Better Bitters Nickel Brook Cuvée 07

Formerly brewed at Better Bitters Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Burlington, Canada

hand bottled by staff of the brewery in late 08. pours brown with no head and minimal carbonation. aroma of rotting fruit, spice and decaying pale malt. flavour of spice, brown bananas and slight bitterness. its not as good as it once was but its still drinkable. the 08 is drinking better.

Flat-looking golden amber. Slightly spicy nose with bubblegum notes. A little light on the body with slight spiciness. OK beer, but without the body it never quite comes together.

Draught @ Volo, served in small tulip glass. Had ordered something else, so this was a surprise. Deep dark amber, lovely rich jewel tone, great lacing. Diacetyl unfortunately present in nose. Sour cherry aroma reminiscent of some quads. Hardly any carbonation. Interesting flavors: bready, mild, alcohol not detectable. Lots of apple and cinnamon. Delicately spiced, not like pie. A solid spice beer, good quality.

Tap at Volo, aug 2007. Initial impression a bit jangly with impressions of almost fake cherry flavor and spices. It smoothes and integrates into something I quite enjoy. Sour fruit, hints chocolate. Not a repeat pint for me though I appreciate such a beer in our market.

[1316-20080420] Tap. Mild aroma of chopped banana and mild grainy grassy field. Slightly hazy, orange amber body with a medium-lasting foamy almond head. Flavour is a little spicy citrus and mostly blended grainy malt and heavy yeast. Medium body is a little grainy. Interesting, fairly boozy. (6/4/7/3/14) 3.4
(@ Volo; Toronto, ON)

[1378B-20080523] Tap. Grainy fruit aroma, not much there. Clear, dark amber brown body with a long-lasting creamy off-white head. Fruity cranberry flavour. Medium body has a tangy aftertaste. Average. (5/4/6/3/14) 3.2
(@ C’est What; Toronto, ON)

Spices gingery scent, hazy redish pour. Very spicy taste. An overpowering mix of flavours. Very odd beer.

On tap at C’est What? Very reddish amber with a thin white head. Has a sweet and fruity aroma. The interesting fruitiness that just does not quit. A medicinal tang whips into the fold. The palate is not chewey, but not watery either. This has a serious sweetness that frames some cardamom.

Draught. At C’est What. Hazy amber, average draught head. The aroma’s really sweet, vaguely like a quad (spice and yeast), a little grassy. The taste really is a let-down - pretty much boozy bubblegum. Avearge body, slick, lively, a bit boozy - and quite disappointing - could have been good.