George Jefferson
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

Appearance is an opaque almost black color with a finger of beige head that dissipates steadily. The nose has both roasted malt and hoppy notes. The body is substantial, perhaps even a bit heavy for the style and the flavor profile is well balanced between malts and hops.

This beer was the perfect kick start for my trip to Al’s of Hampden. It would get much, much better!

 

 

Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.

A - Pours pitch black with a creamy one finger tall off white head, quickly dissipating down to a light film, leaving sticky rings of lace down the sides of the glass.

S - Smells of piney hops, dark roasted malt, bit of fresh grass, smoke and some light yeast. Not a ton going on but just enough to keep me coming back.

T - Starts off with a mix of dark roasted malt and piney hop bitterness that never really fades away. Bit if light smokiness and some lager yeastinesss round things out. Finish is roasty with a bit of hop bitterness, lingering long after the finish.

M - Heavy body with moderate carbonation. Smooth, roasty feel with plenty of bitterness.

O - Pretty good black lager with plenty of hop bitterness to balance out the dark flavors. Not sure I could drink more than one at a time but interesting to try.

described to me at the time it was brewed as a Black India Pale lager, thanks to tenderbranson69 for the growler share, enjoyed chilled from a ipa glass.

The color is deep coffee brown, translucent clarity with thick tan head. THe smell is great, lots of dark malt with a nice herbal and slight pine scent from the hops with roasted malt and light citrus accent in the nose. The feel is good with medium carbonation with slight creamy sweet middle with mild roasted and gentle nutty feel.

The flavor is good moderately sweet with decent roasted taste with light bitterness and subtle creamy yeast accent with hint and a nice woody accent with a gentle caramel flavor in the finish with light alcohol accent. Overall it is pretty decent dark lager with nice malt flavor and it is drinkable for the amount of abv, very good collaborative brew.