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New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale

New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale - Traditional Ale

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 Percentile 
88
overall
Brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company
Style: Traditional Ale

Fort Collins, Colorado USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
10903.51/5.03.51/5.05.6%91.1Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard
View Statistics  P 

Commercial Description:
Born of a flood and centuries-old Belgian text, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale uses a light lager yeast strain and dark chocolaty malts to redefine what dark beer can be. In 1997, a Fort Collins flood destroyed the original recipe our researcher, Phil Benstein, found in the library. So Phil and brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert, traveled to Belgium to retrieve this unique style lost to the ages. Their first challenge was deciphering antiquated script and outdated units of measurement, but trial and error (and many months of in-house sampling) culminated in 1554, a highly quaffable dark beer with a moderate body and mouthfeel.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 Ungstrup (14760), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/103/512/20
Dec 26, 2006  
A ddep red beer with a brown head. The aroma is sweet malty with notes of caramel as well as slightly smoked notes. The flavor is sweet malty with notes of berries and caramel.


 Papsoe (14642), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/103/513/20
Sep 28, 2006  
(Bottle 35,5 cl) Beautiful, clear, reddish mahogany with a light brown head. Dark, lightly burned malt aroma. Fairly light body with notes of hard roasted malts. Almost stout like with a dry and lightly burned finish. Decent indeed but nothing much Belgian about this style. 210906


 omhper (12155), Stockholm, Sweden
2.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/104/55/103/510/20
Jun 3, 2002  
Black as coal. Dry and rather plain. Smooth, but not very complex.


 yespr (11649), Copenhagen O, Denmark
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Oct 27, 2008  
12 fl oz bottle. Dark brown with a small off white head. Chocolate and roasted malty aroma. Smooth chocolate flavoured light sweetend. Light acidic yet also smooth and chocolate flavoured into the finish. Very smooth malty finish.


 MiP (8793), Sønderborg, Denmark
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Dec 1, 2006  
Bottle, 5.6%. As New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale. Roasted and full, nicely bready flavour. Also a little sweet. Clear dark brown colour with a red shine. Looks quite nice. Dusty and creamy, nicely balanced.


 joergen (8430), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/516/20
Oct 21, 2008  
Draught at the brewery. Clear red brown coloured with a medium sized off white head. Light roasted aroma of caramel and coffee with notes of dried fruits. Light roasted flavour of caramel and coffee with notes of dried fruits, hops and cardboard. Roasted finish. Nice.


 kp (8400), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/104/57/104/512/20
Sep 1, 2007  
Date: 03/19/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Roadtrip

black, fine beige head, lots of lace, light roasted malt aroma, creamy body, rich chocolate malt flavor with a touch of roasted, nice dark caramel sweetness, enough hops to add balance and interest without being hoppy,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 04/07/2007
Mode: bottle
Source: tasting

clear dark brown, wispy beige head, chocolate malt aroma with light roasted, rich chocolate flavor, light bitterness, the roasted and hops are not as apparent

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **+/4


 Oakes (8072), gone rambling, Vietnam
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/56/103/514/20
Aug 14, 2001    Updated: Feb 20, 2003
note of licorice and dried dark fruits in its spritzy body, finishing dry with some malty notes not unlike raisin toast.



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