Beer Review: Jewbelation Vertical (Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Blend)

Reviewing the Jewbelation Vertical (Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Blend) from Shmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew) out of Saratoga Springs, New York. This strong ale is a blend of He'Brew's eight, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteen and fourteenth anniversary beers, which was subsequently barrel aged in 6 year rye whiskey barrels. I have been sitting on this bottle for a few years.

Score: 93

2013 vintage bottle served in a Portsmouth snifter and enjoyed on 02/24/13 to celebrate the Oscars (and again on 5/18/13 during a Chicago Craft Beer Week tasting, pictured above on the far left). Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown color that is almost black in color. Not opaque, with amber highlights atop and bottom when held up to the light. A finger-plus of beige head off the pour. Good lacing and retention. 4.25/5

Smell: Figs, fudgey chocolate cake, dessert-y vanilla,  brown sugar, and non-boozy bourbon. Toffee, leather and caramel too. 4.5/5

Taste:  Caramel, toffee, vanilla, molasses and cocoa throughout with a touch of alcohol warmth in finish. There is a nice kick from the rye too. Tons of toffee and fig in finish. Dark fruit and plum are also present. Excellent medley of malty flavors and barrel character! 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, medium carbonation. Quite malty with a good sweetness, but it's not a "sweet" beer. A touch over carbonated, but that is nothing that letting the beer sit out on the counter for 30 minutes can't solve. 3.5/5

Overall: Easily He'Brew's best beer. If the carbonation was a little lower this would have been even better. I wonder if they'll ever attempt to replicate this beer by blending and barrel aging more recent vintages. I am glad I have a few more bottles of this, as it is aging wonderfully.

Cost: $12.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A

Reviewing the Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. from Shmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew).
Score: 60

2011 vintage bottle poured into a Sam Adams glass.

Appearance: Pours a transparentish mahogany color with a finger, maybe a finger and a half of khaki colored creamy head that settles into a thin layer of head. Slightly below average lacing. 3/5

Smell: Caramel and rye. A lot of a sweet, sugary caramel. Lots of malts. A little funk -- reminds me like the aroma from my first homebrew. Very dank, earthy hops. Aroma is too sweet. 2.5/5

Taste: Very unbalanced and boozy. Heavy doses of earthy, oversweetened caramel malts hit upfront. Huge malt backbone. A giant first sip made me cringe. Has the characteristics of an overly hot, too fresh barleywine. Most of the sweetness is on the front and mid-palate. Finish is quite earthy and bitter, with some rye and spice. Refused to finish this one, and even my Steel Reserve drinking friend had to chase it with with a 312. 1.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and thick -- entirely too much so for an IPA. Low end of medium with carbonation. Bitter, lasting finish. Too bad I did not enjoy the flavor that lingered. 2/5

Overall: The bottle claims this is a "Double IPA with Rye Malt," but it's really just a hot barleywine with earthy hops.

Recommendation: Avoid this one. Casual beer drinkers may find this one undrinkable. If you must drink this beer, perhaps you should age it for awhile first.

Pairings: Gouda cheese (or the sink drain).

Cost: $11.99 for a four pack.