Beer of the Weekend #820: Tejas Negra
Yesterday I visited the new Big Grove Brewery taproom in Iowa City. It was pretty nice. I filled my growler with liquid research for the Little Village, which will be a future beer of the weekend.
In the meantime, though, the beer this weekend is the third and final beer from my parents’ mini Texas haul: Tejas Negra, brewed by the Big Bend Brewing Company of Alpine, Texas.
The color is caramel brown with a tint of amber and red. A finger of light tan, buttery, bubble-spotted head leaves a broken skim and ring around the edge. The aroma is toasty and inviting with scents of toasted malt, caramel, and light chocolate. It is much more complex and aromatic than its lighter brother. The flavor mostly mirrors the aroma with characters of toasted malt, caramel, and chocolate. The flavor also has an odd bitterness that does not complement the other flavors. It does eventually — and thankfully — though. It is deep, toasty, and tasty. The bitterness lingers on the taste buds long after each sip. Black and cherry licorice are also noticeable.
Fun facts about Tejas Negra:
• Style: Vienna-style lager.
• Price: I’m unsure but my parents bought it at the brewery.
• Alcohol content: 4.9 percent ABV.
• Here is the description printed on the can:
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
In the meantime, though, the beer this weekend is the third and final beer from my parents’ mini Texas haul: Tejas Negra, brewed by the Big Bend Brewing Company of Alpine, Texas.
The color is caramel brown with a tint of amber and red. A finger of light tan, buttery, bubble-spotted head leaves a broken skim and ring around the edge. The aroma is toasty and inviting with scents of toasted malt, caramel, and light chocolate. It is much more complex and aromatic than its lighter brother. The flavor mostly mirrors the aroma with characters of toasted malt, caramel, and chocolate. The flavor also has an odd bitterness that does not complement the other flavors. It does eventually — and thankfully — though. It is deep, toasty, and tasty. The bitterness lingers on the taste buds long after each sip. Black and cherry licorice are also noticeable.
Fun facts about Tejas Negra:
• Style: Vienna-style lager.
• Price: I’m unsure but my parents bought it at the brewery.
• Alcohol content: 4.9 percent ABV.
• Here is the description printed on the can:
This easy-drinking Vienna-style lager is the dark, handsome traveler of the tres Tejas. Born across the ocean from generations of bygone brewers and mastered down south in the cantina, this timeless brew has found a home in the rugged landscape of far west Texas. Orale and welcome, compadre.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
