The first time I had a chance to try the Collaboration Not Litigation Ale it was at last year's Arizona Strong Beer Festival. The problem was that because it was a special sampling they held it off until after 4pm to serve it, but when you arrived at 2pm your taste buds were long since overpowered to properly enjoy it by the time they served it.

That said when I saw a bottle of the 2007 down in Phoenix recently I couldn't resist picking it up and giving it a try with a more clean palette. For those unfamiliar with the unique history of this beer read here.

The look started out with a great sandy tan foam with nice retention. It was a hazy, cloudy pale brown ale, almost bordering on a dunkleweizen look to it. When I gave it a sniff I picked up a highly alcoholic nose, with hints of raisin and almost plum character in the background. The malt character was in the background after the alcoholic note, but the hops were nonexistent.

As I tasted I noticed a nice carbonation to balance the heaviness of the beer. The oxidation character is apparent which from the length in the bottle not surprising, but because of the high alcohol nature it seems to well balance the oxidized character. The flavor after a bit of warming reminds me of a well aged barley wine, the smoothness and nice sensation as you swallow it.

It's remarkable that in blending the two different beers they achieve such a smooth and balanced malty beer between them. If you can get your hands on a bottle of this Ale check it out, it's well worth the money.