Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA
Available: nationwide
This strong stout is an homage to the black ales that enamored Fritz Maytag and Ken Grossman during the early days. It is the first in a series of collaborative brews created by five craft beer pioneers that will appear during 2010 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sierra Nevada.
ABV: 9.2
ABW: 7.26
Color: 34
Bitterness: 65
Original gravity: 1093
No four letter words here, just a three letter one: Wow! A beer worthy of the occasion. Deep, dark and decadent, with black-strap molasses, burn raisin, licorice root, fig cake, espresso, dark chocolate and cigar ash. A bit aggressive now (reminds me of a young First Growth Bordeaux from a great vintage), but already a powerhouse of flavors and will become more impressive with proper aging.
Somehow I knew from the mere act of pouring it that this would be a substantial ale, and that it certainly is! Impenetrably black with a thick collar of tan foam, it boasts an aroma that’s more akin to a meal than a beer, with almost meaty notes of roasted chicory, dark chocolate, five spice powder and smoky licorice. The texture is among the most viscous I have yet come across in an ale, delivering a borderline chewy mix of burnt toffee, espresso, rich mocha, cooked apple and even a hint of the barbecued banana my dad used to cook on the backyard hibachi, all ending is a roasty, soothing finish. Simply an outstanding stout, as one might expect of a pair of modern brewing icons.
John Hansell writes about beer, wine and spirits. He is the creator, publisher and editor of Malt Advocate, a magazine for the whisky enthusiast.
Once described as “beerdom's Brillat-Savarin,” Stephen Beaumont is the author of five books and countless articles on beer, spirits, food, travel, and how it all goes together.
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I have one of these in my fridge right now. Can’t wait to try it out.