Dark Star Mild
Magnolia Pub & Brewery

 

 

Only rating this thing. No review.

 

I am less enthusiastic about this one than others here at magnolia. It tastes tannic and thin to me, perhaps mashed or sparged a bit too hot, perhaps just overly ambitious with the grain heft on it, but it seems weird a bit, mildly acidic and watered down for its color. There is a fair bit of bitterness from the roast, and it hasn't much platform to stand on. The result isn't bad, but a short one of these is enough. Weird that dark star is a session song if you will, and I don't think this brew does its namesake full justice, but that would be epic. Skip this for another when you visit this place.

 

 

 

 

This poured a ruby caramel color.

It had a thick, malty aroma dominated by caramel sugar sweetness.

Flavor had a similar syrupy-malt sweetness dominate. Reminded me of their brown ale albeit with a bit more malty sweetness. Borderline cloying, and not in a good way.

 

 

Appearance: The cloudy auburn brown liquid arrives with a typical cask head to it - big bubbles/fades quickly/some wisps of lace

Smell: Bready, fruity and a hint of earthy hops

Taste: Malt-forward on the taste buds, with dark bread and stone fruit flavors; modest earthy hops arrive in the middle and add balance to the malts through the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low carbonation; somewhat creamy

Overall: A nicely flavored mild and who could resist a beer called Dark Star in this part of San Francisco

 

 

 

This is a lot more bitter than I would have expected. Carries quite a consistent wood tone, but not in a barrel sense so much as an actual piece of wood you'd find on a hike somewhere. Minor vegetal on the back with a tang on there too. It's a nice beer, but not quite what I was expecting for a dark mild.

On-tap at Magnolia

The pour is dark brown in color with a tall off-white head. Slightly buttery, along with soap and roast on the nose. Some earthy hops, toast, and caramel malt save it, though. Flavor is quite heavy on the mineral notes, a bit metallic, maybe some chocolate and coffee. Meh. Medium body and carbonation.

On tap at the brewery, review from written notes.
Listed as "Dark Star Bitter" on the menu and chalkboards.

In the glass it has a thin tan ring of foam, that slowly ebbs away. A solitary arc of lace sticks on the opposite side. Color is a dark reddish chestnut color.

Smells of brown sugar, medium roast malt, some cocoa.

Light roast and bitterness, notes of cocoa and licorice. Lightly astringent, bitter feel, mellow as if on cask. Light impression of porter like flavor. Somewhat one dimensional but easily drinkable. Simplicity is underrated.

Dark Star Mild has a body that is either a very dark shade of red or a lighter shade of reddish brown. Either way, the body is reddish-brown in body. The tan head is thick and creamy, and it looks like a good pour from the hand pump.

The aroma is toasty and a bit fruity, with hints of hops.

The flavor is mostly malt, featuring dark bread, as light sweetness and toasted malts. The ale yeast also contributes a small fruity character that, combined with the bread flavors, gives the impression of some sort of raisin bread. The hops are also apparent, adding both bitterness and fruit flavors.

The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy like a good cask mild should be.

This one went down easy and quickly. Well-balanced with great flavor for the relatively low ABV of the style.