[1] Review by pootz from between Calgary and Waterloo, Canada who has tried this beer a couple times. (3/31/2006 7:27:51 PM)
"2006 edition:
Many changes in this year's release...
Dark cola ( lighter than last year) with a great whacking tan cap that lasts and laces the glass up (malt protiens have been increased)
Aroma...less astrigent than last year...deep cocoa tones over fresh baked bread and some piney notes from hopping.
Solid malt spine, richer creamy mouth feel, solid body roasty-cocoa-hoppy character in fine balance.
Up front a big chew on (it seems) German dark malts like rich liquid toasted rye bread...then nice balance from the hybrid hopping mingles with subtle fruit under tones the cocoa/coffe tastes...finishes mildly crisp, and lightly bitter with a bready after taste.
If I had to characterize the change this year I would say it is "drinkability" and an increased body...a very nice porter in the London style but malty...I'll be buying enough to last out the winter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> 2005 edition ( rated 3.4) Chatted with Val at the brewery over a couple of these and took a 6 home. She informed me that there is a detectable quantity of Beaujolais wine in this brew...she also added that the stage/process in which it is added is "secret" so I assumed it was not a fruit type beer but a proper porter with some fresh wine added in the post fermentation final stages ( brite tank?).
In my estimation the flavors mate and compliment.
Poured a dark mahogany that shows ruby highlights....wonderful close-pored 2 finger tan cap that lasts and laces the glass. Light carbonation.
Aromas are delicate but you get a nice potpourri of coffee-cocoa scents mingling with tart berry juice and some grassy hopping.
Mouthfeel is substantive... oily, slick. Up front you get the chewy roast malt and all the coffee-cocoa tastes then midway you start to detect berries ( currents) and the resinous hops. The finish is long and wet where the vinous qualities come forward...tart grape skins mingle with metallic hop bittering and the alcohol.
A very nice flavorvored porter in the old London pub style with a slight twist...nice effort by this brewer
"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.7)
Sampled: Bottle, Hand Pump Sample Size: 341ml @ $1.82 Unit Cost: $2.53 per Pint
[2] Review by biegaman from Toronto, Canada who has tried this beer once. (1/8/2006 7:17:34 PM)
"Cask conditioned, sampled at Cest What, fresh from the cask. Poured a coal like black colour with foamy head. Not too robust of an aroma nor taste really, by which I mean nothing overly distinguished. A more pronouced smokiness than anything, but what flavour came through was quite nice. A very familiar mouthfeel. A little coy and but still a well pronouced porter. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Hand Pump
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
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(3.7)
