TAR (2008), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA Dec 11, 2003 Draft: Charred caramel. Minimal ashen ring of foam. Rich malt nose with notes of cinnamon bread, prune, caramel, baker’s chocolate, fig, and walnut. Northern Brewer battles the Fuggles for supremacy, and easily wins. Hints of black cherries and rumlike alcohol. Extremely mellow, full-bodied, and quite silky. Tangy hop notes with flashes of coffee, dried plum, dark grape, metal, and brown sugar. Big Fuggle earthiness and leafiness to follow. Long raisiny, toffeeish finish. Nothing short of stunning. cb (810), Wheat Ridge, Colorado, USA Jun 6, 2003 Rich, strong -- a perfect representation of the style. Fruity hops with potent malts. Caramel flavors with notes of bready tang. Dark, wet brown sugar shades in a sticky lacing-coated glass. An amazing celebratory brew that exemplifies the success of a great local brewery. Indra (1845), Prairie Village, Kansas, USA Jun 4, 2003 Malty, sweet and vinous aroma, with a distinct grainy spiciness, light but varied fruitiness, faint brown sugar and perhaps a slight hint of yeast. Medium garnet in color, tightly clinging head. Flavor is likewise sweet and malty with hints of banana, spicy, lightly fruity rye, bread, toffee and a slight roastiness. Very faint spicy hop flavors here but very low bitterness, befitting the style. Grainy, malty finish, some lingering toast/biscuit. Medium-full bodied and has a smooth consistency overall. Sort of a modified Wee Heavy style strong Scotch. Pretty tasty. Congrats, Free State.
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