Some tasting notes

Here are some tasting notes for a few beers that I have collected over the last several weeks and haven't had a chance to write up until now.

Green Flash Trippel
8.5% ABV. Darker than most triples, sort of peach-colored. Pours with a thick, dense, almost white and very vigirous head. Yeasty and slightly musty on the nose, with hints of perfume. Fairly creamy on the palate, with a pronounced flavor of dried fruit. Beautifully balanced, not too sweet, not too bitter, with a very long finish. Two thumbs up.

Smuttynose Barleywine
ABV not listed, not even on the brewery's website, but tastes strong as a barleywine should. My estimate is around 9-10%. Fairly dark reddish-brown color. Not much in the way of head. Quite hoppy on the nose, but with a strong fruity character, especially raisins. A little musty. Hoppy bitterness on the palate (by barleywine standards, anyway). Acquired a metallic taste when served with very sweet things (I tried dried fig). On the other hand, delicious with a washed rind cheese.

Flying Dog Imperial Porter
9.2% ABV – Imperial indeed. Almost black color. Short beige head, dissipated quickly. Rye bread and molasses on the nose. Exquisitely balanced on the palate, very long finish. Smoother than a beer of this strength ought to be.

Fiddler's Green IPA
ABV not listed, but doesn't taste that strong. My estimate is no more than 6.5%, probably less. Clear amber color. Thick head, but dissipated very quickly. Very fizzy. Slightly sweet on the nose. Pronounced honey flavor on the palate. Not nearly hoppy enough for an IPA. Pleasant, inoffensive, decent everyday quaff, but not that distinctive. Apparently, this stuff is made by F.X. Matt in Utica, NY, where Saranac and Utica Club are also made.