Don't go calling it "black beer." It's a lager, and you should be proud of this Canadian-made Brazilian lager. Canadian? Why is this beer that seems like it has a Japanese name actually from Brazil... wait, no actually from Canada, but it's a Brazilian beer. Look, I don't want a geography lesson.
It says it's a black beer, and I hate to quibble, but this sucker is deep red. It's a very nice, clear, and pretty deep red, but it's not black. The head won't be leaving any lacing from the decent ring that is left after a bit, but it's a lager, so that's just what you get most of the time. The aroma is roasted and bitter, but there isn't much to it.
First sip is a mouthful. It's a lager by way of being poured down a burnt log. The originating lager is sweet, and that can overcome a lot of char. In fact, it's so sweet that there isn't any bitterness that I can discern from this little sip, and that seems almost strange to me until I remember that this is a black lager, and I shouldn't be confused by the color.
Tip-in is sweet, grainy malt that might actually be too sweet with minimal carbonation and a kiss from citrus. The middle spends its time hitting the roof of the mouth with carbonation while watery sweetness flows through the center of the mouth. The finish hints at dryness as char flashes and then lets sweetness and grains head into the trail off.
Bottom Line: I wasn't sure, and then I was.
3.25/5
