Portret

Cremiger, wenig süßer Beginn. Schokolade, etwas Alkohol, wenig torfig, Kakao. Konstante Aromatik, würzig, langer Nachhall. 10/11/11/11//11

A very dark brown beer with a beige lacing. Aroma of strong dark roasted malt, some dark fruits, chocolate. Taste of strong mid sweet dark malt, chocolate, coffee, hints of dark fruits.

500ml can. Opaque, darkest brown colour with minimally late awakening, small, half-way lasting, minimally lacing, tan head. Roasty and chocolately, dark malty as well as caramel malty aroma, notes of dark caramel, some coffee, toffee, cocoa, whiffs of liquorice, vinous fruity overtones. Taste is bitter, roasty, minimally ashy, dark malty, caramel malty with some residual sweetness, and slightly bitter hoppy, minimally yeasty fruity, notes of caramel, dark caramel, coffee, some dry cocoa, toffee, a touch of liquorice, plum wine, Port, bramble, plum butter, sugared espresso; minimally warming, alcoholic finish, but well hidden alcohol overall.
OIly-watery texture, smooth, greasy, slightly cloying, simultaneously slightly dry palate, fine, prickly carbonation.
Fairly complex, initiallly slightly oscillating between flavours, finally more integrated and homogeneous, still full of subtleties; not overly intense throughout, if not rather cautious - pretty nice, not more.
Could be excellent if the subtlety would be perceived as sophisticated balance due to a domestication of obstreperous flavours; but somehow the existing balance seems to be achieved by the anaemic performance of the very.