Eight Degrees The Good

Origin: Ireland | Date: 2017 | ABV: 10.9% | On The Beer Nut: June 2017

This beer was originally intended as part of the Christmas 2016 range from Eight Degrees but ended up delayed until the following spring. Even then, I thought at the time that it would benefit from some cellaring to smooth out its sharp edges, and the heavy hops in particular. It's time to check in again, and I have no memory of how it tasted, so am more interested in whether it's good than whether it's improved. 

It's good. There are still vestiges of its former self in there, though the harsh bitter kick has been replaced by a dry tannic quality. Before that there's a big jammy malt buzz, like moist fruitcake and ruby port. Raisin, glacé cherry and high-cocoa chocolate all feature. It's a fun mix of dry and sweet, with a lasting aftertaste of red vermouth.

I don't get any sense of this being an aged beer: no oxidation or autolysis, though only a little extra bonus smoothness. While it has definitely changed, I can't say whether it has peaked or not, but I do have another bottle so perhaps we'll find out in another few years.