6.8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle, first glass 12C was too warm: better at 8C. Clear copper with a cream head. Aroma is bready and smoky, with grapes, passionfruit, puddingy lemon. A little syrupy, lowish carbonation. Taste is very sweet with bread, toffee, candied ham, some stone as well as tropical fruits, raisins. A little bitterness, edges gingerly towards dry at the smoky end, but never quite gets there. A bit Scotch Ale via Belgium, a bit Bamberg bock, a bit fruity Kiwi hops. And the flavours pretty much hang together. Just a bit on the sweet side for me.