Bristletoe | Bristol Beer Factory

3.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Oct 2014. Picked up a while back from Beeritz - in time for Christmas but I managed to lose it in my beer collection. D'oh! The label describes it as a festive brew created with seven malts (including oats), along with raisins and a strain of Belgian yeast.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. Bottle conditioned. A deep reddish-brown hue with faint haze and low carbonation. Yields a small head of beige foam that lasts for a minute or two before disappearing. Aroma of mild roasted malt with hints of prunes, dried fruit, caramel/molasses, brown sugar, fruity yeast esters, subtle spice, faint stewed leaves and earthiness. A warming whiff of booze in the background.

Tastes of roasted malt with a fruity character and a mild, dry finish. Notes of roasted grain, dried fruit, caramel, subtle brown sugar, faint molasses, stewed leaves, fruity yeast esters and a twinge of spice. Highly attenuated, with a touch of harsh cardboard in the background. A restrained, leafy bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and dry, with very soft carbonation and a nice, creamy body. Rather astringent, followed by an aftertaste of fruity roasted malt, harsh stewed leaves and yeast.

Hmmmm - not really sure what to make of this one. It comes across as a bizarre hybrid that lies somewhere between the English and Belgian brewing styles. There's also nothing terrifically festive about it. Lacklustre looks, followed by a malty, yeasty aroma that hints at roasted grain and fruitiness. The flavour is similar but somewhat less rounded and possesses some harsh undertones. Its best attribute is a voluptuous and creamy body that envelops the palate. Seemingly well-crafted but the end result is disappointing; a pity as BBF usually turn out cracking beer. No need to hunt this one down.

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3.5/5  rDev 0%