Robust white-bottled prune-clouded ale gains candied brandy charm above dried-fruited chocolate-soured spicing. Concentrated carbonation grips the tongue, allowing clove-allspice adjuncts to seduce. On tap, ripe apple, red grape, and raisin-fig nuances reinforce alcohol-soaked malts.
Tag Archives: dark ale
COOPERS DARK ALE
MC MULLEN’S OATMEAL ALE
Merely duplicating other British brewers’ weaker attempts, bland ale lacks distinct oatmeal persistence, and strangely, could be better defined as a dark lager thanks to fizzy hop bitterness tucking away cracked barley sweetness and slackened mocha-chocolate influence. Rich toasted graining saves this from complete mediocrity.
(STEENBERGE) MONGOZO AFRICAN ARTISANAL DARK ALE
Unconventional copper-hazed African-styled brew reminiscent of Belgian-styled Ommegang Abbey Ale. Lofty 7% alcohol blear rears head above lively yeast, candied malts, and burnt ‘palmnuts.’ Grand Marnier waft consumes fresh cut apple, orange rind, and banana fruiting to dry-smoked white pepper finish. Only its fuzzy carbolic aridity holds this back.
DARK HORSE RESERVE SPECIAL BLACK BIER ALE
Luxuriantly robust ink black ‘Reserve Special’ schwarzbier pours like motor oil and retains genuine lactose stout traits. Creamy black chocolate endurance and flaked oat foundation fully enriched by roasted hop-charred cappuccino, espresso, and coffee ground bittering. Thick tar-like molasses flow picks up black licorice, currant, smoked cedar, and raspberry puree illusions ahead of maraschino cherry blurt. Dark rum and dry burgundy notes detected in deep recess.
MC SORLEY’S DOUBLE DARK ALE
Deep mahogany hue and Scotch-like aroma hit the senses before sturdy roasted coffee bitterness and creamy caramel nougat richness stabilize. But unobtrusive finish lacks full-bodied inertia.