Black Damnation - De Struise Brouwers

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Leave it to De Struise... as soon as I close in on trying nearly all of the Black Damnation brews I find out 2 or 3 more are in the works. Poured into a cervoise, this brew appears black in color with a faint line of dark brown clarity around the edges. A rich, creamy tan to brown cap holds across the top and slowly recedes to a thin film that has greater strength around the edges. A light swirl attached small patches of lace to the glass and a creamy layering stays across the top of the brew throughout the entire duration.

The smell of this brew is a wonderful mixture of all things good, dark and roasty. Initial aromas are that of black licorice, burnt chocolate, molasses and alcohol somewhat accented by whiskey which evolve into dark fruit notes reminiscent of raisins or plums. There is a burnt character to it which picks up a slight indication of coffee, charcoal and dirt.

The taste is rich with burnt barley tasting like bitter chocolate and molasses. A slight hop inclusion is a bit fruity accenting the fruity flavors of the alcohol which is quite bold. The flavor of this brew remains with a dominating amount of roasty bitterness and bold alcohol that seems exaggerated with a whiskey kick. Each sip brings forth more dark flavoring of coffee with a slight citrus kick, charcoal and a bit of an earthy almost dirt flavor very similar to if you were chewing on black patent.

This is a medium to full bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is smooth and rich in the feel and a very enjoyable sipper. The alcohol is not hiding in this brew at all, it is very forward in all characteristics; flavor, aroma warmth and bite. An absolute wonderful example of the style. I wish I could revisit all of the Black Damnations again and start with this brew before enjoying each of the one-offs. Each sip and sniff of this brew reminds me of trace bits of the others. Dare I say I enjoyed this original Black Damnation more so than some of the others in the series. Fantastic

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 18:43:51 | More by stakem

jkane101

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-16-2013 22:20:23 | More by jkane101

Abio

Belgium

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

04-29-2013 14:12:31 | More by Abio

jegross2

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewing the Black Damnation from BREWERY out of PLACE. This is the first beer brewed in the Black Damnation series. Black Damnation is a blend of Black Albert and Hel & Verdoemenis.

Score: 96

Unknown vintage bottle served in a Founders snifter/tulip hybrid glass and enjoyed on 04/05/13. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Coffee colored body. Pours a finger of khaki head. Awesome head and lacing. The lacing slowly oozes back unto the glass. 5/5

Smell: Chocolate, roast, light wood, hint of licorice. Reminds me of fresh Surly Darkness without the hoppiness. A little brown sugar and stale coffee too. 4.5/5

Taste: Bitter bakers chocolate, wood, char, and toasty malt. Bittersweet syrup, light coffee and licorice. Finishes with a lingering bitter chocolate and syrup flavor. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, low carbonation. On the bitter end of bittersweet. 4.5/5

Overall: Excellent; the best of beer of Black Damnation I-IV

Cost: $12 for a 11.2 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 19:57:35 | More by jegross2

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

04-12-2013 03:53:32 | More by cadaugherty

Sparky44

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

03-24-2013 01:41:13 | More by Sparky44

bsuedekum

Missouri

5/5  rDev +19.6%

12-12-2012 01:01:41 | More by bsuedekum

JMBSH

Colorado

4/5  rDev -4.3%

12-10-2012 00:23:00 | More by JMBSH

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

11-19-2012 17:39:13 | More by ElGallo

imperialking

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

11-13-2012 20:31:40 | More by imperialking

billab914

Virginia

4.48/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

33cl bottle poured into my CBS snifter. It poured pitch black in color with a thin tan head clinging to the edges of the glass. Nice retention and good lacing as I drank it.

The aroma has a strong coffee presence to the roasted malts. I get some rich chocolate to it reminiscent of brownie batter. It's got a little bit of a sweeter, milky chocolate to it as well. Very good aroma overall, the dark roasted malts really shine in it. It also comes together very well, the flavors are bold but end up being pretty smooth as well.

The taste follows through with some really bold and flavorful coffee notes. Twards the finish is where more of the sweeter cocoa and milk chocolate come out and help give some balance to the roasted, bitter malts.

The mouthfeel is heavy and almost syrupy. Carbonation is on the low end. Overall, it was a great beer and one that really impressed me. It's one of the better imperial stouts I've had in a while. The coffee flavors especially stood out to me. It came together very well and had some fantastic flavors to it. Great beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:19:28 | More by billab914

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev -4.3%

09-18-2012 23:32:58 | More by t0rin0

WynnO

Florida

5/5  rDev +19.6%

09-08-2012 05:33:55 | More by WynnO

koopa

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.3%

09-03-2012 23:02:33 | More by koopa

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours nicely with a thick brown head. This is a pretty nice one to drink, though the carbonation is a bit more than I would ask for, considering the style. Flavor profile is a smooth delivery with no real tones stepping out to steal the show. It's thick and consistent. Pretty nice beer. Thanks to baggio for this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 08:23:18 | More by RblWthACoz

GRG1313

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

07-23-2012 00:27:10 | More by GRG1313

Sean9689

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into snifter...2009 bottle.

A - Pours black, small mocha-colored head, thin ring.

S - Chocolate, roast, char, smooth booze, coffee, burnt sugars. Very robust and in-your-face, nice mix of sweetness and booze.

T - Chocolate, smooth booze, oak, light roast, light char, coffee beans, caramel. Lots of sweetness mixed with the perfect additional of alcohol notes....the cellar has done this bottle some good. Finish is sweet & creamy chocolate dessert.

M - Full body, light carbonation, rich & smooth, creamy finish.

O - Really nice beer that's aged gracefully over the last (almost) 3 years. The sweetness & booze are perfect right now and I suggest opening this one now if you have it. Recommend.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 17:45:11 | More by Sean9689

ThatWineGuy

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've had two of these stored for a while now, both capable of aging to 2015 according to the labels. Decided to crack one open today while watching the Euro Cup of soccer. Opaque, tar, inky blackness with a one cm. mocha-brown head that never completely left the surface of the Maudite glass. Nose was rich with chocolate biscotti notes and tree bark, a musty earthiness that wafted out in layers that were alternatively enticing and alarming.

Big heavy duty taste, dark chocolate and expresso, cocoa and licorice, sweeter as it aired with a spicy backdrop of anise and white pepper. This is not for the meek and mild but a wonderful taste sensation for the seasoned beer drinker, an assault on the senses, unabashed imbibing now but likely much better as 2015 approaches. How lucky I have one to hold back and compare as the date approaches.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 20:26:49 | More by ThatWineGuy

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally the moment of truth has arrived! Black Damnation is a blend with the use of Hel & Verdoemenis from Brouwerij De Molen. This is the first of the series. Poured from .33cl bottle into sampler glass at a tasting. Pours black with a beautiful brown head that lasts throughout very well. Aromas of figs, booze, roasted malt, and sweet chocolate. Flavor of black fig, brown sugar, and booze. Medium mouthfeel, some sediments lying at the bottom. Definitely good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 17:37:07 | More by CuriousMonk

seancake

Belgium

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

04-06-2012 14:45:40 | More by seancake

bmur112

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

03-21-2012 11:51:20 | More by bmur112

BMart

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.3%

03-07-2012 02:55:22 | More by BMart

Beezee

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.3%

02-18-2012 05:56:04 | More by Beezee

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Flat, deep black body, only the faintest traces of foam.

S: Roasted malts with hints of mocha, chocolate, charcoal and brown sugar.

T: Similar to the nose in that there a fair number of components but they are rather mild and not particularly assertive compared to other representatives of the style.

M: Smooth, lightly carbonated, some bitterness in the finish, medium to full bodied.

O: A nice stout that ultimately fails to "wow" despite an enjoyable flavor profile.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 05:59:39 | More by callmemickey

lbour

Texas

5/5  rDev +19.6%

02-06-2012 22:40:59 | More by lbour