Calumet Total Eclipse

Brewed by Rowlands Calumet Brewery
Style: Schwarzbier
Chilton, Wisconsin USA

Stoutish appearance, almost opaque, but ruby around the edges. Nearly flat, with meager carbonation supplying a tiny ring of froth. I've never ground up malt before, but this beer smells like what I imagine to be a tub the finest, freshly ground dark malts. I've never encountered such an intense malt presence, save for Celebrator. Cocoa powder, carob, and a vague cinammon smell I recall from both the Dark and Oktoberfest. Not quite as intense on the palate, but still deliciously semi-sweet. Light bitterness trickles in at just the right moment to slow down the malt train. Courtesy of my good friend Tom, this is the third beer I've been able to sample from Calumet. I've made a concerted effort not to reinforce a positive bias toward this brewery in my ratings, but I can't help but rave about these beers. Each seem to epitomize the freshness and small-batch quality that craft brewers should strive for. Thanks Coug.

Pours slightly darker than the dark with a smooth creamy tan head covering it all. Taste is malty, of course, and well balanced with just the right amount of hops. Shows vinous qualities. Could be a little thicker, but I guess it wouldn't be a schwarzbier then. I put this in the same boat as the Calumet Dark.

VERY dark, thick & rich with deep walnut brown hues. Never had a more malty nose in my life. Sweet caramely, chocolatey and rich. Heavy duty! hints of vanilla in there too. Big time malt taste, mildly sweet, some good roasted barley presence as well. Nice dark chocolate finish goes so well with the faint hoppiness it"s just a beautiful thing.

A growler courtesy of Skyview. Dark brown color with a medium head. Very complex aroma of dark fruits, smoke and coffee. Bone dry malt flavor with ample chocolate. Slightly floral finish. Friggin delicious.

Very sweet, malty and smooth. This is a refreshing beer with a great toasted malt accent that finishes dry. Great balance. The carbonation pokes through as does the subtle bitterness that complements the sweet edge on this beer very well.

On tap at the brewery. THIS is the beer that IMHO should be getting the raves that the Dark is. The maltiest, sweetest nose that I’ve ever experienced, milk-chocolate and caramel and a faint floweriness. Dark and rich and thick, with a medium-to-slightly heavy body, strong coffee flavor, excellent finish. Best of Bob’s beers if you ask me.

From the tap at the brewery. Pours very dark brown with a rapidly-dissipating light head and some lace. Aroma and flavor is malts, with nice balance and not overly coffee-flavored. A good Schwarzbier from a brewery I’ll have to explore more!

Pleasant malt base with light smoky touch. Dark brown, fine creamy head. Pleasing to the eye . Flavour : plain on top , dry roast accented . There are some bitters , gradually dry at end . Very decent.