7.4

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

Draught at Tip Tap Room, 3/4/16.
Good clarity throughout this deep copper-auburn colored beer with some dark mahogany tints. Off-white head atop is large and slowly recedes to cover, showing moderate retention.
Spicy, fruity (apples, cherries, melon) and lightly herbal hops seem well-matched to the lightly toasty, moderately cookie and caramel-like malt notes. Light pine and strong floral character emerges more with warming. No alcohol or flaws.
Lightly sweet caramel dries out due to a big dose of toasted malt. Almost a hint of chocolate even, with light buttercream and honey on the finish. Well-malted and nicely attenuated, with a fairly minimal textural impact from the crystal malts, leaving only a touch of hardness. A bit toasty and heavily peppery (hops) on the end, with plentiful bitterness and tons of fruit character from the hops as well. Quite drinkable but very assertive (as intended).