Camo Black Ice - Camo Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.35/5  rDev +25%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Malt Likkapalooza X is here at last. Since I'm having trouble finding new malt liquors, there may not be too many more of these head-to-head grudge matches. This is the second of these competitions in a row to feature a Camo product. Will Black Ice do as well as Camo 900 High Gravity Lager? There's only one way to find out.

Rich amber that is almost as orange as it is yellow. The French vanilla colored crown looks pretty damn good. It's firmly creamy, is micropitting and is depositing an amazing amount of soon-to-be crusty lace. This is one of the best looking malt liquors that I've ever seen. Trash the brown paper bags, guys. Use a glass.

The nose is tremendously floral, almost perfumy. It's odd for a beer of this style, and not exactly 'tough guy' in nature, but I like it because it covers up the usual graininess and grain alcohol essence that these things usually deliver.

To my surprise, the flavor is where Camo Black Ice falls back to the level of its foe. I need to get deeper into the cans to pick a clear favorite, but they're close. The floralness and green apple flavor are a bit much. Okay in small doses. Less tolerable over all 24 ounces.

It's hard to completely obliterate a 10.5% ABV, and probably unfair to expect in a malt liquor, but a little more finesse wouldn't hurt. Of course no one who drinks malt liquor is looking for finesse... or probably even knows what finesse means.

It's hard to imagine the folks who usually drink this stuff standing around on the street corner discussing viscosity and the pleasures of 'energetic, yet soft-edged carbonation'. Hey, that describes the mouthfeel pretty well.

The appearance score might put Camo Black Ice over the top when it comes to the final score, but malt liquors are made for drinking (and, yes, tasting), so Schlitz High Gravity is my favorite beer of Malt Likkapalooza X no matter how it shakes out in the end. Looks like Camo 900 High Gravity is the best Camo of them all.

Serving type: can

03-27-2008 15:12:23 | More by BuckeyeNation

womencantsail

California

1.18/5  rDev -37.2%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

The infamous Camo Black Ice. Shared at our tasting yesterday so as to run the gamut from awful to amazing.

A: The pour is crystal clear and very, very pale yellow in color. The head is initially white and fluffy, but disappears almost as quickly as it arrived.

S: The nose is dominated by a sweet, airy rice aroma. There's a touch of grain sweetness and a fair amount of skunk.

T: I didn't think the flavor could get much worse than the nose, but somehow, it did. This one is all rice, corn, and booze. Just awful.

M: Very, very light body. The carbonation is fairly high, but it doesn't do much to help out the watery beer.

D: One of the most godawful things I've put in my mouth. Thanks Jacob and Jer for sharing this one...very generous.

Serving type: can

02-01-2010 20:09:03 | More by womencantsail

TMoney2591

Illinois

1.9/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Served in a Surly shaker pint glass.

The eighth entry in SwillFest 2011. It pours a clear straw topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises bubblegum, vanilla, cream soda, and corn syrup. Boo. The taste holds notes of lemon rind, tart mandarin orange skin, corn syrup, and rotten vanilla bean. More boo. The body is a light medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a kinda syrupy feel. Overall, a highly objectionable malt lickah, one that I wish followed the harshly sweet smell.

Serving type: can

07-03-2011 19:37:04 | More by TMoney2591

zeff80

Missouri

1.23/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

24oz can - Just had to try a malt liquor

A - Poured out a golden, yellow color with a white, two-finger head. Highly carbonated.

S - Smelled of malt and corn. Also, a metallic aroma even though I poured it into a pilsner glass. Gets worse the more you drink it.

T - It tasted of corn and alcohol. Odd aftertaste.

M - It was crisp and dry. It also was rather warm due to the high-alcohol content.

D - It wasn't as bad as I expected. But it certainly wasn't good.

Serving type: can

05-02-2007 23:23:04 | More by zeff80

emerge077

Illinois

1.15/5  rDev -38.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Can dated "3330", brewed by "Five Star Brewing Co, Inc" in Lacrosse, WI and Latrobe PA. Wasn't Five Star going to be the new name of Viking before they went with Valkyrie? Don't blame them for the name change, I wouldn't want to be mistaken as responsible for this garbage either...

Into a large mug it does indeed pour urine gold with a rapidly fading white cap of fizzling bubbles. Rapid visible carbonation, crystal clear, looks like a sparkling cider.

Smells like a musty dishrag soaked with spoiled grape juice. Fusel alcohol fumes.
Starting to think this was a very bad idea.

Harshly astringent and overcarbonated. It tastes like alcohol and white grape juice that has started to turn. Sharp and lip-curling foul taste of fusel alcohol and sickly sweet white grape juice (likely from wine yeast). Just bad, real bad. One of the worse malt liquors on the market, pretty much the bottom of the barrel for a $1.49 can.

Serving type: can

01-27-2012 00:56:50 | More by emerge077

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

1.2/5  rDev -36.2%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

My can mission continues, CAN you dig it? This is not part of the review, but Rob Tod and I were talking on Saturday about the canned beer phenomenon as reported in the latest issue of "All About Beer" and the big thing holding (most) craft brewers back from canning is a lack of available cans. This could be an entry-level industry if people wanted to fill a void. Just like being a cooper - it was a dying craft for which there is now a huge demand. Just sayin' ...

Okay, is this beer capable of getting a head? I poured repeatedly, only to see what little developed devolve into wisps. The hell with it! I moved on. Color was a beautiful golden-yellow with NE-quality clarity. Nice. Especially since it was all downhill from there. The nose had a sharp paint thinner-like quality which is not optimal. OK, I am not stupid, I get the point - it is a cheap buzz at 10.5 ABV in a low-priced 24-oz. can, but ZOUNDS!, does it need to be so obnoxious? Mouthfeel was thin with a hot alcohol burn on the tongue replaced with a green apple flavor. Phew. The finish left me (literally) breathless. It was a really hot beer from start to finish and undoubtedly smoked a couple of brain cells and a region of my liver. Man, I would be hard pressed to crack another of those.

Serving type: can

06-23-2009 02:19:24 | More by woodychandler

tpd975

Florida

1.9/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Why Dave why do you insist on doing this to me.

A: Pours a pale yellow with a foamy head. No lace.

S: Aromas of corn, bread, and a cat's litter box.

T: Sweet corn, cane sugar, floor stripper.

M: Light, thin, fizzy.

D: Would rather drink what's in the cat's litter box.

Serving type: can

03-09-2010 18:11:57 | More by tpd975

hopdog

Pennsylvania

2.13/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

24oz can acquired in trade with Kevin (thanks, I guess!).

I've been trying to get the local PA crew to drink this one for a while now, but for some reason, it took some arm twisting and constant urging!

Poured a medium yellow color with an averaged sized head. Yep, smells and tastes like a Malt Liquor - corny and just nasty.

Notes from: 3/14/08

Serving type: can

01-13-2009 15:08:03 | More by hopdog

tone77

Pennsylvania

1.9/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1

Poured from a 24 oz. can. Has a rich golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of alcohol, some malts. Taste is of alcohol and not good at all. No real beer flavor here. Feels light with a slight burn in the mouth and is one of the least drinkable beers I have tried. Overall this beer is borderline disgusting.

Serving type: can

04-30-2010 13:37:23 | More by tone77

bditty187

Nebraska

1.6/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Clear, gold in hue; I am pleased the color is not overly thin or sickly. Loud, talkative white head, at the apex the foam was easily three fingers tall. The bubbles popped and left pockmarks as it faded steadily. A small cap lasted the entire consumption (albeit brief consumption). No lacing of note. Overall, the appearance is quite standard.

The nose smells of malt and corn grist with fruit jelly and Vaseline mixed in for good measure. Alcohol is noticeable, it doesn’t seem overly hot to me but I fear it will open up once I take a sip. I have smelled worse Malt Liquors (and better ones). Offensive but it will not haunt my memories.

Sweet palate, it is malty for a brief moment before turning rather corny and a tad wheat-like. There are tons of fusel alcohol flavors, fruit jelly, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and apples (grapes too?). The alcohol heat burns my throat on the swallow… I am forced to take little sips. I’ve had a couple good Malt Liquors but Camo Brewing Company has yet to delivers one. IMO, Black Ice is borderline awful.

Almost medium in body, minimal carbonation, the mouthfeel is thin but harsh. That is not a winning combo… The mouthfeel is poor but I’m not drinking enough of it to really matter.

Drinkable? Um, like, hell no. I purchased a massive 24-ounce can for $1.08 at a local grocery store. Why? So BA member Roydrinksitall can review this beer? Merry Christmas. To the rest of you, avoid this beer.

Serving type: can

12-29-2006 18:41:38 | More by bditty187

budgood1

Minnesota

1.25/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

brewed by Five Star Brewing Co. Lacrosse, WI.

24 ounce can.

*Disclaimer* i am afraid of this beer already!

ok, here goes....

pours out of the can a clear perfect gold colour with a an off white frothy head. actually some lace on the sides as i sip. aroma is heavily fusel, with lots of artificial banana and other random sweet tart flavours. actually does not smell bad, just not *right*. taste is a heavy dose of jet fuel soaked alcohol. yikes. the corn syrup soaked evilness has a sickly cheap liquor note to it. more fermented bananas and a green apple note to boot. i can only think that this what some demented distiller had in mind when brewing up some moonshine and then deciding to brew some beer. i'm serious, this stuff has an ethanol edge that is just plain wrong. i'm not sure if any barley or hops were used in this "beer". who in the hell thinks up this stuff?!? i should be drinking this out of a shot glass and not trying to discern any nuances. on the other hand, it does have a pretty slick and smooth mouthfeel, making the drinker only wince after i swallow. drinkability?? well....i say it has zero drinkability, but the score only goes down to 1.

this is beyond an ice brewed malt liquor. there should be a new category for alcoholic concoctions such as this. my god is this stuff vile!

Serving type: can

12-24-2008 00:48:23 | More by budgood1

TheSarge

Illinois

2/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours decently for a malt liquor style lager. Nice head of white foam, and a clear dark golden body.

The aroma is very astringent, lots of corn and tobacco characteristics. Dry and powdery too.

Taste wise it is very rich in the tobacco flavor, and kind of leathery and buttery.

Crisp and lots of carbonation up front. Delves into a burning ethyl feel for the finish. It almost feels/tastes like somebody dumped a shot of shitty whiskey into a beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 22:38:45 | More by TheSarge

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

1.08/5  rDev -42.6%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Reviewed from notes.

A. Deep yet clear golden yellow, no head nor lacing at all, but there are fair amounts of effervescent rising bubbles.

S. Smells very much like cheap Manischewitz wine mixed with kerosene, some diesel, and a hearty side of lawnmower engine oil/gasoline combination. Warning flags and klaxon alarms are going off in my mind.

T. Gargh!! Almost pure fusel alcohols! My eyebrows have spontaneously dissolved! And I think a part of my brain has dribbled out of my ear canal as well! Is this really even beer?

M. Texturally, it even resembles the thin and strident feel of solvents. Only carbonated. Carbonated Solvents. Hey, that sounds like a good name for a band, hmm.

Seriously, this is the very textbook definition STANDARD of fusel fumigation madness. Maybe there's a pinch of white grapes in the finish after the gasoline / kerosene explosion, but I'm having a hard time finding it while being preoccupied with extinguishing my chest hair.

Possibly this "brew" could also be utilized as paint thinner or to help remove those stubborn concrete driveway oil stains.

Serving type: can

04-16-2012 22:09:19 | More by WastingFreetime

CharlesDarwin

Rhode Island

1.1/5  rDev -41.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Originally reviewed July 13 2007. Poured from a 24 oz can. Aroma is a distinctive amalgam of burning rubber tires and gas-station-machine condoms. Estery. Holds clean and clear, in pale gold, with a fresh draught of crisp white foam. Beautiful head retention. Flavor departs from the aroma and grabs more of a wheat fusel line, backed with incredibly alcohol reek, bus vomit, and bushels of corn. You can really feel the alcohol working it’s evil on you. Bitter for no apparent reason (certainly not hops). It’s like having all the bad parts of a poorly craft brewed barleywine, without any of the malt character or hop flavor. Pure concentrated corn sugar garbage. Smacks out in a compost figure.

Serving type: can

12-16-2007 01:53:38 | More by CharlesDarwin

Vdubb86

Illinois

2.23/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Served in a tulip

This is part of swillfest...I'm so sorry body.

This is a pale straw color that isn't really appetizing to the eyes. The nose has some puffed rice and anise. I really think this smells like butthole. I truly don't think it's a very favorable taste as well. There is a lot of corn syrup and pain. It's seriously hard to get down. Overall this is a terrible beer. 'Nuff said.

Serving type: can

07-03-2011 01:23:50 | More by Vdubb86

vacax

California

1.05/5  rDev -44.1%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Another great find of a beer in a ghetto liquor store. Pours golden with a slight haze, big bad white foamy head that dies down relatively quickly to a small cap with a spot or two of lace. Smells of honey, plastic, ammonia, and hot garbage on the nose. Tastes of sour grapes, plastic, corn drenched in rubbing alcohol, and the finish brings a bit of cookie and a roll of pennies. Medium to light in body, not too sure because I can't really keep it in my mouth too long without discomfort, very high carbonation. This is probably the worst beer I've ever had, but one day I want to try Evil Eye. One day. Until then, I hate myself for buying this, even if it was just for a laugh. I think I have a headache after 2.3 oz.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2010 05:13:09 | More by vacax

Wetpaperbag

Washington

1.6/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

A- Clear golden color with no head. Even though the glass is quite busy with bubbles.

S- Surprisingly enough I actually smell a fruity banana smell. It almost reminds me of a watered down red MD 20/20.

T- I'm a bit scared, so lets see how this goes: wow my gag reflex started to kick in. The can says 10.5%abv and it is there in full force. Wow. I can taste the banana taste but wow this is bad.

M- Feels like beer, I think. Perhaps its the spawn of the devil beer.

D- Hell no.

Edit: Dear god I had to pour this out, it was that bad.

Serving type: can

08-06-2008 05:15:09 | More by Wetpaperbag

kinger

Ohio

1.05/5  rDev -44.1%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Just can't refuse a new 99 cent camo product so let the punishment fit the crime. This is nasty of course 10.5% of pure adjunct power. Strong sweet aroma, terrible. Nice pour with a ton of lacing dark gold color. Mouthfeel, taste, and overall enjoyment are minimal. Another ghetto bullet by the Camo family.

Serving type: can

08-26-2008 12:20:36 | More by kinger

DESTRO

Nevada

1.65/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

i usually dont drink this stuff, but it is not below me and i did have a can of this the other day during some an intense rockband xbox sesh. i didnt pour it out, but the can is pretty tight. i like the explosion thing and the military style font. unfortunatly its not very good after that. it smells like cornflakes and alcohol. it tastes like cornflakes and paint thinner. mouthfeel? i dunno i was drinking it as fast as possible to avoid the taste. drinkability is low seeing as how its 10.5% and terrible, BUT there is a silver lining, i felt pretty awesome immediatly following consumption. its a double edged sword.

Serving type: can

05-25-2009 17:28:16 | More by DESTRO

jsisko01

Michigan

1.63/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Appearance - Pours a bright golden color with a half inch head that dissipates somewhat quickly. The foam is literally crackling, it seems very carbonated.

Smell - Pretty sweet with a wine-like scent to it.. maybe some lemon zest. Malts and a sour alcohol aroma as well.

Taste - Oh my GOD.... there is literally no other flavors present to cover up the overbearing alcohol taste. It's like you're drinking gasoline. This taste very similar to a whiskey ale.

Mouthfeel - Light body with high carbonation.

Overall - After a few sips I'm literally gagging.. I'm dumping this tallboy down the drain.

Serving type: can

02-25-2012 03:17:33 | More by jsisko01

berserker256

Michigan

1.25/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

I pour from the 24 ounce can into my pint glass. Clear yellow gold fluid with minimal head. Smells like chemicals and alcohol and earthy grains. Tastes horrible. It tastes like a vodka boilermaker into a crappy beer. I guess that's the best way I can describe it. Terrible to drink. I'm choking this one down because I'm a man but this is awful beer. The only decent thing about this can of hellish swill is that it's 10.5% ABV. So if you only have $1.39 in your sock this'll do, pig. This'll do.

Serving type: can

05-21-2008 00:33:49 | More by berserker256

comfortablynumb1

California

1.65/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Thought I would switch it from craft brew tonight, and go back to the basics with a little malt liquor. On deck: Camo, and King Cobra. Let's get this party started...

Poured from 24oz can into an Old Raspy pint glass..

A - Pours an apple juice color with a two finger froth head. Head almost immediately dissipates...

S - Smells like wine. Grapes and alcohol...

T - Wow, the alcohol is very apparent. Starts sweet then you are slapped in the face with an alcohol bite. Pour a couple of shots into your morning glass of grape juice, and this will probably be close to the outcome...

M - Light bodied with lots of carbonation...

D - I like to pride myself on being a person that enjoys really good beers, but at the same time can still enjoy swill, but this one goes over the top. Won't be buying this again. If your on a really tight budget, and looking to catch a fast buzz; maybe. Otherwise, I would suggest to look elsewhere...

Cheers...

Serving type: can

10-20-2010 01:16:53 | More by comfortablynumb1

Lauthaha

Michigan

2.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1

Poured from a 24-ounce can into a half-liter beer glass. Not all at once.

Appearance: Slightly heavier than "straw-colored" and with a pretty decent head which recedes quickly leaving behind light-to-moderate lacing. Doesn't really look all that bad.

Smell: I actually kind of appreciate the scent here. There's a very distinct wine-like aroma with quite a bit of corniness to it. As a "beer" I would fail it, but being a "malt liquor" gives it a little leeway there. Slightly sweet'n'sour grape/rubbing alcohol.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Dear God. It starts out very smooth, nothing too over-the-top. Beer is moderately oily with low carbonation. As it bubbles down, however, you get the feeling you have just imbibed some watered-down gasoline. Bitter to a fault, pointless alcohol content. On the plus side, it rinses very clean, leaving you free to eat some chips or something to wash away the taste.

Drinkability: Only drink it to get drunk for next-to-nothing. Would certainly never recommend this beer to anyone for any purpose.

Serving type: can

11-04-2010 02:50:45 | More by Lauthaha

DrainBamage

Michigan

1.75/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A: Pours a very clear gold color with a surprisingly decent head, going down for 1 inch to a lace.

S: The smell is very watered down, shocking with an ABV of 10.5%, and adjuncts are present also. Probably the worst smelling beer ever. Not to say bad smelling, but more of a lack of.

T: This bad. Real bad. It definitely has the fuel taste, but is extremely sweet. Reminds me of sweeter version of Camo Silver Ice.

M: Mouthfeel is decent, goes down reasonable smooth even with the slight burning sensation.

D: Overall this is a sorry excuse for a malt liquor, and ice beer, or a beer for that matter. I guess if your only goal is to get drunk off your ass, then you might like this. If you actually appreciate beer, then stay away.

Serving type: can

04-29-2008 04:29:26 | More by DrainBamage

nicksta

Michigan

1.73/5  rDev -8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

"Hmmmm, the National Championship is tonight. I want some beer, but I am hella broke. I know! I shall drink Camo and not just any Camo, but Camo Black Ice!" - me this morning

The beer is a a light straw yellow with no froth and lots of lacing and carbonation. Hot damn! It smells like year old Miller! So sweet, but kinda clean at least. Okay, the taste is like a light beer! Holy shit! It isn't horrible and adjunctly sweet at all! I am going to get blitzed off of these three cans that will go down easy. The only real problem is the alcohol burn at the end. Oh wait, the sweetness effects the chug; oh well! The mouthfeel is weak, by the way.

Maybe I should slow down. After all, it is only halftime.

Serving type: can

01-09-2007 03:33:53 | More by nicksta