Dark Seam
Black Paw Brewery

A 500ml bottle with a BB of March 2014, so it's a little out of date. Picked up a while back from the York Beer & Wine shop. The label describes it as a dark beer inspired by a traditional porter recipe.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. A very dark reddish-brown that appears ultra-black in the glass. Yields a large head of creamy mocha foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding to a patchy surface layer. Slight lacing. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, molasses, mild dried fruit, a hint of coffee, sugar and earthy yeast. Distinctly chocolatey and rather nice.

Tastes of rich chocolate malt with a bitter finish. Notes of chocolate, roasted malt, molasses/caramel, subtle coffee, mild dried fruit, earthy yeast and stewed hops. Slightly sweet, followed by a lingering, malt-driven bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with soft carbonation and decent body. Could be a shade creamier for the style. Aftertaste of chocolate, bitter roasted malt and stewed hops.

Tasty stuff - goes down nicely. Looks great, while the aroma and flavour are intensely malty and stuffed with chocolate notes. Sweetness and bitterness are well balanced. Body is alright. Lovely; you could be forgiven for thinking there was real chocolate in it. Well-crafted and certainly worth your time if you chance across it.