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

rand

California

4.4/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Tiger! Tiger!, poured into a pint glass

The brew pours jet black in appearance and form a small chocolate-tan head. Small patches of lacing touch the glass, and it looks fairly viscous.

The chocolate malts establish the bouquet and they carry notes of buttery bread. Earthy grains poke through, a touch of hop dryness in the distance.

Roasty, chocolate malts are again the big player on the palate, slightly sweet and smoky. There aren't a lot of hop charecteristics to meet te sweet malts, but they're not needed - this brew is eminently drinkable. A little buttery, creamy mid-sip, which gives the beer a deeper complexion than you'd expect. The hops do their part towards the end, leading to a dry finish that leaves almost no lingering flavors between sips.

Damn, this has to be one of the better schwartzbiers I've tried. A little richer than some of the German varieties, but I hate getting hung up on categories. This is just a damn good brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 04:55:11 | More by rand

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a normal pint glass. 2012 date on the label.

A: Nearly opaque black body, some brown highlights on the edges. Nice dense off white head.

S: Nice clean roastyness. Maybe a slight fruitiness as well.

T: Good roast malt flavor up front, mild bitterness. Clean and complex finish. Not as much going on as a stout or porter, but actually refreshing.

M: On the low end of carbonation, mouthfeel works well. More residual sweetness than I'd except, but not overboard.

O: A very clean roasty beer of high alcohol. I don't think I'm had anything quite like this. If I feel like a dark strong, but easy drinking beer, this would do it.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 04:28:58 | More by 51mmz0rz

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.48/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased from BevMo in Sunnyvale, CA. Shared with @LaitueGonflable and @tobeerornottobe.

Pours a pleasant clear and clean black, with a bubbly but solid head of mild yellow-brown. Lacing is spotty. Body looks rather fluid, but slick, and it holds carbonation well.

Nose is lovely. Toasty malts leavened by a mild touch of something bright, fresh and even a little lemony. Dark rye bread, spread with cream cheese and shallots. It's a beautiful balance between darkness and light. Love it.

Taste is also excellent. Lovely clear lines to the feel and the vectors through the palate, delivering solid toasty malt all the way. Flavours of mild chocolate, a little crust and some dark seed cake on the back. This is all beautifully balanced with a really lovely dryness and a lovely clear but slick feel. Only a lager delivers that integration and lightness.

Overall, I love it. Black lagers are well underrated: this a superb example of why this should not be the case. This is clean and pleasant, but loaded with flavour and character. More craft lagers, please!

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 03:35:15 | More by lacqueredmouse

beagle75

Iowa

4.63/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a half-pint chalice.

A: Clear, dark brown color that shows no light at its core, with one finger of diminishing mocha-tinted foam head. Heavy lacing remains on the glass.

S: Roast is aggressive and slightly unctuous, suggestive of strong black coffee. Earth is a bit musty, complementing other dark qualities.

T: Begins off-dry, with creamy brown malt and sedate earthy hops. Acidity is extremely restrained, as more bitter roast emerges in the middle. Bitter chocolate is suggested in the waning finish that tapers down nicely, leaving a restrained earthy bitterness to linger on the palate.

M: Medium to think viscosity, velvety smooth and creamy on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: Smooth beyond belief, this is the strong dark beer I have been waiting for. It achieves such clarity of purpose in its ability to transmit pure roasted qualities. While clean, understand that this beer is more of a bold American creation than any real attempt to faithfully recreate a continental recipe--but that's okay. Another home-run for Grand Teton!

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 22:46:36 | More by beagle75