Darkest Thing You Have
Blind Lady Ale House & Automatic Brewing Co.

September 29th, 2013 - Automatic Brewing's the Darkest Thing You Have is a question that doesn't get asked a lot in San Diego, but one I keep on the tip of my tongue. Careful what you wish for when asking at Automatic. This is bitter, oily stuff, starting with the presentation. A chocolate brown head creeps up the glass, climbing to escape, no doubt, running from the black hole of the body. Consequently the smell is suppressed, hidden under a heavy cap of foam. The taste reveals something more - sweet null. Little to no sugar here, though malty and starchy, with the bitter bite of baker's chocolate, made more potent by a low carbonation in the body. This is indeed deep-sea dark, but far too off the dark end of the spectrum for me, as well as a little too oily, unctuous and creeping. But it IS a tasting experience, and one worth ordering, though only to cap the night's drinking - not to start it.

 

 

On tap at Tiger Tiger. The last of the kegs, the barkeep said wistfully. "Well," I said, "you have the recipe." So I hope they'll make another experiment with this barrel aged brew. It's just so good, and so far it's my Beer of the Year for 2013.

Beautiful cloud of capuccino foam in the small snifter. Opaque dark obsidian color. This is so strong and sweet, it's like a black malt candy that oozes 151 rum in your mouth. And still perky foam after the last sip has been drained. Scent of licorice and vanilla.

Such a sensuous pleasure. Creamy texture with the fine-grained carbonation. A coffee flavor emerges after some sipping. Huge and boozy malt flavor with some scorched grain in the backgroungd. The vanilla flavor is a knockout. Bitter hops are a delicious afterthought. A crazy beer I'm in love with.