James Squire Malt Runner (5.2%)

So, another Squire limited release beer is on the shelves, and having seen it shown in the paper a couple of weeks back, finally been able to fine it for a tasting. it pours quite a chocolate brown colour with little head. it actually smells a bit like the choc porter stass and i have made, but just a bit milder. there is a definitely a chocolate flavour in the beer which for me is pleasing. there is a carbonation tingle on the tongue but apart from that the chocolate malt dominates. i think it is the alkaline smell and taste long with the choc that reminds me of our try at this sort of style of beer in the choc porter. am not getting much in the so called cherry or caramel that is suppose to be in this beer, but there is a heightened aftertaste which i am not able to put my finger on yet. Will have to let it warm to see if i can discern the 5 malts and cherry that are in it. the body seems to be a bit thin for this sort of beer, but it is smooth, and good to see there seems to be no real taste of hops in it. something i have been searching for myself. the fruit and malt combination is something i have enjoyed with the raspberry stout we recently made.

The chocolate taste is quite dominant in the beer, but i wouldn't call it rich or bold after the many other choc beers i have tried in my time. but it is good to see this style of beer getting a commercial run in australia, even if Holgate's Choc Porter better. I am not sure if there is a carbonation style that works better with stouts and ales to allow for a more thicker and chewier beer, but the carbonation here is taking away from getting more flavour and body from the beer. i reckon this would be a better beer on tap (duh, i hear you say). while i equate winter warmer beers as Moon/Supershine or Brewdog's Tokyo, the choc malt does give it something like that characteristic for people that don't normally drink big malt beers.

as it warms i am getting something of the lighter malts in the beer, and it is smoothing out a bit better in mouthfeel as well, so maybe 8-10 degrees is probably about right for it. the cherry sweetness has also come through on the tip of the tongue and possibly as it is artificial, wondering if maybe that was the alkaline flavour i could taste before. the cherry and choc come off well in the aroma. The carbonation has reduced to get a fuller flavour overall, and allow the beer to sit on the tongue better for chewing. it does leave the tongue a little dusty in aftertaste, but without hops to cleanse this is understandable, but doesn't take away from the beer overall as allows the sweetness to linger slightly. Still, the aftertaste is different enough from the fore and mid palate flavours to make you easily go back for more. I can't get much alcohol flavour from it, and with the beery carbonation diminished it could even be suitable for the ladies to try. however, it does sit a little heavier in the stomach, so the girls may not appreciate that.

Still, another Squire success in bringing something a little different to the aussie beer drinkers palate, which is always appeciated by people like me. go and try it out for yourselves, and give me your thoughts. am sure they will be different from mine.

Cheers,

- Beefy