UPDATED: JAN 5, 2008 Color is dark amber with near-white head. Aroma is faint - some malt, some fruit, mostly yeasty. Flavor is a balance of malts, spicey hops, alcohol, and hints of something sour (not objectionably sour - perhaps not the freshest sample). Also slightly roasted, almost savory, flavors. The beer feels cloying between the middle and the finish, but finally finishes somewhat dry. The body is heavily carbonated (even after a vigorous pour to release most of it).

Re-rate 1/4/2008: 50cl bottle. Poured a deep, clear, dark brown with amber/red highlights and a medium-sized tan head. The aroma was bready and very sweet with malts. There were also hints of caramel-covered fruit in the aroma. The flavor followed the aroma: very sweet and malty, very light level of bittering hops, and unexpectedly fruity. The fruit character really made the beer taste almost like a strong, malty, brown ale - but it was not objectionable, just unexpected from a German lager bier. The mouthful is full-bodied and well-carbonated. The carbonation was high enough to feel spritzy on the tip of the tongue, but creamy towards the middle and back of the palate. Overall, a more pleasant experience that I remember from last time (previous rating was a total score of 3.3 - Aroma, Palate, and Overall Impression each received an extra point, resulting in a new total of 3.6).