Every time the ratebeer blokes gather someone seems to have one of these. As with its golden sibling the aroma is lovely and presentation in the glass fine. If only we didn’t have to drink it. Painfully sour and unbalanced. Sorry BB’s, but a DD (and I don’t mean daily devotee).

Cloudy dark brown color. Sour granny apples in mouth that are somewhat harsh. Unlike the golden this doesn’t have the balance. Appley acidic finish. Decent stuff on its own, but compared the golden, it must play in the shadows.

Bottle (750). Poured an opaque with burgundy highlights and a huge tan head which did not hang around. Upon smelling bubbles smacked me in the face along with a massive aroma of grape soda and fresh malts, citric like notes (dark grapes) and a slight hint of vinegar. Taste is massively sweet and acidic which livens the taste buds, perfect tartness, extremely sour and syrupy texture almost equal to that of lemon juice. Finish is warming (although no alcohol present), but sadly short with a slight acidic sweet finish.

Chocolate brown with a very thin coffee coloured head. Lively nose; dirty winey notes, fruity apple, faint musty wood, all backed up with a salty underlay. Mega complex (as per uual for the house). Flavours show good intensity with minerals, apples, acid aplenty, and lots of fizz. Although, and perhaps at odds with the acid observation, the palate is very broad. Finishes with more salty notes. (late 2006 bottling).

LCRBM2. Fermnted apple, light roast. Chestnut colour. Sour cidery base, a hint roast, Sweet apple, dry finish. Cobwebbed aftertaste. Medium body, sticky mouthfeel.