Imperial Barley Wine

(On tap) Beautiful dark amber colour (or copper perhaps?) very delicate, creamy and fine-structured head which collapses but never vanishes. Oily, vinous aroma. Very full-bodied, almost fat with an extremely warming alcohol. Lots of roasted malt - a whole shipload of it - notes of apricot and overripe fruit. Spiced with Mexican vanilla and cinnamon bark Appears almost sherry- or even cognac like. Although no less than four hops are added (Challenger, Target, Fuggle and Bramling Cross) I do miss some more hop bite in the finish (only 20 IBUs), but according to the brewery it’s fully intentional to make this an after dinner drink or an accompaniment to sweet deserts. But a lovely brew indeed. 280905