Additional notes 11/01/23 (Pictured)

I’m not going to lie. This is an old bottle that was collecting dust on a random store’s shelf in Ohio. I knew it was old for a couple of reasons, one because this essentially doesn’t get to the USA these days (or if it does the distribution is incredibly limited), and two it shows that is distrubuted by the long defunct Shelton Bros. As such, I was expcting little, in fact half expecting to find a drain pour.

$5.99 for the 500 mL bottle.

But no! The beer has held up beautifully well, The code on the back says no more than F 18 228, so maybe a 2018 bottle, but I have really no idea.

Pour is great! Lovely head and some appropriate carbonation. Absolutely ZERO notes of oxidation in the tastes. The alcohol probably helps a lot here, and it’s noticeable if not aggressive. Great example of a relatively high ABV beer that doesn’t get all up in your grill. Decent mouthfeel that isn’t too creamy, but also offers some good drinkability. Very well balanced all around.

Sweet, richness dances around the bitter roastiness.

Thought this would probably be a write-off, but it was great. So pleasing when this happens. A much better beer than I thought/knew in 2007. Really solid; really enjoyable.

Original notes 02/17/07

500 mL bottle. Green’s, Atlanta, GA, USA. $5.95.

Black body with some ruby red highlights. Some spotty lace on the surface of the beer. Licorice in the nose. Tasty beer but not really stout like. Good malts, but not much bitterness. A little thin in the mouth for the style I think, and in many ways this isn’t really very “stout like”. Quite sweet with a little alcohol in the background of the finish.

Expensive for what it is.