Sweet malt aroma. Clear amber colour with over primed head. Sweet malt flavour. Fizzy palate.

This was the hardest craft brewer to find while I was in Tasmania. I’d ask about it everywhere I went, but more then half of people hadn’t even heard of it! Finally a helpful publican pointed me in the right direction, and I was able to purchase the second-last mixed sixpack of Dark Isle brews from a 9-11 bottleshop on Davey Street in Hobart. This one poured a hazy chestnut colour with a modest eggshell head. Right from the start this seems a little overcarbonated. Aroma is sweet and fruity, berries come to mind. This beer feels thin and fizzy in the mouth, and this really seems to steal away any structure the dark malts may provide, and this beer ends up being a mouthful of fruity caramel blandness. When I came to rate it I was surprised at its designation as a belgian strong ale (there is no mention or hint of what style this is on the bottle, other than the claim of using five different malts). It is worth stating that I have no idea how fresh this sample is as there was no best-before date on the bottle or the carton.

330 ml bottle - Slightly hazy Deep red/amber colour. Off white head which does not persist. Medium bodied with low carbonation. Sweet rich and malty with fruity citris flavours including a touch of apple and A strong taste of alcohol coming through in the finish. It could do with a little more biterness (for my taste)