Berkshire Shabadoo Black and Tan Ale

Brewed by Berkshire Brewing Co.
Style: Porter
South Deerfield, Massachusetts USA

This beer took a while to get a grasp on -- it’s the first Black & Tan I’ve had where I smell and taste the two different beers used to make it. In the end, I find it quite flavorful and easily the best bottled Black & Tan I’ve had to date. Clear mahogany body, with light tan head. First whiff is of sweet and caramel maltiness, second whiff is of piny hoppiness. As it warms, some roastiness asserts itself. The flavor is much the same way -- up front there’s the sweet caramel maltiness, and the finish is solid pine hoppy bitterness. Fairly light on the tongue.

Pours a transparent dark earthy mahogany with a big, airy, foamy light tan head. Has a mild, lightly sweet and milk chocolatey aroma. Body starts with a smooth sweet dark caramel flavor and a touch of bittering hoppy balance before a lightly roasted milk chocolate. A very drinkable and enjoyable porter. Thanks to OldGrowth for the bottle.

Pours a murky amber with subtle diminishing head. Aroma is of caramel, chocolate, grapefruit and rasberries. The taste of this beer is very complex. One gulp tastes of their porter, the next tastes of a nice pale ale. Above average carbonation and the astringent vinegary finish made this one a personal favorite of mine. This beer turned out to be surprisingly good. The complexity of taste and excellent marriage of two styles has convinced me that this brewer’s other offerings are worth a closer look. To date I have yet to taste an offering from Berkshire that isn’t above average.

Bomber. Powers very dark, but transparent, with a very rich-looking creamy lasting head. Nose roasty but sweet, a bit smoky, malted milk. Flavor -- yeah I can sorta get the B&T thing, seems to me quite an excellent blend of a lighter, fruitier pale and more robust porter. Very smooth, but some nice hop kick all the way down. I'm with argo0 on this one, well worth your $3.50

Berry-like fruity esters surrounded by a deep chocolate porter/stout-like aroma is not what I was expecting. Clear ruby coloured body with tan head that recedes slowly to cover. Fairly roasty flavour has notes of chocolate and balances a strong, sweet malt. Notable fruity esters and a pleasant balancing bitterness in the finish. Smooth and creamy in the mouth with low carbonation. It certainly does seem to capture characteristics of both the porter and the pale ale. Bottle enjoyed with friends to celebrate Solstice.

Bottle from mcox90 and served in standard pint glass, thanks Michael!

Brown hue with a mostly lasting small head and left good lace on the glassware. The aroma has notes of walnut, chocolate, toasted malt, hint of piney and grassy hops, and a brief moment of lactic sourness. The taste has a mild chocolate tone over some toasted grains and acidic fruits. Grassy and a tad herbal bitterness throughout the flavor profile. The finish is a tad chalky and hints of coffee but is also a bit short but that was expected anyway. An easy to drink beer and worth an effort.

Bottle. Pours a dark brown ale with a strong aroma of caramel quickly gripping my nose. A strong presence of pale malts, chocolate, with some hop character.

2004 bottle. Good hazy chestnut brown pour, which also reveals light auburn tints when held to the light. Plenty of sediment left at the bottom. Smells of moderate roast, some milk chocolate, a hint of yeast in there as well. Flavor seems much stronger than the aroma lets on. Creamy chocolate silk, lightly oily roast notes, a hint of pale malt and some nutty notes on the finish. Low hops, there is some bitterness from them on the finish, but they add a light flavor more than anything. A bit tangy at the very end, with the yeast, hops and roast combined pretty well. Medium body, very smooth and silky. Low carbonation (I also let the bottle breath for a half hour).