Bootleggers Black Phoenix

Brewed by Bootleggers Brewery
Style: Stout
Fullerton, California USA

Pours pretty black in this dim lighting...the head was thin, heavier along the glass’ edge, and slightly off-white in color. Nose showed notes of chocolate, roasted malts, and raw pumpkin. Subtly smokey flavors with some sweet waves of chocolate, and roasted malts. There may be just a tickle of capsicum heat in the back of the throat, but nothing you’d probably notice if you weren’t keen to chilis being used in the brew. Surprisingly thick and coating for 6.7% alcohol...flavorful for sure, but I wish the chili came through more...I feel the heat in my throat and stomach, but the heat wasn’t too apparent in the mouth. Pretty roasty overalll with some chocolate, some smoke, and the scratchiness in the throat from the chili. Overall, i quite like it.

This was a pleasant surprise. Very dark brown with only a tad head/lace. Aroma is nice and coffee/chocolate. The flavor really matches the aroma. Nice dark chocolate flavor with coffee aftertaste. I liked this beer and would buy it again.

Appearance: Pours a midnight brown with floaties in the body. Not much head to be found, but a few suds here and there at the top. Aroma: Moderate whiffs of coffee and roasted malt in the front and a little bit of roasted pepper in the back. Taste: Prepared coffee, dark chocolate, and smokey roasted hot peppers. Mouthfeel: Full bodied, and warm on the throat. Overall: Highly drinkable, pretty complex, really tasty.

On tap @ Beachwood BBQ.Black with a one finger creamy beige head, good retention. Lots of chocolate and chocolate malt (the shake, not the grain) and roasted malts with a hint of earth. Flavor continues with the same goodness and the addition of some cold coffee. The finish is semi-dry and a little burnt, bitterness @ a 3. Some heat does rise after a few sips on the lips and tongue. Smooth medium body with moderate creamy carbonation. Pretty good--didnlt motice any smoke, though.

22 oz bomber. Pours a very dark brown cola with a medium tan head. Aroma of bitter coffee beans, chocolate malt and chipotle peppers. Taste of bitter malts, bitter chocolate, coffee beans and chipotle peppers. Interesting concoction, but not much of a fan.

On tap at brewpub. Pours dark brown with a thin beige head. Aroma of coffee and light chocolate malt. Flavor starts with a fair coffee base, lingering until some dark chcolate and malt come in to back it up. Finish is mildly peppery, but you really have a look for it to consider this a significant element of this beer. Palate is light with crisp carbonation.

22oz bottle This is an interesting beer. It pours a very dark brown with a tan head, with lots of carbonation. Up front the coffee flavor along with some chocolate notes stand out. The finish is definitely chipotle, with even a slight spicy/hot burn. Not all will like this due to the unique flavors, but I think it’s well done.