Panda at home, thanks to the Wingmane, 21/09/24. Black with a tan head that thins to the edge. Nose is dark malts, chocolate dipped bananas, roast malts, molasses, spice. Taste comprises chocolate, spice, nutty, banana chews, molasses, roasted bit, brown sugar melt. Full bodied, light oily feel with a drying close and rising boost. Fun enough pastry but a little sweet and sticky and lacking a touch of balance to be a 4 and north thereof.

18th September 2024
Can. Near clear amber beer, small and short lived pale tan head. Smooth palate, mildly dry, good fine minerally carbonation. The nose is redolent of vanilla and white chocolate. Malts bring mild caramel and toffee that blends well with the dominant vanilla white chocolate vibe. Some honey sweetness and slightly bitter almond coming through on the back end. Impressively light and drinkalble for its hefty abv. Quite the sweet desert Barleywine. And it works well in that context. Lacks the malt depth and sophistication of the best straight barleywines but delivers the candy vibe with aplomb. The drinkability of this 14% beer is probably its biggest strength.