Dark All Day
Proclamation Ale Company

 

Can dated 10/24/23.
L - poured deep brown with one finger tan carbonated head. Good lacing.
S - some smokiness and bready malt. Hint of chocolate and coffee.
T - follows the nose and is quite nice. Not overwhelming.
F - medium mouthful with some slight carbonation. Fairly dry finish.
O - really glad I had this beer. Was expecting more smokiness, overall, but not disappointed by what I got.

 

Appearance: Pours with a bubble show that builds to a two finger ecru head above the clear coffee colored liquid; very good retention and a few shards of lacing

Smell: Toasted dark bread, powdered chocolate and coffee with an ashy tone enveloping

Taste: Toasted bread and light smoke forward with coffee and hints of chocolate and toffee emerging; crisp lager twang emerges, in the middle, with a finish that brings a slight bitterness from the earthy hop flavors

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: If I lived in Proc's neighborhood and had to choose one beer beer to have on a regular basis, this would be it; really well done

Thanks, Rug, or the opportunity

On tap at Proclamation

So you’re telling me this is a hybrid of a Rauchbier and a Czech Dark Lager? I must be in heaven, though I’m sure many would describe it as hell. I’m excited to see how Proc mashes up these 2 rather obscure styles. Let’s get into it and find out

Pours a very dark brown with 2 fingers of creamy light tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves decent lacing

Oh wow, the smoke in the nose is definitely present but so nicely done. I’m picking up on aromas of drip coffee, beechwood smoke, dark toast, rye spice, herbal hops, milk chocolate, light toffee, and honey

It’s not exactly subdued in taste, but certainly smoother than the nose would have led me to believe. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting dark toast, toffee, smoked malt, herbal hops, milk chocolate, and light brown sugar. The swallow brings notes of beechwood smoke, toffee, herbal hops, milk chocolate, medium roast coffee, dark toast, and light rye spice

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a smooth and slick beer. Finishes a tad sticky but the smoke dries it out over time

These are styles that are so obvious to combine, it’s shocking that this is the first example I’m seeing of it. I’m sure there’s more out there (and I intend to find them) but it just makes so much sense

Pours coffee dark brown, and I can convince myself of some reddish tints. Compact tan head that falls to a cap of tiny bubbles, not much cling.

The smell is of moderate smoke, dark chocolate, coffee, very light grain.

The taste follows exactly - dark chocolate, coffee, light grain, and subtle smokiness. A bit of bitterness on the back end. A very slight impression of sweetness. After a few sips there is a very, very faint (possibly imaginary) hint of peppery spice. It's got something of a nutty character - almost like Nutella.

This is light on the tongue, fairly dry, the bitterness lingers but does not build.

Well...not much of an analysis, is it? To me this is a great tasting beer, and part of that great tastiness is the absolute, straightforward simplicity. It is well-crafted with a judicious application of smoke and a pleasure to drink.