Pint draught at the brewery, 7/8/2005 with TAR and CQuiroga. Deep amber-maize-blackberry colors swirl about, with an outstanding hickory-red sheen to it and a small, but neatly retained off-white head. Light, spotty lacing. Nose is gorgeous! Simcoe and warrior hops gone wild, fresh, aromatic, fruity, clean and juicy. Really gets in your face, but dosent kill you with sweet malt ntoes. The lightly peppery, dry rye gives strength to the nose as well. Unfortunately, the flavor didnt live up to the nose. Begins with astringent, bitter, floral hops, and unripened fruits. Dry, peppery, grainy rye further dries things out, and the malt has to play catch-up from the start. Nutty notes mix with light cola and touches of dry toffee here and there. Strong toasted grains, more bitter hops and light fruits round out the finish. The malt balance improves, somewhat, as it warms, but not enough, IMHO. Oily, borderline overcarbonated texture is very lively, but also lightens up as it goes. They just needed more malt balance. . . .

12 oz draught at the brewpub. Tawny, dark, cloudy and mysterious brown-bronze with an earthy beige head and thick lacing....heady, spicy nose full of pine tar and wet needles, grapefruit and lilac and, as it gets warm, gingerbread...sweet, refreshing initial flavor is quickly overtaken by scorching, massive hop attack but leavened throughout by the milky, smooth mouthfeel and a light cherry syrup internal juiciness...just on the edge of being too hoppy and dry for me though this lessens as the beer warms...among the best from this fine brewery.