Despite surprising absence of ‘wintry’ spicing and lack of rich ‘brown’ ale depth, this “perfectly fruited” 2007 ale goes down like maple-sugared Cherry Coke. Syrupy raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry sweetness embraces red-black cherry salience as caramelized molasses malts thicken soda flow. Dry tobacco, hazelnut, and pecan scurry through twiggy wood bottom.
