88 Strong Brew Malt Liquor, Baron’s (Singapore). 8.8% ABV (11/07)

Golden amber color. Dried apricot, wet barley and panettone in the box aromas have a slight floral bath oil edge. A round, frothy entry leads to a fruity medium-full body of fruit bread, praline and peppery spice flavors. Finishes with a warm bread, sea salt and honeyed herb fade of hops. Nice complexity.

87 Elephant Lager, Carlsberg Breweries (Denmark). 7.2% ABV (11/07)

Light golden amber color. Lemon curd, peach marmalade and mossy earth aromas. A frothy, chewy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of powdered sugar dusted figs and dried lemon peels, salted nuts, cinnamon raisin bread flavors with a crisp, round and bold bittering hop fade. A nice malt liquor.

87 Dad’s Little Helper Malt Liquor, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.8% ABV (10/08)

Bright golden amber color. Lemon-orange custard and honeyed raisin toast aromas follow through on a soft entry to a creamy, fruity medium-to-full body with delicate spicy peach compote note. Finishes with a light grapefruit sorbet and apricot soufflé fade. Tasty.

85 Malt Liquor, Lomza Brewery (Poland). 7.8% ABV (10/08)

Slightly hazy sunshine yellow color. Rice pudding, lemon curd and whipped cream aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a fruity medium-to-full body with honeyed toast and peach marmalade accents. Finishes with a touch of talc, grapefruit spritz and buttery praline. Somewhat candied, but very tasty and crowd-pleasing.

81 Baltika #9 Extra, Baltika Brewery (Russia). 8% ABV (10/08)

Golden yellow color. Wet grain and haystack aromas have dried citrus and soap edge, and follow through on buoyant entry to a sweet medium-full body with prominent candy corn and sugared toast flavors. Finishes with a quick diet lemon soda and buttered caramelized nut fade. Odd.