Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale
2006 year old bottle poured into an Ommegang wine glass. Appearance-Much darker than when it was fresh, looks black until held to the light, then it is a deep translucent ruby with tiny bubbles passing thru the reverse image on the other side of the glass. Head is pearl white and only about a half finger thick. Quickly dissapates into tiny bubbles ringing the glass. Lacing clings and lingers on the sides. Smell- Honey, cinnamon, maple, cherry, sweet honey light malts and allspice. Sweet caramel malty flavors and a hint of belgian chocolate at the very end. Taste- Whoa! This beer ages WELL!! It tastes very close to a New Glarus Belgian Cherry Red with the cherry coming out upfront, but the spices kick in and then it becomes another beast entirely. Cinnamon, clove, orange, caramel, juniper, a bit of chocolate malt, nearly no hop in the finish but a slight bitterness that may be from the orange. Mouthfeel- Medium full bodied, well carbonated, well attenuated. Somewhat chewy like taffy, but not as disgustingly sweet. Slightly warming despite the low abv. Drinkability- I will be honest, when I had this fresh I was less than impressed, but with a year on it, the beer is amazingly drinkable. I would love to find more year old fezziwig again, but it is likely to be a fat chance as I will have to buy more full samplers just to get them. Bottle these seperately Sam Adams!