“DESIGNED USING PALE, MUNICH, CRYSTAL AND CARAFA ROASTED MALT. A FILTERED BEER WITH BRILLIANT CLARITY, DARK BROWN IN COLOUR WITH RUBY AND GARNET HIGHLIGHTS. IT HAS A STRONG MALT BACKBONE WITH HINTS OF COFFEE, CHOCOLATE AND COCOA THAT BALANCE THE USE OF FALCONER’S FLIGHT HOPS, GIVING RISE TO CITRUS, PINE AND VANILLA FLAVOURS AND AROMAS. THE COMBINATION OF DARK MALT AND HOPS WITH LAGER YEAST DELIVERING A CRISP, CLEAN DARK BEE”
There’s a fine line between dark lagers and bocks and here’s the difference. The main defining factor between the two is the ABV. Dark lagers tend to be between 4-6% while bocks can reach anywhere between 6-12% ABV and are generally a lot more malty. We digress, on with the review. This we poured into a shaker glass (could also be served in a dimpled mug). The deep ruby red pour produced a beige 1 finger head that collapsed quite quickly leaving minimal lacing. As to be expected the aroma is dominated by malt with hints of coffee, vanilla, cocoa and a subtle roastiness. There’s a strange syrupy scent emanating also, similar to canned fruit. The mouth feel was a tad thin with mild carbonation. Similar to the aroma the initial flavour offers a subtle roastiness. A faint suggestion of coffee and a plethora of different malts in the mid-palate deliver a creamy finish with hints of chocolate and mocha. Slightly nutty in the finish with reasonable length. The 4.5% ABV is about standard. Pretty sessional for a dark beer but really, it’s the same story with this brewery…good beers but nothing notably outstanding. Still, a decent offering.