Cask (gravity) @ 31th Pigs Ear Beer and Cider Festival 2014, at The Round Chapel in Hackney, London, England. [ As Downton Romans Christmas Delight ].Clear dark black brown color with a small to average, frothy, fair lacing, mostly lasting, off-white head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, roasted, chocolate, light spicy. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and bitter with a long duration, chocolate, roasted, dark malt, spicy. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft to flat. [20141204]

Cask at Pigs Ear 2014 - London. Pours dark brown-black with a frothy, light tan head. The nose holds burnt malts, cocoa and pizza dough. Medium sweet flavor with some damp wood, chocolate, swampy earth, dried dark fruits. Medium to full bodied with fine carbonation; good condition. Moderately bitter on the finish with notes of oily chocolate, more earth. Pretty decent.

Gravity dispense at Pigs Ear ’14, day 1, 02/12/14. Light black with a decent tan covering. Nose is dark fruit rinds, earthy roast, charr, spice, toffee. Taste comprises earthy tones, winter cheer, light roast, Xmas cake, spice, bitter notes, figs, dates. Medium + body, fine carbonation, semi drying close. Decent enough winter warmer/porter/old ale hybrid affair.

Cask gravity at Pig’s Ear Beer Fest 2014. Aroma is toffee, caramel, treacle, unrefined sugars. A little hint of belgan like yeast. Dark caramel brown coloured pour with a halo of tan head. Flavour is some hot alcohol, syrupy brown sugars, hint of spices. Maybe a bit of hot ferment. Palate is visocu / oily on the tongue, with moderate carbonation. Lingering wood and alcohol.

Cask gravity at Pig’s Ear 2014. It pours darkest brown with a small tan head. The nose is rich, oily, roasty, chocolate liqueur, Terry’s chocolate orange and earth. The taste is toasty, earthy, roasted malt, charred wood, pepper, citrus rind, big spice, tar, leather, stewed fruit and a touch of coffee. Fullish body, fine carbonation and oily mouth-feel. Decent.

2nd December 2014
Pigs Ear. Cask. Opaque dark brown beer, small pale tan head. Palate is smooth and a little dry. Rich tangy malts, some dark malt character. Intrusive apple. Light finish. Too appley.