 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Feb 1, 2005 Updated: Dec 14, 2006
XBF05 draught. Very dark black pour, maybe hints of dark brown around the edges. Seemingly opaque, with a perfect light brown/ash colored head that sits lastingly above the beer. Aroma screams coffee. There is some very dark, heavily roasted malt, plenty of black malt and maybe some dry cocoa notes. . .but it’s mainly the coffee. Flavor begins with a roasty, oily, nutty coffee flavor. It’s very distinct and dominant. Incredibly authentic tasting and what I liked most was, with all of the coffee and dark roasted malts, this beer does not have the typical acidic/astringent notes that seem to come with this type of beer. The brewers did a very good job controlling the pH level, and that deserves a couple points in my book. Wonderful smooth mouthfeel that is unique and not easy to describe. It’s not quite creamy, per se, more like a smooth, almost chalky (but not in a bad way) texture. The beer just glides down the throat. Must be the oats! My biggest complaint was a lack of sweetness. I would like to see some more caramel and chocolate sweetness, to balance the dry coffee flavors. Full body though, with a low carbonation.
Beerman6686 (654), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Poured a bleak black color with a light tan head. Aroma was of a lot of chocolate and coffee with smoke notes also. Flavor was consumed by the smokey/burnt coffe flavor and not much sweetness as I had expected. Not necisarily a bad thing, just not what the label describes very much.
LilBeerDoctor (442), East Setauket, New York, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Bottle courtesy of iowaherkeye. Pours black with a dark tan head that dissipates rapidly. Aroma of coffee predominantly, followed by roasted malt, nuts, and rich sweet malt. Flavor of coffee roast, peanuts, some burnt malt. Solid body. Great beer (it didn’t awe me though).
fredandboboflo (440), East Setauket, New York, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Bottle. Aroma strong of coffee, quite roasted coffee, some sweet alcohol, and some sort of sweet fruit, maybe black currant? Flavor again has that roasted coffee, some hop bitterness, but mostly bitterness from a malt that becomes increasingly charred although not overbearingly so for the most part. Didn’t really get the creamy, velvety feel others did as all that charred malt finished on the dry side with a strong but particularly noteworthy body. Very nice, but not wowing after that awesome coffee aroma.
BMan1113VR (762), Los Angeles (and Dallas, TX), California, USA
Aug 17, 2008 Bottle thanks to mibirder. Ultra thick pour. Large rocky, dark brown head that leaves good lacing. Body is black as sin. Aroma is strong coffee, oatmeall, some vanilla and light chocolate. Taste is strong coffee, and finishes with bitterness from chocolate, and some oatmeal, as well as light tobbaco. Alcohol is well hidden. Creamy mouthfeel, light bubbles.
sirpsycho (166), Murrysville, Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 16, 2008 Bottle. Pours an almost black/brown, nice brown head. Aroma is subdued chocolate and coffee. Flavor hits you over the head with bitter chocolate and bitter, roasted coffee, but not bitter in a bad way. Malty and decadent. If your a coffee and chocolate lover, this ones for you.
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