I don’t know how this gets to be an ESB, as noted here, or a winter ale, but I’m likin’ it. A pungent nose features a blended fruitiness , apricot, prune, biscuit malt and brown sugar. The body is a rich caramel colour with a slightly fizzy, short-lived head. The lead taste element is smooth caramel malt followed by slightly rindy citrus and tropical hops, berries, and hints of nuts and apricots. Add a slight boozy warmth and there are some shared characteristics with dark ales from the BrewDogs Abstrakt series. A solid density with a slick mouth feel. Finishes well with a balance of malt, hops, berries and apricot depth.

10/6/2023. Bottle shared at SBGP3. From New Zealand Beer Collective. 2016 vintage. Pours clear pale golden amber with a small frothy white head. Aroma is funky, yeasty, peachy, citrus, vague cherry. Moderate sweetness, light bitterness, medium sour which increased. Medium body, slightly watery, average to soft carbonation. Dry, sour and salty finish. Enjoyable.

Quite golden for a kriek. Funky, light in the cherries, a bit of a salty at the end. Thanks Graham B.