30 E Lode
Birra Baladin

 

 

Big, huge, massive thanks to SHIG (over on ratebeer) for trucking this beauty across the pond for us Tampa geeks to lush over. I owe you one Shawn! Pours still clear copper without the slightest sign of a head. The aroma pushes up sweet dark fruitiness like figs, prunes and plums as well as caramel and some mild booziness. The taste is smooth as silk and sweet like nectar and coming across as a rich sweet dark fruit juice reduction of plums, pears and figs mixed with iced cider and a modest level of creamy caramel candy. This one is yummy sweet nectar goodness.

This brew was a collaboration between students at an Italian cooking school and Baladin. The brew is intended to be paired with exceptionally strong cheese, and honors 'The Beerhunter', Michael Jackson. The beer comes boxed, and in a sturdy half-liter bottle with a wine-cork. Since the beer is completely still (no carbonation AT ALL), there is no wire around the cork. The beer itself is a completely transparent deep woody color, reminiscent of walnut-wood. The aroma is simply fantastic....English Barleywine all the way. Sherry and LOADS of pale malt smells, light fruit, and alcohol. Intense and beautiful. The taste is intensely sweet, malty, warming, and complex...caramel, crème brulée, dried apricot, brown sugar...wow! Although incredible, there's not a lot of balance - the beer is intensely sweet. It does, however, compliment cheese very well. I had it with a very flavorful Gorgonzola. The mouthefeel is rich and creamy, and very satisfying. This is a great beer!