Mummer's Brew 2012
YellowBelly Brewery & Public House

 

Mummer's Brew 2012 pours a little flat but that is likely a reflection of the inefficiencies of swing-top bottles more than anything else. Nonetheless, the raisin-coloured liquid sits beneath curtains of white lace and, despite the last few ounces coming out the bottle thick as syrup, both clarity (however much is possible) and polish are preserved.

From the smell of things this promises to be one seriously chocolate-y, raisin-y, licorice-y, joyfully boozy treat! The aroma also showcases a decadent plummy, figgy malt goodness and the faintest whiff of caraway-like spice. It loosely resembles a good rye bread, albeit one smeared in hazelnut butter. There seems to be no shortage of flavour to go around...

Indeed, each and every of the many ingredients listed tangibly contributes in its own way. The "extra dark" crystal malts, chocolate malt and roasted barley evoke, respectively, a strong sweet toffee-like flavour and smokey, chocolate-y overtones. There are also nice notes of honey, molasses, dried apricot, tobacco leaf, florals, black cherries and plums.

The turbinado and candi sugars, cocoa nibs and vanilla pods are all goods as advertised; you taste each of those exactly for what they are. A seamless package, teasing out each is an exercise in slow concentration. While nothing explodes at the mention of grains of paradise, there is just enough spice to evoke subtle roasted chili-chocolate (mole-type) notes.

Mummer's Brew 2012 shows a complexity and elegance that you’d normally only ever find in aged examples of the most renown chateaus (and, it warrants pointing out, that you'd rarely find in wines of any lesser quality). From the few Yellowbelly beers I've tried it's become apparent that this little brewery is a godsend for Newfoundland. Mummer's Brew 2012 is an offering both familiar and strange - but a true Christmas seasonal if ever there was one.