 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
May 31, 2007 Cask half pint at NERAX on 5/5/07
Great condition, bright and all with a plum-mahogany color and an off-white head that shows strong retention and moderate lacing.
Lightly fruity nose is otherwise full of graham crackers and a bit of toffee. No hop apparency, maybe just the barest bit of leafiness. Some vanilla and sweet pale malts find their way in and greatly soften the harder toffee and cracker-like notes, resulting in an aromatic and balanced nose.
A truly splendid mouthfeel does wonders for this very low gravity beer making it seem neither watery nor thin. Vanilla and honey are joined by a gentle chocolate graham cracker flavor as well as light bread and nuttiness on the finish. Very engaging, tight carbonation with moderate esters and no hop notes. Absolutely flawless and truly remarkable that an American brewer produced this.
Draught pint at the brewpub on 5/19/07
The forced carbonation on draught really illustrates why these beers are so great on cask. The looser carbonation left it watery and made the body seem much, much lighter. The tight carbonation in the draught sample concentrates the maltiness and creaminess. Still a good beer and flawless, but just not meant to be served on draught.
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