Trying this here, maybe I'll be more successful here in the regional forum with the people from where it was brewed. Can any of you point me to recent reviews of this beer if you know of any? I only found one from Darkness day in 2010. Alternatively, if you don't review and have drank it recently, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this thread or privately. Thanks in advance for any help!
Hmmmm. Did you check Ratebeer (can I say that here?)? I haven't seen any recent reviews here for '07 Darkness, the last one I know of is the one you found. My thoughts, feel free to ignore: I've never had the 06/07 Darkness, but I have had 08-11 and to me it is not very good aged. Makes me think of a stout version of aged 120 minute, awkward cloying sweetness. I love it fresh but after 6 months or so it just gets weird. I couldn't imagine the '07 ending up much different. Just my opinion though, would love to hear what others think!
I've had 08 too, I'm just wondering how 07 is doing but there aren't many around. I prefer it aged to fresh because my palate has a hate for hoppy stouts.
The '07 is still insanely hoppy for its age. We had a gorgeous vertical on Darkness Eve & the '07 was not only holding up, it was ridiculously good, heads-and-shoulders about the others for me. Still very hoppy, dry, without the sweetness that swamps the '08. Of the '07-'11 bottles we opened, the '07 was the unanimous (I think) favorite. Would have been if it'd been blind, too. If you've had the '08 it doesn't even taste like the same beer.
had the vertical at Darkness Day this year, the 07 surprisingly still had some hop character to it. The age has definitely changed the beer. It had a very well rounded over all flavor profile. Still had tastes of hops, roast, chocolate, and deep dark fruits. I thoroughly enjoyed it, was not my favorite of the day, but was an outstanding beer in its own right.
Thanks guys! Exactly what I was looking for! what do you guys mean by still had tastes of hops and still very hoppy? I ask because I really don't like hoppy stouts and that was part of my problem with the 08 I had back in January.
I personally was amazed there was any hops presence, wasnt over hoppy, just hard to believe there was still ANY hops in an almost 5 year bottle
it was a " I taste the roast, a bit of dark fruit, definitely some chocol...... wait a tick, there is even a hops presence" not a "hhhmmm, nice head retention, good lacing, ... holy shift, this is hoppy!!!"
Yeah, not a hop-bomb, but hoppier than any of the others other than the fresh '11. If you thought the '08 was hoppy...well, the '07 is about 10x more. Have to say I haven't sensed much hoppiness in the '08 in years.
I haven't had 07 Darkness since, well 07. I remember it being an extremely hoppy beer. Virtually identical to 06. I believe Summit hops, with their extremely high alpha content and potent nature were used. Could be wrong, not sure. 08 seemed to take a rather large turn away from the first two years. Still a stout with a massive hop character, but much sweeter. Of course, it's been so fucking long what the hell do I know haha.
I also had the 07 back in october of 11' and although there we some hops that beer is roasty as hell and delicious. A real bitch to trade for but damn worth it Thanks B. Yet another of my whales laid to rest.
