5 O'clock Shadow Double Black Lager - Grand Teton Brewing Co.

Jason

Massachusetts

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

Big ass 25.4oz brown bomber. Vintage date on the bottle.

LOOK: Clear dark leather brown, head stays for a long while

SMELL: Brown malt, juniper, toast, herbal, evergreen, clean alcohol, light brown sugar

TASTE: Smooth creaminess, mild char, clean, minty, moderate hop bitterness, chicory, toasted bread crust, unsweetened chocolate, herbal, warming alcohol, clean mildly roasted finish

I am happy to see US brewers break out into their own style even if they are originally inspired by more traditional styles. Double Black Lager just has a certain ring to it and this beer has won me over.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 02:55:03 | More by Jason

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

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

Pours with a dark tan head that's two tone with brown as it swirls. Head falls quickly over a a nearly pitch black beer with ever so slight ruby highlights along the edge. Very clean, singular roast in the nose with a little bit of chocolate. Roast and chocolate follows in the taste with a sweet maltiness. Bitter roast finish that lingers a bit--almost too much. My notes say I had a draft on my wife's birthday at Grumpy's, but I don't remember much about it. I was either entranced by my wife or the beer didn't make much of an impression. Gloria likes schwarzbier and there's no note that she liked it.

In the final analysis, it's a good beer but the roast is out of balance with the smooth lager characteristics. Had this beer twice and that's going to be enough. If you like a a heavy roast, give it a shot. If not, find another dark lager.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 20:15:48 | More by FightingEntropy

TheRealBigC

Nevada

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

Now here's a good Schwarzbier. I guess it's an Imperial Schwarz, but you can't really tell. What you can tell is that it's a glass of roasted dark malt goodness. You get a pretty good whiff as you bring it to you mouth. Taste follows suit, fairly complex compared to your typical Schwarz, although as it warms it doesn't get more complex but instead a little boring. That may only be the case with me, so I would recommend it to anyone. This is a really good showing by Grand Teton in a style that is only now gaining some traction in the US.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2012 17:01:38 | More by TheRealBigC

srandycarter

California

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours black, black, black. Very small light tan head leaves fast. Some large bubbled clumps around rim.

S - Charred malt, coffee. Hint of malt.

T - Same as taste, but a little chalky cocoa added to the mix and a hint of anise at finish.

M - Medium body, good carb, pretty clean finish and good balance.

D - Drinks nicely.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 05:57:41 | More by srandycarter

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Binny's, Glen Ellyn, IL
Date: Bottled 01/08/2012
Glass: Ayinger willi glass

Grand Teton takes the schwarzbier to higher planes of aroma and taste, without going over the top in terms of ethanol, as could be possible. While it appears like any other schwarzbier, the roast, chocolate, and sweetness are all expressed at a higher degree, along with the expected smoothness that lager yeast and aging will bring. Overall, a very satisfying beer, one that would be enjoyable in the early spring, late fall, or winter months.

Pours a 1cm tall head of tan foam, made up of small-sized bubbles, with average retention of about a minute. The head fades to a thick ring around the glass with a light cap of wispy foam lingering atop the body. Lacing is present, but fairly minimal, a set of small dots punctuating the insides of the glass. Body is a dark brown to black color, light bringing out amber brown hues. Carbonation is not visible through the opaque body.

Aroma is very nice, particularly as the beer warms, of noticeable roasted and black malt, with lesser toffee and vanilla scents. The interplay between the darker malts and the toffee-like sweetness with vanilla is enjoyable and pleasing.

Opens with darkly sweet chocolate notes, somewhat reminiscent of a chocolate malt made with bittersweet chocolate, with a bit of acridity in the back and well-done smoothness via the lagering process. Mid-palate is loaded with sweet, roasted flavors that have just a touch of acridity. What this means is a mix of roasted and black malts, some associated charred chocolate and coffee bean flavor, all with a strong undercurrent of caramelized sugar sweetness and a touch of vanilla. Again, the flavors are smooth and easy, courtesy of, probably, lagering. Back of palate features roasted malt, some char, touches of roasted cocoa and coffee beans. Aftertaste is of sweetish roasted and black malts with a touch of bitter chocolate and coffee.

Beer is medium to medium-light in body with carbonation of medium to medium-low intensity. The two feel well-paired and generate a mouthfeel that is easy on the palate, slightly foamy from the carbonation, and flows well. Closes quite dry, with moderate stickiness lingering across the palate.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:29:29 | More by falloutsnow

MasterSki

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Guthries. Served in a cervoise.

A - A finger of tan foam settles to a partial cap, thick collar, and splotchy lacework. The body is a dark brown color with ruby glints to it.

S - Smells like a cross between a Schwarzbier and a Baltic Porter. There's a mixture of smoke, dark and doughy breads, dark fruits, and some sharp, slightly metallic, roast characteristics. Perhaps a hint of alcohol as well.

T - I like the taste significantly more, as it gets rid of some of the harsh elements of the aroma. Nice roasted grains, yeasty and chewy bread, light smoke, semisweet chocolate, and a fairly clean finish.

M - Medium body, lightly roasty, with a dry finish. Quite smooth, with low carbonation. Well-attenuated with a crisp lager vibe to it.

D - A solid, enjoyable, and interesting hybrid of a beer. I finished my glass, although it's not the quickest drinking offering from Grand Teton. I'd consider having it again on-tap, but a whole 750ml bottle would probably be excessive.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 03:08:21 | More by MasterSki

silentjay

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

looks the part for a Schwarzbier, a deep brown/black that light barely penetrates, but obviously much thinner than most dark beers. a nice mocha head forms, quickly recedes, but laces well.

slightly roasty aroma, molasses, chocolate, a touch of light roasted coffee.

flavor starts off sweet and malty with plenty of roasted coffee a bit of dark caramel and molasses, but it never goes too sweet and it finishes very clean.

light/medium and crisp but slightly slightly syrupy before it finishes clean.

very nice rendition of the style. Not overly roasty, not overly sweet, not too full bodied, not too light. No alcohol detectable... could sneak up on you because this drinks so easy.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 05:35:54 | More by silentjay

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.89/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: black in color, 1/4 inch head, low carbonation, opaque

Smell: roasted malt and bosco--not really attractive smelling

Taste: light coffee, sweet chocolate, cream--caramel and extra char on the finish

Mouthfeel: medium-light carbonation, medium body, very sweet with nice char bitterness at the end

Overall: Was not expecting such an impressive beer after such a disappointing smell. However if you can get past the average Bosco type of smell, this beer really delivers. Taste wise it is up there with the best domestic schwarrzbiers I have had. This beer is incredibly smooth for the style. I would certainly split this one again.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 14:52:25 | More by tigg924

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a dark, dark brown color with a small, light brown head of pillowy foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of chocolate, toffee, roasted malt and bread crust.

T - Rich chocolate notes blend with toffee, roasted malt and subtle coffee flavors. Lightly bitter with a silky smooth sweetness.

M - Nicely done. Smooth with a crisp bite. A medium bodied lager that is surprisingly easy drinking at 7.6% ABV.

O - This is a good Grand Teton brew. I've really enjoyed all their Cellar Reserve series beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 20:13:31 | More by zeff80

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fresh bottle from Lakeview Liquors, Chicago. Midnight black colour with suitable white head. Strong roast aroma. Significant chocolate, mild roast, good drinkability and not very complex, consistent with the style.Slightly above average mouthfeel. Worth seeking out for people liking this style, or stouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 05:28:42 | More by northyorksammy

DavoleBomb

Ohio

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

Poured into a Stella glass. 2012 vintage, though I'm not sure that this is something you'd want to age anyway.

3.5 A: Black color. Two and a half fingers of creamy/frothy light brown head. Retention is decent and only the shortest of rings of lacing is left.

3.5 S: Dry roastiness and cocoa powder. As it warms up, this gets maltier and maltier. There's not much else in the nose. It's clean and refined, but simple and pleasant.

3.5 T: There's a hell of a lot more flavor than the nose led on. Potent roastiness, good amount of chocolate, a light caramel, and a moderate neutral lager maltiness. Despite the maltiness, the roast is still stronger than I'd prefer, but not by much. Definitely tasty though.

3.5 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Mildly creamy. Good enough here.

4.0 D: Tasty beer. Initially the roastiness is unbalanced with the rest of the beer, but after the palate grows accustomed to it, it turns out to be in perfect harmony.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 17:10:11 | More by DavoleBomb

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an effervescent mahogany with 2 fingers of khaki colored head very good head retention & lacing

S: Charred grain & carob

T: Follows the nose, some cocoa & coffee grinds, plus dryness up front. Faint chicory notes as this warms, along with woody hops, slight persimmon & praline flavor present as well, plus more carob & just bit of anise & black currant with boozey undertones. Finishes fruitty with some boozey raisin notes & smokeyness

MF: Medium bodied, firm carbonation, skews sweeter than most Schwartzbiers, a bit hot too

An interesting take on the style, a touch too big & sweet for me, but worth a try

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 14:36:37 | More by russpowell

laituegonflable

Australia

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

Pours a dark brown colour, beige head with sparse, frothy bubbling. Slightly uneven, with thin lace on the glass. Head is crafty, frothy goodness. Looks natural and pleasant.

Burnt and nutty on the nose - charry roast malt notes with walnuts, coffee grounds and a touch of carob. Standard, but also fairly blaring, one-track dark beer aroma.

Taste is roastier, with a burnt bitterness lingering from the mid-palate. Spent coffee grounds, bitter cocoa plus some pepperberry, carbon and coriander notes late. Maybe could use some more body; a bit thin, so the roast is fairly harsh. Decent crack at the style, but I don't think it recommends more schwarzbiers to me.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 10:48:58 | More by laituegonflable

KDawg

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

poured from 750 into a pilsner glass. Pours a dark chocolate color with a frothy head

Very pungent with aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, toffee, and loads of roasted malts. Good depth on the aromas as well

medium bodied with a smooth feel, but the flavors overpower a bit. The flavors of roasted malts, coffee, and dark chocolate aren't out of whack, but they feel like they are fighting for attention a slight bit

I think I would've liked more balanced and nuance to this. It's certainly a big schwarzbier and doesn't aim for balance as much as blunt force on the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 20:42:29 | More by KDawg