The color is a deep amber with an orange and brown hue - the center almost looks red. The sticky head bubbles down to a manageable and thin cap with lacing that covers a small portion of the glass, but it's thick where it sits. The aroma is powerful and reeks of hops and malt. I may be fooling myself, but I think I smell oranges in there, too.First sip is rich and complex. My previous experience was apparently rushed and left me with the wrong impression. This has too much to discern in a tiny sip, but I know I get a lot more malt than I expected from an ale. It's like biting into a flour-covered biscuit that once saw a picture of a hop. I expect I need a full draught.
Tip-in is carbonation and grainy malt. It's smooth from the start. The middle tickles the top of the mouth and the back of the throat with a bit of floral hops and a bit more bready malt. As the finish starts, a sweet tingle spreads across the tongue with another malty hunk of love waltzing down the gullet. The malt that ends it is sweet and lingering.
Bottom Line: A very good, malty beer for when you want a lager, but not if you prefer an ale.
3.75/5
