BREWtality - Espresso Black Bier
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

 

 

 

Looks like from other reviews that this one is polarizing. It was a partial drain pour for me unfortunately. Love these folks stout program though.

 

 

 

 

 

From a 22 oz bottle to a pint glass. Very good and smooth. However--a lot sweeter than I anticipated. Yes, coffee, but not that much compared to other beers, and also a lot of vanilla on the scent and the flavor. Interesting this was on a clean lager base and black beer. Definitely hid the 9.7% ABV. Just too sweet for me, but clearly still flavorful and a well-made beer.

The appearance well, all I have to say you’ll never see any Schwarzbier that pours a smoother jet black color than this beer, holy smoothness - pure black, awesome one finger white to off white - maybe somewhat of a tan colored head, no lacing whatsoever. The smell had a dark and very roasty espresso up front, some light milky chocolate does come out eventually. The taste was smooth espresso and milk chocolate flavoring that pierces the taste buds in a fine sort of way; smooth espresso aftertaste, dry espresso/chocolate finish. On the palate, this wants to be somewhat light, but due to the ABV and the darkness of it - I wanna say it actually sits pretty "medium" on the mouth. I say awesome try to Midnight Sun to try to make a somewhat sessionable Schwarzbier of that ABV, but this does hit ya after a while - this beast does show its strength - don’t think this is any "kitten." Carbonation - wow exceptionally smooth - boy oh boy, personally I don’t think I’ve ever tried any Schwarzbier this smooth if I ever find any Schwarzbier so smooth I will definitely seek this one just to compare. Overall, Schwarzbier, this is a Schwarzbier, and a really nice one.

 

2-12

 

 

 

Midnight Sun is an absolute gem in the frozen north. Their Brewtality perfectly meshes stout with expresso, to provide a smooth, very tasty brew. Coffee is restrained while the imperial stout aspects predominant. At sub 10% Abv this brew provides a nice option to high alcohol imperial stouts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 FL. OZ. bottle
Served in a pokal glass

This beer pours black, almost stout-like. It is topped with an inch of mocha head that leaves some lacing.

The smell has some coffee and anise aromas.

The taste is exactly like the smell. I get some coffee, but anise seems to rule the day.

Full mouthfeel

This is one of the most flavorful lager that I have ever had. I bought it a little over a year ago. I should have definitely drank it sooner to enjoy the coffee more, but it is still fantastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was surprised by this beer. I was expecting, based on description and reviews, a strong coffee ale ... well, a strong coffee lager, that is.

What I tasted instead was something fairly sweet, chocolatey or molasses, with a bit of coffee if you looked for it. The sweetness overtakes and dominates the espresso too much.

I usually don't put sugar in my coffee or my lattes, so the sweet aspect didn't work for me.

The beer looks good, smells good, and it is pretty good overall. Just not quite to my taste, and not comparable to other coffee beers I've had.

 

 

 

 

22oz bottle poured into tulip. Part of duct tape surprise bottle share at Beachwood. Very dark, nearly opaque brown body with a half-finger tan head that leaves patchy lacing. Aroma is roasted malts, coffee, and cocoa. Taste is slightly sweet initially with molasses and dark fruit flavors then an espresso roast bitterness follows. Medium-full body, sticky and thick texture, soft carbonation, and a dry, bitter finish.