A hazy dark yellow beer with a big off-white head. The aroma is sweet with strong notes of yeast - and so is the flavor also - with a slight spicy note to it.

Bottle shared with the Montreal crew on 11/6/2005. Pours a dark brown-black with some dark violet tinges to the body and a small, fizzling to cover, beige head. Only light, spotty lacing left on the glass. Aroma shows prunes, lightly sour/tart yeast and more dark fruits. Almost a bitter baker’s chocolate combined with roast and some dry, earthy notes. Rather muddled. I should think they would want to showcase the yeast, and a tart but clean dark fruitiness, as with Black Ghost or maybe focus on the malt and yeast. The malt seems to dry and lightly bitter though. The flavor begins very grapey. Concord grapes, tart prunes and a strong oiliness in texture combine to create a lacking mouthfeel, with flavors I don’t associate with Black Ghost (never had SPF 8). Little to no hoppiness apparent, with lightly bitter roast. As it warms, it is, fortunately, saved by some sweet caramel malt notes, but then seems to end lightly bready. Oily, lightly tart almost vinegar-like yeast notes are strong and too drying. Aerated, lightly bubbly texture, with a moderate malty sweet body. No alcohol apparency. Juicy and oily. Would probably come across more elegantly if the mouthfeel were less bubbly.

Thanks to Dorwart for the trade. 2004 Bottle: Dark chestnut color with a thin wispy off-white head and minimal lacing. Aroma of toasted malt, bread and caramel. Rich and sweet mouthfeel with lots of malt and caramel flavoring. Nice amount of hops and alcohol to balance it. The bitterness is less pronounced by the end of the glass. The finish is sweet and salty with a bit of citrus. This is an enjoyable Barley Wine.

Thanks to Dorwart for the trade. Clear dark amber color with a thick and frothy off-white head that lasts a long time. Decent amount of lacing. Earthy malt aroma with some hops present. Medium-bodied but a little thin compared to the better Alts I have tried. Sweet malt and fruit flavors dominate, with some spicy hops. The finish is clean and sweet, if short-lived. All in all this is a pretty good Alt, but I wish it packed a little more punch.

Thanks to Dorwart for the trade. Lightly cloudy golden yellow color with a medium thin white head that dissipated pretty quickly. Thin lacing. Smoky malt aroma. Medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel. Lots of smoke flavor with malt and a bit of fruit in the background. The finish is smooth and malty with some spices peeking through. Very unique beer that is hard to categorize and easy to enjoy.

pours a creamy tan head with black color. Aroma is roasty malts. Taste follows, nice. A bit dark for my taste, but nice occasional beer.

Bottled, alc. 8%
Opaque black, no head. Roasted nose with loads of licorice. Roasted barley, licorice with dry and almost metallic flavor. Long roasted aftertaste. A bit too simple to be great.

Bottled. Black opaque colour, small brown head. Roasted malt, sweet caramellish notes in aroma. Sweet caramel, old coffee and roasted malt in flavour. Aftertaste is mainly roast and coffee. Sticky, but pleasant palate.