Belmont Black (Belmont Station's 18th Anniversary)
Barley Brown's Brewpub

For those familiar with Turmoil and Chaos from Barley Brown, this CDA is a much more tame, dialed down version of those beers. For all that the abv. is close to 9%, it comes across as a smooth, not the least bit heavy, easy to drink and appreciate CDA. Frankly, I prefer to the Turmoil and Chaos, but this is still an enjoyable, very well balanced CDA (mostly showing dark chocolate, light vanilla and licorice on the palate).

 

Dark dark brown crossing to blackish with two fingers of massive fluffy cappuccino tan light brown head. Slowly fades into a soft silky foam capping with beautiful lacing.

Nose starts sweet with definitive chocolate and cocoa dusting over sweet juicy hops and sharp crystals of sugar. The only thing holding it back is the cocoa in particular blends with another component to produce something akin to warm rubber. Not ideal. Otherwise smells really good though! I can find some the woody notes if I look for them. Subtle. The more I pick up of that the more I like it: Cedar is a significant component of my upbringing and a smell I love so catching bits and pieces of it in beer is doubly exciting for me.

Starts sweet here as well, though trending towards the hops more. Jumping into pineapple and layers of pine and cocoa and chocolate: both bitter baking chocolate and sweeter lighter cocoa powder with occasional stabs of sugar sweet. Never loses sight of the hops though, tying up bitter and lasting. I do pick up some of the woody notes in here as well. I'd love to see more stuff utilizing the titillatingly titled 'Experimental Hop 427.' The finish lasts bitter and fades into cedar. That's a big plus in my book. Body is velvety smoothe and wraps the mouth in a comforting layer of soft oblivion. While not boozy by any means, the 8.8% does assert itself somewhat, and that's the biggest knock I can find against the sublime there.
Damn fine brew. Too bad this is probably the only time I'll see it!

 

 

 

Black with a foamy light tan head.

Roasty, cocoa malt notes highlighted by big citrusy, resiny hops.

Very well done CDA, easy drinking, hides the ABV deceptively well.

 

 

 

On tap at Belmont Station.

Black with a dense, brown head with decent retention and lacing, this looks solid. The nose is excellent. Even better than the Chaos they brewed a while back, this has a beautiful hoppy nose with a robust roast presence. Bright citrus with plenty of pine and grapefruit, this is refreshing. Deep roast character, earthy, bitter, grainy with an almost rye like spiciness.

The palate opens with a blend of big bitterness, fruity and clean, and roasted malt bitterness. Grapefruit, kiwi, pine and dry, grainy, roasted malt bitterness are present. Mid palate brings in flavors of grainy sweetness and hop fruitiness. Drying, light and bitter on the finish, the alcohol is well hidden. Lovely creamy, hoppy finish. Highly recommended.

Strangely, the bottles aren't as creamy as this is on tap - it's comparatively lighter and more focused on the bitterness. Still delicious, though