Black Perle Stout
Zaftig Brewing Co.

22 ounce bottle, back label says it's 9% ABV. "Bottled on" space on bottle is blank. Served in a Great Lakes Brewing chalice, the beer pours dark brown/black with an inch tan head that stuck around a little while. There's also a good amount of lacing. The brew smells like roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, licorice, molasses, and some light herbal hoppiness. The flavor is similar to the aroma, it tastes like roasted malt, molasses, coffee, chocolate, licorice, dark fruit, and some light herbal hops and smokiness. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's creamy and coating with moderate carbonation. I think this is a pretty good stout, it's definitely worth picking up! I'll be on the lookout for more Zaftig brews, this was the 2nd one I've tried. $7.49 a bomber.

 

Dark almost-black with about a half a finger of wet brown capping up top. Works its way back down methodically to just a ring around the edges. Like the reverse of the birth of volcanic islands. Hints at syrup brown at the edges. Eventually even that ring disappears until there is nothing except for immaterial streaks that remind me of those demonstrations at the science centre about cosmic rays.

Nose starts off sweet with hints of candied dates and molasses and some chocolate perhaps but more like chocolate syrup than that dusty cocoa powder baking chocolate kind of thang thang.

Flavour takes its hint from the aroma, but runs a couple other flavours out the show as well. Sweet molasses still wooes the crowd with winks and demure side steps, but the sweet fruitier side is replaced with a nice roast coffee and peaks of rich chocolate. As it sits and warms, it grows on me. The chocolate and coffee become more rich and layered, and it just gains some depth and deeper enjoyment that was not fully present initially.

Will never be mistaken for a big thick chewy RIS, but it's got a gumby like tenacity on its small frame, though the carbonation is a bit high.

This is one I vascillated on greatly. At first I was quite excited then that started to wane a bit as I got started. But as I worked my way through it and it got time to settle into itself, it built back up to something that I quite enjoyed and would gladly drink again. Much appreciation to @WesMantooth for fulfilling this want as part of my NBS BIF#3 box. Thanks Corey!

 

Hmm. Another Zaftig that isn't totally zaftig (German for robust, or something like that). To be fair, this one really tries. It tastes like it wants to be a huge beer. It lost a lot in the bottling - it was poorly done.

It has very little head - none after it dies down. It's not black! Very dark brown. The aroma is interesting - malty sweetness, with some roasty and chocolaty smells. The taste is heavy. A thick, boozy malty drink, with bitters. There is a lot going on. Were this better presented, it would belong in a small snifter type glass. As it come from this bottle a paper cup would be OK. The mouthfeel suffers since there is almost no carbonation. The aftertaste lingers bitter.

This could be a great stout, but it was poorly bottled, so who would know. I don't think I can blame the vendor (Crafty Drafts in Ghana), but I intend to complain to them. All of the first three Zaftigs I've tasted (out of four purchased) were disappointing (the Three Socks IPA was a drain pour).

Pours a very dark brown. Not black like its name. Thin dark brown head quickly gone. Stick on the edges is similarly short-lived. Rich toasted malt smell. Great malt taste but nothing truly defining. Much more reminiscent of a porter. Some carbonation but not smooth or rich.

Dark, thick black color with mahogany tones and a fluffy oak brown colored head. Aroma is sugary, malty, and boozy.

Flavor is malty, of chocolate and caramel malts, hints of smoke are noticed occassionally, and it has a nice warming effect from the alcohol level.

Full-bodied. I have drank other stouts that are absolutely bigger or heavier than this one, but this still counts as full bodied in my opinion. Carbonation is decent. Nice lacings throughout.

Very tasty. This was the first brew I have tried from this place, and I'm impressed. Looking forward to trying more from them.

 

 

 

This is one interesting brew. I can't recall the last time a beer gave me such pause. I have to wonder what they are putting in it really. There seems a clear molasses influence going on. Very mild smoked tone. When I first opened the growler there seemed a distinct mint tone present. That has disappeared as time has gone on and it becomes more even. At this point it's strong malt tones with a mild molasses tone and hints of coffee. This Zaftig brewery is quite interesting.

 

One of the best stouts that I have ever had the pleasure of tasting! The aroma and taste is truly incredible and it is rich and thick upon the tongue. I highly recommend seeking out any and all products being brewed by the guys at Zaftig Brewing Company.