There’s a huge vanilla hit in this beer.
It’s all wrapped up in stewed plums and spiced apple, but it’s there and it’s rich and it’s absolutely delicious.
OK, I’m sure most everyone has tried this beer long before me, but this is my first time and it comes thanks to my friends’ kindness.
Abt. 12 pours a deep mahogany red with a fluffy, lively head.
The aroma is woody, fruity treacle, puddingy and beautifully spiced.
Somewhere in here there’s a big chunk of chocolate sloshing around, espresso waves at you from the background and a big blob of toffee goes all chewy and sticks to your teeth.
The hops are crunchy red brown hedgerow shrubbery with meadow flower fragrance and pithy apple skins.
But all the while that vanilla pod continues to pop back up and smile at you.
What a lovely beer this is.