Duff Dark
Daleside Brewery

Appearance: light coppery brown, good clarity, thick layer of tan foam that turns a bit bubbly/rocky, OK head retention

Aroma: dark brown bread, brown sugar, hint of rust

Flavor: mild initial malt sweetness laced with roast, dark chocolate, tea leaves and a raspy bitterness; finishes dryish with a lingering roast aftertaste

Mouthfeel: medium body, low carbonation, slight astringency and alcohol warmth

Other comments: S'aright. A bit drab. Not sure Homer would approve.

Got this bottle at the Sainsbury supermarket, Sheffield. BB Aug. 07, served cool in a straight imperial pint glass.

A: pours a dark reddish brown colour, topped with a puffy beige froth that patiently yields to a thin cap and leaves tight sheets of lacing behind; the carbonation comes very lively.
S: a wave of bitter-sweet caramel+chocolate malts prevails upfront, firmly backed by sticky sour-sweet dark fruits (raisins, cherries, red grape skins, blackcurrents...); also, a spicy touch as of hops and faint roastiness stay firmly behind. Overall, quite richly fruity for a Mild and lightly malty for a Porter--smelling like a nice strong ale anyway.
T: a creamy toffee-ish and light chocolatey flavour comes with caramel, dried stone-fruits, and a slightly rusty mouthfeel... turning surprisingly light and thin into the mid-palate with a sour edge of fruitiness lagging behind, where the mild bitterness and faintly roasty aroma gradually take over towards the slightly dryish and basically neutrally-flavoured finish...
M&D: the fizziness seems "a bubble too much" for this beer, esp. when the flavour and body are both feather light to nearly thin. It's hard to pinpoint the style of this beer, maybe a cross b/w a dryish Mild and a fruity Premium Bitter. I wouldn't mind trying this beer again on draught, but the bottled version is mediocre at best.