Kitsch-y oak-aged Belgian-styled ’09 dark ale boasts barleywine-spirited complexity. Candi-sugared cinnamon, vanilla, and dried fig expanse elevates compost-wafted cola-hued oak-chipped full body. Bruised orange sweetness and mild grapefruit rind bittering never ransack dark-spiced brown-sugared cinnamon-toasted uprising as cherry-pureed raisin-fig souring juxtaposes toffee-like rum-doused stickiness. Tertiary cookie dough, buttered pecan, and almond illusions cake everlastingly creamy molasses-chocolate-cocoa malting.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: 21ST AMENDMENT BREWERY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: FLORIDA BEER CO., MELBOURNE, FL.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Interesting Schwarzbier-like Black Ale (brewed for Gordash Beer Company) adds inconspicuous pomegranate juice to sticky anise plunge, sour fig-prune surge, and grain-roasted stove-burnt coffee swell. Black cherry, dried fig, and purple grape nuances prompt Muscat or port wine appeal. Smoked mocha malts permit cola nut, walnut, and Brazil nut illusions to enter the 8% alcohol fray. On tap, deeper coffee-burnt licorice resilience is felt.- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BEAR REPUBLIC BREWERY, HEALDSBURG, CA.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
On tap, robust cola-hued dry-bodied Belgian wit/black beer merger leans towards darker side. Sharp chocolate nuttiness fends off hop-roasted black coffee bittering and wood-burnt charcoal tarring before candi-sugared crystal-malted cherry puree, prune, and plum illusions provide sweet counteractive splendor. Bourbon warmth mellows cocoa nibs-informed mocha finish.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BROOKLYN BREWING CO., BROOKLYN, N.Y.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Though lacking distinct character, cascading brown-bodied tan-headed Belgian-style dark ale (with yeast speckles) retains heartiness. Medicinal candi-sugared dark-fruited intrigue fades into fleeting cinnamon-spiced chocolate midst. Sour wildflower honey acerbity upends ginger-clove nuances as well as underutilized citrus peel bittering.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: ANDELOT PROEF BROUWERIJ, LOCHRISTI, BELGIUM
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Middling opaquely russet, musty barnyard-scented medium body pits initial honeyed candi sugar rush against ester-y cherry tartness, cork-y grape-skin dryness, and soured prune uprising. Oncoming metallic pecan astringency mires faint barleywine finish and drenches oak-y backdrop.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: AB GROUP, OTAHUHU, NEW ZEALAND
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Nearly headless mahogany-hued dark ale not far removed from dry ‘black beers.’ Sweet chocolate tongue, toasted barleymalt crevice, and chalky cocoa bitterness coalesce alongside burnt cedar embellishment. Black licorice vies for backspace inside full-bodied islander.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: AUGUST SCHELL BREW. CO., NEW ULM, MN.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
German-styled dark brew combining red ale sweetness with stout-like mocha richness. Chocolate malts offer assistance, but assimilation to Deutschland remains unresolved.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BIG HOLE BREW. CO., BELGRADE, MONTANA
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Dark roasted coffee aroma enhances dry mocha bitterness promptly countering rich chocolate malt creaminess. Lactose-aided blood-thickened cocoa sourness happily avoids acidity.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BLACK SHEEP BREWERY, MASHAM, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Complex cloudy amber-hued ale gathers sweet yeast upsurge and chocolate malt stint to counter subordinate tar-like bitterness. Tangy orange notes and dark nut remnant expand full-bodied nature before watery consistency softens carbolic flow.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: BLACK TOAD BREW. CO., CHICAGO, IL.
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Soft-tongued cola-hued porter-styled dark ale layers sweet chocolate malts atop almond-hazelnut-chestnut serenity. Roasted barleymalts, toasted hops, and dried fruits caress the lucid midst.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: CALEDONIAN BREWERY, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Earthen reddish-hued dark ale with moderate fruit tartness and superb malt-hop blend. Mellow, relaxing, and refined without becoming too sweet or overbearingly strong.
- Author: John Fortunato
- Brewery: CANADIAN BREW. CO., ONTARIO, CANADA
- Category: Beers A-Z
- Comments: None
Zesty fruit-scented berry-ridden dark ale renders polite hop bite and unobtrusive malt sweetness. Not nearly strong or resilient enough but easily quaffed.