Yabba Dabba

[1/25/17] Draught at Novel Brewing in Oakland. Amber-brown. Aroma of malt, caramel, lots of fruity esters (mostly banana). Sweet flavor, caramelly, fruity, a bit of alcohol. Medium-bodied.

Draft. Mahogany beer with a dark cream head. yeast and dark malt aroma. Yeast and light banana flavor with light roast. Medium bodied. Yeast and banana lingers with caramel and light dark fruit.

On tap at Novel. It pours a very dark amber color with an off white head. The aroma is very sugary with hard candy, ripe plum, raisins, bread and mild baking spice. The flavor is intensely toasted and pepper in the finish. The toasted malt mingles with the over ripe plum and raisins. Strong earthy bitterness along with the mildly phenolic yeast gives it a hint on plastic, which is unpleasant. I could’ve done with less bitterness and toasted malt in favor of more darker caramel character. The alcohol is medium to strong and in the right range for the style. Just a little harsh overall.