Additional notes 05/23/25

2006, Batch 2, the best part of 20 years old.

Well, as expected in terms of carbonation and the pour. Not much oxidation. The alcohol is still there, but it now manifests itself as an oaky, but incredibly smooth sherry. The turbinado sugar comes through strong with a molasses type element.

I mean this is basically exactly what I expected, and in one sense might be more drinkable that it was almost 20 years ago, but it’s still quite the task to have much more than a few sips TBH.

An interesting experiment, but in truth a ‘beer’ that should never really have been a beer IMO.

Original notes 09/13/05

2005 Vintage.

Well, essentially this is a Madeira Port posing as beer. When I smelled this and then drank it, I could think of nothing else.

It’s huge in all respects. Alcohol is warming and then burning, the deep and dense liquor smell is absolutely immense, and it drinks like a port.

Hugely rich and although not difficult to drink, one is plenty for me in most sitting, settings. A “one-bottle sipper” in my opinion.
Aromas and tastes are dominated by the warming, intensely fruity alcohol.

The pour is pretty ordinary looking, reddish brown with a small head, but the viscosity is not ordinary. Very syrupy obviously as a result of the high ABV.

Huge beer and not by an means an everyday drinking beer.