7.3/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle at Down Under, thx Gurthnar! Bottled November 2024. Pitch black body, thick off-white head. Nutty, bit roasty, caramelly aroma. Soft smooth taste, creamy, loads of roasty black patent malt, but avoiding astringency, low raisin. Low bitterness. Good stuff!
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Jan 2026
at 19:07
6.4/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 7
Overall 6.5
0.33l bottle, Down Under, Prague. Hazy holden body, fleeting white head. Loads of dried fruit, esters, light oxidation in the aroma, but not aggro. Smooth taste, not really sparkly hahah. Creamy dried fruit esters, smooth, if som what oxidized maltiness, low citrusy and herbal undertones. Not in top shape, I mean, it was bottled April 21st 2024, but actually kinda weirdly nice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Jan 2026
at 18:32
7.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Bottle at Down Under. BAD 10/2024. This has no issues tho. Med-thin bod, med carbo. Med bitter, med-light sweet. Assertive roast, pleasant mix of coff, cocoa, a bit of ash. Med-light dried fruits, fit in well. Hint of earthy hops. Overall pretty good.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Jan 2026
at 04:32
5.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 5.5
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Bottle at Down Under. Med-med-thin bod, med-light carbo. Med-light bitter, light sweet. Mostly malty, medium nutty, caramelly, a bit simple, but works. Light dried fruits. Then again, the bottle is around 2 years old, just found out now. Ok.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Jan 2026
at 04:30
6.4/10
Tried
from Can
on 22 Jan 2026
at 15:58
7/10
Toffee, biscuity, alcoholic
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Dec 2025
at 18:10
7/10
Tried
from Can
on 09 Dec 2025
at 23:57
7.5/10
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Dec 2025
at 23:56
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Best after 16 July 2009 on the label.
Not quite pitch black, there's a good 1 finger head of tannish foam with little lacing.
Big roasted malt nose with some mild notes of chocolate.
Roasted and sweet malts in the taste, a bit of chocolate, some coffee, and an unusual but well integrated more than a hint of fruity tones. Very nice.
Medium bodied with medium carbonation, though it feels quite bubbly during the swallow, it has a good mouth feel.
It does have a slightly boozy "feel" to it so I reckon 1 at a sitting would be otimal for me.
Not quite pitch black, there's a good 1 finger head of tannish foam with little lacing.
Big roasted malt nose with some mild notes of chocolate.
Roasted and sweet malts in the taste, a bit of chocolate, some coffee, and an unusual but well integrated more than a hint of fruity tones. Very nice.
Medium bodied with medium carbonation, though it feels quite bubbly during the swallow, it has a good mouth feel.
It does have a slightly boozy "feel" to it so I reckon 1 at a sitting would be otimal for me.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Nov 2025
at 16:40
7.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
I've had this many times in the past, now I get to review it.
The bottle has a best after date. Sept 1, 2009.
I've always loved the name of the brew as compared to what it looks like when you pour it in a glass. Sparkling? It's a cloudy orange yellow. Small head of foam with some good lacing.
I note some citrus and a strongish smell of malt. Just like I remember.
Taste wise, it brings the lemony citrus hops and brings a solid malt background though it's not as sweet as in the smell. Could be a good thing. Also has some fruity tones I can't stick solely on the lemon I'm tasting. A nice plus.
A nice medium or at least close to medium body with a little less carbonation than a few of their other offerings...definitely an improvement in the mouth feel department.
Finally, I could drink copious quantities of this sparkling ale. Lots of good flavours and not a high price tag when it comes to the abv. Just generally, very enjoyable.
The bottle has a best after date. Sept 1, 2009.
I've always loved the name of the brew as compared to what it looks like when you pour it in a glass. Sparkling? It's a cloudy orange yellow. Small head of foam with some good lacing.
I note some citrus and a strongish smell of malt. Just like I remember.
Taste wise, it brings the lemony citrus hops and brings a solid malt background though it's not as sweet as in the smell. Could be a good thing. Also has some fruity tones I can't stick solely on the lemon I'm tasting. A nice plus.
A nice medium or at least close to medium body with a little less carbonation than a few of their other offerings...definitely an improvement in the mouth feel department.
Finally, I could drink copious quantities of this sparkling ale. Lots of good flavours and not a high price tag when it comes to the abv. Just generally, very enjoyable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Nov 2025
at 16:35