on tap-pours a big, creamy brown head with black color. Aroma is dark malt, coffee. Taste is dark malt, coffee, alcohol. Somewhat sweet. Not my taste, nicely done.

On draught at the brewery, 8/11/2005 with Bucknaked. Big tan head recedes quickly to cover, tons of lacing as usual. REALLY dark black and opaque. Aroma of dry, nutty malt, earthiness and light roast. Cigars perhaps. Some prune-like vinousness, but again, low aroma overall (even sticking my face in the glass). Flavor begins with some sticky caramel, a bit of black licorice and some smoky, charred wood. Dry, salty black malts. Sweet toffee and a hint of anise and vanilla. Dark, bitter roast on the end. Retro smoke with some chocolate undertones. Hops and alcohol are up front, before it really gets dark and bitter. Seems it could use a good deal more chewiness. Getting some alcohol apparency in the nose as the beer progresses. Pretty flat, some ashiness lingers along with cola and caramel (kind of an odd mix). Loose and somewhat thinned out, but not overly watery.