Bottle split at Bruce’s pad, thanks to Ell Kay Ess, 27/03/14. Light black with a good sized tan covering. Nose is dark toffee fudge, light roast, subtle BA effect, dark fruits, pinch of spice. Taste comprises light roast, subtle whisky BA pangs, dark chocolate, toffee fudge. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close. Solid porter, subtle and well integrated BA effect.

27th January 2014
Tasting at Bruce’s. Thanks to Leighton. Opaque dark brown beer, small pale tan head. Palate is light with mild fine carbonation. Mellow dark malts, a little oaky vanilla. Mildly bitter hop floralness. Light dry finish. Tasty light BA porter.

Draught at Publick House on 3/20/14 Lightly hazy, pale straw golden body is topped by a large white head showing strong retention. Nose smells very similar to Treecreeper; citrus and tropical fruits graced by a touch of pine, with a sweetness that smells rather saccharine-like. Some light esters of bubblegum, banana and peach break in on the edges and just a touch of dry spiciness lingers on the end. Alcohol is not noted. Good strength of aroma. Soft and quite hoppy in the mouth, the acids don’t really build up and it’s quite a bit of juicy, peach-marmalade and pineapple mango. With the bitterness fairly low, you definitely get a peek at the Belgian aspects, which are somewhat reserved, but at least noticeable. Yeast notes add complexity and the phenols definitely keep it dry, despite the malt being on the sweet side. The most important thing here is that it’s got the texture/carbonation/mouthfeel of their pale ales and not their Belgian. Supple mouthfeel with mostly engaging carbonation as opposed to the watery, loose mouthfeel of most of their other saisons Ive had. Still get that saccharine-like flavor (thornecb gets it too and notes it as aspartame). Don’t like that at all, but the rest of the beer is very good.

Bottle thanks to Leighton. It pours darkest brown with a small beige head. Then nose is earthy, toast,cocoa, choc, toast and charred notes. The taste is charred wood, toast, earth, treacle, caramel, toast, plum and roasted malt with a dry finish. Medium body and fine carbonation. Pretty drinkable stuff.

Bottle shared in London - thanks for the trade! Pours clear, dark brown with a frothy, beige head. The nose holds some burnt wood, baking cocoa, touches of toffee and burnt marshmallow. Medium sweet flavor with scorched honey, toasted toffee, dark fruits, soft cocoa. Medium bodied with fine carbonation. Mellow warmth to conclude, more burnt sugars, dark bread, toffee. Quite tasty, pretty well balanced, very drinkable.

Pours mahogany-tinged black into a snifter. Mocha head with medium retetention recedes to hug rim. Dark cocoa and pit fruit aromas. Medium bodied with dark chocolate and caramel upfront turning slightly warming in the lasting bitter pith finish. ABV very well hidden.