Black color, almost no foam. Sweet aroma, with light notes of raisins and Christmas pudding. Thin body, some late sweetness, light caramel, very light Christmas pudding touch (raisins, spices, caramel…), or rye bread. Original, but too simple.

[Cask at Charlie’s Bar, Copenhagen] A hazy orange beer with a thin white head. The aroma is flowery hoppy with slight notes of lemon. The flavor is sweet and very hoppy combined with citrus and a slight sticky toffee note.

Unknown vintage, Santa Claus on the label, listed at 8.1%. On to the rating: Oh god what a nose. Rich fruitcakey alcohol. I just want to sniff this stuff. There’s alot going on. Grassy, almost haylike hops. Lightly carbonated, very nearly flat actually, but enough zip to keep this moving on the palate. Note that the initial head was about one finger, but quickly faded to nothing. The lacing however, is significant. Color was amber tinged blood-red. Flavor surprisingly balanced and medium in strength. A caramelly candy slick front melds into a spicy hop finish, which could honestly use more bitterness. Actually the finish is weirdly semi-sweet and seems empty compared to begining. The aroma raises expectations, the palate doesn’t meet.

Black with a tiny, light brown head. Aromas of malt, wood, leather, port and chocolate. Amazingly complex and unusual flavour. Wine and wood with a hint of Flemish sour. Dry aftertaste. 2001 vintage, tasted 2007: Dark red brown, no head. Pretty much the same tasting notes, but I have grown to like it even better.

Bottled. Black/dark amber colour, mediumsized bubbly head. Plum, malt and hops in aroma along with raisins. Sweet plummy flavour. Very Christmassy feeling over it. A bit bitterness in finish.

Bottle 1998 drank in 2005: Poured a dark brown color ale with a small brown head with minimal retention. Aroma of strong roasted malt and some alcohol is easily distinguishable. Taste of strong malt, molasses and sweet caramel makes up for a nice warming drink. Alcohol is evident but not as much as to ruin it for me. Body is quiet full with some very light carbonation. I suspect a minimal used of hops since there is not much bitterness or maybe this is due to aging. Nice English style barleywine overall.