Continental Blockade
Notch Brewing

 

Deep ruby brown. Appears to be clear. Dense beige head which leaves plentiful crooked streaks.

Smoky aroma of ash and licorice. Quite dry with the faint smell of Baker’s chocolate. No coffee.

Leans thin but the carbonation is also muted. Dry like the smell but this features more dark chocolate and less smoke. The finish is like unsweetened cocoa. Moderate aftertaste. Again, no coffee.

Crowler filled 1/21/23

So I messed up a bit with this one. When I got to Notch yesterday I planned on ordering it on draft and reviewing it there. However I showed up there a little later than intended so just grabbed a Kölsch and decided to take this one to go. Unfortunately I forgot this one was on cask, so I'm not getting it in the best condition in a crowler, though I'm sure it will still be good. Let's get into it

Pours a clear mahogany with 3 fingers of rocky light tan head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing

The nose displays a wonderful balance of roast and fruit, it's powerful and delicate at the same time. I'm picking up on aromas of medium roast coffee, plum, cocoa powder, pumpernickel toast, herbal hops, toffee, light leather, and red grape

It doesn't lean into the fruitiness quite as much in taste, but it's still balanced all around. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting cocoa powder, raisin, dark bread, toasted grain, toffee, floral hops, and light roast coffee. The swallow brings notes of plum, cocoa powder, light roast coffee, dark bread, raisin, light herbal hops, leather, and toffee

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a creamy beer. Finishes a tad sticky but drinks really easy

This one is truly awesome. Definitely the darkest beer I've had from Notch (next darkest is some Dark Lagers) and they absolutely nail it. I need to try this on cask as it was meant to be tried. Maybe one day