Bottle, 13C. 2013 version is 9.1%, not 7.5%. Black with an inch of light tan head that gradually fades to a fat coat and laces well. Aroma of mocha, blackberries, burnt toffee, some earthy and herbal notes. Silky texture, lowish carbonation. Rather sweet with toffee and mocha, berries, licorice, some ash, light grassy/ herbal notes in brooding bitterness. Aroma made me think there was going to some astringency there at the end, but no. Big, but alcohol is well-integrated: no heat at all. A little on the sweet side for me, but a fine stout. that’s harmonious and interesting.

This beer has a dirty aroma of chocolate, marshmallow and nuts. The palate has a similarly dirty texture and the taste is a mixture of citrus, cocoa and some yeast late on the tongue. Very pleasant.

Bottle, 13C. Lovely deep clear copper with a lacy beige head that lasts. 5 Aroma of toffee with some singed and sherry notes, peaches, pears, flowers, spices. Medium-bodied, slightly creamy. Not all that sweet before firm bitterness, but there’s the toffee complexity suggested by the nose, although not so much fruit. Long bitter finish. The bitterness is almost too much for balance, but the malt side is interesting enough to keep it very enjoyable. Best I’ve yet had from Bright by some way.

Pours dark amber with a large, lasting head.Nose shows caramel, bready malt, resinous hops, passion-fruit and grapefruit.Very hoppy flavours, lots of resinous pine and grapefruit along with some sweet bready malt following later. Initially the hops seem to dominate but soon enough it becomes clear that the malt is the driving force in this beer.Body feels a bit syrupy.

Growler. Clear copper with a lovely cream head that laces well. Aroma of nuts, light rye bread, raisins, tea. Taste has a little chocolate as well and is a bit heavy on the tea. Mouthfeel is creamy to watery. Dryish finish with no bitterness but a little astringency. Holds interest though second pint.

Growler. Hazy honeyed amber with a small light beige head that sticks around. Aroma of grapefruit, passionfruit, nectarines, some pine. Oily texture. Taste is sweet with caramel and some biscuit; plenty of stone and tropical fruit; lingering bitter finish with citrus and a little pine. A little heavy and sweet for me, but the hop aromatics and the bitterness are good.

Deep dark brown coloured body with a very thin, one half centimetre tall tan head. Aroma of prunes, raisins, grapes, figs, and other pitted fruits - potent sweetness and fruity notes. Medium-bodied; Assertive malty flavour with a ton of raisin and prune notes, a touch of grapes and light chocolate and finishes with a dry, musty malt flavour. Aftertaste is relatively mild, but the chocolate, malt and far and away the strongest taste is still the fig and prune flavours. Overall, not such a great beer - but nice to try on the opposite side of the world, especially after a year and nine months time. I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased from Slowbeer in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 31-December-2009 for AU$6.00 sampled on the opposite side of the planet at home in Washington on 02-October-2011.