Black & Blue Grass | New Albanian Brewing Company - Pizzeria and Public House
Brewed by:
New Albanian Brewing Company - Pizzeria and Public House
Indiana, United States | website
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.00%
Availability: Spring
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed with blue agave nectar, toasted black pepper, and lemongrass.
Added by emerge077 on 06-04-2012
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 17 | Ratings: 75
Reviews by bulldog91:
More User Reviews:
3.67/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A bit darker than other saisons I've had, almost a light orange/amber combo. Relatively clear. Gave it a good pour, but there's little head and what's there isn't there long. No lacing.
Has an interesting smell. Very floral and moderately fruity. You can almost make out the lemon grass. As another reviewer notes, it has an artificial sweetener-like smell to it, likely the agave.
There's something good happening on the tongue. The strange smell works well on the taste buds. Slightly unique taste, probably the house yeast blend, lemon grass and agave. The pepper is almost imperceptible and is only a secondary player.
All feelings are a bit duller than I care for, almost watered-down, kind or lager-ish. There's certainly some sweetness and a bit of spice, but the spice is muted and everything has a 'loose' feel to it. No carbonation and anything but a dry finish, I'm left licking my lips because it's got a wet finish.
An unusual beer, but not too bad. Very easy to drink, just not world class.
★ 1,010 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A bit darker than other saisons I've had, almost a light orange/amber combo. Relatively clear. Gave it a good pour, but there's little head and what's there isn't there long. No lacing.
Has an interesting smell. Very floral and moderately fruity. You can almost make out the lemon grass. As another reviewer notes, it has an artificial sweetener-like smell to it, likely the agave.
There's something good happening on the tongue. The strange smell works well on the taste buds. Slightly unique taste, probably the house yeast blend, lemon grass and agave. The pepper is almost imperceptible and is only a secondary player.
All feelings are a bit duller than I care for, almost watered-down, kind or lager-ish. There's certainly some sweetness and a bit of spice, but the spice is muted and everything has a 'loose' feel to it. No carbonation and anything but a dry finish, I'm left licking my lips because it's got a wet finish.
An unusual beer, but not too bad. Very easy to drink, just not world class.
★ 1,010 characters
3.62/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
"Brewed with blue agave nectar, toasted black pepper, and lemongrass"
Big ups to the one and only Howard for laying this one on me.
Saison Sunday in effect...
Pours a dark rosy orange color, fully saturated, approaching a burnished copper. Frothy creamy white foam on top, a nest of larger bubbles clings to one side. Retention is ok, eventually the surface skim breaks after a few minutes. Not much lace to speak of.
Aroma is lightly sweet and herbal from the agave, with a hint of spice from the pepper.
Clean and smooth feel, flavor is a little muted but pleasant. Medium body, lower carbonation. Lightly sweet, some Belgian yeast traces and light pepper at first, clearing up fast on the palate, leaving behind a dry finish. Earthiness from the lemongrass, though it is muddled in the mix. Could be a little more crisp and zesty. Overall it was fun to try, definitely enjoyed the bomber. Thanks again Howard!
★ 927 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
"Brewed with blue agave nectar, toasted black pepper, and lemongrass"
Big ups to the one and only Howard for laying this one on me.
Saison Sunday in effect...
Pours a dark rosy orange color, fully saturated, approaching a burnished copper. Frothy creamy white foam on top, a nest of larger bubbles clings to one side. Retention is ok, eventually the surface skim breaks after a few minutes. Not much lace to speak of.
Aroma is lightly sweet and herbal from the agave, with a hint of spice from the pepper.
Clean and smooth feel, flavor is a little muted but pleasant. Medium body, lower carbonation. Lightly sweet, some Belgian yeast traces and light pepper at first, clearing up fast on the palate, leaving behind a dry finish. Earthiness from the lemongrass, though it is muddled in the mix. Could be a little more crisp and zesty. Overall it was fun to try, definitely enjoyed the bomber. Thanks again Howard!
★ 927 characters
4.17/5 rDev +22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Golden brown- almost a deep red. pencil thin head. dissipates almost immediately. thin layer of head clings to the rim of glass.
S - very nice. Lemon. belgian yeast. pepper, a sweet citrus/nectar. great floral scents.
T - Lemon, orange? more of that nectar taste. medium carbonation. hint of grass as the brew goes down the throat.
M - full flavor, frothy, viscosity is high.
O - I really like this. belgian lemon and carbonation combine really nicely. Floral notes are excellent. I will certainly buy this again.
★ 523 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Golden brown- almost a deep red. pencil thin head. dissipates almost immediately. thin layer of head clings to the rim of glass.
S - very nice. Lemon. belgian yeast. pepper, a sweet citrus/nectar. great floral scents.
T - Lemon, orange? more of that nectar taste. medium carbonation. hint of grass as the brew goes down the throat.
M - full flavor, frothy, viscosity is high.
O - I really like this. belgian lemon and carbonation combine really nicely. Floral notes are excellent. I will certainly buy this again.
★ 523 characters
3.79/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22 ounce bottle. Served in a tulip, the beer pours a slightly hazy orange/amber color with a half inch off-white head that didn't stay around for too long. There's a small amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, it smells like honey/blue agave, lemongrass, citrus, apples and some peppery spice. The brew tastes like honey/blue agave, peppercorns, lemongrass and some citrus. I liked the taste of this brew more and more the longer I drank it. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's a bit slick and smooth with low carbonation. I think this is a good overall brew, I liked it.
★ 567 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22 ounce bottle. Served in a tulip, the beer pours a slightly hazy orange/amber color with a half inch off-white head that didn't stay around for too long. There's a small amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, it smells like honey/blue agave, lemongrass, citrus, apples and some peppery spice. The brew tastes like honey/blue agave, peppercorns, lemongrass and some citrus. I liked the taste of this brew more and more the longer I drank it. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it's a bit slick and smooth with low carbonation. I think this is a good overall brew, I liked it.
★ 567 characters
3.74/5 rDev +10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is hazy light amber orange in color. It poured with a thin off white head that died down a bit, leaving a thin film covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of lemongrass are present in the nose along with some notes of blue agave nectar.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, but isn't quite as strong. Faint hints of peppery spices are noticeable in the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The mixture of lemongrass and blue agave nectar provides for a very interesting smell.
★ 613 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is hazy light amber orange in color. It poured with a thin off white head that died down a bit, leaving a thin film covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of lemongrass are present in the nose along with some notes of blue agave nectar.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, but isn't quite as strong. Faint hints of peppery spices are noticeable in the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The mixture of lemongrass and blue agave nectar provides for a very interesting smell.
★ 613 characters
2.77/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I served this 22 oz. bottle in a large tulip glass. No date on the bottle. The pour was vigorous but the head was modest and faded quickly. The body was deep gold with ruby highlights.
The smell was interesting. Very herbal and fresh. I see from the label that there is lemongrass, so I smell that I guess. Also, maybe cilantro and other grassy aromas. An artificial sweetener like smell is detectable. This must be the blue agave (not artificial).
The taste had a mild Belgian yeast earthiness but also cucumbers and sweet tea. Hints of black pepper but not much spiciness or bite. Green and mild. The texture is rather smooth and slick and mildly carbonated.
This beer reminds me more of an Asian tea than a Farmhouse Ale. While not rigid about brewing to style I think this beer could benefit from more Saison like spiciness and fluffy carbonation. Interesting but this is not one I would return to again and again.
★ 923 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I served this 22 oz. bottle in a large tulip glass. No date on the bottle. The pour was vigorous but the head was modest and faded quickly. The body was deep gold with ruby highlights.
The smell was interesting. Very herbal and fresh. I see from the label that there is lemongrass, so I smell that I guess. Also, maybe cilantro and other grassy aromas. An artificial sweetener like smell is detectable. This must be the blue agave (not artificial).
The taste had a mild Belgian yeast earthiness but also cucumbers and sweet tea. Hints of black pepper but not much spiciness or bite. Green and mild. The texture is rather smooth and slick and mildly carbonated.
This beer reminds me more of an Asian tea than a Farmhouse Ale. While not rigid about brewing to style I think this beer could benefit from more Saison like spiciness and fluffy carbonation. Interesting but this is not one I would return to again and again.
★ 923 characters
2.96/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Black & Blue Grass from New Albanian Brewing Company - Pizzeria and Public House
3.4
out of 5
based on 75 ratings.
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Pours a clear gold with a slight head
Smells sweet - nothing overwhelming, just a subtle sweet touch
Has a little bite, but very bland. More lemon than pepper
Mouthfeel is - eh, OK. No pop from any pepper or much else. Just kind of there
Overall, I think I might have expected too much? Just thought it would be complex, with pepper and lemon, but the lemon overruled the pepper to make what was basically a simple, basic summer beer
★ 433 characters