Auckland Dark Ale

Formerly brewed at Auckland Brewers
Style: Brown Ale
Otahuhu, New Zealand

Serve in Dimpled mug

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Pretty roasty for a brown ale. Almost in light porter territory. Black like a Xingu.

I really like this brown ale! Sparkling clear, deep, dark, ruby ale. Medium-sized, frothy, lightly tanned head with good retention and brussels lacing (I just like to throw around the term "Brussels lacing" every now and then). Very light, pleasant aroma. Nice notes of chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon. The flavor is decently balanced, but a hint on the sweet side. Chocolatey. Medium-bodied with a silky mouthfeel and light carbonation. The finish leaves the mouth feeling parched for quite some time. Great session beer at $.86 per bottle and 4% ABV. Unfortunately, it will be available for only a limited time in my area.

Brown bottle, 11.15 oz/330ML, with twist-off cap. Oval lable with a dragon linking motif in the background around which are the words "Naturally brewed Premium Dark Ale." It has a medal printed that states it wone a Gold Medal at the 1999 Australian International Beer Awards. Imported by Wine Mates, L.L.C. in Ellicott City, MD. Website www.abgroup.co.nz Oh yeah, the beer... Pours like a Coke with a bit of a head, but not much, and some lacing. Smells malty and rather sweet. Tastes...okay. Roasted malt is the most noticable flavor with coffee and chocolate hints. It could use more hops for balance, IMO. Funny, but it tastes a little bit like a Coke, too. There's a bit of a burnt aftertaste to it. Mouthfeel is, well, about like a Coke. It's about the same thickness and carbonation. Drinkability is pretty good. There's nothing offensive here and at only 4% ABV, it would be easy to have several of these while doing stuff around the house or whatever.

Pours a dark brown with a medium light beige head with decent lacing. Slightly fruity aroma with roasted malt.

I was not too sure what to expect from this one. Pours a dark if not rich brown color with a medium light beige head. Fair lacing. Aroma of roasted malt and a little fruit. Flavor is very mild which makes it both uninteresting and easy to drink. Finish is a little thin but there are some hops in it. Nothing offensive, but pretty unexciting.

Nose is a mixture between chocolate and cough medicine. Black body with a little hazelnut brown head. Taste like espresso, but has also the typcial flavor of medizine. Thin finish.

Woody and charcoal nose, dark brown color and a lovely tan head. Sharp roasted and burnt malt taste, almost like tobacco. Strong and aggressive beer.

Bottle. Dark brown and almost black with a laced brown head. Roasted malt aroma. Fairly light body with a grainy malt feel. Crisp with a carbonation bite. It leaves a pleasant and strong aftertaste.

Dark brown color, medium head. A light to medium bodied dark ale. Roasted malts, slightly hoppy. Some coffee and chocolate like flavor, slightly sweet. Mouthfeel is round, but a little thin. Finish is clean and crisp. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Serve coolish. This is not a porter.