A dreary type of day, sullen and damp. At work I was subjected to scurrying in the deep corners of the reeking, musty old warehouse, attempting to clean some of the ghosts its acquired along the way. Dirt, smelly work. It's my Friday though and I'm glad of it. As my day ends so too does any luminosity the sun could provide through the bleakly hanging clouds, swollen and bruised. The evenings fall ever more abruptly, and the rain ever more frequently. In mock surrender, I grab this dark ale and feign solidarity with this dismal evening. A visually stunning pour that results in a glass full of mahogany with rich red highlights. A lush 1 finger head built of thick tightly packed foam forms strongly atop this beer and only recedes by about half after a good wait. The nostrils flare subtly as the nose endeavours to discover some aromatic hints to guide the expectations of the palate. Eventually a healthy dose of roast barley breaks through with chocolate quick behind lending to an impression of cocoa. At first sip there is instant reward. Slightly sweet with a just enough hopping to take the edge, flavours of caramel, roast barley, and to a far lesser extent chocolate and coffee mix delightfully to give an almost smokey nuance. Hops are definitely present but serve only to balance with a mild butter tingle and promote the malt by adding a light indistinct fruitiness. An excellent and delicious way to celebrate the darkness.