Why we picked it: A recommendation from Tommy D.
About Left Hand's Fade to Black: 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
Beer Advocate Score: 91
Collection: Seasonal
Style: Foreign Stout
Color: Black with Ruby Edges
Body: Medium
ABV: 8.5%
IBU's: 30
PLATO: 18°
Malt: Pale 2-row, Roasted Barley, Black Malt, Chocolate Malt, Cara-Aroma and Malted Wheat
Hops: Magnum and US Goldings
Case Cost: $40
*website: http://lefthandbrewing.com/beers/fade-to-black-vol-1/
This was a very nice welcome back after driving back from Bethlehem, PA. I have had better stouts but this one is pretty solid. Still recovering from yesterday's post race after party though so maybe it would be even better if I was not hungover.
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite. Ro described it as "burnt toast" and I wouldn't go that far, but too bitter for me. I guess my current porter obsession does not carry over to stouts. Maybe it's my amateur move of drinking it at 38 degrees in a pint glass instead of 50-55 degrees in a goblet. Is getting better as I work my way down the beer. And going down quite fast. Another beer that I would never guess has the ability to knock me on my ass in a short period of time.
ReplyDeleteDidn't have a goblet handy but I took this out the fridge about 40 mins before I drank it to warm it up to the recommended 50ish degrees. Not sure I close I was but this tasted great! This one here had a mellow roast coffee vibe with very little sweetness vs the bitter Chocolate I got from the flying dog yesterday. Don't think I prefer one over the other. Both are decent brews with a nice ABV. A-
ReplyDeleteSo a few months back my boy sent me an article raving about these glasses that make your stouts taste better. Turns out this German company got with Left Hand and Rogue Breweries to design these glasses. I was skeptical but ordered them since I drank mainly stouts and if anything I'll get a dope looking set of these glasses. Did a taste test and yup, they're legit. Highly recommended for any Stout fans.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K0JFP5Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418596909&sr=8-1#productDescription_secondary_view_pageState_1418596927978
Great tip! I used a white wine glass (which is the closest thing I had that resembled the glass at the website you provided) and it really revealed all the flavors.
DeleteNice! That's actually a good idea since these are as thin as wine glasses. I'll give that a try if both of these are in the dishwasher.
DeleteVery nice, and nice chilly weather accompaniment! Smooth, excellent blend of chocolate and bitter. One of my favorites so far. I haven't found a left hand brew that I didn't like and this continues that streak.
ReplyDelete"Refills all around"
When I compare this beer to a woman I dated it reminds me of a very dark women that was abrasive at first and yielded very little head. Not a good firm impression at all. However after I continued and it warmed up, it got better and better with each mouth full. By the end it was ok. Last night was much better. Tonight she was too rough (not smooth and clean like last night).
ReplyDeleteI had always wanted to try this beer, but was never able to do so. The wait was worth it as it fulfilled my expectations. During the winters months I enjoy the darker, fuller beers and this one with its hint of chocolate was a great way to fill a Sunday evening.
ReplyDeleteThe very first whiff reminded me of a milkshake. Very rich and very smooth. Starts off with hints of chocolate and coffee but finishes a little bitter - not at all unpleasant. Big bowl of chili and a nice fire would have made the experience complete...
ReplyDeleteLooks like coffee, smells like coffee, tastes like shit. I'm done.
ReplyDeleteJust finished the Flying Dog Gonzo and I'm now trying the Fade to Black. First difference, the Gonzo had so much head, the Fade to Black had very little. Oh boy, this one smells like coffee and I don't like coffee. Never had a cup of coffee in my life. Reread the description above before taking a sip...there is nothing mentioned that I like, if fact I dislike all of it. I would never try this on my own, but that's whatt he 24 DoB is all about.
ReplyDeleteFirst sip...yep, taste like coffee, side note, the 9.2% ABV from the Gonzo is kicking in! Second sip...not enjoying this at all. I like the Gonzo much more than this beer. But because it's 8.5 ABV I am going to power through it. I can say I will probably never drink this again. If I liked coffee I would like this, I just have not acquired that taste yet. Grade 5 of 10, D-
Stouts aren't my pint of beer as I don't like the idea and taste of coffee and chocolate, two things I luv, in a beer. Maybe they will grow on me over the next few days... But not yet!
ReplyDeleteHere's a beer with lots of flavor, pleasant aroma, and a solid ABV. I like smokey beers, and Left Hand makes good stuff (especially with darker beers like their Milk Stout), so this should be a home run. But it was just OK - good enough to drink but not what I would choose ahead of so many other options on the stout shelf. So why does this earn such faint praise?
ReplyDeleteLike others, I'll take some of the hit for the too-cold serving temp and trad pint glass. But that could't be all of it. While the flavors are complex and interesting, they don't deliver a smooth and satisfying finish. The beer just didn't have the heft and feel one would expect from a high-end stout. It felt more like a home-brew porter - more like an experiment. Last night, Cousin Murdoch and I enjoyed a couple of Sierra Nevada Coffee Stouts, and I would recommend that if you are looking for this kind of beer.
I'm happy I tried Fade to Black, and I would try another, served at proper temp in an appropriate receptacle, just to see what an impact that had. But I'm not sure how much to expect.
I enjoy Left Hand, and I have grown to appreciate a good stout (particularly this time of year) and this is certainly one of them. I wouldn't call it great, but it was rich and smooth with a nice finish. It's not as good as the LH Milk Stout, but its solid stout. I am intrigued by the 4 other version of the brew, and I will give it an extra point for actually promoting self-loathing. Although it may have missed the mark. Like most alcohol, this has made me feel oddly better about myself. Grade: 6.5
ReplyDeleteDefinitely got the licorice taste with this beer. It rreminds me a lot of 1554 from New Belgium. That said, I really enjoyed this and would like to drink a few more. A-
ReplyDeleteDesiree's work Xmas party tonight. I'll have 2 tomorrow
ReplyDeleteOk...drinking this a day late. Started it right after a long day at work. Rich, interesting and satisfying. Finished it with a piece of pumpkin cheesecake...it is so bold and has so many different tastes going on that it fights with anything you try to pair with it,
ReplyDeleteIt came highly recommended and it did not disappoint..this is a big rich and interesting brew that I will always remember.
I might not run out and get another sixer but I sure would like to have another
I enjoyed this one, it was very well done. A great example of a stout - enough bite to let you know that it's not a porter, but not straying into "ashtray" territory.
ReplyDeleteI was looking forward to this beer on the list the most and it did not disappoint. Really enjoyed it. I think it nailed the foreign stout category. It was roasty and got the mouthfeel right - not as oily as a Russian Imperial Stout (RIS) would be. But that said, now I really want to try the Wake Up Dead RIS from Left Hand. I give the Fade to Black an A.
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent dark beer, and they weren't kidding about the "black". Loved it. Had a bit of a burnt aftertaste, but not too heavy and I found it very enjoyable. I'm catching up a bit, so I had this right after the Gonzo, while I was cooking dinner (i.e. before I ate). Hence, I dub thee "Fade to Black Out"!
ReplyDelete