Ballast Point Barmy

This is a 12.0% ABV golden ale with apricot and honey from the Ballast Point Brewing Company of San Diego, California.  "Barmy" means full of barm, which is apparently yeasty, frothy, foam.  However, it's British slang term was for being silly or idiotic.  A strong ale can do that!

The beer pours dark golden, light amber, with tints of copper and dried apricot. There is a relatively short head of white to off-white foam. The aroma is sweet and tangy, apricot, honey, with some candied orange peel. The taste is mild, sweet, honey and candi sugar, light apricot, some tangy citrus peels. The finish is dry, with an oaky quality of light bitterness and astringency. The beer drinks quite smooth, with a noticeable warming effect, and somewhat spicy finish. There is not as much flavor going on here as I expected. Some additional apricot comes out as it warms, but this is quite mild.