New review – 2008 version (best before Jan 2009)
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12 oz bottle as a single from Total Wine.
Great looking orange pour withe super head and retention again. Seems a little sweeter and less “upfront hoppy” than some of the earlier vintages but that may be because I am drinking this later in the season than in the past.
Still ahs the aspirin bite in the back end, finish and aftertaste.
Year after year this a great beer.
Original review 10/2007
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This FINALLY makes it to GA. I had just about given up. $10.49 for the 4 pack at Smyrna World Of Beverage, Smyrna, Atlanta, GA, USA. (Also at Arbor Place for $9.99). Having really enjoyed the 2005 (22oz) version, I have been looking forward to it.
12oz bottle is poured into the Sweetwater 420 Pilsner glass. Cloudy golden body with a small but perfectly formed, compact head, great retention and some superb lace. Nose has mild hop character but not a huge amount.
Taste is unique. Almost a mild spice in the mouth, with a liquor like finish. Hop bitterness kicks in with the aftertaste that has more than a touch of metallic character too. A touch of lemon or citrus there as well. This dovetails nicely with a moreish sweetness that kicks in halfway down the bottle. Very smooth and easy drinking. Mouthfeel is slightly viscous and large, you can certainly tell that you are consuming something a little out of the ordinary and special.
Delicious, almost certainly supposed to be consumed fresh, but I wouldn’t mind seeing what this does with a little age on it too.