Big Boss Big Operator Belgian Black Raspberry

Brewed by Big Boss Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Ale
Raleigh, North Carolina USA

Name: Big O
Date: February 06, 2009
Mode: Bottle
Source: Footset Foreplay Friday
Appearance: black, fine tan head
Aroma: earthy dark malt aroma, light roasted, woodsy earthyness
Flavor: rich malt flavor, light roast, dark chocolate, winey sweet fruit
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

Light, fruity aroma, Pours black with a moderate, tan head. Fair, sour, raspberry flavor with a bitter aftertaste.

On tap at Tyler’s. Didn’t think I’d like this but ordered quickly so as not to have to wait for the waitress to come back. However, I was surprised. This beer won me over because it wasn’t too sweet. Nice flavors of bitter chocolate and the nice bitter flavor of raspberries. Toasty and creamy and bitter more than fruity and sweet. Hid the alcohol very well. Wouldn’t drink tons of it, but would try now and again. Try it if you can.

Draught. Black body, brown head, some lacing. Aroma is raspberry, and not much else, but I can detect some roasted malt and coffee. Flavor is similar, but there is no yeastiness that I would suspect, and the raspberry is subdued in the flavor. Still, this is a very tasty beer, and I would drink it again. NOTE TO BREWER: ADD BLACKBERRIES, and you are my friend for LIFE!!!!

On draught at Milltown. Poured black with a tan head that fades leaving nothing, not even a lace, half way through. Boo. Oh well, nose is pretty nice with roasted malts, cocoa, and a hint of raspberry. Flavor follows with the nose and the body is a little thinner than you’d expect form the nose. This not a belgian ale. Not even close. Its closer to a sweet stout if anything. There is nothing "Belgian" about this beer. Not a huge disappointment, but just needs a renaming so it doesn’t throw people off. Alcohol pretty well hidden.

Interesting aromas of chocolate covered raspberries and dark malt. Flavor was more understated than I expected, with an almost lambic sour character from the fruit. While I appreciate this as a Belgian Ale with raspberries, I wish that there had either been stronger fruit flavors or more intense malt. Overall, a fine effort.

On tap at The Federal, Durham. Lustrous dark pour, looking very much like a big porter or stout. Decent head, dissipates a tad quickly. The nose is big and booming, and there’s little mistaking the black raspberry. It’s fairly forward, but somehow not so aggressive despite that. Slight hop presence, relatively thick body, and it ends up like a moderately flavored stout (Belgian? not so sure, but it’s a decent brew).

On tap at the Federal in Durham, NC. Very dark brown with a tan head. Chocolatey aroma with a strong dose of raspberry preserves. Some roasted malts on top of a ton of raspberry brownie flavor. Alcohol is very well hidden. Surprisingly easy to drink.