jde123 (715), Washington, Washington DC, USA Aug 15, 2005 This was the first beer I ordered of the night, and I couldn’t have been more disappointed at first. The taste was a little flat, nothing stood out. However, it really grew on me, the intense elderberry flavor really crescendos into something terrific. Color is breathtakingly dark, aroma is almost there, hinting at the great flavor. A must try. HogTownHarry (3922), Toronto (Harbourfront), Ontario, Canada Aug 13, 2005 Bottle (330ml) Poured a nice dark ruby-black, with a minimal light brown head. Aroma is definitely tart berries (black current, blackberry, raisin, I assume elderberry too), with coffee / caramel / chocolate dark roast malts, some anise. The tart berries dominate the malt taste, but I also get some grain (rye? oats?) and tree fruits as well, a little hop bitterness emerges with warming and it finishes tart, fruity and balanced, albeit a tad acidic. Mouthfeel is acidic, a bit oily and at least medium-bodied - reminiscent of a mil porter, not a stout. Very pleasing all around, a delightful change from the paleagers I was sampling earlier. One to pour in a goblet and stare into a fire whilst sipping. ales4ever (24), gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, USA Aug 13, 2005
A nice throwback beer to older times. This beer is perfect for in the Autumn time. Winey fruit flavors collid with malt and nuttiness making waves of outstanding beer flavoring. This one is good cold straight from the bottle or enjoyed in a wine goblet. There is a nice hint of spice and earthiness that makes this beer one of a kind. r464 (285), Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA Aug 10, 2005 Dark as a stout, but no head at all. Seems watery to me, not thick at all. There is a light fruitiness and an earthy-grass type flavor. Hints of raisans and currant with a lean toward the malty side. Not bad, but I was not impressed enough to recommend it. blankboy (3165), Toronto, Ontario, Canada Jul 20, 2005 Updated: Nov 2, 2005Bottle. Pours black with an average size frothy light brown head. Sweet aroma of malt, caramel, nuts, wine and fruit (elderberry?). Smells great. Flavour of roasted oats, sweet malts, berries, wine and a touch of hops. Smooth & bitter, it’s nicely balanced. Tastes great -- if this were available year-round I would get it often. Recommended. SoLan (1369), Orlando, Florida, USA Jul 10, 2005 Black. Thick, creamy, light tan head. Malt, oatmeal, dark fruit aroma. All roasted malt up front, dark fruit in the finish, slightly bitter aftertaste. Very smooth, medium body. Similar to a stout. Very good. Retorp (2154), Tampa, Florida, USA Jul 9, 2005 Updated: Sep 16, 2005Mildly sweet malt aroma with a very faint touch of smoke. Dark black with a frothy mocha head. Sweet, but not sugary. Malty. A little raisin and again a feint hint of smoke. The flavor isn’t big so I could see people saying it was thin, but there is a nice range of flavor from fore to finish. This is very well done. Eyedrinkale (3209), Astoria, New York, USA Jun 30, 2005 Black with a small head and aromas of bark and wild berries. Taste is a bit of roasted grains, grapes, wet soil, hops and wheat. Not bad as it’s quite refreshing.
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