Capital Dark

Tasted Friday evening after a long, productive day at the brewery, lab and the first day of conference. Enjoyed with some 483 pale pitachips made with olive oil, organic flour, rosemary, basil, and oregano, and fermented with Saison yeast! I've seen this brewery so many times but for some reason over look it. I recommend not doing so.

Appearance: A bubbly/soapy off white foam sits on top of the beer. It aggressively dissipates but is still fueled by the carbonation which resembles a soda character with much of it clinging to the side of the glass. The color is a dark bronze with an orange hue. Quite clear. A sticky lacing follows the beer down the glass.

Aroma: A little grainy to the nose with a splash of roasted barley and chocolate malt. A crisp lagered component along with a vigorously sweet sugar cane scent. Some dark roasted fruit permeates the nostrils alongside the roastiness.
Taste: Robustly sweet with a toasted bill and the ever prominent roasted flavor and a lagging chocolate to take the finishing role. Bittersweet cocoa and an abundance of extra sugar adjuncts help make this beer resemble that of a dark Mexican lager. As the beer warms, more of the hops are pronounced towards the finish to encourage the fresh clean flavor. Similarly the beer also leaves a woody (ceder), tannin flavor at the end. Could be associated with a burnt/over roasted grain flavor.
Mouthfeel: Light body and a softer mouthfeel. Carbonation is sufficient in that it doesn't take away from the beer, but still just enough to easily make it a very drinkable beer. Some resins are produced in the finish. Predominantly smooth
Overall Impression: A nicely balanced, and richly flavored drinkable beer. I could have a couple of these in one sitting. It also incorporates some unique earthy elements to it, especially from the flavors resembling chocolate. Both warming but a perfect summer beer


Tim: 90/100
Jen: 90/100