This was a surprisingly good beer, especially given the 12% abv. Pours from the bottle to a hazy, orange-rust color, with foamy tan head that lingers thru most of the glass and leaves very good lacing. Nose is a mix of hoppy fruit (apples?), maltydark fruit and a hint of alcohol. Mouthfeel is very full, dry and tingly. The flavor picks up the fruity hops from the nose, but also adds in a touch of malty sweetness and just a perfect amount of alcohol to fuse the hops and malts. Finish was surprisingly dry, yet sweeet, and the alcohol created just the right warming effect. One of the better beers I’ve had in a while, and most likely the best I have ever had with 12% abv or higher.

Bottle, Beer Ritz, Leeds. Poured into a Judas goblet. Colour was a hazy dark gold with a decent and lingering white head. Lookin the bizniz. Aroma packed a punch with an attack on the nasal passages; oh yeah, apricot, raisin and cinnamon. Flavour was sticky sweet man with yeast, banana, peach n’ spice easing into a warmingly boozy brown sugar finish. Some gentle hop bitterness lurking. Chewy mouthfeel, and not seemin like the 12 percent. To coin a cliche...a christmas cracker y’all....

moderate lacing with a cloudy pale orange. Lots of head but that might have just been the tap. Slightly sour aroma with grainy traces. Taste like a barleywine with honey and just a slight twinge of alcohol. Smooth, little trace of its strength.

Bottle, 2005. Pours hazy and amber with a medium sized off-white head. Nose of malt, yeast and riped fruit. Sweet flavour with malt, spices and caramel. More dry at the end with warming alcohol. A pleasant brew to enjoy in the wintertime.

33 cl bottle from Plaza Liquors - Pours a well carbonated hazy amber color with a large off white head and a few good size floaties. No lacing left behind as the head settles. Aroma is quite fruity. Flavor is very sweet and estery with a good bit of spice. There is a nice bit of bitterness in the finish. The alcohol is nicely hidden. Palate is soft and smooth. A very nice beer.