Beer Advent Calendar 2014
The first beer in the Mystery Gift Holiday Countdown Craft Beer Advent Calendar happened to be a collaboration between Parallel 49 Brewing and Central City Brewers & Distillers. Brewed at Parallel 49’s location in East Vancouver comes the “Schwarzwald Chocolate Cherry Ale” basically an attempt at a black forest cake porter. The beer pours a deep black colour that gives way to some ruby red when held to a light and a small tan head. The aroma consists of sweet artificial cherries, chocolate syrup and some cough syrup. The flavour is of cherry syrup, tart cherries, chocolate syrup and cough syrup with some smoke and alcohol warmth. The alcohol content came in at 9% with an IBU of 22. I really enjoyed this at the launch party but it seems to have changed a bit to much and seems a bit artificial now for some reason.
Commercial Description: The Black Forest region of Germany is known for its clocks, cakes and tales of Hansel & Gretel giving a witch her “just desserts”. Here in East Van. Graham & Gary have teamed up to bring you this cake inspired brew filled with cocoa nibs and cherries. While you may not end up living happily ever after, it’s still a pretty sweet ending.
Mystery Gift Holiday Countdown 2014
I loved this one. Had to share half with the wife. What a bummer she can be.
I really liked it at the launch party but it tasted like I was trying to kick a cold. What can you do. Could have used your wife around last night to finish my bottle off lol.
I would have gladly done that for you, she already stole half my beer!
The bloody nerve. Lol.
Usually I avoid cherry or chocolate beers, so when I pulled this one out of the box, I was a bit leery. Better than I expected, it would make a nice dessert beer. Not one I’d try often, but interesting.