Cigar City Emperor Shennong's Wolfberry Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Rated in April 2009. On tap at the OTH launch party pouring deep copper with rusty edges and tan head. If I think about it the aroma is split between the syrup sticky sweetness and thick application of pine and grassy hops from the barleywine and the fresh hop crispness of the IPA to go along with a faint fruity berryness in the background. The taste is similar with thick sweet malts that have caged up copious amounts of late addition pine and grassy hops from the barleywine to start to go along with a cedar twang. By midway it lightens up with a cornucopia of hop additions, with tangelo, pine and a bit of resin notes just leading the way and smooth modestly sweet malts from the IPA in tow. As the finish approaches the infusion from the berries begins to be noticed with a mild berry sensation, earthiness and a sense of tobacco mixing with lingering caramel, molasses and pine hops. Interesting stuff. It may benefit with a little more age that may allow it to blend a bit more. Maybe a couple of months. I like it now though.