Brugge Brasserie The Black

Brewed by Brugge Brasserie
Style: Belgian Ale
Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Draft. Pours a jet black with a thin tan head. The aroma is of strong dark fruits, plenty of malt. The initial flavor was really bland. Actually surprisingly bland. As the beer was a bit chilled at serving, I set it down for 10 minutes or so and came back to it. There was all the flavor I was waiting on. Dark fruits, subtle coffee, canilla, candied sugar. A good beer once it warms up

Fit the bill for the style, just not enough dark maltiness. Carbonated and sweet as expected this was the best Brugge had to offer. I like the idea of belgain brewpub, but having a St Bernardus would have been more enjoyable.

On tap at Three Floyds brewpub and served in a tulip. This Belgian poured a dark black/brown with a one-finger head of off white foam that slightly lasted. A small amont of lacing was left around the glass. The aroma consisted of mildly charred malts, copious earthy yeast, and some spicy yeast esthers. The flavor included mild dark fruits, roasted malt, a bit of spicy yeast, and just a hint of alcohol. A nice twist on a dark Belgian. Fun to try, but not an everyday drinker.

Pours black with a fully receding tan head. Aroma is phenolic yeast, peppers and ethanol. Taste has notes of caramel, light chocolate (de-bittered), spicy and peppery, thin red wine, and well-attenuated. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with light to medium carbonation.

Had on tap at Brugge in Broad Ripple. Pours pretty much black, nice sweet alcohol nose, and a chewy, sweet, yeasty flavor. A good brewpub offering!

Tap at Columbus Bar. Raspberry malt aroma. Dark brown color. Raspberry/orange peel malt flavor with a bitter hops finish. Very tasty.

I’m glad to say I don’t know how many times I’ve had this. Haven’t tried since they started brewing in Terre Haute, hopefully Sunday. Now for the beer. Black pour, nice raisin tint, no head. Smell is simple, sweet, and a little citrus. Taste is sharp and refreshing. Usually served a little cold. As it warms, it opens up and is barely sweet, barely bitter, light chocovanilla, definite orange lingering. No alcohol taste, but whacks a wollop. Clean, almost thin palate with fine, light fiz. One of my favorites from Brugge, and believe me, two is plenty!

This beer was a component of a very nice visit to Brugge Brasserie. This beer sort of plays in the double/quad space, and offers an assortment of Belgian beer flavors, from dark malt to sour fruit to spice. This beer arrived in a plump tulip with a good 2 centimeters of head, and an opaque black body. The beer was served a bit too cold for my liking, but at a temperature that was probably appropriate for their other beers (like their witbier). Aroma was a bit clovey with some fairly nice yet understated dark roast (chocolate and coffee). Flavor was significant spiciness (this was the predominant flavor) balanced with roastiness and a faint sour cherry taste. Mouthfeel was a bit thin, but not bad. All-in-all, quite a tasty beer. I would recommend this beer, and I would highly recommend Brugge Brasserie.