Magjayran (1379), Durham, North Carolina, USA Aug 22, 2006 Pours a rather attractive deep brown color with hints of light shining through on the bottom and around the edges of the glass. Noticeable brown sugar and molasses notes in the aroma on top of a little bit of prune. Flavor is indeed full of cloves and it has an interesting yeast profile. I don’t doubt that this beer has the potential to improve but as it is it’s just plain solid without being spectacular. MrBunn (1520), Western, Pennsylvania, USA Aug 21, 2006 Lovely dark brown pour with a one finger tan head that is foamy with some larger bubbles scattered about. Aromas are heavy of roasted malt with some dark fruit peeking through. Flavor centers on dark malt, anise and clove spice, a peat-like character that may be attributable to the hops and alcoholic flavors that come through just a bit. Alcohol blends nicely and does not overpower. It definitely warms a bit as it goes down, but is rather thinner bodied that I would expect with this much going on. Nice. I’ve got one more that is going to wait six more years for its moment of glory. lilannie (383), State College, Pennsylvania, USA Aug 21, 2006 Aroma: carmel, malts, alcohol, some red grape skins
Appearance: reddish-brown, off-white head, lacing
Flavor: hops, carmel, malt, some red grapes, some woodiness, yeast, and bananas
Palate: slightly fizzy, slightly alcoholic, bubbly but smooth with carmel/alcohol aftertaste
Overall: my birthday beer! sloth (1657), Ceciltucky, Co., Maryland, USA Aug 19, 2006 Small brown head, good retention with a minimal lace thats spotty at best. A very dark Dubbel. If not for a deep red glow when held up to the light you,d think you were enjoying a nice stout. Juiciley fruity nose, smattering of plums and raisins, licorice and medium sweet malts. Body is med/full, creamy with a gentle carbonation, a joy on the tongue. Medium sweet malts, light roast and dark fruits, light coffee notes, tingly spices. As it warms notes of chocolate, bittersweet with caramelly notes to boot. Finish is lightly sweet, fruity malts and a definate bite. Props to tever for a pair of these! cewldre (268), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Aug 18, 2006 Pours a nice dak brown, almost black. Head was slightly off white and thin that lasted a while. Tasted slightly of alcohol, with a slight hop taste. Nice malt flavor was present as well. My friend says it tastes like he thinks a tree would, not that that would be bad by any means. I can agree, maybe a slight piny feel to it. A very good beer that I think will age well. ghostmonkey (182), budd lake, New Jersey, USA Aug 18, 2006 bottle . . pours dark brown/black with a small brownish head that disapates . . aroma is dark, roasted malts, raisin, dry fruits, sweet . . flavor is smooth but you can taste the alcohol . . roasted malts deffiinetly shine through . . almost like biting into an unripe cherry . . slightly sweet and bitter cherry finish that ends clean . . not too bad . . KAME (156), California, USA Aug 18, 2006 Updated: Oct 23, 2006Pours a translucent mahogany with an off-white head. Aroma is full of spice, figs, caramel, and a hint of alcohol. Drinks well with good carbonation and long lasting flavors of bananas and cloves. Fairly metallic in both aroma and taste. A great beer that leaves you wanting more. StewardofGondor (1934), Washington Heights - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Aug 18, 2006 Lovely rosy chocolate in color and translucent when put to light, paired with a fizzy and fluffed tan head that recedes to a charming oily overcast. Aroma gets me going. Spicy cloves meet chocolatey fried bananas, sweetened and spiced with brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and mulled caramelized raisins. Smooth, sugary vanilla and cola aromatically team with concord jam and black currant. I could sniff for miles, but there’s more here to unveil. Flavor presents a tasty abundance. Sweetness and dryness meet center stage for a pipe tobacco and chocolate prune medley. Buttery bananas and cafe au lait gain a spicy clove, black peppercorn and almond grease addendum. Sweet and chewy palate traits join simultaneously with dry spiced capriciousness and bitter cheek sockets. Balance is piping in the direction of vivaciousness, and there’s no doubt that this one will be quite a treat if sampled on release date each and every year. Earthy, charred tobacco wrappers and heavily caramelized beet sugar do well with spicy cloves in the finish, along with lingering, sweet cocoa banana cream flavors, extending long into the night. Big thanks to tpkenned for the bombers!
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