Conspiracy Dark Lager
Guilford Hall Brewery

A 12 ounce can poured into a Nonic.
An ample head with random beige lacing.
The dark roasted barley does well with the lager fermentation.
The caramel malt flavor is nicely complimented by the mild hops bitterness. There is a pleasant roasted malt flavor that lingers into an aftertaste.

 

 

Solid dark brown body under a large tan head with good lacing. Grainy, roasted malt aroma with notes of chicory and dark fruit. Earthy, light smoke flavor nicely balanced by noble hops. Bitterness more pronounced in the aftertaste. Good carbonation. Medium bodied mouthfeel. Good choice when you're in the mood for a dark beer with a lighter abv presence.

Poured from the can into a nonic(k) pint glass.

Ridiculous forming head out of the can, nearly two fistfulls in size. Luckily settles fairly decently with crazy froth retention, and presents a light tan colored top. Matte like finish of dark walnut brown and opaque for the body.

Enjoyable aroma. Clean sensing and hints of schwarzbier like character with light touches of dark chocolate and coffee. Hits possibly some fruit strangely of prune as well. Quite diverse and unexpected.

Interesting palate. Hits a bit fizzy and carbonated and thus gaseous in mouthfeel so there's no surprise there. However, mid palate is a berry like quality of fruit and dark touches of raisin and plum. Clean finishing, almost crisp with mineral touches and faint hints of coffee.

Kind of comes out like a schwarz but not exactly. Some things need some work but still fairly enjoyable.

 

I saw Guilford Hall brewery on social media, and the post had highlighted this particular beer. I found it in cans and I was looking forward to it. It was not a disappointment. It poured a beautiful dark black/brown in the glass with ruby highlights, but it was a lighter-bodied beer and definitely not thick or cloying. The flavor was lightly roasted biscuit and toast with a very subtle hops bitterness. It’s definitely one of the best dark beers I’ve ever had, especially in its drinkability. I noticed a lot of Guilford Hall‘s offerings are their take on traditional styles, and I look forward to trying more of them.