Valor
Noble Beast Brewing Company

 

A tall khaki head quickly builds above the foggy amber-orange body to pour out and over the edge in dramatic, but not too explosive, fashion. She's a lively one, but this was particularly exacerbated by using a tulip instead of a wider rimmed glass. Also, this was to be expected, considering its youth in the bottle, the struggle they were having with kegs in house, and that they were aiming for authenticity here.

Smell is a classic ester and phenol explosion of stewed apple, allspice, brighter plum and a hint of graham.

Taste grounds us with more malt--crackery, biscuity and even bready--spiked by spiced pear that comes with an inoffensive prickliness.

The medium-light body settles down to a fine carbonation that makes it quite quaffable, finishing lightly semi-dry with a faintly toasty bitterness.

I'm glad I have a couple more bottles, as we all know "orVal" is much better with some years on her anyway.