Rocking Rudof
Hardys & Hansons PLC

Tasted by half-pint at a local JDW pub, The Capitol, at Forest Hill, SE London. Served by a handpump w/o a sparkler.

A: coming in a dark ruby hue, with a thin off-white frothy head, good clarity, and very low carbonation.
S: fresh and pronounced scent of hops, like Goldings with a faint touch of spice... well-mixed, but lacing characters.
T: berry-fruits abound, hand in hand with mildly sweet caramely malts; the palate slowly turns dryish, with more dried-leafy hops in play. Slightly thin in the finish with an unpleasant tinge of sourness... but the soothing and moderate bitterness still holds up well, like cold, sweet black tea plus a pinch of ground spices. The flavour profile is a bit sweeter than necessary and the overall maltiness falls a bit thin, hence off-balance.
M&D: medium-bodied autumny ale that suffers from a slightly flat mouthfeel... semi-thin and watery in the finish as well. If served fresher, it could taste slightly better, I imagine.

This winter warmer seemed to have aspirations be being an old beer or even barley wine but without the alcohol or rich malt flavors. It pulls brown with red hues, a white head that left some lacing on the side of the pint glass. Both the bouquet and taste are dominated by caramel malts, with a slightly toasted character. There seemed to be very little bottom to this beer, and a thinness that the malts were unable to overcome. The mouth feel also felt watery and thin, yet as winter warmers go it is quite drinkable.