92 Samuel Adams Black Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Dark chestnut brown color. Aromas of toasted pumpernickel and dried ham follow through on a supple, smooth entry to a creamy carbonated dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with dark roasted nuts and cocoa notes. Finishes with a long, sweet and savory mocha-like fade with mild earthy hops in support. Pair with a Rueben sandwich.
86 Black’s Beach Extra Dark Schwartz Beer, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. (CA). 4.4% ABV (11/07)
Opaque muddy brown color. Dense aromas of baker’s chocolate, burnt sugar, nougat and baking spice. A supple entry leads to a round, velvety and dry, pleasantly bitter medium-to-full body of cocoa, dark roasted nuts, dark brown sugar and snappy soy notes with a crisp, nutty dried citrus and cocoa fade. A nice food beer; try with beef teriyaki.
85 Shikkoku, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Deep dark brown. Dry nutty, burnt sugar and nut aromas and flavors with a mineral/metallic hop fade.
84 Slam Dunkel, Fox River Brewing (WI). 5.2% ABV (10/07) %{Brewpub}
Dark black brown color. Mild burnt coffee and nutshell aromas follow through to a brisk, dry, medium body with a singed citrus and buttery burnt sugar fade.
82 Cusqueña Malta, Cerveceria Backus Y Johnston (Peru). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Deep muddy brown color with a reddish cast. Aromas of nuts and shells and tobacco ash follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a sweet medium body with pronounced brown sugar and candied fruit flavors and slate-like mineral notes on the breezy, ash, barley cereal and after-dinner mint finish. Quite sweet, maybe with cigars?
Leave a Reply