Colossus
Presentation: Sampled at the 7th Annual San Diego Strong Ale Festival which was hosted at the Pizza Port in Carlsbad this weekend. Listed as 15.1% ABV on the Beer List that was handed out. Yep, thats Fifteen Point One - Holy Shite!!! Damn the very nice woman with the Red T-Shirt who was serving she gave me a large 8 ounce sample of this, when I only wanted a 4. Oh well. Appearance: Flat looking hazy dark brown colored body with the occasional ruby hint. Some bubbles on the surface but not many. A tip of the glass and a quick swirl revealed good levels of conditioning though. Yet there was almost no head whatsoever. Looked Flat and Bloody Dangerous! Nose: Rum & Raisin entrance. Figs, Dates and alcoholic malts. Lots of alcohol in this one, very pungent but with a dark-fruity. Taste: Warming, dark & fruity. The incredible amount of malts were balanced well with what must have been a gargantuan amount of Hops. This is 15.1% yet it still has balance and poise. Malts and alcohol start the experience, dark fruits and a bitter-sweet chocolate middle that warms in the mouth, and as the beer is swallowed. The hops really come through the ending though. Biting crispness in end gives the beer a clean feel. Lingering dark fruits in the astringent ending. Mouthfeel: Absolutely Massive just as expected. The dissolved carbonation in the beer still manages to give a creamy feel in the mouth. Smooth. Drinkability: One was enough! LOL. How can you mark for this Drinkability? Tough one it doesnt drink like a 15.1% beer though so I suppose the 4 reflects the fact that it drinks well for its very high gravity. Overall: A HUGE beer that was far from the alcoholic mish-mash that I was expecting. Actually a very good beer when the strength is considered. Well Worth a Try and an amazing creation.