Fat Cat
Golden City Brewery

Keeping the classics alive, the cultural push to all-things "extreme" has let to a bevy of hoppy, sour, roasty, bitter, sweet, strong... But where's the balance. The Brits have historically vowed that balance is beer. And the Golden City is sure not to let that sensible mindset in beer making die.

Pouring a slightly hazy deep amber with mahogany depths through the center, the foamy and frothy ale swoons with a bevy of brown sugar, toffee, dark fruit, stone fruit, mild floral notes and a hint of butterscotch. Sweet to taste, the early palate picks up on those caramelized nutty flavors of brown sugar and toffee with a pecan crusted taste that hinges on peanut brittle, cracker jacks candy and pecan pie.

As bold as the malt character is, the sweetness lessens considerable on the middle palate while the combination of fruit esters and fruity hop compounds bring a taste of marmalade, apricot, grape, cherry and plum. Woodsy, spicy and pleasantly grassy, the beer develops an earthy bitterness to balance the linger of sweetness and little more. Peppercorn and fresh bark are nearly minty and parsley-like to close.

Medium full in body, the beer's imperial strength in alcohol suggests more of a barleywine type of taste. But its hop balance and strive for dryness keeps the beer surprisingly drinkable and nearly refreshing despite its firm rummy spice and its overall malt forward portrayal.