La Black Imperial Berliner Weisse
Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

 

 

 

 

Pours with a huge, initial head--7/8 of the glass. It settles quickly enough but still retains a bit of head throughout the tasting. Subsequent pours are less dramatic but still provide ample froth initially. Oddly, there is nearly no lace left on the glass. The color is dark brown but light does pass through the edge.

Burnt charcoal and bitter, Baker's chocolate first come to mind when I smell this beer. I noted a very light plastic smell in the background. There's also a slight, initial sourness that I can't pick up on subsequent smells. What I don't get is any wheat.

The taste doesn't match the smell profile at all. This is a very sour beer (like it should be as a Berliner Weisse). I say this because the smell led me to believe that I would be getting something akin to a dark porter or a lowly hopped black IPA. Instead, I do get the flavors one would expect for the style. It also doesn't taste dark at all--no roasted or burnt malt flavors. Blindfolded and without the smell, I would expect a pale, perhaps even white beer. The aftertaste is lip smacking tart and lasts a very long time.

I have never had a dark beer without any deeper malt elements in the taste. Yet, these come through in the smell beautifully. That alone, makes this one of the most intriguing beers I've ever had. I also enjoy it, meaning it's not just weird.

 

 

Pitch black with quickly dissipating head. Smell of roasted malts and faint wheat. Great balance of roasted malts and funky sourness. More funk than lacto-tartness like I'd expect. Medium body. Not sure I would call this a berliner weisse. Not taking into account the dark malts, it's fuller-bodied and more funky than any berliner I've ever had. But it's damn tasty!

Bottle: Poured a clear black color ale with a medium bubbly head with no retention. Aroma of tart notes with dry roasted malt is pretty singular. Taste is a bit sharp at first with strong tart notes and light roasted malt notes but mellows out as you get used to the taste. Body is light with limited carbonation. Interesting mix and more sour then I was expecting a Berliner weisse to be. I won’t be necessarily seeks this out again but interesting to try once.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dark color, reminds me of a root beer/cola. I hear lots of carbonation, really like a soda. A head that disappear really quickly. Smells like cola also, there's some roasted malts in there too. Really interesting taste, tastes just like a berliner weisse but with roasted malt. Really really sour but with a mild bitterness. Lots of carbonation in the mouth, almost no alcohol taste/after-taste. Definitely drinks like a soda.

First time I'm tasting a dark berliner weisse, it's really interesting. Usually I prefer my dark beers during the cold winter months, but this is one nice summer brew.