effervescent refractions

Chic aubergine in color but speckled with unattractive flakes of yeast and topped in a common cream foam. The nose is light and sweet but carries a distinct depth emphasized by hints of coffee and cream underlaying the fruity-spicy combination of grape juice, cassis and cherry with hazelnut, anise and allspice. The flavor is disappointingly shallow, showing a bland mixture of coffee, cream, licorice and pepper all tied together in a heavy wooden box. I remember fruit (particularly blackcurrant) making a more distinct appearance on the tongue in the few sips I stole from a friend long ago. The palate seems slightly off-balance with a fizzy carbonation and a hint of smoked salmon lingering after the swallow. A neat little beer, but perhaps better fresh.