allendodd (11), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Nov 6, 2009 Hah! This was the second beer that I recorded actual ratings although I didn’t enter it in that order. I’m sure I haven’t had this beer in several years. This was a 2009 bottle, and I have since discovered an 06 bottle in my cellar. Now I am looking forward to popping that cork some day soon. This beer pours a deep reddish brown with a big, thick head and lots of sweet caramel notes, with raisins and dates that give way in the mouth to a cherry and sour finish. This one gets to move to the head of the line and it gets a regular place in the cellar. natejgood (188), Denver, Colorado, USA Oct 31, 2009 Pours and opaque medium brown with a frothy head made up of large, light brown bubbles. The aroma is fairly fruity and malty with a hint of vermouth. The flavor is very malty and a bit sweet. However, there are enough other flavors thrown in to cut some of the sweetness. The beer is easy to drink and leaves a pleasant flavor in your mouth. mjs (1445), Helsinki, Finland Oct 29, 2009 (Draught at BA’s BBF’09) Poured deep dark brown with medium sized and tan coloured head. Aroma of alcohol, malts and chocolate. Full bodied palate with medium carbonation. Tasted of malts, chocolate, sweetness, molasses, lightly bitterness and tiny amount of hops. Strongly malty aftertaste. Bonster (81), Jersey Shore, New Jersey, USA Oct 27, 2009 12 oz bottle. A generous off white head sits on top of this red mahogany gem. Nose of dark cherries, toffee, and other sweet malts swimming around. Distinct raisin and cherry flavors, darker malts come out as it warms. The finish is sweet and dry with the alcohol more apparent at the back of the throat. More fizzy than I expected, almost a sweet champagne feel. A few things could be balanced better in this one but overall very enjoyable. flatmatt (220), Northville, Michigan, USA Oct 26, 2009 12 oz bottle. Pours dark red brown with an off-white head. Aroma is sweet dark fruit, caramel, apple, nuts, and cloves. Maybe a touch of soy sauce. Flavor is led by raisin with a strong molasses flavor, apple, nuts, and caramel. Finishes just like maple sugar candy. I like it, but something just seems a little too much out of balance, maybe a little too richly sweet. Still rather enjoyable. monkeychugg55 (207), Joliet, Illinois, USA Oct 26, 2009 2009 bottle. A small white head gives way to a thin web of film atop a cloudy amber body with red hues. Nice quad aroma (dark fruit, toffee, caramel, etc.) with a sweet abundance of cherries. Slight alcohol presence protrudes as it warms. The flavor is similar for the most part, but brings with it candied sugar, some light alcohol, and a slightly tart cherry finish. The flavor isn’t as bold as the higher rated abt’s, but the cherry lambic adds a nice touch. Medium bodied with very light carbonation. A little on the sweet side, but pleasantly complex. fata2683 (835), Panama City, Florida, USA Oct 25, 2009 bottle, pours amber with a medium off white head. Aroma is carmely with maple syrup brown sugar and green raisins. Lots of the same flavors. Very nice quad.
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