Cigar City Either Black Ale

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

12oz bottle pours very dark with tan head that fades to a ring in about a minute. The aroma is a mix of dark roasted malts, chocolate, sweet citrus hops, black licorice spiciness and then a touch of sweet toffee. There’s a lot going on here where the sweet smelling citrus hops sort of float around in the background. The taste enters slick and smooth and even drying with dark roasted malts with a tinge of tart malt astringency. I also get ample amounts of blended malt sweetened citrus hops and then to midway notes of chocolate, toffee and spicy black licorice pick up and come to the surface. Into the finish the chocolate note begins to feel velvety smooth as a supporting note of caramel wells up along with a modest level of bitter pine hops. Lots going on but smooth and well blended goodness abounds.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

interesting beer...alternating between a bittersweet imperial stout, strong hoppy black ale, and something else entirely. the finish seals the deal (after the roasted, bitter chocolate, honey taste up front) you get obvious cedar in the finish. unique for sure.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

355 ml bottle, from Ølbutikken (or possibly Høkeren), Copenhagen. ABV is 11.2%. Pitch black colour, minimal tan head. Lovely complex aroma with roasty and vinous notes, coffee, dark chocolate, liquorice, cedar wood and honey. Warming mouthfeel. The flavour is very malty and sweet with strong roasty notes, coffee, molasses, honey, wood, dark bitter chocolate and liquorice. The sweetness is to some extent balanced by resinous American hops. A mighty fine beer!