Bottle number two that I’ve had now. And it still releases a putrid DMS aroma right upon uncapping. Further sniffs show smoked beef and pork, oily, warm cheddar cheese, light rotten veggies, old, wet, rotting mint plants. Caramel fits in there as well, though you can not help but note the DMS front and foremost. Flavor is not as dominated by rotten veggies, but there is still a strong undertone of it. Spoiled meat that’s been left out warm too long. It’s too bad too, because there is some well-done roasted malt, touches of smoke and sweet honey-caramel in there. Alcohol is well-concealed as well. Mouthfeel shows light carbonation, moderately loose bubbles. Retronasal has light smoke and roast, with just a hint of hops. Baked bean skins and veggies linger on the aftertaste. Some candied apples, cherries and toffee in there as well, but every time I try to drink more, the cringe-inducing veggie finish makes it not worth the well-malted beginning. Light lager yeast notes, definite pils malt, much like in the ’03. Not vinous, not very warming. Clear auburn-caramel, layers of bronze, beige and amber, to a dark mahogany in the center. Head recedes immediately to cover and then is gone in short time. To the drain.

2005 bottle from DYCSoccer17, thanks Casey! Shared at the 3/6/05 Montreal tasting. Aroma of brown sugar soaked in vinegar, spoiled grape pulp, sour yeast. Appearance is a clear, weak olive-brown with a fleeting dark beige head. Flavor has strange chemical/solvent notes, some butter, raisins and sourish/sweet light soy flavors. Brown sugar is faint, alcohol peaks through. Body is medium-light with an artificial fizziness. Not many good things to say about this one, but I will say that it’s hard to believe they would produce a new beer this bad, so I will try another bottle in hopes of it being better.