This is a big, rich beer.   You know it from the the beginning, from the heavy pour to the dark copper coloration in the glass.   There’s oak, sweet caramel, a hint of earth and maybe I’m detecting a bit of citrus.  The oak explodes in the middle, like whiskey, with pine and alcohol.   The finish is nicely balanced between sweet vanilla and the bitter hops, neither overwhelming the other.   This is a huge, strong, heavy beer and is probably best paired with a big heavy rich dinner.   There’s a bit too much oak for my liking, but as usual, it mellows into a more balanced profile as it warms.   This is a beer to drink with a big ribeye steak, and it’s one of the best for that task.