Bent Paddle Black Ale

This is a 6.0% ABV black ale from the Bent Paddle Brewing Company of Duluth, Minnesota. According to their can this beer bridges the islands of porter and stout. The factoid from this can is that Lake Superior is about 1,300 feet deep. The tie in to the beer? "At that depth, it is about as dark as our stout, er, porter."

The beer pours pure black in color, even when held to the light. There is over an inch of thick and somewhat creamy light brown foam. The aroma is dark roasted malt, a bit of char, tangy, some metallic and mineral (but in a good way), very light coffee and dark chocolate. The taste is a creamy and rich dark roasted malt, mostly char and dark chocolate. It is medium-bodied and softly carbonated. The finish is quite dry and moderately bitter. This is one very nice black ale, that, as the can says, bridges the islands of porter and stout.