Bell's Mars: The Bringer of War

This 10.1% ABV Double India Pale Ale is Mars, The Bringer of War. It is the first of a seven part series of beers inspired by Gustav Holst's musical composition "The Planets." It is from Bell's Brewery of Comstock, Michigan.

The beer pours a deep amber with reddish tint. Mars is the red planet right? There is a tall, fairly thick head of off-white foam. The aroma is round, full of orange and tangerine, some subdued tropical fruit, guava and passion fruit, but also a bit spicy. The taste follows the aromas, alcohol upfront and very present, spicy, some tea with lemon, and some peach. The finish is very bitter and gives a strange mouthfeel like artificial sweeteners do. It drinks round and smooth, with a mild carbonation. This drinks pretty hot. I got to it a bit late, bottled 7-31-14, anyone know what it was like fresh?