1554 Enlightened Black Ale - New Belgium Brewing

metter98

New York

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is very dark amber in color (close to near black) and poured with a two finger high off white head that slowly died down and left a tick ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass as well as lacing down the edges. No carbonation is evident in the form of rising bubbles.
S: There are light aromas of chocolaty malts in the nose. The smell isn't very strong, even after the beer warms up.
T: Moderate flavors of chocolate malts dominate the overall taste, although it's somewhat one dimensional because no traces of bitterness from the hops are perceptible. The chocolate flavors intensify as the beer warms up, but never become very strong.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied, silky smooth and quite creamy on the palate. There is a light to moderate amount of carbonation. The finish has a hint of dryness.
D: The beer is very drinkable because it has a low amount of alcohol and isn't filling at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 03:38:04 | More by metter98

TargaFlorio

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

06-17-2013 23:56:49 | More by TargaFlorio

aProtagonist

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

06-17-2013 05:16:37 | More by aProtagonist

linnymtu

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

06-16-2013 16:02:30 | More by linnymtu

Riik3

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

06-16-2013 01:42:57 | More by Riik3

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

06-15-2013 04:30:52 | More by hollywood_15063

carlitosbronson1

California

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

06-14-2013 15:28:26 | More by carlitosbronson1

VictorWisc

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.6%

06-14-2013 07:24:15 | More by VictorWisc

chuckgfk

Alaska

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

06-14-2013 02:58:29 | More by chuckgfk

casapy

Idaho

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

06-13-2013 23:52:54 | More by casapy

doremite

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

06-13-2013 22:50:29 | More by doremite

djre4orm

Virginia

3/5  rDev -22.3%

06-13-2013 20:03:56 | More by djre4orm

MadScientist

New York

4.14/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: A creamy, tan head that leave fine lacing on the glass with good retention. A dark brown beer with good clarity.

S: A lightly fruity and spicy, yeast aroma with a medium-low chocolate and coffee notes. A low earthy hop aroma and a light malt sweetness.

T: A smooth, medium chocolate and coffee malt flavor with some malt sweetness in the middle balanced by an equal hops bitterness. A light earthy hops flavor. There are light fruit esters of plum and apricot with a mild spice flavors, mostly a black pepper, maybe a bit all-spice like. The balance is a about even but the beer is fairly dry on the whole with a dry finish.

M: A medium-full bodied beer with a medium level of carbonation. A cool crispness to the body.

O: There is a lot of porter character in this beer with a light Belgian-like twist which made a lot more sense when I read that the yeast is handled like a Steam Beer by fermenting a lager yeast at higher temperatures. A hard to place beer but hard to forget, I've been looking forward to another bottle of this for almost four years.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 02:08:11 | More by MadScientist

JF1917

Georgia

4/5  rDev +3.6%

06-13-2013 00:55:44 | More by JF1917

JMUbrewz

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

06-12-2013 19:40:12 | More by JMUbrewz

Aliano

California

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

06-09-2013 19:30:43 | More by Aliano

neckbeered

Montana

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

06-09-2013 16:01:35 | More by neckbeered

Neverwhere

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

06-09-2013 07:05:54 | More by Neverwhere

C3likesbeer

California

3.63/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours with a nice head and is ark reddish brown in the glass. Has a thin head that fades quickly.

S- Malty and roasty with chocolate and caramel.

T-- Sweet malty with some caramel and chocolate nice solid beery finish.

O- - Solid Belgian dark ale. Not outstanding but pretty darn good.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 01:10:25 | More by C3likesbeer

oak1971

Wisconsin

3.99/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I struggle to find beers that agree with me, but 1554 has become a favorite. Not knocking hoppy beers but I prefer a more malty, creamy brew. 1554 delivers a creamy, malty, chocolate mouthgasim that keeps me heading back for more. It's very smooth and I get no objectionable aftertaste, just a pleasant reminder of its flavors. I may be a noob and beer sissy, but 1554 just plain works for me. I usually drink it right out of the bottle, but I have obtained some pint glasses of late and it seems to bring out more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 01:06:07 | More by oak1971

shamrok

Germany

4/5  rDev +3.6%

06-09-2013 00:52:59 | More by shamrok

itracy63

Alaska

4/5  rDev +3.6%

06-08-2013 04:32:52 | More by itracy63

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

06-08-2013 02:58:46 | More by ygtbsm94

claspada

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.6%

06-08-2013 00:27:48 | More by claspada

jngrizzaffi

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

06-07-2013 04:37:01 | More by jngrizzaffi