Big Rock Black Amber Ale

Brewed by Big Rock Brewery
Style: Stout
Calgary, Canada

Serve in English pint

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My recollection of the new version of this beer is vague, but the old, 7% version was a dryish porter that drank light for its size. If I recall, the new version is similar, but a shade less interesting.

Clear dark brown beer, with a light malt and chocolate aroma. Light chocolate notes in mouth with a touch of coffee. Slightly dry mouthfeel. Lighter bodied than expected, on the watery side, but still enjoyed it. But this is not a stout!!!

Bottled. Poured a clear deep hazlenut brown with a medium, well-retained beige head. Sweet herbs, coffee, and other dark malts in the airy and not-too-well-defined aroma. Flavor was lighter, but very nice... with a coffee base surrounded by dark chocolate and herbal notes. This had a bit of a cola feel on the palate, but with higher carbonation. Not bad.

Bottle. Why they would even imply that this is a stout I'm not sure. Dark amber colour, slight tan head. Aroma is slightly roasted, hint of sweet malt. Slightly bitter with lightly roasted flavour. Palate is not bad, but could be better from something with stout on the label.

Almost black color, some head, common look. Aroma was slightly alcoholic. Nothing special.

Bottle (341ml). Shared with blankboy, GregClow, mds and tupalev, tupalev’s bottle. Looks more like a brown ale - deep ruby, clear, smallish frothy beige diminishing head ... okay, maybe a light porter. Light aroma of dry roast malt, hints of chocolate, grainy, with some sweet green clover hops and honey sweetness as it warms - pleasant, but not "stout"y (6+). Taste of grain and dry herbal hop bitterness ... dry and ... why is this considered a stout? Light body, mildy astringent, grainy aftertaste - not bad, not a stout.

Bottle (12oz) shared with HogTownHarry, GregClow, mds & tupalev -- courtesy of tupalev. Pours a clear deep ruby with an average size diminishing tan head. Aroma of slightly roasted malt, some light chocolate and caramel. Watery flavour’s mostly caramel with some roastness, faint chocolate and some nuts. Light bodied. It’s pretty mediocre stuff. Blah!

Dark brown, clear, tan coloures head. Chocolate aroma predominates. Slightly sweet, chocolaty, and a little nutty. Good.

[1752-20081003] 341mL bottle. Mildly fruity malt aroma. Hazy, dark brown red-hued body with a long-lasting creamy off-white head. Roasted apple skins and dark malt flavour with mild coffee hints. Medium-full body. Quite drinkable, though a little watered down to something that could have been awesome.
<i>(FOSB 2008 @ C’est What; Toronto, ON)</i>

UPDATED: FEB 18, 2005 Light head, low carbonization. Tastes almost like a sweet stout. Light flavour of licorice, coffee, and nuts.