13/04/1999. HEAD OF STEAM, Euston Station Colonnade, 1 Eversholt Street, Euston Square, LONDON, NW1, England (FREE HOUSE)

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

I have tried to rate this beer fairly, but it's just not my taste. Apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate aroma and flavor. Sweet with blackcurrant and just a hint of sourness. I can hardly notice the alcohol.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle, from who knows where. 9 years and 4 days out of date. Clear, deep ruby red. Ring of dense, beige head. Can’t believe this still smells of cinammon and apple. Or does it just have that fruity, oxidised thing going on? Whatever, it smells fairly rich and pale sherry like. A bit of damp paper. Some boozy fruit. Taste is light, raisin sweet. Some dryness. Lovely mouthfeel. Medium body. Soft, foamy carbonation. Surprisingly clean. Sweet sherry finish. Probably better now than 9 years ago!

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

17th July 2006
Warning! Early amateur rating! Toffee and bitter smoke with an apple undertone. Cinnamon and caramel finish. Complex and very nice.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

(Cask at Jerusalem Tavern, Farringdon, London, 28 Nov 2007) Black colour with ruby notes, brief beige head. Roasted, spicy nose with notes of cinamon, ginger, nutmeg and dark fruit. Roasted, almost tarry taste with spices, ashes, cinamon, nutmeg and dried fruit. Rather sweet, almost cloying finish. Very tasty and spicy, but hardly balanced.

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

(Bottle 50 cl) Clear warm mahogany with a small, rough, off-white head. Aroma of cinnamon and roasted malt. Medium-bodied, hard roasted/burned malt dominate with a whiff of cinnamon in the finish. Distinct bitterness from the malt. OK, but quite odd. 040307

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

(500 ml bottle at Haket, Göteborg) Deep ruby red color, tan head. Strong raisin and chocolate scent. Burnt and chocolate taste, burnt coffee aftertaste. A bit thin body. Low bitterness. Nice and sweet.

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

Bottled. Dark ruby red colour, with small beige head. Caramellish and spicy aroma, including cinnamon. Cinnamon and roasted malt in flavour with some salty hints too. I liked it a lot!

Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 4.5

Cask at Jerusalem Tavern. Bit of an oddity this one, had it on the recommendation of the person next to me. Black hardly any carbonation. To me it tasted a bit like an old ale. Some spice, but won’t be trying it again in a hurry

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Bottled (BB 03/2006)
Dark brown, almost opaque. Very small expresso head. Aroma is spiced: apple, cinnamon and raisins. Medium to full-bodied, peppery palate which has gingerbread biscuit and other christmasy flavors. Soft palate, not much bitterness, slightly roasted aftertaste and some chocolate notes. This is Christmas Porter.