Barrel Aged Black is Beautiful
Rhinegeist Brewery

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque in the glass with a quarter finger, somewhat fizzy khaki head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, bourbon, milk chocolate, coffee and a bit of smoke. Flavor is dark toasted malt, bourbon, bakers chocolate, a touch of peat and coffee. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Always glad to see another take on the Black Is Beautiful recipe; haven't see one for a while. A solid dark malt stout body with lots of bourbon barrel character. Good chocolate and coffee. The most interesting flavor is a light touch of peat iodine as if a Scotch barrel was involved here somewhere, although the exact nature of the barrels is not mentioned. This gives the finish a pleasant bourbon/Scotch smoke note although it's not strong. Body is a little thin for the style, but reasonable. Very enjoyable.

Look - black thick slight tan head nice rimming
Smell - roasted malt chocolate and barrel
Taste - chocolate roasted malt light in barrel
Feel medium full body with a medium light carb
Overall - ok

500 ml bottle, not sure when it was released but I think it was a 2021 release. Thanks to Brutaltruth for this one! Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch or so tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. I like the aroma, there's a good amount of bourbon and rye whiskey, along with some vanilla, caramel, coffee, bittersweet chocolate and roasted malt. For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some dark bread, licorice and earthy flavors. Good amount of barrel character in both the taste and aroma. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's rich, creamy and a bit slick with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was a good overall barrel aged stout, really glad I got to try this. Pick it up if you get the chance!

 

Beautifully black and deliciously smooth with bourbon barrel influences and an effort to bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter crusade, Rhinegeist shows that "Black is Beautiful" extends well beyond the taste of beer.

Jet black and pouring with a creamy viscosity, Barrel Aged Black is Beautiful builds a patient mocha froth before falling still. A sultry, smoky, chocolaty aroma carries with it a savory sense of vanilla, coconut, caramel and char. Dense with coffee, toast and nuttiness, the savory scents lead into a deliciously sweet taste that's slathered with blackstrap molasses, brown sugar and heavy cream.

As the dark and lavish ale seeps deep into each and every tastebud, the additional flavors of espresso, bittersweet chocolate, candied coconut, hints of dark fruit and a campfire smokiness all add complex, rounded and savory character to the lingering malt sweetness. Peppery and warming on the late palate, hints of anise and blackcurrant blend with a whisky spice and a woodsy hop bite.

Full, creamy and rich in texture, the Imperial Stout carries a nearly milkshake consistency with a bold coffee taste into a long lingering aftertaste, leaving a culmination of bourbon and gently smoldering embers behind.

From the foil wrapped bottle in a snifter. This solid little brew pours a
deep black with a nice head of brown foam that settles to a thick
ring, thin clumping pool, and show slight lacing. Nose of bourbon,
brewers licorice, char, dark cocoa notes, and dark coffee. Flavors follow
the nose with dark cocoa, dark coffee, moderately strong brewers licorice,
and moderate notes of char and brulee with nice bourbon notes.
Nice mouth feel; full body, smooth, lightly creamy, rich, lightly warming,
coating, low carbonation, and a bitter malt finish that is lightly dry.

Overall, solid, but with warmth comes a note of strong soy.