The Bruery Black Orchard

Brewed by The Bruery
Style: Belgian Ale
Placentia, California USA

THOUGHTS: It was almost a Belgian stout. A very nice beer. I didn’t really get the black wit part until the end.. This was very hard to describe. I liked it very much, but it’s hard to explain why. I’ve really enjoyed The Bruery beers I’ve tried so far. This was like a better black velvet (Guinness and champagne). This was great. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a very dark brown that was a nearly opaque, almost black color with hints of an orange glow at the edges when held to the light. It had a huge, frothy, light brown to tan head that fully diminished, leaving virtually no lacing. The aroma was moderate to heavy chocolate cake and cocoa; lighter roasted malt; moderate to heavy Bruery yeast strain; slight apple; white wine, cola, champagne and some spices. The initial flavor was sweet and rather acidic; while the finish was acidic, lightly sweet and slightly bitter. There was chocolate, oats, wheat, sour fruit, sour oranges, yeast, roasted malt, champagne, orange coffee, a little soy, slight spices and at the the end some hints of coffee. The medium to full body was a bit oily or silky for a split second, but nearly dry all the way through and also slightly sticky on the lips with very fizzy carbonation and a dry, heavily astringent and slightly chalky finish.

Pours a dark ruby-brown, almost black, with a huge frothy tan head. The aroma reminds me of some of Unibroue’s darker beers, like Trois Pistoles... very nutty, with hints of dark fruit. Flowery, too. Mouthfeel is light and prickly, with a nice clean finish. The flavor isn’t oppressive like Trois Pistoles... the nuttiness and the fruits switch places from their aroma positions and it’s a nice, light dark fruit character that gently leads the way. A really great beer... I’m surprised that the rating is so low!

Draft at Blind Tiger. This was the star of the night for me. Deep black pour with sizable mocha brown head atop. Mouth is rich dark berrys, cocoa, coffee and a slight hint of smoke. Mixed in the background - yeast and coriander tie this brew together. Bubbly, but soft..not astringent or aggressive at all. Everything works. Really, really awesome.

Draft Pours dark brown slipping into black, lush, densely creamy 2-finger light brown head that lasts. Beautiful pour. Nose is a bit floral, clean wheat, some yeasty zest, and just a hint roasty, maybe even smokey - it’s there, but it doesn’t overwhelm. The end results is a refined wit-like nose that hints at the dark color rather than being dominated by it. taste is similar - floral, wheaty, with just a bit of smokey roastiness underneath. Some creamy yeast is noticeable. Lemon zest pokes out; finish is clean and light. Best black wit I’ve had, and the only one that succeeds in not bashing the drinker over the head with the "black" part of the beer. Mouthfeel is soft, fluffy, creamy, makes the light body feel bigger than it is. Nice, but would like to see just a bit more zing in the carbonation. Overall a fantastic effort, superbly drinkable and done with both simplicity and finesse.

Earthy nose, slight pungency. The flavor is very good: dark malts, black liquorice, nice funk. Very good beer.

Very dark brown pour with a tan head. Aroma is more porter like and heavier than would be expected. Mostly chocolate and sweet malts. Flavor is very smoky malts with chocolate and coffee. Finishes very dry with a nice alcohol warmth for the season.

Dark reddish black, big, rich thick tan head. Smells cakey, spicy, maybe a few fruity notes. A bit tart, as well. Has a nice winey flavor, plus some gingerbread. Surprisingly refreshing, as well. There are a few smoky notes as it warms.

Very interesting. Has almost a chocolatey porter like flavor. A spicey finish.