mabel (2530), Toronto, Ontario, Canada Apr 20, 2007 [250-20070402] 330mL (c/o tuqueboy). Overpowering tangy berry aroma teases with hints of chocolate malt. Dark black brown body with a disappearing dark brown red bubbly head. Heavy chocolate malt aroma gladly strips away berry notes. Medium body. Aroma is much too heavy for overall enjoyment. NJBeerman013 (768), Trenton, New Jersey, USA Apr 8, 2007 Bottle. I honestly have to say, my least favorite out of the Historic Ales of Scotland sampler. Pours a deep black with a touch of purple. There was no head whatsoever. The beer was also flat, not sure if this is normal. Flavor-wise, it is a mix of cereal and overly ripe fruit. The berries are almost nonexistant, just barely living in the background. The aroma basically followed closely to the flavor. Ehh.. worth the try, but not to be had again for me. troysworktable (109), Washington, USA Apr 5, 2007 12 ounce bottle. Pours black with a tan head that quickly dissipates. The aroma is of berries of some sort and a minor hint of chocolate.
I find the palate weak and watery. The primary flavors are roasted malt and smokiness. It is similar to a porter, but what skews it may be the faintest hint of berries. That faint berry flavor has a mediciny edge to it, tending toward cough syrup.
This traditional ale is okay but somewhat underwhelming. mgermani (862), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Apr 5, 2007 Pours a dark purple-black with a quickly gone off-white head. Ferric aroma - smells like spent pennies. Pleasant flavour, dark sweet malt with just a hint of roastiness and faint hopping. Almost undetectable berry note right at the back of my throat. Very low on carb, decent body. The balance is good on this beer, but I’m looking for more presence - hops, elderberry, whatever. It’s too shy. smhncabot (310), Cabot, Arkansas, USA Apr 3, 2007 pours black with almost no head. smells the dark berry coca cola. taste has some roast and raisins with definitely berry throughout. mouth and finish is thin and watery. i feel this could benefit from increased body and bittering other than this is an interesting attempt. doublebock (196), USA Apr 1, 2007 Hybrid black/auburn appearance, slightly frothy head, Not much of an aroma. Palate is slick and multitude of flavors. Raisan and upon second swallow a sweet fruit flavor with a unique floral finish that is not as bitter as a hops Maria (6056), Thisted, Denmark Apr 1, 2007 Black/brown with a moderate, vanishing head. The aroma has notes of licorice and some fruits. The flavour has a lot of licorice, but I find it difficult to find the elder berries. Anyhow, it’s a very nice beer. The bitterness is low, if there at all. lumberjack (178), Michigan, USA Mar 30, 2007 Part of a 4-pack of "Historic Ales from Scotland." Bottle poured dark with lots of head. The berries are overwhelming on the nose, and they also dominate the taste up front. Towards the finish is a slight roasted taste. Almost like a weak stout. Palate is too watery. Fairly enjoyable overall.
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