22 oz bottle as part of the Side Project Series, this one is #11. The usual gold-foiled presentation.

Pour is a surprisingly dark amber in color. The head is largely absent and the retention and lace are close to zero. Disappointing.

Nose gives some phenols and a little fusel alcohol in the back end of the finish.

It’s a pretty viscous and heavy beer, but to be honest, given the style that’s in line and OK, but it certainly does not add to the drinkability.

There’s a little marzipan in the beer and the syrupy feel does gets a bit much, pretty quickly for me.

Lots of extra alcohol comes through in the finish and there is a mild burn. Sugar sweetness overwhelms the beer and there is a lack of bitterness that one would hope for in a beer of this style/type. I’d like a bit of extra bitterness and a less heavy feel to the beer, but ho hum.

Mild burn in the finish too. Lacks the energy of a Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner for me.

In the end this is a bit of a yawn (again) from the SP series. I’d really appreciate a lower ABV beer in this group.