Samuel Adams Black & Brew

Today I'm drinking Samuel Adams Black & Brew brewed by The Boston Beer Company in Boston, Cincinnati or Breinigsville, Pennsylvania. I was intrigued enough by this new beer to buy the mixed 12 pack it came in; well, and I like the other five beers also. The label shows a somewhat uncreative half mug of coffee joining a half pint of stout. Photoshop! I will admit, however, that I like the fact that they redesigned the labels to get rid of those annoying banners that cover up the art and ram the corporation down your throat. And you can still tell it's one of their beers, no problem. Around the neck, you are told that they use 1.5 pounds of  Sumatran coffee per barrel. Enjoy before May, 2012. 

Fairly muted aroma, but a big whiff might show you some cocoa and a light roast. As much as I couldn't find any coffee in the aroma, the flavors did a 180° turnaround. Strong coffee, nice flavor for sure. Creamy smooth texture. Along with the coffee, cocoa and caramel are also strong flavor contributors from start to finish, complementing each other wonderfully.

There is also a good dose of roasted malt, smoke and an ashy dryness that shows up in the middle and carries into the aftertaste. Nicely balanced, not sweet or bitter or harsh at all. I certainly would have enjoyed a bigger, richer body, but whatever, it wasn't too thin. Very enjoyable with nice flavors. This winter pack has my stamp of approval.