Lots of bread, honey and nougat dominate the nose. You immediately notice the hops tingling your tongue, but they quickly give way to more sweet malt and some light mulled spices. The palate is reasonable, although it could be longer and more robust, and the alcohol is pretty prominent. An interesting beer, but not necessarily a great one.

From a 568ml bottle on 31/12/2012. Pours a fairly clear light amber with a biggish head which disappears quickly. Has a modest woody, smoky aroma with some caramel in the mix. The flavour is more distinctive, with light caramel, toffee and biscuit to begin and then moving onto some quite strong spice notes and a light but unmistakable smokiness. Not a world beater, but relatively interesting and quite enjoyable.

Pours copper with a lasting head.Nose shows sweet bready melanoidin malt, caramel, toffee. Pretty tempting! The smoke is faint though.Similar flavours. Big sweet toasty and bready melanoidin notes. Some smoke comes through too.Could use more carbonation.

Nice pun. Bottle, 9C. Clear amber with an off white head that fades to the rim but lasts. Aroma has caramel, some nuts and grass. Layers of toasted malt, firm balancing bitterness. I like that there’s depth in the malt flavours without great sweetness. Finish is dry and a little bitter with some pepper and just a touch of smoke. Very solid bock.