Butchertown Black Ale - Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

austincsuf

4.73/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured into cold pint glass...

A- real dark appearance, looks like a pepsi, it is a black ale so kind of expected...2 fingers of head which is dark colored as well

S- definitely some roasted notes, also picking up some fruit/citrus possibly

T- geez thats some tasty craft brew...super refreshing and a great light roasted aftertaste definitely worth TRYING

M - light carbonation, full body flavor

O-really one of my favorites, this beer has it all, dark bodied appearance w/ full flavor that leaves a pleasant aftertaste, and at the same time really easy to drink, could slam 3-4 of these real quick and at 8% that's a good thing..

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 01:50:34 | More by austincsuf

CHickman

New York

4.3/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Pours very dark brown that borders on black, with the brown color only showing around the edges when the light hits it. The tan head was 2 fingers, very thick and foamy, leaving excellent foam lacing coating the sides and rings as it went down; an outstanding looking beer.

Smells of sweet malt, coffee, caramel, toffee, roasted grains, bakers chocolate, grapefruit, floral hops, herbs and cocoa powder; the sweet chocolate notes stand out the most and the ending citrus and floral hop aroma mix well with the malts and roasted grains, which smell like charcoal or burnt wood. A great smelling nose that is very complex and full of everything that makes beer enjoyable.

Tastes like it smells, but more rich and full of flavor, with sweet malt, coffee, caramel, toffee, cocoa powder, roasted grains, bakers chocolate, grapefruit, citrus hops, lemon zest, floral hops, flowers, herbs, pine cone/piney hops, brown sugar and spruce tips or some other spice like tea leaf or pepper; the sweet chocolate notes start things off, followed by herbs and floral hops and then some more sweetness like caramel, vanilla or a Frappuccino. The hops let this brew end bitter and still sweet, completely hiding the ABV.

Mouthfeel is creamy and very smooth, with a medium chewy body, mild carbonation and a nice sweet bitter finish.

This is what a craft beer is all about: the total beer experience that smells good, looks good and tastes great. Factor in that the price ($8 for a 25 oz bottle) was reasonable and I will seek out the beer again and suggest everyone tries it.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 03:01:38 | More by CHickman

ngeunit1

California

4.23/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark brown-black color with a finger of frothy khaki colored head. The head fades down fairly slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of roasted chocolate malts with some pine hops and a bit of citrus, and some coffee and bready smells.

T - Starts off with a mix of roasted chocolate malts and grapefruit and citrus hops with a bit of bitterness. Through the middle, some pine hops and a bit more bitterness comes through with some coffee and a bit of bready malts. The finish is a mix of chocolate malts, pine hops, citrus zest, and some roasted coffee.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and bready finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nicely balanced Black IPA with good malty flavors and just enough hops.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 03:36:35 | More by ngeunit1

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a very dark brown, nearing black. Creamy off-white head.

S: Lots of resinous piney hops and some roasted malts in the background.

T: Pine galore. The pine aroma leads into a quite strong bitterness with not much else making its way out. A good representation of a growing style.

M: Medium bodied and well-carbonated. Somewhat dry.

D: Quite drinkable--had no idea the abv was so high until I looked this one up on BA this morning.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2009 12:49:32 | More by Thorpe429

colforbin73

California

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this is sort of an inbetween beer, having the high imperial-ish ABV but the style is sort of nebulous, not a stout, not a porter, not quite a black ipa. i like it though -- not mind blowing but very satisfying.

pours a dark brown/black with a small tan head -- the head peters out quick and you get sort of a chocolate milk type residue on the glass. there's a good amount of hops in the nose with only minimal malt presence.

the hops hit first in the taste, but it is not an overly bitter beer -- strangely it is sort of like the hop bitterness is where you would expect the roasted malt. i am thinking this beer used black patent and a touch of chocolate malts and left the big roasty/crystal malts out.

gets better as it warms a touch. this may be the best "black ipa" i have had yet.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 01:46:04 | More by colforbin73

dudecandle

New York

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bomber into chalice:

A: Black body, large, thick head.

S: Cinnamon, a nice piney hop, some blueberry, vanilla and coffee.

T: A few layers of hops, piney like the smell, but some herbal and possibly citrus as well on the finish. Big on the coffee and vanilla in the middle, sandwiched between the hops. Mouth is left with some good blueberry-coffee taste.

M: Reasonable, moderate black ale body.

O: So many layers to the flavor bring this up, even though it doesn't quite pop at any one point. Solid, creative and different black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 05:01:09 | More by dudecandle

augustgarage

California

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap @ Blue Palms Brewhouse in Hollywood - served in a goblet.

Dark dark auburn body with faint crimson highlights. Puffy desert sand stand of foam leaves behind pasty lacing; good retention.

Light roast barley, weak coffee, and herbal hops in the nose.

Rich malt, toasty and dark with a woody note. Herbaceous citrus-kissed hops add lots of flavor and a moderate bitterness. Dry hopping works so well for this style. Finishes dry and toasty with hints of black bread, pine, and earth.

Medium-light bodied, well carbonated with mild astringency and a nice alcohol kick.

A very satisfying example of the style and a fitting re-incarnation of their anniversary ale (which was an "Indian Black Ale" last year as well).

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 20:59:41 | More by augustgarage

plaid75

New York

4.13/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a deep black hue with a one and a half finger frothy off white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a serious dry hopped citrus.

The taste was a full citric hop experience.

The mouthfeel was light considering the ABV.

Overall a nice hop driven hefty IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2009 17:32:09 | More by plaid75

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew was served from the tap at Rattle N’ Hum in New York, NY. It arrived in a stemless pilsner glass showing a pitch black coloring. It held a two finger head of latte colored foam, showing nice retention. Lacing was spidery and patterned, with a ghostly film to finally top the liquid. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared average. The aroma was bright with raw black licorice, big phenolic plastic bitterness, deeply charred malts of coffee and caramel, fusel booze, sweet floral hops, light lavender, and vanilla coolness. Our first impression was that there was a nice depth to the malts, but not so as to overwhelm the hoppiness. As we sipped, soft char of caramel and coffee came into focus, with the musk of a big basement, and a light balance of hop bitterness. The middle peaked with herbal hops to wash, but these are quickly enveloped by chemical phenols and malts, adding thorough bitterness throughout. The finish was lighter, with citric hop bitterness to mix against the continued blackness of malts, and warming booze and musk. The aftertaste breathed of smoke and sour char, bittering plastic phenols, and bitterness of coffee malts. The body was full, and the carbonation was light to medium. The mouth was coated with a nice syrupy film, with stickiness to the lips, and a light metallic dryness and sheen down the palate and tongue. Each sip gave good slurp, sip, and soft cream, with lighter froth. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank easily.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the aroma and the feel. The former was sweet with char, inviting musk, and creaminess. The hops did start strong, but did tend to get lost in the bitterness of char and phenols with excessive warmth. Regardless, the flavoring was nice, and very warming for a chilly day in the city.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 20:17:09 | More by TheBrewo

elNopalero

Texas

4.08/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tried this from the bottle and thought there were enough differences as to make it worth revisiting.
Appearance-wise this has a creamy foam head atop a thick black ale, with a lightly perceptible roast aroma and a pinch of hops. The real difference comes across in the taste and body. For starters I feel like it pours out maltier, thicker, and richer from the bottle, although it’s lacking as strong a hop presence as you might find on tap. The roast profile is rounded with some blunted edges to it. Still enjoyable, don’t get me wrong.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 22:40:48 | More by elNopalero

Kendo

New York

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the bomber into a pint glass. Body is black with mahogany edges when backlit. Pretty big (2-finger) light-tan, foamy head on top. Some thick rings of lace left behind.

S: Nice - what I like in an American Black Ale: chocolate malt, roasted barley and a touch of piney hops.

T: Given the nose, I'm a little bit disappointed by the taste, though the first impression is more a knock on the mouthfeel - which seems a bit thin - than the taste. As for taste, I get roasted barley, roasted coffee beans and then piney hop bitterness. At times that roastiness becomes char or charcoal-like. I was hoping for some chocolate malt, but all-in-all, even without it, this is solid. Very porter-like with all that roastiness - if it wasn't for the hop bitterness at the finish. Aftertaste is a battle between roasty flavors and the hop bitterness. Alcohol warmth felt in the belly, but otherwise not noted on the palate or in the taste.

M: As noted above, it's a little thin in feel, and at first I thought the carbonation was too sharp. That seemed to improve, however (or I just got used to it).

O: Pretty good. Have had mixed experiences with Speakeasy beers, but I'd say this one's a winner.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 00:20:03 | More by Kendo

Nickls

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(From notes)

A - Deep mahogany brown nearing on black in hue; good lightly tan head with decent retention

S - Grassy and piney hop aromas; not much noticeable; hint of chocolate malt perhaps; but nice strong West Coast IPA aromas

T - Burst of juicy hoppiness including pine notes and darker fruitiness; solid malt balance though a little sweet; touch of chocolate as well

M - Medium to thinner; carbonation is a little prickly at the end

D - Nice sipping brew; the chocolate and dark fruits slow this down for me a bit, but still nice

Overall, an interesting brew in the juxtaposition, though Black IPAs are starting to be a more common trend.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2009 19:59:34 | More by Nickls

Klym

California

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a surly pint glass.

I'm usually very skeptical of speakeasy and have been burned more than once by them but decided to give this a try.

To my surprise, I found this to be a really sessionable black ale. There's a fantastic hop blast in the nose, which mostly comes through in the taste with bakers chocolate and toasted crust. The tastes really come together nicely and it made for a very enjoyable drink. Cheers to a good brew from speakeasy!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 00:48:19 | More by Klym

jeffjeff1

California

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was a present from my wife. I finally got around to trying it today.

Appearance- black color, nice looking thin head that dissipated pretty quickly

Smell- bready malt, chocolate, coffee

Taste- starts out a little bit sweet, coffee flavor, gets a little bitter towards the finish but not much, mellow flavor as well

Mouthfeel- medium bodied

Drinkability- I thought this was really good. I will probably be buying some more. I enjoyed it very much.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 20:02:15 | More by jeffjeff1

capra12

New York

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed @ Rattle n Hum on 9/1/09,

Appearance: Deep Mohagundy with light cream colored head.

Smell: Piney and grapefruit hops.

Taste: Opens grainy, in the middle piney and bittering hops come through the graininess and just before the finish a hint of malts and alcohol come in leaving a bitter and hoppy aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied and slightly coarse.

Drinkability: Definitely worth a try and I would definitely have another.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2009 02:12:33 | More by capra12

rstone57

California

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz. torpedo into a pint glass

Color is charcoal black with finger's thick creamy head.

Smell is roasted malt.

Taste is a unique combo of roasted dark chocolate, malts and hops. Medium body was a mild carbonation.

Unique beer and one of my favorites that Speakeasy does.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 04:17:34 | More by rstone57

ThreeWiseMen

California

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Note: Midnight Run was brewed to celebrate Speakeasy's 13th anniversary.

Sampled this at the Speakeasy Brewery last night. Only $3.00 a pint! Following review written from notes.

Served in a clear, plastic pint.

Appearance: A short, sticky, dense, khaki-colored, bulls-eye-shaped crown sat atop a nearly opaque black body (brown shone through at the outermost edges). Tons of sticky lace. Nice!

Smell: Oily herbal hops, roasted malt, toffee, and white chocolate. Midinight Run had a much smoother and sweeter smell than all of the other IBAs I'd had. I really liked the change-up.

Taste: Caramel and white chocolate led things off; earth and pine melded with a touch of alcohol in the finish. Good sweet-to-bitter transition. While enjoyable, this wasn't as special as the smell; it was a little more run-of-the-mill.

Mouthfeel: Prickly, bitter, and dry. Alcohol was detectable, but not too strong. Medium-bodied. Moderately carbonated. A tad harsh.

Drinkability: If the guys at Speakeasy could get the taste and mouthfeel to line up better with the smell, this beer would be a knock-out. Still pretty good as it stands.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2010 16:10:17 | More by ThreeWiseMen

david18

New York

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When I bought this beer I totally misread the IBA, just thinking it was another IPA from Speakeasy. It was odd when I got it and it was as dark as it was but Southern Tier does it with their Iniquity, so what the hell. This was a very good beer but I thought it could have been a little more hop forward than it was.

Very dark color, ok aroma, good flavor. This is one to get if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2010 19:10:24 | More by david18

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Almost opaque black (in reality super dark brown), not too bubbly. Head came off thick originally almost two fingers length settling to a 1/3" after a sip.

Smell: Malts but comes off light.

Taste: Very rich malty ale. Taste is very sticky and the feeling of barley and caramel. You know what floral as well....this might not be called a black IPA but it might as well be.

Mouth: Medium carbonation, absolutely no complaints...just smooth.

Overall: You see it in the cooler buy it, you definitely won't be disappointed. This beer is a true black IPA without the advertisement. Salud.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 06:08:07 | More by BlurryVisi0n

afksports

New York

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is from my iPhone, and I'm enjoying this one on tap in a snifter at Amity Hall during NYC Craft Beer Week. Shout outs to the bartenders!

The appearance of this one is great fun. Lotta foamy head, dark rich browns and blacks in the pour. Stupendous lacing (swore to myself I'd use another adjective with lacing at some point).

Enjoying the happy hour atmosphere, I'm not getting much from the aroma. Honestly it's hoppy but pretty plain, maybe a bit citric, but I'm not too impressed. Mouthfeel is good, but finishes a bit weaker than if expect for this abv and darkness. Drinkability is good though, due in large part to the taste. Speakeasy got that part right.

It's rich, sweet, malty, but balanced with hops that don't let anything overpower the other. It's like a porter except with Indian spices. The finish isn't clean, but this is still one I'd come back to.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2010 22:14:17 | More by afksports

argock

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a Shaker pint glass at Mellow Mushroom (Charlottesville, VA).

A: Black with chestnut brown edges and short cap of off-white head with nice shades of lace.

S: Light nutty roasted aroma with modest citrus note

T: The flavor has much more teeth than the aroma with a dark but not black maltiness with no acrid elements, light caramel, and a citrusy hoppy note in the finish.

M: Relatively low carbonation with moderately dry finish and minimal aftertaste.

O: A solid black ale that could use a little more roast and citrus hopping but overall quite good and enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 17:07:16 | More by argock

illidurit

California

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Pours a really dark ruby brown but not quite black. Not difficult to see through it with some backing light. Head is creamy and tan. Aroma is graham, bread crust, and a fat dose of piney hops. Flavor is similar but the emphasis is even more hop-focused. A touch of dark wheat bread crust gets steamrolled by big herbal resinous hop flavors, with piney and citric accents. Nice solid bitterness with no astringency. Pretty significant alcohol burn. Mouthfeel is nice with a medium body and great carbonation. The only flaw here is the booziness. This is the west coast version of a black IPA for sure: just enough malt to contribute to the complexity, but not so much that it turns into a cloying undrinkable mess.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 05:47:58 | More by illidurit

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours coal black with a finger of light tan head. Decent head retention with some lacing.

S- soft aromas of roasted malt and dark chocolate with a note of char. Very woody hop aromas with a bitter orange citrus peel and some dank hemp qualities. Hop oils blend in as well.

T- initial burst of roasty malt and bakers chocolate hits the palate at first. Woody hop flavors soon take over with notes of hemp, pine and orange citrus peel. Finishes with a bitter bite and an astringent char.

MF- slightly oily slick mouthfeel with a light medium body and average unassuming carbonation.

D- decent drinkability.

Overall a good brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 01:20:38 | More by Viciousknishs

peacebone116

California

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Listed at 8.2%ABV, I poured this ale from the bomber into a Delirium sinfter on 11.7.11.

A: Midnight black liquid fills my glass topped with a significant off-white head. The head recedes eventually, leaving wisps and delicate lace at the leg and clinging to the sides as high-water marks.

N: A not-overpowering aroma of roasted grains (a smack of coffee and chocolate) rises from the glass. As it warms, there is a slight detection of citric pine from the hops, but this is very and only becomes more distinguishable after tasting and as the beer warms.

T/M: Roasted coffee/bitter chocolate and grains dominates the palate of this big black ale. Not overly complex, but definitely delightful and tasty, there is a nice citric piney note on the back. The beer is full bodied, but not heavy, with a medium mouthfeel. It has a bit of an oily texture, presumably from the hop oils.

This beer is more stout-like than I expected, but I really appreciate the hop presence. It makes for a delightful sipper on crisp Bay Area evenings in the fall.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 00:47:29 | More by peacebone116

jdense

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle from The Beer Mongers PDX, poured into Ovila chalice 12.9.11.

One finger light tan head, medium-fast dissipation, bubbles clinging to sides of glass surrounding very dark brown opaque body. Nose is citrus, minimal roast, mild resin with some floral aromas. Taste mirrors nose, grapefruit, mild resin on backend, got increasingly bitter and sweetish as the beer warmed. Mouthfeel is medium, a bit light on effervescence, ABV well hidden. A nice change of pace for ABA, fairly light mouthfeel and minimal roast makes this fairly drinkable, though with this exploding style they'll need to ramp up the hops a bit to keep up with the CDA arms race.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 17:19:18 | More by jdense