Swing-top bottle that I picked up for the bargain price of $1.99 at Tower on Piedmont, Atlanta, GA, USA (these bottles have been on sale in Atlanta in the $5.99 range prior to this).
These bottles have been in ATL for quite a while now, and obviously they are trying to move this stock that did not sell well. No freshness date on the bottle, but probably an old”er” bottle.
Nice presentation in the swing top bottle which pops open with gusto, so a good sign there.
Pour is a light brown affair with a tan colored head that offers some retention (at least to the point where there is a light film on the surface of the beer and a ring around the extreme edge. Color is a slightly hazed, peachy brown.
Nose offers some fairly serious, rich malts and begins to raise the anticipation levels.
Tastes do not really match the potential of the nose, and the beer feels a little lackluster and somewhat musty. The beer is probably not exactly the freshest sample available, and it shows. Nevertheless, with no freshness date on the bottle, what can one do? Plenty of caramel.
Light malts with a touch of alcohol, the beer resembles a light version of a Doppelbock (if that makes ANY sense!). Clean finish amongst the malty undertones.
Interesting, and I would love to try this from a source that I knew was really fresh.