Black Metal
American Solera

Review: 2277
Name: Black Metal
Brewery: American Solera
Location: Tulsa, OK
Style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 10.7%
Canned:
Date: 9 December 2024
As I continue clearing out the cellar, I am trying another beer from American Solera, a collaboration with Jester King. I have the Black Metal stout from there, and the art is different, so I put it here. Black Metal is at least three years old, but I found no date. I did try this beer at the brewery; I wonder if there is any difference. I will not be able to go into details.
I am using a tulip glass and serving the beer at 48 degrees. The pour did not create any head retention, what I saw was brown. The color is inky black with dark rusty brown hues and opaque. The appearance is below average for this style. 3.25
Nosing the glass, I medium dark chocolate, medium-roasted coffee, a light funkiness, molasses, and some earthiness. Smelling the beer again, I also notice light toasted malt, a hint of char, malty sweetness, bready, light toffee, leather, and tobacco. The aromas of the beer are a plain imperial stout with a wild ale vibe.
The flavors start with leather, Maillard, char, dark roasted malts, dark chocolate, espresso, funky earthiness, and malty sweetness. Taking several sips, I also notice anise, black strap, soy sauce, toffee, caramel, light floral, bready, and figs.
The mouthfeel is heavy and chewy yet finishes smooth with a touch of bitterness. The body is heavy and has low carbonation.
I was unsure what I was getting when I opened this can. Jester King is known for pushing wild ales, and I do not know what American Solera does. I did detect some funkiness, but not enough to say it is a Sour Stout. The beer had some meatiness in the heavy use of Dark Malts. This beer is different from The Farmhouse Black Metal from Jester King. Overall a solid beer; I would have liked the Maillard notes toned down a bit.