Beer - Session Dark

Nothing says winter like a good stout or smoked porter by the fire. I know it sounds cheesy, but there is nothing better than drinking a pint of the black stuff on a cold winter’s night. I took a clerks recommendation on a cold afternoon and picked up a 12-pack of Session Black, a stout-porter like beer from Full Sail Brewing Company out of Oregon - the fastest growing micro brew state, soon to be surpassing Colorado. Okay, maybe not, but they are producing greeat beers.

Taking the box out of the car and placing it in the fridge, I noted that the beer was not a stout at all, but was a dark lager with the same characteristics of stout upon tasting it. Most beers this dark are so thick that you can drink them like a meal – using a knife to cut right through them. Session Black is different, giving you the same quality characteristics of a stout, but with easier drinkability as in a lager and with less bite (5.4% ABV). One could easily drink 3-4 in one sitting and maybe go back for more.

Upon opening one of the 11 ounce, stubby bottles, this medium brown/mahogany (certainly not black) lager introduced a nose of roasted earth and the tasting characteristic brought forth a roasted chocolate and a malty character. The beer itself is very light on the tongue and its mild roastiness paves the way to earthy hops when drinking, yet somehow finishes very clean.

As for food pairings, this beer compliments many dishes since it is cross between a lager and a stout. I would recommend heavy, gravy based dishes such as beef stews, goulash and/or pork (note: dark lagers hold their own when up against heavier dishes) as one would find in Vienna or pair it with bar-b-que, Sheppard’s pie, or even, surprisingly enough, with oysters (most stouts pair very well with oysters).

I love full bodied beers and this one did not disappoint in flavor. I could easily drink a handful of these on a cold night and would rank this brew well above average!