7.2

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

Bottle from Malt & Vine. Pours hazy ruby/brown with a small beige head. It has that strong malty smell suggesting it’s like fresh Gales Prize Old Ale. Not that I can remember having that fresh, but I can imagine. This one has that heavy fruit sugar aspect. Who knows how it will age. I certainly won’t. Medium plus body with lightish carbonation. Flavor is stone fruit and malt - in a dark way - with a touch of sour, and perhaps a touch of diacetyl. Hope not. Very smooth. Finishes smooth, fruity and malty. There’s some bitter fighting here, but overall this approaches barley wine. I guess the low ratings reflect chacon a son gout. Well it certainly works for me.