muzzlehatch (4424), Burlington, Vermont, USA Nov 20, 2005 8 oz glass at the brewpub, on cask. Near-opaque dark amber-copper, very still, with a small fluffy-bubbly head that decays into a thin ring, with lovely icicle lacing in the glass...beautifully complex aroma must be whiffed several times to get all the subtleties: first notes are fragrant orange and pine and wet, pungent herbs...later, vanilla and leather appear and a gorgeous mix of sweet and sweaty, sharp and smooth ensues...the body is smooth and creamy, quite sweet and fruity at first with lots of cherry character, but a bitter attack builds slowly through the woody foundation...on towards a dry, clean finish much at odds with the juiciness of the early and mid-palate. Low, but enjoyable carbonation. Just lovely.
|