“Maris Otter malt and American Centennial hops magically combine to give an aroma of lychees and peaches with a full fruit body of spicy orange and coriander. Warming high alcohols finish with smooth caramel.”

Glassware: Trappist chalice (not Bede’s though )

Appearance: A burnished orange hue with notable haziness. It forms two fingers of fluffy white head which retains well. Healthy lacing on the glass as it ebbs.

Aroma: First thoughts are malty sweet, fruity, estery, some warmth from the booze. Getting stewy orchard fruits i.e peach, pear, apricot. Loving the almost burnt orange and spicy orange peel notes, they marry up with the caramel and doughy malt base nicely. It’s interesting as it has traits of a traditional Tripel but the adjuncts and the English malts certainly put a different spin on it.

Flavour: Quite dry and boozy. Getting every bit of the 9% ABV. It’s not overcooked though, it’s pretty well integrated. Similar to the nose in the sense of stewy orchard fruits, spicy orange/peel, herbal spice and florals with a flutter of tangy phenols midway. It carries that robust base of caramel, biscuit and doughy malt all the way through to the finish. And then some.

Mouthfeel: Initially dry then chewy, creamy, well rounded. Some heat from the 9% ABV. Medium-full body and a lightly sparkling Co2.

Overall: Definitely not our favourite Durham expression. Kinda muddled and lacking cohesion. Just a big old meh.