$7.00 via mail from Brusin’ Ale, Asheville, NC, USA. 750 mL black foiled and capped. Blue and silver notes accent the usual ABdR label. Presentation is nice. Minor gusher.

Note: This is marked “Best Before end of 2008”, so may be a touch past its prime. Nothing to really worry about, but to be honest the beer did seem a little tired.

Pour is a little more orange than I was anticipating and the head, although good initially, has a touch less retention and lace than I’ve become accustomed to from the brewery.

A slight musty note in the nose. Yeasty – lacks clarity.

Some light spices in the taste and an alcohol presence that was more than I anticipated. Very easy drinking, but it was a little thinner than I was hoping for. The finish is the most pleasing part of this brew. Pleasant level of carbonation; seems right.

Overall this was a touch different than I was expecting and to be honest I felt it lacked some depth. Well put together but it left me wanting a bit more.