25/12/2005. BEAR, 6-10 Wellsway, BATH, Bath & North East Somerset, England

6.1

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle. Pours a red-brown with a medium, light beige head. There is a sweet, malty aroma with some fruits and spices. Mostly sweet favor, with mild dark fruits, some cranberry, cinnamon and other spices. Light to medium body, average carbonation. Lacked an all-around cohesiveness, and the flavor seemed a bit thin. Overall not bad, but I’ve had better holiday beers.

6.4

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle from Sun Devil in Mesa, AZ. BB 31/10/2005. At least they had kept it dusted. Dark, reddish tinged, amber color with a frothy beige head. Aroma of caramel malt; slightly suggests cola. Medium body with frothy carbonation. Flavor is caramel with some very mild herb or spice. Sort of astringent finish. Some peppery hop shows up. It’s growing on me. I’d drink it again.

4.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 4 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 4

I had never heard of this beer or this brewer before I found this bottle. Sampled form a 16.9 oz bottle this beer poured a mahogany color with a small light tan head. The aroma was tangy with a sweet fruit element. The flavor is bitter with a hint of vinegar and has a light sour malt presence and a light fruit note. Rather lacking in character overall though.

6.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Pour is a nice chestnut brown with a small head. Aroma is faint hops with some maltyness in there. Flavor is toasty and those hops show up on the tounge. It a decent beer but could use some more spice like a nutmeg.