El Lector | Cigar City Brewing
Brewed by:
Cigar City Brewing
Florida, United States | website
Style: English Dark Mild Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Pours a brownish red with a nose of caramel and pronounced nuttiness. Flavor has a solid foundation of toasted grains enveloped by a soft touch of coffee and roasted nuts. Our smallest offering, El Lector is true to its English roots.
20 IBU
Added by Shaw on 11-19-2010
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 20 | Ratings: 63
4.2/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Being from New England (w/ lots of great micro-brews), my brother proudly took me to Cigar City Brewing in Tampa Florida. And I must say I was very impressed with both the quality and the number of excellent craft-brews on tap. The organization is very well run, and I fully expect to find their beers in the New England region in the near future ( I can see them expanding nationally).
I started with a taster rack of Jai Alai (IPA), Resonator Double Bock, El Lector English Style Dark Ale, and the Puppy Breath Porter. All were excellent.
Had the El Lector in a small 4oz tasting glass. ABV was 4.5%
Appearance:
Very nice dark translucent brown. Appropriate for a dark English ale.
Smell:
Nice balance between hops and malts. Definitely noted the nutty aromas.
Taste:
Consistent with the smell. Nutty, nice balance between hops and malts. Slight after taste of floral notes ... added to the complexity of the beer.
MF:
lighter bodied beer, appropriate for an ale. But definitely heavier than a lager.
Overall:
Very good to great, drinkable beer. Would definitely have again. Probably one of my favorite Dark English Ales. Highly recommended.
★ 1,150 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Being from New England (w/ lots of great micro-brews), my brother proudly took me to Cigar City Brewing in Tampa Florida. And I must say I was very impressed with both the quality and the number of excellent craft-brews on tap. The organization is very well run, and I fully expect to find their beers in the New England region in the near future ( I can see them expanding nationally).
I started with a taster rack of Jai Alai (IPA), Resonator Double Bock, El Lector English Style Dark Ale, and the Puppy Breath Porter. All were excellent.
Had the El Lector in a small 4oz tasting glass. ABV was 4.5%
Appearance:
Very nice dark translucent brown. Appropriate for a dark English ale.
Smell:
Nice balance between hops and malts. Definitely noted the nutty aromas.
Taste:
Consistent with the smell. Nutty, nice balance between hops and malts. Slight after taste of floral notes ... added to the complexity of the beer.
MF:
lighter bodied beer, appropriate for an ale. But definitely heavier than a lager.
Overall:
Very good to great, drinkable beer. Would definitely have again. Probably one of my favorite Dark English Ales. Highly recommended.
★ 1,150 characters
4.05/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap, served in a plastic up, beer is brown and clear, dark brown, with a thin lazy wispy head of off white tan bubbles, some lacing, low carbonation.
Aroma is sweet and weak with a mildness to it.
Beer is nice a refreshing, not a dry finish at all, nice throughout, mildly sweet, a little roasty, decent. I'd have it again.
★ 328 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap, served in a plastic up, beer is brown and clear, dark brown, with a thin lazy wispy head of off white tan bubbles, some lacing, low carbonation.
Aroma is sweet and weak with a mildness to it.
Beer is nice a refreshing, not a dry finish at all, nice throughout, mildly sweet, a little roasty, decent. I'd have it again.
★ 328 characters
3.58/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From notes.
On tap at cigar city.
This brew poured a deep mahogany brown with red hues where the light passed through, very little head on this mostly due to the pour, what did remain was on the yellow side of off-white. The nose on this one was pretty roasty, notes of caramel, chocolate, and a bit of earthiness. Up front I get those sweet malty flavors, chocolate and a little fruit I can’t put my finger on. There are some earthy notes followed up by a bit of grassy hop. The body is fairly light and the carbonation sits on the high side making this brew very drinkable. Overall a nice drinkable beer, but nothing to wright home about.
★ 644 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From notes.
On tap at cigar city.
This brew poured a deep mahogany brown with red hues where the light passed through, very little head on this mostly due to the pour, what did remain was on the yellow side of off-white. The nose on this one was pretty roasty, notes of caramel, chocolate, and a bit of earthiness. Up front I get those sweet malty flavors, chocolate and a little fruit I can’t put my finger on. There are some earthy notes followed up by a bit of grassy hop. The body is fairly light and the carbonation sits on the high side making this brew very drinkable. Overall a nice drinkable beer, but nothing to wright home about.
★ 644 characters
3.88/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on-tap at the Dunedin House of Beer. It was poured into a pint glass.
A: dark brown/dark coffee color with a one finger head that quickly faded into a thin superficial tanned layer. Excellent lacing present in the beer.
S: a bit hard to find, but coffee notes are predominant with a slight malty and vanilla smell.
T: light coffee in the beginning along with roasted malts that give way to a final hops presence and a earthy/rooty finish in the aftertaste.
M: light to medium body, medium carbonation. Very drinkable despite its dark nature.
O: a very solid brew, it's very drinkable and packs a good taste to boot.
★ 630 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on-tap at the Dunedin House of Beer. It was poured into a pint glass.
A: dark brown/dark coffee color with a one finger head that quickly faded into a thin superficial tanned layer. Excellent lacing present in the beer.
S: a bit hard to find, but coffee notes are predominant with a slight malty and vanilla smell.
T: light coffee in the beginning along with roasted malts that give way to a final hops presence and a earthy/rooty finish in the aftertaste.
M: light to medium body, medium carbonation. Very drinkable despite its dark nature.
O: a very solid brew, it's very drinkable and packs a good taste to boot.
★ 630 characters
4.2/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
First of all.. This is my 3rd time having this delectable brew.. I think its time it deserves a review.. first time in Daytona Beach at an Irish Pub / Bottle shop on Beach st.. 2nd time at a Cigar City / saint somewhere beer dinner locally.. along with 38 other awesome beers.. INSANE!!..
Anyhow. I poured this one fresh on tap at the Brewpub which I help manage in Orange park FL... Poured into a snifter.. Brown with slight rust orange highlights when held up to the Florida sunshine gazing from an outside window.
smells caramely, slight sour brown ale nose.. some notes of chocolate malt.
medium bodied, great carbonation.. lacey as hell
I get a slight bitter taste indicative of an ESB along with a subtle but delicious sour brown ale flavor of english decent.
Overall awesome beer.. Always a pleasure to session any CCB beers. Cheers
★ 845 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
First of all.. This is my 3rd time having this delectable brew.. I think its time it deserves a review.. first time in Daytona Beach at an Irish Pub / Bottle shop on Beach st.. 2nd time at a Cigar City / saint somewhere beer dinner locally.. along with 38 other awesome beers.. INSANE!!..
Anyhow. I poured this one fresh on tap at the Brewpub which I help manage in Orange park FL... Poured into a snifter.. Brown with slight rust orange highlights when held up to the Florida sunshine gazing from an outside window.
smells caramely, slight sour brown ale nose.. some notes of chocolate malt.
medium bodied, great carbonation.. lacey as hell
I get a slight bitter taste indicative of an ESB along with a subtle but delicious sour brown ale flavor of english decent.
Overall awesome beer.. Always a pleasure to session any CCB beers. Cheers
★ 845 characters
3.98/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Filled growler a couple hours ago, poured into a pint glass.
A: Color is brown as could be, not too dark or too light. A hue of dark amber when hold glass up to the light. Creamy, frothy tan head.
S: Typical CC aroma, lightly burnt caramelized malts off the bat. Smells extremely clean, fresh. I do not detect a strong hop presence.
T: Extremely flavorful, especially for an English style ale. A slight nuttiness with roasted, toasted malts serving as the backbone. Extremely smooth tasting, carbonation / alcohol / bitterness are all in check, nothing is remotely over average which allows for nuttiness characteristic to shine. Taste like a mix between an English Brown Ale and an Extra Special Bitter.
M: Extremely light bodied while having a great amount of flavor making El Lector an excellent sessionable brew. Carbonation bubbles at the end making the beverage light like a soda pop rather than a beer.
O: For what it is, I am extremely impressed. Can not say I have a lot of experience with English Dark Mild Ales, but I can say El Lector has welcomed me to the style:)
★ 1,086 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Filled growler a couple hours ago, poured into a pint glass.
A: Color is brown as could be, not too dark or too light. A hue of dark amber when hold glass up to the light. Creamy, frothy tan head.
S: Typical CC aroma, lightly burnt caramelized malts off the bat. Smells extremely clean, fresh. I do not detect a strong hop presence.
T: Extremely flavorful, especially for an English style ale. A slight nuttiness with roasted, toasted malts serving as the backbone. Extremely smooth tasting, carbonation / alcohol / bitterness are all in check, nothing is remotely over average which allows for nuttiness characteristic to shine. Taste like a mix between an English Brown Ale and an Extra Special Bitter.
M: Extremely light bodied while having a great amount of flavor making El Lector an excellent sessionable brew. Carbonation bubbles at the end making the beverage light like a soda pop rather than a beer.
O: For what it is, I am extremely impressed. Can not say I have a lot of experience with English Dark Mild Ales, but I can say El Lector has welcomed me to the style:)
★ 1,086 characters
3.88/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from notes at Cigar City's taproom on 9/9/11 for Firkin Friday.
Draft poured into a 4 oz. sampler glass.
Appearance: Poured a deep caramel brown with yellow highlights. Nice lacing.
Smell: Sweet malt with English hops.
Taste: Grassy up front followed by light hops in the middle before ending with roasted malt and a touch of nuttiness. Dry, bitter aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a nice amount of carbonation.
Drinkability: Excellent drinkability. You could drink several. Goes down smooth.
Overall: Good beer overall. Nice to see CCB putting out a mild ale. Definitely worth a shot.
★ 609 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from notes at Cigar City's taproom on 9/9/11 for Firkin Friday.
Draft poured into a 4 oz. sampler glass.
Appearance: Poured a deep caramel brown with yellow highlights. Nice lacing.
Smell: Sweet malt with English hops.
Taste: Grassy up front followed by light hops in the middle before ending with roasted malt and a touch of nuttiness. Dry, bitter aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a nice amount of carbonation.
Drinkability: Excellent drinkability. You could drink several. Goes down smooth.
Overall: Good beer overall. Nice to see CCB putting out a mild ale. Definitely worth a shot.
★ 609 characters
3.68/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
rich looking medium brown with a mild cloudiness about it. Rich color here with a nice head of off white which hung around for a few moments before settling down into a thin film. The aroma was light, medium fruit notes, apricot maybe with a hint of some light spice and tons of grain. More of the same on the taste as I run through on this one. The flavor was a bit lacking for me. Nice malt profile with a light ouch of fruit and spice, but not nearly strong enough of a profile to really get me to enjoy it. Smooth, mellow carbonation and a low abv made it nice and and drinkabl
★ 581 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
rich looking medium brown with a mild cloudiness about it. Rich color here with a nice head of off white which hung around for a few moments before settling down into a thin film. The aroma was light, medium fruit notes, apricot maybe with a hint of some light spice and tons of grain. More of the same on the taste as I run through on this one. The flavor was a bit lacking for me. Nice malt profile with a light ouch of fruit and spice, but not nearly strong enough of a profile to really get me to enjoy it. Smooth, mellow carbonation and a low abv made it nice and and drinkabl
★ 581 characters
4/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had this one on tap at Cigar City.
A: Reddish-amber color, cloudy, and with a mild head that stuck around for a bit.
S: Almost like a red ale, but without the intense hop profile. Red-velvet cake, liquified, and with very minimal sugar content.
T: A huge vat of yeast on the forefront, with sour dough bread in the middle, and a bitter bite on the end.
M: I think the bitter finish was more pepper than anything. Nice understated sweetness... along with pretty much understated everything.
O: Low AVB with huge taste. Isn't that every seasoned craft beer nerd's dream?
★ 575 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I had this one on tap at Cigar City.
A: Reddish-amber color, cloudy, and with a mild head that stuck around for a bit.
S: Almost like a red ale, but without the intense hop profile. Red-velvet cake, liquified, and with very minimal sugar content.
T: A huge vat of yeast on the forefront, with sour dough bread in the middle, and a bitter bite on the end.
M: I think the bitter finish was more pepper than anything. Nice understated sweetness... along with pretty much understated everything.
O: Low AVB with huge taste. Isn't that every seasoned craft beer nerd's dream?
★ 575 characters
3.88/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured on-tap at the Cigar City Brewing tasting room in Tampa. Served in a pint glass, the beer poured a dark brown that is slightly translucent, with a thin layer of off-white head. Aromas of light nut sweetness that avoid being overpowering. The beer has flavors that are sweet nut/hazelnut and smokey/tobacco to balance. The beer is crisp and smooth in mouth, with some slight creamy textures. The aftertaste is creamy and light hazelnut, surprisingly like a Nutella spread. Creamy finish, too!
★ 497 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured on-tap at the Cigar City Brewing tasting room in Tampa. Served in a pint glass, the beer poured a dark brown that is slightly translucent, with a thin layer of off-white head. Aromas of light nut sweetness that avoid being overpowering. The beer has flavors that are sweet nut/hazelnut and smokey/tobacco to balance. The beer is crisp and smooth in mouth, with some slight creamy textures. The aftertaste is creamy and light hazelnut, surprisingly like a Nutella spread. Creamy finish, too!
★ 497 characters
4.12/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at the CCB tasting room. Clear red brown with two finger cream colored head. Web of lace down the glass. Smell: mild roast, caramelized sugar, a little black plum, mild earthy + green hopping, powdery chocolate note. Taste: mild roast, grape skin, dry plum. A bit grainy, tannins (? but it fits). Medium body, creamy feel. Dry finish. Good punch of flavor at the abv level. Tasty enough to take home a growler.
★ 417 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On-tap at the CCB tasting room. Clear red brown with two finger cream colored head. Web of lace down the glass. Smell: mild roast, caramelized sugar, a little black plum, mild earthy + green hopping, powdery chocolate note. Taste: mild roast, grape skin, dry plum. A bit grainy, tannins (? but it fits). Medium body, creamy feel. Dry finish. Good punch of flavor at the abv level. Tasty enough to take home a growler.
★ 417 characters
4.36/5 rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Had on tap at the CCB/Bruery Take Over! at Redlight Redlight in Orlando.
A-dark brown with a hint of orange. thick light tan head. SOME lacing
S-smells like pumpernickel bread. It has a certain creaminess that reminds me of the hops scent of american black ales. medium strength
T-comes in with a taste of cigars and breadiness. it then transforms in to a long lasting taste of cigar ash and peppercorn. there's a lot of flavor in this one, that's for sure. this is my first mild, but its not like anything i've ever tasted before. I like it! there's a bit of chocolate in the end as well.
M-medium creamy carbonation with a decent dry finish
D-well its a mild, if it wasn't drinkable, it wouldn't be a good mild. this is beyond drinkable. this is great. i really want the craft movement to catch on to this style, and i really want CCB to start mass producing and bottling this one. there are so many possibilities. i could have many of these in a sitting. So much complexity in such a little ABV!
★ 1,003 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Had on tap at the CCB/Bruery Take Over! at Redlight Redlight in Orlando.
A-dark brown with a hint of orange. thick light tan head. SOME lacing
S-smells like pumpernickel bread. It has a certain creaminess that reminds me of the hops scent of american black ales. medium strength
T-comes in with a taste of cigars and breadiness. it then transforms in to a long lasting taste of cigar ash and peppercorn. there's a lot of flavor in this one, that's for sure. this is my first mild, but its not like anything i've ever tasted before. I like it! there's a bit of chocolate in the end as well.
M-medium creamy carbonation with a decent dry finish
D-well its a mild, if it wasn't drinkable, it wouldn't be a good mild. this is beyond drinkable. this is great. i really want the craft movement to catch on to this style, and i really want CCB to start mass producing and bottling this one. there are so many possibilities. i could have many of these in a sitting. So much complexity in such a little ABV!
★ 1,003 characters
4.13/5 rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
appearance: darkish brown with low head retention
smell: decent hop aroma,
taste: slight nutty, balanced, low hop profile, smooth and very sessionable
mouthfeel: medium bodied
drinkability: what a great session ale. I don;t have a in this style to compare to but I enjoyed it. Looking for more in the full flavor session category.
★ 335 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
appearance: darkish brown with low head retention
smell: decent hop aroma,
taste: slight nutty, balanced, low hop profile, smooth and very sessionable
mouthfeel: medium bodied
drinkability: what a great session ale. I don;t have a in this style to compare to but I enjoyed it. Looking for more in the full flavor session category.
★ 335 characters
2.9/5 rDev -24.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
On-tap at the tasting room.
A - Pours mirky dirty brown, small white head, no lacing or retention to speak of.
S - Malts, touch of hops, nuts
T - Solid malty backbone, vegetal off-putting notes.
M - Light, low carbonation.
D - Meh, not my cup o tea...I've had better Milds elsewhere.
★ 292 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
On-tap at the tasting room.
A - Pours mirky dirty brown, small white head, no lacing or retention to speak of.
S - Malts, touch of hops, nuts
T - Solid malty backbone, vegetal off-putting notes.
M - Light, low carbonation.
D - Meh, not my cup o tea...I've had better Milds elsewhere.
★ 292 characters
3.67/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Cigar City smokes NYC at Rattle N Hum. Hops in aroma, I was expecting more roast to be bang on the style. Carbonation comes through more aggressively. A good drinker, sessionable as I can have this and head back to whatever I was doing. An average beer overall however. Dark colour without noticeable head.
★ 306 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Cigar City smokes NYC at Rattle N Hum. Hops in aroma, I was expecting more roast to be bang on the style. Carbonation comes through more aggressively. A good drinker, sessionable as I can have this and head back to whatever I was doing. An average beer overall however. Dark colour without noticeable head.
★ 306 characters
3.95/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at CCB.
A: Pours brown with reddish hues. A fizzy wet sand colored head appears, receedes and leaves some nice rings of lace.
A: Toasted and biscuit malts are forward but a distinct hop presence follows. Notes of chocolate and nuts, with a woodsy, earthy note from the hops.
T: Pretty much the same as the nose, but with a residual sweetness. Toasted and biscuit malts shine. Finishes very smooth and somewhat dry.
M: Medium body, perfect carbonation delivers the flavor nicely.
D and overall impression: Drinkability is dangerously high. Only 4% ABV, with tons of flavor packed in. Overall, this is pretty good for the style, full flavor and low alcohol. Very nice. Skal.
★ 686 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at CCB.
A: Pours brown with reddish hues. A fizzy wet sand colored head appears, receedes and leaves some nice rings of lace.
A: Toasted and biscuit malts are forward but a distinct hop presence follows. Notes of chocolate and nuts, with a woodsy, earthy note from the hops.
T: Pretty much the same as the nose, but with a residual sweetness. Toasted and biscuit malts shine. Finishes very smooth and somewhat dry.
M: Medium body, perfect carbonation delivers the flavor nicely.
D and overall impression: Drinkability is dangerously high. Only 4% ABV, with tons of flavor packed in. Overall, this is pretty good for the style, full flavor and low alcohol. Very nice. Skal.
★ 686 characters
4.25/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This may be the first Ben Romano brew I've had...
A - It pours a rusty tannic brown hue, translucent, and has a sudsy taupe head.
S - There is a good amount of aroma given the mild inputs. I get some buttery toasted hazelnut and perhaps a little bit of roasted coconut, too.
T - The flavor introduces some balancing hop elements, but nutty and toasty flavors remain at the forefront. As I drink more, the earthy and herbal hop is strengthening some vanilla and honey-ish nuances in the malt, but obfuscating the rest of the malt profile to a degree.
M - Big body and lots of creaminess for an allegedly 'smaller' brew. Enhancing, no doubt.
D - I would crush tons of this stuff. Isn't that the point of the English Mild?
★ 724 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
This may be the first Ben Romano brew I've had...
A - It pours a rusty tannic brown hue, translucent, and has a sudsy taupe head.
S - There is a good amount of aroma given the mild inputs. I get some buttery toasted hazelnut and perhaps a little bit of roasted coconut, too.
T - The flavor introduces some balancing hop elements, but nutty and toasty flavors remain at the forefront. As I drink more, the earthy and herbal hop is strengthening some vanilla and honey-ish nuances in the malt, but obfuscating the rest of the malt profile to a degree.
M - Big body and lots of creaminess for an allegedly 'smaller' brew. Enhancing, no doubt.
D - I would crush tons of this stuff. Isn't that the point of the English Mild?
★ 724 characters
3.6/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a slightly hazy medium brown with orange throughout. Some light penetration at the top and bottom. Small head drops fast on a very full pint pour.
Smell is roasted malt, vanilla, peat, hops (last two are light). Decent balance though a bit weak.
Taste is roasted malt and hops balanced at first with hops coming to dominate over time. Very faint vanilla and peat notes, really had to search. A slight metallic note.
Mediumish body, with light-medium effervescence. A touch of coffee and ash show up in the aftertaste. Quite good especially if you are having several.
★ 572 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a slightly hazy medium brown with orange throughout. Some light penetration at the top and bottom. Small head drops fast on a very full pint pour.
Smell is roasted malt, vanilla, peat, hops (last two are light). Decent balance though a bit weak.
Taste is roasted malt and hops balanced at first with hops coming to dominate over time. Very faint vanilla and peat notes, really had to search. A slight metallic note.
Mediumish body, with light-medium effervescence. A touch of coffee and ash show up in the aftertaste. Quite good especially if you are having several.
★ 572 characters
3.8/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pilot batch on draft at the brewery's Tasting Room.
Pours almost totally black, letting just enough light in to give it a hint of brown.
Malty aroma.
This beer is all about the malt. It's quite sweet and grainy, with notes of coffee and bread.
The body has plenty of substance and isn't watery for a 4 percent beer.
This is an interesting beer. It's got plenty of flavor and body and is session strength.
★ 419 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pilot batch on draft at the brewery's Tasting Room.
Pours almost totally black, letting just enough light in to give it a hint of brown.
Malty aroma.
This beer is all about the malt. It's quite sweet and grainy, with notes of coffee and bread.
The body has plenty of substance and isn't watery for a 4 percent beer.
This is an interesting beer. It's got plenty of flavor and body and is session strength.
★ 419 characters
El Lector from Cigar City Brewing
3.86
out of 5
based on 63 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
First had: on tap at Cigar City, Tampa, FL
Dark woody brown color, deep to the point of being nearly opaque, capped off with a small tan head that receded to a ringlet; minimal lacing. Light aroma, nutty, sweet bready malts, mild earthy hops. Taste was about spot-on for the style, slightly roasty malts, nutty, pumpernickel, grassy and earthy hoppiness, for a gentle, woody bitterness. Medium body, simple, quite drinkable, and very sessionable [to use a cliche expression for a lower ABV beer]. Perhaps not the most popular style of beer, but I do get in the mood for a good dark mild every once in a while, so this was nice.
★ 628 characters