Labyrinth Black Ale - Uinta Brewing Company

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

opague oil looking liquid with a small tan colored head on the top. Copious side lace was present. The aroma was thick, fll of coffee, rich dark coffee and a good amount of sugar. Nice back of some lighter hoppiness maybe and a touch of brandy like alcohol. Very robust smell. The taste was awesome, simply awesome. A super smooth blend of rich coffee and chocolate, mixed in with just enough hoppiness to get you to notice. This was defintly top notch. I really loved the way it was all blended together. Nothing really overpowering, but the whole mix was just soo smooth. Rich creamy full bodied feel, very thick

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 03:05:17 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.85/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've sure been ticking a lot of beers from Utah lately...

A: The pour lives up to the name and is indeed black in color with a nice tan head.

S: Quite a pleasant nose with plenty of chocolate, vanilla, and oak along with a light roasted character. Unfortunately, some soy sauce notes, too.

T: A very nice sweet milk chocolate and vanilla flavor is what this beer is all about. Subtle oak and roast character, along with a touch of alcohol warmth. No soy sauce, thankfully.

M: The body is medium with a smooth, low level of carbonation.

D: Quite a nice beer, actually. I was not expecting too much from this, but a very nice flavor and mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2010 17:18:53 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -32.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours near black with a thin mocha head. Smell is strong roasted malts, coffee, and a good amount of anise. Taste is similar with black licorice really dominating the picture, overly so without any complementary flavors. Mouthfeel is a bit thin for the style. Slightly boozy. Not something I would grab again.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2010 12:38:12 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle - $12.99 at Olde Crabapple Bottle Shoppe in Alpharetta, Georgia. Bottled on: 06/08/11. The removal of the cork was one of the most difficult I've come across, so, ultimately a classy-looking but obnoxious packaging. Usually one worries about getting out of a labyrinth, I was concerned I'd never get in.

Appearance: Pours out a matte black, inky-looking body with a slow-growing, slow-receding, tan head. After the workout with the cork, I sure could use a beer!

Smell: Somewhat sweetish, roasty nose with a backdrop of wooden barrels, hunks from an oversized chocolate bar, and lighter, though not insubstantial notes of caramel, stewed fruit, and vanilla candy.

Taste: Bittersweet chocolate ganache, homemade caramel sauce, vanilla sugar, smooth espresso produced by an above-average barista, and, already, plenty of the licorice. Soundly sweet, but not overly so, though there's a noted richness about almost everything in the taste. Fruity accents of sweetish cherry and plums -- some sips it's fairly tapered, others, it's more pronounced and long enduring. Mildly tannic, mildly spicy barrel character. Only modesty warming on the relatively sweetish finish that fluctuatingly allows for the fruit, choco-licorice, or roastiness to lingering into the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied. Medium-light carbonation. Smooth, chewy mouthfeel.

Overall: Why, it's like an imperialized, barrel-aged Kalamazoo! Some beers, right from that first sip, you think "oh Jesus what have I gotten into this time" as waves of disappointment and abject weariness wash over you. You may even stick it out like a trooper, perhaps wanting to get your money's worth and/or hoping like a fool for a miraculous turnaround that never comes. Thankfully, this one was just a treat from sip one until the bottle had been drained and a nap was desired.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 20:21:30 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Quite a scary pour, as the beer streams out like motor oil into the chalice, forming a modest tan head that leaves squiggles of lace behind

Smell: The rye barrel and brewer's licorice elements dominate the aroma, with undertones of dark chocolate and prune

Taste: Charred wood and dark chocolate, up front, with the brewer's licorice, hops and molasses flavors building by mid-palate; after the swallow, the rye barrel emerges, bringing along a boozy, charred character that dominates the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation and a lot of warmth in the gullet

Overall: Tried two from the Crooked Line series today (for the first time) and really didn't enjoy either one of them; while this had an interesting range of flavors, it was ultimately too boozy and harsh on the tongue to be enjoyable; I am not familiar with the Utah laws but it is almost as if, having finally been freed up to brew high ABV beers, Uinta is unleashing the brewed equivalent of a testosterone-overloaded adolescent

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 00:29:47 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on 2/28/11.

Pours an opaque black with a thick 3 inch dark khaki head that settles to a small cap. Nice foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, bittersweet chocolate, slight coffee, and some spices (licorice?). Alcohol smells come out as the beer warms. Taste is of dark roasted malt, coffee grounds, and dark cocoa powder. Mild roasty bitterness sticks to the palate after each sip. There is also a slight alcohol burn in the back of the throat. Low carbonation makes for a thick and creamy mouthfeel with a sticky feeling. Overall, this is a good stout from Uinta but the alcohol in this one keeps it from being more drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 00:55:02 | More by UCLABrewN84

oberon

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this last night after work and felt it with a dull headache this morning.Poured into an imperial nonic jet black with nicely formed deep tannish colored head atop that never completely settled.Dark roast,char,vanilla/oak,and sweet alcohol in the nose,it's got alot going on and is pretty complex.Sweet chocolatey notes at the onset flavor wise with vanilla and dark fruit soaked in sweet alcohol,the saving grace of the beer is at midway a nice earthy woodsy drying effect comes in.Wow there is alot going on in this beer it's big and brash,a real sipper with alot of components to it.Very good.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 18:37:02 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Finally, a Utah brew! And in DC, of all places... I ain't gonna argue. It pours an opaque black-brown capped by a finger of dark, dirty tan micro-foam. The nose comprises walnut, oak, coffee, brown sugar, smoked ham, and pretzels. I have no idea how to take this smell...but I do like it, yes I do. The taste holds notes of molasses, vanilla, coffee, oak, buttery toffee, some light bitter chocolate, and a hint of spruce. The body straddles the border between heavy medium and light heavy, with a light carbonation and a smooth, thick, and somewhat chewy feel Overall, I don't know how to adequately describe this beer, but I do know that it's damn tasty and very drinkable. I hope more Utah beers are like this...

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 23:42:18 | More by TMoney2591

WesWes

New York

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep, dark black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is outstanding. It has a warm, rich roasted malt scent that boasts of earthy black malts and non malted roasted barley. There is a good deal of chocolate malt as well. It's complex with a significant alcohol presence. The taste is great. It has a damn fine earthy, roasted character. It goes down slow and easy with a rich chocolatey finish. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a terrific stout. It's incredibly complex; a good slow drinker.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 22:13:15 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an opaque, jet black color with a one-finger, brown head of foam. It left sticky sheets of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of rich roasted malt with chocolate, caramel, toffee and coffee-like aromas.

T - It had a boozy alcohol maltiness with a strong roasted malt. There was a nice coffee flavor, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium-bodied beer with a warm alcohol presence.

D - This is a really good imperial stout. I like what I've had from Uinta.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 21:55:05 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks to pokebeerdude for this extra. Served in a plastic cup at the West Lakeview Liquors pig roast.

A - Good-lucking brew! A finger of tan foam that settles to a thin ring and leaves behind spotty lace. Black with hints of orange-brown transparency at the fringes. Impressive for 13.2.%.

S - Soy, roast, oxidation, some oak and vanilla, anise, and some molasses and smoke.

T - Dark fruits, vanilla, and some strange oxidation that really shouldn't be present for a beer bottled March 31st. Not terrible, but not very interesting either.

M - It's a touch thin for the high ABV, but the alcohol is very well-hidden. Medium-low carbonation, smooth body.

D - I finished my taster but I didn't go back for any more of this one. Did this really need to be that strong?!

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 20:58:39 | More by MasterSki

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Has this atthe 2010 ACBF, it poured out nice and black in color. The head was thin and tan. The lacing was light bit it was there for a while. The smell of the beer was big and roasted, had some sweetness on the nose and some hops too. The taste was rich with dark malts and some chocolate flavors, with a good bitterness bite in the finish. The mouthfeel was pretty decentI thought, good amount of body to it and carbonation. Overall this brew was really pretty good, I may need to have this one again someday.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 18:41:41 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.78/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Scored this today at Macadoodles in Bentonville, AR. Bottled on 09/03/10

750 ml corked/caged bottle opens with a nice pop. Pours black with 3 fingers of bubbly brown head. Good head retention & lacing. It was great the last few drops of this slowly drip from the bottle like molasses!

S: Bourbon & vanilla & some booze at the end

T: Follows the nose, much oaky dryness, dark chocolate, licorice & vanilla. Oaky dryness, vanilla, charred caramel, dark chocolate & a good taste of Bourbon & woody hops sneaking in the back door. Finishes with boozey vanilla, herbal 7 woody hops, oakyness & carob

MF: Chewy, low carbonation, smooth as can be, nice warming feel to this, slickens up at the end

13.2 % ABV is not really showing through this sucker is too drinkable. If I get a chance to hit that store again any time soon, I will probably buy every damn bottle they have. This is a very hidden gem that Arkansas beer drinkers should be tickled pink to get

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 04:20:10 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A couple snifter pours in the back room at Maria's. Had to limit myself due to the high abv, which I was unaware of when ordering it.

Black, viscous, stouty appearance, with a froth of mocha foam. This stout has visual fortitude. Retention wasn't the greatest, but acceptable considering it was 13.5%. A few drops ran down the side of the glass and were as sticky as maple syrup.

Obvious bourbon barrel aroma, oak and vanilla sweetness laid over an intense roasted coffee and chocolate base. I'm having flashbacks to FoBAB already...

Rich, fudgy, syrupy elixir. There is a slight prickle from the abv, but it's edges are rounded by it's sweetness and full, smooth feel. Tobacco, oak, fudge, vanilla, coffee all surface at one time or another. A sipper for sure, and a bottle to share with friends. We split it 4 ways, which seemed about right.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 14:53:38 | More by emerge077

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer #46 in my great Utah Brew Hunt.

Well, I can tell you what Uinta does not need with this Crooked Line series: tighter corks.

Been a long time since I have had a big stout. And this definitely fits that description. Big, chewy, meaty. There is definitely a good but of licorice here, but thankfully it doesn't go overboard. I hate licorice. But, I like how it is incorporated into this beer. Gives only an accent and doesn't hijack the beer at all; which I definitely appreciate.

Overall, a good impy stout. Very thick and robust. Could deal with some aging to mellow things out. But as it stands, it works out fairly well.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 04:18:13 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.53/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a nice jet black with great carbonation and a huge brown head

S: Roasted malt, cocoa, liquorice, hints of espresso

T: Burnt sugarm roasted malt, chocolate, liquorice, big shard American oak notes, booze

M: Nice and full, lots of oak, booze sting, dry, very sweet

D: Very good. I enjoyed this beer immensely and think it is a great candidate for aging

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 00:36:07 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Solid beige head that leaves an initial thick ring lace. The rest of the glass experiences streaking foam. Dark, dark brown color where no light shines through.

Dry cardboard smell. There's a strong chalky caramel aroma.

Very rich and creamy toffee flavor profile. There's a sherry element to the taste. The alcohol comes through, particularly in the swallow. The mouthfeel is full with enough carbonation to keep it from being oily.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 02:54:38 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml Bottle
Caged/Corked
Bottled On: 6/11/10
Revisted: 4 May 11
$11.95 ea.

This bottle has been cellered for almost a year.

Poured into a chalice a very nice deep black color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy tan head, with some nice sticky lacing to follow and a some oil slicks. The nose is malty, with some chocolate/toffee notes, slight roast/smoke note, licorice, and slight oak note. The taste is very nice, malty, sweet, nice touch of chocolate/toffe, nice licorice note, with a slight hint of roasty oak. Medium Body, smooth/silky, goes down very nicely, ABV hidden very well. Very Drinkable, this is one fine brew. Very nicely done Uinta.

750ml Bottle
Caged/Corked
Bottled On: 3/31/10
$11.95 ea.

Poured into a chalice a very nice deep black color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy tan head, with some nice sticky lacing to follow and a big oil slick. The nose is malty, with some chocolate/toffee notes, slight roast/smoke note, licorice, and slight oak note. The taste is very nice, malty, sweet, nice touch of chocolate/toffe, nice licorice note, with a slight hint of roasty oak. Medium body. Very Drinkable, this is one fine brew. Very nicely done Uinta.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2010 19:39:22 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.48/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a three finger brown head that fades slowly leaving a good lace. Black color, no highlights. Light-medium carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Licorice nose, flavor is sweet licorice, hints of oak and the high ABV. Best so far from Uinta. Bottled Feb 2011, $13.99 for a 750ml bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 23:11:55 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a tulip glass)

A- This beer pours an obsidian black body with a deep inky quality and a tan creamy head that turns bubble but last for a good bit. The beer coats the glass with a inky film after each sip.

S- the dry oak wood aroma has a syrupy black malt with some soy sauce hints to it and a buttered popcorn quality comes through as the beer warms.

T- The soft black malt hint is blended with dry wood flavors and a dark caramel and sweet black malt inky flavor. The finish is a nice sweet thick black malt flavor with some light roasted notes lingering but no real bitterness noticed.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a thick texture and a warming alcohol heat in the finish.

D- No big and bitey like i expect from a imp. stout but a nice blend of smooth complex flavors and a softer support from the barrel. It is a nice beer and very different from typical American monster stouts.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 19:51:52 | More by rhoadsrage

Billolick

New York

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Large bottle, caged and corked, bottled on 2-28-11

Pours BLACK. Dark and sturdy head, slowly goes to a nice rich film, thick collar, classy and extensive rings, spots, blobs and webs of fine lace.

Even my challanged sniffer picks up dense chocolate notes and powdered sugars.

Full flavor stout. Loads of dark and milk chocolate notes, licorice, roasted malts, burnt malts. Big and bold. Thick, viscous and coating mouthfeel. Rich and tasty with complexity abounding.

Very enjoyable and well crafted night capper/cold weather sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 01:40:38 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 09/18/10 notes.

a - Pours a dark black color with 2 inches of tan head and moderate carbonation.

s - Smells of chocolate, roasted malts, dark fruits, and alcohol.

t - Tastes of chocolate, roasted malts, plus vanilla, cream, and dark fruit. Lightest hint of alcohol but barely noticeable.

m - Full body and low carbonation, smooth and creamy. Crazy how easy it goes down for over 13% ABV.

d - I really enjoyed this beer, though seemed more like a barleywine to me. Tasted great and was very easy to put down. Would definitely have again.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2010 00:53:27 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I really liked this beer at tastings, and bought a few bottles, but never got around to drinking it, weird. Bottled on 03/31/10.

An aggressive pour yields a decent looking dark cocoa colored creamy rich 1/2 finger head, fades at a med pace with some decent lacing too, not bad for a 13% beer, thick legs on teh sides of the glass as well, over a pitch black beer, no light coming from that puppy.

Nose brings plenty of big dark malts, black malt right off the bat as well as roasted malt, a roast that seems like it would have been over powering fresh, but has some nice softness with almost 3 years on it. Big fluffy nougat like aroma, with some candy, caramel, etc, and some dark chocolate coming through. That all brings a light booze aroma too, and some slight earthy hops. Oak is in the background, just a touch of vanilla and light toasty barrel like. A big dark nose for a big dark beer.

Taste starts with big malts again, some black malt, and roast again, but as expected not overpowering burnt roast as the age seems to have really softened it. Chewy malts, the roast brings a light burnt coffee grinds though, with a bitter black malt flavor and some tannins from all that even. Fluffy nougat in the middle again, candy like too, but not a lot of sweetness, touch of caramel and light cocoa and biscuity cocoa pebbles like. The chocolate is there but not big chocolate, more like a touch of baker's chocolate and the chocolate cereal flavors. Bitterness comes a bit from the roasty malts, as well as light earthy hops in the background. The barrel is practically an after thought, as it infuses a hint of vanilla, although a light dusty wood shelf comes out a little as it warms. Booze is there, with a light booze taste and plenty of warmth, touch of tingle, but not nearly 13%. Chewy creamy almost oats like, fairly thick and lush. Finish is semi sweet still, mouth coating, light tingly booze lingering as it coats the mouth, lingering dark malts, hint cocoa and cereal again, light roast and black malt all lingering.

Mouth is thick and rich, slightly creamy but full bodied, lighter but decent carb, plenty of warming slight tingly booze.

Overall a big beer, great. Not sure why they call it a black ale, as yes it's black but it's not what you'd expect for a black ale which is typically referring to black IPA style. There are not many hops in this but don't need them as the malts really take the show. Big dark malts that don't get overbearing, burnt or too roasty, etc, and a few years of age on it adds a nice softness and drinkability. I'm gonna try to finish this whole thing by myself before the superbowl, so we'll see how I'm feeling during the superbowl, probably pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 20:49:45 | More by jlindros

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours viscous and pitch black with a one finger mocha head that slowly settles into a thick, lasting ring. Streaks and chunks of lacing left behind.

Slightly roasted dark malt aroma with a subtle barrel character and some zesty spice. There's some toasted oak that compliments the robust malt presence. Hints of dark chocolate, coffee bean, oatmeal and toast along with some pepper, anise and licorice.

Slightly viscous with a well integrated barrel character and ton of robust dark malt. A decent amount of dry, toasted oak that never becomes overpowering, but instead provides a nice compliment to the roasted character of the beer. Hints of dark chocolate, toast, coffee bean, caramel, toffee and oatmeal followed by some peppery spice and sweet licorice. The licorice is again, nicely integrated into the flavor of the beer, providing balance without overtaking the other flavors. Really well balanced and the high ABV is excellently masked, making this beer deceptively drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 07:43:04 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with very good head retention and decent lacing. The nose is attractive, showcasing considerable coffee grounds, licorise and vanilla. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, except there's almost something of a second layer of flavor in this beer. Initially I get plenty of licorise and coffee grounds, which then dovertails into a long, vanilla and dark chocolate, slighly bitter finish. Mouthfeel is otherwise full, with a long, moderately sweet, chocolate and licorise finish. Drinkability is pretty good, at least for a 13% beer. It's not at all heavy, hot or tiring on the finish, though one can tell there's some alcohol in this beer.

While I can't say it's wowing me, this is nevertheless a pretty impressive, solid effort from the folks at Uinta.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 22:14:19 | More by johnmichaelsen