Unusual aroma, caramel and cidery. Flavor is quite sweet, but otherwise rather bland.

<b>Date:</b> 05/16/2007<br /> <b>Mode:</b> Bottle<br /> <b>Source:</b> Tasting<br /> <br /> clear dark amber, scant head, sweet dark caramel malt aroma, lots of sweet dark caramel malt flavor, hint of chocolate, light bitter finish, <br /> <br /> <b>Aroma:</b> 6/10; <b>Appearance:</b> 6/10; <b>Flavor:</b> 6/10; <b>Palate:</b> 6/10; <b>Overall:</b> 12/20<br /> <b>Rating:</b> 3/5.0<br /><b>Drinkability:</b> 7/10<br /> <b>Score:</b> *4<br />

12oz bottle acquired in trade. Poured a deep orange, almost copper, color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of roasted malts, light caramel and somewhat nutty. Tastes of roast, light chocolate, nuts, and caramel. Body on the thin and watery side.

Rerate 2/26/07: Pours a transparent deep copper amber with a small-bubbled froth of off-white head that leaves some clingly lacing behind as it subsides. Aroma of sweet earthy dark caramel and some nutty character. Body starts with average thickness along with some sweet dark German malts and a touch of noble bittering hops. Fairly true to style, just a touch too bland. <br /><br /> Original rating 2/12/03: Got this for a dollar out of a shopping cart at Sam’s in Chicago. Quite unimpressive, but I didn’t expect much. Stale caramel malty aroma and flavor combined with an almost rotten hoppiness, make this not very enjoyable. Still goes down smooth, but could be a whole lot better than it is. Perhaps my sample had seen better days.

Bottle: Brown/mahogany, nice head and lacing. Nose of muscavado and coffee chaff, plum, raisin and tar. The flavor is balanced, kinda thin and a balsamic vinegar and kabayaki note in the end. Kinda boring.