New Belgium 1554 Brussels Black Ale

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

355 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 6%. Very dark ruby to mahogany colour, nearly black. Small and shortlived beige head. Weak and uninteresting aroma, a little malts, a hint of chocolate and dust. The dry flavour is not very exciting either, but fairly refreshing. Moderate malts, a hint of chocolate again, also a hint of prunes and liquorice, very mild spices.

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

A very dark brown pours, slightly hazed, topped with a light brown creamy head. The nose is Belgian yeast, coffee, and brown sugar. Mouthfeel is full. The flavor is similar to a spiced stout.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Pours a dark brown color with large tan head that stays a while . The aroma is of light cocoa. The taste is cocoa and toasted malt. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and nicely carbonated.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Decent flavor and feel for the style. Appears heavier on the malt than actually is. Flavors of mild chocolate, light hops, with a yeasty finish. Balance is ok, but borderline macrobrew feel. Something along the lines of a black and tan.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Pours a nice very dark brown/ black body, the taste was a little toasty, with subtle hints of chocolate. Smooth and a little sweet,it is a little watery though. it still is a really good beer

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

Black colored beer with hints of ruby woven in. A big frothy textured light tan head rises robustly above. There's excellent hang time on that head. A thick lacing remains throughout. A light cocoa nose. More chocolate in the tasting with coffee, roasted and thrown in. Light but smooth and creamy.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 10

This has become one of my favorite session beers any time of year. It's not overly heavy in taste or mouth feel. It's good cold from the tap or bottle and still is enjoyable as it warms in the glass. Has a mild sweetness and is smooth, with the slight coffee and cocoa notes. I'm looking forward to the east coast Asheville Brewery going online in late 2015, and seeing more New Belguim on taps and maybe cheaper 6 and 12 packs.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Free beer! Now called "1554 Enlightened Black Ale". Beer pours a clear very dark amber/brown with a 3 finger off-white head that lofts a bit. Big bubble carbonation. Aroma is very bitter and roasted. Taste is fairly tame with hints of dark roasted malts, light hops, brown sugar, an earthy notes. Mouth feel is quite flat and bland but taste is good. Not half bad but could use a little living up.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Dark ruby-brown pour with a thin tan head. Sweet malt, chocolate, and roasted notes in the aroma. Taste is similar with a hint of fruity hops. A bit thin and very mild

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Chocolate with a mild roast and light fruitiness. Deep amber ~ brown pour, 3/4" tan head and good lacing. Lighter bodied than expected, but nicely balanced and approachable. Faint yeastiness with a long nuttiness.