Full Sail Wassail...

Full Sail Wassail (7.0%): It's been a while since I first reviewed an expression from Full Sail on tire-bouchon. Although I enjoyed Wassail for a few times throughout the winter somehow I couldn't sit down and write something about it. It is actually a winter brew from their seasonal line-up and probably this one was one of the last six-packs on the shelves from this year's batch. Look: Dark almost opaque dark mahogany pour with very satisfying latte colored head. Nose: Carrot cake..! Allspice and roasted malt. Burnt brown sugar, cooked raisins and black currants. It noses like a barley wine. Palate: More like a christmas cake than carrot cake on the palate. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and toasted pine nuts. Salted caramel cupcakes, thick maple syrup, light molasses and dark chocolate. Roasted chestnuts... Pretty thick, creamy and chewy. Overall: No wonder why they call this brew wassail and this style winter warmer. It's hoppy, spicy, citrusy, toasty and sweet at the same time. Thick and textured... All very well balanced. Not a beer of coming hot days but I definitely should remember to get a six pack before Christmas next year.

"Wassail! wassail! all over the town
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee."*

*from traditional carol Gloucestershire Wassail

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