Over Clouds
Blech.Brut

Pours a deep mahogany coloration that turns ruby red when held against the light, with a large. creamy head. Smells of roasted, bready malt, chocolate and dark/red fruit with notes of fig and cherry, as well as hints of coconut, vanilla and oak. Taste is an excellent balance of roasted, bready malt and fruity, earthy, slightly floral and resinous hops, with berry and stone fruit notes of raspberry, cherry and apricot, as well as some chocolate and dark fruit, with notes of raisin and fig, as well as hints of pine, potpourri, coconut, vanilla, licorice and oak. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some chocolate, fig, cherry, apricot, coconut and licorice. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

They call this an "India Dark Bock" and I have to say that it makes for a fascinating brew that really stands on its own very well, with a great balance of dark, roasted malts and fruity, earthy hops. HBC 472 is such a unique variety that fits this beer perfectly with its earthy, musty notes reminiscent of vanilla, coconut and oak, really giving a certain barrel-aged character to this. Overall, this makes for quite a complex and well-balanced brew with a great depth of character and incredibly varied and unique flavor profile that really works for me personally though, making for a very enjoyable and unique drinking experience.

One month old. Can to pint glass.

Look: Pours a hazy, slightly reddish brown. Very light brown, almost white head leaving a bit of lacing.

Smell: Roasty, malty and hoppy.

Taste: Hoppy as well as brown sugar sweetness. Malty, of course. Dark, dried stone fruits. Not as roasty as its smell. Dry finish.

Feel: Full mouthfeel. Medium carbonation.

Overall: Solid modern interpretation of a traditional style. The hoppy, fruity notes are a nice counterpart to the darker malty and roasty ones. Unfortunately a bit thin tastewise.