 Fin (2357), Merton, Oxfordshire, England
Aug 17, 2007 Updated: Feb 18, 2008
Cask but bottled from the Penbury Tavern for me, ’very kindly may I add’ by Casey aka Doppelganger, Thanks Poured pretty much black there was only the tiniest rim of bubbles from my pouring on the surface. Aroma was roasty and with a streaky bitterness wafting through as well. The taste was initially a touch sour but this soon faded to reveal bitter chocolate, vanilla, even a rogue liquorice allsort was dancing across my tastebuds, as it warmed more chocolate and roasted bitterness coursed through the mouth. A great beer which despite being bottled and kept perfectly for a few weeks by Casey was still in remarkably good condition. Cask, gravity at Merton Winter Beer Festival Feb 08 Had this for the second time and probably somewhat fresher than last time. Poured black no head, less of an oily texture that the Old Chimneys, liqourice and a back of the mouth bitterness, quite drying also, some cold coffee, I really liked this again but the score remains the same 4
Magic_dave6 (4012), London, Greater London, England
Sep 14, 2008 Bottle at chris_o’s teabagging is my job mate tasting, many thanks go out to doppleganger for having the balls to open a 6 month old cask to bottle swing top bottle full of goodness. The tartness is awsome, its not ruined, like its just good tart berry rich awsomeness, however roasty character stops it from being high five goodness. Very drinkable and i think i did like 150ml of the 500mls whuich is impressive at such a tasting.
Ughsmash (3079), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Feb 26, 2008 Hand-bottled on 2/16/08 thanks to some very generous folks from across the pond!! Poured a clear, deep garnety-brown with some scattered bubbles for head when agitated. The aroma showcased darker fruit skins, and had a lovely, deeply-rooted roasty dark chocolate and fresh coffee presence beneath.. warmth brought out more of that coffee, and this really presented itself well. The flavor began with smooth drawn dark chocolate and fresh coffee grounds washing slowly over the tip of the tongue.. the middle was quite delightful with caramel joining the fray.. dark chocolate backing with coffee bitterness and a light fruity tartness around the edges.. very little if any alcohol apparent on the long, rewarding finish. Medium-bodied with low carbonation (not surprised by that) on the palate.. all the elements really seemed to come together for this one. Excellent brew!
maeib (4012), Wootton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
Feb 22, 2008 Cask conditioned - gravity dispense - Merton Winter BF. A black beer with a tiny ring of off-white bubbles. The aroma is smoky and roasty. The taste is roasty and full of dark malts. Some lactose and some berry sweetness with licquorice hints also. A good body to a nice tasty beer.
cgarvieuk (2538), Edinburgh, Scotland
Feb 18, 2008 Hand bottle at home ... From the Merton Winter Beer Festival ’08 ... Huge Huge Huge thanks to FIN for this ... Deep solid balck ... no head ... quit still again i suspect the hand bottling ... light roast chocolate malt ... Deep dark roasts ... Deep solid roast malts ... lots of chocolate ... some hops show through but well balanced ... some roast coffee and like Svesse i do think i pick up a little soy sauce. 4.2 as it stands but i think its body suffers a little through the hand bottling.
Pub (4119), Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
Feb 16, 2008 Cask conditioned at Merton Winter Beer Festival ’08. Black beer with pale tan head. This was top notch as an Impy Stout, big dark roasted flavours with a silky rich body and little unbrewed sweetness. Coffee husks with an obvious alcohol note, tarry then caramel toffee and followed by a fresh hop flavour. Bitterness is its strength for such a big beer and I thought it was a real cracker.
|
