Brugge Brasserie The Black

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

Only overshadowed by the Triple at Brugge, but the Black stands on its own as well. Pours an inky black with some deep red and no head. Aroma is very similar to the Triple, lots of smoke and yeast. Lots of flavors swimming around in this one, yeast and malt and candy and sugar. Definite orange and dark fruit notes too. Similar to Barley island’s Sinister Minister, but with a profile all its own. Very nice!

Draft at The Brugge. Pours a dark black with a white quick fading head, that fades to absolutley nothing. Aroma is somewhat balnd, notes of malts, and maybe a light white chocolate. Flavor is of a dark wheaty with a slight souring finish. Has some notes of chocolate and roastiness. Very nice.

On tap at Brugge. Dark dark dark brown, though not as impenetrable as a stout with a head offwhite head. Some people’s looked quite a bit more rocky in terms of the head, but alas, my beer was more full. The nose was sweet but well rounded. A bit of toast, but nothing I disliked. Some fruity caramel, but nice balance with a slight bit of spice. The mouthfeel smooth and healthy in terms of viscosity. Just not a lot of beers with a fuller mouthfeel. The flavor one me ove though. This was a beautifully clean beer. No off flavors per se, everything seemed as intended. Some subtle chocolate but nothing over done. A bit spicey, but again it was harmonious with the rich, though not over developed malt. A very nice subtle dark sweetness with no lingering flavors beyond a bit of the slight Belgian twang. I could drink this every day, if only they bottled! (Too bad the service I had was absolutely miserable)

Tulip at the brewpub. Pours jet black with a thin ring around the edge and a triangular patch of tiny bubbles with beautiful lacing. On the nose is huge banana, chocolate and dark malt. Medium-bodied and creamy with tongue-tickling carbonation & a quick finish. The flavor is banana, chocolate malt, and clove-like spiciness. After reading the other reviews for this beer, I’m wondering what the heck I was drinking, because it didn’t resemble anything described in existing rating. The big yeasty banana was undeniable and it was the first thinkg my buddy pulled out as well. Curious. Never-the-less, it was my favorite of the 3 beers that were on during my visit.

On draft @ Brugge served up in a large tulip glass. Looks black in this stout glass with creamy tan head leaving behind decent lacing. Very light aroma of sweet malt. Tough to make out. The flavor hits first with sweet brown sugar and molasses. Then I get a slight hint of plums, raisins and a bit of pepper. Behind the sweetness is a light undercurrent of roasted malts and even some faint burnt malts. As it warms the plums and pepper show up in the aroma. Another tasty offering.

<b>IMPORTANT WARNING: </b>This rating is for the tap version on location. I had a fresh bottle and it was one of the worst thing ever, totally infected
<b>In short: </b>A superior Belgian Dark Ale
<b>How: </b>Tap at brewpub
<b>The look: </b>Almost black body with a medium tan head
<b>In long: </b>Nose of a Belgian Dark beer. Lots and lots of flavour elements in this beer with not one really standing out. In no particular order: black forest cakes, raisins, black coffee, molasses, oak, black chocolate, black currant, roastiness, lime. Full bodied, lively carbonation. Nice complex and scarily drinkable Belgian Dark Ale. The most charming black Belgian since that hot black chick I saw downtown Brussels in 2006 (and yes the chick had a much thinner body).

Tap and served in snifter: Deep brown near opaque, small biege head, very good lace. The aroma has notes of plum, fig, chocolate, smoke, walnut, and woody esters. The taste starts with a big sweet malt character supported by some acidic twang, fruity. The finish is roasty and grainy with some smoke. The mouth feel is chewy, soft, lush, and oily. A solid dark ale, geek worthy. Could be a touch more balanced and attenuated to be world-class.

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