Additional notes 06/16/16

6.5%, excellent value at $3.99 from Hop City.

Beautiful amber pour with all the attributes of a hoppy, English ESB/Strong Ale.

Hops slightly too advanced for my own personal taste, but well within the guidelines. Semi-Rich which leads to moreish breaking of wave after wave of intense raisin and malts bombs across the tongue. A beer that is dangerously drinkable at 6.5%, but is just SO moreish.

Hop bite, especially on the back end was a bit surprising to me. Caught me slightly off -guard.

500 ml clear bottle.

Great beer, that I appreciate more than ever these days.

Original notes 08/06/14

12 oz bottle from Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg, VA.

Copper pour. Disappointing head but some spotty creamy lace.

Malt base – obviously – Duh. Having said that, drier and a little bit boozy considering everything. Now, when I say boozy its all relative, but an Englishman with a serious understanding of Old Speckled Hen and a bunch of other beers of the same ilk is going to find this quite strong. that’s even coming from me 15 years into an American beer odyssey.

Decent malt flavor with some biscuity malts. Ending is a little abrupt.

A little dry fruit ends the thing.