 argo0 (6018), Washington DC, USA
Dec 14, 2007 (12oz bottle, thank BBB63) Small tan head atop brown-black body. Aroma is medium sweet, chocolate, caramel, smoke. Taste is moderately sweet, milk chocolate/caramel, light smoke. Smooth medium body, light syrup.
Cornfield (4245), Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA
Jan 9, 2008 Lemmesee if I’ve got this straight. It’s called a Christmas Ale. It’s also referred to as an ale on the side of the label. We’re told it was based on Back Road’s doppelbock with an addition of Black Malt and the usage of a different yeast strain. The ABV is a hardy 7.7%. The brewer refers to it as an "Imperial Schwarzbier." So, twenty ratings later it’s listed here as being an American Dark Lager. Something akin to a Heineken Dark. Makes sense to me. Honestly. Be that as it be... It pours an intensely dark brown, nearly black, body with a respectable cocoa colored head. It’s got an aroma of bittersweet chocolate with roasted malt, dark dried fruits, and a suggestion of smokle. Medium bodied. The chocolate dominates the flavor and it has an addition of anise, dark caramel, cold coffee, and a mild earthy bitterness. The finish is quite dry. Very interesting and enjoyable beer for an American Dark Lager. <font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=5495> Pat’s Liquors, Porter, IN<font size=-1>
BBB63 (3676), La Porte, Indiana, USA
Nov 23, 2007 Bottle and served in my Back Road pint glass: Near opaque with a lasting creamy tan head and very good lace. The aroma has notes of berry, plum, fig, tobacco, ashy burnt smoke malt, grassy and herbal hops, hickory wood and a hint of phenolic activity. The taste is a wonderful balance of rich sweet malts, fruity tones, and a smoky mineral finish. There is a twang of ripen fruits throughout and an almost Baltic Porter like finish. The mouth feel is sharp yet smooth, dangerously drinkable. Another winner from Chuck IMO, I like the subdued complexity found within. ENJOY!
goldtwins (3672), Nesconset, New York, USA
May 22, 2008 Poured an opaque brown with an beige head. The aroma is fairly smoky with a sweet roasted malt base and some soy notes. Roasted malt flavor with a sweet start and tart soy base. Mildly dry finish with a medium body.
badgerben (2990), Blaine, Minnesota, USA
Dec 21, 2007 Thank you to Skyview for sharing this one. Black color with no head. Nice aroma of molasses. Dry malt taste. A little chalky and some salt. Not bad at all.
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