Unibroue Raftman Smoked Beer at 5.5% ABV | 15.5 IBU (C$2.58 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 341 ml, bottle date 13-Sep-2016, acquired 15-Feb-2017, reviewed 20-Feb-2017)
Appearance: cloudy pale amber with one fat finger of rocky ivory head, good retention and minimal lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, clove and banana, caramel malt, apple, light smoke. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light spice. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderately lively carbonation, off-dry lightly spicy finish. (4/5)
Been about two years since I last had this, and I saw a mixed dozen that included Terrible, so figured, what the heck. Not to mention, the last one I had was nearing its best-before date while this one’s only six months old, so I wondered whether there’d be any differences. And yeah, there seem to be, if only minor ones: it seems like the smokiness is less pronounced in this younger one, and the overall aromas initially seemed a little muted compared to the other one. However, they did grow a little more emphatic as the pint progressed, and I think there’s even a little more complexity present with this younger one, with a little apple present that I don’t recall noticing before. Pleasant, overall. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
