studentofbeer
12-17-2003, 06:51 PM
cute name (the barley grower and brewer of the beer, respectively). advertised as a strong bitter-style bottle conditioned ale.
i poured it a bit too fast into a imperial pint glass, huge cinammon-tinged color of foamy head that subsided to a nice glaze over the beer after a couple of minutes that lasted the whole pint down. the head was delicious, very smooth and frosty.
color is a very hazy rust. got a nice dash of sediment upon pouring the last remaining bits of the beer (hey, i dont mind).
aroma was very toasty with a preserves-like fruit undertone. earthy in a way as well.
medium to thick mouthfeel, hearty bready bitter taste, very well balanced malt and hop profile. the sweet tangyness and bitterness hit all at once, with an almost banana taste at the back of the throat, a spicy alcohol note, and then a long soothing hop-bitter aftertaste that lingers all the way until your next sip.
im not really good at reviews, especially getting aromas and tastes right, but i definitely enjoyed this beer. im a big fan of the bitter style, and a "strong" bitter (almost laughed at 6% as strong after all these belgian and imperial brews ive been drinking), but you definitely can taste the strength in the style. i think it works quite well-- its maybe a bit rough around the edges, but fits the style and is overall well balanced and pleasant. if you like bitters and want to kick it up a notch, i find this pretty tasty.
edit to get the name facts correct
i poured it a bit too fast into a imperial pint glass, huge cinammon-tinged color of foamy head that subsided to a nice glaze over the beer after a couple of minutes that lasted the whole pint down. the head was delicious, very smooth and frosty.
color is a very hazy rust. got a nice dash of sediment upon pouring the last remaining bits of the beer (hey, i dont mind).
aroma was very toasty with a preserves-like fruit undertone. earthy in a way as well.
medium to thick mouthfeel, hearty bready bitter taste, very well balanced malt and hop profile. the sweet tangyness and bitterness hit all at once, with an almost banana taste at the back of the throat, a spicy alcohol note, and then a long soothing hop-bitter aftertaste that lingers all the way until your next sip.
im not really good at reviews, especially getting aromas and tastes right, but i definitely enjoyed this beer. im a big fan of the bitter style, and a "strong" bitter (almost laughed at 6% as strong after all these belgian and imperial brews ive been drinking), but you definitely can taste the strength in the style. i think it works quite well-- its maybe a bit rough around the edges, but fits the style and is overall well balanced and pleasant. if you like bitters and want to kick it up a notch, i find this pretty tasty.
edit to get the name facts correct