Hammerheart LiminaLLutra Barrel aged Dry Hopped Dark Ale

 Hammerheart LiminaLLutra Barrel aged Dry Hopped Dark Ale.

7.8 % ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Lakes, MN.

I’ve been sitting on this one, the final can of four, for far too long. Two months! That doesn’t seem too long, now that I think about it. But I merely drank and enjoyed cans one through three. Been meaning to do the notes thing, and here we go:

Cast in strictly Stygian tones, absolutely opaque, with a proud lid of cocoa hued head above.

In the nose: at first, lightly fruity, creamy, sweet. Caramel and toffee malt notes at play, some oak, slightly hoppy, amusingly vinous, bewitchingly promising. 

 In the mouth: starts out sweet, fruity, wine-like, with dark malt flavors soon taking command. Cocoa and cream, with a slight citrusy hop profile and brief bitterness, rolled up in oak. You can taste a bit of the rye whiskey, but not a lot. It all blends incredibly well, and drinks down like a dream. It’s clean, smooth, fully flavored, wonderful in ever way. So many kinds of deliciousness. Exceptional and without category.

A testament to the incredible creativity that has been going on for nine years in Lino Lakes and will continue for many years to come in Ely. I’ll say more about Hammerhearts transition in the next review...soon.