Black Phillip
Brasserie La Débauche

Pours a pitch black coloration with a large, creamy/foamy, lasting head. Smell is an intriguing mix of roasted, caramel malt and blue cheese funk, with a hint of milk chocolate and coffee. Taste follows the nose, with a great and quite interesting balance of roasted, caramel malt and blue cheese funk, as well as notes of milk chocolate and coffee, with just a hint of leather, tobacco and licorice. Finishes with a light/medium bitterness and some roasted malt, tobacco and light funk lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth, somewhat thin, mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

I wasn't sure what to make of this at first, but the great combination of roasted malt, somewhat smokey notes and funk really grew on me, especially as this warmed. There is a great balance of these unique characteristics going on here that really works out quite well and makes this quite a unique, well-rounded experience. Not a hint of the ABV to this either, although the mouthfeel could be better.