1554 - New Belgium

This is a beautiful beer to pour into your testing glass. Pitch black with a creamy dense foam. When I hold it up against the light it is clear but colored like a deep red, red wine. APPEARANCE (4)

The aroma smells from toasted grain and a little bit of cocoa and coffee scent. AROMA (4)

The TASTE (3) is intense with coffee and fruit. The bitterness is surprisingly absent. The drinkability is high despite it's deceiving dark color and intense smell. The low flavor content takes down the taste points somewhat.

As mentioned before, New Belgium packages their beer in a delightful way with beautiful bottles and labels that look like artistic paintings. They also get credits for their recommendations on the bottle of serving temperature and for always displaying alcohol content. EXTRA (5)



New Belgiums website

Beer style: (Enlightened) Black Ale
Serving temperature: 7C/45F (I think that this beer could be served at a somewhat higher temperature).
Alcohol: 5.6%
Food Pairings: Shrimp, salty fish dishes or as a session beer. Pretty versatile with food pairing.

APPEARANCE: 4 x 5 = 20
AROMA: 4 x 10 = 40
TASTE: 3 x 10 = 30
EXTRA: 5 x 1 = 5

Total: 95/130