Initial rating: 7/28/13. Wax-dipped bomber. "Best After 6/10/14." Rating this right after drinking XXIV. Pours opaque black with a small tan head that lasts a minute or so, leaving a ring of big-bubbly foam (exactly what I wrote in my initial review of XXIV from last September). Aroma is floral, roasty, a bit smoky, woody, black coffee. Taste is definitely fresher than the XXIV. It starts out a little sweet with woody notes before becoming a little sour and finishing with a lingering bitterness; lightly smoky (all of this much like XXIV, with an added oak presence and less fruit). Coconut flavors from the oak come out as it warms--better up my overall score (love that flavor!). Mouthfeel not as syrupy as XXIV, body not as full, carbonation average. I like the barrel aged aspect of this--it makes it stand higher than last year’s edition. I really wish they’d go back to peppers with this series, though. I’ll rate it again sometime after 6/10/14. Hopefully it changes more than XXIV did. 7,3,8,5,17=4.0



8/8/14 rating: Aroma consists of tobacco, chocolate, coffee, licorice, chocolate-covered raisins, coconut. Opaque black pour with brown edges and a medium beige head that lasts for a couple minutes. Taste has all aroma descriptors plus dark fruits (cherry and plum is what I get; probably the black currants--I have no idea what they might taste like), wood. Bittersweet with a tart edge. Velvety mouthfeel and a full body. Sticky. Age has definitely been kind to this beer. P.S. Bring back the peppers!! 8,4,9,5,18=4.4

Tap at the Portland venue. Pours very dark brown with a creamy tan head. Strong chocolate aroma. Full bodied. Flavor is blended bourbon/chocolate. Suggestions of chocolate cherry. Then some coffee. More red berry. Maybe some date. Lot going on here. Complex must be the word.