Black Rooster
Bull & Bush Brewery

i used to go over to the bull and bush all the time, and i really need to get back into the routine. i love the vibe and the beer, and its nice to see a few new ones on the menu. this is a cool dark lager, almost a baltic porter in its malt complexion, dark, dense and heavily roasty. of it wasnt for the low abv and the kiss of sweet red malt in the middle, it would really be there. frothy white head is a nice contrast to the very dark beer. cool flavor profile somewhere between an english mild, a porter, and a red ale, but its a lager too, i like the influences of so many different styles. the lager yeast is very fresh and flavorful, active and lively in the feel, and drinking far lighter than it looks. the hops are there too surprisingly, its pretty bold really, grapefruit and pine notes in the finish and just enough bitterness without turning it into a black ipa. its obvious these guys can brew awesome beer, but its nice to see some new faces on the menu and keep the thing evolving after all this time. this is excellent and a fine example of the style. refreshing for a beer this color, and with the sessionable abv, it should sell well this summer.