Absolutely dazzling honey/amber tone, eggshell foam with long head retention; the well-behaved nose is off-dry to semisweet and speaks of nuts and barley malt, with a perceptible underlying layer of honey/caramel; ultimately, though, it's on the palate that this opulent, lushly textured, and regal ale scores its biggest points as sweetish flavors of candied nuts and rich malt are balanced by a lactic-acid-like intense hoppy crispness; the lovely, plump finish is grainy and hoppy as a slight bitterness closes the door on it; this is a huge, multilayered ale that would be suitable with a rich dish like beef Wellington or, even better, served after the main course; a dynamite ale.