11/4/11 Sam Adams Black and Brew

So I tried the Black and Brew by Sam Adams that I got over at Brewers' Outlet Pottsville today. It is part of the Winter Classics Variety pack and replaced the Cranberry Lambic. This is the first coffee flavored beer that I have had and I must say I really enjoy the coffee flavoring. I will say that I am not a big coffee drinker but this is something different with a very smooth taste. I had this dark mistress of winter from a 12 oz bottle poured into a pilsener glass. It has an average head size coming in at about 2 inches and had a 33.5 degree temperature in the bottle. The head is foamy and medium brown and has excellent lacing. The body is even darker than the vanilla stout I had a couple days ago I put it up to the light I couldn't see through it at all. It has a coffee aroma and a coffee taste with hints of caramel and chocolate. It has a moderate flavor and an average finish length that hits the middle of the tongue. Overall I would rate this beer an A-. It is something different with a great coffee taste and a moderate bite that really adds something to it. I also had some with dutch chocolate ice cream and I will say that they were excellent together. As always thanks for reading and drink responsibly. Also remember your can opener because its not a twist off.

Additional Information:

ABV: 5.8%

Pairing info from Beer Advocate

Cuisine (Barbecue) Cheese (buttery; Brie, Gouda, Havarti, Swiss, earthy; Camembert, Fontina) General (Chocolate, Dessert) Meat (Beef, Shellfish, Smoked Meat, Game, Grilled Meat

Additional information from Sam Adams web site

Flavor:Full bodied and rich with a roasted coffee note. Finishes with underlying hints of sweetness of chocolate, caramel, & dark fruit.
Color: Deep black, 80 SRM
Original Gravity: 15.6° Plato
Alcohol by Vol/Wt: 5.8% ABV - 4.5%ABW
Calories/12 oz.: 208
IBUs: 24
Malt Varieties: Two-row Harrington, Metcalf, and Copeland pale malts, Special B, Roasted Barley
Hop Varieties: East Kent Goldings
Yeast Strain: Samuel Adams ale yeast
Availability: Seasonal as part of Winter Classics Variety Pack
First Brewed: 2011

Pairing recommendations from Sam Adams:

smokey bbq and just about any chocolate desert