Fade To Black (Volume 1 - Foreign Export Stout) - Left Hand Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at the Rattle 'N' Hum. Roasty aroma, roast coffee. Slight white head, yet lots of white lace. A yeasty part that I didn't expect or like. I normally really like this style, and others do too, but I just didn't get it today. On the too sweet side, with bitter coffee, not that well integrated.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2010 19:18:33 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pupillary black with highlights of scarlet and orange along the bottom edge of the glass. Just short of a black hole. The pale caramel colored cap looks mighty fine and is starting to lay down a surprising amount of lace in shotgun-blasted sheets.

The nose is wall-to-wall roasted malt, which showcases the usual aromas of bittersweet chocolate and charred coffee beans. This is one pungent and powerful big stout, even though it's still on the chilly side.

Fade To Black does not contain coffee or coffee beans as far as I know. If it doesn't, it has to be one of the most java-centric, non-java-added brews in history. It's also tasty beer that fits the style to a 'T' and is easily distinguishable from an Imperial or American double stout.

Specific flavors include charred coffee beans, bittersweet chocolate, dark caramel, hints of vanilla and a few tendrils of wood smoke. Fade To Black tastes black in the same way that schwarzbiers taste black. Black patent malt perhaps? Anyway, good fit between name and beer. Volume 2 is a smoked Baltic porter, by the way.

The mouthfeel, like every one of the beer's characteristics, fits the style guidelines. It isn't huge and chewy, but it's medium-weight silky and (almost) whole milk creamy. The bubbles find that big beer sweet spot as well.

Left Hand is no stranger to high-ABV stouts. Their Imperial Stout is amazing stuff that deserves more love than it gets. Volume 1 of the Fade To Black series is delicious beer that can hold its head high when lined up alongside the heavy hitters of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2010 12:56:19 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Huge thansk to Richbrew for the growler of this one. With Left Hand pulling out of SC there was no way I was gonna see this one. Served chilled nad poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 02/27/2010.

The pour was huge, dark brown, nearly black except for a few touches of light that seem to sneak around the sides of the glass. A huge head of tan then comes up and over the top of the glass, three fingers high and looks like a chocolate marshmellow. Just huge look, really nice to see here. Aroma is loaded with roasted and smoked malts. Hints of coffee and chocolate as it warms anda touch of light licorice, but I am getting that deep, almost campfire feel to this at times. Body was a bit thin for the style, very carbonated and it caused it to thin out a bit more at times. Rich dark malts roll across the tongue immediatly. Smokey with hints of bitter roasted coffee and a touch of light vanilla. Fleeting though as you are smacked hard with the full coffee and smoke flavor quickly. Clean finish was not as dry as it could have been but the abv was meticulously hidden,

Overall a very nice beer, not sure on the style but it was a nice drinker and I was able to put down several without much issue.

Serving type: growler

02-28-2010 14:45:59 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Jeff for this beer. From notes.

A: The pour is just about black with a short lived mocha head that starts off at about one finger in height.

S: Lots of roasted malts on the nose with a nice coffee aroma to it as well. Seemingly not as dry and acidic as a lot of export stouts can be. A slight char is present along with some bitter dark chocolate.

T: The roast is the dominant flavor and there's some slightly acidic coffee tones to go with it. Not as much in terms of chocolate but there is a good toffee character. A solid bitterness that lasts to the finish.

M: The body is medium with a moderate level of carbonation.

D: Not always my favorite style, but this was a pretty good example of it. Definitely higher in alcohol than I was initially anticipating, but it does not really show itself.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 04:02:24 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a tulip. The color is definitely pretty close to black with a nice head. The nose brings quite a good amount of dry, roasty malt characteristic of the style. There is some light chocolate and coffee behind that. Roasted malt comes back after those diminish. The taste follows the pattern of the nose with a really strong roast presence. Takes of the feel is well, that's for sure. Drinks pretty well as everything comes together in the end. A good beer but not quite what I was expecting after all the hype.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 03:10:50 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle - $1.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia. Bottled on: 11.04.09 (I assume, as the stamped mark is terribly smeared).

Appearance: Pours an appropriately black body with a fluffy, beige-colored head.

Smell: The nose starts quite dark and roasty with some humble chocolate and teeny notes of dark fruit doing their very best to temper the strongly burnt, creosote-soaked barley aroma.

Taste: Roasted, charred barley with some sweet layers of creamy, semi-sweet chocolate and dark caramel and unquestionably full-bodied coffee. Very small hint of carbonized dark fruits. Spicy, lightly earthy hops do what they can to counter the sweetness, but, really, that's already done with that deeply burnt black malt taste. Finishes dry with more than a fair share of well-roasted maltiness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Fade to yum! This year's FtB release is very roasty, sweet, and creamy -- a good nightcap for the evening a fine way to kick off this yearly series.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2009 01:12:39 | More by ChainGangGuy

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A tremendously bold F/E Stout; it is actaully more akin to Russian Imperials with its 8.5% and serious roasty boldness. We are probably looking at a soft RIS with heavy Foreign Export influences.

As black as black can be, the beer pours like a lump of liquid coal. Great head formation, retention, and lacing with off white foam (would have expected darker).

Very roasty with a mix of espresso grinds, char, ash, and heavily caramelized toffees. The beer boasts a lot of malty sweetness up front and then blasts into the onslaught of roast/toast/burnt cocoa elements. These fade slowly and allow the beer to return to the caramelized sweetness later.

The textures of the beer are full, round, and robust early but the sweetness subsides just in time to enjoy the crisper, drier, and maltier finish. Increadibly easy to drink especially considering the powerful flavors early on.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 19:07:06 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This style of stout should be more popular,I hope to see more in the future.Poured at first seemed to be a jet black,after being held up to a strong light a ruby tint showed thru the darkness,a creamy one finger light mocha head atop that left one big drape of lace behind as it settled into a creamy mass.Awesome aromas,just complex as all get out,a mix of fudge cake and coffee,a slight alcohol dark fruit sweetness came thru as well.The flavors were just as complex, if not more,starting out with big coffee roast and dark chocolate,the alcohol lends some molasses and dark fruit,there is big earthy dryness in the finish that was just a great cap.The only thing that isnt great about this brew is just a little bit of a thinner feel,other than that its as good as it gets for the style in my opinion,not to sweet,just right!

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2009 23:12:30 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Devil's Backbone willibecher.

Thanks go out to JMBSH for this guy!

"There is nothing more for me," need this brew to set me free! Ah, classic Metallica...nothin' quite like it. ...Maybe some classic Megadeth, but this brew ain't named for no Dave Mustaine shit (make no mistake, I love Dave's work). My clear glass fades to an opaque brown-black following the pour, with more than an inch of khaki foam on top. With a sniff off the top, I ride the lightning that is the combination of roasted malts, cocoa powder, and some light smoke. Wherever I may roam, I will still recognize the taste, consisting of dark coffee, smoky cocoa nibs, a vague bit o' bitterness from the back, and a tiny hint of vanilla. The medium body, light carbonation, and smooth, dusty feel recall memories of the day that never comes (yeah, I know it sounds paradoxical, but that day is/was/will be prtetty damn sweet...). This kind of high drinkability ain't my bitch, but I wish it were. A tout le monde, trust me: this brew is mighty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2010 10:16:18 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deepest and darkest impenetrable blackness, beneath a toasted top of cocoa-tan foam.

Roasty bittersweet espresso nose, a little cream, a touch of sweetness, then more roasty/toasty. just right!

Taste: Mmmm, big roasted malt, chocolate malt, black malt, minimal hops, slightly sweet, with perfect roast, not bitter, not sour, not too sweet, well rounded, and spot on for the job. This is an excellent rendition of the Export Stout style.

Long, lingering, softly fading finish. Medium bodied, but memorable character and flavor. Silky smooth. Marvelous mouthfeel,lays lightly on the palate but delivers pound after pound of flavor.
Excellent drinkability, even at 8.5% abv. Yum. That's all I need to say, sometimes. It is yum.
Really good job, LeftHand, one of your finest efforts, in my humble o.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 06:03:25 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a pitch black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It appears to have a near perfect malt scent. It's roasted on one hand. It's dry and earthy on the other. There's also a nice chocolate component as well. The taste is good. It has a very nice black malt flavor up front with a big chocolate malt blast and a bit of roasted malt character in the finish. To call it complex is an understatement. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good beer. I'm not getting a huge roasted character which is standard with export stouts, but this is a delicious beer that's highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2010 22:47:17 | More by WesWes

zeff80

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an opaque, black color with ruby highlights. It had a one-finger, bubbly, brown head of foam. No lacing.

S - It smelled of coffee, chocolate, toasted malt and hints of toffee.

T - It tasted of bittersweet dark chocolate, coffee, toasted malt and a touch of molasses. There was a slight citrus taste, too.

M - It was soft and creamy with a warm alcohol presence. A medium-bodied ale with a very dry finish.

D - This is a very good representation of the style. It delivers a nice spiciness with a bitter chocolate flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2009 02:22:32 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 1/27/2010 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep black color, with a short beige head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of coffee, chocolate, roasted malts and a very slight touch of hops.

T: The taste is loaded with black coffee and milk chocolate. There's a very hearty roasted malt character along with some lactose creaminess. The hops presence is very mild as you would expect from this kind of beer. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, good kick, nice representation of style, this is a very good stout to drink for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2010 20:54:40 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a really nice deep black color. The head was fluffy and fan colored. The smell was roasted and a little musty. The taste was rich with chocolate and roasted malts, it was a little sweet at first and then fell into a dry bitterness. The mouthfeel is very smooth and leave a nice creaminess in your mouth. Overall I was glad I picked this one, it was one of the better stouts I've had in a while.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 03:02:59 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the pick up I was most stoked about yesterday

Pours a chestnut hued mahogany with 2 fingers of cocoa colored head. Average head retention & fantastic lacing

S: Charred grain & coffee

T: Dark fruit, cocoa, charred grain dryness & carob up front along with some dryness & leafy hops. Coffee & a bit of booze tinge as this warms, plus a touch of dryness & some baker's chocolate. Finishes with dryness, dark fruit, & coffee with touch of mocha

MF: Fairly lively carbonation somewhat of a detractor, medium bodied, but become oily & juicy once warm

Drinks incredibly easy for the abv, this a very well put together export stout, well done Left Hand!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2010 04:08:34 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled at 1702, Tucson December 2009
This arrives from the tap with a massive, almost four-finger thick, head that is light brown in color and leaves some pretty lacing on the sides of my glass. The beer is quite dark in color, almost black, but it does have some brown hues to it. The aroma is richly malty with roasted notes; it evokes thoughts of chocolate, coffee, toasted whole grain bread, toasted grain husks (that leans towards a toasted / roasted grassy note), hints of licorice and even a touch of sweet Bourbon and vanilla aromatics.

The taste is fairly sweet, which accentuates lots of chocolate flavors. There is a firm roasted note in the finish that also provides to the overall bitterness, but doesn't quite balance the up front rich, malt sweetness. The alcohol that is evident makes me thing of bourbon and vanilla flavors definitely are here, there also seems to be something like a spicy oak-quality as well. Speakig of spiciness there seems to be a touch of something here that makes me think of chile peppers, but that might just be the influence of the garlic cheese bread that I just ate. This has a nice creamy mouthfeel to it; this is definitely a rich and satisfying brew, though I wouldn't say it is cloying. Hmm, there is a definite peppery note to this brew.

This is a very well balanced brew that surprised me. It is quite tasty and definitely a great after meal type beer. I like the spiciness and vanilla notes as these pair well with the rich Stout flavors. The roast character is also well balanced by the up front malt sweetness.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2010 17:11:49 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a single of this in WI for around $1.50 at Breeze-Thru.

As expected, a black body with some dark khaki foam leaving spotty lacing at the edges. Aroma of charred toast, woody tobacco, some light chocolate pastry sweetness.

Soft, roasty, and lightly bitter in the finish. Some vague raisin sweetness in the aftertaste, complimenting the smooth creamy feel. It's subtle and flavorful at the same time. Well balanced.

I'll pick this up again before it's gone, definitely worth a 6-pack purchase to enjoy in the cold weather.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2009 01:03:11 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a black color with a short head that falls to a spotty surface foam.

Smell: roasted malts with mild coffee and chocoalte aromas.

Taste: big roasted malt goodness here with some milder coffee, chocolate, prunes, and a hearty bitterness. There is a bit of earthiness here along with warming alcohol.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Lightly crisp to start but smooth at the finish. Aftertaste is very long as the flavors linger in the mouth.

Drinkability: this is a slow sipping beer that has a great flavor profile. Worth seeking this one out.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 15:24:16 | More by Gavage

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had a bottle at Liberty St. Tavern for $3.50. Basically this is a well-made big stout - lots of dark chocolate and roasted grain flavor. But it's not quite an export stout as I understand it. It lacks the sweet candy notes that the adjunct sugar of a typical export stout provides. While it's not a great example of the style, it is still a very drinkable and tasty stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2009 19:15:02 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The neck label reads Volume 1 I guess the seasonal will vary by style with the same name each year that daylight savings comes around. Pours completely opaque black with no light making it through not even the ruby highlights, head is creamy textured nice tan khaki hue going on. Lacing left behind is sporadiac with big chunks but definitely clings well to the sides of my chalice. Aroma is strong with the herbal mint like hop profile, dark roasted malts bring out a creamy dark chocolate bitterness strong roasted burnt coffee a nice underlying fruit note with a soft caramel presence as well. Flavor is big roasted malt presence brings out espresso bean hints of vanilla, caramel malt, with dark chocolate cocoa nibs. A soothing alcohol finish with herbal and mint toned hop flavors. Mouthfeel is creamy textured full bodied softly carbonated no complaints I let this one warm up a good bit and I'm glad that I did. Drinkability is smooth and the price tag is right what a value, a big foreign export stout for 1.69 a bottle I will be back for more of this stuff, what a god send for this time of year thanks to Left Hand out in Longmont, CO.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2009 06:06:45 | More by WVbeergeek

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a rich creamy looking dark black color that lets a touch of light through when it thins. Even the rich thick head has some dark brown hue to it. Bigger bubbles scatter throughout the head giving it a nice looking pattern. It rises 1 finger and very slowly subsides.

N: Nose is loaded with coffee and roasted malts. Some nice caramel aromas adds a sweet touch. It's loaded with toasty roasted malts and sweet aromas. A light tough of chocolate adds to the loaded coffee. A very light touch of dark fruit plum like fruit finishes the nose.

T: Also starts with a spicy coffee taste right away. Some light bitter flavors come through, not sure if it's from an interesting hop taste or the charred flavors from the crazy roasted charred malts. It's very earthy bitter flavor. Some light creamy chocolate flavors mingle with a touch of plum. A touch spicy alcohol phenols and slight warming goodness comes through. Then its all surrounded by more charred bitter roasted coffee flavors.

M: Semi thick and creamy, slightly spicy and warming alcohol, and good carbonation.

F: Finishes very bitter again, some of it I think is hop bitterness, but a lot stems from the roasted charred earthy starched malts, and stoutness. A little fruitiness on the finish with more lingering coffee flavors and acidity/alcohol lingering sting. The semi thick almost syrupy stout like flavors seem to stick to the mouth and don't go away at all, like a big rich heavy stout. It does seem to finish clean otherwise, and is pretty drinkable surprisingly. I think the lighter body from a much heavier stout is nice, but the coffee and alcohol flavors, and the heavy starched malt bitterness are a little on the heavy side.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2009 02:42:22 | More by jlindros

Billolick

New York

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, has a place on the label for "Bottled on" info, but alas, it is blank...Pours black under a retentive dark khaki head, thick film, sliding sheeting down to a collar, respectable bits of lace, the hole bit, not a bad looking glass of stout...roasty, light coffee and dark chocolate nose...flavorful, very smooth/velvety on the tongue, with more then ample notes of more chocolate, roast grains and dark stouty goodness...nice first offering in this hopefully varied and fruitful series from LHBC...I believe this was about $12.99 for the sixer from DeCicco's in Ardsley, NY...go get some and enjoy...

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2010 18:23:57 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle obtained via SS09 from vasdef42. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" mocha head above the barely translucent dark brown brew. Head falls at somewhat quick pace, with average lacing. Aroma is dark roasty grains. Taste is rich chocolate upfront, coffee bitterness in the middle, and closes with some hops character. Mouthfeel is velvety smooth, and drinkability is good as well. Glad I got a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2010 22:41:44 | More by ppoitras

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap @ the Capital Ale House (Richmond, VA) on 12/13/09. Served in a pint glass.

Pours black, with a finger of smooth & creamy mocha colored head. This stays nice and rich looking, leaving a strong smattering of spotty tan foam behind. The aroma is very dark smelling, with a lot of roasted coffee character, and bitter malts. A good bit of the sweetness comes from sticky notes of chocolate and molasses, while floral and herbal hops hang on the edges. The espresso and dark roast really put out most of the flavor though.

The taste is burnt chocolate malts and coffee, which gives this a deeply roasted flavor. Blackstrap molasses adds a sticky tang and an extra layer of darkness to this. Hops are fairly strong, adding a prickly and bitter feel, while some citric and herbal character rides along with the bitterness. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied, with a big mouth-filling sharp creaminess to it that then thickens up some towards the back of the swallow. This actually goes down pretty darn well for the size of it.

This was a bit of a surprise. Packed with a ton of dark flavors, yet this stayed well balanced and very drinkable for a higher ABV Stout. A winner of a new beer here from Left Hand.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2009 13:26:12 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Beerloco for the hookup on this 1 liter swingtop, DLD IP trade,

Pours a pretty opaque black, some red in the distant edges, very thick and creamy tan head forms and very slowly settles down to a thick ring around the glass, lots of chunky lace sticks to the glass, looks pretty good.

Smell is nice, very malty, some toffee and brown sugar sweetness, lots of toasty and biscuity, nice dry chocolate wafer aroma, not a lot of roast but a real nice crackery sweetness, great aroma, alcohol is non existent.

Taste is similar, sweetness up front, lots of caramel and a lactose sugary sweetness, biscuits, vanilla wafers, very toasty, oats, a touch of licorice, some chocolate roastiness, a bit of fruitiness in the finish, almost a touch of citrus in the finish, nice and dry, a bit of booziness.

Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with medium carbonation, very silky and smooth. Goes down real easy, thanks a ton Alan!

Serving type: growler

04-27-2010 23:21:01 | More by Viggo