Allagash Black

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Foreign Stout
Portland, Maine USA

Beer tasting at wine world. Although the competion was not strong this won best of show for me. Nice toasty malt taste without the strong sweetness....balanced.

This was an intresting brew. I have been trying new stouts like crazy. This really filled the bill as a new taste I have not had from any other stout. The smell is very normal. As is the look of the beer/head. The taste on the other hand was very new. Toasted malt, slight sweetness, oddly a bit refreshing. The yeast used in this beer is the true factor. The beer has a uniqe aftertaste. Almost a bit bitter. But it is not. Alcohol is not masked in this brew. You are aware it is there. As you can see it’s had to fully describe. Do try it if you have a chance.

750ml bottle Batch #6 (at least 6+ months old). Pours a dark cola color, slightly more viscous, medium fizzy frothy tan head that stays fluffed for a long time. Aroma is a nice balance of crunchy dry coffee roast, creamy rich chocolate and light fruit, the oats give nice depth, rich creamy and full, inviting and I can’t quite place what it reminds me (maybe Piece’s stout). Flavor follows, oats being quite prominent, creamy upfront chocolate quickly turns to dry roasted coffee, finishes quick and dry, ashy burnt unpleasant aftertaste, way too dry. Medium bodied, somewhat creamy but has an abundance of larger tightly packed airy carbonation in a very dry body. [much better with food, brings out some alcohol and fruit which livens it up a bit]

Taster, Bavarian Lodge. Sweet black malt smell with matching black color. Taste is not as sweet as the smell, mostly because of the alcohol warmth. Has a definite Belgian twist on the stout style. Sweetness and alcohol are balanced by roasty malt bitterness.

Wow. Pleasantly surprised by this beer. Served on draft. I tend not to like Belgian yeasts, so I wasn’t expecting to like this much, but the combination of the roasted malt with the yeast blended so well. Perhaps I’ve grown somewhat tired of conventional stouts, but the lack of an overt sweetness, and the melding of the elements of this beer made me enjoy something I otherwise might not.

Bottle at RBESG09 Grand tasting, Sheffield. Black with dark brown edges, lasting dark beige head. Dark malt aroma, some US hops. Pretty restrained, some nice sweetish malt, bit over the top.

Source:8.5 ounce pour at the Brick Store Pub in Decatur.
Glass:Allagash Stem.
Appearance:Black pour with a 2 finger tan head.
Aroma:Roasted malt, a hint of alcohol and some residual sugars.
Flavor:Roasted malt with hints of chocolate and anise. Roasted malt dominates.
Palate:Medium/full body with soft carbonation.
Overall:Very impressive and relatively simple. Nothing out of place.

This beer was great. Pours dark and is silky smooth. The heavily roasted malts make the body of this beer really hold up against any stout. I’d have this one again.