SXNW (Brothers' Reserve Series)
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

SXNW (Brothers' Reserve Series)SXNW (Brothers' Reserve Series)
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From:
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
ABV:
9.3%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.86 | pDev: 12.18%
Reviews:
47
Ratings:
224
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 29, 2020
Added:
Sep 07, 2012
Wants:
  12
Gots:
  37
No description / notes.
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Ratings by mwz5021:
Photo of mwz5021
Rated by mwz5021 from Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

Jun 06, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of 2beerdogs
Reviewed by 2beerdogs from California

3.7/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Deep mahogany hue. Initial foam dissipates promptly. Zero lacing.
Nose hints gently at chile peppers, caramels, pecans, and mild roast.
All in all, a lot of flavors waltz around this one. All are fairly subdued and patient, taking turns. Baking chocolate, slightly green chile with only a hint of past heat, pecan, date, and mild coffee roast.
Mouthfeel is medium, minimal carbonation but after 8years, I'm ok with that. No alcohol warmth. Smooth.
Overall, I suspect this has mellowed a bit on the spice, but I find it quite enjoyable.
Nov 29, 2020
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.7/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
brewed in 2012, this one is pretty old at this point, done with spices, pecans, cocoa, and chili peppers, its faded some, but i think its faded well, if that makes sense, like, not sure if this was ever hot, but the peppers are mellow and subtle, a light earthy smoke and green warmth, but no throat burn and no flavor domination, so if thats a product of time, i am in favor of it. still a lot of dry dusty cocoa here, not like bitter nibs but like baking powdered chocolate. the pecan element is more evident in the nose, toasty and lightly sweet or candied, but i dont get nearly as much of them in the flavor, maybe a bit up front, but this is pretty malty, and now has some oxidation to it, so the pecan is partially lost to this it seems. the alcohol isnot there at all through, its not overly sweet now, and there is a high degree of complexity still apparent, not sure the spices, but i get everything from allspice to anise and vanilla. i bet this was pretty awesome when it was new, but its about expired as far as something to keep around in the cellar, faded probably past the point of recognition, but as a little experiment with an ancient beer, it was fun to share. hard to be too critical of something so dated, not sure it was ever intended to be aged this long, and frankly, nobody in our group disliked it. i have never had a beer in a box from these guys, was this a one time only thing?
Mar 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.25 by Eziel from Ohio

Apr 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.52 by BeerOps from Illinois

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by jams1220 from New Jersey

Jan 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.95 by claybob43 from Washington

Sep 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by jfmared from New Mexico

Aug 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.49 by AGB from District of Columbia

Jul 13, 2015
Photo of HalfFull
Reviewed by HalfFull from California

3.4/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Clear deep mahogany pour with a thin tan cap of foam. Brief retention, leaving a light surface ring. Deep brown and mahogany in the light.

Touch of muddled spices on the nose likely belie the intent of this beer as it seem to be about three years old. This wasn't known to me as of a recent purchase. More malted cinnamon up front which seques to a chili spice. Still subdued a bit.

Spices pop on the tongue much more than the aroma. An initial splash of chili spice subsides as the palate accustoms to it, then some light hints of cinnamon and chocolate. Later comes some nutty cocoa with a chili pepper charcter. Not spicy but evident on the chili. Again all components and subtle and a bit reaching. Still there is never any evidence of the ABV on the smell or taste.

Offers a pleasant feel with no real detectable sweetness and drinks easily with no real bitterness either. With warming there is a more lingering chili character. Overall an older beer than expected but still quite interesting and still relevant though I'm now intrigued how it was when fresh.
Jun 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by imbuckeye from Ohio

May 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by PWehrung

May 25, 2015
Photo of drpimento
Reviewed by drpimento from Wisconsin

3.27/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
A bit of a disappointment. Small short lived head, no lace. Aroma's cocoa, a bit of spice. Flavor's like nose, a little sweet and nutmeat (which don't really work that well- off tastes) . Kind of forgettable for all the hoopla.
May 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Tylertut from Ohio

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by 2Bstout from Kentucky

Mar 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.36 by SierraFlight from Virginia

Feb 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by Ian_B from Massachusetts

Feb 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by mrn1ceguy from Illinois

Feb 12, 2015
Photo of AtrumAnimus
Reviewed by AtrumAnimus from Texas

2.58/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
This one pours seemingly flat at first then gives to a fast rising head that is weak, settles very fast and leaves zero lacing down the glass. The color is a cloudy dark brown that is nearly impenetrable to light.

The nose is sharply sweet with a lot of sugary alcohol and reminds me of a very strong barley win. In fact I think it smells exactly like a rich barley wine.

The taste is somewhat cloyingly sweet and very off balanced in the complexities. Instead of having the potential complexities of these ingredients presenting themselves over the time is takes to cross the palate they are fighting each other for dominance and just confuse the palate. Not that enjoyable to be perfectly honest.

The mouthfeel is mostly alcohol and watery.

Overall a real disappointment.
Feb 04, 2015
Photo of Cyberkedi
Reviewed by Cyberkedi from Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
Strong aroma has a malty core and notes of - each whiff seems different. I get cocoa, cinnamon, nuts, and even hints of chili peppers and caramel. Gets the old salivary glands in action. Pours a barely translucent chocolate brown with a good light tan head that doesn’t stick around too long. Flavor has malty, chocolaty, nutty, sweet syrupy, and earthy tones, plus a sharp chili pepper note. I like hot foods in the right circumstances, but I really don’t care for hot pepper in my beer. However, it is subtle enough that it doesn’t detract much from the rest of the taste. I get a firm undercurrent of hoppy bitterness as well. Texture is smooth, syrupy, and not too tingly, though the pepper provides a little "pins and needles" feeling. Overall, distinctive, delicious, interesting.
Jan 08, 2015
SXNW (Brothers' Reserve Series) from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 224 ratings