Draught at the brewery, 1/30/16.
Deep magenta-ruby colored beer has a strong mahogany tint to it with moderately-high clarity and a beige head that is well-retained.
Sweet and boozey nose shows rye-like fruitiness, vanilla, caramel and toffee malts and a fair amount of fruitiness from the yeast. Low on the hops with some light citrus and herbal qualities.
Again, like the rauch bock, just too sweet to be able to enjoy it. The malt flavors are definitely there; red fruits, bread and caramel, spicy rye...but it’s heavily sweet and chewy and quite fatiguing. Some dryness breaks on the finish, lightly earthy and crusty bread, but it’s nowhere near enough. Alcohol is apparent, though not rampant, while no flaws are noted.