Papa Noel's Olde Ale
Chilled bottle shared at ramnuts' house. Thanks Frank! A: Pours a rich mahogany color in the glass that seems black on first glance. Ruby highlights against the light. Moderate head that recedes into a collar and leaves no lacing down the sides. S: Vinous with dark fruit character. Grapes, plums, molasses, roasted malt, and chocolate. T: Leads with chocolate and roasted malt, suggesting a stout, but it goes into molasses, which confounds my expectations, then blows them apart by going into dark fruit territory. Grapes, plums, and possibly cherries (cannot quite discern). Tasty and complex. Smoky in the finish. M: Full-bodied and even chewy. Low-moderate carbonation that makes this a creamy beverage. D: We didn't have much of this, but I was impressed by how rich the pour was, for such a low ABV. It drinks very smoothly and has much to offer in each sip.