Hebridean Berserker

Cask, Blackfriars, Inverness. Had just a couple hours in Inverness between buses (not nearly long enough--what a pretty city), but Blackfriars is all of five minutes walk from the bus station, so I did have time for a couple of pints. Pleasantly surprised to see something strongish on the tap list. A very dark copper, slight haze, small fine off-white layer of head. Rich gingerbread aroma, nice butter touch, a little hay. Flavor has a full Christmas pudding malt richness, ginger and cinnamon, some dried figs. The finish is surprisingly dry and clean, with just a little lingering grape skin. After a fairly long string modest and forgettable pints, this beer makes me very pleased. Extravagant and generous, rather than elegant or delicate. Just what I needed to fortify me for the long ride back South...

Bottle: Deep golden to light amber coloured, small, lacing and persistent off-white head, distinctive fruity (dark berries) and dark-malty nose with a tinge of molasses and hops in the wings; medium to full bodied, full sweet-bitter flavour; solid malty-fruity finish with hops and warming alcohol in the aftertaste. A moreish strong brew.....

A rich fruity malt base, with some grassy hops. Yeast also seems to be quite present. Sweet and a houch of alchol, maybe not the easiest thing to drink, but you only really need a half pint anyway.

Half pint gravity fed at the Battersea Beer Fest, slightly cloudy but golden amber with a frothy white head. A very rich malty aroma with hints of cherry and honey. Doesn’t taste as strong as its 7.5%, biscuity malt first hits your mouth followed by sweet cherries - like having an entree, main and dessert in one course.

[cask at Bon Accord] Big malty aroma, dried fruit, dates, some background citric notes. full body, very sweet upfront, leads to a restrained bitterness. This is in no way an IPA and the alchol shows a bit more than id like, but still a very nice beer.