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GD is going crazy with its new beers. Pours a semi hazy chestnut brown color with a light shade of brown hue throughout. Not much of a head, even with a help on the pour. A egg shell white color with bigger bubbles and note much retention or lacing.

The nose is a bit off. There is a sweetness that is a bit much for style and an off caramel note. Some melanodian notes and a almost Special B like malt aromas as well. Some earthy and fig/raisin notes. The yeast really comes out and has some rose peddles, butyric and stale aromas. Some good but a bit of off notes really distracts.

The taste is note as sweet as the nose would indicate but still a bit sweet for style. Some bready and caramel notes and a touch of brown sugar notes. Would like more of a malty flavor, instead has a light husky note. The butyric is still there, if note comes out more. Some esters, plums, figs and hints of chocolate. There is a harshness from the hops and stale notes in the finish, but both are minor.

The body is moderate and really lacking for style. Some sugary notes leaves an almost dry finish. Overall a bit disappointing. Would like to see more depth and maltiness out of this one. But very easy to drink.

Served In: Pint Glass

Bottled on Date March 2009; Sampled April 2009
A full pour produces a thick, creamy, three-finger, amber tinged, almost brownish, dark tan colored head. The beer is a deep amber color with some dark brown hues. It shows a brilliantly clear, deep ruby hue when held up to the light. The aroma has a rich toasty malt character to it, a touch of roast even, with lots of concentrated dark fruitiness (raisin, prune and bright berry aromatics), a caramelized malt sugar note as well as a touch of brown sugar. I don’t get any sense of any hop aromatics in the nose. The aroma is definitely big and malty (exactly what you want from this style of beer); it is sweet up front but finishes with a drying, solid toasted malt character.

The beer has a full malty mouthfeel to it with a definite chewy, caramelized sweetness, but it is not nearly as sweet as the rich body might have suggested. This is fairly well carbonated for the style, but it could be a touch less, though it is still light by American standards. Sweet, complex malt notes accentuate a rich fruit character that has me tasting notes of raisins, light cherry, berries and, in combination with a touch of warming alcohol, even some brandy like flavors. There is a light herbal hop character here as well as a touch of light bitterness in the finish. The bitterness is also boosted just a bit by a slight toasted / roasted grain note.

This beer has a really nice richness to it; malty and thick without being overly sweet. The rich concentrated fruit really adds to this beer and the touch of hops adds just enough balance to the over all profile.

Served In: Tulip