5th Noël
Acorn Brewery Of Barnsley

(Notes of 12/2007) Tasted by a half-pint at a JDW pub, Swim Inn, in Sheffield, served by a sparkler-pour in a half-pint glass.

A: dark brown in colour with mahogany hues when seen against light, coming with a light-khaki-coloured creamy froth on top of very low carbonation. Looking superb and elegant.
S: sticky & syrupy dark fruit (jam) abounds, not unlike a X'mas pudding, while a soft edge of roastiness as of roast barley struggles through given a very good swirl.
T: mild coffee, licorice, and apple-ish hops come with a thinner layer of dried plums, leading towards roasted malts and deep, deep nutty+herbal bitterness lingering at the deep end of the tongue almost forever... The palate is also dryish and chewy in the very end.
M&D: light and refreshing on the texture, against a full body, this dark ale is a beautifully-crafted wintry ale, like a rich yet dry stout added with an extra touch of dark fruit jam and a lovely hoppy backbone. Delicious and surprisingly quaffable!