3qt 5oz bottle Best by 2002. Poured in late 2007. Trappist glass. Not necessarily an aging beer, it was falling apart when we finally celebrated graduation of a roommate with this old dusty bottle. Slightly fermenty sour aroma with smoke and some red fruit. Slight sour with raisins and chocolate, mellow compared to a newer bottle. Foamy smooth palate. Little to no head on the beer, with large quantities of protein aggregates...which one would expect. Overall, gains some character after a few years.....use a coffee filter if aggregates aren’t your style, I did not mind them in the least.

Dusty caramelized figs with a sight cinnamon notes. Dark brown color with hints f orange, medium frothy head with nice lacing. Malty spicy sweet with bitter orange peel, some tart notes, a little clove in there. Highly carbonated, medium body, smooth molasses finish with some alcohol warmth. Solid beer.

Fantastic Beer that started out no better than Sam Adams American Ale, but then I realized that the flavor improved as it warmed. Drink this only slightly chilled, and not with sushi.

Bottle from my sister for Christmas. Poured a dark, red tinted brown with a medium to large tan head. Aroma of yeast, brown sugar, light hints of caramel and fruit. The palate was pretty good with a healthy amount of carbonation. Coated the mouth well. Nice blend of flavors that got better with time. Caramel, brown sugar, cocoa, yeast and fruit. A really well done beer in a style that I really like.

Dark brown with thin tan head. Aroma of roasted coffee and chocolate. Flavor of caramel and chocolate malt, slight bitter finish. Good one.