Ha, drunken Paul cracked this baby on Friday night of BCTC (7/20/07). Early Friday night was about the only time I was somewhat sober, so I’m not going to miss out on rating this one.
Old bottle, not sure how old, but I’d guess it was at least 5 years old, if not more.
Still poured a one-finger pink-tinged-white head atop a mostly clear (protein chunk in bottom) marmalade colored beer. Head faded fairly rapidly to ring, leaving little lacing.
Medicinal phenols and band-aids in the nose are bolstered by vanilla-like oxidation of the malts and hints of cherry pit or cherry juice notes. Light black pepper, some waxiness and a bit of artificial sweetner. Still quite a strong aroma, with nips of fusel alcohol on the finish.
An odd citric acidity is still present, assumedly from the cherries. Little/no acetic acid, with lightly oxidized, but still rather enjoyable pale malts producing honey and vanilla. Some brief instances of caramel with a tangy, almost lactic or citrus-rind-like finish. Carbonation is still ample, though not exactly tight or creamy. Not bad though, considering the age.