Ding Points: 52.50

Pour: 60.00, Nose: 50.00, Palate: 50.00, Mouth: 60.00, Global: 50.00

Tasting Notes:

Strange one, this.

Pour is a light amber, slightly hazed color with absolutely no sign of the black malts mentioned on the label.

Crown Valley Brewing, Black Cabin Smoked Ale

Head and lace are both quite poor, and beer fairly rapidly becomes relatively lifeless in the glass and has some annoying, prickly carbonation. Lightly acidic as well. Nose is that of neutral but sweet, bready notes and not much else at all – disappointing when we are talking about a smoked beer.

Tasty are quite frankly, equally disappointing. The briefest hint of smoke at first which only fades even more as the 12 oz bottle warms and is consumed. Finish gives a touch more acidity, and a light, gentle lingering tobacco element.

If you are looking for a really significantly smoked beer then this is not it. In fact, it’s really a largely non-descript affair.

Crown Valley Brewing has some potential for me, but this is not a beer that they need to bother with in the future.

Other: 5.6%, Smoked beer, Rauchbier.