Grand Teton takes the traditional German Schwarzbier style and almost “doubles” the ABV to 7.6 percent to create the 5 O’clock Shadow. Despite the beer’s moniker, it pours a dark burgundy with a light-bodied brown head.
The aroma brings heavy chocolate and espresso and precedes a surprisingly bitter character for a lager. The mind thinks stout due to the deep color, but the amount of carbonation significantly lightens the mouthfeel before ending with a roasty finish.
Grand Teton‘s 5 O’clock Shadow Double Black Lager, in its 2012 Cellar Reserve Releases, is available in 22-oz. bottles in Grand Teton’s distribution area.
