Good afternoon all. I picked up last night's beer from the Utobeer stand in Borough Market last weekend, based on the unanimously positive feedback I've read on various blogs and beer review sites. After a pretty awful week in which every attempt to make progress on my project was disrupted (mainly by the analytical instrument I've been using), I definitely needed something to conclude the week on a high. That high is Bracia from Thornbridge, an English Strong Ale with very strong leanings towards an Imperial Stout. Review after the pic....
Bracia (10.0% ABV) pours a very dark red colour with a relatively thick chestnut brown head that settles to a halo around the inside of the glass. The aroma is rich in coffee, with chocolate, dark fruits, yeast extract and a pleasing sweetness in the background. Tasting the beer brings out plenty of roasted coffee, spice, phenols, dark fruits, vanilla custard, hints of tobacco, peat smoke and candy sugar, with a piquant/slightly bitter finish and a dry grape aftertaste. The candy sugar mentioned manifests itself as a barleywine quality, with aroma hop flavours mixing very well with the coffee and chocolate. The mouthfeel is not overly thick and well carbonated. Overall, this is a fantastic offering from Thornbridge that balances a lot of intense flavours in a very drinkable package. Every sip brings up new and interesting flavours and it consistently captivates throughout drinking. Go out and get a bottle of this now, you won't regret it!
Until next time....
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