
First sip is slightly tart with smoke and oak seeming to be front and center with this beer, even though I don't think I smelled either of them in the aroma. Sometimes, an unexpected change like that is good, and sometimes it's bad. In this case, it's not bad, but a sip is like looking at a masterpiece trough a mail slot. Time for a swig.
Tip-in is light carbonation with brown sugar, cherries, twigs, and a touch of smoke. It's kind of a friendly handshake to start the beer off. The middle is a bit rough with oak and grains fighting it out with smoke swirling around them. The finish comes with a sweeter, nuttier personality that is definitely worth the wait. The trail-off has a bit of bitterness to it.
Bottom Line: Good enough to order when out, and I might even say it'd be a good beer for passing a cold winter evening.
2.75/5