"Shabadoo" Black & Tan Ale - Berkshire Brewing Company Inc.

Jason

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz brown bomber with a purchase before freshness date on the label.

Appearance: Deep hazy brown, tiny bubble creamy lace clings to the glass like a champ. Rings all the way down.

Smell: Sweet malty aroma, splash of vanilla … creamed coffee?

Taste & Mouthfeel: So creamy smooth, malty on the palate. The sprinkle of hop bitterness leaves a faded hop flavour. A ghost like steely malt flavour middle to end, the line between roasted and toasted malt is blurred in this brew. Ends up sweet in the end with an underlying toasted maltiness to hold thing together.

Notes: This has to be the best bottled black and tan I have had to date. So drinkable and the 6.3% abv is not noticeable at all. Very versatile, have it around for game time as a session brew or pair it with a chocolate dessert. Either way this one is a winner in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2004 01:19:53 | More by Jason

Todd

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served out of a 1pt 6oz brown bomber bottle.

Tawny brown in colour, ruby edges and topped with a beige head that's creamy, firm, slightly sticky and retains very well. Big malty nose, fruity, touch of over-ripe pineapple -- pleasant aroma.

Quite the malty sweet brew, with an backbone that reminds me of chocolate-coated malted milk balls. Deep fruity flavours; tropical with some distinct honey dew melon popping out in a juicy kind of way. Tight, sharp-ish carbonation cuts the palate and allows the hops the break thru cleanly with its leaf, cheese, wood and earth notes; also a mild splash of citrus thrown into the mix. Slight oxidation in this sample with obvious wet paper flavours (the month is matked on the bottle, but not the year). Finish is a bit dry, with some residual hop flavour and feel.

Personally, I don't know how you can bottle and label something as a "black & tan"? -- it lacks the skillful pour and visible seperation achieved at bars. This aside I found the offering to be very drinkable, smooth, malty and leaning towards the sweet side -- like their other brews.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2003 00:17:41 | More by Todd

rab53

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-21-2013 01:17:08 | More by rab53

woodchipper

Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev -28.8%

04-16-2013 16:31:34 | More by woodchipper

Celtics76

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

03-18-2013 17:51:48 | More by Celtics76

whatsgoody

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

03-06-2013 03:45:21 | More by whatsgoody

DCav

3/5  rDev -22.3%

02-28-2013 01:49:49 | More by DCav

Wishdiak

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +3.6%

02-02-2013 03:29:15 | More by Wishdiak

vonnegut21

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

01-10-2013 14:46:30 | More by vonnegut21

slyons16

4/5  rDev +3.6%

12-17-2012 04:24:25 | More by slyons16

Horbar

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

12-13-2012 04:14:24 | More by Horbar

rlcnmeyer

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

12-02-2012 22:17:30 | More by rlcnmeyer

braican

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

11-28-2012 02:16:02 | More by braican

nquigley16

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.6%

10-28-2012 16:09:00 | More by nquigley16

NOLANDMAN

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

10-27-2012 04:56:42 | More by NOLANDMAN

Mikeynas

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

10-20-2012 23:40:16 | More by Mikeynas

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-Pours brown with crimson highlights. Head is tan and doughy. Head retains very well too. Light strings of lacing are left by the dense head. Body is also quite clear.

S-Nose is surprisingly smoky. The Pale Ale and Porter both come out in the nose as well. Lightly chalky with plenty of breadiness and darker tastiness. Virtually no hoppiness. Well fruited. Sweet all the way.

T-Pleasant. Starts off Porter then the Pale kicks in. Also there is a light, airy grassy hoppiness Lightly chalky and sweet with a hint of smoke. Toasted bread with more residual sweetness. Toffee and coffee. I think the Porter shows up a bit more in the aroma.

M-Medium bodied with a softer, buzzing carbonation. A bit syrupy. Drinks easily enough. Very light bitterness.

O/D-Decent. As far as a Black & Tan goes, this one is pretty legit. But its still nothing to fawn over. Just a mostly sweet brew with both Porter and Pale characteristics. Wouldn't buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 23:45:49 | More by VelvetExtract

rderedin

Maine

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

09-22-2012 21:53:08 | More by rderedin

Jeffreytmoore

5/5  rDev +29.5%

09-10-2012 01:16:41 | More by Jeffreytmoore

RMoeNay

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

09-01-2012 12:37:21 | More by RMoeNay

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Nice ruby red-brown with a big, foamy, off-white head. Good lace and retention.

S: Malty, smoky, fruity, with a hint of hops.

T: Everything I expected from reading the description on the bottle. The best of their Pale Ale and Porter. Great hop presence up front with a slightly sweet, malty finish.

M: Highly delicious and drinkable.

O: My first of the style but I imagine it's at the top of the list. Well done beer that's fresh, fun and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 21:49:16 | More by Gatch

Yallnumbskulls

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

07-28-2012 02:43:18 | More by Yallnumbskulls

Jduperre

4/5  rDev +3.6%

07-28-2012 01:32:11 | More by Jduperre

gleeky99

4/5  rDev +3.6%

07-27-2012 21:09:58 | More by gleeky99

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

07-21-2012 02:14:35 | More by DrunkinYogi