Draft at The Bistro’s IPA Fest; Nose of piney and lemony hops with a little caramel; copper-orange with a medium off-white head; Flavor of hop bitterness and some citrus with a what else, bitter hop finish. Decent IPA though!

Draught sample at ABF on 6/16/07
Milk chocolate-colored body shows a medium clarity, with a light tan head that is short-lived, fading to cover, and allowing minimal lacing.
German chocolate cake in the nose, with hazelnut and dry roast, not too sweet (despite the cake reference), but then, not very lagerish either. I suppose there is a bit of mineral-like, crispness, but it seems a lot more like a brown ale to me. Some brown sugar sweetness creeps in with warming, but a toasty dryness is there to balance it. Esters, as others mention, are present, though I dont think it was out-of-control with them (shouldnt have any, though). Medium strength of aroma, no flaws (though esters are kind of a flaw for the style).
Rich, chocolate and caramel sit up front, slowly drying out with a touch of coffee and lots of breadiness. Decidedly more crisp than expected on the end, with dry yeast and yet a fruitiness lingering on, which I’m not so sure is not just derived from the malt. I didnt get any heavy banana and bubble gum. Body seems too soft, with the carbonation not doing enough to keep it from being a little too much on the sweet side. A great beer; I just wouldn’t pick it out as a dunkel.

Draught @ Pizza Port, San Clemente. Pours a hazy dark amber color with a small off-white head. Sweet malty caramel aroma with some hoppy hints. Sweet malty warming caramel flavor and some hints of hops. Smooth sweetish malty finish.

[At GABF 2004] A clear brown beer with a small disappearing orange head. The aroma is roasted combined with notes of coffee, while the flavor has a strong roasted malt character giving it a nice sweetness with a good amount of chocolate notes, but the body is thin.

[At GABF 2004] A clear golden beer with a dense white head. The aroam is subtle grassy - a little weak considering the style. The flavor is very grassy and hop oily, leading to a bitter hoppy end. Nice, but not exceptional.

[At GABF 2004] A hazy yellow beer with a disappearing white head. The aroma is very grassy intertwined with notes of hop oils. The flavor is sweet and very hoppy leading to a dry finish.

[At GABF 2004] An orange beer with a small dense white head. The aroma is grassy and hoppy, while the flavor is lovely hoppy and grassy combined with a nice maltyness, leading to a dry very bitter end.