The foam atop this black, strong ale is beige; and the bouquet is composed of surprising notes of fresh fruit, which include apple, pear, gooseberry, and kiwi. On the palate, the mouthfeel is soft, almost oily; and the taste has distinct, expresso-like notes of well-done toast. The finish is dominated by a refreshing hop bitterness.
For this beer, several diverse food pairings fit the bill. These include rye bread or dark pumpernickel, liver sausage, bologna sandwiches, a hefty meatloaf, or even a beef tartar. Special pairing would be a chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce.