Fabulous limited ’04 release brings unassuming 8% alcohol level to multi-hopped cherry ‘jewbelation’ breadth, retaining flaked oat depth and toasted barleymalt sufficiency. Bittersweet chocolate continuance intensifies luscious fig-raisin ascension, contributing to chewy, full-bodied scrumptious-ness.

Despicably stale grassy-hopped sweet-corned malt liquor-y medium body with dismal carbolic intake suffers from abysmal alcohol harshness and putrid vegetal blurb.

Devilish reddish-golden malt-lacquered Frenchie could be better medication than Ny-quil with astounding 13% alcohol strength (second only to Sam Adams Triple Bock). Creamy cognac sweetness, chewy caramel richness, and pliant buttery yeast texture provide firm foundation for medicinal Halloween treat not for fainthearted.

Reddish-orange turbidity of Belgian-styled artisan ale captures the eye while spicy green apple, white grape and tart citrus seize the tongue. Dry oak bittering consumes vinous cider pucker saddling backend of herbaceous wildflower vagary.

Inconspicuous li’l 9-ounce amber-hazed treat opens with rounded bubbles consuming slowly fading frothy head. Creamy chocolate malts, relaxing floral hops, and sweet Scotch savor given alcohol-fueled response, leading to pleasant barleywine finish.

Sold as Pauwel Kwak Specialty Ale in larger 22-ounce bottles, broad-ranging full-bodied bronze-toned ale retains snappy acidic brettanomyces bite that flattens creamy butterscotch opening, floral-herbed yeast serenade, juicy plum tartness and curried cherry-berry spicing. Mid-palate, fruity Chardonnay-brandy-rosé wining and tart red grape tannins secure tongue-tickling hop bittering, turning overtly alcohol-ridden by stiff finish. In 12-ounce bottle, mild butterscotch sweetness enjoins dried-fruited red wining and medicinal ethanol quirk to contrast sedate up-front profile.

Tawny French-styled ale plies tapered caramel-spiced raisin, prune and plum thrust to grapefruit peeled cherry-banana tartness. Vinous white grape esters and sour green apple tartness aid silken oak-dried burgundy finish.

Chestnut-hued dry body finds initial prune-fig presence lingering to brooding burgundy abstraction. Nutty chocolate malting covers earthen hop roast.

Soft-watered fuggle-hopped mineral-grained entry lightens flow of cask conditioned ‘strong’ ale (available in bottle or can). Lingering mild hop bittering masks grassy herbal fruiting. An unobtrusive turnabout for those afraid of thicker, stronger ales.

Noticeably darker than most Uni’s, this cocoa-headed, cascade-beaded, ruby-highlighted, brown-clouded dry body spreads lavender-rosemary fragrance above dried orange regalia, desolate prune-fig-pomegranate souring and latent coffee-roasted bite. Apple-grape-cherry-pear spree galvanizes diluted sherry-rum finish as metallic alcohol whir sullenly looms through bomber-bottled Belgian-styled strong ale.

Interestingly, Cali’s Russian River and Colorado’s Avery brewery’s both had rival Salvation ales in stock. Instead of litigating for brand name, the reputable microbreweries jointly crafted an alcohol-ridden intricacy. Candi-sugared Belgian yeast sweetens initial dried fig-raisin-date splurge, bruised banana-orange midst, and tertiary cherry-strawberry-peach twinge. At oak-aged brandy-like finish, dark rum-spiced cinnamon-clove-nutmeg illusions and vanilla bean-chicory notes find solace amongst fruity lucidity.

Primal ’99 version of classic barleywine-styled ale proved worthy. Dynamic caramel-scented 11% alcohol-fueled ale with smoked cedar-oak enhancing lively clove-spiced hops, peat-smoked roasted barley, and chicory of idiosyncratic medicinal brew. Vanilla extract, maple, and vinous cherry inform acquired bourbon-burgundy finish that’s indeed nearly immortal.