Allagash Black - Allagash Brewing Company

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at Firkin.

It has been too long since I last had this stuff, so it's nice to find it on tap at my favorite haunt. It pours a straight onyx topped by a finger of khaki foam. The nose comprises light dark chocolate and very light roasted malts. Everything is too vague and ethereal to get a good read from. The taste brings in more of the same, though everything is quite stronger, and there's the added bonuses of some very light anise and a hint of a spice medley. The body is a stolid medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, despite a meek smell and a slightly thin body, this stuff ain't half bad. As the prototypical Belgian stout in the States, I can easily appreciate the effort.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 16:44:12 | More by TMoney2591

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Since I love this style, this beer had a good headstart right from the start. I wasn't disappointed. This was a tasty, slightly bitter, beer with hints of coffee and mild spices. Very easy to drink, good balance. Another quality beer from Allagash. Nice.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 18:49:24 | More by Beer-A-Lot

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.96/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell, NJ. They served it in a pint glass.

The Black was very dark. I only saw some light at the very edges of this beer. The minimal head came from some low carbonation.

Off the top I can pick up espresso and chocolate. There is also a little bit of sour. The flavor is very plentiful with the chocolate, espresso, and roastiness. You get a lot of flavor in each sip. There is some really good balance going on.

I thought this made for a very good winter sipper. I might buy more for aging in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 03:10:12 | More by ummswimmin

OCBrewin

California

4.46/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great mix of a Belgian Triple and a Smokey stout. So light that it almost feels like a schwartzbier. Fruity and phenolic, but smoke and chocolate prevail. Great overall experience.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2013 01:16:02 | More by OCBrewin

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours not quite black but damn close. Light does manages to illuminate some of the beer's body. Head is a thick, tan clump. It laces well.

S-semi-subdued. Was expecting more strength here. Definitely has a Belgian Stout aroma. You get your chocolate and your coffee but there is a noticeable Belgian yeast addition.

T-Chocolate and coffee but there is also a black licorice/anise aspect to the flavor. Also a bit charred. Definitely getting a bit of metal unfortunately.

M-Not as full as it looks. Medium-to-full but not fully full if that makes any sense. Softer carbonation. Booze masked well.

O/D-Tough to really get a grasp on this one. Had its highs and lows. This one really isn't cut out for me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 03:21:22 | More by VelvetExtract

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First time I tried this - a small sample - I didn't think much of it. But, oh, later in the week, when I decided to give it another go - oh boy! - was I astounded how very good this is.

In the glass, it looks like a Belgian ale with its silky-smooth, tight-spongy tan cream head and the gem glow of it's warm, deep, reddish-brown hue.

A little bit of alcohol first hits the nose, then a soft, sweet caramel-topped coffee aroma swirls up, gradually joined by a subtle, clean fruitiness of indiscriminate likeness.

What a rich, delectable taste! Smooth, medium-intense caramel and a lightly cake-y malt assault the palate up front and hold firm and lasting through the end, with just the right amount of delicate and soothing friction. The roasted flavor stays mostly in the background and, I believe, is a slightly muted by the Belgian yeast character.

This can come across as a dessert beer, if you wish - accompanying some vanilla ice cream, for example. It's great by itself, too. Doesn't drink heavy nor is it boozy. Very well balanced and not too much going on. Draws from the best qualities of the Belgian dark and Belgian stout styles. Looking forward to having this (over and over) again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 00:52:53 | More by Bouleboubier

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-dark brown, almost black with a thin tan head.

S-smokiness, Belgian spices, somewhat funky. All extremely faint. Can almost barely smell anything at all really.

T-comes in with a decent taste of dark spices, dark roasted cocoa, and a good smokiness. It even has somewhat of an underlying chocolate flavor to it as well. It has a good matching and long lastit after-taste.

M-medium dry carbonation with a dry finish

O-pretty good stout/dark Belgian. I'd say this is definitely more of a Belgian stout than a BSDA. The flavors aren't very strong. They're subtle and complex. A really decent beer. Something I recommend to go out and try

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 18:17:16 | More by AdamBear

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This unique brew - a "Belgian-style stout" has a pronounced charred character to it alongside that classic Belgian yeast flavor. It's got a complex nose and palate to be sure, but it is a rather odd taste that some might not be able to get behind. Me, personally, I can't drink a full 12oz. glass of this. Just not to my taste, though I also don't think this style lends itself to general drinkability. Still, I can appreciate what's going on here.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 19:27:14 | More by TheRealBigC

nebula1999

Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at DaCapo's Restaurant in Avon, CT.

Full pint served in proper stemmed Allagash glass. Nearly pitch black, with thin beige head.

Aroma is subtle for me, but has hints of cocoa, candied sugar, caramel in the nose.

Taste is phenomenal. Cocoa again, caramel, Belgian yeastiness. Some pleasant wintery spice I can't quite place. Very soft & silky with maybe a hint of oats. But the oats role here is really in the mouthfeel. Outstanding beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2012 14:51:27 | More by nebula1999

mgironta

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The brew poured with a half a finger of tan head that lingered for awhile and left lacing on the glass. The body was a deep black with no visible carbonation. The nose had a lot of roasted malts with a hint of sweetness. The taste was definitely interesting. I got some smoke and definite roasted malts with a hint of Belgian yeast at the end. The body was a moderate thickness with very low carbonation. The alcohol was also really well hidden. The finish lasted awhile with the roasted malts that were apparent in the taste. For me, I enjoyed the brew, but the roasted malts just overwhelmed everything. If I didn’t know that this was an Allagash beer, I wouldn’t be as disappointed. But, this is probably my least favorite brew from them.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2012 01:24:52 | More by mgironta

RussBecker1

3.68/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap during an allagash event at Kudu coffee house, Charleston, SC

A-Pours almost pitch black with some deep mahogany and ruby when held up to the light. Nice dirty foamed head sits high atop the brew, but appearance wise the beer seems a bit thin.

S- Pretty rich smell. The roasted malts overwhelm the nostrils which bounce between a strong hint of coffee and a slight nudge of hop bitterness.

T- A nice balance between an imperial stout and a black ale with highlights from both styles. The juxtaposition confuses the taste buds at first but is wrapped together with a beautiful coffee aftertaste that leaves you wanting more.

M-Fairly bland, neither viscousy nor crisp enough to leave much of an impression.

O-Nothing extraordinary but a nice beer that I would recommend over a variety of other allagash products

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2012 13:12:46 | More by RussBecker1

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured a massively dark brown with a three finger very light tan head that subsided to a one finger slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, roasted malt, dark fruit, wood, fruit, banana, and subtle spice. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark chocolate, roasted malt, fruit, dark fruit, wood, subtle alcohol, and subtle smoke. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. There was quite a bit going on in this one that definitely kept the senses guessing on what to expect next. The aroma on this one was definitely the highlight of this one though as it was quite inviting and very nicely balanced with a nice roastiness and fruit profile going on. The flavor wasn’t too far behind, but the dark chocolate profile going on definitely added just a touch more roastiness than was needed in my opinion. Still a solid brew that should not be ignored.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2012 18:27:59 | More by thagr81us

drabmuh

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Meridian Pint in DC, beer is black / brown with a thin weak head of tan bubbles, low retention, low carbonation. No lacing, looks OK.

Aroma is roasty with a mild yeast ester character.

Beer is medium to light in body, sweet up front, yeasty in the middle, the finish is dry and bitter from the grains, I guess this is suppose to be like a Belgian Stout? Not really enjoying it, not a repeat.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 18:23:59 | More by drabmuh

chinchill

South Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Clear black with a touch of brown at the edges. Small tan head reduces fast to a partial coat, but there's enough carbonation to produce some lacing.

A fruity, yeasty aroma that's more like a hefeweizen than expected. Flavor is a cross between a Belgian PA and a wheat beer. It has a relatively high hop/malt ratio for style. Spicy from both the yeast and more subtle hops.

M: medium body; somewhat lively carbonation.

O: an interesting and well balanced ale.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 23:32:38 | More by chinchill

russwbeck

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on-tap next to the bourbon barrel aged version at Rustico in Ballston.

A: Black pour with a finger of white head. Retention, isn't great but it laces nicely 4

S: Roasted aroma with a lot of sweetness. The two seem to work together, but the sweetness (anise?) does seem a bit misplaced at times 3.5

T: Like the aroma, the taste has a real nice roast character, balanced out by the sweetness of the anise. I don't find the taste to be as offensive as the Stone Belgo Anise IRS, but I still prefer a regular stout to a Belgian. 3.5

MF: Heavy body, low carbonation. Decently drinkable, but the sweetness wears on me. 4

O: Solid offering, just nothing special. At $3 for 4oz I would say I'm done with this beer, but could see myself getting it again. I quite enjoyed trying it alongside the bourbon version. 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2012 02:06:54 | More by russwbeck

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-dark brown opaque color with a frothy tan head and good lacing

S-fruity and roasted malt aromas predominate with hints of sweetness

T-plums and dates with roasted malts

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, slight astringency

O-a nice Belgian ale, easy drinking

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2012 01:57:29 | More by MDDMD

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4.4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tab, in a nice shifter glass. Small tan head, which dissipates into a nice ring around the glass. The color is black.
The aroma is of dark fruit and roasted malt.
Tasting the beer, begin yeast and dark fruits dominate up front. The taste gets better after he beer lingers in the mouth for a few seconds.a more roasted malt character is noticeable towards the end. Nicely balanced and very drinkable. Very very good beer!

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 22:00:07 | More by Hopfenpeter

beerbiatchMD

Maine

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap.

A: very dark--black. Off white head with one finger in quantity. Quite good lacing. A great looking stout.

N: Lots of coffee up front, some sweet malts but can't call them out specifically (for example, no chocolate or caramel).

T: Coffee bitterness, definite sweetness midpalate, some bitter chocolate flavors. A hint of belgiany spice. Pretty good, a very unique stout.

M: Nice, smooth, not really any alcohol heat. An easy drinking stout.

O: This is certainly not my favorite Allagash, but it's very good, unique, enjoyable, and approachable. I definitely recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 01:10:01 | More by beerbiatchMD

MsRif

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on-tap at Teresa's in Wayne, PA. Poured a pitch black color with a nice off-white head that left a good amount of lacing. Had an aroma of dark chocolate, sweet malts, coffee and milk sugar. Tasted like it smelled, with a dry finish. Other than the finish, very smooth.

Full-bodied with light carbonation. A good beer overall, though I'm not sure it was really representative of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2011 22:54:38 | More by MsRif

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From notes taken at the Armsby Abbey on 10/26/11.

A - Poured into an Allagash tulip a super black hue with a one finger off white head that leaves nice side lacing.

S - Nice aromas here with good dark chocolate and light coffee/milky aromas.

T - More of that nice dark chocolate flavour with liquid chocolate cake tastes as well. Slightly bitter with good coffee notes as well.

M - Smooth and creamy with a nice chocolate finish.

O - This was a very nice Belgian strong dark ale. Don't get much of the belgian characters but damn, that chocolate is good.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2011 19:17:22 | More by rudzud

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Poured into a signature stem glass, Allagash Black was, well, black more or less, with a generous cap of tan head. Listed as a "Belgian stout" I didn't completely know what to expect, but the "Belgian dark ale" label makes a little more sense after drinking it. Aroma was rich with dark malts, leather and charcoal, with touches of fruit in the background. The taste was similar, and quite complex, with nearly 100% dark maltiness up front, giving way to the leather and charcoal sensed in the aroma, hints of peat and of Belgian yeast, cocoa, and dark fruits coming through near the end. Very interesting. Heavier-medium mouthfeel, rich, and drinkable enough to make me desire another glass right after the first.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 20:51:59 | More by Rifugium

kojevergas

California

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on draught into a goblet in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger head of slight tan colour, wonderful cream, great thickness, and excellent retention. Colour is a solid black.

Sm: Chocolate, toffee, caramel, and cream. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Chocolate, light coffee, light caramel, toffee, and light cream - but not as much as I'd like. Nicely complex, well built, and balanced.

Mf: Just coarse enough, and nicely wet. Pretty complementary of the flavours of the body.

Dr: Very drinkable, and of good quality, but at a high price in California. I'd have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2011 23:13:45 | More by kojevergas

mactrail

California

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Really rich and hoppy dark ale. Great roasted flavors with very aromatic hops. Chocolate and warm flavors, hot with alcohol. Sharp and slightly acidic, but so full of mellow malt it's well balanced. Aftertaste is slightly bitter, but with more of the dark, deep, and spicy flavors.

This is really a great example of a Belgian-inspired beer that doesn't go overboard on the yeasty and bacterial dosage. Complexity merges with drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 05:24:35 | More by mactrail

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark charcoal black with small cap of desnse khaki froth. Scent is of roasted and charred malts, notes of chocolate and some spice. Taste follows suit, strong roast and char balanced with chocolate, light spice and yeast notes on the background. Finishes dry, medium bodied and quite bubbly. A solid nose and flavor that is only held back by a lighter body and ample carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 14:21:59 | More by rfgetz

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap at varga in philly

Pours an opaque black with a thick, fluffy browned head, nice layer of retention which leaves plenty of patchy lacing.

Belgian yeast in the nose mixed with chocolate and roasted malt, coffee beans and nuts, a bit sweet, but still pretty balanced.

Nice roasted malts up front with bakers chocolate and nuttiness. A little sweet, yeasty Belgian notes and slight funk. Coffee beans and caramel throughout with a touch of vanilla. Finishes a little warm and sticky on the tongue.

Full body, a little higher carbonation, chewy and sticky throughout. Decent Belgo take on the stout, drinkable for the ABV, and an alright balance.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 04:00:21 | More by xnicknj