Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

500ml bottle from Morrisons, Sheldon, Birmingham. Poured a clean dark brown colour with a lasting, frothy, off-white head. The aroma is roasted malt, nutty, herbal. The flavour is moderate to light liqourice bitter, with a smooth, somewhat light, watery, light roasty, light liqourice bitter palate. Medium to light bodied with soft carbonation.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle from Co-op Union Street, Aberdeen. It pours clear mahogany brown with a handsome beige head. The aroma is varnished wood, bitter - sweet, earth, resin, malt loaf, brown bread and toasted nut. The taste is dry, bitter - sweet, woody, nutty, leather, resin, tannin, brown bread, earth, dull yoffee, malt loaf and a touch of alcohol with a drying, woody finale. Medium body and average carbonation. Kinda reminds me of Innes & Gunn. Absolutely fine. Decent boost level.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 8.5

So this is my 1 thousandth beer rated and ticked on this site.  It's taken a while, mainly because I couldn't be bothered to add to the site for about 6 years, but I'm back in the saddle and time for a reflection.  I love beer.  I love it's variety, the way it changes with time and fashion. I love exploring the breweries and beer styles. I love sharing it with friends and family.  I love the way it makes me feel and the sheer pleasure I get from drinking it.  I love hunting down beers and breweries and the excitement of finding something new.  I just love beer. Who knows how many different beers I've had during my 49 years on this planet, but way more than this.  Way more.  I had a 20 year old Fullers Vintage lined up to mark the occasion, but I'm on holiday and I don't have access to my beer cellar so I found this in a local Waitrose. It's a good one, rich malt, toffee, wine and a bit of Port. This is very good and very pleased to have this one for my milestone.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle from Sainsburys, Lee Green. Black pour with a beige head. Nose is toffee, chocolate, burnt caramel, coffee. Taste is profiteroles, black coffee, dark chocolate, caramel. Smoky sweet mouthfeel. Lightly bitter. Quite flavoursome.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

[50cl bottle from Sainsbury's, Bracknell.] An opaque matt black pour with a fast fading cream head; roasted malt aroma, with a touch of chocolate and some aromatics; milky body with a rich roasted malt taste; followed by a herbal bitterness and a dry toasted malt finish. Very drinkable.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle. Color: Clear amber, beige head. Aroma: Oak wood. Fruity apple, grape, citrus, some caramel. Taste: Nice mix of oak wood, vanilla, slightly tart fruity Sherry hints and hints of citrus and green apple, caramel malt. Medium body, just below average carbonation. Long lasting finish. Some dry bitterness at the finish. Moderate sweet and light going to over moderate bitterness at the finish. Wow! Lovely example of excellent barrel ageing and blending.

Bready nose. The beer starts watery bready, somehow unfounded. Bitter in the finish, malty and bready. A bit dusty.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6

--Sample, thanks oh6gdx! -- Clear nut brown, small head. Leafy, caramelly nose. Mid sweet with light to medium body and rounded mouthfeel. Bread, caramel, leafs and hay. Mid bitter finish.