Barley Island Sinister Minister Belgian Black Ale

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

Tasted at Noogfest 4.0 (2008). This Belgian Ale pours a medium black color from a 750ml bottle. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is roasted malt, yeasty and dark fruit. A medium to light bodied Belgian Ale. The malts are chocolate and toffee. The hops are earthy. Lots of flavors going on here, some roasted malts and some smoke as well. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

good palate and aroma. dark dark beer. i expected it to be thick and creamy, but was surprised by the light and crispness. no tracing or head. flavor was sharp, but not bitter, and smooth throughout. taste of grapes floating around. almost like a wine-beer, if that makes any sense.

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!

Very nice. There should be a category for black ales. Pours black with minimal rapidly dissipating head. Taste is sharp with notes of roasted malt, earthy notes and floral hops. Very good ale and would make for a frequent drink.

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.

Thanks to heemer for sharing at noogfest 08. A black pour with a nice aroma and some good flavors.

Bottle sampled at Noog Four-0 5/31/08 courtesy of heemer77: Pours a transparent dark copper with a thin, wispy white head. Aroma of sweet toasty dark caramel and a touch of milk chocolate and Belgian yeast. Body starts lightly sweet and toasty dark caramel malty with mild complexity and some drier doughy bready balance in the finish. A nice dark Belgian brew.

From MI2CA, thanks for going through all the effort to find this for me, a trade that was months in the making. Pours a dark brown, almost black color. Aroma is what I was hoping for, new and different. There is an orange/licorice spice coming out, not sure what it is but it’s but its not overbearing, just there. Taste is light dark biscuit with light sweet earthiness to it. Very easy drinking and has none of the typical Belgian yeast dominance. I think its very quaffable with its low bitterness. It’s a nice obscure style and I wish I could try more like this.
22oz bomber, Rodenbach smaller tulip glass.