 riversideAK (1570), Shoreline, Washington, USA
Aug 12, 2007 Updated: Jan 14, 2008
Aroma of smoke, bitter chocolate, leather, and even maybe some tobacco. Pours super dark brown with a big tan head. When held up to light you cannot see through it. The flavor is sweet and smokey. Some piney chocolate bitterness. I dont get too much sweetness here. Just alot of complex flavors that are more smokey and bitter. It is almost winey in mouthfeel. There is a pronounced warming effect with this one too. Pleasant.
I let it sit for a few minutes to taste it closer to room temp. As it warmed the flavor became increasingly more sweet. The sweet caramel and chocolate flavor became noticable. Some sweet dried fruits were evident as well as some tobacco flavors. This is an extremely complex beer worth trying if you can get ahold of it.
BrotherGrendel (135), San Diego (La Jolla), California, USA
Aug 23, 2008 BATCH 68 purchased at NYC Whole Foods, prized contents poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance is a pitch black hue, large brown hue dissipates to a modest layer of tight bubbles, moderate lacing.
Smell is dominated by smokey roast a la a Rauchbier, tones of chocolate and anise, some wood, whiskey, dark fruits, and caramel.
Taste is full of smoke and roasted malts, followed by raisins and other dark fruits, sprinkles of anise and chocolate marshmallow, hints of wood and booze, finishes syrupy sweet like molasses.
Mouthfeel is full-bodied, thick and creamy texture, mild to moderate carbonation.
Drinkability is moderately high, this presents as a nicely sweetened version of a rauchbier with a bit more fruit and syrupy essence, this too would be amazing with smoked meats and bbq, definitely a must try from Portland.
BlackForestCO (501), Fort Collins and Black Forest, Colorado, USA
Aug 23, 2008 Bottle shared by a generous local. Poured a murky brown color with a thin beige head that receded to a ring. Aroma of brown sugar, sweet, toffee-like malt, fig, plum, and some light yeast. Lightly sweet entry with hints of brown sugar, light caramel, and plum lead into a light hoppiness with some fruity undertones of fig, grape, raisin, and apple. Smooth on the palate, low carbonation. Very good beer.
kempicus (162), Wellington, New Zealand
Aug 23, 2008 Tried thanks to Poperinge! Pours a muddy chocolate with no carbonation. Massive syrupy body with flavours of tobacco, chocolate and smoke, intriguingly complex beer and a pleasure to try.
MiP (4951), Flensburg, Germany
Aug 20, 2008 Bottle, 10%. Fruity aroma, very malty, and slightly roasted and creamy. Black colour, big stable light brown head. Very good flavour, quite sweet, dark roasted malts, some smoke.
NoiZe (893), Zeist, Netherlands
Aug 14, 2008 Tasted @ Horse Brass Pub and Hair Of The Dog Brewery in Portland.
Very black colored brew. Roasted malts in the sweet aroma, chocolate. Flavor is very, very nice. Roasted, creamy, sweet, nice chocolate bitterness and smooth like silk. Gets better along the way. Complex flavors and nice smooth bitterness.
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