Takeout from The Garland, Redhill. Damn. With a name like that was expecting a stout. Transparent chestnut, fine persistent suds. Aroma dank sock, marathon trainer, toffee, crushed nuts, blood, wet conker. Damp, autumnal and sweetly metallic. Syrupy palate with nutty sweetness, metal, cake, marzipan, caramel, alcohol and back-of-the-tongue hop bitterness. Chocolatey malt without any smoke or roast. Gnaw of cask wood. Bit vegetal like a doppelbock or dunkel. Lingers with milk choc and nutty bitterness, opens like it’s had sugar sprinkled in it.

<b>Dec 06</b> Bottle &#40;from Middle Farm, Nr Lewes, BB Nov 07&#41;. Good musty wood and toasty malts, hints of smoke. Slightly fruity. Well complemented by earthy woody hop finish. Lacks much of the negative qualities of many pasteurised bottles

275ml bottle, bought from the brewery shop on 4th Nov 2006, drunk 22nd Dec 2006. Pours a perfectly clear dark amber with a great rich malt and fruit aroma. The taste starts off almost honey sweet and then the hops and malt come through. Has a great smooth mouthfeel with just the right amount of body. Alcoholic enough to be warming but not so much as to spoil the flavours. One of Harvey’s best beers and suitable for those who find the likes of Sussex Best too bitter for their liking.