Extremely surprised to come across this at The Beer Exchange in Charleston, SC, USA. $2.49 as a 12 oz single. There is a smudged, inky, dot matrixed Best Before date on the label but it is unreadable.
This appears to be a pretty rare find, but perhaps Thomas Creek is re-releasing/re-making it.
I am VERY wary of this for two main reasons. Firstly Thomas Creek has been pretty much an unmitigated disaster in my book – beer, after beer, after beer has been disappointing in many cases, and very often just horrible – and secondly at 11.00% it’s just about three times the ABV that I really hanker for. That said, I’ll try anything at least once.
OK, the pour is a nice, orange/golden affair with some very surprising carbonation. Streams of fine bubbles create an equally urprisingly good head. Obviously virtually no lace, but that would be asking a lot given the alcohol.
Nose reveals a somewhat artifically sweet alcoholic smell which is not the best feature of this beer.
The tastes are very sweet, and I hesitate to use the word “balanced”, but at the same time are not too overpowering. I like sweet beers so this may be something that I can stomach that others wouldn’t. Light fruits, slick mouthfeel and more than a hint of alcohol, this drinks like a large Pilsner as the label suggests. Reminds me of an English barleywine.
Surpisingly drinkable (considering the style and the ABV), and surprisingly good given my experience with Thomas Creek. Having said all of that, this is still strictly a VERY infrequent beer for me and I doubt that I’ll be seeking this again for several reasons, but…better than anticipated.