biermonk (259), San Francisco, California, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Jan 6, 2004 This was a very pleasant suprise as I didn't know much about this beer proir to sampling. Poured adark reddish brown color not much head to speak of. Fantastic aroma heavy with dark fruits and bready yeast. Flavor was sweet withthe same fruits and matiness. Heavy presence of caramel. Very smooth finish that left me wanting more. Excellent beer. ztrvz (218), st paul, Minnesota, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 5/5 | 17/20 | Oct 29, 2003 Updated: Dec 7, 2003there's something noble about this beer. sweet malty peaty odor. you can tell there's alcohol in this from the smell. initially sweet and carmely, until the bubbles shoot a wonderfully complex mixture of hops and malts straight to the top of your brain. this beer tickled my head and made me smile and laugh alone in this dark room, like a mad man. dry bitter-sweet finish that coats the mouth enough to remind you of what a great beer you're drinking, in case you forget between sips. ukoolaid (572), Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Sep 14, 2004 Bottle. Deep amber color with big foamy head. Aroma of sweet malts. Taste is of sweet malt with fruits and hints of coffee. Very good. rajendra82 (703), Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | May 26, 2004 The beer was shipped stateside in a brown bottle with attractive labeling that has an old world charm to it. There are some brief blurbs about the brewer on the back label, and a best before date (03/Jan/05 for this review bottle). Despite being clearly marked as 6.3% ABV, the beer has slipped under the radar of the beer police and is readily available in Georgia.
The poured beer was deep red to amber in color with a ¼ inch thick short lived head. Carbonation was medium intensity with very fine bubbles. Despite being bottle conditioned, the beer was only slightly hazy with no visible yeast sediment.
The aroma was malty with the nose being dominated by oak, vanilla, and a hint of chocolate. The hops are not dominant, but have a distinctive English profile to them.
The malts were present in the taste as well, with notes of toffee, cherry, raisins, and a wisp of smoke. The previously invisible yeast made its presence known in the form of a dusty, cobwebby feel similar to the air in an old castle. The hops were surprisingly bitter and biting, with a peppery spiciness to them. This is the hoppiest English beer I’ve had to date. The overall taste reminded me a lot of Stone Arrogant Bastard, but was not as bold.
The mouthfeel was smooth like butter and made the beer slide down easily. The only drawback in this department was a bit of watery body.
This is a very nice and bold ale from the Old Country. A must try for those who can find it.
Goblincat (357), Westland, Michigan, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Feb 29, 2004 Updated: Apr 16, 2004Pours a deep copper with a nice white long lasting head. Very balanced nose. Very interesting combination of taste, with a mix of a light hop bite and a smooth malt and spice. A very pleasant experience. walleye (879), Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | May 28, 2004 poured a nice rich amber with a fluffy lasting head and a lot of lacing. aroma rich choc. like godiva choc. malts, and a hint of butterscotch very nice. flavor malts, nutty, majaal dates don’t know if spelling is correct,sweet spices mouth feel smooth .with some bitterness. a very good beer ThomasE (5178), Copenhagen, Denmark
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 3/5 | 17/20 | Mar 30, 2004 Deep tan colour with small but fine beige head. Aroma is malty and fruity with some toffee and nuts. Flavor is, as said in the commercial description, almost fruit cake like. evergreen0199 (259), London, Greater London, England
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 5/5 | 17/20 | Apr 4, 2009 Bottle from Tesco. Copper coloured beer from my native west London. Malty, caramel, fruity, spicy, almost like a light English Christmas cake. This is a really cracking quality beer which I can never tire of.
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