Nice dark ruby, firm and lacing beige head. Slightly metallic, plummy and raisiny aroma, cocoa. Rusty malts, cocoa, coffee and strong dried fruits in the flavor. Metallic, tangy herbal and woody finish. Medium bodied, average carbonation. I imagine fermented coke tasting something like this .

5.3%. Accidentally snorted some of this trying to unravel the cascade of aromas on offer, and it wasn’t bad. Didn’t even sneeze. One hell of a thick, musty, caramelised sock/vegetable/wholemeal/demerara/grapeskin aroma. Oodles of caramelised malt sugar, sweaty aroma hop and dark spicy fruit character. Sweetshop Allsort liquorice and toasted aniseed leaping straight out, melting into subtler toffee, chocolate and curranty notes. Malt loaf, toffee and marzipan. A rare example of where the raw almondy waft of alcohol actually enhances a modestly strong beer, harmonising with its other dark malty treasures. Lightly vinous, but creamily alkaline. Texture velvet, but not as full as it should be. Blackish ruby with a rocky beige head flattening into a collar that goes the whole distance. Got to try this unpasteurised.

Bottle. Dark ruby, almost black in colour with the usual tan/beige head. Fruity/winey aroma with hints of treacle, berries and a touch of fuggles hops. Initially very sweet on the tongue, there are yeast and hop characteristics that lead to a surprisingly dry finish. More rich than 5.1% suggests. A complex beer that should be savoured on its own. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for the cask.

Bottled, Sainsburys.Very dark, with an attractive whitish head, thick and long lasting.Certainly looks the part. Nose is rich, with spice & fruit, reminds me of Soreen, the malt loaf. The palate is similar, with a lovely long lingering finish. A fairly complex brew which is surprisingly good and very satisfying.

Malty, chocolatey nose. Pours deep brown with a beige head. The flavour is where it comes into its own - a balance of gentle coffees, chocolates, raisins, sweet malt, and finishing bitter cocoa. Not a bad drop at all.