Jolly Stag

◎ Appearance

Deep amber hue with excellent clarity and a luminous quality against light. The thick, creamy head settles to a resilient collar that clings persistently to the glass walls, displaying fine lacing on each sip. Carbonation appears measured and well-integrated, supporting the beer's structured presentation.

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced dark fruit notes—plum and raisin—layered beneath a restrained pine character from noble hops. Beneath these primary elements lies a subtle caramel sweetness that suggests careful malt selection and gentle kilning. The overall effect is warm and inviting without any harsh or solvent-like edges.

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a clean, moderately sweet malt foundation that gives way to a well-judged hop spiciness in the mid-palate. The bittering remains restrained at 28 IBU, allowing malt character and fruit esters to maintain prominence throughout. Balance tilts gently toward sweetness, though the slight hop spiciness prevents cloying fatigue.

◑ Finish

The finish is gentle and dry, shedding residual sweetness cleanly without astringency. A pleasant hoppy impression lingers in the aftertaste, providing enough grip to frame the beer's seasonal character without overwhelming the palate.