Allagash Black - Allagash Brewing Company

donniecuffs

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is one of if not the best example of an American-made Belgian dark ale I have ever tried..

A: The name says it all. Very dark brown/black, with a tan head.

S: Malty, chocolatey, spicy, etc, etc, etc..this bouquet is amazing.

T: All of the aromas you pick up initially, certainly come to fruition when you take your first sip. Full-flavored, and nicely balanced between start and finish. Warm yet not overpowering aftertaste.

M/D: Velvet on the tongue. Full-bodied, yet easy to drink. Tiptoes the line between one-off and session beer. Surprising for such a high-alcohol beer.

This review was written based on my cask tasting, but since then I have had a regular tapping as well as many 750ml bottle pours. All were/are fantastic. One of my personal favorite beers, of which I have several now aging in my basement.

Serving type: cask

08-18-2009 17:56:39 | More by donniecuffs

YouSkeete

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Very dark brown, practically black. Nice tan colored head with weak retention. Lots of lacing.

S: Fresh roasted coffee malts, both bittersweet dark and milk chocolate, with some hints of dark candied fruit, wood, and Belgian yeast.

T: First of all, huge malt profile. Amazing roasted coffee and semisweet chocolate flavors. Astounding. There is just enough earthy Belgian yeast to balance the body from a stout to a Belgian style. Fresh oats, barley and the Belgian yeast enhance the malt flavor in the body even more. Smoked wood is present, along with the dark fruits such as grapes and pomegranates. Beautiful coffee flavored aftertaste.

M: Malty, sweet and bitter. A fantastic balance of flavor. Medium body with high carbonation.

D: If this were just a teensy bit less carbonated, i would call this a perfect brew. Still an A in my book though, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 00:28:50 | More by YouSkeete

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.88/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750 ML corked & caged bottle > Chimay Goblet

This is a very dark brown color, not opaque with only a bit of ruby red light popping through the top. The crown is a swirly, creamy mocha color rising 2" with a classic fluffy cap. dissipates pretty fast even with the lively carbonation. The center of the crown is very bubbly and remains so.

The aroma is simply wonderful. Sweet malt complexity with chocolate cocoa mix, chai tea, Hershey's chocolate, honey, brown suagr, peanutbutter and then comes the extreme fruitiness! blackberries and boysenberries up-front that's gentle and very inticing. There's tangy, wild hop like earthiness to round it out.

This Belgian-style stout has a very lively and crisp feel that is classicly Belgian but with the massive malt complexity it really is very smooth going down. I'm loving the bold flavor's of a stout with the luxurious feel of a Strong-Dark Belgian ale. Flavor's range from big, ripe dark fruits and berries to mild and sweet milk chocolate, brown sugar, and malted milk balls. The wonderful balance between the chocolate and sweet fruity flavor's is only enhanced when the spicey, earthy hops kick in right at the end with the well-hidden 7.5% abv heat. No trace of bitterness in this stout. Think Belgian Strong Dark ale meets Obsidian Stout. amazingly complex, yet easy to drink.

We have a winner! unique with a perfect balance, complexity is off the charts...I just don't want to see it end!!

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2008 23:33:49 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

tayner

Arizona

4.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750 ml corked and caged. popped loudly when de-corked.

Poured into my Kuhnhenn tulip glass. Poured an almost opaque dark brown with a 1 inch tan head that settled to a thick rink with some floating foam and tons of nice lacing. Very nice looking!

Smells of belgian yeast, bready, and roasted malt. smells sweet.

This one has all of my favorite things. The funky bready belgian yeast flavor, the roasted (but not burnt) malty flavor of a good porter or medium bodied stout, and enough earthy, peppery hops to make it finish dry and clean. Not sure what else i could ask for.

This one is medium bodied, plenty of carbonation, and dry-ish finish.. nearly perfect here too.

I am not sure where the 7.5% is, i cant taste it or smell it. I think it will find me at the bottom of the 750 since i will have no problems finishing this by myself. This is one i could session easily, and really enjoy doing it, if i was not driving. I dont know what the hype factor was, but this is A+ for me. I wish i had a case of this.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2008 02:21:37 | More by tayner

spicyvelveetas

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed this beer thoroughly. From the very first sip to the last. Served on tap from British Beer Co. in Westford MA

Definitely one of my favorite Allagash brews. Possibly top ten overall.

Belgian styles are always a favorite and to have the dark dark strength of this black makes it something special.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2011 17:32:09 | More by spicyvelveetas

dbONE

California

4.78/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A nice dark coffee color spills out of the corked belgian bottle producing a wonderfull deep tan head that resiansates to whipped cream and the reseeds to droplets atop the the oil slick in the glass.
Black malt attacks the nose with burnt toast, herbs and dried fruit.
The palette is next in line for the assault for the burnt toast with a fade into vanilla, sweet coco and a malty caramel moca blast.
Some bitter chocolate is present through the palette.
The mouth feel is like an espresso with carbonation and a beer flavor.
Comes out dry and sweet with an after taste that makes you wish you were drinking from a bottomless glass.
THE HAS EASILY MOVED INTO THE BEST 5 BEERS I HAVE EVER HADE! A MUST TO TRY!

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2008 03:23:42 | More by dbONE

Brianbosox

North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

OMG, this kick ass. I dunno if I can explain it, so just go get it. Here's a try: black beer, full body, really flavorful, little carbonation, huge taste that stays on your palate.

Why are you still reading this review? Go get some of this beer!

Thanks for reading this luddite review. Enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 22:05:26 | More by Brianbosox

ccrida

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into my Delirium snifter, Black is black, with a dense tan head that leaves heavy lace.

Smell is deep, dark fruit, milk chocolate, roasty, a berry like vinousness.

Taste is very rich and complex. Boozy roast, nice dark fruit esters, oaky notes, minty hop snap, fantastic balance, wow, I'm really impressed. A true masterpiece. As it opens, the esters really come out and say the balance from the stout to the Belgian side, getting better and better with every sip. I think this is a saison yeast , I love the fruits. Not sure I've given many, if any other beers a 5, to style primarily or otherwise, out of over 800.

Mouthfeel is exceptional, very silky smooth, great viscosity.

Drinkability is high, in that this is a fantastic beer. With exceptional depth, it's not one to drink with anything but a revered appreciation. Tempered by its limited availability and price, it's nevertheless absolutely worth seeking out. A benchmark for the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 21:59:34 | More by ccrida

Backer2004

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

mmm boy. Never wanted to spend the $$ on this one, but if I see it again ina store, i'll pay the price. This was part of a beer dinner at the Charlotte Liberty Gastropub. Enjoyed this as part of a second course, with Cocoa Nib Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna with Braised Pork"Sheppard's Pie" and Irish Rose Potato-Herbed Goat Cheese Crust. I'm not sure I undertood the pairing, but by itself, this was world class. Nice subtle fruit notes, very easy to consume, and a solid medium body. Will get this again

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2010 02:00:45 | More by Backer2004

SnowGoon99

Maine

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Serving type: bottle, poured into pint glass.

First off the appearance of this beer is what you expect from the name but not of a Belgian Strong Dark. More of a stout type color.

Aroma was amazing. Slight roasted notes but also estery notes from the yeast.

Taste matched the aroma. The balance was right on for the type of beer it is. The roastiness was subdued but was detectable. The belgian qualities were also subdued but were more apparent than the roastiness. It made you want to drink more. Mouthfeel was creamy but was cut a little by the carbonation.

Overall a perfectly balanced beer that i could see would improve even more so on oak. The only criticism i have is the carbonation but it can be easily overlooked. Could drink a lot of this.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 15:34:07 | More by SnowGoon99

JCellars

California

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from 750mL btl into Duvel tulip at 45-50 degrees.

Nice two finger head with a dark black color on the beer as well as a dark amber hue. Good retention, little lacing.

Aromas of plums, figs, grapes, roast grain, espresso, yeasty black bread notes, a dark earthiness, and a subtle dark chocolate undertone.

The toasty, espresso flavors linger onto the palate with ripe fruit showing up as well. Subtle fig, vanilla, cocoa that swirl with the rich, opulent, creaminess of this superb beer. Excellent, silky finish. I honestly don't know how you could improve this beer. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 08:45:09 | More by JCellars

alaimoa

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a nice black with thick lacing that remains on the glass for a while. Smells of cocoa and coffee with slight date/cherry in the background. Mouthfeel isn't too thick but very silky which coats the palate well and lingers with the coffee and chocolate notes being perfect on the initial sip and aftertaste. Definitely a wonderful beer for a chilly night but sneaky on the alcohol content which you don't taste.
Overall: one of my favorites, cocoa/chocolate/silky

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2013 13:13:31 | More by alaimoa

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-About a 1" tan head on a black body.
S- Lots of spices, some banana, roasted malts, clove, grass hops, and just a touch of alcohol.
T- Big roast character with lots of spices to really help liven it up. Even just a hint of chocolate under some banana. Nice dry finish with cloves, chocolate, and burnt malt all staying around for the aftertaste. Alcohol is very well hidden in this.
M- Medium to full body with low to medium carbonation.
D- Think this is an excellent Belgian Stout. I couldn't imagine a better depiction of this style.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2008 06:40:22 | More by BlindPig

BraveUlysses

Massachusetts

4.72/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Delicious. Pours very dark, with a bit of a reddish tint in the glass. Aroma is mostly coffee with some hint of Belgian yeast. Taste is rick and complex: a strong coffee flavor (I can taste roasted malts) and some fantastic dark chocolate undertones. There's some bitterness at the end...the hops are represented as well. This beer has a nice middle-ground carbonation and a wonderful mouthfeel. Not at all syrupy like an imperial stout, but plenty of body to give this a very full mouth experience. Once again, delicious.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2010 02:20:03 | More by BraveUlysses

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Bob from Bellakus for this fine gift. Shared w/ tenderbranson69, decanted at cellar temp into a goblet.

A - As close to black as deep brown gets w/ a band of 2 fingers high of light tan head w/ A pin sized bead. The lace is moderate and sticks well to the glass.

S - Spicy aromas w/ dark malt and coffee. Subtle cocoa and tobacco w/ hints of mellow woody hops.

M - Gentle woody feel w/ acrid roasted malt bitterness. Spicy Belgian yeast and touches of creamy sweet textures round out the feel.

T - Coffee-like, earthy and citrusy w/ bitter bean tastes. Starts off w/ peppery notes w/ toasted grain and subtle molasses-like dark candy sugar flavors. The taste is seemless w/ nice roasted and slightly burned biscuity notes-creamy in the finish like a stout w/ yeasty complexity that you expect from a dark Belgian ale or wit w/ lively nuances.

D - Love it! Could go on drinking this for hours if only I had a few more to share. It has comfort beer flavor w/ sweet dark malt, spice and a hint of warming alcohol that makes it an all around nice quaff. It reminds me of Hell hath no fury slightly and my own Zwartbier which is based on 1554 Belgian black ale. I recommend this if you like dark belgians or just want to try something new.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2008 20:15:52 | More by Slatetank

cleanneon98

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bought a 750ml bottle at Cold Springs in Yardley PA for IIRC $15.

Appearance: nice dark tone, didn't pay much attention to that since I enjoyed drinking it oh so much.

Smell: to me, it smelled like sweet canned corn, it's really unlike any beer I've had before, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Had a strong aroma as soon as I opened the bottle, in fact I liked the smell so much that I didn't wash the bottle for a few weeks after drinking so I could enjoy sniffing it

Taste: much like it's smell, it had a taste of sweet corn. it was my first beer of that kind so I can't compare it to others of similar brew but it was very good for me. Don't think this is a corn smoothie though, it still tastes like a good beer just with hints of corn.

Mouthfeel: don't really remember but it was nothing notably bad so I gave it a 4.5, simply because it's not the notable best that I've ever had.

Drinkability: I realy enjoyed it because of it's unique to me taste. A few friends and I finished the bottle fairly quickly.

Will definately get this again and I suggest you do too!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 13:48:26 | More by cleanneon98

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.68/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Comes out of the tap a deep opaque sable with a fairly thick tan head - very appetizing. Aroma is like well-roasted mocha and has just a hint of caramel. Flavor is rich and "stouty" - smoky with strong coffee and unsweetened chocolate components - and has just a touch of sweetness. Finish is smooth and very pleasing. A winner!

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2008 01:31:51 | More by Cyberkedi

ajhod

Nova Scotia (Canada)

4.65/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was an unusual and EXCELLENT beer.

Consumed from wine glasses, poured out of a 750ml corked bottle.

Pours, thick and creamy, nice caramel coloured head-which lingers nicely.

Colour is black...as the label suggests...when held to the light, very dark garnet shows around the edges.

Aroma is good, a bit Belgian in characteristic, roasty notes pronounced.

The taste is exceptional. Everything I love about Belgian yeast strains, fruity and wild, with everything i crave in a dark beer-roasted coffee and chocolate notes.

Mouthfeel is heavy, but appropriate considering the high ABV.

Exceptionally drinkable, but high ABV makes it a special occasion beer for me. Excellent with dark chocolate and white chocolate with dried cherries.

Drink this beer after dinner on a cold night with a friend. I can't wait to get back to the US to get more of this!

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2010 18:17:35 | More by ajhod

dbexpert

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Let's just say WHOA!

A. Black, dark with a huge luscious head, that starts off 2" thick in a 25cl tulip glass. The head reduces to a solid 1/4-1/2" thick and holds leaving solid lacing. Appearence=WOW!

S. Aromas of smoke come first with sweet notes of chocolate followed by fresh brewed dark roast.

T. Flavors explode following first sip. Mirroring the nose, subtle coffee notes followed by milk chocolate hints. Creamier than expected, but definitly not a milk stout creamy, almost a more sweet finish.

M. Tight, small carbonation allows for a balanced dleivery of the flavor profile with out interference. At 7.5% ABV. I expected more obtrusion but it is quite subtle.

D. Definitly could drink pint after pint of this brew, responsibly though! I now have a new task, to find Allagash Black on draft.

PS. Guiness has alot to learn!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2009 23:57:33 | More by dbexpert

beyah

Maine

4.63/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours black body with a finger of greyish foam and nice lacing .

S - Aroma is very roast centered.

T - Chocolate and roasted malt is overpowering at 1st, but this beer gets dramatically better each sip. This is like Guinness on Steroids, more alcohol and stronger roast flavor. The Belgian yeast is way in the background.

M - Mouthfeel is smooth without being slick, carbonation is perfect.

O - 1 is good 2 is better, this is an imperial stout in hiding, really good choice for a cool Fall day or during the cold Maine Winters.

I'll get this one again.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 01:53:14 | More by beyah

Mosstrooper

California

4.6/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750ml bottle into Chimay chalice.

Appearance: Unsurprisingly, pours black in color with a medium brown head that dissipates fairly quickly and leaves behind a few tiny spots of lace.

Smell: Roasted malt and bittersweet chocolate dominate, with some grape and orange peel aromas as well.

Taste: Chocolatey throughout with some slightly bitter hop and roasted notes toward the end, leaving a bit of a white rice with soy sauce on it aftertaste in the throat. A dash of licorice and sweet bread round off the beer's complexity.

Mouthfeel: Full in body with balanced, full carbonation and a dryish finish.

Overall: An excellent beer. A lot like a stout, but it clearly isn't- I don't know exactly what category it fits into. Still, this is very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 22:55:18 | More by Mosstrooper

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.6/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Review from 6/2011 notes. Poured into a Black Raven pint glass. Pours a very dark red brown amber with a two finger light tan head and light lacing. Nice aroma of cocoa, coffee, dark malt and dark fruit. Flavorful dark and roasted malt, dark fruits, cocoa; almost like a spiked malted milk. Belgian yeast and spicing is present and well integrated. Slight hop kick at the finish. A complex, great tasting ale or stout with a very nice flavor progression. Medium to creamy body. Impressive.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 22:13:30 | More by LiquidAmber

rwrk42

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pour: A dark brown almost black with a nice tan head.
Smell: A sweet malty smell with faint chocolate and coffee aromas.
Taste: Extremely smooth. Roasted Malt flavors with some caramel, coffee, chocolate and faint spice.
One of my favorites from Allagash and I highly recommend

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 02:36:46 | More by rwrk42

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle bought somewhere localish in MA recently. Corked and caged.

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed a 1" tan head over the almost opaque dark brown brew. Frothy head lasts well, with ample amounts of delicate lacing. Aroma is delicate dark grains, with a touch of fruitiness. Taste is lightly of dark malt, roasty and sweet, goes a bit spicy in the middle, and then closes so smoothly you wonder where it went. Mouthfeel is amazing, and drinkability is superb. This makes me wonder if this is what a bier de garde made in the stout vein would end up like. Don't know where the alcohol is, but I'm sure it'll find me later. Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2008 01:43:52 | More by ppoitras

nickthegun12

Alabama

4.55/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

hmmmm...damn this beer is mighty fine!!!

pitch black color....with a beautiful 3 finger head that slowly fades out...and splotchy lacing...

smells of roasted malt...and chocolate....and that nice Belgian yeast finding its way through the thickness to delight your nose!...

the taste ah the taste....bitter dark chocolate....such a clean clean taste....i almost want to say the tasting and aroma hops make it to the forefront...

great feel....a bit on the dryer side....great carbonation that doesn't over power the beer...

finally a beer that i can drink with no problem by myself....this beer is not so high in alcohol...its almost a session beer but its more valuable than that!

i can't say i've ever had a finer beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 00:17:14 | More by nickthegun12