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12oz Bottle
Wax Capped

2005

Received this gem in a trade with badbeer, thanks again. A hard pour conjures up a minimal swirling of head that disappears rather quickly. There's a tiny ring of head around the edge of the glass. The small head is expected from such an alcohol bomb such as this. The color on the pour is a muddy brown before becoming opaque dark brown in the glass.

I don't think this beer could even accommodate another aroma. Big nose filling whiffs of dark rye and pumpernickel bread start things off. All this bready goodness is wrapped around a handful of brown sugar and molasses. This again is all wrapped around a sweet oaken whiff of bourbon. Everything comes together flawlessly. There's alcohol in there but I can feel the fumes more in my eyes and nose that smell it's presence.

Flavor picks up right where the smell left off. The sweet notes (brown sugar and molasses) are just the right intensity bringing the bready malts into the oak and bourbon perfectly. The breadiness up front is absolutely mouthwatering and just pulls you right in. The bourbon and oak accompany the breadiness without being too dominant. World class old ale!

The mouthfeel is just as perfectly done as the rest of the drink. Sluggish carbonation leaves this beer sliding slowly along your tongue. As it slowly works through every separate flavor grabs hold at some point or another. The body has some weight to it and coats the mouth nicely.

The alcohol and big bold flavors keeps this a one and done type of beer. The bottle I'm drinking now will be a pleasure to finish but that's enough for one sitting.

This is not only a world class old ale but a world class beer period. The barrel aging sets this beer on an entirely different level. I'm glad I could get my hands on one of these. It's a great beer to celebrate Christmas.

Served In: Snifter