Black Lightning
DuClaw Brewing Co.

Appearance – Clear dark brown body with a four finger rocky head that took a while to subside.

Aroma – Roasted malts to the fore. Dark fruits and light resinous hops followed.

Taste – Coffee, roasted malt, sharp flash of bitterness with a long coffee finish.

Mouthfeel – Smooth and creamy, remarkably silky.

Overall – Although not as hoppy as expected this was a damn good beer.

Thanks Nate. This was poured into a nonic pint glass. The appearance was a black color with a finger’s worth of white foamy head that held for a little bit and fell off at a decent pace. Light stringy lace. The aroma had a thick roasty malt up front and then some grapefruity and piney hop bitterness. Some subtle dark chocolate more so at the end. The flavor had a nice blend between roast, hop bitterness and sweet. Added in a little bit of some sprucy slight woody taste which followed into the aftertaste. Mild roast and bitter sort of finish. The palate was medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it due to the style I’m guessing - good palate wrecking capabilities. Carbonation felt fine. ABV felt good. Overall, pretty good black IPA that calls all of the shots I expected it to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours dark brown to black with a finger of head that lingers a bit and leaves nice lacing in its wake. The nose has a decent amount of hops and along with a touch of roast. The flavor profile is not quite full-bodied, but the roasted malt and hops are certainly present and well-balanced.

This offering would make for a good introduction to the black ale style, but it is certainly not on par with the best of the style.

 

 

 

 

 

this beer tastes like watered down coffee. the smell is syrupy and strong. the mouthfeel is watery and slightly dry upon swallowing. taste is too close to a stout and they have little business calling it an american black ale when its not really in that category from my drinking experience. This beer maintains no head and doesn't even lace the glass further showing how watered down it is. DuClaw also should reassess its naming. Black Lighting is just a bad name and I would never have bought this beer if my work hadn't broken up all the 6 packs (which weren't selling for 2 months) and sold as individuals at 1.50 a pop. Love maryland and their brewing renaissance, but steer clear of this one.