Walpurgisnacht
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

A - Pours a clear amber color with a 1 inch thick head.
S - The aroma is dominated by smokiness.
T - Starts with a caramel malty flavor and then the smokiness comes in, but it is not overwhelming.
M - Medium carbonation and mouth feel. The flavor sticks to your mouth.
O - A very well done beer.

Appearance: Pours a hazy amber, capped by two fingers of white foam; decent retention and splashy lace

Smell: Caramel malt with smoked beechwood tones

Taste: Caramel forward, with the smoked beechwood merging through the middle; pecans and nougat arrive, after the swallow, adding a nutty, sweeter dimension through the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Not my favorite style by a long shot, this is a well-crafted example that deftly handles the smoked malt aspect

Thanks, julielynndubee, for the opportunity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting and well done. Just not my thing.

 

 

 

On tap at brewery:
Pours light Amber, by the time I got around to a review, head was lost (plastic cup).
Nose has caramel honey sweetness and a light smokiness to it. Noticed smoke a bit more in full cup, so it may dissipate slightly. Sweeter smoke, maybe influenced by malt nose.

Caramel, some unripe pitted fruit, honey start the taste. The smoke is again subdued. I like the taste, wish for just a tad more smoke. Carbonation still offers light tingle even if not visibly sustaining head. End taste is lightly fruity, and a bit on the sweet side, but fairly balanced.

A fine offering, nothing amazing but fine for those who want a slight twist on a malty beer.