 aracauna (2238), Georgia, USA
Feb 2, 2008
This was actually pretty tasty. It has a short finish, but a solid maltiness. Surprisingly clean for the size, very low bitterness and pretty easy drinking. I would kind of like a little bolder flavor from a beer this big.
Immy (1583), Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
Jul 3, 2008 Richmond Gathering. 1l swingtop, courtesy of The_Beer_God. My palate was almost shot at this point, but this one still shone through for me. Amber with floaties, thin beige head. Sweet, syrupy malt nose, mildly spiced, a bit of fruit. Sweet flavor, spicy, very rich, pleasurable. Stupid wax - quit dipping swingtops! LOL
SpudClampDawg (945), Jasper, Indiana, USA
May 22, 2008 1 qt. 1.8 oz bottled on 11.16.07: I will never understand the decision to wax a flip top bottle. Sure, the presentation is nice but that quickly goes out the window when you try to actually open the bottle. After a few minutes of cutting, chipping and grunting, the beer is open and in the glass, a nice amber brown with a thin white head. The nose is malt-centric with heavy notes of buttery caramel and toffee. The sweetness also drives the body, which is chewy with caramalized sugars. I thought the malts were well used, but both hop and yeast presence were missing. A bolder bitterness would have added balance and a more esthery yeast would add complexity. I guess they achieved the goal of imperializing an amber, but it is not something I would reach for often.
jcr (849), Jasper, Indiana, USA
May 22, 2008 1 qt. 1.8 oz bottle. Dated Nov. 16, 2007. Hazy, dark amber body with a finger-size, off-white head. The aroma is sweet with caramel, apricot, overripe fruit with notes of grapefruit. The flavor is moderately to heavily sweet and lightly to moderately bitter. Sweet finish with a nice bite of bitterness. Medium body with a sticky, syrupy texture. Moderate carbonation. This was a better-than-average strong ale — especially if you like the balance between bitter and sweet to be on the sweet side. I do. Enjoyable.
MaltDawg (330), Richmond, Virginia, USA
May 16, 2008 Courtesy of The_Beer_God at RB Richmond Gathering. Clear, ruby red well carbonated with moderate off-white head. Raisins, plums and spicey hop aromas on top of roasty malts.
Sweet roasty malt flavors with raisins and rum soaked fruits. Some alchohol warming in the finish. Nice balanced old ale bording on a barleywine.
The_Beer_God (2855), Newport News, Virginia, USA
Apr 26, 2008 Bottle. 1 liter swing-top from the Michael Jackson Rare Beer Club. Lots of wax to remove. Amber bodied. Small white head. Some floaties in this. Nose is malty with spicy hops, and sugary notes. Light toffee. Taste is malty but sweet at times with some fruit notes, spicy hops, caramel, and toffee. We figured this was an old ale or barleywine but I guess ASA fits this well. Body is creamy and moderately carbonated. Ends with sweet malts, toffee, more fruit notes and spicy hops. Rather enjoyable!
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