Firkin version at Barley’s 7th Annual Mini RAF (05/02/09): Pours nearly black with ruby highlights and a medium light brown head that diminishes steadily. Thin rings of lacing that slide down the glass. Light bourbon and malt in the nose. Medium body with flavors of roasted malt, bourbon and soft fruit. The finish is roasty with notes of malt and bourbon and a short hoppy aftertaste. Overall not as dry or roasty as I would have preferred for an Imperial Porter, but that is probably due to the cask aging. Decent overall.

Sample at the brewpub. This beer is a lightly hazed pale amber color with a medium off-white head that recedes steadily. Stringy lacing. Citrus and hops in the nose. Medium-bodied and moderately bitter with flavors of fresh hops, citrus and mild malt. The hops struggle to the surface throughout, ultimately landing on the bland side. The finish is mildly hoppy and short, with a fruity aftertaste. Overall this IPA is lacking.

On draught at the brewpub. This brew is a clear dark amber color with a medium and rocky light beige head that diminishes slowly. Thin rings of lacing. Aroma of earthy malt and caramel, along with some fruit. Medium-bodied with flavors of malt and fruit, and an odd bubblegum flavor at times. Light hops in the background as well. The finish is malty and sweet, with a lingering nutty and malty aftertaste. Decent overall, but I definitely wanted to like this more as good Altbiers are pretty scarce in these parts.

On draught at the brewpub (as Rauch-Amber). Pours deep amber with a compact off-white head that diminishes slowly. Stringy lacing on the glass. Smoked malt in the nose, with a bit of hops and caramel. Medium-bodied with a subtle smoky character. Notes of roasted malt, caramel and hops as well. The finish is woody malt with a mild smoked aftertaste. Not overdone in the smoke department, however this is not something I would get again. The smoky aspects are just kind of there, they do not really enhance the beer.

On draught at the brewpub. Pours a mostly clear dark brown color with a medium and fluffy beige head that has decent retention. Patchy lacing. Aroma of roasted nuts and malt, with hints of hops. Medium, smooth body with a nice roasted character. Notes of malt, chocolate and nuts along with a decent amount of hops. The finish is dry and roasty with a lingering mild hoppiness. Pretty good all around.

On draught at the brewpub. This beer is a lightly hazed yellow-gold color with a medium thin and fizzy head that dissipates steadily. Rings of lacing. Aroma of citrus and spicy hops. Medium-bodied with a hoppy (Saaz) character, along with spice and fruit flavors. The finish is long and bitter with a lingering hops aftertaste. Pretty good overall.

Sample at the brewpub: Pours a clear pale yellow color with a thin white head that dissipates pretty quickly. Spotty lacing. Mild aroma of hops and hay. Light, dry body with a lightly hoppy character. Touches of spice as well. The finish is lightly hoppy and malty. Straightforward light fare.

This is the July selection in Elevator’s "MBA" program, and coincidentally the last one I had to have to earn my Masters of Beer Appreciation! The beer is a pale golden color with tiny bubbles and a thin white head with decent retention. Light hops and malt aroma. Light-bodied and effervescent with light and zesty citrus and hops flavors. The finish is mildly sweet malt with a touch of hops. Decent summer brew that is pretty good for the style.
Earlier Rating: 8/30/2005 Total Score: 3.4
This is the August selection in Elevator’s "MBA" program. It’s a pretty decent stab at the California Common style. Light copper color with a thin cream-colored head that never quite went away. Thin lacing. Lightly floral hops aroma. Light and crisp body with mild hops flavor, as well as some herbs and fruit. The finish is clean and mildly bitter. A nice late summer session beer.

Rerate 5/2/12: Sampled this beer under the updated name "Nit Wit" and had a better experience. Same color, but with more of a traditional body and spice and citrus flavor one would associate with a Wit. Still pretty average.

6/29/06: This is the June selection in Elevator’s "MBA" program. This is the first seasonal from the Elevator that has been poorly done. It is also the first time I have had the equivalent of a "drain pour" at a brewpub, being unable to come close to finishing it. Served with a slice of orange. The beer is cloudy yellow/gold with a thin white head that diminishes quickly. Slick lacing. Aroma of light spices and citrus. Light-bodied and crisp with a zesty spice and citrus flavor for a split second, then an immediate blast of soap and moldy yeast flavor that is wince-inducing. Moreover, this unpleasant flavor seems to coat the tongue and stay there. The finish is no better, as any of the good flavors are overpowered by the lingering moldy wet dish rag flavor. Maybe an off batch but I will be scared to ever try this again.

This is the May selection in Elevator’s "MBA" program. Pours clear golden with lots of bubbles and a medium and foamy white head with decent retention. Very little lacing. Light aroma of hops with a touch of corn. Light-bodied and crisp with zesty citrus and hops flavor, along with a light malt backbone. The finish is crisp and lightly bitter, with hops and a bit of spice. Not bad.