Limited 2001 release not for faint-hearted as harsh 11.4% alcohol-smitten barleywine surge and opulent prune palate restricted to experienced drinkers. Blaring chocolate-caramel aromatics and sweet syrupy caramel swagger sway creme brulee illusion.

Straight-ahead moderate-bodied holiday ale lacks expectant seasonal spicing, instead prodding brown ale or weak barleywine comparisons. Lovely barley-roasted almond-hazelnut tautness scurries through ample brown chocolate-y sweetness. Impending phenol metallic drudgery nearly depletes casual vanilla, toffee, kettle corn, gingerbread, and Graham cracker illusions.

Irresistible mahogany-bodied bourbon-barrel aged ale brings smoked cedar aromatics to pertinent lactose chocolate malting and creamy cacao liqueur stickiness. Frothy nature increases as fudge-y center thickens, allowing sherry, port, and cherry puree notes to emerge above black licorice blotch.

Brewed with cinnamon, ginger, and orange, this well-seasoned ale scores points for brevity and originality. Spice-fueled adjuncts arouse lactic chocolate malts and impending plum-fig-cherry souring, but tangy orange flavor gets lost in wintry barleywine-sherry mix. Peculiar for starters, but top notch for seasoned pros.

Fitting coppery red ale celebrates ’96 commencement with expansive offering. Initial raisin-pecan-date affluence slips into mushy overripe peach, bruised orange, and strawberry-raspberry sanctuary underlined by casual roasted nuttiness. By brawny finish, sinewy molasses malting picks up cask-like rum, bourbon, and whiskey illusions.

Creamy plum-hued, tan-headed, mocha-scented Yorkshire ale exposes fruity Fuggle-hopped thrust to inescapable chocolate-covered raisin, port wine, and cherry puree illusions. Cedar-stained clove-anise-gingerbread add wintry spirit to burnt caramel prompt. Richer and sweeter than a red ale, with its countered dry oak finish increasing efficacy.

Light, watery, unobtrusive New England ale brags about its ‘hoppy’ 19th century history. Bitter nuttiness forms at back of the throat but slim fruitiness, spritzy carbonation, and unstable barleymalt spine lack assertiveness. For amateurs ready to crossover from run of the mill pilsners to microbrewed ales only.

Hearty dark ale richly flavored by sharp-grained mocha malting, plump raisins, and hazelnut. Smooth carbonation settles as bouquet of flowery hops coat the tongue. Tad flat cocoa finish negates creaminess.

Inviting mahogany-hued dark ale suffuses dry mocha-chocolate frontage with sugary caramel-toffee-molasses sweetness, hemming in burnt oak, iced coffee, and raisin-fig twinge. Casual espresso notes deepen nutty grain finish of viable porter-styled humdinger.

Ambitious bottle-conditioned dark amber with cork set up and 9% alcohol ballast proves well-rounded. Aromatic caramel sweetness gives way to robust port wine palate, prominent cocoa-dried chocolate presence, and sticky black licorice finish. Creamy barleywine thickness underscores unique bock-like essence. Must be extraordinary on tap.

Delicate red-orange-hued malt-sweetened fruit-spiced medium body. Very watery and lacking character. Brewery defunct: 2001.

Wonderful oak-aged English ale gains superb sweet-candied sherry-burgundy resonation, overriding tartly vinous grape tannins and sturdy coffee-mocha insistence. Frothy cascading head and bristling carbolic hop thrust perk up plum-raisin-grape conflux for lusty dried fruited undertow.