Our Score: 96/100
Savor the Darkness: A Deep Dive into Squatters Outer Daarrgness
Squatters Craft Beers, a name synonymous with craft brewing excellence, has concocted something that sends the aficionados of profound flavors into a veritable frenzy of excitement. I’m talking about none other than the enigmatic Squatters Outer Daarrgness, a brew that has crossed the boundaries of traditional beer to venture into the realm of liquid treasure.
What’s Brewing in the Bottle?
It’s no secret that barrel-aged beers hold a certain mystique—the promise of something more than hops and malt, a complexity born from time spent in wooden sarcophagi. And what’s this? Aged in rum barrels, you say? Ah, now we’ve piqued some interest!
Imagine circumnavigating the globe only to discover this bottled mélange waiting to reward your senses. It’s no mere ale; it’s an odyssey of aroma and taste wrapped up in a dark and inviting package.
The First Encounter: A Symphony of Aromas
Upon cracking open this shadowy potion, the first encounter is a rich, olfactory tapestry. A dozen aroma points seem almost miserly for the cornucopia spilling forth; it’s not just rum that greets us. Oh no, it’s a company of voluptuous raisin, sweet maple, dates ripe for the plucking, and plums dipped in twilight’s hue.
We’re not done, though. A further sniff divulges whispers of vanilla. Is that roasted malt singing backup to the vanilla’s warm lilt? You bet it is!
Appearance Is Everything
A beer’s appearance sets the stage. This delight scores a modest three, but let’s be clear: Outer Daarrgness isn’t playing to the gallery with brazen hues. It’s dark, as its name suggests—like a moonless night with a gentle promise of dawn on the horizon. Don’t judge this book by its cover; the story inside is what captivates.
A Taste of Twilight
Now, take that promised sip. A flavor score of 19 hardly seems adequate when those amber waves of grains transform into an ocean of depth. The first taste might simply confirm the waltz of vanillas and malts the nose hinted at, but there’s more under the surface. As we delve deeper, a roast malt foundation reveals itself, like a bass line underpinning a jazz standard.
And look here, a touch of black malt saunters in—cheeky, with just enough acerbity to accentuate, not overwhelm. It’s as if the elements are coming together in a harmonious blend, one that evolves with each tasting.
The Warming Embrace of Alcohol
Who doesn’t appreciate alcohol’s warming embrace in a beer crafted with a sense of occasion? Here, it’s nothing short of an art form. It’s reminiscent of fireplace chats and woolen sweaters, of not-so-judicious sips from a flask on a frosty evening.
The alcohol is present but genteel; it’s boozy, yes, but without that pesky retronasal burn that could spoil the ambience. Rather, it’s as if the spirits themselves were hypnotized, swaying gently in this ballet of brews.
Editor’s Two Cents: An Evolving Flavor Profile
Our dear editors, with palates as refined as a sommelier’s nose, agree the nose is dominated by rum—think burnt sugar and insistent oak, a prelude of dry barrel character. The flavor? It kicks off warm and opulent, much like the embrace of an old friend.
But wait, persevere beyond initial comforts, and the brew rewards tenfold. Notice how it evolves with each sip, spooling out a storyline of flavors where the dry, vegetal whispers become audible, lending a raw, naturalistic tenor.
It seems the pleasure of the spirit’s barrel serves a dual role—first as the overture, then as a lingering note in the periphery, ensuring each tilt of the glass is an exploration, not repetition.
The Verdict
So, there you have it. Scored a commendable 96 out of 100, Squatters Outer Daarrgness isn’t your run-of-the-mill ale. It’s a beer that respects the traditions of the craft while daring to charter new, delicious territories.
A brew this special needs no accompaniment, yet it would be a disservice not to contemplate the possibilities. Can you imagine this with a hearty stew, or perhaps complementing the richness of a well-aged cheese? I can—and the thought alone is enough to make one rush out to find this brewery where alchemy becomes drinkable.
Grab a bottle when you can, pour it out, and watch as it catches the last sliver of daylight. Sip patiently, let the flavor unfold and listen to the stories it tells. This isn’t just a beer; it’s a journey worth taking.
Bottoms Up: How We Review
Oh, and in case you’re wondering about the credibility of this review: we don’t just swig and type. Each beer is lovingly scrutinized, debated, and compared. Our shelf talker, printed with the care of a Gutenberg press, is there to guide, not dictate your taste journey. In the end, though, the real judge is you, the one with the glass in hand, ready to explore the outer reaches of daarrgness.
Cheers to the thrill of discovery and the pleasure of finely crafted beer!
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