Holy Mackerel Mack In Black - Gordash Brewing Company

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

2.6/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue VI:

So we are dealing with a straight up extreme beer here. Not only is it fermented with pomegranate juice, but this is also an Imperial Black Ale.

Yeah, it's black and it does don an OK lace. Decent head retention, thin tan lacing seems to hold its own long enough to get by. Slight tart note in the aroma from the fermented pomegranate and dark malt, vague chocolate as well. At second whiff there is a mild butter and ester tone in the nose. Pomegranate leaves an odd tartness which melds with the slight roast to form a mild astringent-like flavor. Hops are minimal and let the alcoholic esters and malt sweetness run rampant. The alcohol does reach higher with a quick flash of solvent that comes off as rose-like. Dries with an astringent, burnt flavor that the palate just can't shake.

While we appreciate the concept of going down the road of "extreme," Mack In Black seems to miss its mark with throwing balance and drinkability totally out the window.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2010 13:43:51 | More by BeerAdvocate

Satsuma

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%

06-09-2013 02:25:30 | More by Satsuma

cyrushire

Florida

2.5/5  rDev -28%

05-18-2013 05:31:57 | More by cyrushire

Durge

Connecticut

3.21/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Well, my 12-ounce bottle states the brewery as being Thomas Creek of South Carolina, and the label is a little different than the one shown here. But my research doesn't come up with much evidence and it doesn't seem worth distinguishing any differences here. So, it pours a deep, opaque black color with a giant head of tan foam that settles to a solid layer, but minimal lacing. The aroma emits a pleasant fruit malt idea, perhaps hinting of the alleged pomegranate. The flavor is somewhat striking but also difficult to describe. There is very little of the familiar malt characteristics I expect from something labeled a black ale, especially an imperial black ale. There's a boozy fruit idea, again, arguably pomegranate and apple, that seems to fight with the slightly chocolate malt base. It just doesn't blend well. It's medium bodied with a smooth initial feel but the soda-like fizziness takes over and ends with an unfriendly result that includes some chalkiness. The aftertaste is similarly poor with an odd vegetable-like bite and evidence of some alcohol. Disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 03:00:39 | More by Durge

NWCraftman

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%

04-10-2013 01:50:36 | More by NWCraftman

Boilerfood

Indiana

3/5  rDev -13.5%

03-22-2013 00:53:43 | More by Boilerfood

ThinkAgain

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -13.5%

03-21-2013 01:08:51 | More by ThinkAgain

StJamesGate

New York

3.71/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Fast-fleeing beige head over streams of bubbles and chocolate black body.
Treacle, ash and black pine resin underneath.
Milk chocolate and figs, then oily orange peel and pine hops - but not much.
Berry finish and sweet roasty linger.
Smooth, chewy, fizzy.

Mistaken in thinking that "Imperial Black" meant CDA - this is very much more black than hoppy. Can't say I get pomegranate or Belgian yeast and also too lively and thin.

Good but not great.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 11:19:44 | More by StJamesGate

Ranz

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +8.1%

03-09-2013 04:48:19 | More by Ranz

Rainblows

Illinois

3.56/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Part of a trade from Florida not available in my area. Amazing, lasting head formed when I poured from bottle into my Solemn Oath (Naperville, IL) tulip.

Opaque reddish black with a dark tan head. No lacing. A lot of malty chocolatey notes and not a ton of hops. A decent imperial black but I was really hoping to taste more pomegranate.. it becomes just barely noticeable after warming to near room temp. Maybe fresh? Or aged? In any case I would drink it again so, above average.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 20:41:05 | More by Rainblows

CMOrak

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%

02-22-2013 00:54:55 | More by CMOrak

ryser2k

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -13.5%

02-16-2013 14:57:01 | More by ryser2k

Thedrizzle

Florida

2.75/5  rDev -20.7%

02-16-2013 00:13:51 | More by Thedrizzle

DmanGTR

New York

4.5/5  rDev +29.7%

02-02-2013 21:27:43 | More by DmanGTR

tjsmith910

Florida

3/5  rDev -13.5%

01-23-2013 02:24:12 | More by tjsmith910

afluentturtle

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +8.1%

01-18-2013 04:21:32 | More by afluentturtle

iemailjack

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%

01-08-2013 03:40:06 | More by iemailjack

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at the Mack House, Davie, FL

They seemed to indicate this was a IBA/ABA/CDA, but whatever. Solid black pour into a Mack House goblet, a finger or so of foamy tan head that never completely dissipated, and left a bit of lacing on the glass. Aroma of chocolate malts, a tad roasty and leathery, hints of pine needles and dark fruit. Dark malts up front in the taste, complimented by notes of dark chocolate and coffee, a touch of resinous hops, and a well-defined pomegranate finish that left a slightly bitter aftertaste to offset the otherwise unexpected smoothness of the beer. Body was medium, if this was indeed a CDA, it was one of the most mellow I've had as far as hops/bitterness goes. A good drinker overall, though it seems that "fresh and on tap" is the way to go with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 21:43:44 | More by Rifugium

kylehay2004

Florida

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Three finger tan head reminiscent of a root beer float on a jet black body. Aroma of brown sugar, candy sugar, roasted malts, chili peppers and chocolate. Flavors of roasted malt, dark chocolate, coffee beans, candy sugar. Oily thick body and moderate carbonation. Dark fruit notes include plum, raisins and prunes. Not too bad. Good flavors but they seem disorganized. Worth trying as it seems u will either love it or find it not too memorable.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 01:34:02 | More by kylehay2004

jmathis

Florida

2/5  rDev -42.4%

12-27-2012 21:39:16 | More by jmathis

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

3/5  rDev -13.5%

12-17-2012 09:11:00 | More by grahamboudreaux

justinm4bama

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%

12-09-2012 22:07:42 | More by justinm4bama

ShakaShakaShaka

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%

11-26-2012 01:24:04 | More by ShakaShakaShaka

SLeffler27

New York

3.48/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours very dark brown and is essentially black within a Cisco fisheye pint glass. A slight chestnut head quickly dissipates, leaving minimal spotty lacing.

Sweet chocolate syrup with some roasted malt and molasses in the background. Sweetness is overwhelming, however, fresh raspberries can be found.

Overly sweet and overbearing up front, with berry juice, possibly pomegranate, followed by chocolate and some plums in the late, bitter finish. Also found cocoa powder.

The silky texture and medium body contain controlled alcohol and light carbonation.

This was a fine one-off beer, however, recommended for dessert. While it warms well, it is clearly better cold. This bottle aged three years.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:40:21 | More by SLeffler27

toofdoc

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I had the great pleasure of enjoying this brew with Bobby Gordash in his new tasting room. Was served on tap, which is hard to come by.

A - nice rich black with mild to moderate head retention and fairly tight lacing.

Smell - this I say would be one of the weak points of this brew. You get an acidic smell which isn't exactly pleasurable from the Pom juice.

Taste - nice nice coffee foward with hints of chocolate. The Pom juice really balances out this brew, but may be a niche because not everyone will enjoy its slight bite and acidity.

M - again, I like the acidity, but most will be looking for that typical creamy feel, not gonna get it here.

O - I loved it. It's very unique and enjoyalble. I suggest having it on tap in thier tasting room, much better than the bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 14:16:18 | More by toofdoc