Another gem from the St Peter's brewery in Suffolk, England. The label describes it as a "deep ruby red amber ale", and if you hold it up to a really bright light you can see what they're talking about. Otherwise, it's brown.

Anyways, it's a damn good beer. Pours with a thick, creamy, beige head that is profuse and long-lasting. Heady aromas of chocolate and caramel with a little bit of tangy, "winey" undertones. The initial taste is strongly malty and sweet, with plenty of the caramel flavor you'd expect from the nose, but balanced nicely in the finish with just enough hop bitterness and a light hint of unsweetened cocoa. Not sure exactly what hops they used, but it would appear they mostly used a variety without a strong flavor for bittering, and maybe just a little bit of Fuggles for hop flavor.

Unlike most American "winter/holiday" ales that are basically poorly done, overly alcoholic barleywines*, this beer is "only" 6.3% ABV, which is strong enough for my tastes. Still, it's a very full bodied beer that fits the traditional concept of a bigger, more warming winter ale. Like almost everything else I've had from these guys, I highly recommend it if you can find it.










*Sorry, I meant "barleywine-style ales". Don't want the FDA coming after me...