Winter 2010/11.
My review on RateBeer:
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 17/20
AHTOH (32) - San Diego, USA - JAN 28, 2011
12 ounce bottle. 2010 vintage. Poured into Duvel tulip. Side note: Heard this vintage was extremely carbonated.
APPEARANCE: Foam started to rise out of the bottle once the cap was removed. Massive beige, cream-colored head is thick and frothy. Head has extremely long duration, which eventually begins to settle slowly and unevenly – in a rocky manner. Effervescence everywhere – unlike some common ales that may have a steady stream of carbonation rising, generally, from the center – you can see the carbonation trails on the sides of the glass about every half centimeter. For the thickness of the beer, effervescence is quite rapid; although it does seem as though the carbonation is battling the viscosity in its quest to the top. Actually the carbonation trails appear to be rising at several different speeds. The massive amount of carbonation rising to the top seems to suspend quite a bit of sediment all throughout the beer; slowing down the fall of the sediment towards the bottom. General color of the beer is deep caramel. Ridiculous amount of sediment at the bottom of the glass. Most of the huge sediment beginning to settle at the bottom is a pale yellow/mustard color and looks like butternut squash flavored baby food. The amount of sediment seems equal to about a quarter of a small jar of baby food. While I would generally consider this much sediment somewhat detrimental to the overall appearance, the appearance of this beer is one of the most complex I have ever seen.
AROMA: Strong hops and caramel aromas, which are very well-balanced. Grass and citrus hops, as well as some subtle pine and earthy notes. Malt is huge amounts of toffee and caramel. Faint note of candy (eg, salt water taffy). Some dough, though largely covered by malt sweetness.
TASTE: Citrus (more orange than lemon) hops with hint of grass on front palate. Honey sweetness mid palate. Caramel and faint dark bread/graininess on back of palate. Alcohol warmth on finish is medium length. Finish is complex interplay of heavy caramel malt sweetness, alcohol warmth, and hop bitterness.
MOUTH FEEL: Lively carbonation helps reduce some of the perceived viscosity, making it seem less viscous than it appears.
OVERALL: A monster of an ale, especially in appearance. Complex aroma and taste. Viscous. Excellent after dinner slow-slipping ale/digestif.
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