Cask (gravity) @ The 17th Reading Beer and Cider Festival 2011, Reading, Berkshire England.Clear dark black brown colour with a average, frothy and open, good lacing, mostly lasting, off-white to beige head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, chocolate, sweet chocolate, vanilla. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and bitter with a long to average duration, chocolate, coffee, dusty, coffee funnel. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft to flat. [20110429]

50cl bottle. Pours a beautiful opaque black with a 2 inch head. The nose has a very dominat note of instant coffee, though there is some chocolate too. The taste has more instant coffee, some very dark chocolate and a burnt note which kinda goes into liquorice. The palate is medium to full in structure with a creamy texture and there is a sharper finish though it seems to be based upon burnt malt rather than hops. Overall, a nice beer that could be sessioned.

Cask @ 11th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival. Ruby-red black colour, tan head. Aroma is roasted malts and a bit of coffee. Flavour is roasted malts, bitter coffee. Light bodied, well drinkable.