Poured into a nonic pint glass, the appearance was a semi-dark red color with a thin finger’s worth of white foamy head that dissipated at a nice pace. Sly lacing here and there.
The aroma starts off with a sweet blend of rye spice to toffee and caramel malts. Subtle grassy hops for bittering. Light citrusy hops as well.
The flavor was basically the same with a well blended sweet to spicy aftertaste and finish.
On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a nice between feel of sessionable to sipping quality about it. Carbonation seems to hit just right.
Overall, this one was a pretty good American styled strong ale. ABV seemed to be masked quite well.

At the brewery on New Year’s: Pours a reddish color with a dissipating beige head. Aroma is spicy rye with some American hops. Mostly this was a sweet and easy drinking big beer with hints of spice and some hoppiness. I found it to be less complex than what I was hoping for. That said, it did a fantastic job covering the 9%.