Curator Dunkler Doppelbock: Review

Ettaler Curator Dunkler Doppelbock

Klosterbrauerei Ettal

Ettal, Germany

9% abv

1pt .9oz bottle

$5.00

No date on the bottle

I’ll bet it has some age

Appearance: deep cola body note much on the head nor lacing; just a thin tan fizz on top for a second or two

Aroma: rich malty nose; fig juice; oh, is it sweet

Flavors/Mouthfeel: no doubt that this is a Doppelbock; super rich malty tones; molasses like; dark caramel; almost syrupy feel; cloying? – yes; candied raisins; no to low carbonation – closer to no; remember I said I’ll bet that this bottle has some age on it – I am not picking up any alcohol – as a wine ages the alcohol settles – so with this Doppelbock the alcohol has settled and the sugars are elevated and the carbonation is gone; I would like to try this one fresh to see if there is a difference; looking at other reviews I’ll say this is my issue -

To the Point: you better like Doppelbock’s when you try this; sweetness all the way; might make a good dessert beer; it is a sipper; 

Today's College Bowl Games: to me this is a tough line-up; Navy is giving Middle Tennessee 6-1/2 pts - I'm going with Navy; Mississippi will win and cover the 3 pts they are giving Georgia Tech; take Oregon with the minus 14 pts over Texas - Oregon has something to prove; I'm taking Arizona State even though they are giving Texas Tech 13-1/2 pts. 

I hope my picks end up being as sweet as this ale but, I also really didn't like this ale.  I don't like those big point spreads but, I am rolling the dice on them.  I usually take the team with those big points.

Delirium Nocturnum: Review

The Huyghe Brewery

Melle/Ghent, Belgium

$12.99 a bottle

1pt 9.4oz bottle

8.5% abv

Style: Strong Dark Ale

I reviewed the Delirium Tremens Ale yesterday while watching some college football bowl games and today I am still watching some college football and reviewing Delirium Nocturnum Ale.  I don’t know if these Delirium Ales are having an effect on me but all the goal posts look like this (see picture below):

Maybe, I am starting to hallucinate?  Hey, I have a pink elephant on my beer bottle why can’t my goal posts during a football look like that?  With goal posts like that who wouldn't want to be a field goal kicker.  I am sure I can get it between the uprights.  I hope you don't mind my wife posing for these pictures - damn, I am hallucinating.  

Today's College Bowl Picks: take Rugers and the 15-1/2 pts over Notre Dame; North Carolina will cover the 3 pts that Cincinnati gets (home game for NC); take Miami and the 3-1/2 pts over Louisville; and Kansas State will cover the 3-1/2 pts Michigan gets.  I see a lot of field goals being kicked today!

On with the review.

Appearance: deep brown body with chestnut highlights; nice one finger light tan head and not much on the lacing front

Aroma: holiday brown bread; sweet dark fruit;

Flavors: dark brown fruit, candied fig and prune like; brown spice – a pinch of allspice; brown holiday breadiness; light toasted malts; little nutty – and so am I as I keep looking at that goal post; some toffee coming from the caramel malts and dark sugar;

Mouthfeel: smooth; moderate carbonation for a soft fizzy feel; I wonder if those goal posts have a soft fizzy feel; light sweetness mixed with a soft bitterness;

To the Point: this is a super nice strong dark ale; on beer advocate it received a 90 with 1,788 reviews; I would give this a higher rating personally; for this style let me say 95 for as high as I would go; I prefer this one over the Tremens; if you like Belgian Ales like I do - this is a must try

Delirium Tremens: Review

The Huyghe Brewery

Melle/Ghent, Belgium

Yes, it is sitting in snow

8.5% abv

$21.99 a four pack

11.2oz bottle

Style: strong pale ale

Okay, what gives with pink elephants, green alligators, and purple ??? octopi on gold balls???  Tell me why would a grown man want to buy this bottle of ale?

If there was ever a label that a company could change and I would be all for the change – it would be this crappy ass label. 

But, back to the question; ‘why would a grown man want to buy this bottle of ale because of this dumb looking label?’  because the Ale inside of it is sooo good. 

Appearance: lightly misty golden body with a snow white two finger head that hangs around like there is no tomorrow; nice white lacing hanging on the glass

I don't know why the picture above reminds me of the picture below? 

Maybe, because I would like to have my hands on either one.  Maybe, because they both have a pleasing mouthfeel and a short aftertaste.  Maybe, because they both look good in powder blue or nothing at all.  

I wrote some notes the old fashion way, on paper, when I drank a couple of bottles the other month.  I came up with two different descriptions of the aroma and here they are.

Aroma: First bottle: summer fruits – like yellow peach, pear, and nectarine mixed with citrus zest.  Second bottle: golden raisin, yellow fruits stand out first to me then I pick up some tropical fruits and some fresh yeast,

Flavors: big golden fruits and yeast up front; followed by some tropical notes; sweet golden raisin stands out to me; big fluffy buttermilk biscuit; hint of floral and herbal hops in the mix;

Mouthfeel: an abundance of fine carbonation keeps the interest; typical Belgian sweetness but not over the top; to me it has a short aftertaste that reminds me of sweet candied fruits and yeast; the alcohol really did not play a role in this to me

To the Point: on Beer Advocate they gave it a 92 with 3,444 reviews, at the time of this writing, which is pretty impressive; to me this ale is too fruity and yeasty and is missing something like some good peppery alcohol notes and some earthiness and it has a short aftertaste; don’t get me wrong – I do like this ale; I would give it an 89

The other drawback for this ale is the price.  At 22 bucks for a four pack I should be giving this ale a 95 or higher score to justify the cost.  At $16 a four pack I would consider buying it again.   

Today's College Bowl Games: take Maryland and the 2-1/2 pts over Marshall; Syracuse and the 4 pts against Minnesota (no passing game); Washington will cover the 3 pts  vs. BYU

Bah Humbug: Review

Wychwood Brewery 

Bah Humbug Christmas Cheer

Oxfordshire, England

Eurobrews.com

5% abv

1pt .9oz bottle

$6.99

Bah Humbug, this should be perfect for me and I bought two bottles to sit back and enjoy.  I personally don’t care for the commercialism of the holiday season.  Let me buy you a gift so then, you can give me a gift – oh crap!  I don’t want a gift – please donate to a good charity.  

Give to the Humane Society of Michigan
I came from there

The thing I just don’t like is that so many people who can’t afford the spending spree of Christmas are out there spending beyond their means.  Also, people are just out there spending on gifts not in the idea of Christmas but, in the name of commercialism and with the idea that I bought you something why didn’t you buy me something.  Give it a try next Christmas – don’t buy any gifts to those adults you exchange gifts with and see what they say.  After they bitch you out then tell them you donated your money to the Make a Wish Foundation or to the American Red Cross or whatever you choose.  I’m done venting – let’s move on with the Bah Humbug review. 

Appearance: a very good looking mahogany body with a half finger, if that, light tan head that leaves no lacing; fairly aggressive pour

Aroma: not much; light toasted malts; hint of caramel;

Flavors: light toasted malts (non-descript); some bitterness on the mid and late; dry spice;  

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation; nice fizzy feel on the palate; thin; lacks character; no depth; seems like a light toasted lager;

To the Point: it’s all packaging; fun label; nothing on the inside; there are much better Christmas Ales out there; here is my point about Christmas spending – I ‘gave’ 7 bucks for this ale and it gave me 2 bucks worth back – I’m mad now.  Sound familiar, you bought Aunt Millie a fifty dollar gift and that old bag only bought you a twenty dollar gift – Bitch.  Bah Humbug on the Bah Humbug. Damn, I have one more bottle to get rid of

As for today’s College Bowl games (only 2 of them): take Pittsburg and the 5-1/2 pts over Bowling Green and take Northern Illinois to cover the big 1-1/2 pts over Utah State.  

Bell’s Winter White Ale: Review

Bell’s Brewery, Inc.

Comstock, Michigan, USA

Bellsbeer.com

5% abv

12 oz bottle

Seasonal: November and December

I always called this one ‘snowberon’ after their summer wheat called Oberon.  I am sure I am not the only one that called it that.  Anyways, I cannot believe I have never reviewed this ale.  I am sure I buy a six pack every winter since this beer came out.  It is a nice light refreshing winter seasonal.  When I get tired of the dark malty and nutmeg/cinnamon spiced winter ales this Winter Ale is ready to cleans the palate.

Appearance: hazy yellow-golden body with a nice white head; get that nice wheat and yeast off the bottom of the bottle – this ale should be good and cloudy – don’t pour it clean

Aroma: pleasing clove, yeast and wheat

Flavors: good dusty golden harvest wheat; spice with a dose of clove; herbal biscuit

Mouthfeel: fresh clean wheat coats the palate; low-moderate carbonation; pleasing spice – not overpowering; to me it is a nice balance of wheat and spice; refreshing; light;

To the Point: truly a refreshing Winter Ale; perfect pick for the holiday party; easy to pair with any type of holiday food

As for today's College Bowl Game; Take Boise State and the 2-1/2 pts over Oregon State

Troubadour Westkust Black Imperial IPA: Review

Br. The Musketeers

Ursel, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

9.2% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$12.99

Appearance: black with a brown hued body (cordovan) with a one to two finger tan head that leaves some sticking lacing on the glass

Aroma: soft floral hops at first; sea salt dark chocolate; roasted barley malts; as the ale warms a hint of piney hops show up

Flavors/Mouthfeel: soft yet tasty hops up front with a piney like immediate aftertaste; piney and citrus hops on the long aftertaste; active carbonation adds plenty of fizz to the palate; the toasted barley malts swirl around late on the palate and blends in with the piney note; salty on the back; nice alcohol warmth – nothing strong or boozy; sticky oily hops makes for a long lingering aftertaste

to me rather simple at first and then you think about it and it is an interesting ride; smooth at first then the hops build to a crescendo – not boring – to me this is an elegant Black Imperial IPA; it is not a bold – slap you in the face Imperial IPA – I have to see what the hop heads have to say on Beer Advocate – Wow, they gave it a 90 with 59 reviews; I expected lower from them; I would give it a 90 to 93 as well. 

Yesterday I sampled Narwhal Imperial Stout and today
Troubadour Black Imperial IPA
Who knows what lurks in the deep dark places to be explored

To the Point: an elegant style Black Imperial IPA; smooth on the delivery with the hoppy style building; pleasing dark roasted barley to make it interesting; take your time drinking this ale for I am halfway thru the bottle and I can feel the 9.2 abv

For the Detroit Lions game today: who cares - Lions lose 31 to 24

This Ale has some aging; good till 2016

Narwhal Imperial Stout 2013: Review

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Chico, California, USA

Sierranevada.com

10.2% abv

12 oz subby brown bottle

$10.99 a four pack

The College Football Bowl Games start today.  Looking at the schedule for this year it is not going to be easy to pick some of these games.  I am up in the air on about 15 games but, I did make my picks.  Here are today’s games:

Washington State 4 pts over Colorado

USC 6 pts over Fresno State

Buffalo 1 over San Diego State

Tulane vs La.-Lafayette no line

I enjoyed a Narwhal the other night and it is one dark and roasty stout.

Appearance: black as midnight with a two finger tan head with an aggressive pour – the other night I did not get much head – on top of the stout; some lacing left on the glass

Aroma: very deep and dark roasted malts and grains; dark chocolate; smells thick

Flavors/Mouthfeel: 99% dark chocolate like bitterness; heavy roasted coffee beans; thick roasted malts; on the bottle it says, ‘Inspired by the mysterious creature that dwells in the deepest Arctic seas,’ – well, I would say that accomplished what they wanted; it is thick, heavy, it is strong; low carbonation – just a little fizzy feel; syrupy feel on the back along with some smoky charred oak and peppery alcohol spice; long lingering burnt notes; nice alcohol warmth and not boozy; full bodied

To the Point: looking for a bold and strong Imperial Stout – well, this is it; a true sipper; if you like Imperial Stouts you need to pick this one up

Thinking about picks – here are my picks for today’s College Football games

Washington State 4 pts over Colorado = I am going with Washington State to cover

USC 6 pts over Fresno State = I am taking Fresno State and the 6 pts

Buffalo 1 over San Diego State = Buffalo covering the point

Tulane vs La.-Lafayette no line = La.Lafayette wins

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale and Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple Ale

I have reviewed these two ale last year.  I just read my reviews and I don’t think there is anything else to add to them so I will just refer you to read the old postings from last year.  The link will be provided below.

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale – this is a very pleasing and tasty Christmas Ale; I highly recommend

Gulden Draak 9000 Quadruple Ale – this too is a very pleasing and tasty Quad; I highly recommend

Don't forget to click on the links above to uncover these wonderful ... ales

I also highly recommend

Since I really can’t add anything new to the tasting profiles that I have written in the past – I am just going to enjoy each one of these (ales) today with a fine cigar and just enjoy my time off for the holidays.  Cheers!  And a Happy Holiday to you and yours.  

Gulden Draak Ale: Review

Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

10.5% abv

11.2oz white stubby bottle

Now here is a new label that I like the old one was a paper label on the white bottle.

Global beer had me do some cigar and Belgian beer pairings for the blog back in 2010.  That is how I started doing my own blogspot.  Global Beer imports some of the best Belgian beer on the American market – spend some time on their website and find your favorite. 

Checking my own blog out I find out that I have not reviewed this tasty Triple Ale since 2010.  Time for an update.

Appearance: dark brown triple; most triples are blond or an amber color; two finger creamy tan head crowns the top of this dark brown triple; plenty of lacing sticks to the glass

Aroma: aromatic nose; sweet caramelized malts with fancy raisin and fig with a nice Belgian yeast note

Flavors: caramelized malts; dark candied fruits – raisin and fig; rich milk chocolate; hint of herbal tea; touch of toffee; nice alcohol spice; not boozy for having a 10% abv; pleasing undertone of fuggle hops

Mouthfeel: smooth is the word; okay ‘creamy’ is another word; fine fizzy carbonation feel; toasted sugars and Belgian yeast linger on the aftertaste; super pleasing mouthfeel

To the Point: this is top shelf!  Yes, 2010 was the last time I reviewed this ale but every winter I pick-up a four pack or a 750ml bottle and enjoy this great triple ale.  This is a great after dinner ale and a sipper at that. 

If you are a cigar smoker like me you must pair this with your favorite stogie. 

Plan to enjoy this one after your Christmas dinner.  Yes, pass on that boring Pumpkin pie and pour yourself a real world class treat. 

Bornem Double: Review

Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

8% abv

11.2oz bottle

The Global Beer website is worth a visit.

Looking for a Christmas gift for that beer drinker.  Pickup this six pack variety pack by Van Steenberge. 

I reviewed this beer back in 2010 and thought it was ok to good.  This bottle does have a new label since that last review of mine. 

Appearance: dark brown body, as brown as my leather chair in the background, deep mahogany highlights; a creamy 2 finger light tan head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass

Aroma: nothing special here; caramel and light toasted malts

Flavors: following the nose, dark caramel and light sweet toasted malts; sweet raisins and fig; with a touch of hoppy bitterness on the finish;

Mouthfeel: satin like feel and the fine effervescence adds to the experience; light toasted malts; light-moderate sweet dark fruits; medium body; easy to drink;

To the Point: nothing special overall but, damn I like; pleasing to drink because of its simplicity; sometimes those double abbey ales get too sweet and cloying;

For some reason this is an easy one to overlook.  I have to admit that I forgot about this ale.  I think I’ll have to buy a couple of four packs so I can enjoy this ale with a fine cigar.

Pair this with a cigar that has a coffee and earthy profile.  Tonight I am enjoying this one with a Camacho 6/60 Triple Maduro Cigar.

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout: Review

Samuel Smith

Old Brewery Tadcaster

The Celebrated Oatmeal Stout

N. Yorks, England

5% abv

12 oz bottle

Four pack $10.99

Appearance: black body with a one finger tan head; deep chestnut edge; not much lacing;

Aroma: roasted coffee beans; some chocolate mocha going one; soft overall; expected more

Flavors: toasted grains; lightly burnt coffee note; dark chocolate and dark chocolate bitterness; lightly burnt dark sugars; roasted oak; earthy tones

Almost halftime in the Lions Ravens Game and the score is only 7 to 6.  I thought there would be more scoring in this game.  What I have seen in this game are the reasons these two teams are 7 and 6 for their season record going into this game.  9 to 7 Ravens at the half. 

Mouthfeel: very low carbonation – just a super fine fizz on the palate; thick but not syrupy; nothing overpowering; good bitterness for a Stout; lingering roasted notes on the aftertaste; dry;

To the Point: a pleasing and easy to drink Oatmeal Stout; very good – to call it outstanding would be pushing it for me; but, I sure do like it. 

Final Score from this Monday Night Football game between the Lions and the Ravens: 16 to 18 Ravens win or should we say the Refs won the game for the Ravens.  Two really bad interference calls during the game.  But, the Lions really didn't help themselves either to be fair.  Dropped footballs and of course turnovers.   

Just a side note about those elite teams that are 7 and 6 – they don’t go 7 and 7 when their playoff dreams are at hand.  God do they suck!  They were 5 and 1; now 7-7; they hate to be in first place; oh, now they are not - so all is well in the world of the Detroit Lions.    

Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football

The Elite Detroit Lions

I have my cigar ready and a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout ready for game time.

I am going to enjoy this tasty Stout as I watch the Detroit Lions here on Monday Night Football.  As I sit down and turn on the TV the person says, ‘DeAndre Levy says the Detroit Lions deserve to be in the talk along with the elite teams.’  Is this an intoxicated player, is he delusional, is he just flapping his lips like a lying politician.  YES!  If he did say this – he is nuts!  The Lions are 7-6 before this game.  How many elite teams are playing 7-6 football – let’s say ZERO.  Let’s draw the line at 10-3 for the record at this point in the season to be considered elite.

Lions in the elite discussion?  How about the elite of losers not winner.  Let’s take a look at their record during the 2009 to the 2012 seasons – with the same coach they have right now.  They have 22 wins with 42 losses.  That is the profile of a winner!  Include the 7-6 they are right now and under Jim Schwartz they are 29 and 48.  That is 29 wins and 48 losses. ELITE - sure they are.  

Let’s look at their record over the last 13 years (up to this point in the season) they have a 60 and 145 record.  Yes, that is 60 wins and 145 losses.  During that 13 year period they have one playoff game and they lost. When a team makes the playoffs just one time in 13 years - I always think Elite.

And, there are people here in Detroit that believe this team is elite.  And, now we have a player saying, we should be in the discussion among the elite teams. 

Okay, sure the Detroit Lions ‘should’ be in this discussion among the elite teams of the NFL – as a joke! 

The Lions know one thing and that is how to lose.  They were in first place this season at 5-1.  Green Bay lost their star Quarterback.  The Bears lost their Quarterback and when he plays he is a one legged Quarterback.  The Lions did beat the Bears and the Bears had a one legged Quarterback and then a back-up Quarterback and almost won that game.  The Mighty Detroit Lions beat a one legged Quarterback by 2 points.  Yippy!!! 

The Detroit Lions are so elite that if they win tonight they will be tied with the one legged Bears at 8-6.  Yes, the Lions have the tie-breaker.  Elite teams are not in this situation when you have a talented team like this Detroit team.  An elite team would be 10 and 3 or how about 11-2; but this team hates winning; they hate being in first place and they have done everything to give up first place and nothing to win it outright or to be in the discussion about elite teams.   

Bornem Triple Abbey Ale: Review

Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

9% abv

11.2 brown stubby bottle

Another Van Steenberge ale that I have not reviewed since 2010 (on my cigar blog) and once again I might as well do an update since I bought this Van Steenberge variety six pack.  

Appearance: misty golden blonde with a nice white head that hangs around like a dog in heat; plenty of bubbles rise from the bottom giving you that champagne like look; I am using a champagne flute because this Abbey Ale has a big time champagne like quality - bubbles

Aroma: apple; yeast; white bread; and the effervescence just slaps the nose silly – just like champagne

Flavors/Mouthfeel: this is all about the mouthfeel with this Triple Abbey Ale; the effervescence just dances across your tongue like Fred Astaire; white bread, apple, and pear right after the effervescent blast; tart apple and a soft white peppercorn on the back of the palate that flows to a slight bitter note on the finish that reminds me of a dirty old lemon peel; bubbles all the way;

To the Point: as for being a Triple Abbey Ale – forget it – I’ll give it a C+ at best. For being a champagne-beer I’ll give it an A-.  It’s all about the effervescence here.  The flavors are even champagne like.

This would be good to pair with your appetizers – I served it at the fruit and chocolate fountain table back in 2010 for Christmas.

As for the Detroit Lions being on Monday Night Football tonight: They will lose 43 to 37.  And, for all you Detroit Lion slappies - buy a bottle of this Bornem expecting a quality Triple Abbey Ale and then feel the disappointment - the type of disappointment that you are use to feeling watching this team.  

Just so you know, I am a football fan I just live in the Detroit area and I have the Detroit Lions as my home team.  Why do I think they will lose? They don't like to be in first place and they have a history of ... Losing!

Privateer by Piraat: Review

Van Steenberge

Belgium

Gloabalbeer.com

Vansteenberge.com

Interesting - nothing on their websites as of this writing about this Ale

11.2oz bottle

10.5% abv

I have not heard of Privateer Ale until I purchased this variety pack of Van Steenberge beers.  I did a little searching and I could not come up with any useful information. I did come across a you tube video of a guy who did not know how to pour a Belgian Ale.  As he is pouring the ale you can see the beer glogging out of the bottle neck.  Belgian beers and many other fine beers need to be poured without that glogging effect.  May work well for a Bud or a Miller but for a lot of quality beers you will get a 5 finger head. 

Appearance: copper-amber body with a creamy eggshell colored head that is thick and long lasting; leaves a curtain of lacing on the glass; hard to get any better looking than a Piraat Ale or in this case a Privateer Ale.  Looks like the old Piraat.

Aroma: some fruit; yeast; light spice; light overall on this bottle

Flavors: not too far off from Piraat; once again probably not too far from the old Piraat – two labels back – the one with the pirate on it; think of the old flavor profile but, this one has a grainy style to it; there is a nice touch of alcohol spice; tart pineapple and apples; the sweetness is a little muted compared to Piraat; this sweetness reminds me of the candied ginger I buy from the spice store; the Privateer might have a little more hops in it; I am going to have to buy another variety six pack so I can try this one again. 

Mouthfeel: low-moderate carbonation; creamy feel; a little grainy; sweet-tart tropical fruit; some alcohol warmth;

To the Point: I drink Piraat on a regular basis; this is not too far off; I drank the ‘new’ label Piraat yesterday and I was thinking they changed it; now I am drinking this Privateer and I am thinking it is similar to the ‘old’ Piraat – two labels ago.  

Piraat Ale in the Newest Label

Piraat is one of my overall favorite beers and my favorite Belgian beer for sure.  Other beers I rotate in and out of my stock but, Piraat I always have a four pack in the beer fridge and at least a four pack in the cellar. 

The Newest Label

I picked up a variety six pack and noticed that the Piraat label is new once again.  It just seems like they put a new one on and here again another one.  I still have a thing for the old one that they used forever.  I just started liking the new one with the blue coloring to the label and now the ‘new’ one has no blue; still has the ship floating above the name and now the name ‘Piraat’ is floating on a deep purple color with ‘Strong Belgian Beer with Refermentation’ written in three languages in the deep purple color. 

The Old Label - It wasn't used long

The Longtime Old Label

What gives with the label change?  I don’t know.  Did they also change the beer?

I did find out on their website, globalbeer.com, that they are coming out with a Triple Dry Hopped Piraat Ale.  That sound good to me. 

10.5% abv

Typically runs around $17 a four pack

Belgian Pale Ale

Appearance: misty amber-gold body with a dirty orange-ish glow when held to the light; (I don’t remember that orange-ish glow) easy to pour two finger head as always; fine little bubbles that make the head look creamy

I compared the appearance of the ale from lastest label to that of the last label and just as I thought the ‘now’ older ale has a deeper amber body without the orange-ish glow when held to the light.  Wow, science at its best! 

Aroma: fruity, hint of tropical notes; fresh herb biscuit; soft spice; it still has a very pleasing and soft bouquet overall

Flavors: fresh biscuit and tropical fruits upfront; mango and tart pineapple; yeast and spice on the mid; nice sweet Belgian style that makes me think of candied dry fruit; with a soft musty white pepper and a hint of coriander opening up on the back of the palate; 

Mouthfeel: low to low-moderate carbonation – it gives me a fine fizzy feel; rich creamy feel; nothing overpowering – except for the physical feel from the 10.5% abv and thinking of that – be careful – for you may not notice the alcohol content in the flavor or mouthfeel but – yes, you will feel the 10.5; it is easy to drink and therein lies the problem with the alcohol content; there is some alcohol warmth on the finish; nice complexity; I have always thought that the body weight was deceptive, to me it comes across medium-full; but with the rich style, creamy feel, and complex flavors it is full bodied in the overall experience;

Personally, I think they have lightened the overall mouthfeel a ‘tad’.  Why would they lighten the overall mouthfeel? To get more American drinkers.

To the Point: this is a great sipper; take your time and enjoy this ale; it is a great after-dinner drink – a great liquid dessert as I like to say; it is also very good with a quality cigar, it has a good range for the type of cigar you like – from mild to medium-full;

Did they change the recipe? I don’t know. I may have to make phone calls but, I think they did doctor with it and ‘softened’ it a tad.  I think I’ll have to do a side by side tasting and then I’ll have to do a blind tasting to compare these two.  But, what will I prove? Nothing that I can change.