I’m making it to a half-dozen in my round up of Stouts and Irish-style red beers for your St. Patrick’s Day consideration.
Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont, CO began its “Fade to Black” series of black beers in 2009 with this Vol. 1, a Foreign Export Stout. The description from the Left Hand website notes:
That time of year when the day seems to fade away. Drifting further into the darkness with each passing day. Volume 1 – Foreign Stout – Pours black with licorice, espresso bean, molasses, and black cardamom notes that give way to a feeling of self loathing, burnt opportunities and smoked relationships.
The beer sends forth a malty roast smell immediately upon popping the cap. It pours black with a very thin head, still putting out that alcohol smell.
Like many “export” beers, this runs stronger than the regular version, maybe at 8.5% it could be considered an Imperial stout. The alcohol warmth helps ease out the usual roastiness of a stout, letting slip in later in the glass. Without the smoothness left by bourbon barrel aging, this beer has to stand out on its own. And the roast and alcohol do a good job of that. Definitely a beer for the end of the day.
