Black Shadow
Two Bandits Brewing Company

My wife likes the fact that it's not a high ABV

The past couple of days have been an amazing CANmalgam of Goses & Pilsners, but now my supply is exhausted. I had the Duvel as kind of an oddball, but it will lead me back to some of the breweries from which I reviewed beers the last couple of days, including Transmitter, Manayunk (CANayunk), Sly Fox, Conshohocken (CANshohocken), Sloop & Great North. Following that excursion, I will be focusing on imports for a while, bringing me full circle to that one. Stay tuned. It's gonna be CANother wild ride on The CANQuest (tm)! This one (plus a couple of others) came to me in a recent timely drop-off/pick-up in-person trade. They came to him CANtesy of a friend of his & I am grateful. Sense a developing theme yet? I'm done with Porters so now it's on to Stouts.

From the CAN: "Black Shadow Chocolate Milk Stout"; "Craft. Passion. Quality."; "This dessert-style Stout is decadent, yet surprisingly easy-drinking."; "Notes of dark chocolate, Kona coffee and hazelnut meld together for a rich and smooth brew with a creamy finish. The shadowy figure on our CAN may be mysterious,"; "But the reason this is one of our flagship beers sure isn't. It's just that damn good."; "Proudly brewed in Hicksville, Ohio"; "Two Bandits Brewing Co. creates craft beers with unique flavor combinations and as many locally sourced ingredients as we can muster. The result? Brews that please the palates of everyone from beer snobs to craft newbies."

I Crack!ed open the vent & beCAN a slow, gentle C-Line Glug into the awaiting glass. I was met with just under two fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, deep-tan/light-brown head with decent retention. Color was Very Dark Brown to Black/Opaque (SRM = > 34, < 44) with cola highlights. Nose was not at all sweet, more like dark/bittersweet/Baker's chocolate with a mild roastiness. Hmm. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was not as sweet as either its name or their verbiage led me to expect. It had a slight smokiness to acCANpony the chocolatiness which I found highly enjoyable, if not improbable. Finish was semi-sweet, but not really a dessert beer as advertised. Hmm. YMMV.

Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a black color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of coffee, chocolate. Taste is the same as the aroma, the chocolate is more pronounced, light sweetness. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall is an enjoyable beer.

 

Exceptional Stout. Black in color and small to medium tan head. Goes down really smooth and it taates of malts all the way. Never been impressed with a brewery this close to home