A Taste of… Fade to Black Ale

Left Hand Brewing Co.
1265 Boston Avenue
Longmont, CO 80501
(USA)
303.772.9572

Preface: This is another sample sent by the folks at Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont, Colorado. The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew. It arrived via delivery service and has been stored in a cool, dry, dark place (a Brooklyn apartment). I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: This is the darkest ruby red garnet colored brew I have ever shone my Maglite through. The head is hard to raise, as you can see in the photo, and built from tiny bubbles that form a thin but dense tan head.


Aroma: The first sensation is of highly roasted grains that border on coffee aromatics. The second impression included chocolate and liquorish. The third visit revealed more of the highly roasted grain aromas. The moment between lip and sip revealed nothing surprising.


Mouth feel: This brew has a very full mouth feel that is enhanced by the immediate sensation of highly roasted grain.

Flavor: The first impression is almost coffee and grain flavors found in stouts and hefty porters. The second taste revealed a sharp flavor that a stealth squad of hop flavor spikes that join with the “burnt” flavor of the roasted malt to keep the rich malt flavor from becoming too sweet. The third sip let the taste buds get better acquainted with the sharper flavors and adds perspective to the coffee/toffee accents.


Finish: The finish is remarkable quick and leaves the sensation of hop tang to tag the next flavor.

Comments: This is a fine black ale, or as might be found in the Republic of Ireland… a black beer. The flavors would make fine friends with the sweet metallic char of a dry-aged slab of beef properly seared and finished in a hot oven.

Left Hand Brewing Co.: http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

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