I’m the guy that shows up at a Chilean wine tasting and asks about the beer selection.
Well, to be fair, Dark Horse Reserve Special Black Bier was offered to me moments after I walked in the front door of my friends’ home who happened to be hosting said wine event the other night. So, I of course partook in this very nice American Strong Ale before I dove into about a dozen Chilean reds including malbecs, cabernet sauvignons and merlots. No better way to screw up your palette for wine than with a rich and flavorful ale.
I’d heard of Dark Horse out of Michigan, but had never tried any of their offerings to this point. The fact that this is categorized as an American Strong Ale struck me as a bit odd, as it came off much more like a porter to me. But I guess that designation is kind of a catch-all for any beer over 7% ABV. And this one qualifies coming in at 7.5%.
Really nice and rich dark coloring poured into a wine glass. Aroma is that of coffee, roasted malt and chocolate. Not much in the way of hops. Relatively thin mouthfeel, but a nice molasses flavor, followed by a somewhat bitter finish. Overall, pretty drinkable. I’d definitely try more of their stuff if it’s in the same quality realm as this one. By far the best thing I imbibed that night, aside from possibly the Montes Malbec 2007.
Rating: B+
January 26, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Oddly enough, I had never even heard of this brewery until today when this very beer made Draft Magazine’s top 25 beers of 2008 list.
http://draftmag.com/magazine/articles/21
Odd.
January 26, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Wow, hadn’t seen that yet. It’s a very good beer, not sure I’d put it in company with Darkness or Hop Slam, but a good beer nonetheless.
January 26, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I thought that list was kinda strange, but certainly gave me quite a few new beers to be on the lookout for.
January 27, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I actually went to a Dark Horse tasting last week. I was hoping for some Double Crooked Tree IPA which I guess is like 15% ABV, but the only thing they brought that was not in stores yet was their Barley Wine, which was a kicker as well.
January 27, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Oh, and the title of this used to be, and I could be a bit off, Special Reserve Beer but some other brewer that was nearby had the same title but I guess it was crap so they decided to switch the words, spelled beer “bier” (which is what a grave sits on during ceremonies so they will probably change it) and put a “picture of the said brewer on the label.”
January 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Dirtyspeed, can you get Dark Horse at The Cellars? I haven’t actually seen it around town yet…
January 27, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Yep. However I believe last I checked they were low, Dark Horse not very big at all. I do know that Bacchus in Shoreview still has almost all their beers in stock, though I would call ahead first.
January 27, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Good to know, thanks! And when are we grabbing a beer at Town Hall?
January 27, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Whenever. My bus picks me up there everyday, until summer when I bike home. I can usually get there by 5 but I can only stay for an hour unless I drive which I rarely do.