Clear dark amber pour. Floral, grainy nose with cereals and soft residual sugars being noticeable. It develops a certain fruitiness, vaguely peaches or apricots, that is welcomed, but never takes its place as the focus. A solid pale ale, extremely clean, almost remarkably so, but it does not turn on the lights of excitement. A testament to versatility and acquired basic techniques, but unsurprising and simplistic.

<i>Second try from a different batch:</i><br /> Caramel maltiness is still dominant, but is much better integrated this time around, benefiting from a subtle leafy hop touch in the end. Much better throughout, it tastes like they’ve got the recipe down to what it’s supposed to be. 3.4/5<br /> <br /> <i>First try:</i><br /><i>Any first impressions?</i><br /> -A ring of head lingers around the deep copper.<br /> -A bold caramel malt perfume borders on bothersome diacetyl levels.<br /> -Dry, earthy hoppiness thankfully drains most of the zealous caramel, but in the end it cannot create interest.<br /> -This is pretty carbonated with not enough flavor and substance to shine through.<br /> <br /> <i>What if you dig deeper?</i><br /> -The wooden hoppiness appears stale after a few good sips, which is disappointing for what they call a pale ale.<br /> -There is a dark chocolate touch in the end, just like they say in the beer’s descriptions, which is highly intriguing.<br /> -Peppery, licorice sweetness develops in the nose.<br /> -The mild fruitiness of peaches and apricots provides sporadic friendliness.<br /> <br /> <b>On tap at the brewpub. 2.8/5</b>

Caramel, butterscotch, toffee and grainy malts figure prominently in the nose with mild minty, herbal, grassy hop character. Clear copper coloured body is topped by a decent off white that recedes to a lasting cover with light lacing. Caramel and butterscotch spar for the attention of the tastebuds with a light grainy note hovering beneath. Though there are some light hops in the nose they never make an appearance in the flavour and bitterness is just enough to keep the sweetness from overwhelming. Light-medium body with moderate carbonation. Sampled on tap at the brewpub with MartinT and Olivier MTL.

Reddish amber ale with a thin creamy white head. Light grainy caramel malt aroma with light herbal hopping. In mouth, a rich caramel malt, nutty, with notes of rye and organic material. Medium bodied. On tap at bar, Sept. 3 2006.

<i>Draught at Mondial 2008 </i><br /> <b>Appearance: </b> dark amber ale with medium creamy top<br /><b>Nose </b>spicy hop bite followed by amber and brown malts.<br /> <b>Flavor/Palate :</b> Medium bodied, clean toasty, malty character. Slightly chewy in the midlle. Lighter, straight finish. Soft, clean brew. Refreshing and drinkable.