 brewandbbq (227), Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Mar 13, 2008
Vintage 2005 as reviewed on 12/2/05....
Pours dark copper, hazy, with a huge rocky head.
Settled to a thin coating, leaving behind ragged lacing.
Yeasty and chewy nose.
Bannana peel, peach skins, fermenting dough, caramel, fresh suede, and must.
Finishes sweet with a bit of wet hay.
Mediumish mouthfeel, chewy and lingering.
A solid bitterness preludes juicy malt, toffee coated fruits, and leather wrapped bannana.
Finishes spicey, bitter, funky, and a bit hot.
A good candidate for cellaring..............
Vintage 1998, as reviewed on 3/12/08.........
Pours clear copper, with a short-lived half-inch head of porous beige.
Aromatics are still fruity, with light malt.
Fading peaches, tangerines, and melons.
There is also a mild offness similar to burnt foam.
Some warming alcohol and faint wet paper round out the nose.
The mouthfeel is medium, with light carbonation and slightly tacky.
The pallet has lost a lot of it’s character, and has become somewhat limp.
Dried citrus fruits, earthy malt, and a firm bitterness mingle with warming alcohol.
Bitterness is faded and there’s a hint of vineousity, as well as that singed funk that was found in the nose.
Finishes quickly with some lingering residuals and fading fruit juice.....
Holding up extremely well for a ten year old, and oxidation is at a minimum.
TheGent (66), , Massachusetts, USA
Jan 1, 2009 2008 version enjoyed on the 1st of January 2009 around 12:30 AM. Popped this 22oz bottle and got smells or orange and a lot of sweetness. Once it was poured a light reddish brown color topped with a thin head showed. Bubbling carbonation raised up the side of the glass. the taste was a light hoppiness and a red-berry/strawberry. very dry finish. Best thing I have ever had from BBC.
nramsburg (176), New York, New York, USA
Dec 26, 2008 Bottle, 2008.
Pours to a deep ruby amber color with a minimal head. Very light on the bubbles. Aromas of some interesting tropical fruits are a little surprising -- banana and maybe some tangerine.
Medium sized mouthfeel. Sweet and fruity on the palate. Slight flowery notes as well. The alcohol really does come out near the end of this one.
Not bad, but nothing spectacular. Ill certainly try 2009, but in the mean time this isnt a favorite.
PhatB420 (63), Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA
Dec 14, 2008 2008 edition bought in the Berkshires for optimal freshenss.The essence of the holiday season, and here it is. What a wonderful brew for the times. The hop presence is downright enjoyable as it bears resemblance to a quite friend always there for you. The sweentes brings visions of nectar and sugarplums from various degrees. Enjoy this one, its great.
drewbeerme (1925), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jul 8, 2008 22oz bottle. 2007 vintage. thanks to tweety for this one. pours clear dark amber with foamy off white head. slightly oxidized papery bready sweetness to the aroma with musty green hop notes. big dried fruit flavor wrapped around the caramelized malts. green and flowery hop notes. pretty dry finish. full body. nothing mind blowing but it’s dry enough and not boozy.
Rciesla (1580), Brick City, New Jersey, USA
May 26, 2008 Bottle. Pours a dark amber body with a thin head. Aroma is fruity orange, sweet malt, caramel. Flavor is such with a presence of hoppiness. weak offering.
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