Volkan Santorini Black
Volkan

11.2 oz bottle poured into 16oz tulip. Poured a nearly solid black color, some translucence around the edges, with an inch of tan head that had good retention and moderate lacing.

The aroma had a solid grain base, some light, yet solid roast, and just a bit of floral hops.

Very much the same on the tongue, with the roast being a bit stronger.

The body was medium, leaning a bit towards full, smooth, and had a nicely dry finish.

Drinkability was good, no problems finishing it, and I'd happily have it again.

Overall, a nicely enjoyable brew. Worth a shot if you see it.

 

I've request a correction for style. Clearly not a dunkelweizen, particularly in the nose or mouth. I vote this as a Euro Dark Lager or a Schwatzbier, although that might start a discussion.

I like Volcan's notion that the volcanic crust in Santorini filters the water, which was discernible as a sort of mineral water. Less unique but still creative, Volcan also adds the island's flavors of honey and citrus. While Looks and Smells are not distinguished, Tastes come together in a pleasant beer that balances the minerals and sweets. While the Feel is a bit thin, it mattered little as the dark malts paired well with a smoked eggplant and tomato dish at a Greek restaurant in Chicago. (And it came as no surprise that the importer of Vulcan is also in Chicago, home to more Greeks than any city outside of Greece.) Anyway, I went on Vulcan's website and fortunately it was in English.... because, well, you know the language joke.

 

 

 

Poured into a Celebrator pokal. Pours a dark reddish orange with a fine, one finger khaki head with good retention and nice lacing. Aroma of biscuit malt, honey, light caramel and citrus. Flavor is lightly toasted biscuit and mildy caramel malt, honey, faint lemon; slight mineral. Finishes a bit thin with toasted malt and coffee notes as well as more residual honey. Light to medium bodied with good carbonation. More a mild schwarzbier profile than a dunkel, with less of the fruit and biscuit mat of that style and more mild toasted malt. Flavor is a little thin, but nicely balanced. The nontraditional addition of honey actually made up for the lightness of flavor with a good balance between the dark malt, mild citrus and honey. While on the mild side, a nicely made beer from Greece, which usually offers adjunct lagers. I liked the Santorini connection and it was oddly appropriate for the toasted and slightly mineral flavors in in this beer. A step up from the beer I drank in Greece 30 years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A "Black wheat lager". 330 ml bottle on the beach in Kamari, Greece.

Bready aroma with toffee.

Distinct and moderately rich flavor: with wheat, toffee, and dark rotated barley.

O: certainly one of the best Greek beers I've had. Extra points for balance and the distinctive flavor.