The Curse
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown with little light transmission in the glass and a half finger dark khaki head with great retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dry caramel malt with a touch of biscuit, raisins, plums and hint of citrus. Flavor is caramel malt, raisins, plums, citron, Port wine and a touch of vanilla; a bit hot. Medium bodied with light creaminess. I wish we had the Belgian barleywine style, because this is a great example of it. The base malt appears to be English style, but the fruitier nature of Belgian yeast shows through here, giving undecipherable fruit ester notes in a addition to the dark fruit typical of the English style; I'm even getting wisps of citrus in this one. Altogether pleasant and warming, although still hot. Midnight Sun recommends not cellaring this, but I think a year or so would mellow out the sharp edges. On the other hand, it is quite nice now. Can't remember where I found this, wish I had another.