Chef's Choice No. 3
Three Magnets Brewing

 

Phil sent me this beer so thanks to him.

Interesting beer. I assumed before drinking it that it was a black IPA. I was pleasantly surprised with its delicate, soft body and subtle roasted malts. The shiitake were definately present in the aroma in the form of a musty earthiness. The black pepper mingled nicely with the chocolate-like roasted malts giving it a cola quality. There was a nice sweetness to this beer, however, I can't figure out where it comes from.

A very interesting and enjoyable beer that I thought I was going to dislike.

Difficult beer to review, but the main point to me is this: mission accomplished. The mushrooms and pepper are not only noticeable, but unique, tasty, a bit unconventional albeit, but work. The base dark and roasty character with the touch of chocolatey sweetness meld quite well with the earthy, spicy, and salty touches. First sip aside, this is a good fun beer that actually pushes boundaries without being obnoxious. I'm sold and hope to find more.

Cheers.

 

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a very dark reddish brown with a fine, one finger light khaki head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of grainy biscuit malt with a little spiciness, vague light and dark fruit and a little earthiness. An odd aroma that smells more like an earthy dark lager than a Belgian. Flavor is mild candi malt, Belgian yeast and its associated light fruit flavors; earthy and spicy with a bit of pepper. Light to medium bodied with light creaminess. An interesting experiment, but the Belgian yeast character is dominated by the mushroom flavor. The pepper is well handled and adds an interesting spicy note. This might have been too light a base beer at 5% to handle the odd flavors. Glad I tried it, but it did not quite work for me.