Golden City Chocolate Raspberry Black Lager

Sampled at the 5th Annual Wildland Firefighters Benefit & Festival. Beer is nearly opaque very dark brown with a larger-than-average, creamy-frothy, tan head. Diminishing, but mostly lasting.<P> The aroma is malty with a moderate note of roasted grain, light notes of creamy chocolate, cookie and molasses; Hoppy with a light note of grassy alfalfa; Yeasty with a trace of basement; Light miscellaneous note of sugary raspberry jam.<P> The flavor is moderately-to-heavily sweet, lightly bitter with a long, trace acidic, lightly sweet finish. Some jammy raspberry rets. Fruity brightness in the finish.<P> The body is medium, the texture is watery-velvety and the carbonation is average.

Pumphouse Fest 2007. Head is mostly lasting. Body is light brown. Aroma is moderately malty (cookie, chocolate), with notes of cherry and raspberry. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium body, velvety texture, lively carbonation. The look and feel, so to speak, of this one are nice, and while the aroma isn’t particularly complex, it is attractive. But as with many fruit beers, sourness and bitterness fight to balance the sweetness and end up being awkward. Not bad though.

On tap @ Falling Rock poured a clear reddish brown with a small lasting amber head. Aromas of chocolate, light raspberry and a hint of carmel. Palate was light to medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of choclate, light raspberry and a faint hint of carmel with a crisp yet smooth malty finish.