stuck along the glass.
The aroma was fantastic. Powdered cocoa was immediately apparent. Some roasted malts as well. Seconds later, the vanilla appeared. Freshly vanilla bean for sure. The vanilla became even more intense as the beer warmed, as did the cocoa. Vanilla spiked brownie batter came to mind. Touch of alcohol. High quality Bourbon vanilla extract perhaps. Really spectacular.
The flavor was solid but a bit rougher around the edges initially. Rich and roasty on the front end. Raw cocoa notes were apparent. The roast intensified on the back end and in the finish. There was a slightly acrid, metallic quality as well. As the beer sat, the metallic notes dissipated and the aroma became much more rounded and complex. The powdered cocoa presence intensified. Chocolate cupcakes came to mind. Brown sugar was also noticeable. Bourbon vanilla notes came through strong in the center. Bit of roast and boozy warmth on the finish. For nearly 14% ABV, however, the alcohol was remarkably well buried.
Excellent rich, creamy, frothy mouthfeel. Medium-full bodied for the style. What the beer lacked in fullness, it more than made up for in plushness. The liquid contained an ultra fine, fairly aggressive effervescence that fluffed up beautifully on the palate.
Bottle Logic’s legendary Fundamental Observation is a terrific beer, but Observing Reason is perhaps an even more pure expression of a vanilla-infused imperial stout. I can only imagine how good the bourbon barrel-aged version of this will be when it is released.
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