Firestone Walker 11 (XI Quercus Alba)

Bottle 66cl. @ Amerikaner blindsmagning @ Papsoe, Bottle #05.]
Clear medium red brown color with a small to average, frothy, fair lancing, mostly diminishing, beige head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, roasted, chocolate, dark berry, raisin, plum, alcohol. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and moderate bitter with a long to average duration, and a bourbon peppery burn in the finish. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft, finish feel is light alcoholic. (190608)

On tap at GABF 2007. Smells richly of toffee weighed down by porty chocolate and hints of vanilla and alcohol; nicely round and inviting. Big fluffy creamy head. Lots of vanilla in front on the first sip, with the hops taking center stage in the long, drawn-out finish. Hop oils coat the mouth and it gets bitter quickly, which is nice, but then some green vegetal things emerge that were not so nice, like cabbage. In the very end, it gets a bit acrid and astringent, and is tangy all the way through. Some great things about this beer, sullied by some minor but too noticeable off flavors.

Bottle at RBSG. Pours deep brown with a beige head. Dark malty nose with some hints of boozy liquer. Medium to full bodied with a slight stickiness. Flavor of rich caramel, vanilla, and brandy with a respectable amount of sweetness. Slightly warming on the finish.

RBSG. Pours dark mohogany with a smooth tan head. Sweet throughout, big malts, hints of brandy, fig, caramel, and molasses. Thick palate, smooth but still had some heat to it. Very nice beer, but still could use a year to let the heat drop a bit.

At RBSG, deep brown pour, sweet malt and fruit nose with subtle alcohol presence. I think I liked it more than the 10, after seeing my score. Less heat throughout.