Barley Island Sinister Minister Belgian Black Ale

Brewed by Barley Island Brewing
Style: Traditional Ale
Noblesville, Indiana USA

Thanks to beastiefan2k for sharing - cloudy dark red beer, with a moderate lacing - aroma of dark fruit, chocolate, spices, some oxidation - there a bit of oxidation in the flavor, too, along with hard to place spices, but the flavor seems focused around this earthy, vegetal quality that I couldn’t quite get into - a wee bit of nutty character - the spices become quite warming in the finish - a little thin, but an interesting beer.

Thanks STFUN for this one. Color was black with a red tint. Smelled of dark fruits and spices. Taste is toffee, small amount of chocolate, and fruits spices. Texture is light, not watery though, with some carbonation. Like josh said almost a wine beer. Different but good. Thanks again josh.

Bottle shared by GMCC2181. Pour was brown to black w/ some reddish hues to it too (when tilted). The head was 1cm and had good retention, steady bubbles rising to the surface. The aroma was coriander spices, oranges, light yeast, some dark fruits. The flavor followed the aroma, nice fruity esters, phenolic spicing, coriander, oranges, mixed dark fruits, and light chocolate and faint smoke/roast in the aftertaste. This sucker had some nice flavors going on, and the only knock was the light (filtered?) mouthfeel combined with seemingly high artificial carbonation. Fix up the latter, and we’ve got ourselves a very fine beer here - enjoyable as is, though. Thanks, Gabe, for sharing!

Bottle courtesy of stfun. Pours dark brown with a dissipating white head. Smells of tea, some caramel, hints of nuttiness. Tastes of chocolate, some spice, molasses, fruity hints, earthy. Interesting.

22 oz bottle: Pours like coffee, deep black core with dark brown highlights around the rim of the glass. The head starts healthy, but settles into a skim after a few sips. The nose really reminds me of a brown ale - notes of toffee, flat caramel and semi-sweet chocolate are abound. The belgian yeast adds some light, fruity esthers that add an interesting dimension. The body is chewy with an onslaught of sweet malts. Notes of caramel and baked brown initially hit the tongue. The yeast takes on a bigger role here, adding deep fruits, overripe banana, plums and more. Drinks well and has an interesting complexity.

Pours near black with ruby hues and a mostly receding tan foamy head. Taste is toffee, light chocolate, phenolic fruits, cherries, and spice. Mouthfeel is medium to full with lush carbonation. I don’t know why this is considered a traditional ale, it’s pretty much a Belgian-style stout, except for the serious shortage of yeast character.

bomber thanks to immy.....pours deep dark brown with frothy yet thin off-white head.....aroma mostly made up of dark fruits, some banana, and other sweet malts. don’t notice too much chocolate or roast....flavors of sweet malt, a little caramel with some dark fruit and pepper accents. carbonation is lively and mouthfeel was a little thin.

22 ounce bottle. Pours mostly black with some ruby highlights when held to light. Slim off white head. I smell floral hops, berries, bubble gum, and some banana. Pretty much taste the same thing. A little bit of clove flavor as well. Medium body. High carbonation. Dry finish. Just an okay beer.