2002 bottle. Pours hazy amber with a large, frothy, off-white head, somewhat lasting with fair lacing. Aroma is average malt (cookie, toasted bread, straw), heavy hops (perfume, flowers), average yeast (dough) with notes of heavy alcohol, wood, and apple. Full bodied, sticky and alcoholic texture, lively carbonation, and a bitter finish. Long duration, light sweetness, heavy acidity and bitterness.

Big ol’ 2001 bottle shared at the RB City Beer party, pours attractive opaque ruddy brown with thin cream colored head. Flavorful and sweet with an earthy finish that was a bit hot.

2002 vintage. Thanks Jason! The beer pours to a hazy glowing amber body with a coating off-white head and spotted lacing. The aroma is complexly caramelized and oxidized hops. Very nice however. The flavor is malty with some soapy hops and earthiness. The palate is medium bodied and has a slightly bitter hop to it. Nicely textured.

In short: A tired smooth fruity strong ale. Past due date.
How: Vintage bottle, post-Dark-Lord-Day 2008 party. Unknown generous soul.
The look: Murky orangey body topped by an off-white ring of foam
In long: Sugary sweetness and a lot of fruity flavours with no specific fruits really coming out. Less oxidized than most beer its age but the beer is passed due date. If there was a hop bite it is long gone and the body/mouthfeel/carbonation felt very tired. Alcohol well concealed. Didn’t fell like a Barley Wine. I had put away the notebook but despite my advanced drunken state I had to pull it back out when that rare threat showed up unexpectedly. But with a rare beer like that opportunity only knock once, if I hear a second knock it’s probally a Jehovah’s witness.

12oz bottle. 2002 vintage. Poured a medium orange color with a huge sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, dark fruits, some oxidation but not really detracting, and nuts. Tastes of caramel, dark fruits, toffee, nuts, and lightly earthy. Alcohol content well hidden. I think this one has seen better days, but not bad as it is.