Tasted 27/05/2008. 500ml bottle from Island Bay New World. Reddish brown. Disappearing tan head. A lot of chocolate malt, a little caramel and light esters on the nose. Very "watered-down" in the mouth, with the chocolate malt aroma overpowering anything in the flavour. Very mild bitterness. Somewhere between a fizzy brown ale and a watery chocolate schwarzbier - it isn’t sure what wants to be. Oh, yes, it’s a slightly estery american dark! Again, like the "Force", it is reasonably well made but this duck has multiple personality disorder and probably needs to see a quack.

Bottle, pouring a dark brown, rediish tints as well, with a frothy off white head. A solid roasted malt aroma. A pretty light mouthfeel, with some metallicness. The malty flavour is also pretty light, getting pretty sweet in the finish. Overall, a bit of a lightweight.

By far the best of this range, although black duck is more brown in colour with roasted malts on the nose. Still very sweet ,low on the hops, a slight bitterness, no corn this time. Lacks body and balance a good beer is hiding there somewhere.

(On tap) Clear, orangey brown with an off-white head leaving laces. Lightly sweet aroma of roasted malt with a whiff of vanilla and caramel. Dry finish. 200208

Bottle 50cl. Dark/black body with medium size off white head. Coffee and chocolate in the nose. Flavour dominated by coffee and reasted malt.