Beer #6- Steven's Point- "2012 Black Ale"

Armageddon. The end of the world. Rapture. Cataclysm. Catastrophe. All these words tend to strike fear into us. Most of us think the world will end, I will venture to say, and most have different ideas of how it will. I prefer to think of a zombie inhabited end of the world Armageddon where I am keeping zombies at bay with a sawed off shotgun, perfecting head-shots, while my beautiful bride to be is running for safety. But that’s just me. I guess I have some kind of twisted bit inside me, the zombie decapitating part, but maybe some of you can relate.

In any case, 2012 spells doom for our civilization. If you have seen any part of the movie, you understand what this doom is (theatrically and semi-factually). The Mayan calendar, natural catastrophes, earthquakes, volcanoes- they are all there and buzzwords for this end of our heavenly body. And to believe, this Black Ale summons this very idea and attempts to fit that into one glass. What a bunch of Cusack-loving crazies!

I love Black Ales, so I eagerly poured the motor-oil black liquid into my cup and watched it wash around the glass and stain the before clarity of my drinking agent. The dark brown foam bubbled up quickly and made a formidable head- a sort of bulwark against any trespassers. I quickly got around that barricade as I sniffed the dark chocolate, coffee musk with a vanilla bean sweetness, and directed it towards my mouth as it washed over my tongue.

Well crafted. Dynamic and complex. Sweet and bitter- evenly at first, followed by a more robust black coffee taste. It was smooth. Thick, but sticking to its guns as an Ale, not trying to be a stout. Almost refreshing. I drank it again, perplexed that such a dumb name would have such a serious taste. The same things again.

2012, you have delivered. While all thought you were a sham, turned out those Mayans won out. Let's hope that doesn't really happen with the date. Unless its with zombies.

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I give Steven's Point- "2012 Black Ale" a grandiose 88.


Look: Bold Black, Dark Brown Head
Smell: Vanilla Bean, Coffee, Dark Chocolate
Taste: Creamy, bitter chocolate, coffee


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Brett's ratings are out of 100.

As with all connoisseurs, personal taste affects all ratings. The best ratings tend to lean towards his two different biases; 1) Well-crafted heavy Stouts and 2) Lagers made with a simple perfection.

Please understand that just because Brett gives a beer a high rating doesn't mean you may think it is good. Only understand that if he gives it a high rating it is because most people who have a good taste in beer would do the same.