Beer Prickly Moses Vintage Ale 2012

Back before brewer Hendo (now at Southern Bay) made his brief dalliance with Prickly Moses and set about knocking out some big US-inspired brews, the seasonals coming out from the Otway Ranges tended to be more traditional in origin, notably the trilogy of Saison, Farmhouse Ale and Reserve De Otway. Those three are coming back soon, apparently, but in the meantime there's this - a rusty coloured, spiced strong ale that's spent 12 months in pinot noir barrels, something that's apparent straight up with some light fruity (OK, pinot-y) notes from the off. It's surprisingly delicate for a beer of its size, with some stewed fruit flavours alongside some malt sweetness and a gentle funky nod in the direction of Belgium, particularly as it warms.