review: New Belgium 1554 Black Ale

Today's beer adventure: New Belgium 1554 Black Ale (Colorado, USA). 355ml bottle. 5.6% ABV. Served in pint glass. Purchased at WalMart near Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. $14.00 for a 12 bottle Folly Pak (with Ranger, Fat Tire and Dig).

The pour is black with slight ruby hues. Not much carbonation visible. Small tight head with decent lacing. Nose is coffee, toasted (burnt?) malt, molasses, pumpernickel bread. This oughta be interesting.

The flavour of toasted rye/pumpernickel bread. Molasses. Coffee. Ever so slight dark fruit - cherry, plum. Mouthfeel is chewy yet not heavy. Finish is long coffee roastiness. More warming than the ABV might imply.

Rating is 8.75/10 dogs. Wow. This is a BIG ASS BEER! I will go out of my way to find this in the future. Puts lead in yer pencil, this does.... Delicious.

What other people think: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/1914
Brewer's website: http://www.newbelgium.com/home.aspx