Krampus Riserva Strepponi 2011

Bottle at Festivus 2, 12/12/15. Unsure of vintage, but this seems to be the most recent one that some other New England guys have rated, so I’ll put it here.
Hazy caramel-colored beer has a good-sized head that is beige and slowly recedes to cover.
Lots of pepper notes, with some licorice and other various spices. Surprisingly quite floral with a very strong spearmint-like element. Not getting much, if any, of the wine barrel and not even all that much maltiness from the nose. Some very like plum/prune character, with just a pinch of caramel. Not alcoholic, nor flawed, just very spicy.
In the mouth, it’s significantly spicy as well. Dry, with very little malt softness/suppleness at any point. Very spicy, astringent, earthy, peppery. Don’t know if this batch is overspiced, but if has been sitting in barrels, it’s surprising that it’s still this spicy. Wood and heavy pepper phenolics certainly don’t help anything, either. Just a smattering of red fruits, very light caramel/old, dry toffee and light vanilla lingering. Just dry element layered upon dry element with no respite from it.
Not sure what everyone’s so excited about with this beer, but I guess I’ll try it again at some point and see if I can see what I’m missing.

Bottle at home. I’ll be visiting Italy this summer and although trying to learn to of the language has been failure thus far I am adept at drinking local brew. Deep ruby pour with big head. Nose is dark fruits, touch of vinegar, and anise. Tastes of plums, raisins, cherry, umami, cab franc, berries, and touch of absinthe. Interesting finish that almost reminds me of drinking a magical potion or how I pictured that sensation.