Bottle #38294. Thanks to Indra for the trade. I liked this a little less than the '99, if only because it seemed a little less subdued. Pours a dark amber/brown color with a thick sand-colored head. Mild lacing. Strong aroma of malt and alcohol. Robust body with flavors of malt, caramel, vanilla and plum. Finish is syrupy-sweet and lasting. Good stuff.

[re-sampled in ’06 - this beer has taken on a huge apple presence, both in the aroma and flavor - very organic/earthy apple qualities mingle with the other aspects of the beer quite well - this is holding up very well - not as great as it was, but still awesome] Beautiful, rose color with one of the most lovely lacings I have yet seen. Dense aroma of fruits, brown sugar, yeast and dough/cookie. This is hard to pin down. The flavor is a wonderful conglomeration of English Strong, Barleywine and Belgian Strong. First flavors are yeasty, with slight sweetness. Then comes a slight alcohol presence, along with dates and raisins. Late roastiness with chocolate and toffee. Finish is long and sweet with some hops thrown in. Excellent beer. I’m def. getting some more to horde.

Sampled Christmas 2002. This beer is aging wonderfully. Nice caramel and fruity aroma and flavor, with herbal and spicy hop notes, and a med bitter finish. Balanced and smooth. It just disappears from the glass. Nice dark amber color with full head, long lasting, and heavy lacing left in the glass. Update Feb 2004: This beer may be passing its prime. I tend to like these at 2-3 years, and as its approaching 4 years, I'm getting an increase in sherry notes, a slight tang, and expectedly reduced hops (but still present). Fruity esters are still apparent. Still, I'd say to start drinking these up now.

Red-brown. Very malty, full bodied, bitter and complex. When tasted side by side with the 1999 vintage this is less vinuous, and still tasted a tad sugary. Neverthe less a great strong ale.