Contraband - Black Market Brewing Co.

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

Pours a clear dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, roasted nuts, and some burnt caramel aromas. Taste is much the same with a mild amount of roasty bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with some nice aromas and a tasty flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2012 00:19:11 | More by UCLABrewN84

womencantsail

California

3.58/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The pour is a clear golden color. Sweet bread, a little bit of toast, toffee, a bit of nutty maltiness on the nose. Taste is a little bit sweet, toasted malt, nutty, and maybe some bread. There’s a bit of yeast, and very minimal hop flavor. Just sort of sweet without that much really going on.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 19:57:21 | More by womencantsail

mactrail

California

4.05/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at California Kebab in Pacific Beach. Dark amber color with a modest foam in the big nonic glass. Pleasant carbonation though not outstanding.

The really nice spicy and hoppy flavor greets you. Lower alcohol, but the maltiness seems quite full. Loads of taste including a nice sweet malty taste that provides a gteat balance with the hops. Very full of aromatic flavors, more flowery but with a touch of pine. Great example of assertive hop flavors without the bitter burden. Fabulously drinkable and I think this would please the "session IPA" enthusiast. Brewer claims 42 IBU with "multiple Northern Brewer hop additions."

Definitely the best I've had in this blurry style, though Contraband would score well in other categories, like Red/Amber, whatever yeast they use.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 00:20:17 | More by mactrail