Pours out leaving no head, and barely any lacing, but has a nice red color, and signature aroma that I've come to expect from the better barley wines (malts and fruits shooting up into the sinus cavities). The flavor has a bit too much hop presence for this style of beer, and the malty sweetness is a tiny bit lacking. The body, too, seems a bit thin and lacking in some respect. The finish doesn't last very long, and the last thing you taste is the hops, which I don't enjoy in this style. I expected more. It's alright, but there are much better, and for this price, I probably won't buy this again.

Comments amber with immense tan head. Great balance. Good malt Mouthcoating quality

1988 version deep amber, large tan head.Small intense bead. spiced nose, spiced malt taste with a tart finish.

One of my favorites. Great hop profile......................................

2002 Bottle, tasted November 2002: Attractive dark garnet color with medium beige head. Warming aroma with plenty of nutmeg notes. Flavor is strong with nutmeg, with a hint of chocolate. Balanced finish: mild sweetness, light bitterness, lingering nutmeg spice. Overall pretty good, but the nutmeg is sure different, weird and something that takes getting used to. An acquired taste, but worth acquiring.

Their porter is much better, but this is a very distinct beer. From what I''m told, it goes great with seafood, and from the flavor, I can tell that it probably does.

Sampled draught at Oliver Twist, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ruby with brief head. Fruity, ashy aroma. Roasty, complex short flavour, some crystal malt character. Sharp mouthfeel and medium bitterness.