Black Sea - Goose Island Beer Co.

mdfb79

New York

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

From 01/21/13 notes. Had this on tap at the Clybourn location in Chicago.

a - Pours a deep dark mahogany brown color with two fingers of light tan head and moderate to high carbonation evident. Looks pretty nice.

s - Smells of nuts, caramel malts, toasted malts, and some roasted malts. Nice, though nothing too complex or great going on here.

t - The taste is much better than the nose, Tastes of nuts, caramel malts, toasted malts, roasted malts, peanut butter, vanilla, and some light sweet chocolate. More of a sweet peanut butter taste vs. the peanut nose; I like it quite a bit.

m - Full bodied porter and low carbonation. The body is super smooth and creamy. Very nice mouthfeel.

o - Overall a really solid baltic porter. The mouthfeel is great and I liked the sweet peanut butter and caramel in the taste. Would definitely look to have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2013 21:39:25 | More by mdfb79

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Very dark ruby red, practically pitch black. No foam to speak of, but the lacing is good.

Smell: Tons of licorice in the smell. Hints of dark fruits as well, but the zesty licorice really stands out.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Licorice, chocolate, and some dark fruit, particularly raisins. Mouthfeel starts zesty and crisp, but flattens a bit. Not quite as full-bodied as advertised.

Overall Drinkability: Definitely a tasty Baltic. Hits all the right flavor notes especially.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2013 19:04:41 | More by tjsdomer2

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Clybourn.

A: deep, dark, black color, opaque, limited head
S: deep roasted malt, almost cocoa-like with dusty/musty qualities and graininess, very nice
T: one of the best Baltic Porters I've ever tasted, well-balanced, incredibly deep roasted malt with incredible complexity
M: rounded, deep, earthy
O: a real winner

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 02:36:30 | More by wisrarebeer

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a snifter at the Clybourn brewpub.

Fun Fact: The Black Sea isn't really black. Truth. Anyway, this stuff pours a murky black-brown topped by a finger of tan foam. The nose comprises warm cocoa, brown sugar, cinnamon, mild molasses, mild roasted malts, and a light bit of coffee. The taste brings in more of the same, with more coffee and a light spruce/mint vein running through the back. The body is a straight medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, a highly enjoyable, tasty little Baltic porter. Good times.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Goose Island Clybourn, 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago

11-30-2012 21:39:24 | More by TMoney2591