All Black - Allgates Brewery

pallison123

4.63/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had a couple pints at served up by the experts at The Anvil in Wigan town center in July 2012.

A rich, dark ale in the Nouveau-Mild style. I call it this because of all the English Styles, Mild has been given extra love from craft brewers in the UK; extending the style by introducing richness without straying too far from the traditional dry, low octane, easy drinking session beer.

The look and feel of the pint were excellent. Deep rich black tones articulated by tan, half-inch marshmallowey head.

Sweet, malty notes in the nose.

The 'New Zealand hops' drew my attention for the fact that NZ doesn't have a reputation as a great beer producing nation - at least that I'm aware of. I searched out the hops in my first few sips and didn't need to look too far - the beer has a bright, bitter hop taste right up front. A nice addition the Dark Mild style.

The chocolaty malts followed right up through the finish creating a nice balance to the bright hops. The malts, I might add, had a milk-chocolate flavour more than a dark-chocolate flavour making this a really more-ish pint.

Well done and highly recommended.

Serving type: cask

08-12-2012 21:40:50 | More by pallison123

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brewed with New Zealand hops, and replaced Mild at Heart in June 2010 after being part of a limited run.

Pours very dark brown, almost black with a very thin, cream coloured head. The scent is of rich, roasted malts, dark chocolate coffee.

Light bitterness in the taste, with definite roasted malts, coffee and faint chocolate. Classic dark mild, but almost bordering on the porter.

Very smooth mouthfeel, very low carbonation. Rich taste and low ABV make this a great session beer.

Serving type: cask

11-08-2011 17:23:44 | More by BDTyre