Rogue Black Brutal 2007

[1375-20080518] Tap. Roasted malt aroma has a bit of boozy grain. Clear, super dark brown red body with a long-lasting creamy light tan head. Bitter dark roasty malt flavour has a grainy ’alcoholness’. Medium-full body is bitter and dry. Very heavy on the stomach but nice to try.
(@ Pizza Plant, Transit Rd; Buffalo, NY)

Have had this several times at speakeasy. the first time i had it the bartender served it to me at regular brutal bitter. I was confused for a second. but not now. this beer, like the brutal bitter was highlighted by lot of juicy and bitter hops. also a lot of roastiness present throughout. Tasty shwarz.

On tap at Tyler’s in Durham. Very dark brown, almost black. Tan head. Citrusy hops and roasted malt in the aroma. Tastes like a coffee IPA. Weird. The hops are citrusy, tangerine like. The malt background brings up fresh brewed coffee and molasses. Bitter in every way. A fun beer.

on tap @ papago... very dark brown near black pour with a soft toasted marshmallow colored head. it leaves behind frothy stained glass-like lacing. the smell of coffee hits before the beer ever reaches my nose... rich dark chocolate, dark roasty grain, toasted nuts, pine, grass and grapefruit skin. the palate is quite unexpected... really dry! the flavors are strange... very ipa-like up front and on the finish but very porter-like in between.... coffee, bitter chocolate, toasted nuts, cooked cream along with some generic hoppiness, pine and grapefruit pith. bitter, grassy and pine on the finish. full bodied creaminess like a porter. ipa bitterness/parching keeps it from being too rich and undrinkable. soft creamy carbonation. pairs really well with chipotle ranch dressing.

this certainly isn’t a schwarzbier by definition. but it is really effen good...

As a dark beer drinker, I found this offering from Rogue awfully dissappointing. I mean, if you’re going to call your beer "Brutal Black," then at least bring it strong and stop trying to create an IPA that looks like a stout.