Redundancy Measures
Atwood Farm Brewery

Pours a clear dark chestnut brown with plenty of foam in the snifter. Tangy and lively on the tongue. Aromas of leather, dates, and fruitcake with a sharp note. Malty taste with the Belgian candy finish, dates and spice cake. But rather acidic with complex flavors. Some underlying sweetness that comes out in the aftertaste, rather than the usual yeasty drying trend. This is actually one of the best beers I"ve had in this strong Belgian category. The barrel flavors and the moderate acidity balance the usual sweet alcoholic taste. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Elizabeth Station.

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a medium to dark red-orange with a fine, two finger khaki head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, saison and Belgian yeast, woody oak, red grapes, berries and plums; a little boozy. Flavor is dry caramel malt, woody oak, red wine, mixed dark dried fruit, hints of medicinal herbs, somewhat earthy. Woody finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. I'm going to miss this brewery, they created a large number of unique ales, many not fitting a style exactly, but usually interesting and well worth seeking out. This is one of the non-conformist ones; tasting like a strange offspring of a Belgian strong dark ale and a rich farmhouse ale; there are noticeable Biere de Garde elements here. The rich caramel malt makes the Belgian dark connection. The barrel notes are quite strong, mostly wood and some light oaky vanilla; I'm not getting much bourbon or rum, but the previous mead character is here. I enjoyed this ale final Anniversary ale and wish them the best in the future; if they brew again, I'll be back to enjoy.