1st Class Festive Ale 2003
Willimantic Brewing Co.

The beer is a very hazy burnished brass, served in a 12oz glass, I suppose due to it's strength. A thin coating of foam tops the brew, dissipating into a modest collar that holds throughout. Loads of sticky, cobwebby lace form rings all the way down.
The aroma is a veritable explosion of hops. Very juicy, rind-like citrus, with a distincy oiliness. The hops also suggest an earthy herbal aroma, and a bit of oak. Great complexity to the hopping, with incredible freshness. It's just like sticking your nose in a bucket of high alpha hop cones fresh off the vine. A burly malt backbone supports the hopping, penetrating with some crystal malt caramel and light toastiness. A bit of biscuity malt, with mild floral esters. A trace of alcohol is apparent, with a bit of yeast, riding atop the heady, pungent hopping.
The flavor is very strong, starting off with brawny, rich malt. Toasty and biscuity, with a touch of caramel sweetness. The hops kick in almost immediately, adding an oily citric taste that rides through the sip and just pummels your tastebuds with bitterness. Some peach and pear esters peek through, wide eyed with fear and ducking for cover from the omnipresent hops. The hops acquire an earthy, organic flavor in the finish, very strong and intense. Some sweetish yeast, adding a flavor reminiscent to portuguese rolls, and enhancing the biscuity malt flavor in the finish. Slightly astringent alcohol in the swallow, leaving a light burn in the throat. The hops linger in the aftertaste, eating your tastebuds like an unstoppable rebel force (i.e. Meet The Parents). The flavor just stays with you forever. I could still taste some grapefruit rind bitterness hours later. Massive body, with a slick, oily mouthfeel, supported by mild, small bubbled carbonation.
A very intense brew. I don't know what the IBUs on this bad boy are, but it's got to be 100+. Huge amounts of malt do an exceptional job backing up the bitterness. My tongue deserves a purple heart after this beer. It was certainly wounded in battle. One of the best big-ass IPAs I've tried.

I had a nice glass of this at EBF.... Has a rich copper hue, with quite a bit of cloudiness. Head was off-white, creamy and long-lasting. It has a real raw, powerful hop aroma with citrus notes. Nice mouthfeel: medium smooth and easy on the tongue along with a medium-plus body. Oh yeah! Has a smidge of toasty malt at first but the rough, raw hoppiness takes over and sticks on the tongue and down the throat for some time. A distinct, flavorful IPA from Willimantic. Prosit!

overall: 4.15
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 4

676

Cloudy copper colored with a low beige retreating head. Aroma is crisp and fresh, a bit lemony and flowery. Moderate carbonation and smooth mouthfeel. Flavor is a bit malty, but mostly citrusy hops with a tingling alcohol finish. A sweet and buttery aftertaste creeps in, followed by a lingering citrus.