Flat Earth Cygnus X-1

The aroma here is coffee, chocolate, tart dark fruits, low-key, but noticeably skunky hops and a generalized roast fragrance that leans toward bread and cereal grains rather than specifically malt. The body is dark brown and atop it is a finger sized, tan head that fades slowly and is somewhat bubbly. Roasty coffee and chocolate (ye roasted chocolate) notes bloom in the fore and then segue into yet sweeter notes of fruit malt. This arrangement is pleasing, but there exists a metallic background to the whole affair that is distracting, from a flavor standpoint. While I wish that metal twang would go away, it is not a deal killer and overall this is still quite tasty and drinkable. In the far finish, I get muted notes of stewed dark fruits. The mouth feel is mostly where it should be for the style.

Thanks to Bob for the bomber! Poured clear deeper brown with a moderate cap of dense beige head. The aroma picked up a really odd blend of darker malts (dark chocolates, licorice, and coffee) paired with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.. very dark with moderate roast to it. The flavor was chocolate-focused with coffee flavor and bitterness on the edges.. licorice and soy joined in, as well as cinnamon and earthy notes.. almost burnt feel to it. Medium-bodied with heavy, filling carbonation on the palate.. chalky, charred impression left on the finish. This was an odd one, and decently executed.

Medium brown. Lots of toast and cocoa. There’s a hint of sweetness but it’s syrupy. Some cocoa and nut but nothing particularly inventive.

22oz bottle from incutrav...... pours a semi-transparent dark cola brown with a thin bubbly light brown head..... soft nose of roasted malt, chocolate, and a little smoke. not too assertive.... flavors of sweet, roasted malt with an added light sour component that becomes more apparent in the finish. some smoke at the end as well. pretty carbonated with a lively mouthfeel. dry finish on the tongue....this was ok.

Bottle from Ty and served in my trusty Stone IRS snifter:

"In the constellation of Cygnus
There lurks a mysterious, invisible force
The Black Hole Of Cygnus X-1"
Appearance: Hardly black, more a reddish brown with a fizzy beige head and spotty lace.

"On my ship, the ’Rocinante’
Wheeling through the galaxies,
Headed for the heart of Cygnus,
Headlong into mystery"
Aroma: Not much of a mystery here. Very much many of the standard porter vapours of walnut, chocolate, roast, light smoke, prune, herbal hops and a dusty yeast ester.

"Show you fire to keep you warm
Through the endless winter storm
You can live in grace and comfort
In the world that you transform."
Flavor: Not exactly graceful or warming within the flavor profile as the sweeter malt are moderately overpowered by hop bitterness and some lactic sourness. Notes of smoke, coffee, and dark fruits found within as well. That said the whole thing seems dumb downed and lack the punch I wanted.

"Some fought themselves, some fought each other
Most just followed one another
Lost and aimless like their brothers
For their Hearts were so unclear
And the Truth could not appear"
Palate: Sprite and fizzy upon the tongue, way too over carbonated IMO, chalky dryness upon the finish.

"We can walk our road together
If our goals are all the same
We can run alone and free
If we pursue a different aim"
Overall: If you are gonna name a beer after a black hole then it should be more powerful than this beer. The bitterness and acidity are far to much in play and the beer lacks proper balance, Cygnus would not be pleased. (Well at least I got a bottle to keep)
"Sound and fury
Drowns my heart"