500 ml bottle, as Strathaven Craigmill Mild Black Ale, from Vaaland, Bryne. ABV is 3.5%. Black colour, large to moderate greyish-brown head. Dryish roasty aroma with notes of ashes, woodwork, cold coffee and unsweetened cocoa, a hint of fruity hops. Too much carbonation in the mouth. Dry roasty flavour, notes of wood and cold coffee, moderate and slightly resinous hops in the finish. Will try again if I can find it on cask, but the bottle (overpriced in Norway) does not inspire me to buy another.

Re-rating at the Guildford Arms. Lovely big liquorice notes this time and nice creamy backdrop. A lovely pint. Previous rating on 04/12/11 = 6+4+6+3+11 = 3 50cl bottle. Pours opaque black with a generous, creamy head. The nose is of chocolate digestives. The taste has a smokey element and some coffee.The palate is light bodied with a medium-sized creamy texture and an easy finish. Overall, a decent mild!

Cask-conditioned at the Bow Bar, Edinburgh 7/06/2011. Almost black in colour, with a tight, off-white head. Aroma of chocolate, dark fruits and a touch of roastiness. Flavours of coffee, charcoal, more chocolate and fruit, before a bitter moderately finish. Enjoyable.

cask at blue blazer ... deep brown black... creamy tan head ... soft toffee chocolate malt nose ... soft creamy woody chocolate malts ... tasty but lacking a little something cask at bow bar ... deep black ... thin tan head ... soft sweeet puff candii roast malt nose ... soft smooth almost milky roast malts ... soft toffee roast ... stick at 3.7

Cask @ Blackfriars. Very dark brown colour, tan head. Aroma is coffee, roasted malts, some smoke. Flavour is roasted malts, coffee, smokiness, light hoppy. A bit light bodied, but well drinkable.