Black Fox Shyela

Black Fox Brewing Company
Brewed at Bristol Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Colorado Springs, Colorado USA

Serve in Tulip

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Got to try this due to the generosity of a couple of very nice Paskies: thanks to Paskie, Dan for picking up a growler of this one up, and for Paskie, Ryan for dropping by during the epic hearth tiling project to share a taste. Very interesting beer this. Looks very pretty in the glass, warm walnut with a nice cap of fine off-white. The aroma is not what one would call immediately endearing. Or even...one that grows on you after a bit. Sort of a meaty sage aroma that makes me think of stuffing the cavity of a bird or rubbing a pork roast. The fresh floral quality of a freshly picked sage leaf doesn’t seem to have survived. And what is left is the more aggressive spice cabinet note. Flavor is similarly heavy on the sage. There is a bit of toasted caramel. Nice delicate palate, bright and clean, dry finishing. An interesting idea, but one that could have used a much more restrained hand in implementation.

(draft 12/19/10). Cloudy dark copper/brown color. Medium off white head. Moderate spice aroma. Moderate spice/ginger/rosemary flavor. Avg duration. Lasting spice finish. Slick texture. Moderate carbonation. Fair lacing.

Tap at Bristol. Murky brown pour with light brown head. A strong sage aroma with an earthy undercurrent that I can only assume is the willow bark. The body is very well balanced. Saison fullness with the sage held in check by the wonderful wood character.