2004 bottle generous compliments of bucknaked who definitely didnt have to open this (would have benefited from aging). That being said, yes, it was a bit malty and sweet. If there were any gripes on the balance that would be it. But it was minor and knowing that it would even out over time, Im not going to fault it. The spiciness and light light hops provide the balance on the end. As it breathes, the citrus notes become quite apparent towards the end. I would have guessed coriander and grains of paradise, but am not too far off. The pepper is light and wonderfully interesting. Throughout, there is a good, but delicate dose of yeast, adding that lovely wet old wood flavor. The aroma smells like the cork, woody, yeasty, slightly moldy with notes of coriander. Appearance is perfect, burnished orange-copper, with layered colors (gold, orange, yellow) and a foamy white head and plenty of lacing. Bottle conditioned and nearly opaque. Palate is sumptuously balanced and creamy. Light natural carbonation, the good stuff, adds a lovely light pepperiness. Delicate, distinctly belgian and full of yeast. ALcohol is barely perceptible, though there is a strangely stale alcohol note on the very end. 8/5/9/5/19
2002 bottle @ the DCVAMD Gathering compliments of Jeremy. Much funkier, sweeter, more malt than spice (not surprising) but just has a weird lacto-old cork funk to it that really permeates the palate, musty and strong. Yeast, cobwebs, wow, this stuff is quite different than the 2004 (8/5/8/4/17)
2005 bottle sampled 7/9/2005. Much different than the previous two releases. It’s interesting that most everyone who has tried the previous vintages does not seem to like this one as much, but for those having never tried the 04 or 02 (or earlier), they find this quite good. I really think it’s just how different it is, with the almost syrupy, sweet malt and different mouthfeel to it (thicker and bigger bubbles, looser carbonation). I can’t help but desire the older, perfumier, drier, elegant version, but this is still a great beer. In fact, this one should have better luck with extended aging, I should think. 8/4/8/4/16 Score is an average of the 3.

Bottled, thanks cquiroga! Cloudy pale amber. Orangey nose. The mouthfeel is rounded, and the malt profile is dense. The dominating flavour is orange jam, but it’s packed with other things. The orangey flavour lasts to the finish. An outstanding beer, and a worthy finale on one of the best beer rating sessions in my life. Thanks a lot the SoCal RB Crew that made this happen!!!

April 2004. Thanks to MBA. Golden ale with an initially skunky aroma, slightly peppery and haystack yeast. Warm alcohol and oranges with sweet candied taste. Very nice malts and complex , well balanced body.

Bottle #2:
Hazy orange/light amber colour. Very nice white head that lasts. very sweet, fruity and spicey aroma. Full-bodied; Coats the mouth nicely, shows good character all the way through. Aftertaste very spicey and sweet. A great beer, definately worthy! I sampled this beer at Joey_Capps' on 13-September-2003 in Hamilton, Ontario. Rating for this sample: 9,5,8,4,17.

Bottle #1:
Alright, here it is...rating number 500! I picked this one because every ranking aside from Silky was above a 4.0 and as soon as I enter my rating, it becomes a top 50 beer! 750 mL bottle, Orange label, cellar temperature. Crystal clear amber colour with hints of orange. A perfect frothy white head leaves the most exceptional lacing on the glass i've ever seen. Zillions of small bubbles rising from the bottom are very nice. When pouring the beer, bubbles come from the neck of the bottle, appearing similarly when pouring champagne. Smells of yeast, sugar, bread, spices and some alcohol. Very nice smelling, but I don't consider it to be perfect. Full-bodied; Yeastie, sugary, spicey (coriander perhaps, definately curacao--orange peel) and a bit of caramel (burnt sugar). A great mouthful, very pleasant taste and a sweet aftertaste, with lingering spices and somewhat yeastie. Truly a bottle that everyone should try! One of the best beers I've had in a long time, and very happy that it was #500 for me! I bought my 750 mL bottle at Beers of the World in Rochester, New York. Rating for this sample: 9,5,9,5,17

[rating adjustment - the last few vintages of this (2004-05) have been far more dry, tart, and cider-like, with distinct white wine characteristics - they’ve been good, but hardly worth my previous rating of 4.8] This beer is bloody brilliant - I must go along with Uglyradio and say this is the best american-made belgian I’ve ever had - yeasty, grassy, spicy aroma....very inviting - excellent lacing on the glass - the flavor is spicy to start, with the anise quite present, but then a subdued, wonderful, birthday cake-like sweetness rolls onto the tongue, striking a perfect balance with the spice and slight citrus qualities - sweetness stays on in the finish, but doesn’t over stay its welcome...it slowly melts away, making you long for another sip - another outstanding beer from Southampton.