Notes added, 10/17/21 (This is pictured)

It is SO gratifying when a beer drinks like this after cellaring. Carbonation is great (always the first worry), and the pour is so good as a result. 10+ years has mellowed out the oak here tremendously, and the depth of flavor is absolutely intense and immense. Smooth, beautifully balanced, drinkability off the chart, and a beer to remember in a way that it wasn’t 10 years ago. The bottle conditioning has saved the carbonation here.

Subtle, fruit esters, but the mild oak is the winner here. Silky, gentle, and a light touch. Gosh. Good! Beyond good.

Only sadness is that this is the last bottle …

Original notes

750 mL capped bottle in the usual “The Bruery” presentation.

Now I’m confused. Bought six bottles of this because I was sure I would like it, and after sharing bottle #1 I felt REALLY good about my purchase, however as I drink bottle #2 I feel less confident than I did a few weeks ago.

I had this for the first time about three weeks ago and absolutely loved it. Now I try it for the second time and I feel a little less enamored with it, but above all there seems to be a slight carbonation issue!

The beer pours with a lightly, chill-hazed brown-garnet pour. As I say, on this occasion the beer is poorly carbonated and lacks life. There is a little carbonation at first, but by the time the beer has sat in the glass for about ten minutes, it’s completely flat. Disappointing, and not something that I experienced when I drank it three weeks ago.

Nose and tastes deliver plenty of honey, sugared alcohol and some light fruit. Good depth on the Belgian yeast and fruit elements and the brew gives some nice fig and plum character. The beer finishes with a dry note that reminds one of the oak element, and a touch more drying ethanol. Aftertaste lingers and reinforces the dry character with some evaporating alcohol.

Definitely some woody, dry fruit in there too.

Interesting beer and I’m a little conflicted here. The carbonation worries me a bit, and it’s confusing since I don’t recall it being low a couple of weeks ago!?