Draft... Clear, deep, dark amber ale with a small, fizzy, off-white head. The nose is mostly nondescript, but I am finally able to pick up some light, earthy hops. Bitter brew with light crystal malt-like notes. Full-bodied with a velvety mouthfeel and mild carbonation. Semi-sweet, then a subtly bitter finish.

2004 draught. As inveigler says, it’s got that burnt tire/burnt rubber flavor. Lightly soapy and metallic with some light caramel sweetness and nuttiness. Hints of roast mixed with the burnt/metallic flavors on the finish. Still, the flavor holds pretty well and it’s got some yeast flavor true to style. Average it seems, and no match for it’s neighbor’s (Kuhnhenn) version.

On tap: Roasty malt aroma. Transparent brown with a little orange to it. White head. Roasty sweetness with some light nuttiness. No difference from beginning taste to the finish. Taste is equal all the way thru.

On tap at Dragonmead. Hazy orange-brown body, thin buff head. Leafy, earthy, light hops nose. Peppery burnt fall leaves body, tannic, with a bitter almost astringent finish (oak leaves come to mind). Toasty malt with subtle sweetness provides a bit of balance.

On tap @ the brew pub: Pours a clear copper color with a light tan head. Aroma, pale bready malts, with some yeast and herbal and grassy hops. Flavor, yeasty, grassy with some spices and bready malts, some herbal hop notes as well. This was a pretty nice alt.