Beer of the Weekend #434: Back in Black
The beer of the weekend represents the last of my Minnesota haul: Back in Black, brewed by the 21st Amendment Brewery of San Francisco, California.
It is a Golden State beer bought in the North Star State and consumed in the Hawkeye State.
Serving type: 12-ounce can. The “CANNED ON” date printed on the bottom is “08/13/12.” It seems this can is a little ripe.
Appearance: Poured a luscious dark, ruby/caramel brown. There is a ton of sedimentation (perhaps chunks of congealed protein since the beer is so old). Two fingers of medium tan head settled slowly to leave a spotted, buttery lacing and trails of foam along the glass.
Smell: Very sweet and candy-like, much like licorice, though it definitely is beer. Sweet caramel, red and black licorice (the black, I think, is most prominent), molasses, toasted malts, dark and exotic fruits, citrus, and a little pine or spruce.
Taste: The hops have mostly fallen out due to the age of the can, and overall it is a sweet mess. But it is still drinkable. Much like the aroma, it is very sweet and candy-like. Sweet caramel, red and black licorice, molasses, toasted malts, and the remnants of grapefruit citrus and pine. It does have an adequate and bitter aftertaste — where the citrus and pine are most notable — but I am sure it is nothing like it was when the beer was fresh.
Drinkability: It is still a decent brew even after six months. However, I will need to revisit this one.
Fun facts about Back in Black:
-Style: The brewery calls it Black IPA but it is classified on BA as “American Black Ale.”
-Price: $9.99/sixer at the Haskell’s on Lavender Parkway in Faribault, Minnesota.
-Serving temperature: 40-45ºF.
-Alcohol content: 6.8 percent ABV.
-Inspirational explanation courtesy of the beer’s webpage:
Inspired by Paul Revere’s midnight ride, we rebelled against the British style IPA, embraced the more aggressive American version and then recast it in bold, brave, defiant black. Our Black IPA is a Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of the expected.
-The cans come packaged in this box, which is pretty nifty:
It is nothing special, but it is another way craft brewers are thinking outside the box — with a box. Paul Revere riding a motorcycle is a little much, but whatever.
-Interestingly, Paul Revere married twice and had sixteen children, eleven of which “survived” according to his Wikipedia page. Damn!
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
It is a Golden State beer bought in the North Star State and consumed in the Hawkeye State.
Serving type: 12-ounce can. The “CANNED ON” date printed on the bottom is “08/13/12.” It seems this can is a little ripe.
Appearance: Poured a luscious dark, ruby/caramel brown. There is a ton of sedimentation (perhaps chunks of congealed protein since the beer is so old). Two fingers of medium tan head settled slowly to leave a spotted, buttery lacing and trails of foam along the glass.
Smell: Very sweet and candy-like, much like licorice, though it definitely is beer. Sweet caramel, red and black licorice (the black, I think, is most prominent), molasses, toasted malts, dark and exotic fruits, citrus, and a little pine or spruce.
Taste: The hops have mostly fallen out due to the age of the can, and overall it is a sweet mess. But it is still drinkable. Much like the aroma, it is very sweet and candy-like. Sweet caramel, red and black licorice, molasses, toasted malts, and the remnants of grapefruit citrus and pine. It does have an adequate and bitter aftertaste — where the citrus and pine are most notable — but I am sure it is nothing like it was when the beer was fresh.
Drinkability: It is still a decent brew even after six months. However, I will need to revisit this one.
Fun facts about Back in Black:
-Style: The brewery calls it Black IPA but it is classified on BA as “American Black Ale.”
-Price: $9.99/sixer at the Haskell’s on Lavender Parkway in Faribault, Minnesota.
-Serving temperature: 40-45ºF.
-Alcohol content: 6.8 percent ABV.
-Inspirational explanation courtesy of the beer’s webpage:
Inspired by Paul Revere’s midnight ride, we rebelled against the British style IPA, embraced the more aggressive American version and then recast it in bold, brave, defiant black. Our Black IPA is a Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of the expected.
-The cans come packaged in this box, which is pretty nifty:
It is nothing special, but it is another way craft brewers are thinking outside the box — with a box. Paul Revere riding a motorcycle is a little much, but whatever.
-Interestingly, Paul Revere married twice and had sixteen children, eleven of which “survived” according to his Wikipedia page. Damn!
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
