Black Is Beautiful
White Lion Brewing Company

Drank from a 1 pint can purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
Served in a tulip

This was a collaboration release with Trillium Brewing.

Medium bodied, dark chocolate brown appearance. The liquid was topped by an inch-tall, tight, creamy, cappuccino colored head that slowly dropped to a thin collar. Drippy streaks and dots of lacing cascaded down the sides of the glass.

Like the Trillium release, the nose on this was initially pretty unexciting but improved with time. Dark malts dominated. Slightly roasty. Big toasted grain presence as well. Slightly nutty. The beer definitely smelled more like a basic American stout than an imperial take on the style. There was a odd metallic quality as well, but this soon dissipated. As the beer sat, the nose became bigger and more complex. Bakers chocolate was noticeable. Touch of fresh vanilla bean too. Slightly sweet. The sweetness and the vanilla became even more pronounced with time.

The flavor profile was somewhat similar to the aroma but definitely less interesting. Again, dark malts came through strongest. I definitely picked up roasted malt and toasted grain notes. Hint of burnt sugar in the center. The beer finished with more bitter roast on the back end and in the finish. Some char lingered after the swallow.

Nice creamy, fluffy mouthfeel. Medium bodied for the style. The liquid contained a fine, greater-than-average effervescence that turned slick and smooth on the palate.

White Lion Brewing’s Black Is Beautiful release is a pretty mediocre imperial stout, but at least the money from the sales of this beer went to a great cause. That said, I was definitely a bigger fan of Trillium’s version.