ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA Dec 31, 2005 Draught snifter at the brewpub, 12/27/2005. Deep amber-tan colored body, with some nut brown highlights and a small, poorly retained beige head, little to no lacing left behind. Mostly clear body. Aroma brings forth remnants of wheat, clove, alcohol, nuts, crystal malts and other spices (nutmeg perhaps). Rather sharp/poignant it seems to need a good dose of soothingly sweet malt to take the edge off. And the flavor is just the same. Hard candies (orange, apple, plum) with more clove and cinnamon and a warming sensation that grows quite acute by the finish. Hops are mostly bitter, lightly floral in flavor and quite drying, exacerbating the sharp alcohol and dry spices. Chewy wheat-like qualities seem at odds with the hard, papery crystal malts and light toasted graininess. The body is only medium, for all the flavors going on, both harsh and sweet, and the texture is lightly chewy at times, while warming gives it a bit of wateriness. MartinT (4241), Montreal, Quebec, Canada Dec 30, 2005 On tap at the brewpub: Berry candy and piney hops ooze a festive wooden sap...Citrus fruit latch on to cinnamon spiciness and important fruity caramel sweetness...Roasted malt bitterness roams in the back, but agrees with most present...An original pint of sweet and perfumy spiciness, but too sweet to be a quaffer... maniac (1921), Richmond, Virginia, USA Dec 28, 2005 Clear orange color with a think white head. Spiced malt aroma. Spiced flavor with some malty tones. dirtymike (2019), Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Dec 22, 2003 Copepr in color.Chocolatelky/roasted malt aroma.Flavors of spices(cinamon/ginger perhaps?),malt,spicy bitterness with a clean finish.
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